What If? (P1) || Jake / Reader || Draft

Bob

"So..." Jake leads with a heavy inhale as he steps further out into the mountain. "You wanna tell me which one is mine? Make things easier on me?"

You follow shortly behind, and barely graze the edge of his shoulder with your fingertips. "You ask for too many spoilers."

The ikran are already upset by the small group forming so close to their spot, hissing and shrieking in different octaves as if to threaten the Navi.

He gives you a faint one-sided grin. "May as well use your powers to my advantage. I've gotta get this done, don't I?"
He turns for a mere moment, elbowing you jokingly.

To which his gesture is met with a partially annoyed sigh. "Third one from the end. Tie his muzzle shut, climb on, and then bond as quickly as you can."

"See? How hard was that. Thanks, baby." He leans in and kisses your forehead before setting off.

Probably better he went first, it was easier to keep an eye on him this way.

You're fully zoned in as he goes for it - Tsuteys less than encouraging words all a blur in the back of your mind.

It's hard not to worry, watching him stumble and wrestle with Bob back and forth — which, hopefully the timeline changing meant he may pick a better name this time — before being thrown off completely.

"Shit." You panic, stepping down from the platform above with your knife drawn - hoping and praying he wouldn't have the same disastrous fate Lo'ak did the first time he tried this. "- JAKE!"

He's able to pull himself up at the last given second, and he moves so quickly that you hardly have time to register that he's succeeded until he's calmed down, and let his legs loosen out as he catches his breath.

You're a bit shaken up, mostly nervous and relieved though — and as you place your knife back, you notice Neytiri is already helping Jake off before calling you to take your own turn.

Those same loving eyes staring you down as you walk further along the stone pathway, and almost forget you can't just reach out for him and brush your hand against his muzzle.
He looks so much brighter, younger, happier. Despite the teeth showing as he calls out to you when you come closer, that is.

He still gains a glowing look and wide smile from you, even as you tie him and jump on his back - leaving him thrashing around until he finally surrenders.

"Arohk." You speak to him so softly, rubbing your palms against his back to soothe him as he relaxes into the bond.

It's his first, but for you it's one in thousands of flights you've both taken together.
He seems to read on the familiarity, finding it easier to adjust to you than most other Navi do with their own ikrans.

"It's okay." You insist, calmly. "Step off the edge, and fly straight. I've got you."

It's almost like he looks back for a moment, checking to make sure you're secure before he does.

It's been a while since you'd experienced this - and your eyes sure blink like crazy as the wind rushes past you.

Jake is up ahead at first, until he gets the hang of gliding and let's you catch up.

He's happy as ever with his new buddy, and looking around at everything you both pass by - his eyes filled with the same curiosity you used to see in Tuk.

It would be a long first run at getting him used to the flying, and hopefully tomorrow you could take him around to get Toruks attention.

If he doesn't notice Jake, and you two don't get his old Navi title on your side — it would make having them trust the lot of you a lot harder. Even with or without added clans, this was still the most important piece to the puzzle.