A different drum

Title: A different drum.
author: azzy
fandom: Avatar
Rating: For this chapter, M
warnings: cornyness, masturbation.
beta: century_eyes
Parring: Jake/Oc
type: WIP
Summary: When changes come, you are seldom ready for them.
AN: Okay i had to go search in Na'vi linguistics even if i promised myself i wouldn't, i needed a name for a girl, and i seriously played around with not naming her at all, but as i continued i could see that it seemed a little like i made her into an object and that was not my intention, so i tried the best i could and named her It'tiera which in some roundabout way should resemble something i think means little spirit, the syntax is off but who cares, its just a name. Someone on AFF said that Norms avatar body died in the last battle, and i disagree since i am pretty sure he's standing in one of the last scenes in his avatar body, but since i realise that there are 6 named avatar drivers and i am not sure how many of those chose to stay on Pandora, i naturally searched the net for the answer, and i didn't find it, so i say that he didn't die, he was just wounded. The timeline, i wanted to mention that time passed in the previous chapter, that the diving thing weren't the first thing they did together, but i chose to skip time like that to avoid really, really long and boring passages, as i said, i write erotica, not canon. The wonders of erotica is that is doesn't always have to make complete sense. ;) - For the record, moonlillies are something I made up for the story.


Part 2 : Moonlillies.

Gritting his teeth, Jake carried his precious cargo on his back through the forest. Once in a while he felt Stum's hold go limp around his neck, and he would yell Stum's name, waking the young na'vi again. After some hours of walking through the tangled forest Jake's muscles started to complain. His legs would go weak, almost causing him to stumble more than once, and his arms trembled. Angry with himself he finally let out a distressed growl, sinking to his knees, unable to carry Stum any further. For a moment he wondered if a pa'li would work, but he hadn't seen any, and he wasn't sure how to call one. Letting Stum slide off his back he made sure that he wouldn't just drop, placing him against a tree trunk.

”You're exhausted,” Stum sighed. ”You should rest.”

”No,” Jake simply answered. He had helplessly watched Neytiri die, he was not about to let Stum suffer the same fate.

Stum smiled. ”I'm hungry,” he said softly.

”Really?” Jake answered, surprised. ”No nausea?”

”Only if I move my head,” Stum grinned with a cough.

”That is good news, friend,” Jake said, looking around him to see if there was something edible in a close radius. And when he found it, he had never been happier to watch someone eat as he was in that moment. Finishing his own fruit, he sat up on his knees studying Stum's head injury, tracing the edges of the torn skin, probing it to see if the swelling was going down. ”It doesn't look infected,” Jake said with a little cautious smile. ”How are you feeling?”

”Better.” Stum said, closing his eyes, inhaling the sweet scent that came with having Jake this close.

As Jake sat back down, he looked at Stum with a slightly worried frown. ”Maybe we should move on. Do you think you can walk?”

”Honestly?” Stum said with an embarrassed expression, ”Then, no.”

”Crap!” Jake swore under his breath in English. Biting his lower lip, he tried to come up with some sort of game plan, he had to keep Stum awake if they were going to sit still, and besides that he had wished that they'd be close to something remotely safe, and not out in the wilderness, if they were attacked by predators they'd be defenceless as it were. ”So...” he said slowly, not sure what to ask, something that would keep a conversation going, that was for sure. ”Have you thought about what you want to do once you've passed the trials?”

”Eh... no,” Stum said, but the little twitch Jake saw on the other na'vi's face told him it was a lie.

”You can tell me,” Jake insisted, inching closer to Stum to somehow physically close the gap between them, putting Stum's mind to ease. Jake inclined his head. ”Seen someone you wish to ask for your mate?” he asked with a knowing smile.

”Maybe,” Stum answered cryptically.

”Maybe?” Jake laughed genuinely.

”Don't laugh,” Stum mumbled, squirming a little, feeling terribly self conscious. ”I'm just worried, that's all... weren't you?”

Jake stifled laughter, and he nodded. ”I was, and I guess it's only normal... I'm sorry Stum, I didn't mean to laugh at you, it's just that you looked so guilty.”

”Do skypeople take mates too?” Stum asked, feeling a little less stupid.

”Yes,” Jake said, looking down at his hands, suddenly confused if he should call the skypeople 'us' or 'them'.

”Did you have a mate back where you came from?” Stum stared intensely at Jake as if he could draw the answer from the other na'vi's expression alone.

Jake burst out laughing. ”No... ”

Stum's brows furrowed. ”No?”

”No,” Jake repeated, still chuckling. ”I was a... eh... warrior, living for war alone. I had no time for a mate.” He couldn't tell Stum why he found the question so amusing, and he wasn't sure that the young na'vi would understand the mindset of a marine, or understand what it did to a man's self esteem to be paralysed from the waist down.

”Shake, what about you? Will you remain alone?” Stum looked away from Jake and down at the ground between his feet. It was a rather crude question, he knew that. But he had to ask, because he had to know.

A pained expression came across Jake's face. ”Yes,” he said with a tiny voice. A long silent moment followed, and then Jake pushed Stum's foot playfully. ”So tell me about the one that caught your eye.”

Stum smiled smugly. ”Who said someone caught my eye?”

”I can tell,” Jake said, flicking the tip of his nose.

Stum idly stroked his tail, playing with the hair on the tip. ”I have never seen anyone like that one,” he finally admitted. ”Wise, brave, respected and more beautiful than the tree of souls.” Stum smiled to himself, mesmerised by the tail tip.

”Sounds like someone special.” Jake said in a serious tone. Placing a reassuring hand on Stum's calf, Jake finally caught his gaze as the young na'vi looked up under long lashes. ”I promise you I will get you ready for your trials, and then you can tell her how you feel.” Squeezing Stum's calf to stress sincerity, Jake smiled genuinely. ”Don't worry Stum, I am sure you will absolutely dazzle her.”

Stum smiled quickly. ”I am not so sure,” he whispered.

”Of course you will,” Jake said with a affirmative nod. ”By the time I am finished with you, no one will be able to resist you.” He winked and grinned, ”I promise.”

Stum didn't know what to answer, he just smiled politely and squirmed again uncomfortably under Jake's gaze. He knew Jake would take it as him being embarrassed to talk about the fairer sex, but in reality Stum had a different reason to shy from Jake's well meaning intentions and friendly smile. That reason being connected to moonlillies.

-*-

When they had arrived at the makeshift village the next day, friendly hands had taken over Stum and carried him off. Jake had tried to follow but the same hands had ushered him away. ”He just needs some stitches!” Jake yelled after the small crowd of na'vi who had carried Stum away, but none of them had paid any attention to him.

Jake sighed, he might as well get some rest before he had to explain all this to someone. He stopped in his tracks on his way to the sleeping pods, turned his head and looked back over his shoulder. Maybe he should go talk to Mo'at now? Pinching the bridge of his nose he decided he might as well take the trashing coming his way now, he wouldn't be able to sleep thinking about it anyway. And so he turned and changed his direction, walking swiftly towards where he knew he would find the clan singer.

-*-

”Did you know that Tsu'tey is gathering the brave to go search for a new hometree?” Norm said, unable to hide his excitement no matter how hard he tried. He tossed a piece of meat onto Jake's lap.

Jake looked up, mildly interested. ”That sounds like something for you, then.”

”Aren't you just funny?” Norm answered sourly. ”I meant you, why don't you go ask him to come? I think he kinda expects you to.”

”I have a pupil to train, I can't take off in the middle of that,” Jake said seriously, biting off a piece of the meat.

”Exactly what does his teaching include?” Norm asked, and curiously leaned forward towards Jake.

”Get your mind out of the gutter, man,” Jake snarled.

Norm raised a brow. ”Actually 'you' need to get your mind out of the gutter!” A sly smile spread across Norm's lips. ”I just wanted to ask if he had to learn about less dangerous things than bashing his own skull in, because then I might fill in for you, and then you could ride with Tsu'tey and your pupil wouldn't get behind on his teachings.”

”Oh.” Jake actually had the decency to blush slightly. ”That's very kind of you,” he mumbled into the hand that held the rest of the meat.

Norm laughed wholeheartedly.

-*-

Stum was relieved that they had finally let him leave, running curious fingers across the neatly sutured line in his forehead. At first he had been a little confused that it was dark, but of course they would had to have let him sleep some.

”Stum!” A voice called out behind him, he turned around and smiled wearily at the young female who emerged from the same place where he had just come from. ”Are you sure you won't stay? I think it would do you good.”

Stum shook his head, his tail thrashing, mirroring his irritation and his desire to be left alone. ”It was just a little wound, It'tiera.”

”You were very lucky you know.” She pouted, crossing her arms, staring at Stum, displeased.

”I know,” Stum agreed. Looking behind her he noticed her mother standing in the shadows, watching them with a pleased smile. ”I have to find Shake,” he said lamely.

”I know he went to speak with Tsu'tey earlier while you were resting. I don't know if they already left, or if they are waiting for the dawn,” It'tiera said softly, puzzled by Stum's confused expression. ”The scouting mission for the new hometree?” she said slowly, as if he were daft.

Stum's pupils dilated, otherwise he didn't really react. Jake had said nothing about a scouting mission, so either he had not known, or he had discarded him as his student, and had decided to ride out with the Olo'eyktan. Had he really fooled himself into thinking that Jake's disappointment was concern? ”I have to find him,” he said, mostly to himself, like had he forgotten that It'tiera was standing right in front of him.

”As you wish,” It'tiera said with a shrug, sighing softly as Stum sprinted off.

-*-

Stum ran to the only place that he knew that Jake might be if he was still here, and that was at the old dreamwalker station. He slowed down his pace as he saw Norm in his avatar body doing some physical exercises of some sort. ”Is Shake here?” he asked softly, watching Norm with mild interest.

”Stum.” Norm smiled, getting up on his feet, swinging his left arm in long circles. ”Won't be long till it's all healed up,” he said, hoping that it would explain his actions, because Stum looked mighty confused.

”Good.” Stum said with a nod.

Norm flexed his hand one last time, and then turned his attention to Stum. ”Jake went for a swim, says it clears out his mind.” Norm shrugged, ”Seems like something troubles him.”

Stum sucked in his breath. ”Oh.” The young na'vi shuffled his feet a little nervously. ”So maybe I shouldn't interrupt him...” his voice dropped to a whisper.

”Go right ahead kid,” Norm said, pointing off into the jungle. ”I think he could do with the distraction.”

Stum smiled gratefully and took two steps in the direction Norm had pointed, then turned around again, ”Norm?” he asked, ”is Shake really going with the Olo'eyktan?”

”I believe he is,” Norm said with a tiny smile, ”but don't worry, I will teach you in his stead, you will not have to fall behind your peers.”

Stum looked down at his feet in the dirt. ”Thank you,” he mumbled before he fled in the direction of the lake.

-*-

Stum tiptoed down the luminous path, looking for Jake, he couldn't be terribly hard to find, it was not the biggest lake there was. And sure enough after a moment he saw ripples on the lake as Jake came back to the surface. Stum sat down on the bank and watched, his arms around his shins, his chin resting on his knees.

It took Jake long moments to realise there was someone watching, he couldn't really tell who it was because of the distance, but he waved while treading water, and the figure briefly waved back.

Jake swam towards where Stum was sitting, until he finally had ground under his feet and rose. Stum's eyes widened for a millisecond, before he demurely looked away, feeling oddly hot and bothered, and desperately wished he had never come here.

Jake waded through the water and slumped down next to Stum on the bank. ”Can I see?” he asked.

”No,” Stum mumbled shaking his head, still looking the other way.

”Don't be a baby.” Jake grinned and gently but forcefully turned Stum's head, tilting it so he could see the sutures. ”They cleaned that up nice, but with a little luck it will leave a scar to impress the ladies.” He let go of Stum's head and nudged him with his shoulder instead to make his point. ”I saw that It'tiera seemed awfully concerned about you,” Jake said softly, ”she is both really pretty and clever.” When Stum just looked a little lost, Jake smiled. ”You told me that the one who had captured your eye was brave, wise and beautiful, and she is all three, is it her?” Jake leaned in a little closer and smiled. ”You can tell me.”

”I... eh...” Stum mumbled.

”It's okay.” Jake said, flopping unto his back, staring up into the sky. ”But I know that if I were you, I would most definitely be interested in her.”

”She is pretty.” Stum admitted, ”and wise.” Closing his eyes he inhaled the scent of moonlillies that seemed to follow Jake everywhere he went.

”See?” Jake said, ”I am sure she noticed you as well.” He turned his head and looked at Stum in the luminous darkness. He placed a hand on the small of Stum's back, brushing off dirt, but to his surprise the other na'vi flinched under his touch. ”Is everything alright?”

”Why didn't you tell me you were leaving?” Stum muttered, barely audible.

Jake sighed deeply and relaxed on his back again, staring up at the stars. ”Norm will teach you till I return, I won't be gone long, I hope.” He smiled. ”Don't you dare be taking your trials without me, I want to be here when you do.” He paused and took a deep breath, ”I want to be the one to do the Omaticaya tribe's ceremonial paint on you.”

Stum felt his cheeks burn and buried his face in his knees. ”I hope you find what you set out for,” he mumbled, muffled by his knees.

Jake sat up, and blew air in Stum's ear playfully. ”You worry too much, Stum.” Stum shivered as a sweet chill went down his spine and turned his head swiftly, staring at Jake who just grinned mischievously. ”Come swim with me.” Jake grabbed his arm, pulling him to his feet, and they stumbled out into the cool water.

Laughing and splashing around like children, neither of them knew how much time passed, and when they finally stopped they were both out of breath and giggling. Stum turned around and pointed up in the night sky. ”Look,” he said. ”A shooting star.”

Jake looked up in the sky too. ”Looks more like a damn meteor shower to me,” he said, watching the glowing dots up in the heavens. Stum leaned backwards against him, and by instinct he just wrapped his arms around the other na'vi's waist, it was a gesture that was both natural and sorely missed, and oddly alien because Jake had been sure he would never in his life hold anyone close like this, but Stum was his pupil, and if he needed some physical contact to feel reassured it was all fine by him. It was different, so it was okay, he didn't hold him like he had held Neytiri.

Stum gingerly placed his hands over Jake's that were resting on his stomach at the water's surface. Closing his eyes he let his head fall back on Jake's shoulder and let the sweet scent dull him, listening to Jake's steady breathing and his own rapidly beating heart. If he were to die right now he would die as the happiest na'vi known in all times.

”Beautiful...” Jake whispered, still watching the skies, pretending not to notice Stum's blissful sigh as he turned his head and nuzzled Jake's neck with his nose and lips. ”It's late,” Jake said, freeing his hands from Stum's, indicating that the moment was over.

Stum opened his eyes and stood up on his own, nodding, embarrassed, slowly wading to the shore followed by a very puzzled Jake.

-*-

Soft skin against his, wet from the water around them, ”it's late,” he heard his own voice say, but instead of letting go his fingers pulled the knot that held Stum's thong and loincloth on his slim hips, and before he knew it, the wet body rested against his, turned ever so slightly, pulling him down for a kiss. Soft lips against his, opening up to deepen the kiss, sending jolts of lust through him. As he reached under the water and encountered Stum's erection, so very like his own, he heard the needy little whimper that escaped the younger na'vi.

Jake opened his eyes and sucked in his breath, waking from his very vivid dream. His hand rested on his erection which was very real and not something he had dreamt up. Closing his eyes again he let his mind take him back to the dark, liquid pleasure of his dream, imagining how Stum's hands would feel against his skin, or better yet his lips. Jake let out a low vibrating moan as he slowly but surely worked himself towards an orgasm. Oh damn, yes, those lips wrapped around his cock, that would be nothing less than divine. Jake's inner eye played with the scenario from impossible angles, as he buried himself to the hilt in Stum's perfectly pouted little mouth.

Unable to hold it back any more, he arched his back and curled his toes, gritting his teeth not to moan out loud as he came all over himself. Sagging back in his cot bonelessly, he panted, torn between how wrong that had been of him to fantasize about, and just how good it had felt to feel alive again. Sinking back into dreamland with a goofy little smile on his lips, he was unaware of the pair of large yellow eyes that watched him intensely from the dark of another cot.

TBC