Invisible String - Jake Sully

16

The next day, Tawn was pacing back and forth, trying to find the perfect attire for later. Was this a date? Oh, she was overthinking this. This wasn't a date, so she should opt for casual attire, right? Wait, but what if he decided to take her somewhere romantic? Maybe he set up a romantic picnic, so she should try a little bit harder, right?

"Don't overthink, Tawn. Just be yourself," she muttered to herself. She didn't even know when Jake was going to pick her up.

"Okay, let's go for casual. You don't want to try too hard," she muttered, changing into the clothes she chose.

Tawn was giddy, she was excited for the day ahead, and she wouldn't let anything ruin it, not even herself.

A knock was heard from the doorway, making her turn her head quickly and grin excitedly. "Hey, Jake! I'll be out in a second," she cringed when she realised how obvious she was.

Jake chuckled from her doorway, leaning on one side of the frame, "take your time, Tawn. I have all day," he smirked.

Tawn nodded. She continued tidying up her place since she didn't want to return to a messy house. "Where did the kids go?"

"With the others," he shrugged, watching the girl propping the clothing basket on her hip and putting it neatly beside a rug.

Jake watched the girl scurrying around in her home with a slight smile on his face. He didn't know what had changed inside of him. He didn't even realise when his feelings bloomed into something more for the woman before him.

Don't get him wrong, Neytiri will always be in his heart. She was his first love, after all. But his heart slowly opened up a space every time he watched her interact with his children, and every time he got a glimpse of her real personality, he unknowingly fell deeper in love with her.

Jake hoped she would let him in eventually and be who she really was with him.

"Okay, let's go now," she smiled at Jake, tucking her hair behind her ear.

Jake nodded and grabbed her hand, interlacing his fingers with hers. He got a whole day planned, and he hoped nothing would ruin it.

"Jake, where are we going anyways?" Tawn asked, her eyes glued to their hands, but her ears perked up for his answer.

"It's a surprise," he smiled, leading her to a more remote place on their island.

She looked around, searching for people, but there were only the two of them, the bristling of the trees and the soft crashing of the waves, "are you going to sacrifice me to Eywa?"

Jake stopped in front of her and turned around with a perplexed expression on his face, "are you kidding me? Do I look like the type to sacrifice a pretty lady to Eywa?" he asked, faking a gasp.

Tawn giggled at his expression, ignoring the warmth in her cheeks at his indirect compliments, "yeah," she laughed.

Jake rolled his eyes and dragged her father away from the village. "Okay, stay there, and don't panic," he teased before letting a bird-like call.

Tawn raised her eyebrows challengingly at Jake, "try me."

Jake shrugged with a smug smile before turning away from Tawn, his hand still holding onto hers tightly. It wasn't until a screech of an ikran startled the living daylights out of her that Tawn let go of his hand.

Jake turned his attention to her quickly, checking if she was alright before laughing slightly at her scared expression. He felt his ikran slowly descending, causing sand to fly around them.

"It's okay, it's my ikran," Jake smiled reassuringly, offering his hand for Tawn to take.

"Is it going to eat me?" Tawn asked, taking his hand anxiously. Jake chuckled at her question, "I'm not joking, Jake. I've never encountered an ikran in my life," Tawn whined, stomping her feet on the ground.