Chapter Text
Homesickness was a constant in Neytiri’s life. She missed her forest’s greenery, her people, her mother. She took solace in the night, allowing herself to find a secluded spot along the shores and lay. Staring at the stars for what felt like hours, because she knew that, hours away, her mother would be looking at the same stars.
On the other end, Ronal had nearly driven herself mad trying to remedy Neytiri’s pain. No matter the amount of clothes she weaved, the extra meals offered, the abrasive attempts to talk everything out, nothing seemed to work. Every night, she woke to her beloved slipping out of their hammock and slinking away.
Initially, Ronal was hesitant to breach the subject. Clearly, Neytiri was looking for alone time, but it had gotten to the point that Ronal was unsure if Neytiri ever slept.
Tonight, she could not sit back and sleep while something clearly bothered Neytiri. She waits a while, lets the other get a good enough distance away before she slips out herself.
She slowly trails Neytiri’s steps, anxiety that she may be caught at any time pricking at her neck, but determination to check on the one she loves squashes any doubtfulness in her mind. She finds shelter behind a rock along the shore, trying to formulate her next move in her head.
She curses herself, taking a quick glance over the rock. Neytiri was just … sitting there. Knees folded to her chest, practically hugging herself. That alone gave ache to Ronal’s heart. If she could, she’d erase every bit of pain Neytiri felt.
After a bit of encouraging herself, she approaches. Neytiri is aware, but makes no effort to acknowledge her. Ears flattened, and as she draws closer, Ronal can see the reflection of light glistening off the other’s face.
Ronal slowly sits beside her, arm instinctively finding its way around Neytiri’s shoulders. Her voice is quiet, gentle.
“Speak.”
Neytiri reaches up, tears wiped away from her face. A sniffle, and she shakes her head.
“It is nothing —“
“Do not feed me that foolishness, Neytiri. What troubles you?”
A defeated sigh from Neytiri now, and she leans further into Ronal’s touch.
“This place.. It is beautiful, but it is not home. It is not my forest. I am happy here, with you, but I feel as if a part of myself is missing. I do not know why this all happened to me.”
Silence hangs in the air for a moment, before Ronal offers a comforting shoulder rub, and a peck to Neytiri’s forehead.
“The Great Mother is mysterious in her ways.”
Neytiri nods, resting her head completely against Ronal. Tears have since stopped, and she’s more focused on the stars once again.
“She placed those stars,”
Ronal breaks the silence once more.
“So you could share the view with the forest.”
Finally, a smile cracks serious features of Neytiri’s face. The thought was just as warm as Ronal’s brace.
“You are right.”
She sits up, soon enough yawning.
“We should rest.”
That brings the smile to Ronal’s face now, accompanied with a nod. Hand in hand, the two would return to bed, a restful night’s sleep awaiting them.