~~~Superstes~~~UNDERGOING MAJOR EDITING

Wonderfully wrong.

In fact, the pain was making it difficult to speak. His throat felt as if it was wrapped in thorns. 

"Okay, that's fine. That's fine if you don't want to get up." After a moment of analyzing his son, his eyes understanding, Jake asked, "Where does it hurt the most?"

Neteyam, feeling a sense of relief that his dad knew he was in pain, placed his casted hand on his ribs and his shoulder. His eyes were stinging from the effort of holding back tears, but he managed to keep them suppressed.  

"Alright. Just wait here, okay? I'm going to get your mother." Jake patted his son's head again and strode out of the dark room. Through the wide entrance, Neteyam saw his mom prepare breakfast for the family as the kids all sat next to each other, chattering amongst themselves. He watched as his dad went over to Neytiri, and their lips moved, but he didn't make out what they were saying. He just waited with Tuk snuggled up against him, listening to her soft snores.

Eventually, Neytiri stepped into the section of the marui with a strip of fruit skin in her hands. She smiled at her son, before kissing him on the forehead, and held the piece of fruit out to him. "Eat this, mighty warrior. It will help you." 

Neteyam let out a breath of laughter as he took the food from her and popped it into his mouth, giving her a "Thank you, Sa'nok."  

Neytiri stood there more a moment, her posture straight and proud, her expression shining, and her big golden eyes fell on her youngest daughter. Then she laughed with her husky voice and cupped both her hands around Neteyam's cheek's, her smile filled with years of love for her son. She pressed her face against his and laughed again, her ears rotating backward. "Oh, my son. You are safe, and you have returned to me." 

Neteyam melted into her motherly embrace, and he was transported back to when he was a child, safe and warm inside his mom's arms. When he'd just finished his Iknimaya as one of the youngest ever, and his mother was celebrating with him close against her, kissing the crown of his head repeatedly. She'd always had the same smell to him--warm, with the fragrance of the forest flowers, and most importantly, just like his mother. 

They soaked in one another's presence, before Neytiri withdrew from Neteyam, her eyes glistening with tears. "Don't worry, Mama." Neteyam reassured, allowing himself to use the babyish term just this once. "I'm not leaving you yet." 

She wiped her eyes and nodded, sniffling. "Oh, I know you won't, evengan. But if you do, I will march to Eywa's heart and take you back myself." 

Neteyam chuckled. Often times back in the forest, whenever his dad would meet with the Olo'eyktan's from the Olangi or the Tyrangi clan, they would always praise Neteyam for his amazing skills and his devotion to his family and his people. But a comment the two never failed to make was how much Neteyam resembled his mother, and how much he'd grown since their last interaction with him. Neteyam himself didn't mind being told he looked like his mother--he didn't think there was a better compliment out there. 

"Okay, Mother, I trust you." 

She gave him one last smile before striding out of the section of the marui, her tail waving. 

It seemed like the moment their mother was gone, Tuktirey awoke, a cheeky smile already written across her face. "You called her mama." she teased, giggling. 

Neteyam let out an exasperated sigh. "Yes? You call her mama all the time. I know it's hard to believe, but I did used to be your age."  

Tuk laughed and let herself collapse against Neteyam's chest, wrapping her little arms around his neck. The pressure of her body against his hurt, but he smiled and laid his casted arm over her back. He knew she wasn't actually teasing him, because he knew Tuk didn't care what he called their mom. She was just happy to be here, wherever that might be.