Invisible String - Jake Sully

16

"Where is he staying?" Tawn asked, watching the ikran hunt his prey.

Jake shrugged, "somewhere near," he said casually.

Tawn looked at him perplexed before turning around to return to the village. "where are you going?"

"Back to the village?" Tawn said.

Jake smirked, grabbing her hand and pulling her to him, his hands now placed on her waist, trapping her in his embrace, "who said it's over, Tawn?" he whispered to her, their breaths mingling with each other. They were so close that Tawn could stand on her tippy toes and kiss him right there if she wanted to.

Tawn was awestruck. She stared at Jake's eyes as if searching for something behind his beautiful yellow eyes, a mockery or something, but what she found was a softness in his gaze. Tawn nodded.

She would've followed him anywhere if he asked, she would gladly sacrifice herself for the man in front of her, and that realisation scared her but also brought warmth to her heart because she found someone worth fighting for.

Jake grabbed her hand and tugged her towards the little forest in awa'atlu. They followed the small pathway to discover a small lake in the middle of the forest, filled with little fishes and water lilies. The light filtered through the trees, giving the secluded place an almost magical aura. She grew up here, yet this place flew directly under her radar.

"Jake, this place is so beautiful," Tawn whispered. However, since the place was so quiet, Jake could clearly hear her.

Jake nodded, smiling proudly, watching her face light up like a kid in a candy store.

"How did you find this place?" Tawn asked, crouching down and touching the water lilies softly with her fingertips, her smile still present on her face.

Jake shrugged, trying to act casual about this, "well, I was bored, and I went around the forest, and then I found this place."

"I lived here for so long, but I never found this place before," Tawn said, running her hand through the lake's cold water. The water was so clear she could see rocks and fishes so clearly.

"You just need to see closely, Tawn," Jake teased, plopping down on a huge rock by the lake, "come here, Tawn," he called, patting the spot next to him.

Tawn looked up at him and walked towards him, still grinning, "I love this place." She beamed, sitting down beside Jake.

"I'm glad you like it, Tawn," he smiled softly.

Comfortable silence engulfed them, they didn't really need to say anything.

"Tell me about yourself, Tawn," Jake said suddenly, startling the woman beside him.

"What's there to tell?" Tawn joked, but she really didn't know what to tell him about herself.

Jake shrugged, "your hobby? Your favourite colour? Your favourite animal?" he listed, "I could go on for ages."

Tawn rolled her eyes playfully at Jake, "well, my hobby is crafting. I love making small trinkets or clothes for the clan or myself, even though I get exhausted after that," Tawn chuckled.

"Yeah, I remembered," Jake said, remembering the time when she kicked him out after picking up little Tuk after their crafting session.

"My favourite colour," Tawn hummed, thinking deeply, "yellow is my favourite colour and I love ilus and, of course, tulkun." She finished.

"What were you like when you were a kid?" Jake asked.

Tawn shrugged, "Ronal said I was super annoying and clingy, and I think that's true since I only remembered following Ronal around and helping mother with errands."