~~~Superstes~~~UNDERGOING MAJOR EDITING

For a while.

Neytiri must have seen my expression because she placed her hand on my knee, and she looked quite amused. "You are prideful, Jake. You must work on it." With this, she rose to her feet and went back inside. 

Yeah, Jake, I thought, get it together. 

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When my eyes fluttered open, it was pitch black out. I was too tired to move, though, so I lied completely still and relished the fact that I didn't have to get up. It was hard to stay awake anyway, and I knew I would fall back asleep any moment. I hadn't dreamt anything at all this time, which was nice. 

Fe'ya was out cold in the hammock above me, her arms splayed under her and her jaw hanging open. I avoided the drool dripping from her mouth onto the space next to me, and with a smirk, I fought back my chuckles. It was odd to see her in such a silly state, vulnerable and ignorant to her own appearance. It was just funny to me, because she's always so perfect and graceful. 

But even still, she looked pretty. I didn't think there would ever be a situation where she didn't. 

I felt a swift movement next to me and Ma placed her hand on my arm. I didn't bother to roll over to her as she spoke, because I had no intention of getting up. Then I remember--I ceased to hear a word she said. I turn over on my side, facing her, my heart sinking in disappointment. 

Ma gazed at me sympathetically. But she smiled anyway and signed to me, being much more fluent in the subject than Dad. "Neteyam, are you hungry?" 

I was quite empty of food, and I had been for a couple of days. In the battle, I had no time to stop and eat. But I felt too weary to swallow anything right now, so I shook my head. To my surprise, I saw Spider in the too-big hammock on the other side of the mauri, asleep. I never noticed him come in last night; he must have come later. 

I hadn't realized how relived I was to see Ma alive and well, with no major injuries. She looked happy and tired, but not hurt, which was all that matters. Lo'ak was pretty banged up yesterday, burns and scrapes from head to toe. He limped around the mauri until I made him sit down and be treated. 

That was until Tsireya came and took me to the biolab. After everything was situated, Norm told me my hearing would come back eventually. Then Dad and ma got home, and we went to sleep. I wondered where Tonowari and his family were, if they'd gone back home. I doubt it--Kiri told me they were going to help clean things up. At least, that's what I think she said. I tried to read her lips as well as I could, but my brain wasn't wired to do that. 

Ma nodded softly, glancing down. Then she looked back and enveloped me in a warm, gentle hug. Over her shoulder I saw Dad standing at the entrance of the mauri, watching. The moonlight shone on his back, lighting up his stripes and tall frame. His ear flicked in the direction of Lo'ak's loud snoring. 

Ma let me go and smiled, kissed me on the forehead and went to go talk to Dad, who rubbed her back and together, they went outside. I flopped onto my back and closed my eyes, kind of wanting to listen to their conversation, but mostly wanting to stay here and sleep. It wasn't hard for me to go unconscious, which I did within seconds. 

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When I woke up again, this time our canopy-like shelter was lit by the dim glow of dawn, after how many sunrises, I didn't know. Tuk and Spider were playing a small game, sitting back-to-back. I've played it before--whoever is the first to say the chosen word, you'd have to switch places as fast as you could.