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𝐍𝐀𝐕𝐈𝐆𝐀𝐓𝐎𝐑

Tattoos

Pairing: Tonowari & Ronal / Reader

Word Count: 1,297

Warnings: Minor Way of Water spoilers, minor pain.

Summary: Every Metkayina receives a tattoo after an important life event, and tattoos hold a deep meaning. After defeating a beast to protect your people, the time has come for you to receive another.

Tattooing was a sacred practice to your people. A tattoo on one's chest represented safety and security. Tattoos on one's arms were the marks of a warrior; signifying strength. You were due for the latter. You sat in your home, head bent forward as cool hands swept across your back. Ronal was nothing if not thorough. You shuddered while her fingertips took their time tracing their way across your skin, the pads of them making a journey over your left shoulder blade and onto your arm itself.

"It should be here." Her hand grasped the top of your bicep. It wasn't far from your first tattoo; a circlet of dark waves around your muscle that you had received as a young hunter. "The mark of a warrior." Her hand lingered longer than it needed to, filling your heart with warmth. Though you weren't fragile in the slightest, she still handled you gently. It was endearing.

"I am not a warrior," you stated bluntly. "I hunt."

She squeezed your shoulder once firmly and let go, rising off of her knees to cross the floor of your shared home. You didn't turn; listening to her movements rather than watching them. You heard her shuffle around and knew she was gathering the necessary items to complete your ritual.

"You are a warrior." Her footsteps were becoming closer once again. The netting beneath the two of you dipped as she joined you once more. She knelt at your side and took your arm in her hands again. You turned your head to meet her gaze.

Passionate.

Ronal was passionate. It was one of the things you loved about her; and you would never deny that fact. Your love for her was something to be proud of.

"If that is what you say," you relented. Truthfully, trying to refute anything she said was a waste of time. She had a comeback ready for everything, iron clad points always in tow. Even now she smiled wryly. She leaned forward, rewarding your agreement with a gentle touch of her forehead on yours.

"It is." You felt her breath against your face when she spoke. You yearned for her to move closer. To break the gap between you. But at the same time, you reveled in the tenderness behavior a simple forehead touch. She pulled back, her head turned towards the entrance of your home. Your eyes followed hers. In the entryway was a form you recognized well. The completion of your heart. Tonowari's head was tilted every so slightly to the side with question.

"Is it ready?" He asked.

"Nearly." Ronal's fingers moved up and down on your arm, digging ever so slightly into one spot. It was her duty to find the perfect spot to mark your skin with ink. The place that Eywa would approve of; and the place that you would approve of. "Have you come to watch?"

"I have come to help." Amusement punctuated his words. He stride forward and knelt down in front of you, joining both you and Ronal where you sat. He reached out and took your other hand, cradling it in his palm. "Are you feeling well?"

You scoffed, playful. "Ma Tonowari, I have been tattooed before," you said. "I am not a baby."

"She is feeling fine." You yelped when Ronal delivered a swift pinch to your arm, gathering a small bit of skin between her thumb and forefinger. "No disrespect, ____. Be kind."

She reprimanded you like you were a child. You huffed. Your banter was light-hearted, as always. You would never say anything that would truly upset your mates, just as Ronal would never do anything that truly harmed you. Tonowari watched the both of you exchange words and a fondness overtook his expression. You looked up just in time to spot it. The way his eyes crinkled around the edges when he smiled. The warmth they held. You twisted your lips into an exaggerated pout.

"I am sorry," you said to him. "Forgive me."

"Enough of you," he said, setting his second hand atop yours, keeping it held gently between his. "It is time to begin. If you feel pain-"

"Do not be soft," Ronal interjected. "There will be pain." There was a pause in her words where her own softness leaked through. "It should not be extreme."

"It will not be." You flashed her a reassuring smile, displaying your fangs with the expression. "I am a warrior. Remember?"

"I should have known you would use that." She grabbed your arm a final time, her fingers forming a circlet on the limb. You dutifully fell silent and turned away. While you weren't a coward, you still didn't enjoy the feeling of watching the tattooing practice. Especially when the practice was going on you. Soon after you turned, pinpricks of pain scattered across your flesh. You grimaced.

"Breathe." Tonowari's hands clasped yours firmly while Ronal worked. You dutifully took a deep breath, air rattling through your lungs. The pain wasn't awful. You were slowly getting used to it. Ronal was quick and efficient. You could hear her murmuring to your left, small prayers to Eywa and recollections of your accomplishments. Despite the pain that came alongside the ritual, you couldn't help but revel in the way she held your arm. A tight but gentle grip. A firm, yet somehow lenient hold. Your thoughts could be full of her forever and somehow it still wouldn't be long enough.

And then of course, there was Tonorwari. Strong was easily the word that first came to mind when your thoughts were of him; though he was far more than that. He was kind. He was respectful. He murmured as well, but his words were not for Eywa. They were for you.

"Brave," he was saying. "You are brave."

"It is a tattoo," you replied.

He shook his head and slid one of his hands up your arm. Ronal held your left. He held your right.

"You earned it through bravery," he said. "And you are brave receiving it."

The mere sincerity of his words made your heart beat faster. It was as though the organ was trying to beat hard enough to make itself jump and escape out your throat. Your mates gentle smile turned knowing. Knowing, and teasing.

"Breathe."

You gnashed your teeth together in a mock-snarl, letting him see your fangs. He bared his teeth back once, indulging your playful antics. Then his gaze slid to Ronal's work. You suddenly became aware of the fact that the pain had stopped. He had distracted you, you realized. He drew your attention from the tattooing process, and now it was done.

"What is it?" You asked. You could see a swirling symbol of darkened blue and black on your skin, but it wouldn't be recognizable as any shape until it fully took to you.

Ronal sat back on her heels, admiring what she had done. Admiring you. Again, your heart kicked furiously. You imagined if it could speak that it would likely warn you it was about to explode.

"Water," she responded. Her finger traced a faint shape around the mark, mercifully not touching the raw skin itself. "Surrounding the beast."

"Sentimental."

She huffed and lifted herself up partially, pressing her lips to your hairline. "You are welcome," she said.

You closed your eyes contentedly. This was where you belonged; with your people, in your home on the sea.

With your mates in the place you shared, which was sacred to only the three of you. That was enough to keep you happy for as long as you lived. The memory of your joy would live on long after your death, forever kept alive in Eywa for anyone who wished to listen.

"Thank you," you responded.