Unity

Chapter 5: Push and Pull

"You are funny, or more like sarcastic."

"You find that funny?"

"Yes? What? Is everyone here that uptight they won't even laugh?"

Kolanan cracked a smile, "Being an overly joyous person or an easy laugher makes you look like a clown in this tribe."

"I always knew my brother was a clown." Neteyam said with a tone of realisation so serious Kolanan couldn't help but laugh.

"Ah, I made you laugh. I can tell you aren't like the rest of your clan."

"After an hour of knowing me? You must be awfully observant Mr Sully."

"I knew it the moment I saw you, you aren't like anyone I've ever met, this aura, it emulates from you, so bright it's almost blinding." Kolanan met his eyes at the sudden deep comment.

"Are you sure that's not just and impending sense of doom?" She tried to crack a joke underneath sudden tension, breaking the eye contact and averting her attention to the concoction she was making, beginning to apply it to the large gash on his chest.

The sensation burned making Neteyam grab her hip in reflex, his grip was tight and tugged her towards him.

The unexpected touch made Kolanan let out a gasp, "Sorry, I forgot to tell you it might sting a little." She muttered sheepishly.

"A little? This shit burns." Neteyam put his other hand on her hip too in order to try and ground himself amongst the pain.

"I'm sorry, your wound is deep, it doesn't usually hurt this much otherwise. I will use heat therapy to try and soothe the pain." 

Kolanan lit a flame and gather it in her hand, rubbing it together and pressing it into Neteyam's wound, the relief flooding in as he sighed in relief, her hands pressed firm against his chest as his heart raced, pounding against his ribcage.

"Your heart is beating very fast."

"It must be feeling that impending sense of doom you were talking about." His thumbs lightly grazed over her hips, and slowly but surely they began to trace circles, but the man didn't seem to notice, as thought it was sheer habit of fidgeting.

"I think I am feeling it too."

Neteyam met her eyes, "If it's the Skypeople you are worried about, don't worry, the Metakayina are coming too , once we are united, we can take them on with ease."

Kolanan's eyes drifted around his face, resting at his lips whilst they both began to subconsciously lean forwards, "It is not the Skypeople I am scared of."

"Who is it then?" He whispered, his breath tingly against her lips, once millimetre more and they would kiss.

"You." 

Neteyam took a deep breath, pulling her hips toward him their lips connecting.

Almost.

BANG BANG BANG.

Kolanan jumped back, leaving the touch of the Omaticaya boy immediately.

"I need to get that." She said, avoiding eye contact.

"Yeah of course go ahead." His eyes however, were locked on her, why was she resisting their pull between them so much.

Was it because he was a tree hugger?

He wouldn't mind a biology lesson or two?

Kolanan hurried out of her medical room a bit too quickly, letting out the large breath she had been holding.

"Oh my Eywa I can't believe I almost did that, pull yourself together Kolanan, you cannot be with him. He is just another rejection, come on, you barely even know him." She scolded herself as she walked to the door, there was something so unnaturally natural between them, like every force on Pandora was pushing them together but it felt so right, like she could jump on him right now and it would be like everything would fall into place.

But she couldn't.

She can't.

The woman ran a hand through her hair, opening the door, "Yes?" No one ever came up here.

"There are no more rooms available so Chief Kokoam has instructed Neteyam Sully stay with you as your honoured guest and student."

Brilliant, thanks Eywa.

"Of course, but I only have one bed so..."

"Is it big enough for two people?"

"Barely, it would take some squeezing-"

"That's fine, as long as you can fit another bed needn't be delivered all the way up here." The servant avoided the heavy chore with ease and swiftly left.

Kolanan slammed the door, "Lazy shit."

"What was that about?" Neteyam's voice sounded, he stood in the hallways, leaned against the wall.

"There is no more room, you will be staying with me, I will take the sofa."

"Don't be stupid, I'll take the sofa."

"You are injured."

"You are my host."

"Exactly, you are my guest, so take the bed."

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"Because you are a lady, and it would be wrong of me to make a lady sleep on any sofa let alone her own, regardless of how much of a warrior you are, you are still a woman I must therefore show manners to."

"It's big enough for the both of us, we can share, that way I can check on you in the night too. Now get back to the medical room, I need to finish treating you."

.

.

.

.

"Careful, I just wrapped them, the bandage may peel off." Kolanan helped Neteyam into bed, "You'll be fully healed my morning, it's a fast acting potion."

Neteyam took her hand, "Thank you Kolanan, really, you healed me twice now."

"Yeah let's not make a habit out of it ok?"

"Deal." The man laughed, shuffling to get comfortable.

The woman gently slipped under the covers, feeling his warmth already.

She turned to face away from him before a hand turned her right back, "Why so much push and pull?"

"Hm?"

"There's so much pushing us together but you are so desperate to pull away, why? You think I'm ugly?" He laughed.

"Don't worry about it pretty boy, get some rest for now." She rolled her eyes yet again before closing them to fall asleep.

"I like that, pretty boy, goodnight Kolanan." He gently smiled.