Chapter Text
The skies are clear once more and perfect for not only flying, but racing one of the most trusted friends you’ve ever had.
Slow moving rocks hovered in the air, making perfect obstacles for you and your ikran to dodge at high speeds. Cheers and chirps left you as you kept the other rider in sight, raising your voice as you watch him fly sideways to miss a skinny rock.
”Yeah, yeah! Let’s go!” You decided to up the ante by spinning down into a nosedive, wings curling in tight, and dropping towards the land below.
A chuckle and shake of his head was what you missed before So’lek and Iley followed behind. His grip was sure, not even tightening as the air and insects whizzed passed his face. He followed his friend as the ground grew closer and closer, the outlines of leaves coming into sight. Before the tree line, both ikran fanned out their wings, slowing down their descent enough to fly over the tips of the trees. The beauty of the Kinglor Forest could be seen all around them.
You were the first to back off as you leaned back on your mount, waving to So’lek before shouting to him, “How was that?!”
”Good as usual, Sarentu,” he responded to your excitement, earning a frown from you.
A silent huff left you as you shook your head, trying to hide the small grin he could always bring out of you. The flight would have to come to an end, but you two would settle on a plateau overlooking not only the forest, but the great Hometree of the Aranahe as well. You settled on the rock as you watched the two irkan fly off together, perhaps to hunt together.
Your eyes turned to watch your friend settle down next to you but his eyes lingered to the world around you, not once turning your way.
”Been busy?” Someone had to start talking and you knew it wasn’t going to be him.
So’lek gave a low hum and soft nod, “Of course, but the RDA has pulled back greatly. A sight I never thought I’d live to see.”
”Pandora gets to heal, but what’re you going to do now?” You leaned toward him, trying to lean into his field of view.
His eyes lowered to the forest below, eying the Hometree, but eventually his gaze landed on you, “Fighting became my way of life. There are still humans to hunt, we must see to the protection of our home.”
Your rolled your eyes before lifting your yourself onto your toes, crouch-walking to sit in front him, “And then what? All the humans are wiped off the face of the moon, what happens after that?”
Once more, So’lek’s eyes drifted to the flora below and around him, “There was never a time to ask myself that. But it does not matter,” his eyes closed, “there will always something to break the peace.”
”Well, yes, happiness isn’t forever or certain. The calmness of a lake can be interrupted at any time, but eventually it will fall still again. There will always be chaos to balance the peace,” your own gaze dropped down to watch the life below you. “We fight for those calm moments,” your eyes met his, “for these moments.”
Those honey yellow eyes lingered on you before he said one of the things you didn’t want to hear, “Spoken like a true Sarentu.”
A loud groan left you as you leaned back to flop onto the moss that carpeted some of the rock, “Come on! Can’t you use my name?” The plants below your back was soft and cool to the touch. You had forgone your armor for more relaxed wear, a feathered top to cover your chest, only donning a simple loincloth to cover yourself, but wise enough to wearing leg guards for riding. Just as your gaze was to settle on the beauty of the sky, you caught the quick motion of his eyes trailing over your form. His eyes ended on spotting your grin, the slightly older man turning his head away.
”You ask me to fly, but we sit here and chatter. What is it you have asked me out here for?”
Your grin softened as you sat back up and moved in front of him, keeping your eyes to his, “It may seem like chatter, but I did want to talk with you privately.” So’lek gave you a small nod to continue, staying quiet so you could speak. A small warmth bloomed in your chest as your knees settled on the cold rock, resting your behind on your heels, “I have seen so much of Pandora, my home, thanks to you. Your words guiding me out of the RDA TAP facility were words I had always wanted to hear. Everything about you caught my attention.”
His hand raised before you, “You saw me as a newborn pal’i sees its mother for the first time, fearing the new world while needing protection.”
Your shoulders sag as your palms rest on your thighs, “No, So’lek, let me finish.” He frowned at your words but lowered his hand, giving you another quick nod. You shook your head, trying to get back to what you were saying, “It was thanks to you getting me out that I met the Aranahe, their pigments and colors found to balance the beauty of the world while we live with it.” His eyes glance down to the colorfully dyed feathers adorning your breasts, only to dip down to the vibrant purple of your loincloth, and back up to your face.
”After that, your words of caution and guidance allowed me to met the Zeswa and the Zakru. The great winds of the plains had me searching for lost kites while I was able to witness their amazing murals found all over the lands. Their foods were unlike anything I have ever had,” your hands had come up as sheer joy and excitement spread across your face. There was a subtle change on his eyes, very slow dilation of his eyes. He was taking you in, listening intently to you.
”Then the tragedy of the Kame’tire. Their people, once great healers, lost to the forests. It was their Mokasa that had set the worst in motion, but he knew if he didn’t send the sky people to another clan, his own would be lost. Sadly, Anufi took all of the blame, condemning herself to solitude.” Your ears flicked as you looked deep into the man’s eyes, “The Sarentu Moot still bears scars of his deceit, so deeply even Eywa herself can not save it, but the Kame’tire are healing, they will be known across the lands once more.”
The sounds of the jungle eased into your pause as you lowered your hands to weave your fingers together in front of you, “I tell you this, because I have met so many in my time outside of the facility. I have fought side by side with so many that I have not only shared a meal with, but a bed too.” Your eyes raised to his, being as open about your feelings as you could, “In those I have shared, none have…” Words. Your lungs expanded as you took in a deep breath, So’lek’s patience feels like it’s never ending.
”None have been able to make me forget you,” with this your brought your hand forward, gently laying it over one of his, “It felt like I was betraying you.”
His eyes drop from yours to your hand. The muscles in his arm twitch, stilled, but slowly his hand turned over, letting your hand rest in his palm, “You could not betray me.” His fingers slowly close around yours, his other hand laying over yours to completely cover your digits, “The Sarentu had their betrayal in the clan already. Quite a surprise it was Teylan.”
You gently shook your head, “He was manipulated, I’m more worried about Nor in that sense…” A low sigh left you as eyed his hand before moving to his eyes, “You’re pulling me off-topic, So’lek.”
He let out a soft chuckle, a small grin on his lips, “No matter what, your journey and the way you explained it,” your ears lowered, “was exactly,” his grin grew as your brow furrowed, “how a true Sarentu would-.”
Your free hand gripped the chain of tags on his vest, pulling him and his smug grin closer to your face, “You-.”
”Ma’Tamtey,” was all he uttered to stop you in your tracks, eyes wide and mouth slightly open. His grin softened while his hands squeezed your one before the one on top raised up to gently cup your cheek, “You have done so much for your clan, bringing it back from being wiped out.” A soft huff of a laugh left him as he slowly pulled back, “I am proud of you.”
Your brain had to catch up, blinking rapidly, but the chain was never pulled from your grip. He hadn’t left your grasp, just leaning back so you could wake up. Your eyes settled on him again, feeling the heat in your cheeks and ears, “Wh- You-… Are you teasing me again?”
So’lek gave a gentle laugh, “Purple is more your color.” The mirth in his grin reached his eyes, ears perked up, “But yes, teasing you can be rather amusing.”
Emotions flitted over your features, brows furrowing in annoyance, lips spreading with the soft praise, then your nose scrunching up in protest of being teased. Your head lowered as you yanked the chain with all of the hard-won tags, earning a surprised grunt, and settled your forehead against his shoulder. If it weren’t for the damn cage on his armor, you would’ve settled where his neck met his shoulder. “I am trying to be sincere, honest, just for you So’lek. But am I… Am I saying it wrong?
”When I think of you, I feel heat in my chest and a lightness in my stomach. When I’m near you, my heart thunders like a pal’i running free in the plains,” a sigh left you as you closed your eyes, rubbing your forehead against the rough material of his shoulder strap. You felt his thumb gently rub the back of your hand that he still held, “Is my confession falling on deaf ears? Or can you not- will not see me in that way?”
Doubt was creeping into your heart, the horrid sensation that you had tamped down just to get him out here in the first place. Is he listening? How will he answer? Does he feel the same? Does he not? The questions ran wild in your mind, tearing every ounce of confidence you had built up.
Your hand was let go, only to feel his hands gently rest on your shoulders to push you back up, but you couldn’t look to him. Your friend, your crush. It was his hand leaving your shoulder to cradle your cheek and made you look at him once more, “Ma’Tamtey, look at me.” Worry was written all over your face, ears tucked low, and a pang of pain ran through your heart at hearing him chuckle, “Be at ease.” So’lek leaned forward to rest his forehead against your own, “Calm your heart and hear me.” Both of you closed your eyes as you calmed your breathing with his.
Again, the sounds of the jungle reach your ears, it feels like the life below is breathing with you, calming your heart beat and your nerves. He leaned back, taking his warmth with him, and you opened your eyes to look into his. A small smile was held on his lips, “There, calm as the lake again?” You nod your head slowly, waiting to see if he’ll finally answer. His thumb gently ran over your cheek, “I understood what you were saying, and I am warmed to hear you say it.” Your ears twitched, flicking down while your calm facade was beginning to drop, concern returning to your features but you kept quiet.
“I see you,” So’lek spoke softly, your brow muscles and ears quickly raising at hearing him say it. “But,” a slight sting prickled in the corners of your eyes, “I can not claim you yet.”
Yet. Yet. He didn’t say no.
Emotions fluttered across your face again, his thumb glided over your cheek again, stilling your features. “There is still much to be done, and I have a quest to complete,” his eyes remained locked to yours, “But I would be honored to have one as strong and caring as you as my mate.”
You finally blinked away the forming tears, letting go of the chain, and placing your hand over his on your cheek, a weak smile growing, “But it’s not a no?”
He slowly shook his head, “It’s not a no.” That sweet, small smile remained on his lips as he leaned forward to gently rest his forehead against yours once more, “So please, calm yourself.” Your eyes closed once more, taking a deep breath, his scent of gun oil and metal stuck out compared to anything else you’ve picked up in your time in this world.
”Thank you, So’lek,” you leaned back, showing off your own toothy smile, “Ma’So’lek.” Your heart was soaring as you dared to bring your hands up to his jaw, fingers resting on his cheeks, and leaned forward, gently pressing your lips to his. It was gentle, almost chaste, as you were testing the boundaries, and you were the first to slowly pull away enough to look to his eyes. His honey-yellow eyes were half-lidded, pupils fairly dilated.
“Hmm, it seems, ma’Sarentu, you’re feeling much better,” the corners of his eyes crinkled in amusement as your cheeks darkened in both annoyance and happiness.
”Why must you goad me?” You couldn’t hold the frown on your lips, but you fought well to keep the smile from creeping in. Instead, you brought your hands together, squishing his cheeks inward a little to force his lips into a pout. A soft chuckle left him as he kept the amusement in his eyes, only to widen them as you put some pressure into pushing him backwards, climbing over him enough to kiss him again.
What was soft, almost delicate before, was now you trying to convey more of your emotions to So’lek. Both of his hands moved to lightly rest on your hips, fingers pressing to your skin and the muscle below, more than content to have you take the lead. Your hands moved to gently run your fingers through his hair, minding the braids as your nails raced along his scalp. A hum vibrated in his chest, his fingers curling inwards as his blunt nails dug into your skin.
Warmth bloomed wherever his hands touched, especially as you laid your body over his. The armor below your breasts was cool, sending prickles along your skin, and drawing out a low groan as you pulled away a little, “I know you’re the ‘dog-tag warrior’, but it’s somewhat uncomfortable.” You leaned back, pulling your torso away from him, only to carefully settle your hips over his, knees pressing into the thin layer of moss.
So’lek’s hands gripped your hips, keeping you from pressing too much weight, “Then,” he took a breath, “remove it for me.” His ears flicked up as he watched you take in his words, your own ears quickly pricking up at the implication.
”Oh? I finally get to see the chest of one of the most feared Na’vi?” You couldn’t even bring yourself to hide your own excitement, your hands moving forward to the straps at his sides.
His honey eyes rolled, but a grin held his lips, “Only for ma’Sarentu. Ma’Tamtey.” The glint in his eyes showed far more joy than his smile, knowing full well that some aspects of your relationship would never change.
The sound of metal hitting rock, matched only by the rattle of tags, silenced the both of you. Your hands were light, delicately running your fingertips along the curve of his muscles, “A body worth protecting.” Slowly, your palms pressed down on his shoulders, giving him more than plenty of room to push you away or change his mind. Your body lowered to rest your torso over his, only feathers separating your chests now.
His hands moved up to wrap his arms around your back, “You are just as important to protect.”
Slow, deep breaths soon had two hearts beating as one. Your head lay over his shoulder, lips just shy of his neck, “So are you, ma’So’lek.” A subtle movement had you placing soft kisses to his neck, followed by a lick along the closest pulse, but a soft nip on his skin finally earned you a grunt from your target of affections.
”Do you plan to continue or will you tease me all night?” As the sky grew darker for the coming night, the forest began to glow around you two, even the stars light along your bodies began to show your different patterns. While his was mirrored despite his scar, the mark of the Sarentu had covered where a few freckles should be.
You raised your head to gently bite his jaw, “Why can’t I do both?” A toothy grin spread on your lips as you wiggled out of his grasp, lowering your body. So’lek’s ears twitched as he raised his head to watch you, and you returned his gaze with a kiss in the middle of his chest. Your hands and knees scraped along the ground as you kept moving down, placing a small kiss to his abdomen, only stopping at the top of his loincloth. “May I?”
In the glow of the bioluminescent foliage, you could make out his change in position, leaning up on his elbows to watch you, “If there is more to show me what you’ve learned, then show me.” He gave a small nod of his head, and you were quick to untie the cords around his hips, eagerness far too obvious to the point of hearing him chuckle.
A pout graced your lips as you pushed yourself up to your own elbows, belly and hips resting in the moss, “Hey, don’t laugh, I’ve been… Super curious… When I’ve thought about you.” Your voice had slowly dropped in pitch, almost whispering those last words.
”Ah, ma’yawne has thought of me in private? What would you do to have me thinking of you?” The blue and greens of the jungle shown brightly in his eyes with the hint of a challenge for you.
Your cheeks flushed under his gaze, the glow of your freckles growing a little more vibrant as your hands pulled his cords free, “Well, I would need…” While it wasn’t particularly bright, you could see the pattern that framed his slit, “to bring this one out first.” Your eyes moved back up to meet his as you lowered your head, accepting his challenge with actions instead of words. Warmth spread through your body, settling down to your core as you took in a deep breath, nostrils flaring from his scent. While his body was of gun oil and metals, his natural musk cut through, smelling of the jungle, sweat, and just him.
Saliva pooled in your mouth, only to dribble out as you slid your tongue out, letting your drool drip down to his slit. Your eyes rolled down to your work as you gently ran the tip of your tongue along his slit, feeling it begin to slowly split open for you. A smile curled the corners of your lips, your arms laying over So’lek’s thighs while your nails lightly traced over the skin of his crotch. His hand left the moss, leaning on only one arm, and ran his hand over the top of your head, gently scratching behind one then the other ear.
As he was opening up, you were careful as you dipped your tongue into his warmth, ears perking at hearing him groan. You felt the tip of his cock begin to poke out, meeting the slick of your tongue. His tail flicked under you, the fluff brushing the side of your breast, forcing you to pull back a little, “Don’t like what I’m doing?”
”Nonsense, I merely wanted to keep touching you,” he willed his tail away, settling it at his side, but he kept his fingers gently rubbing your ears.
You couldn't hold back the chuckle but you were quick to return to your task, pressing your lips to the tip that had come out further. The narrow point was soon matched by the first row of bumps, the nubs angled down to look like a little crown. Your tongue passed over every inch that slowly raised from his slit, wet muscle passing over every bump and groove to the swelling flesh. Fingers slid up your left ear, making your tail curl upwards as if following the motion. Your eyes raised back up to his, seeing his chest raise and fall with deep breaths.
The fluffy tip of your tail flicked to the left as you opened your mouth and lowered your head. So’lek wasn’t fully erect but he was already long enough to hit the back of your mouth, pressing into your throat. His groan reached your ears, encouraging you to keep going. Your head slowly raised up before lowering, feeling the swell of his nubs, the spines threatening just below the surface. With one last, slow raise, cheeks hollowed to strengthen the suction, you pulled off his length with a soft pop.
His muscles flexed, from his abdomen down to his thighs, even his toes were curled as he dug his heels in the moss. “Tamtey,” he took a deep breath to settle himself, “You have learned well from others.”
A small smile curved your lips as you sat back, and reached up, pulling your strands of feathers up and off of your breasts, removing them, and letting them fall to the ground. “I wanted to grow, to learn as much as I could. I couldn’t let you down in any way.” You raised up to your knees, only for So’lek to wrap his arms around your waist, pulling your body to him as he sat up. He placed a soft kiss between your breasts as his hands moved to your thighs, guiding you to straddle his legs.
”You could never let me down, must I repeat myself, ma’yawne?” His eyes had dilated out to narrow honey bands, pupils almost showing the depths of his soul; bearing his all to you.
Your hands moved to his hair, scratching behind both ears, “I would never mind you repeating yourself, that just means I get to keep hearing your voice.” Slowly, your hands move to his chin, pulling him back a little, “Since we will not bond this time, you will not finish in me.” His ears twitched as his hairless brow raised a little, “That’s all I ask of you, neither of us are ready for family, and hopefully we can help the Sarentu clan grow in the future.”
He closed his eyes with a small nod, “I understand.” Slightly blunted nails ran up your sides, settling his palms on the back of your ribs, “Do you not wish to help bring back the Trr’ong clan?”
A soft laugh left you as you gently grip his arms, lowering his hands to rest his fingers on the ties on your hips, “Do you wish to revive your clan?”
”Hmm, we shall see when everything has calmed,” his fingers gently tugged on the woven strands, letting the colorful fabric drop away from your skin, “When we are ready.” He took in a deep breath, your own scent quickly surrounded the both of you. Your tail curled about behind you as his hand and eyes lowered to the apex of your thighs, calloused fingers gently sliding along your slit. His fingers pulled back, gently rubbing your clit as it peaked out from your slit. Your back arched, leaning your head back, as you let out a moan to the jungle around you.
His chest vibrated with a chuckle, watching you and your subtle movements, especially as he began to press in two of his fingers. There was no resistance, your warm walls hugged his digits, “Are you this wet just for me?” He pulled his fingers away, earning him a loud whine, but he brought his fingers up to his lips. A quick glance down, soft blue bioluminescent juices coated his skin, but soon those fingers disappeared past his own lips.
Your ears were perked up, eyes wide, and tail frozen behind you, “Oh.” The grin spread on his lips after his fingers were pulled away, but you didn’t let him talk, diving down to press a hard kiss to him. Your tail came back to life, whipping about behind you as you lowered your hips. So’lek’s hands moved to your hips, stilling your movements to prevent something going wrong. “Help me,” you whispered as you pulled back a little, looking down.
You could practically feel his eyes on you, knowing a smirk played on his face, “Tired of teasing already?”
”Yawntu,” your ears flicked back, “Yes, very tired. Please, I wish to feel you.” You couldn’t hold the huff back, attention focused on him, your hands moved to his jaw, “I need you.”
The gentle side-to-side of his eyes shifting between both of yours, looking into their dark depths, “Of course.” His left hand settled on your thigh while his right gripped his length, guiding you to line up with him. A gentle pressure on your thigh has you lowering, slit opening for him. Your hands gripped his shoulders, not realizing he had filled more than what you had felt in your mouth earlier.
”Fuck,” slipped from your mouth as a low, breathy moan, ears lowered.
”Hmm, such a naughty mouth. I was not expecting that from my Sarentu,” you couldn’t muster up the glare, but you chose to clench your muscles around his cock.
It backfired as you both released low moans, filling you better than any other partner before him. You both settled down, hips gently pressing together, “Let me just…” Gentle pressure on his shoulders had him lay back down into the moss, leaning over him. Your tail curled about behind you as you adjusted your legs, ankles resting over his thighs. His hands moved to rest on your hips, “Better.”
You focused on your breathing, just feeling him fully sheathed in your depths. Gentle twitching and a small grunt pulled you out of your mind, and you lifted your hips. You hands moved from his shoulders to his chest as you slowly lowered yourself back down. “Amazing,” you moaned the word out, enjoying every inch that slowly was pulled out then pushed back in.
”Yawne,” So’lek muttered, only for his right hand to move up and behind you, gripping the base of your tail. “More,” your back arched as you gasped out, dropping your hips down. He breathed out a groan, fingers rubbing hard on the underside of your tail, as close to the base as possible. A whine escaped your throat as spikes of pleasure ran up your spine, quickly picking up your pace.
His name slipped past your lips, your nails scratching over his pectorals, and your tail curled upwards behind you. Your thighs began to heat up as the nubs were rubbing against your walls, tensing around him every few rise and falls of the ride. The man was fairly quiet below you, his brow tight in concentration. He kept up the pressure of his fingers, sending more and more jolts of pleasure up to your brain, but you now felt his other hand slip up your thigh, his thumb finding your clit at the top of your slit.
Your toes curled, body halting for a moment, but you were quick to return to your motions. A flick forward of your ears, and you were focusing on So’lek’s change in breathing, his voice quietly uttering your name. Warmth bloomed in your breast as you began to chant his name into the air, only halted by the breathy moans you release into the jungle around you.
Slowly, your hands pulled away from his chest up to your own, fingers quickly gripping and pinching your nipples. Your body arches forward a little, now that point and nubs were rubbing on the tighter bundle at the front of your canal. The pleasure was quickly growing, your tail and clit being rubbed and circled, his fingers not even slowing down.
You gasped as your pleasure peaked, muscles tightening all around your body, enough to slam yourself down for the last time. Sticky juices coat your slit to your thighs, a thin layer glowing on his lower abdomen as well. Your mind rolled around in bliss from your orgasm, your brain taking its time to come down.
As you return to your senses, your gaze quickly looked down, seeing So’lek and his sweaty body below you. Your legs pushed yourself up and off of his cock, settling on his thighs, and you quickly wrapped your hands around his length. He took in a sharp breath between his teeth, but your felt him buck as best he could with your weight.
”Thank you, So’lek,” your hands rubbed, rolled, and gently pinched the nubs of his cock, pressing in to push out his spines. Your left hand stayed around his tip, twisting your arm and wrist while your other hand ran up and down his length. His eyes focused on you, chest rising and falling with each shallow breath and moan. Thin gold rings were targeted to your own as your name returned to his lips. “Cum for me, yawntu, you made me feel good, I want you to feel good too,” you muttered out to him, watching his ears flick in recognition.
His features were slack, even the tail at So’lek’s side laid limply on the ground. Aborted thrusts were the first signs of tension building in his body, his need rising deep in his core. His slack jaw began to tighten enough into a grimace, teeth clenched tight, and his eyes fought hard to stay open. Those strong hands of his lowered to your thighs, gripping tightly. Through it all, your hands continued their ministrations, feeling his spines pressing into your palms.
His nails drug into your skin, threatening to break it, as his muscles clenched. A full thrust had you nearly lose your spot on his thighs, even gripping his cock a little tighter. It was just enough to finally pull the loudest moan you’ve heard from him the entire time, spines staying fully unsheathed as the first spurts of cum made their way past your hands. Ropes of soft blue bioluminescent cum landed on the edge of your hand but mostly on his stomach and chest.
Your hand remained stilled on his dick as you let him catch his breath, body now limp on the moss. The softest of purrs reached your ears, picking it up more as you leaned down, licking his skin clean. His tail flicked to life as his breathing calmed, arms moving up to your shoulders, pulling you down, even though you weren’t done. Your head rested on his shoulder, enjoying the low vibration of his purring, “No one’s ever purred for me afterwards…”
”Hmm. That’s because no one’s cared enough for you,” his voice was low, pausing the purr as he spoke.
Both of your bodies relaxed as the sounds of the jungle enveloped both of you, the gifts of Eywa surrounding you.
”Have you heard the Zakru are on the move?” So’lek asked, his hand running up and down your back.
Your ears twitched as your raised your head to look up to him, “No, but Priya mentioned that word from Nesim said she wanted to talk to me.” You moved enough to press a kiss to his jaw, “I had to confess to you before I lost the confidence. I’ll need to check with her to see what she needs, but most likely it’s related to the Zakru.” His arms loosened as you pushed yourself up, “Sadly, we need to go be responsible.”
So’lek’s ears twitched as he moved his hands to your cheeks, not letting you get too far, bringing you up to his lips, kissing you gently, “Yes, you will be surprised what’s to come.”
You tilted your head, returning the kiss before you pulled away to grab your clothes, “Well, I look forward to her talk.”
Clothes were quickly donned, and ikran were called. Despite the darkness, you both caught gentle smiles on each other’s lips. A quick peck was the last thing you felt from him before he lifted off and you were quick to follow.
The sounds of wings beating could be heard going in two different directions into the dark of the night.