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Payakan was a loose-cannon.
It would be easiest if he was sent away, but Jake’s ears pick up the unrest of his children.
Kiri is holding Spider back, but she looks distraught.
Neytiri and Quaritch are quiet, eyes focused on Payakan with an intensity that Jake knows all too well.
They will not speak here.
Jake feels a hand tug at his elbow.
“Mama, please. Stand up for me,” Lo’ak begs quietly. “Payakan saved me.”
Jake looks at him and takes a second to truly look.
His son’s eyes gleamed with unshed tears, face contorted in a pleading expression Jake had never before seen.
And shit, Jake is always soft on his kids, would uproot the whole world if they asked him to.
He isn’t even aware he’s standing till he hears his own voice resonating in his ears. “That’s utter bullshit and we all know it.”
Gasps ripple throughout the crowd.
Neytiri is furious. “Ma’Jake, what are you doing? Sit down!”
Quaritch doesn't look at Jake, but his jaw is clenched.
Shit, Jake is fucked.
But if he’s in trouble already, he might as well say everything he needs to.
“Payakan saved the lives of my children,” Jake continues. “Tonowari, he saved you children too. The only reason we are here is because of Payakan alone.”
Ronal’s face is twisted into something too ugly to name. “He bears the deaths—”
“Then I bear the injuries of my son,” Jake snarls. “He followed me to war and nearly died.”
Lo’ak’s ears press against his head and Kiri and Spider look aghast.
Tuk presses into Neteyam’s side at the reminder.
Ronal shrinks back at Jake’s voice, not expecting the sudden anger.
“Payakan fought to save your brothers and sisters and he did a damn good job,” Jake says, voice firm. “He’s a warrior that did more than anyone in this village.”
Many villagers hiss at him for that; it was a wound that hit too close to home, an insult too great to bear.
Neytiri stands and grabs his arm. “Jake!”
“You speak out of turn, Toruk Makto,” Tonowari says quietly, eyes blazing.
Lo’ak stands next. “No! My bearer speaks the truth. The Tulkun way must change or they will all die.”
Murmurs erupt from the crowd.
“The sky people are relentless,” Jake agrees. “They will not stop till every last Tulkun is dead. We must fight back and we need their help!”
“Silence,” Tonowari roars. “You must leave this gathering at once!”
Quaritch is dragging Jake through the crowd before the omega can even think about arguing.
“Miles, let go,” Jake hisses. “This is wrong.”
“I’d be less concerned about the gathering and more concerned about yourself,” Quaritch says, voice tight with anger.
Some of the Metkayina nearby look pleased that Jake is in trouble.
The omega holds back from socking them in the jaw.
They make it halfway back before a force shoves Quaritch off of Jake.
Lo’ak stands there panting, but firmly plants himself between Jake and Quaritch.
Quaritch sighs. “Lo’ak—”
“No!” Lo’ak yell. “Mama only said something to defend me! If you want to yell at someone, then punish me!”
“Lo’ak, gimme a sec—”
“He only said something for my sake! It’s not his—”
“Lo’ak,” Quaritch roars, quieting the boy immediately.
Quaritch pinches the bridge of his nose. “This isn’t an issue about standing up for you, it’s an issue about speaking out against the Olo’eyktan.”
Jake knows this; knows what he’s done is a grave insult, especially to a tribe who has fought for them, accepted them as one of their own, and provided them with a home.
But he had to say something for Lo’ak.
“Miles—” Jake starts.
Quaritch levels him with a look that shuts him up instantly. “Jake, we will discuss this later. Lo’ak, grab your siblings and go to Lyle’s.”
“It’s not mama’s fault!” Lo’ak protests.
Quaritch laughs, but it’s terse. “Lo’ak, unless you wanna be punished too, go. Now.”
Lo’ak looks like he’s about to protest, but Jake grabs his hand. “Go, Lo’ak.”
Lo’ak clenches his jaw, but goes.
Quaritch looks back at Jake. “Go to the marui. Don’t fucking piss me off anymore right now, cupcake.”
Jake holds back a sigh and walks.
Quaritch swats his butt on his way by. “Neytiri’s gonna tan your hide, princess.”
“Yeah, I know,” Jake grumbles, letting his tail swat Quaritch’s leg on his way by.
***
“Jake needs to learn to keep his mouth shut,” Lyle says.
Spider frowns. “I don’t get why he’s being punished for speaking the truth.”
“It isn’t about the truth,” Luani says gently. “It’s about speaking out publicly against the matriarchs of the Tulkun and the Olo’eyktan.”
Lo’ak isn’t speaking, just sulking in the corner.
Neteyam sits next to him. “It’s not your fault.”
“It’s not mama’s either,” Lo’ak mutters.
Kiri sighs. “We know Lo’ak. It’s not like we can do anything about it. We can go look for Payakan tomorrow.”
“Like hell you will,” Lyle retorts.
Kiri opens her mouth to argue when Tsireya, Aonung, and Rotxo come sprinting into the Marui.
“Lo’ak we saw your bearer leaving the reef,” Aonung hisses.
“We think he’s going after Payakan,” Tsireya says, eyes filled with worry.
Lyle swears and grabs his comms.
Rotxo grabs them and chucks them into the water.
Lyle glowers at him. “What the hell are you doing, kid?”
“Um, oops?” Rotxo says, giving a crooked smile.
Tuk hides a giggle behind her hand.
Lo’ak is already halfway out the door, whistling for an Ilu.
“I’m going after him!” Lo’ak yells.
“Get back here, you skxawng!” Neteyam yells.
The kids are scrambling after Lo’ak, getting on Ilus to chase him.
Lyle is in the water a second later with him swimwing. “Luani, please tell Quaritch and Neytiri that their dumbass omega is hunting a fucking Tulkun and their fuckass kids are following him.”
Luani is absolutely appalled, holding Tuk’s hand. “What in Eywa’s name is going on right now?”
“Just go,” Lyle yells, already chasing after the kids.
***
Jake couldn’t even believe he was doing this.
He had convinced Neytiri and Miles that he really needed to throw up before whatever the fuck punishment he was going to face and they let him out of the Marui.
And that’s why Jake is currently fighting 10 foot waves trying to find his son’s soul brother or whatever the fuck the kid insisted the overgrown fish was.
“Damn Lo’ak and his fucking Pandoran whale,” Jake snarls.
His swimwing was extremely well adapted to deal with the aggressive waves; she was being extra careful recently and Jake was guessing that she picked up on him being pregnant.
God, he was going to kill Lo’ak when he got back for putting him in this position.
That is, of course, if Neytiri didn’t kill him first.
Jake hears his comms crackle to life.
“Mama, I lost them, where are you,” comes Lo’ak’s voice.
“Lo’ak what?” Jake demands.
Lo’ak groans into the comms like Jake was being stupid. “Bro, you’re getting old. I lost Neteyam and everyone, it’s just me, where you at?”
Jake sputters. “Old? Lo’ak, you little-”
“Can you please answer my question? I don’t even—oh, found you!”
Jake whips around and sees Lo’ak coming up to him on an ilu.
“How the hell did you find me in this weather?” Jake asks incredulously.
Lo’ak shrugs. “I just did what I would do and well, you did the same.”
Jake shakes his head.
Holy shit, this kid was genuinely his twin; it really frightened the omega.
“Just get up here,” Jake mutters, making space on his Swimwing.
Lo’ak gets off his Ilu and joins him on his swimwing, sitting down in front of Jake so the omega can securely wrap his arms around him.
Jake is astounded by Lo’ak’s height every day because he genuinely cannot see past the kids shoulder.
“Mama, maybe I should sit behind you, I think I’m too tall,” Lo’ak says, verbalizing Jake’s thoughts.
It takes them a second to rearrange and Lo’ak wraps his arms around Jake’s waist to stay on the Swimwing.
He’s careful around Jake’s midsection and the omega is forever grateful that his baby was so thoughtful.
But then Jake finally processed the rest of what Lo’ak says. “Wait, your siblings are out here right now?”
“And the Olo’eyktan’s kids and Lyle,” Lo’ak says brightly. “But I wouldn’t worry too much, they’ll catch up eventually.”
Jake punches the bridge of his nose.
He wants to be angry, but he’s not surprised and he’s tired because he’s been in the damn ocean for well over an hour now. “You know what, we’ll deal with this at home.”
“I think we’re both gonna be dealt with at home,” Lo’ak grins, amused.
Jake can feel his laughter in the form of hot breath on his skin as the alpha behind him ducks his head to hide his laughter against the omega’s shoulder.
It reminded Jake of when Lo’ak was little and would hide his giggles in Jake’s side whenever he did something he wasn’t supposed to and was “hiding” from his mom and dad.
As if Jake could save him; he was probably more fucked than Lo’ak right now.
And that really irritates him; why the hell was this damn kid so happy right now?
Jake turns around and nips at his son's shoulder, something he used to do when the kids were young to reprimand them.
It was a common way to get kids in line with a little bite; Jake hadn’t been the biggest fan when he first got on Pandora and had refused with Neteyam, but Lo’ak was a little bastard as a toddler and Jake had to do it a lot with him.
Unfortunately, Kiri, Spider, and Tuk all decided to be menaces too and Jake had to nip at them a ridiculous amount to get any of them to listen to the simplest thing.
Seems it was something that would never stop.
Lo’ak looks affronted at being nipped at like he was a disobedient infant, but Jake just starts telling the swimwing to move. “Let’s just find this damn whale.”
“What’s a whale?”
“It’s an Earth animal like the Tulkun.”
“Woah, so you have a soul brother on Earth?”
“No, they don’t bond like that.”
“What? Why not?”
“I already told you that Earth doesn’t have the concept of Kurus or this connected to Nature shit.”
“Yeah, but why?”
“Lo’ak, baby, I love you so much, but please shut the fuck up.”
“Damn, sorry. Just trying to stay curious and learn like you always tell me to.”
“Lo’ak, I will bite you.”
“I’m gonna shut up.”
“Good.”
***
“What the fuck are you wearing?”
“It’s to protect my face from the sun.”
Jake just stares at the seaweed crown on Lo’ak’s head. “Oh my god, you have sun poisoning.”
“No, what? What does that even mean?” Lo’ak protests.
Jake’s palm meets his forehead with some force. “I gave birth to an idiot.”
“You’re gonna give yourself a headache at this rate, princess.”
Lo’ak freezes.
Shit, Jake thinks.
Time to face the music.
Jake turns the swimwing around. “Miles, how did you even get here?”
Quaritch shrugs, looking entirely too calm for the circumstances. “Went the opposite direction of where I thought I should go to follow Lo’ak and found both of you.”
“Am I that easy to follow?” Lo’ak grumbles. “Hey wait; opposite? I was going the right way!”
Quaritch laughs, but the sound lacks mirth. “I don’t know that there’s anything right about this situation.”
“Miles,” Jake starts.
“Jake,” Quaritch responds, voice flat.
“I’m scared,” Lo’ak whispers to Jake.
Before anyone can say anything else, they hear more voices approaching.
“Lo’ak, you skxawng!” Kiri yells. “You disappeared into the storm!”
Quaritch turns to look at Lo’ak, one eyebrow raised. “You abandoned your squad mid-mission?”
“Colonel? How’d you beat us?” Lyle asks, aghast.
Quaritch gives him a look. “And what took you so long?”
“I was trying to wrangle all these damn kids,” Lyle complains. “I see them more than I see my wife and you made them.”
Lo’ak slowly takes off his seaweed crown while the two of them argue.
There’s a vibration in the water that interrupts the conversation and three Tulkun make themselves known under the surface.
“My soul sister says Payakan is close,” Tsireya says as they all gather once more.
“I don’t think we need to go looking,” Quaritch says, eyes narrowing.
Neteyam turns to him. “Dad, we have already come so far. At least let Lo’ak say goodbye.”
Quaritch’s jaw clenches and he turns to look at Jake.
Neteyam prays he picks up on the queue and bats his lashes or pouts or literally anything.
“I didn’t go through the ocean all night to not find this damn Tulkun,” Jake responds, eyes narrowing.
Spider closes his eyes; why couldn’t their bearer use his damn omega wiles instead of being a contrarian.
“Fine,” Quaritch says, sounding irritated. “But we’re going to be having a discussion when we get back.”
“You’re fucked,” Aonung mouths at Lo’ak.
Lo’ak sticks out his tongue in response and accidentally makes contact with Jake's shoulder in his haste.
The omega jerks away and whips around to shove Lo’ak off the swimwing.
Lo’ak goes into the water with a splash and surface quickly. “Hey!”
Jake looks at his shoulder, disgusted.
He really might throw up, his stomach was already rolling. “Lo’ak, if you get back on here, I’m gonna beat you.”
Lo’ak takes Quaritch’s offered hand and gets on the swimwing behind his dad.
“He’s been really irritable,” Lo’ak whispers.
“Hm, I wonder why,” Quaritch says dryly.
“Don’t blame me, you got him pregnant,” Lo’ak says indignantly.
Quaritch, as expected, ignores him.
They follow the three Tulkun to deeper waters and that's when a fourth fin greets them.
“Payakan!” Lo’ak yells, diving into the water.
All the kids swim over to him, the three other Tulkun also greeting the outcast.
Lyle, Quaritch, and Jake stay back.
“Don’t wanna say hello?” Lyle asks.
Jake shakes his head. “I don’t even know who Payakan is; I only came because I’ve never seen Lo’ak this upset over anything.”
Quaritch sighs. “He just had to like the outcast.”
Jake shakes his head fondly, gesturing to the kids. “They all like him.”
Quaritch watches Kiri laughing as she signs something to Payakan and hums his agreement.
Lyle squints. “Is he coming over here?”
Jake looks over to see that Payakan is making his way over to him.
As the Tulkun slows to a stop in front of him, Jake signs a quick “I see you.”
Thank you, Payakan whistles.
Jake blinks. “Sorry?”
You defended me in front of the Elders in a tribe that is not yours. You used your voice to help me. Thank you; I am greatly indebted to you and your son, Payakan says, the clicks and whistles forming Na’vi words.
Jake stares at Payakan and then his gaze flickers over to Lo’ak; he’s beaming and Jake can see it despite the distance between them.
“You’re supposed to say ‘You’re welcome,’” Spider yells, grinning.
“Shut up, I know,” Jake immediately retorts, earning a giggle from Tsireya at his tone.
“You make my son happy, you could never owe me any debt,” Jake signs to Payakan, smiling genuinely.
The Tulkun smiles back; or at least, Jake guesses it's a smile.
He turns and rejoins the kids and the other Tulkun.
Lyle whistles. “We’ve got a Tulkun whisperer!”
“I’d hope not, one is enough,” Quaritch mutters.
“You’re no fun,” Lyle sighs. “This is why I like your kids better.”
“You’re welcome for making them,” Quaritch replies, rolling his eyes.
“Where’s Neytiri, anyways?” Lyle asks.
Jake turns to Quaritch, but the alpha was turning pale.
Jake’s eyes widened. “Did you leave without telling her?”
Lyle’s jaw drops. “No fucking way.”
“I was trying to find my damn kids and mate who disappeared in the middle of a storm,” Quaritch snarls.
“Without telling Tiri?” Jake says, voice cracking with a mix of disbelief and fear.
Quaritch doesn’t get a chance to respond because they hear yelling from the kids.
Jake turns around and sees an Ikran flying towards them with an absolutely furious rider.
Jake makes eye contact with Neteyam and the younger omega looks back, eyes wide and scared.
“Oh, you’re all fucked,” Lyle says, verbalizing Jake’s fears.
Jake groans.
Shit, this wasn’t going to go well.
***
“You are lucky you are pregnant,” Neytiri says, still angry.
They were in the Marui now and Neytiri had finally finished disciplining the kids.
Jake knows Lo’ak isn’t going to be able to sit for a week; shit, none of the kids probably could because Neytiri had always been heavy handed with her punishments.
It was a little funny to see an almost fully grown Na’vi get spanked like they were 5, but Jake was almost close to suffering the exact same fate so he swallowed his amusement.
“Tiri–” Jake starts, but is cut off.
“Do not ‘Tiri’ me right now, Jake,” Neytiri hisses. “You will not leave the Marui for the next week.”
Jake’s jaw nearly hits the ground. “A week?”
“You’re lucky it’s only a week, cupcake,” Quaritch warns.
Neytiri hadn’t even been angry at him for leaving without telling her, more focused on the people Quaritch had been chasing after in the first place.
Jake looks at Spider’s face and the kid is shaking his head.
“Fine,” Jake grumbles, agreeing.
Spider gives him a thumbs up for making the smart choice.
Lo’ak makes his way over to Jake, wincing as he sits down. “Holy fuck.”
Jake snorts. “Haven’t seen you get whooped like that since you were 8 and Miles saw you trying to fight a Thanator.”
Lo’ak groans. “Thank you for that reminder.”
Jake chuckles.
Lo’ak’s gaze softens and he grabs Jake’s hand. “Thank you, mama. Seriously.”
Jake presses a kiss to his temple. “Anytime, baby. I’d do anything for my kids.”
“You pushed me off a swimwing into the ocean today.”
“You licked me.”
“On accident!”
“Lo’ak, you really know how to piss me off, huh?”