◇A/N◇

{not sure how I feel abt this chapter but I tried T-T also this is Nîryni's hair inspiration}

●Nîryni decided to switch her hair up today. She woke up extra early to take down all of her braids. She used the blue and purple strings she had and braided them into a few strands of her hair.

"Kiri, can you reach me those beads and flowers?"

Kiri got up to hand her the items, "Special occasion today?"

The two girls, Neytiri and Jake, were just waking up. The two adults were talking lowly outside. And the other kids were still sleeping closely together.

Nîryni shook her head, "Nope just wanted to look nice. And the water yesterday made my braids really need to be done over."

Kiri started to help her add a mixture of beads and flowers into the girl's hair, "You always look nice."

Nîryni rubbed her tail against her as a way to show affection. "Thanks sis."

Neytiri wandered into the marui and over to them. "Your hair? Are you spending time with Lo'ak today?"

In their home, the women would take their hair down for special occasions so Nîryni could see why they asked.

"Nope! I don't have time to redo them but I didn't want them to be too messy so until I have the time I'll leave it like this."

Neytiri made a sound of approval then started helping the two girls. "You should pull it back like this otherwise the water will make your flowers come out." She grabbed a small chunk of the braided strands and pulled it back into a loose ponytail tail. She then grabbed the girl's headpiece to tie it into place.

"There. Looks perfect."

Nîryni hugged Neytiri and Kiri as thanks just as Jake walked in.

"How's riding the Tsurak going?" Nîryni wanted to learn but apparently she was too young.

Jake chuckled at her enthusiasm then sighed, "It sucks ass to be honest."

Neytiri scolded him quietly for his language but Nîryni cut her off.

"Or maybe you just suck? I bet I could learn faster than you pops."

"Yeah right. Keep dreaming kid." He crouched down to wake up his other children.

Neteyam jumped up quickly as expected of the eldest child. He went on to do his own morning routine. Lo'ak was the complete opposite. No matter how early he went to bed the night before, he was usually the last to get up.

And Tuk? Well she was either up earlier than them all or the hardest to wake up. There was no in between. Right now she clung to her dad with her eyes barely open.

Nîryni giggled at the two youngest Sullys and sat in her usual spot for breakfast.

Neteyam plopped down next to her."Yesterday was tiring."

"I know but maybe today will be easier since we know what to expect."

The older boy nodded towards his sister, "Kiri seems more excited than all of us. Must be nice."

"We should be happy for her. I don't think I've seen her like that in a while. Especially not since Spider was taken."

At the mention of what happened Neteyam gave Nîryni his full attention. It seemed like she didn't even notice the way her voice got quieter and heavy while speaking about the incident. "Ryn....how are you doing?" Okay maybe he could have phased it better.

Nîryni shrugged. "I'm alright."

Neteyam felt his mood dampen a little bit. Nîryni was practically his sister now and he wanted to be there for her. "If you ever need someone to listen, you know I'm here."

She smiled at him gratefully and silently stared at her food. As much as she wanted to take him up on his offer, she didn't want to let her emotions consume her. Talking about her dad was the easiest way to make her cry these days and she hated it. She also didn't know how to express herself so she'd probably have a breakdown from the frustration of trying to do so.

Once again she found herself not having an appetite yet she continued to eat knowing her boyfriend would make her once he was awake.

The emotionally distraught girl stood up when she was done and leaned against the makeshift wall, looking at the passing people as usual.

Neytiri watched her carefully. The woman was extremely concerned about Nîryni's mental state. She wasn't the only one either.

Lo'ak, who had woken up a minute ago, could read Nîryni's body language like an open book. He didn't waste his time eating and walked over to her.

Nîryni relaxed from feeling the familiar warm body hug her from behind her. Lo'ak tucked his head into the side of her neck and she reached her hand back to rest in his loose braids.

"Goodmorning ma." He pressed a quick kiss to her skin. "Your hair looks good like this."

Her stomach filled with butterflies instantaneously while her tail flicked against him.

"You two are so sappy it's disgusting." Kiri's teasing made Nîryni try to pull away slightly but Lo'ak held her in place.

Neteyam had to agree. "Right, they're so bad already imagine when they're actually mated."

Lo'ak scoffed, "Don't hate on us just cause you're lonely."

"You're all losers now, shut up and eat so we can go." Tuk didn't even spare them a glance as she tiredly ate.

♡

"Breathe in....and breathe out." Tsireya's voice surrounded the group of teenagers that sat in a circle.

Nîryni sat next to Lo'ak and the two had a hard time concentrating. Not because it was difficult but because Nîryni was quietly making jokes between the two of them.

Tsireya would take the time to scold them but even she would giggle every now and then.

Although at the moment, she was completely focused on getting through this lesson.

"Imagine a flickering flame. You must slow down your heartbeat." She moved over to Lo'ak and placed her hands on his lower stomach and above his heart.

"Breathe from here." The boy's eyes got larger from the unexpected touch. "Breathe in," she paused, "Now breathe out slowly."

Tsireya's eyes narrowed, "Lo'ak your heartbeat is fast."

"It is?" Nîryni leaned over his lap to also feel his heartbeat. She was worried something might've been wrong.

Tsireya nodded then looked up at the boy underneath both of their hands. "Are you okay? It just got faster."

"Sorry." Lo'ak clenched his jaw while trying not to blow a fuse. Out the corner of his eye he could see Neteyam and Rotxo smirking at each other while Kiri rolled her eyes.

Nîryni realized what was happening and got a mischievous glint in her eyes. One that Lo'ak picked up on causing him to slightly shake his head at her.

She sighed and decided not to embarrass the hormonal teen boy even more. She removed her hand from his chest and went back to following Tsireya's calming voice.

"Try to focus."

Warm hands pressed against her skin. Her eyes peeked open to see Tsireya checking her heartbeat and breathing as she did Lo'ak's.

"Breathe in and breathe out. Let your mind go clear."

Nîryni closed her eyes again, feeling sleepy. Tsireya brought a certain type of peace to her that made her body relax easily. Adding Lo'ak's reassuring presence only made her want to take a nap.

"Good job Nîryni."

As bad as she wanted to rub it in Lo'ak's face that she was doing better she simply couldn't. She was too relaxed from the warmth of the girl and boy sitting close to her.

♡

Nîryni was on the run from a grinning Lo'ak. They were playing tag on their ilus underwater.

Tsireya suggested it to help get them used to holding their breath and riding their ilus.

Lo'ak was currently it and decided to target Nîryni who was the closest to him. She urged her ilu to twist sharply around a pile of rocks hoping to lose the teen catching up to her. Unfortunately it didn't work and Lo'ak reached his hand out to tap her foot just as she started to turn.

She resisted the urge to hiss at him when he held up a 'L' at her with one hand.

Tsireya cut through the water under them and waved for them to follow her.

The trio swam through and around the different formations of coral and rock. Nîryni didn't think she could get enough of how beautiful it was down there. Having Lo'ak and Tsireya with her made just that much more special. There was something magical about having nonverbal intimate moments and all three of them loved being together like this.

Nîryni found herself shuddering from the intense feeling of being complete.

Suddenly Tsireya turned and started to head to the surface. She wore her usual smile as the other two teens circled her and each other until they broke through the water.

"Holy shit! That was fun." Nîryni was definitely addicted to being in the ocean now. Lo'ak whooped in agreement.

Tsireya chuckled at their sounds of excitement. "You are learning to breathe."

♡

Nîryni walked along the beach alone with her future mate. They finished their daily training as night would be approaching soon. After eating Nîryni asked to go out for a quick walk.

She wanted some time to think and Lo'ak wanted to tag along as usual. He promised to be mostly quiet.

Barely audible footsteps made their ears twitch in the slight breeze. Standing behind them was no other than Tsireya.

"Hi." She greeted them slightly breathlessly.

Lo'ak greeted her silently while Nîryni lifted her head up once, "What's up?"

"Oh nothing!" She cleared her throat and lowered her voice. "I just wanted to make sure you were okay. You looked like something was bothering you."

"Nah I'm good. Thanks for checking on me though."

"Of course."

Maybe it was the way those blue eyes gazed up at her that made her say, "Want to join us for a bit?"

The smile she got in return made her glad that she asked. They walked side by side for a while without speaking, just enjoying the sounds of the waves.

Lo'ak had his arm thrown over Nîryni's shoulder and she held his hand loosely.

Tsireya looked over at Nîryni. She truly thought the older girl was attractive in every way. From the way her eyes would light up when she discovered something interesting to the way her lips curved in that enchanting smirk when she was teasing someone. She even loved the slight height difference between them and how Nîryni would look down at her with her full attention.

Her eyes then traveled to Lo'ak. She enjoyed his humor and goofiness. His ability to turn practically everything into a joke was heartwarming. After today she could tell how loving he was. He would always check on Nîryni after they finished a lesson and make sure she was okay. It was all endearing and she adored it.

Sometimes, like right now, she wished she could experience what it would be like to be cared for by them.

But she knew it was wrong to have these thoughts considering the circumstances. Although she was equally drawn in by both of them, she needed to get a grip fast.

"You're staring, love." Nîryni had felt her heavy gaze but was waiting patiently for her to say something.

"Sorry I got lost in thought."

The dark skinned girl shrugged, "No worries."

Before the silence once again enveloped them, Tsireya wanted to learn more about them and their situation. She tilted her head curiously, "Hey Nîryni, I hope you don't mind me asking but how come your parents aren't here?" It was something that was on her mind for a while.

Lo'ak tensed up at the same time that Nîryni stopped walking. The way her face hardened made Tsireya regret asking.

She waved her hands frantically in front of her. "You don't have to answer- I was just curious and shouldn't have asked. I'm really so-"

Nîryni intertwined their fingers to stop her from rambling. She leaned her head on Lo'ak's shoulder and he pulled her into his side.

"It's okay Reya, I don't blame you for being curious. My mother is with Eywa and well my father..." She trailed off as her ears drooped down. Her voice might've been nonchalant but the hurt on her face was genuine.

Lo'ak rubbed circles into her side, "He'll be here soon." Nîryni nodded against him appreciatively and bumped his tail with her own.

Tsireya could pick up on the buried pain Nîryni carried and it was clear she didn't want to talk about it anymore. In her mind she internally scolded herself for being insensitive.

She gripped Nîryni's hand tightly, "I don't know what happened and you don't have to tell me but just know I'll always be here for you." The sincerity in her eyes and voice was impossible to miss. Blue eyes locked onto yellow ones as Nîryni raised their conjoined hands close to her chest smiling softly.

"Awww, that was cute."

Nîryni groaned and pushed him away, "Lo'ak you ruined the moment."

He raised his hand defensively, "What? You guys just had a tiny trauma dump and heart to heart, it was cute."

Tsireya cheekily grinned, "It's okay, I'm sure we'll have lots of moments in the future." She let go of Nîryni's hand. "I wish I could stay longer but I have to go now."

Lo'ak tiredly ran a hand through his hair. "Yeah we should head back too. See you tomorrow?"

She nodded with a wave then turned to leave only to turn around and wrap her arms around them both before quickly walking off.

Nîryni looked to Lo'ak, "Bro she's so fucking adorable."

"I know right."

Nîryni turned to face him with sudden gloomy eyes, "Do you really think my dad will find us, though?"

Lo'ak used both arms to hold her around her waist. "Baby, your dad is a badass. I wouldn't be surprised if he was almost here."

♡

Sìkve was tired.

His head hung lowly as he sat in his chair. The chain around his neck weighed so much and was uncomfortable but he didn't have the freedom of removing it. He was waiting for Spider's next visit since that was all he could do.

The door creaked open and to his surprise Spider wasn't alone like usual. Quaritch walked in behind him wearing that annoying ass smirk.

"Damn you look bad."

Sìkve made no signs of movement that let the other man he had heard him. His eyes stayed glued to the toxic white floor that constantly gave him headaches.

Quaritch didn't let it bother him. He knew his next words would get the reaction he was seeking.

"I'm sure Nîryni and Äslla would hate to see you like this."

Sìkve's head snapped up so fast it felt like it would fall off. The man's fangs were shown off with a vile growl accompanying them. His chest heaved with uncontained anger.

How dare this bastard utter the name of his daughter and late mate. No one had ever risked saying his wife's name in front of him but this demon had the audacity to speak her angelic name as if he had the right to.

Quaritch loved seeing that flicker of pain and pure hatred in Sìkve's eyes.

Spider on the hand, flinched with each hiss the Na'vi let out. Guilt was written all over his face.

"Oh did I hit a nerve? My apologies, Spider here told me-"

Sìkve snarled in the human boy's direction. Betrayal shone through the anger in his eyes like a floodlight.

Spider shrunk in on himself. He was only trying to help. Quaritch told him that any piece of information would allow him to keep Sìkve alive a little bit longer. Spider misleadingly took the bait.

"Look. Here's the deal; You give up Sully and I'll make sure you and your daughter are spared. Your little friends wouldn't attack you and now you'd have assurance that we won't hurt you either."

Sìkve wanted nothing more than to kill the demon at that exact moment.

"I get it, you're loyal to your buddy. But as a father are you really going to risk your daughter's life for him? Wouldn't your wife want you to protect her at all costs?"

That made Sìkve pause. Äslla would never forgive him if something happened to their child.

Quaritch saw the way the man's shoulders sagged slightly and knew he had done his job successfully.

"It's a lot to think about so I'll give you some time."

Now it felt like time was Sìkve's worst enemy. Too much time to think was dangerous. He prayed to Eywa for an opportunity to see his daughter again soon before he did something he'd regret.●