~~~Superstes~~~UNDERGOING MAJOR EDITING

Waking up

Lo'ak began to rouse, rolling onto his back and stretching his jaw wide to yawn before sitting up groggily. He'd always been the quickest in the family to rise, dropping the dazed demeanor minutes after waking. Jake watched him rub his eyes tiredly, then his gaze spontaneously falls on his brother who lay next to him and always has. They'd never been separated.  

Lo'ak stared at Neteyam with a dullness in his eyes, as if each time he saw him he hoped for him to be moving, and each time the disappointment ebbed away at his free spirit. It was affecting him greatly, yet he acted like Jake didn't notice. He acted like Jake didn't know anything about him. Jake knew every single detail about Lo'ak, every choice he was going to make, every response he was about to give. He and Jake were the same person, inside and out. Jake was exactly like Lo'ak when he was his age, reckless and impulsive. Sometimes it scared him how similar they were. 

Slowly and hesitantly Lo'ak reached out and stroked Neteyam's head, returning the gesture that his brother so often gave when he was relived or happy. He used such a gentleness he might as well be petting a butterfly's papery, frail wing. 

Neytiri and Jake shared the same look, a bittersweet tint in their eyes. 

Lo'ak kept his hand on Neteyam's braids for a moment longer, before retracting his outstretched arm into his folded lap, sighing. Spider was in the corner of the marui, having been awake for a while. He sat there, caving a large wooden stick. 

Soon Kiri awoke, stretching her arms in the air and loosely sitting up, her movements clumsy in the fresh remains of slumber. It was like the domino effect-- one kid woke up, then they all wake up shortly after. A pale ray of sunlight shone upon Kiri, lighting up her striped skin and her eyes. She relished it for a moment, closing her eyes briefly as she let the radiance warm her face, lulling her out of the effect of sleep. When her eyes fell on Jake, he smiled at her fondly, and she returned the grin. 

Neytiri is the one to break the morning silence. "How did you sleep, Kiri?" she asked, and Lo'ak's head faces in her direction as she speaks. 

The girl shrugs. "I slept fine. You?" 

Neytiri sank closer in Jake's chest, smiling warmly. "I slept good, thank you." 

Jake knew that wasn't true, and so did Neytiri.

 Jake kept his eye on her the whole night until he finally fell asleep, and her eyes were open the entire time. She may have gone to sleep after that, but she was alert and attentive when Jake woke up, so his guess was she did not. She was only telling Kiri this to keep her from worrying, and Jake would do the same, but Kiri was no fool, and he didn't doubt she could take one look at her mother and know what was wrong.

Neytiri repeated the question to Lo'ak, who recited his sister's blunt response, only his was less cheerful. 

They all turned their heads as a loud snore erupts from Tuk, who is out cold on her side, her arms splayed out and her hair fanning wildly around her. Oh, innocent Tuk. She was such a loose spirit, not a care in the world, completely oblivious to the commotion around her. She was always in her own little world, a space in her head she's created due to having no siblings her age. Though she had made more friends since the family moved to the Metkiyana village, she'd become immensely close to Tsireya.

The rumbling sound earned a couple exchanged chuckles, nothing more. The Sully's were all too tired to laugh. Jake could feel it in the cool, salty ocean air that it was going to be a lazy day. It had been like that since Quaritch died--the battle had drained all of them.

 The kids would go out and play with their friends, but they came back sooner than usual because of the overwhelming concern for Neteyam. They were adamant on being here when he woke up even after Jake tried to tell them it might be a while and they should have fun, but this was the only option according to them.