Chapter Text
It had all happened so fast.
Sitting cross-legged in the tsahìk’s freshly-woven marui, Neytiri found it difficult to believe how different her life had been hardly four months prior. Engaged to her late sister’s beloved. Struggling to fill the role of tsakarem in said sister’s place. Filled with bitterness toward the sky people who had killed her just a few years before…
She’d wanted nothing more to do with those aliens. Nothing more to do with that school. She’d known Grace Augustine since she was very young, almost as long as she could remember, and she’d always been kind, but not even Grace could protect Sylwanin from those nasty metal weapons. Not Sylwanin, not Neytep, not Anuk…
No. She’d been so angry at the sky people, at all of them, even Grace and her scientists, that she’d been ready to shoot that one clumsy dreamwalker on sight the moment she first saw him stumbling through the underbrush.
And yet…so much had happened since then.
Bringing that dreamwalker back to Hometree, at Eywa’s insistence. Her mother forcing her to become his teacher. Teaching him the ways of the Omatikaya, and those of the Na'vi more broadly…annoyed at first, but gradually softening as he actually seemed to take her instruction to heart. He’d been a quick learner, surprisingly humble, endlessly curious like a small child, and about as coordinated as one too, at first. Without even realizing it, as his understanding and abilities grew, so did her affection for him…an affection that must have been mutual, because before she knew it they were mating in the soft glow of Utraya Mokri, unabashedly sealing their bond before Eywa, commiting to each other for life. Neytiri’s face tinged the slightest purple at the memory. It certainly hadn’t come with all the bells and whistles of a normal mating ceremony, but she couldn’t bring herself to regret it.
…but then…the sky people ruined that too, the great metal claws of their crass machines ripping down the sacred trees with careless abandon. They came for Hometree soon after, decimating the village Neytiri had grown up in, and taking several lives with it. Including her father. She’d watched him die there in the rubble. Just like Sylwanin.
She’d been so angry at Jake. He had known about the impending arrival of the sky people and their fire-spitting beasts the whole time. Why hadn’t he told them? Why hadn’t he told her? But…he was a dreamwalker, after all. A sky person’s mind riding a false body. Just like Grace, who couldn’t save Sylwanin. They were all the same. They were always the same—
…yet then he returned to the clan as Toruk Makto, and in that moment Neytiri understood with startling certainty that despite any poor decisions he may have made in the past, he really was on the clan’s side now, he was ready to risk everything for them and for Pandora, and he had the endorsement of Eywa herself.
The relief was enough to make her head spin.
Then came the death of Grace, despite the clan’s valiant effort to save her. Then the great battle in the mountains. Seze’s death. Tsu'tey’s. So many other allies…the survivors saved only by Eywa’s miraculous intervention.
Killing the sky people’s olo'eyktan in his beastly metal machine. Saving Jake’s sky person body, which could not breath the natural air (and, she discovered that day, could not even walk on its own). Sending the surviving sky people back to their own world, save for a few who had sided with the Na'vi.
Recuperating the clans. Building a new village. Tending to battle wounds. Grieving the fallen.
So much had happened.
It had been barely more than four months since Neytiri first aimed her bow at that strange dreamwalker.
It had all been so fast. Like a dream.
And now…
Now…
Neytiri’s trembling fingertips traced a light, shaky pattern across her own abdomen.
A baby.
She was going to have a baby. She and her mate. Her husband, the former dreamwalker.
Maybe I’m still dreaming.
Whatever she’d been expecting when she’d come to her mother to investigate the strange waves of nausea that had come and gone over the past few days, it certainly hadn’t been that.
She supposed that on some level she’d known this was bound to happen eventually, now that she was mated. But it was just so soon. So much had been going on. She hadn’t fully thought about it, not really. She and Jake had certainly never discussed it. There just hadn’t been time. They’d been far too busy rebuilding the clan after the war, especially with Jake’s new title as olo'eyktan.
And yet…..here she was.
Mo'at sat calmly across from Neytiri, hands folded in her lap, waiting patiently for her daughter to process the news she’d just delivered.
Finally, Neytiri made to stand, her voice shaking slighly as she stammered out, “I must tell Jake.”
Mo'at reached out to grasp her daughter’s wrist.
“Wait, ma 'ite,” she said gently, as Neytiri settled back down curiously. “Before you go speak with him, there is something else I would like to suggest.”
“Something else?” Neytiri echoed.
“Yes,” said Mo'at. “Beyond the place where the river bends, there is a quite valley. To travel there requires a full afternoon, even by ikran. Are you familiar with the place? It is a good place to gather many types of useful plants. Peyral kindly accompanied me there on her ikran to restock my medicines just recently.”
“I…I think so. We went there with Seze a few times, after I became tsakarem, correct?” A small thorn suddenly peirced Neytiri’s heart. Seze. Her beloved ikran companion had been killed in the battle. She knew she would have the opportunity bond with another someday, but her grief for Seze was still too fresh—she wasn’t ready.
Besides, she realized with a sudden jolt as she glanced breifly back down at her still-normal-looking belly, it would probably be quite some time before she could take on a task as risky as Iknimaya.
It was such a strange thought. Other than the small bouts of nausea, she didn’t really feel any different just yet, physically. She wondered vaguely how long it would be before her condition began to show.
Mo'at’s voice shook her from her thoughts.
“Yes, we probably have. When I went there the other day…it is still pristine. It is far enough away from Ayvitrayä Ramunong that the war did not touch it. I thought you and your mate may wish to stay there for a few days. You have both been working yourselves to the bone to help rebuild. Perhaps…you could tell him there.”
Neytiri’s eyes widened and her cheeks warmed as she realized what her mother was suggesting. It was normal for newly-bonded couples to take a few days for themselves following their mating ceremony, away from the clan. She and Jake had never gotten such an opportunity, for obvious reasons.
“A-are you certain?” she stammered, blinking rapidly in surprise. “There is still so much to do around the village. I would not wish to abandon my people while they still need me.”
Mo'at grasped her daughter’s hands in her own.
“You would not be abandoning anyone, ma 'ite ayawne,” she crooned lovingly. “You would be taking a well-deserved rest. Yes, there is still much to do, but all the big things have been done. Wounds are healing, and everyone has a comfortable place to sleep and enough food to fill their bellies.”
“But Jake is olo'eyktan now,” said Neytiri. “Does the clan not need him to run things?”
“He is…but I am tsahìk,” Mo'at reminded, leaning forward to place a gentle kiss on her daughter’s forehead. “I have been guiding the Omatikaya for many years. I can handle them on my own for a few days. Go spend some time with your mate, ma 'ite. Tell him the big news. Eywa knows the clan could use new life right now, after all that we have been through! We’ll be right here when you return.”
Neytiri felt the light sting of tears prick at her eyes as she closed the rest of the distance between herself and her mother in an embrace.
“Thank you, Mother,” she mumbled, breath trembling ever-so-slightly.
“No need to thank,” Mo'at responded warmly, smiling against her daughter’s braids. For a just a moment she felt water welling up in her own eyes. “I am so happy that our family is beginning to grow again, after such loss.”
Neytiri let out a small shaky laugh, loose and watery, as she pulled back.
“Yes.”
“Here you go, boy,” said Jake as he tossed Bob a nice cut of yerik thigh, grinning as the ikran caught the meat in a sharp snap and gobbled it up excitedly, rumbling with pleasure. He laughed a bit at the enthusiasm as he stroked the beast’s slender green neck. Bob seemed to have forgiven him for bonding with Toruk, much to Jake’s relief. Toruk was mighty, certainly, but Jake had never intended him to be a permanent mount.
The sound of footsteps caught Jake’s attention, and he turned to see his wife approaching, fingers fidgeting shyly, but with a small smile on her lips and a dazed, dreamy look in her eyes. Jake’s own smile grew; he wasn’t sure what was making her fidget, but she didn’t seem otherwise upset, and as always he was happy to see her.
“Hey,” he greeted, reaching an arm around her shoulders and briefly pressing his forehead to hers, a gesture she welcomed and returned. “What’s up?”
Neytiri hummed. “I…was just speaking with my mother,” she said, and Jake’s ears twitched with curiosity. “She said that we have been working very hard to rebuild the village, and that she would be happy to handle your clan duties for a few days so that we can go…relax together. She…even suggested a location. Though we would have to fly Bob to get there. It is a long journey on foot.” Her cheeks grew gradually more purple as she spoke.
Ahh, Jake smirked, eyes lighting with understanding. She was suggesting a romantic getaway, as it were. No wonder she seemed a little bashful.
“She sure she wants to do that? There’s still a lot to do around here,” he pointed out.
“She insisted,” Neytiri said simply, tail twitching with an odd anticipation. “She is tsahìk. She knows what she is doing.”
Jake shrugged. “Fair enough, I guess. When were you wanting to leave?”
“As soon as we can. It is about half a day’s journey by ikran. If we leave soon, we can arrive by nightfall.”
Jake laughed, patting Bob’s neck again. “Sounds like someone’s excited,” he teased. Neytiri didn’t respond verbally, but her light blush and soft smile remained as she averted her eyes.
“Alright. I won’t complain. Go gather up whatever you need, I’ll meet you back here,” said Jake, giving her a quick squeeze. Neytiri just nodded and bounced off towards their marui.
Wow, thought Jake, she must really be looking forward to this. Didn’t realize she was so in need of alone-together time. Have I not been affectionate enough? He scratched his head for a moment. He thought they’d been doing pretty well on that front, all things considered. Well, she didn’t seem upset, just eager, he reasoned. Let’s get going then. Don’t wanna leave her waiting.
On his way to gather a few supplies for the impromptu journey, he passed by Mo'at’s marui, were he spotted the tsahìk still inside, sorting through a basket of medicinal herbs. Neytiri had said that Mo'at volunteered to run the clan while they were gone, but given how sudden this departure was gonna be, he figured he probably ought to double check.
“Hey,” he said, entering the marui. “Neytiri said you’re kicking us out of the clan for a few days.”
“Is that how she worded it?” Mo'at asked shrewedly, but she was smiling. Jake grinned back. One thing he’d learned while training with the Omatikaya was that Mo'at had a fondness for dry humor.
“Yeah, well, not in those words. But I just wanted to make sure you were ok with it.”
“Do not worry about me, ma Jakesuli, nor the clan. We will be fine. You two derserve this break. It is expected for couples to take such a time after their mating ceremony, you know. But of course, given the…exceptional circumstances…”
“Yeah, that wasn’t exactly…an option for us,” concurred Jake. “So then, can I take this as like, your blessing on our bond? ‘cuz I was lowkey under the impression that you were just kinda tolerating my skxawng butt for Neytiri’s sake.”
He regretted it as soon as the words left his mouth. Some thoughts are better left unsaid, probably. Open mouth, insert foot.
But Mo'at just snorted.
“Skxawng indeed! I have never disliked you, Jakesuli, and I am sorry if I have given that impression. Yes, I was very angry with the both of you when you went off and mated behind everyone’s backs like that…but,” her expression softened, “I have since come to believe that your union, however unconventional, was the will of Eywa. The Great Mother is clearly very fond of you, Toruk Makto, and everything came together in the end. Besides, you bring a light back to my daughter that I have not seen in her since the sky people took her sister from us. She loves you very much. You are good together.”
For a moment Jake stood there, stunned by the tsahìk’s earnest admission and unsure how to respond. Finally he just stammered out,
“I love her very much too.”
Mo'at scoffed, but there was no bite to her tone, just an strange knowing twinkle in her golden eyes that Jake couldn’t quite explain as she shooed him out towards the opening of the marui. “Then what are you doing standing around in here? Go join your mate! She will be waiting, I am certain.”
Jake obeyed his mother-in-law’s instruction without further comment, just a brief wave and clunky smile as he stumbled out in a rush.
The flight was pleasant. Jake had never been to the grove before, but Neytiri knew the way, occasionally murmuring adjusted directions into his ear from her seat behind him. When not navigating she rested her head contentedly against his back, arms around his waist and body pressed up against his, close enough that sometimes he thought he could feel her heartbeat racing in her chest.
Wow, she must be really excited for this, Jake thought. Or perhaps she just missed the feel of flying, now that Seze is gone. Hmm. I guess I should offer to take her out on Bob more often, at least until she’s ready to bond with a new ikran. I hope it won’t be too long, for her sake.
As Neytiri had predicted, night was just barely beginning to fall as she pointed towards an open landing spot. The soft grass glowed with reactant bioluminesence as Bob touched down and she and Jake dismounted.
Neytiri couldn’t help but gasp as she took in the scenery—she had been here before, of course, but never at night. The natural clearing was absolutely beautiful. Jake laughed as she bounded off into the ferns, clearly needing to burn off some pent-up energy. Startled kenten alighted around them, and Jake chased after his mate.
The pair spent a few minutes chasing each other and the kenten, just like old times, when Jake was still in training. All other thoughts seemed to melt away, leaving only the joy of being together. Once the kenten dispersed, Neytiri collapsed against her husband’s chest with a happy hum, leaning into him for support. Jake happily obliged, wrapping his arms around her body, letting one hand trail up and down her back affectionately. He pressed a kiss to her head, which she seemed to accept, but when he hooked a finger under her chin to bring her lips to his, he realized that she was still averting her eyes, and this gave him pause. He suddenly noticed the nervous fingers tapping against his chest, and the apprehensive flick of her tail.
Odd.
“Hey, are you alright?” he asked softly. “It’s not like you to be this shy.”
Neytiri met his eyes, but only briefly before her gaze darted off to the side again. She tucked a loose braid behind her ear, mouth opening and closing a few times as if she couldn’t quite decide how to express what she wanted to say.
“Ma Jake,” she finally murmured. Her voice was quiet, and a little nervous, but warm. “Ma yawntu. I did not want to come here with you for only a date. I have…something to tell you. Something very important.”
Jake furrowed his brow, his own heart beginning to race. What could be so important she had set up a whole days-long getaway just to tell him?
Neytiri took his large hands in her own, stroking her thumbs over his knuckles, staring at them through half-lidded eyes as she took a deep inhale and held it for a moment, seeming to gather her resolve.
Finally, she released her breath and spoke again.
“Nawma Sa'nok tìng syawn oengar mipa tìreyfa.”
Jake paused, his eyes glazing over as he rapidly tried to filter each Na’vi word back into English in his head. Great Mother…gives…shoot, what was syawn? I don’t remember that word…or did she say syawm? Wait…
Sensing his struggle, Neytiri let out a loose half-laugh, rolling her eyes in loving exasperation. She took the hands she still held and pressed them firmly against her torso, palms covering her belly button.
“A baby, you skxawng!” she clarified, though despite the apparent insult her tone held nothing but exhausted affection. “Prrnen, oe nga'prrnen. The Great Mother has blessed us with new life. We are going to have a baby.”
Jake’s jaw went slack as he froze. Only his eyes opening wider and wider as he processed what he’d just been told showed that his brain hadn’t completely short-circuited.
Neytiri’s ears fell back slightly and her tail swayed anxiously. Was he upset?
Finally Jake broke through his stunned stupor.
“You’re pregnant?”
Neytiri tilted her head. “Oh, is that the English word? I do not know it. But if it means I carry a child, then yes.” She gave a small smile. “I suppose I am ‘pregnant’.”
Jake just stared at his hands pressed up against her torso for a moment. Neytiri grew still as well, her small smile dropping as she awaited her mate’s reaction.
“Holy flip,” Jake murmured. Then, after another moment of staring, his face suddenly split into the biggest grin Neytiri had ever seen. “Holy FLIP!” he repeated, much louder and more joyfully this time as he surged forward to embrace his wife in a tight squeeze. Neytiri melted with relief, her hands coming up to rest on his back.
“So you are not upset?” she asked through a shaky laugh, just to be sure.
“What? Of course not!” gasped Jake, loosening the embrace to meet her gaze. “This is amazing, baby! Why would I be upset? I mean, I’m kinda surprised, yeah, I mean, we’ve only been married for like, a month, right? Or maybe a little more now, I guess, but, I mean…”
His hands slid down her back and around her sides until they came to rest on her belly again.
“Wow,” he said with awe, voice dropping to a soft rumble. “You’re pregnant. Our baby is in there.”
“Yes,” affirmed Neytiri, reassured and relieved that her husband was happy with this development. Overwhelmed with a surge of love and affection, her vision blurred with tears as her mate knelt down slowly and placed a loving kiss to her torso, just above her belly button. He remained there for a moment, breathing deeply, then stood back up to kiss her lips, which this time she gladly reciprocated.
“Neytiri, I’m so happy,” said Jake when they broke apart. “Really. You’re my whole world, and now this baby’s gonna be part of that too. I mean, I dunno much about being a dad yet, obviously, but…I’m gonna do my best. I’d do anything for you. For both of you. You know that, right? I love you so much.”
Neytiri leaned into him again with a deeply contented sigh, wrapping her arms around his waist and nuzzling into his neck.
“I love you too,” she cooed. “I was worried you were upset, when you became still like that. After all, we had not discussed this.”
“No, I guess we hadn’t. Things have been pretty crazy since we became mates. But I’m not upset. I could never be upset to be starting a family with you. Sorry for, uh, for making you nervous there…yeah, I guess I can see how freezing up was kinda…ambiguous. But like I said, I was just surprised. This all happened so fast, it just feels kinda surreal, y’know, like—”
“Like a dream.”
“Yeah.”
“You are forgiven,” assured Neytiri with a soft smile. “I had the same thoughts when Mother told me.”
“Ack, right, of course Mo'at knows,” said Jake. “I guess that’s why she let us get away for a few days without much fuss?”
“Actually, it really was her idea,” Neytiri admitted. “I was just going to tell you at home. It was so hard to sit behind you that whole flight keeping it to myself!”
Jake chuckled. “No wonder you were so eager to leave right away. It all makes sense now.”
The conversation trailed off, and for a long moment the couple just held each other, basking in their new knowledge. The sun had dipped completely behind the horizon now, allowing the bioluminescence of the local flora to light the cozy grove as nighttime ambiance filled the air.
“I cannot believe that a little over four months ago I almost killed you with my arrow,” murmured Neytiri.
“I can’t believe that a little over four months ago, I was a paraplegic dreamwalker workin’ for the RDA who’d just landed on an alien planet and had no clue what I was doing,” countered Jake, glancing down at his own blue hand. He didn’t regret passing through the eye of Eywa, not in the slightest, but it was still weird sometimes to think how he’d essentially switched species. “No clue how to See.”
“But you learned,” said Neytiri. Jake smirked.
“I had a good teacher.”
Neytiri laughed lightly at his playful flattery before trailing off into a thoughtful hum.
“So much has happened since then,” she mused quietly. “So much sadness, and pain. But also…good things.” Her fingers lightly brushed her own abdomen again. She glanced up to meet her husband’s eyes.
“Perhaps now…” she said, voice graudally growing more stronger, more hopeful. “…the future…can be happy.”
Jake smiled contentedly, closing his eyes and leaning in until his forehead was pressed against his wife’s.
“Yeah,” he said, with all the loving sincerity in the world. “Maybe it can.”