It's called a punch, bitch
CHAPTER FIVE
"It's called a punch, bitch."
Jake didn’t know what to say. He knew the last time he and Lo’ak saw each other it didn’t end well, but it still hurt that Lo’ak, after all this time, didn’t miss him at all. That he found a new family. Before they had all agreed to it, Neytiri looked at Jake like she was telling him she was sorry, but wanted her son back. Jake didn’t blame her, he probably would’ve done the same.
Lo’ak went back to their hut with his parents, and Jake and Neytiri went back to theirs. Tuk was long asleep once they got there, but Kiri and Neteyam were awake and waiting for them. Neytiri briefed them on their earlier conversation with Lo’ak and could see the relief and happiness on the kids faces when they learned they’d get to be with their brother again.
They all went to sleep after that. Well, except for Jake. He didn’t sleep very well that night. All that ran through his head was the day Lo’ak left. He couldn’t help thinking about what he could’ve done differently.
The next day he was tired, but tried not to show it. He had duties to attend to.
~~~~~~~~~~~
The group of kids went out together again. This time, Eza, Tanhí, and Lo’ak were teaching them some of their customs. The group was all sitting out by the docks and Tuk had asked them what their home was like.
“Very bright and loud.” Eza said, matter of factly, “It’s very beautiful.”
“Mhm!” Tanhí followed up, “We have a lot of celebrations too.”
“We celebrate the gifts Eywa gives us, thankfully that is many.” Lo’ak explained.
Eza nodded in agreement, “We also do more during the nighttime, it was too quiet here last night.”
They all went around and shared their traditions from home.
After awhile Rotxo got bored and asked, “Do you all know each other?” He gestured to the four forest Na’vi.
Lo’ak looked at Eza and Tanhí, he hadn’t told them anything yet. For all they knew, they all just happened to be Omatikayan. Oh well, they were bound to find out sooner or later, “Yeah, I’m their brother.”
Tuks ears perked up, “That means you're my brother too, right?” she asked him excitedly.
“It does.” Kiri responded for him.
Tuk gasped and turned to Tanhí, “We share a brother! That makes us sort of siblings!” Both smiled and giggled.
Lo’ak couldn’t help but smile, he liked the idea of his families merging together. That way he’d never have to choose between them.
He looked at Eza, who had been more quiet than usual, she had been staring at Kiri and Neteyam like she was trying to explode them with her mind.
He elbowed her gently and whispered, “You’re still my sister, Eza, that’s not going to change.”
That made her less tense, but she still held a grudge against them. She knew Lo’ak didn’t like talking about his past family at home, so why had he welcomed them back into his life with open arms? She had always wondered what had happened between them, hoping it was better than what happened to her. She loved her brothers, even if none of them were blood, they were family. And she’d be damned if these people took her family away from her. Her behavior may come off as rude or aggressive, but deep down it’s neither, it’s protective.
“I know that, skxqwng.” She whispered back affectionately. Lo’ak smiled then moved on to talking to Tsireya. It was very obvious the two had some sort of crush on each other. Eza made sure to tease Lo’ak about that later.
Neteyam, Kiri, Tuk, and Tsireya were all called away to help Neytiri with something. That’s when Aonung and his little gang showed their true colors.
“Looks like we got another four fingered freak. Too many of them around here nowadays.” He laughed, eyeing Lo’ak.
Lo’ak didn’t speak at first, just staring at him the same way Eza was staring at Kiri and Neteyam earlier.
“What? You got something to say freak?”
Still, Lo’ak stayed quiet.
Aonung started to get annoyed, what he wanted was some sort of reaction out of him.
“Lo’ak let me ask you a question,” he said, walking through the water to Lo’ak and slugging his arm around him, “How are you going to have two families and not belong in either?”
Lo’ak ignored him, standing his ground in his silence. Eza motioned for Tanhí to come over to her, not trusting this group of boys after hearing all this. “Shut up fishface, no one cares what you have to say.” Eza said, sticking up for her brother.
“Or what?” Smiled Aonung, moving away from Lo’ak to begin circling her and Tanhí, “Who’s going to stop me? You?” he said as he yanked her tail.
Lo’ak shoved him away and put himself between them, “Back off. You want to pick on me, go ahead but you better leave them alone.”
Aonung smirked again, holding his hands up defensively, “Alright tough guy.” He said as he made his way back to his friends.
Lo’ak, Eza, and Tanhí started to leave when Lo’ak overheard Aonung say, “Guess both his families are full of freaks.”
Lo’ak signed and turned around, walking towards Aonung and his friends who were all smirking once they saw.
Lo’ak held up one of his hands, “You’re right, I am pretty freakish, I mean just look at it.” He said wiggling his fingers. “But it can do something pretty cool, want to see?” Aonung nodded in response. “First, I ball it up real tight, just like this,” he continued, Aonung tilting his head forward to see, “And then-“ Lo’ak cut himself off by punching Aonung in the face, then again, and again. “It's called a punch bitch, don't ever talk about my families again.” Lo’ak kept hitting him till he and Aonung were on the ground fighting. His friends tried pulling Lo’ak off but while they tried dragging him by the tail Lo’ak got a grip on Aonungs ear, dragging the fish boy with him.
Eza and Tanhí ran to their father for his help, who came quickly and separated the fight, drawing the attention on Tonowari and Jake.
While Lo’ak couldn’t help but smile for the fact he for sure won that fight, internally he knew was in deep shit. If one of his fathers didn’t skin him, the other would. And if they didn’t, his mothers would.