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“AAAAAAH!” Tuk screamed as she ran through the forest. Lo’ak was chasing after her, a furious look on his face. “TUK! YOU ARE SO DEAD!” He shouted. All of this commotion got the attention of their family, who were having a peaceful day so far.
‘Damn it. I knew it was too quiet…’ Jake thought with a sigh, standing to his feet. “Tuk! Lo’ak! What the hell is all of this ab-HEY! Knock it off!” Jake exclaimed ass he stood in between them as Lo’ak tried to get through to Tuk. The poor girl was hiding behind her father for protection, angry tears shining in her eyes.
“What is the problem, and-what is with that gunk in your hair?” Jake asked, taking a closer look at the pink sticky glob that was stuck in his youngest son’s hair on the side.
Lo’ak gritted his teeth, fangs visible and threatening as he glared daggers at his little sister. “The little shit put BUBBLEGUM IN MY FUCKING HAIR!” Lo’ak shouted, making Tuk hiss at him.
“Stop saying bad words!” Tuk exclaimed. “Stop chewing bubblegum!” Lo’ak fired back. Jake leveled him with a stern look. “Watch your mouth, boy.” He warned before continuing.
“How did she even get bubblegum?” Jake asked. They most definitely didn’t have that here, so he already knew where they got it from.
“She got a piece from someone at the base. Instead of keeping it in her mouth, she decided to stick it in my hair! Once again, ruining everything! For fuck’s sake!” Lo’ak shouted.
Before Jake could even cut in to scold his son yet again, Tuk had begun shouting right back at him. “You were the one that was being a buttface! You hid Teylu from me and wouldn’t tell me where she was!” She exclaimed, holding onto the soft woven ikran Neytiri had created for Tuk.
Lo’ak was fuming. “THAT ISN’T EVEN THAT BIG OF A DAMN DEAL! IT WAS JUST A JOKE, TUK!” Lo’ak shouted. Jake finally had enough of the shouting, his patience running thin.
“Hey, that’s enough out of both of you!” Jake exclaimed, looking at both children as he turned his head and stood in between them. “One more cuss word and you’re grounded, Lo'ak.” Jake stated firmly. The 13 year old and the 6 year old continued to glare at each other, both of them still fired up.
“Tuk, go hang out with your other siblings.” Jake said. He needed to separate them for now to deescalate the situation, but he would be having a talk with her later about sticking gum in hair.
Lo’ak scoffed. “Well, this is just great!” He exclaimed sarcastically as Jake tried his best to pull the gum out of the boy’s hair. Unfortunately, it just stretched. Jake knew what they were going to have to do in order to fix this. “C’mon.” He said, grabbing Lo’ak by the hand and leading him away.
“Where are we going?” Lo’ak asked, confused. “To give you a cool haircut.” Jake responded.
“This is so ridiculous.” Lo’ak complained with a scowl. Jake had been doing the finishing touches, using a blade to carefully shape up Lo’ak’s hair.
“You know, you played a part in this too, son.” Jake pointed out. Lo’ak’s eyes widened, turning to look at his father. “What?!” He exclaimed. Jake turned his head back to face forward. “Stay still, boy! I don’t wanna knick you!” Jake scolded.
Lo’ak groaned. “You always take her side! It’s not fair!” He accused. Jake continued skillfully using the blade. “I’m not taking her side, Lo.” He sighed tiredly. “I’m just saying, you could be a little nicer to your sister. She looks up to you, you know?” Jake said.
“She is always following me around and copying whatever I do.” Lo’ak said. “She’s whiny, too.” He added. Jake smirked. “Gee, I wonder where she gets that from.” He joked.
Lo’ak rolled his eyes. “Oh, whatever. Real funny, dad.” He huffed, crossing his arms. “You should give her a chance, Lo’ak. She just wants to be your buddy. You are practically her idol.” Jake said. “You were the same way with Neteyam.” He reminded.
Lo’ak felt his cheeks heat up. “That’s…first of all, that’s…that’s not even…it’s not the same!” He stuttered, flustered at being called out. “Neteyam and I are just cool! I don’t ‘idolize’ him!” Lo’ak claimed.
Jake chuckled. “Is that why last week I saw you practicing the way Neteyam stands?” He asked. Lo’ak blinked. “You…you saw that…?” He trailed off, embarrassed. Jake nodded, amused at his son’s shyness. “Uh huh. I also saw you trying to copy the way he spoke.” He added.
“Well, that was just-“ Lo’ak’s defense was cut off. “And that phase where you followed him around like a shadow. Haha, poor Neteyam couldn’t even sneeze in private.” Jake reminisced with a nostalgic smile.
Lo’ak was so cute, trying to be just like his big brother. Neteyam was his hero, his favorite person ever, and Tuk felt the same way about Lo’ak. Neteyam was more patient; always allowing Lo’ak to follow him and copy his phrases.
Neteyam was honored that Lo’ak looked up to him. Unfortunately, Lo’ak didn’t feel the same way about Tuk. At least not right now. Sure, he had fun hanging out with Tuk and playing with her, but sometimes he just wanted to be left alone.
To be fair, oftentimes he wanted to be left ‘alone’, he was hanging out with Neteyam. “I don’t even see why Tuk likes being around me all the time. All she wants to do is have me give her piggy back rides and play tag or hide and seek.” Lo’ak scoffed. Jake smiled softly, gently playing with some of Lo’ak’s braids.
“Y’know, those piggyback rides and games of tag make Tuk feel like she’s on top of the world.” He pointed out. Lo’ak frowned, his dad’s words hitting him directly in the feels. “To you, you’re playing with your baby sister. To her, she’s playing with her hero.” Jake finished.
Lo’ak sighed. “You always know how to make me feel guilty.” He grumbled. Jake snorted. “Hey, it’s what I do.” He smirked, patting him on the back. “I also create pretty freakin’ cool haircuts.” Jake said, wrapping an arm around Lo’ak’s shoulder and leaning him over to see his reflection in the beautiful clear stream.
Lo’ak’s eyes widened, gasping as he took in the sight of his new hairstyle. The half of his hair that had gum in it had been shaved, leaving a rebellious impression. “Woahhh…” Lo’ak trailed off. He looked cool as hell!
Jake smiled as he watched his son’s eyes light up. Then, suddenly Lo’ak’s shoulders slumped. Jake lifted an eyebrow. “What’s the matter? I think it looks nice.” He said. Lo’ak looked down at the ground, absentmindedly playing with one of his pinkies.
“It looks cool, but…it’s only going to make me stand out even more.” He sighed. “I’m already different. I wish I didn’t have these stupid things.” Lo’ak sulked, referring to his extra fingers.
Jake gently cupped Lo’ak’s cheek, looking into his eyes sincerely. “Hey, I love different.” Jake said, linking his pinkie with Lo’ak’s with a soft grin. “Besides, that hairstyle is badass.” He said.
Lo’ak chuckled, nodding. “Yeah, you’re right. Thanks, dad.” Lo’ak said. “I’m going to go apologize to Tuk.” He said, turning and walking away to go find his sister. Jake smiled, a feeling of pride filling his heart. He loved Lo’ak so much.
Tuk sniffled as she sat in a tree by herself, looking down at the pretty flowers and grass below. She vowed to never, ever play with Lo’ak again! Or speak to him again, or even think about him again! Then, a familiar figure sat down next to her, lightly startling her. “Hey, Tuk.” Lo’ak said.
“AH!” Tuk squeaked, looking beside her with wide eyes. Lo’ak couldn’t help but to laugh. “Sorry! I didn’t mean to scare you.” He said, wrapping an arm around her. Tuk shrugged his arm off, glaring at him. “Go away! I don’t want to ever talk to you again!” She exclaimed.
Lo’ak sighed, gently taking Tuk’s hand in his. “Tuk, I’m sorry for being a buttface. I shouldn’t have hid your Ikran, and I promise I never will again. I like spending time with you.” Lo’ak said.
Tuk lifted an eyebrow. “Really?” She asked. Lo’ak nodded. “Mmhm, really.” He confirmed. He grabbed a pretty pink flower from a nearby vine, gently putting it on Tuk’s hair, earning a sweet giggle. “I’m sorry for sticking gum in your hair.” Tuk apologized. Lo’ak smirked. “So, what do you say? Are we cool again?” He asked, holding out his fist.
Tuk pondered for a while. “Hmmm…okay, sure.” She smiled, fist bumping him back. Lo’ak smiled, pulling her into a hug. “Oh, and another thing…” He trailed off, standing to his feet and helping her to hers. “What?” Tuk asked, now concerned.
“TAG!” Lo’ak exclaimed, tagging Tuk on the arm and running away with a mischievous grin. Tuk laughed. “HEY! GET BACK HERE!” She shouted, chasing after him.