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

Toruk

"It's not where I'd like it to be, but it's the best we've got."
Jake brushes past you as he checks over the tablet Norm has in his arms.
They're trying their best to sound-proof and secure things down here as quick as they can without sacrificing quality.
"We're deep enough, so if any bombs do hit - anyone in here will be safe."

"We've got plenty of food rations, water.." Norms voice trails down as he sees Grace coming down the steps with a box in her hands. "-Grace?"

"Yeah?" She carefully watches her step, and you rush over to help her with it.

"You're gonna follow your promise and stay down here, right? With Mo'at and the kids? We will have some guards here, human and Navi."

You take the box from her, and she decides to take a second and salute Norm before stepping off the stairs completely.
"The second you give the order, Sir."

It took a bit of convincing at first, insisting she wanted to be out on the field helping - but you couldn't risk it. She knew you wouldn't.

Ideally, this would've been at least a year out. Plenty of space and repairs done to handle the group of Navi children, as well as your own and even Spider.

But.. all things considered.. this is what you had to work with in a hurry.

If they didn't come for Hometree, they'd come for the tree of souls.
And If not the tree, then Hometree.
At least here there was a safe haven of sorts.

There was no sense in getting Trudy to stay off the battlefield, especially since she wanted to help with the bait idea.
You're just thankful she wouldn't be in her scorpion for most of it.

Jake taps on your shoulder gently, pulling you away from everyone else as he proudly walks with ease on his exoskeleton by now.

He refuses to let your arm go, even as you're both upstairs now and finding privacy in the kitchen area.

"Jake- would you tell me what's going on? Why'd you drag me away?"

He leans against the counter, giving himself a moment to relax as the device does cause some strain on his muscles still.

"I wanted a moment alone with you to talk."
He admits, wrapping an arm around your waist.
"Ive.. finalized my discussions with the Omatikaya. I'm leaving tomorrow night with Tsu'tey and Eytukan to ask for help. They don't know about the whole.. Toruk thing, yet.
However, the clan is stressed and worried we may not have enough people against the RDA, even if we go from clan to clan asking for their help, so it's better I go ahead and do it in the morning."

"You've had more time and training here than you did the first time."
You take a step forward and place a gentle palm on his chest. "—If you're ready to seek Toruk, we can go. Hell, we can go tonight if you'd rather."

"The morning would be better. I'm exhausted from today as it is." He admits, kissing your forehead sweetly. "But I do love your enthusiasm."

Things fall into a silence as you both simply lean into one another, cherishing what time was left before the war begun.

"So.. question." You end up breaking that silence not long after.

Jake hums as he wraps both hands around your back.

"Are you.. staying? Or are you taking the mobile base with you?"
Your heart aches just thinking of having to go so long without him.

"I should be fine linking from here, why?"

"Last time we did this, you were worried about being found - so you took a shack with you — where both you and Norm left with Tsu'tey."

"Oh. I see.
Well, we're a big enough target already - I'll just have to take the risk. It's better I have myself here, and the avatar there. I need to know what's going on with both sides at the same time. I'll be linked in for longer time periods, but I'll try to leave some time so we can have dinner together?"