Chapter Text
The day the humans came back was like any other. It started with the sun rising over the treetops and Iney waking Jake up with a hungry scream. They had started trying to wean him after his first birthday, but he was resisting their efforts. The kids disappear from the nest soon after that, the boys skiving off to go flying or whatever it was they did to avoid being around their parents. Tey’ra took Tuk and Emona to go find Kiri, leaving the three adults alone to deal with the squalling baby. Neytiri lifted the baby boy into her arms as Jake finished waking up.
Tsu’tey sat up with him, giving Jake and Neytiri a kiss as he too left the nest. He had an early meeting with the Olo’eyktan to finalize the construction of the camp up in the Hallelujah Mountains. Jake and Neytiri had brought up the idea to Eytukan after Iney was born. They didn’t want to have to relocate to the mountains when the humans came back. Especially if they had to rebuild their home from the ground up during that time and take care of a one year old on top of it. That’s also not including their other kids in the equation.
The elderly Olo’eyktan had hesitated at first, citing that they had managed to survive the attack on Kelutral without too much issue. They could feasibly survive the humans returning while staying in Kelutral. Tsu’tey had been the one to point out that surviving wasn’t living. It was only an option they were recommending as well, not a demand they were making. Jake had pleaded with him to think about it, for the safety of the clan and his grandchildren. That had been what made him finally cave and allow the construction to happen. Now the camp was almost complete. They had a few things left to do, but the camp was fully functional for when it was needed.
Jake shakes the thoughts of the humans returning off and grabs Iney out of Neytiri’s arms. He brings the crying baby to his chest, allowing the baby to latch. In a lot of ways it still freaked him out. That he could feed his child, but showed almost no outward changes to his body. In other ways it enchanted him to be the one that can nourish his child and not have to rely on anyone else. Right now though, he just wanted Iney to stop crying.
“We should have a date night tonight.” Jake murmurs to Neytiri, watching her through half closed eyes. She hums thoughtfully, donning her hunting gear. “You and Tsu’tey had one last week and he and I the week before. I think it’s our turn. He can take care of Iney and the kids for a couple hours.” He persuaded, running his hand over the baby’s soft skin.
“I’d like that.” Neytiri whispers, kissing his cheek as she leaves the nest and leaving him alone. Jake smiles, excited for the day to be over now. He and Neytiri hadn’t been on a date in months. They both loved Tsu’tey dearly and the three of them going on a date was amazing. It had been a while since it was just him and Neytiri though. The last time was just after Iney was born.
The baby pulls away from Jake’s chest after a moment, smacking his lips gently and smiling up at Jake. Jake smiles back softly, adjusting him onto his hip and starting his day. He carried Iney to the healing bay where Mo’at waited for him. She cooed at Iney, motioning to the corner full of toys for him. They had developed this routine when Neteyam and Lo’ak were born. Jake would spend his day in the healing bay with Mo’at and the baby would be strapped to him for the first several months. After that they had an area of the healing bay set up for them to play in while Jake was busy.
Iney was particularly clingy that day though and refused to let go of his momma. Jake gave up after a few tries and just spent the day healing people who came in with a baby on his hip. Around midday he spent some time with his brother, who still made fun of him for getting pregnant a third time by accident. Tommy was perfectly content with his two mates and two children. Grace also refused to have more kids after Kai, and Norm wasn’t like Jake. He wasn’t intersex or even willing to contemplate the idea of carrying a child to term. He said it was awful enough watching Jake do it, let alone contemplating it for himself.
After spending time with his brother the day passed quickly. Tommy went back to his weaving, talking about making a new blanket for Iney. As if Jake, Neytiri, and Tsu’tey didn’t have a hammock full of blankets made by Tommy for the kids. Jake said nothing though, he could never have enough blankets. Especially when they were made by his brother. He sat with Tommy for a while, watching him weave as Iney used his newly acquired teeth to eat some soft fruit.
He must have lost track of time as the sky started darkening what felt like minutes later. He felt excitement run through him as he watched night fall. Soon he and Neytiri would be able to go on their date. Jake wished his brother goodbye and wandered back over to the cooking fire where his mates and children sat. The boys were fighting over something or another while the three girls watched on amused. Tsu’tey and Neytiri were deep in discussion, their food laying untouched between them as they waited for him. They smiled brightly at him when he settled between them.
“You’re watching the kids tonight.” Jake told Tsu’tey bluntly, passing over a sleeping Iney. The taller warrior took the sleeping baby with a laugh.
“Yes, yawntu. Neytiri already told me. Have fun on your date.” He agreed, leaning over and kissing Jake. Jake pulled back with a smile and nuzzled Tsu’tey’s cheek.
“You’re the best, love.” He murmured, going back to his food. He and Neytiri finished their dinners quickly, giving Tsu’tey and their kids kisses on the forehead and goodnights before running off. Jake chased her up Kelutral to the ikran eyrie, snagging her tail when he could. She shrieked and giggled, running up to Seze and mounting before he could catch her. He laughed and mounted Bob, taking off after her with a yip.
They flew half the night, doing a combined set of aerial acrobatics and taunts. This was the most free he had felt in months. Just in the sky with one of his mates, no kids to worry about. No responsibilities they needed to tend to. Only them and their yips and joy. Finally they were tired of flying and settled on a rock in Ayram Alusing. She fell asleep curled tightly around him as he basked in her presence. He thought of doing this with Tsu’tey as he watched the stars sparkle in the sky above them.
Then something caught his attention. A star, shining brighter than the others and flickering oddly. Fuck. That was no star. Those were ships. Human ships entering their atmosphere. Jake sat up instantly, knocking Neytiri off of him. She sat up and looked at what he was staring at. Her breath caught in her throat as a whine worked its way out.
“Skypeople.” Jake breathed, panicked. He had forgotten how soon they would return. Iney was only a year old. Hell, Emona was only five. Neytiri gripped his arm tightly as they watched for a moment further. “Eywa, I forgot how little time we had.” He whimpered, watching the wall of fire the ships caused. Neytiri wrapped him in her arms like he had done for her last time.
“It’s okay, Ma Jake.” She murmured, rubbing up and down his arms. He sobs into her, feeling the pain Eywa was in. Feeling the creatures burn to death because of the skypeople. He can feel the screams bubbling up in his chest, but can’t do anything to stop them. The black plumes of smoke rose into the air, carrying the ashes of thousands of lives with it. Neytiri hugs him tighter as he wails with Eywa, the loss of life damn near paralyzing him. “It’s okay…” She whimpers.
Bob and Seze land behind them with gentle yips. Jake shakes from head to toe as he takes in the burning emptiness in front of him. It feels like they had just burned part of his own body. Part of his own soul. Neytiri tugs on his arm, willing him to stand.
“We must get back to Kelutral. Warn the people and move the clan.” She insists. He nods, turning to her with tears in his eyes. She hugs him tightly once more. “It will be okay, Ma Jake. The Great Mother has a plan.” She reminds gently. He shivers, trying to shake off the remaining feeling of Eywa burning. She may have a plan, but he sure as hell didn’t know what it was. They mount their ikrans quickly, taking off toward Kelutral in an instant.
The clan was already gathered when they landed. Tsu'tey stood at the entrance of the tree looking frantic as he scanned the surrounding area. When Jake and Neytiri landed he was on them immediately. Jake was still shaking from the feeling the skypeople ships brought to him. He had never felt something so awful in his life.
“Ma Jake, Ma Neytiri! I thought-” Tsu’tey cut himself off with a sob as he gathered them into his arms. “I don’t know what I thought. I heard there were ships seen landing, and a massive fire overtaking the forest. We could see it from here, just from how big it was.” He finished, taking stock of them.
“We aren’t hurt. We saw the damage the skypeople’s ships caused though. Jake is quite distraught.” Neytiri murmurs softly. The taller warrior nods, feeling him shivering. “We must warn my father and move to the camp up in the mountains. Kelutral isn’t safe anymore.” She admits sadly, looking away from Tsu’tey. Her gaze travels to her ancestral home. If they stayed here they would surely die. The RDA knew of its existence and surely knew they had stayed in it after they failed to fell it.
“I know.” The stoic man responds, following her gaze. The statement was loaded with meaning, he knew they weren’t safe here anymore. Knew that leaving hurt her more than anything. Knew what would come all too soon.
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The next year passed hectically. The clan moved up to the camp in the Hallelujah Mountains the very next morning. They had wasted no time hemming and hawing over it. The skypeople had returned with a vengeance and were more willing to kill than they had been previously. None too soon it seemed as two days after they left skypeople were seen canvasing the area. When no Na’vi were found the skypeople left and Jake was more than thankful Eytukan had agreed to move, just based on that alone.
The kids seemed to take the move well, Tuk and Emona thought living in the mountains was cool. The eldest boys and Tey’ra thought having a bigger sleeping area was cool, though they had all admitted at one point or another that they missed Kelutral. On those days Jake, Tsu’tey, and Neytiri held them close and cuddled with them while they slept. All three hated that the kids had to change their entire lives because of the skypeople.
When Eytukan ordered the warriors to attack supply lines as Jake and Neytiri’s recommendation, the boys insisted on joining the raid parties. If they could even be called raid parties. The only ones who took anything were the avatars and other humans. Even Norm, Tommy, and Grace didn’t take stuff. The Olo’eyktan had strictly forbidden the clan from touching the skypeople weapons, and Mo’at had agreed with him. Jake was more on the page of destroying all of it anyways. He didn’t want the humans getting their hands on any of it, even to reclaim it from the clan.
Speaking of the scientist trio, Norm decided to transfer to his avatar completely. He didn’t like the idea that his kids could be in danger without him able to protect them at any point. Tommy and Grace had protested heavily, they didn’t want him to make this decision because of the war. They wanted him to make it because it made him happy. He had cut them off and stated being with them full time and protecting the kids made him happy. Science could take a back burner until the war ended and they figured out how to make it work.
Jake had respected the hell out of him for that, even if he felt deeply sorrowful that his friend had to make that decision. The transfer process happened easily. Norm made it through without pause and had no complications afterward. If anything he seemed more full of life. Guess almost twenty years had taken its toll on his human body more than anyone realized. Norm had been genuinely excited to have energy again, which had utterly depressed Grace and Tommy when they heard it. Jake didn’t see Norm for the rest of the day after he had admitted that. Didn’t see Kiri or Kai either. They’d needed the family bonding time.
About a month after the skypeople returned Kai had pitched a huge fit about getting his ikran. He hadn’t gotten a clean kill or even trained to be a hunter. Jake and Tsu’tey were unsure why the kid even wanted an ikran. As far as Jake could tell he took after Tommy and hated heights. Turned out he was wrong, Kai just hadn’t felt a need for it. Jake still remembered the argument that had broken out between Kai and his parents about it.
“I want an ikran!” Kai had shouted, his little face scrunched up in a scowl. Tommy had thrown his hands into the air, his face also twisted into a scowl. Norm and Grace had stood on either side of him with their arms crossed.
“Why? You don’t want to be a hunter or a warrior!” Grace had reminded her son sharply. Jake kept himself out of their argument, this was not one he’d wanted to get involved in.
“What if we need to leave in a hurry? I’d have to find someone to ride with. You guys don’t have ikran either. I couldn’t ride with one of you.” Kai had screamed back, his face purple with an enraged blush. Grace and Norm had both paused at that, their expressions turned thoughtful at his explanation.
“Fine. You can get an ikran.” Norm had decided, turning to Jake to double check it was okay. Jake shrugged in response. “If the Olo’eyktan allows it and your mother and I get one too.” He’d finished and that had been the end of it. Tommy had tried to argue with them about it. He remembered how awful it was to watch his niece and nephews get their ikrans. The battle it had taken for them to bond with their ikrans. Grace and Norm held fast though and in the end all three had gotten their ikrans.
Eytukan had thought it was a good idea for most of the clan to have ikrans. Just in case they needed to flee once more. He’d okayed them getting theirs as soon as they had brought it up. A week after the argument had occurred the three had gotten their ikrans. Kai’s ikran had been an intimidating red one with black and grey markings all over it. Graces had been like her daughters in color, indigo but with red and black markings on it. Jake had been pretty impressed by them. Norm’s ikran was the same one he’d had in his first life, a pretty blue and green one with black markings.
By the time a year passed from the skypeople's return the clan had settled into a routine. Jake, Tsu’tey, and Neytiri would lead raid parties once or twice a week and outside of that things were normal. For the most part at least. Living in the mountains had taken getting used to, but the people were thriving.
Trudy and the people who had stayed behind melded into the clan almost seamlessly. There were a few rubs here and there, but they were smoothed over quickly. Trudy often claimed Iney when his grandparents hadn’t claimed him. She didn’t like flying with the raid parties after the last war, it brought too many memories of Paz she’d said. Jake had agreed quietly and never asked her about it again. He too hated the war, but it was necessary right now.
About a year after the move the chaos trio started begging to be included in the raid parties. Jake had been entirely against it, remembering exactly what happened last time they joined a raid party. Remembering what had happened when they had joined the war. Neteyam’s death. Spider and Lo’ak nearly dying so many times. Neytiri and Tsu’tey had talked him around eventually.
“They will sneak out and join anyway.” Neytiri reminded him as they got ready for their attack on the maglev train. She brushed her hand over his shoulders as she passed. Jake groaned, he didn’t want to have this argument again. He was just worried about their babies joining the war.
“It is best if they have a job to do, rather than just sneaking in.” Tsu’tey agreed, grabbing his bow and the explosive arrows they had prepared. Jake turned to him with a pleading gaze. “Yawntu, they are warriors. They are trained, just as we are. Let them have at least one job.” The taller warrior pleaded, pulling Jake close.
“Fine. They can be spotters. Look for incoming enemies and such. Keeps them from the action, but gives them a job.” Jake caves, laying his head on Tsu’tey’s shoulder. He could hear cheers from outside their tent and knew the boys had heard already. They had been pleading for weeks to join a mission.
“Thank you, yawne.” Tsu’tey chirped, kissing his forehead and walking away. The chaos trio entered the tent with hopeful gazes. Jake scanned them carefully, his gaze taking in the sheer height they stood at already. The years had passed too quickly. Spider was already sixteen with Neteyam and Lo’ak following behind him at fifteen.
“Can we join this time?” Spider pleaded, nearly able to meet Jake’s eye at the young age of sixteen. He stood at almost eight and a half feet tall now, his signature blue stripes painted all over him. Jake isn’t even sure when he picked up the habit, just one day he was never seen without them again.
“Please?” Neteyam and Lo’ak chimed together. He looked over his twin sons, noting they were the exact same height this time around. Only a few inches shorter than Spider. He sighed heavily, closing his eyes as he nodded.
“Fine.” He acquiesced, putting his hand up before they could cheer. He stares them down seriously. “But that means you’re spotters. You stay on your ikrans, in the air and call out any incoming enemies. If I see any one of you off your ikran, you’re all grounded for a month. I mean it. Go, get your comms.” He jerks his chin toward Tsu’tey who had returned without them noticing. In his hands were three comms necklaces and their matching earpieces. The boys celebrate their victory and grab their comms.
“Thanks mom!” They called back to him as they ran to their ikrans. Jake heaved a sigh, rubbing his forehead once more. Tsu’tey approached him, rubbing his shoulders gently.
“They’ll be okay.” He murmurs. Jake groans in response. He knows exactly what’s going to happen. One of them is going to offer a reckless plan and the other two will follow. That’s how those three worked. He missed his serious, rule-abiding Neteyam sometimes. Not enough to change things though, not if his kids were happy and healthy.
“Thank Eywa the healing hut is stocked already. At least one of them is coming back injured.” Jake told Tsu’tey wryly. His mate just laughs and guides him out of their home. They mount their ikrans quickly, taking off with the rest of the raiding party. Jake was in the lead as he usually took the reins on these missions. The group closed in on the maglev with practiced efficiency. “Ground team go.” Jake commanded through the comms.
The leader of the ground team led his pa’li riders out, shooting the explosive arrows they carried into the tracks. As soon as the tracks blew the train lost its levitation and crashed. Jake yipped, bringing the ikran riders out with him. They shot their own explosive arrows into the waiting Kestrel gunships. They may be the newest tech the humans had brought, but their turbines were still weak to exploding arrows. The gunships went down with a crash, adding to the already burning wreck of the train.
Neytiri swoops in and takes out her own Kestrel with some impressive aerial maneuvers that Jake smirks at, even as he shakes his head. He hoped she never changed. The ground and air teams poured down, collecting the crates of weapons and throwing them into fires. The faster they destroyed them the better. It meant less for the skypeople to have and less Na’vi dead from their weaponry.
“Let’s go. Two minutes, people. Let’s get these destroyed.” Jake called over his comms as he surveyed the wreckage from a higher vantage point. He notches an arrow, ready to fire just in case of incoming enemies. Glancing around he sees everyone piling everything together, ready to be blown as soon as it’s all gathered. Good. The last thing they need is the skypeople getting their hands on this stuff again.
Jake turns to the sky, watching for incoming gunships. Then something feels off, he isn’t sure what, but something. He turns around, surveying the wreckage again. There towards the center of the wreckage stood the chaos trio. They were helping pile boxes on boxes. Damn it, he knew this would happen. He starts to grab his comms ready to either scold his sons or get one of his mates to grab them when a spotter yips in warning. Shit.
“Gunship’s inbound! Fall back!” He barks into the comms, when he spots what was coming. The ship starts shooting at them, firing missiles into the wreckage. Jake runs through the wreckage in a panic, trying to find his kids. Last he saw they were running from the gunship. Hopefully back to their ikrans.
He runs even faster when he hears an explosive arrow hit the gunship. It takes the thing down, leaving them safe for a moment. The smoke obscures his vision as he searches. An ikran screeches from above him. Jake looks up and sees Spider surveying the wreckage with a panicked expression. Well, that’s one kid down. Two more to go.
“Lo’ak, where are you?” Jake shouts, running into the smoke without hesitation. Those were his babies that were possibly injured. Maybe even worse than last time. “Neteyam!” He calls after a moment, his panic mounting even more when he doesn’t hear them call back. His eyes catch on movement in the smoke. Someone is alive. Okay, progress. He runs up to them, dropping into a crouch. He heaves a breath of relief. Lo’ak.
“Easy, easy, you okay?” Jake whispers, checking him over quickly. Lo’ak looks dazed, a little confused, but okay. No obvious injuries. Thank Eywa. He grips his son’s shoulders tightly, relief warring with fear again.
“Yeah.” Lo’ak breathes, shaking his head slightly. “Yeah, mom. I’m okay.” He coughs a little, but offers a shaky smile.
“Where’s your brother? Spider is in the air already. Where’s Neteyam?” Jake presses gently. His gaze searches Lo’ak’s face for a moment as he waits for an answer.
“That way.” Lo’ak answers, pointing off to Jake’s right. He glances that way quickly.
“Where is he? Where?” Jake asks a little more frantically. A wave of nausea passes over him and he can’t tell if it’s from the smoke or the worry. Lo’ak motions a little more clearly. Jake drops his head a little. “Get outta here. Go home, okay?” Jake commands, caressing Lo’ak’s face in relief. His son nods, standing as soon as he does. Jake climbs over the rubble, his feet hurting from the metal digging into them. His eyes scan over the wreckage as he climbs. There’s a blood splatter on the side of the train car.
“Neteyam!” Jake screams, his fear starting to overwhelm him. He spots someone lying facedown, clearly not breathing. “Oh, no. Oh, no, no, no.” He mutters to himself jumping to the body. Had they changed enough that he would die early? He shakes his head as he gets closer. No. That’s not his son. He scans his surroundings once more. Another person facedown on the dirt. Definitely Neteyam. He rolls him over as soon as he reaches him. Neteyam groans pitifully, squinting up at Jake.
“Mom?” He asks weakly. Jake checks him over quickly. Same injuries as the first time. Minor scrapes and bruises. He did not like how similar this was to his first lifetime. It had been hard enough to see his child injured then. Having been the one to actually birth him this time made it so much worse.
“What are you doing here?” Jake gripes, wanting to shake his son like crazy. “What the hell were you three thinking?” He mutters to himself as he moves to heft Neteyam over his shoulder. He was going to skin them alive when they got back.
“I’m sorry.” Neteyam groans as he’s moved onto Jake’s back. “I’m sorry, mom.” He repeats a little stronger. Jake shakes his head, moving to the ikran.
“Yeah, you will be.” He grumbles, dropping Neteyam onto his Bob. “Let’s go home.” He commands, watching carefully as Neteyam settled on Bob. If he thought for a moment his son would fall off, he’d take over. Neteyam settled fine, watching as Jake connected to Bob and they took off. On the flight home Jake felt his anger rise and fall. He wanted to be furious with his sons, wanted to tear them a new one, but knew exactly why that was a bad idea. They were just teenagers, dumb kids. He hugs his son closer to him, the fear of losing him rising up within him once more.
When they landed back at camp Tey’ra, Kiri, Tuk, Emona were waiting for them. Tey’ra and Kiri exchanged exasperated looks when they saw Neteyam flying with Jake. Everyone knew at least one of the boys would have gotten hurt. Neytiri greets their daughters brightly as she dismounts, hugging Tuk and Emona close to her. Tsu’tey stands by Bob watching the chaos trio with a disappointed expression.
“You three, here. Now.” Jake pointed in front of him with a stern expression. Spider, Neteyam, and Lo’ak stand in front of him. All three look contrite and upset. He heaves a heavy breath, feeling the anger drain out of him. “Who’s idea was it to land?” He queries quietly, rubbing a hand over his face. His eyes travel over the three of them, waiting for the guilty one to step forward.
“Mine.” Lo’ak admits after a silent moment. Jake turns his gaze to him, he’d expected that honestly. “I wanted to help and thought it’d be safe.” He explains, rubbing his shoulder. Jake lets out a deep sigh, slumping a little as his energy wanes completely.
“Spider, Neteyam. You’re both grounded for a month. No flying.” He says after a moment. They nod silently. “Lo’ak… two months. Please you three, be safe about this. I almost lost you today.” He whimpers, closing his eyes as tears start to fill them.
“Mom…” The three started to protest, then got quiet. Tsu’tey or Neytiri must have done something. Jake wipes his eyes quickly.
“I’m severely disappointed in you boys. You knew the rules and you broke them. I love you three so, so much and you make me so proud, but I could have lost you. We could have lost today. Don’t try to prove yourselves recklessly when you’ve already proven yourselves. Okay?” Jake pleads. They nod slowly, Lo’ak and Neteyam’s ears drooped heavily under his stare. “Neteyam, go to the healing hut. You’re bleeding. I’ll be there in a moment to take care of you.” He motions them away. Neytiri follows after him, giving Spider and Lo’ak stern glares.
“I’m sorry mom.” Lo’ak murmurs again before walking away with Spider. Tsu’tey comes up behind him, rocking them slowly. Jake bursts into heaving sobs, turning into his mate's hold. He hoped he wasn’t too harsh on them, but damn it they nearly died today. Tsu’tey shooshes him gently, running his hands over Jake’s braids carefully.
“It’s okay, yawntu. They’re okay.” He soothes, nuzzling Jake.
“They almost weren’t. I thought they were dead. Oh Eywa. I couldn’t handle that, Tsu’tey. If I lose one of our kids, it’ll kill me. Genuinely kill me.” Jake wept into his chest. He hiccups over the sobs, trying to calm down. He doesn’t understand why his reaction is so strong. The boys were okay, if a bit beat up. Tsu’tey rocks them some more, purring gently. Slowly Jake manages to pull himself together. He pulls back, rubbing the last of the tears away. “Thank you.” He hummed, suppressing a yawn.
“Always, yawne. Now go take care of our son.” Tsu’tey presses, kissing Jake’s forehead. Jake gives him a weak smile before walking into the healing bay. Mo’at had already started tending to Neteyam, her face pinched with disappointment. Jake grins a little, happy to know his reaction wasn’t unfounded. Those boys were going to drive him to drink one day.