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* ☆ ˖࣪ ໒꒱ ˚₊·

ू *𖥔 ͙ࣳ

Ocean Genesis

Avatar: The way of water

It was night but unlike usual Li' Aeyana was not out. She had not spoken to her mother since it all happened. Most days they lived past one another, sharing glances to one another but neither knew how to approach the other. Li' Aeyana knew she was strong and could handle a lot. She could handle Ronal yelling at her, telling how irresponsibility she was - but her silence killed her.

She had wondered where it went so wrong. Was she a disorient child? How somewhere along the way as a child she hurt her mother , that would cause a rift between them? Did Ronal refuse to understand her daughter? Or was she simply unworthy of being her mothers daughter.

She fondly remembered how close she was with Ronal. The pair did everything together and agreed on so much. As a child she would never think of questioning her mother but as she grew older she could not be who she was as a child. She wanted a life of her own, away from just being the chiefs daughter. Was that so wrong?

Did it so deeply hurt Ronal that Li' Aeyana was becoming her own person. Or was it because she could not control her? She wished she had the answers but she had so many questions for her mother, she did not know where to start.

Like most nights Li' Aeyana sat outside their pod watching the stars , she knew it was impossible to count stars but anything was better than to be stuck in her own mind. Her ears perched when she heard footsteps next to her. Her mother looking ahead as she took a seat next to her.

The two remained silent as the air around them felt thick. Ronal herself felt guilt ridden of how distant she had become with Li' Aeyana. She was just a bright girl, happy with everyone but her. She sometimes found herself jealous of how she seeked comfort from her father. Their bond was something she admired and yet found herself jealous. How easy it was for Tonowari to be around Li' Aeyana.

"A baby was born today. I held that sweet girls hand, thinking of you." Ronal spoke turning to Li' Aeyana who could not look her in the eye "Li' Aeyana, I miss you." To this Li' Aeyana bit the corner of her lip as she felt it quiver overwhelmed by weeks of pent up frustration and sadness. "I sometimes wonder where it went wrong. You used to be so bright and happy with me and now..."

"No, I was not." Li' Aeyana replied "Even as a child I did everything you wanted from me, but I just could not anymore. I did it all for you, but I was changing, becoming what you did not want of-"

"I suppose I never thought of it that way." Ronal sighed. Motherhood was not easy, but what she hated is seeing how her child was growing away from her. Tsireya and Aonung would always need her but Li' Aeyana was always a child who took care of herself and siblings. That's why they bonded as well, because they both were comfortable in taking care of other.

"I don't think I can be what you want me to be mother. I wish I could but I can't be the wife and mother and daughter you expect me to be." Li' Aeyana added "And I'm sorry for that."

It was then that Ronal had realized how much her pressured weighed on Li' Aeyana.

As a child Li' Aeyana had always been a people pleaser, especially to her mother. Always wanting to the best version of herself to Ronal and Tonowari. But where Tonowari could see the facade, Ronal was blinded by her duties and as she got older it became harder to be what Ronal wanted of her. Li' Aeyana for so long tried to be something she was not to keep her mother happy but being who she was she always failed. Even when she tried her hardest it was never enough.

"No." Ronal stopped her "I am sorry." She apologized as Li' Aeyana turned to her mother. An apology from her that would in truth be the first. "I have been hard on and that was wrong." She explained "I should never have tried to control you and -" She soothed her pregnant belly "And if I made you feel like you could not be yourself, I'm sorry. My sweet girl..." she cried as she held out her hand which Li' Aeyana "I'm so sorry for everything I've done to you. I love you so much and it scared me to lose you."

"You won't lose me." Li' Aeyana replied "I just don't know how to fix myself."

"You don't have to sweet girl." Ronal answered as she held Li' Aeyanas face still seeing her baby girl "You should not apologize for being you, even to me. I'm sorry if I made you feel that way.

And for the first time in years Li' Aeyana allowed her mother to hold her as she cried in her arms. She knew this would not fix everything overnight, but it was a start. A start she was looking forward to.

◌ 𓈒 ◌ 𓈒 ࣪ . 🪡 ⃝ ⸳ 𓂂

Li' Aeyna stood outside of The Sullys pod peeking through. They were all asleep , except Neteyam. He stared at the ceiling as his mind was so far from sleep. He missed home and he could not say so.

He understood why they had to leave, their lives were still in danger but the only person who distracted his mind from the chaos in his life was her. Which scared him, she scared him.

It felt too easy to be around her. How easy it was to be vulnerable around her which was not something he was used to.

He was the might Neteyam Sully. Fierce warrior and son of Toruk Makto, but she did not care for that. He could just be him around her which felt refreshing but also felt like walking on a tight rope.

His thoughts were broken as tiny shells flicked against his head. Sitting up to see her green eyes peak though the entrance.

Cove?. He signed as she nodded her head. This was not something he usually did, if ever. He was not one to disobey orders and yet he found himself not caring.

Despite missing home, the cove had become like a safe place for Neteyam. It seemed to be the only place where he could cast his thoughts aside. The ocean was clear from anything or anyone he knew. It was just them. She was a contributing factor of course.

"How is Kiri?" She asked as she petted her ilu in the shallow water

"She's upset and she won't let us near her." Neteyam sighed "She cried herself asleep."

Li' Aeyanna shook her head as she turned to him sitting on the sand "Is there something I can do to help? I feel bad for what happened." She suggested taking a seat next to him "I'm still angry with my brother."

"I don't know." He noted "She said she needed space and time, which does not mean anything good."

"Right." She murmured "Speaking of space, my mother spoke to me."

"Really? That is good, right?"

"I think so." Li' Aeyana responded "She-" Li' Aeyana was usually an overly confident person but there was something she wanted to do.

That made her scared, his reaction made her scared. Swallowing her pride as she spoke "We spoke and um- she said something."

"What?" He kindly asked

"I'm not good at this." She quietly mumbled. Taking a deep breath. She used to think she hated how his eyes pierced at hers, how easily vulnerable it made her feel.

Like he was staring through the facade she presented. The overly confident, boasting girl she was.

And Neteyam himself felt the same. Both brought a safety within the other. She was nervous, he could tell by her playing with the beads around her wrist but she also seemed at ease with herself. Happy, the kind he had not seen ever.

"I think-" she wanted to sign, too scared to speak but she felt her hands frantically playing with her beads. "I don't know how to say this..." she softly spoke "And you staring at me like that does not help Neteyam."

"Staring how?" He teased her "Li' Aeyana, what is wrong?"

"You make me feel stupid." She answered "Stupid as in I can't say how I feel but not in a bad way. I hate how you quickly became my friend and how I don't find you annoying and stupid anymore. I hate how you always make me nervous but also happy. I hate how you always wait for me here... But I hate you you make me feel. I hate that I don't hate how you make me feel."

Neteyam noticed her look down to her hands as her face seemed flushed.

"I'm sorry..." she apologized "What I mean is-"

Though he did not apologize as he came closer to her. Both unsure what they were doing, whether they should. "I know what you want to say. I feel the same."

Her nose brushed against his as she could feel the moon light up from above till suddenly she felt him kiss her. The feeling unfamiliar to Neteyam. Li' Aeyana's body feeling limp as her brain was screaming to do something. This was not her first kiss but somehow it felt different than any kiss she'd ever had.

She was not drousy from medicine she stole, her mind was clear. Every kiss she's had with friends was only that, an impulsive kiss due to what she had taken but with Neteyam something felt different. It felt softer, more gentle and more meaningful.

Neteyam himself had never been one for romantics. He gained a lot of attention back home with girls even but he never showed interest in it. Sometimes looking to Neytiri and Jake, wondering how it felt to share that bond with someone.

As his hands slid to gentle hold her waist, he felt like he understood. As they continued to kiss he felt like his body was on fire, even in the brisk cool air blowing the air felt hot around them. Her hand slowly reaching behind his shoulders to his neck as she stood on her toes.

Her heartbeat beating faster as she felt his skin against her chest. Slowly pulling away as she rested her head against hers, suddenly light headed as could feel his hands on her. Completely out of breath Neteyam pulled her in closer "I know I'm not promised to anymore but I think-" he somehow felt lost in her eyes as her eyes lit up the sky "I feel like I choose you, for however long you want me around you."

"I choose you too." She smiled leaning into his touch.

Authors note:

Rereading this is what Li' Aeyana was giving

But anyway

OH MY GOD I WROTE A KISS- yall I'm normally so bad at writing fluff but good GAWD

I don't know how to feel, I can't explain how this chapter made me feel

💌