Invisible String - Jake Sully

16

Jake chuckled and dragged Tawn to his side by her hand, "I promise I won't," he grabbed her by her waist and carried her onto Bob's back before placing himself in front of her, "make sure you're comfortable," he said turning his head to the side.

Tawn adjusted herself on the ikran, feeling the weird scaley skin of it touch the back of her thigh.

"Grab onto me," Jake said over his shoulder.

Tawn looked at him weirdly before circling her arms on his waist loosely, not wanting to touch anymore skin.

"tighter, Tawn. You don't want to topple over, right?" he challenged with a slight smirk.

Tawn sighed and held him tighter, pressing herself flush on his back. His bare skin made contact with hers, sending a slight shiver up and down her spine. Tawn bit her lip, not to let any sound come out of her, before nodding as if saying she was ready.

"Okay then, prepare yourself," Jake smirked, loving the feeling of her front pressing right onto his bare back. He then ordered Bob to take off.

Tawn held on tighter when she felt herself lifting off the ground, closing her eyes at the bumpy takeoff. She didn't want to see what was underneath her now. She was okay, feeling the wind blowing on her face, and she was enjoying the warmth Jake provided for her. She was okay, feeling her heart beat so hard against her chest because of the man in front of her. She was okay with feeling his presence in front of her, but Jake didn't want that. He wanted her to love flying just like he loved it.

"Open your eyes, Tawn," Jake suggested.

Tawn was scared to open her eyes, it seemed like they were glued shut. Her hands were shaking and Jake could feel it. "Tawn, it's okay, I'm here, and I won't let you fall," Jake reassured the girl.

Tawn sighed. Yeah, she promised not to ruin today, so she should at least try to enjoy this, right? Tawn slowly opened her eyes, seeing the bright blue of the sky in front of her. When her eyes were fully opened, she took in the new perspective of Awa'atlu, her home.

Seeing the horizon from up here was different; the sea looked so vast, it could go on for years. The reefs painted the sea with beautiful colours. The sea life reflected the light from their shiny skin. It was all beautiful. She slowly let one of her hands feel the wind through her fingers. She let out a giggle at the feeling. She looked down at the small inhabited islands off the coast of Awa'atlu.

"Where's the forest, Jake?" Tawn asked in his ear.

"up north," he said, jutting his chin towards the direction, "hang on tight," Jake warned before he dived down.

Tawn clung to Jake again, but this time she let a sound of pure enjoyment out of her lips; she loved the adrenaline of flying. Noticing this, Jake decided to take her for the real spin, telling the ikran to do every trick they got in their books so that he could make her enjoy their time together.

Jake eventually told Bob to level out when they were close enough to touch the water. They were flying above the beautiful corals and the marine life of Pandora. Tawn reached her hand out and dipped her finger into the water, feeling it course through her.

"Jake, I love flying," she said when they returned from their trip together.

Jake smirked at her, "of course, you do. Everyone loves it," he smirked, patting Bob on his head before disconnecting his tsaheylu from his mount.

Tawn grinned at the ikran, "thank you, Bob for the wonderful time," she smiled, scratching his chin.

The ikran shrieked happily at Tawn before flying out to hunt for his food.