intp. cabin 10. sagittarius. ravenclaw. brunette barbie. eastern european. if the song fancy by drake was a girl. motorsport n fashion luvr. neteyam sully’s official unofficial girlfriend.
some of my current hyperfixations:
iced coffee. late nights. romanticising everything. academic success. warm tones. mascara. formula 1. kylian mbappe. pin straight hair. jason grace. real madrid. tanning. max verstappen. percy jackson n the olympians. rap music. avatar.
tags : Neteyam x fem navi reader , fluff , yearning
ᝰ.ᐟsynopsis: The Sully's return home to Omaticaya after the end of the war. So does your first love─ and first heartbreak.
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The closer the ikrans flew towards the home tree, the faster Neteyam's heart beat. The happiness was still there, as was the eagerness. But there was that strange.... apprehension.
Almost two years away from home, away from the forest, away from you.
Leaving Awa'atlu was harder than he had expected. There was the distinct air of grief surrounding the reefs. Like in any war, losses had been suffered. Friends which had been made along the way, had to be left behind. It wasn't in his nature to leave behind people who needed him. But the Omaticaya needed his father- and him. When he had first gone there, coming back home seemed like the biggest gift to him. And it still was. But somehow the salt still lingered on his skin.
How were the people going to receive his family now? How were you going to react to his return? It had been many moons since he had seen you, had heard your voice. What if things had changed now? He wanted to slap himself.
Ofcourse things must have changed.
You both had been barely sixteen when he had left. Two years had changed him immensely. When war had changed him mentally, the battle itself had changed him physically. Age had made him taller, broader. The nasty wound on his chest had left its mark as well. How could he expect you to remain the same , when he himself wasn't?
But he still couldn't get the image of the tears clinging to your lashes from the night before he left. The night he told you that he loves you. He had meant every word. And he still does. He had said those words aloud during the lonely nights at Awa'atlu, imagined your blush , imagined you smiling─ not your tears. No, he couldn't bear them. They had haunted his dreams for so many nights.
He had chosen his duty over you. He did not regret it. What he regretted were the circumstances, the timing. He wouldn't blame you if you had found someone else for yourself. Someone who wasn't a coward who left their best friend─ lover behind.
But he was. He couldn't bring himself to drag you into this war. He wouldn't be able to fight knowing you might be out there somewhere, fighting for your life as well. If there was one thing he wanted, it was to come back home to you. Omaticaya was your home, your family. He couldn't take that away from you, couldn't drag you away to Awa'atlu.
So Neteyam didn't know exactly what he expected when him and his family entered the village grounds again. The people had swarmed them. Welcoming them back with open arms. There was happiness and celebration. He couldn't partake in any of it, his heart beating frantically.
His eyes kept scanning the crowd, trying to find a specific pair of yellow orbs. The ones which he couldn't stop thinking about for the last two years. For a second he thought he was up for disappointment. But then his gaze finally landed on yours, as the world blurred around him.
You were trying to make your way to him, being pulled forward and pushed back at the same time. The crowd was eager and happy, swaying like the waves of the ocean.
And so were you. Eywa, were you happy. You had been up and running even before the horn fully sounded. In your heart you knew it was him. He was finally back.
Neteyam had been your first.
He had been your first friend. A friendship made on wobbly feet and with chubby hands. A friendship that had grown to hide and seek in the woods and playful fighting. Loud laughter and nonsense words that made sense only to the childish ears.
He had been your first hunting partner. When your father's had sent you both to train, you had been scared of the wilderness that lay beyond the safe perimeter of the village. But he had been a constant by your side. You had learnt to hold the bow together, learnt to hunt together, completed your iknimaya together. Stood by each other's sides' during failure and triumph.
He had been your first love. Somewhere between friendship and admiration, your heart had fallen for him. You had started noticing things which you hadn't before. How his smile broadened when you caught a bigger game than him. How his eyes sparkled in the glow of the evening fires. How his aim was so good that even older hunters praised him. It had all culminated into this sudden realisation. Something your fourteen year self couldn't quite comprehend.
He had been your first kiss. You had kept quiet , kept your feelings suppressed for months. Too afraid of losing a friendship that was more important to you than the possibility of a romance. You had watched as girls started approaching him. You had chased strength for so long, feelings were something you were scared to succumb to. You encouraged him to find someone he likes and follow his heart , all with a smile on your face. So one evening when you both were sitting in the glow of the nightime forest he followed his heart─he kissed you. It had been everything you ever imagined kissing him would feel like. Like magic and promises and a future.
He had been your first heartbreak. Almost a month had passed since that night. Stolen kisses and lingering touches had made your heart flutter. Secretive smiles were shared every time you caught each other's gazes. You were in bliss.
But it didn't last. The bud was nipped off before it could blossom. You had cried and begged him not to go. But it was a selfish thing to ask of him. Even you knew so. That it wasn't safe for them to stay here any longer when the RDA was hunting them. He had reassured you that him and his family would come back.
That he loves you.
So you had held into his words for two years. Imagined those words when tears had leaked out of your eyes during the dark nights. Thought about his face when your best friend's absence had felt too real.
When news had come that the eldest sully son had been seriously injured , you felt like you couldn't breathe. You had prayed until your voice had become hoarse. Prayed that Eywa returned him.
Soldiers had flown to Awa'atlu when Toruk Makto had called again. Battles had been fought. The people had grieved losses. All the while you held onto his promise of coming back home.
And now he was finally here, his legs swiftly covering the distance between you both. Your feet halted before him, as you met him halfway. He stood frozen before you as your eyes locked onto the wound on his chest. The wound which almost took him away.
Your eyes blurred with tears. You blinked, trying to see his face. The face which you had missed so much. Your hand's wiped at your eyes desperately, not wanting to make this reunion morose. But then strong hands pulled you into his chest. You fit in his arms perfectly , like two lost halves of the same soul finally joining together. You couldn't help yourself as you buried your nose into his skin, inhaling sharply.
"You came back home" the words were muffled and watery as they left you. His cheek rested against the crown of your head. "I promised".
Neteyam couldn't help the smirk that curved up his lips as he made a show of biting the fruit from between your fingers. He couldn't get enough of the shy smile that you were desperately trying to hide, but were failing immensely at.
"You are staring , Neteyam" you mumbled as you continued cutting up the fruit. Neteyam couldn't help that either. His eyes had become perpetually stuck on you it seemed.
You had changed.
You had grown stronger. Your gaze had become sharper. Youthful features had given way to distinct muscles and the prominent touch of adulthood. You carried yourself with surety now. Not prideful or arrogant , but someone who is at ease with themselves.
But you had also become softer. You showed your emotions more often now. Cried in his arms. Laughed in them too. You weren't afraid to be vulnerable with him. You embraced your emotions, no longer viewing them as weakness or running away from them. You gave your love freely now. Neteyam seized it .
He couldn't get enough of the way you felt in his hold, how soft your skin felt against his. He wanted to keep you in his arms forever . He had yearned for this. And damn him if he wasn't going to do just that.
You gave a surprised yelp when he pulled you into his chest. Neteyam's heart clenched painfully when he saw the darkening of your cheeks. So beautiful that nothing else mattered , except for the beautiful girl in his arms.
You relaxed in his hold when you saw he had absolutely no intention of letting you go. "I love you" his words made your breath hitch. He had said it a few hundred times in the past month, and said it at any chance he got. But it still felt so surreal to hear it out loud and not imagine his voice when he had said it the night before leaving.
"I love you too" you whispered. Your heart seemed to stitch back together with his every word. He had started presenting little gifts to you. Courting gifts, he said. Said he wanted to do things properly
It made your stomach flip. It was a dream long forgotten, buried within mounds of longing and worry. So when he presented his first big present, your throat had closed up. He wanted you to design your kelku. It was a bold request, a mating request. And you had nodded fervently.
Afterall you had waited too long. Yearned too long.
For Neteyam, so many things were just the same. The way you smelt , the way you laughed, the way you looked at him. Neteyam knew his own eyes reflected the same emotions. The first week, you both had spoken until your jaw hurt . There were so many things to say, so much time lost. He had shared every little thing about his adventures in Awa'atlu. Shared stories about his new friends there. Shared the stories about war and his injury, on your insistence.
He didn't want to make you unhappy or dampen the mood but you wanted to know everything about him. From his happiness to his pain. You wanted to share the burden. And Neteyam couldn't have been more grateful.
So when the stories ran out, the ensuing silence wasn't suffocating. So much had changed, but at the same time so much was still the same. You and him and your hearts were still the same. You were still his best friend, just as he was yours.
"I was scared. I was scared that you wouldn't come back. Scared that you wouldn't love me anymore." Neteyam kissed your forehead, the raw emotions in your voice made his gut twist. You both had had this conversation many times too. The fears still persisted in the corners, when the kelku got too dark. Sometimes it was him who was taken with disbelief and in need of reassurance. And sometimes it was you.
But one thing was the same, the promise to be there for eachother. No more leaving. Not without the other half.
"I will always come back home to you, because I still love you."
pairing. neteyam x reader
genre. fluff, angst
word count. 14k
songs to listen to while reading. out of the woods, taylor swift. i know places, taylor swift. the archer, taylor swift. i told you things, gracie abrams. i won't give up, jason mraz.
part one | part two | part three
summary. nothing you had was ever truly yours, not your body, your health, your mind, nearly your soul. all you wanted was to feel like yourself, but you were still trying to find her. what you found instead was Neteyam, the future Olo'eyktan of the people you were fighting. and even though you knew how badly this could end, you saw him. and he saw you too. not the borrowed blue, only you.
author's note. guys, this month has been crazy! i hope you’ve all been doing well, and i really want to thank you for all the comments, love, and support.
this is a really important and long-awaited chapter… i hope you enjoy it!!
0609 HOURS — AWA'ATLU, METKAYINA VILLAGE
the feeling of home was not something you experienced often. you always thought it was because you had lived on two completely different planets, carrying such distinct lives within you. but you were beginning to understand that maybe it was because you had never truly allowed yourself to live in that place, with those people.
a part of you was in panic. each day spent on that island felt like roots taking hold beneath your feet, growing deeper and stronger. you knew you wouldn't be able to leave. not without causing a great deal of damage.
and it felt inevitable, as if slowly your old life had become a distant dream.
you could see it in the moments with Kiri and Tsireya, in Tuk's laughter or in the jokes you shared with Spider and Lo'ak. things seemed to be escalating so much that it was like Neytiri and Jake were not only adapting to you, but getting used to you.
Jake had pushed you to begin training in Na’vi ways, learning alongside warriors who divided their time between combat and healing. but it was Neytiri who was always somewhere close during those sessions.
of all the weapons, the bow was the one you had adapted to most easily, that was something you both shared. in the beginning, her corrections came sharp and immediate, a light strike to your elbow to lift it higher, a firm adjustment of your stance without warning.
over time, it had changed. she rarely said much, yet something deeper lingered in it, something unspoken that lingered between each movement.
“the bow is not something you hold,” she murmured once, her voice low as her hands guided yours. “it listens.”
your heart ached a little more with that feeling. it was becoming difficult to remember who you had been in your most fragile form, in the body you had been born into.
Jake was the only one who brought that back. the Na’vi traits he had learned over the years were there, clear to see, but his human awkwardness still made you laugh. his corrections made you feel like a girl being taught by her father.
each night, your task was the same, to convince yourself that you were capable of leaving when the time came. and you were almost succeeding, if it weren't for Neteyam.
who, apparently, had grown tired of waiting for you to come to your senses.
something had broken between you during your last conversation. it made you hope your cruelty had been enough to keep the subject buried, to make him move on and spare you both a greater disaster. however, it was hard to remember the last thing that had happened the way you expected.
in the following week, you had a strategy for that war. your advantage was that you knew your opponent, so you bet on that. Neteyam was the oldest, the most admired warrior among the young ones. despite wanting to, he wasn't impulsive like the rest of the Sullys, so you expected him to step back.
your only disadvantage was that your opponent knew you just as well. and at that moment he decided it was time to be as reckless as possible.
it was as if your cruelty had been, in fact, an invitation. as if you had said prove me wrong and that was the only thing he heard.
it wasn't obvious, which in a way made everything worse. there was nothing to confront because it was never something big enough. it was the space he created beside you without announcing it. the way he made a point of passing close in a crowd, his hand finding your skin for just a second but enough to make you ache for more.
to avoid being an easy target, you started surrounding yourself. Sullys, warriors, anyone. you had made a real effort to be accepted among them, and it was starting to work.
everything became clear during an afternoon training session. you were talking to one of the young warriors, something trivial about technique and had even found yourself enjoying it when his presence settled in before you ever heard his steps.
he approached without hurry, placing himself between the two of you, saying something about training in a simple way, and the conversation simply... ended.
you stood there for a second, staring at the empty space that remained.
did that just happen?
you turned to him, who was already looking elsewhere, posture relaxed, as if he hadn't done absolutely anything. and technically, he hadn't. that was what drove you to the point of tearing your hair out. there was no way to prove it, nothing to confront it. it would be ridiculous to even try.
Kiri had once said that if you decided to stay, there would be suitors lined up to court you. apparently, something about your appearance was different from other avatars that had passed among the na'vi. you were more similar to them, carried a kind of beauty they didn’t quite recognize, according to her.
none of that felt remotely close to the problem at hand. you had no interest in being courted, no intention with any of them. everything you had ever known had always been under your control. it was the only thing you truly trusted.
and then Neteyam existed, and that stopped being real.
every movement seemed to be guided to place you in his path, without the ability to redirect. it simply happened. he would stop whatever he was doing the moment you entered a room. your eyes would find each other before either of you chose to look. and that relief, involuntary and inconvenient, would already be there in your chest before you had the chance to refuse it.
at the very least, it was irritating. that was putting it kindly.
but what proved far more irritating was your own naivety in thinking you would be safe in a room full of people, that he wouldn't make his way to your side.
Tonowari had called the warriors earlier that day; the tulkun were returning to the reef’s waters after weeks away. once, they had been welcomed with nothing but joy and new stories. now, they needed to be alert to the RDA's movements near the island.
at Jake’s side, you followed the conversation and the unfolding of patrol routes when Neteyam stepped into the marui, Lo’ak close behind.
inevitably, the two moved closer. luck wasn’t kind enough to place Lo’ak at your side, so you didn't take your eyes off the map.
the moment he arrived, the main discussion dulled into background noise, while the silence between you grew louder. it was worse when he started like this — quiet, unreadable — because even without knowing what to expect, you found yourself waiting. and that waiting filled your mind in a way that felt like aging ten years in ten seconds in his presence.
"you know..." you could feel the warmth of his body from how close he was. "for someone who's trying so hard to stay away from me, you're not very good at it."
your neck ached with the speed you turned toward him. ''you're the one who came to my side.''
he didn't answer. but you felt something in that silence that was worse than an answer. the faint curve at the corner of his mouth only confirmed it.
you took a small step to the side, trying to concentrate. Jake pointed to one of the markings on the map. "the movement has increased in the last few weeks, here and here. Tonowari believes it will escalate when the tulkun arrive." he looked at you. "what do you think?"
"yeah," you said. "the patterns match what we’ve been seeing. double patrols at the southern entries make more sense than spreading out."
your body stiffened for the second time in only a few minutes when Neteyam leaned slightly over the map, his arm brushing against yours. it wasn’t accidental, you knew that.
you didn't move.
i won't give you that, you thought. not today.
"the southern warriors can cover here, and the western ones here," he said, pointing, in his natural and neutral tone, as if his arm weren't pressed against yours. you resisted the urge to kill him. "if we divide the patrol---"
"it'll work," Jake agreed. he marked it down then glanced between the two of you briefly, with the look of someone seeing more than he wanted to.
the meeting continued, and you didn’t look to the side again. however, you could feel the weight of his gaze following every movement.
Neteyam was learning to read you. at first, it was unintentional, then it became deliberate in a way that would have embarrassed him weeks ago, and now simply… it was what it was.
the slight tension in your shoulders. your eyes fixed on his father’s face. he could tell when you were truly focused and when you were only speaking to fill the silence.
he was surprised by his own patience. kept telling himself that you needed to reach certain conclusions on your own.
but there was a difference between patience and standing there, watching you build walls between you, counting each one in silence.
and he was growing dangerously tired of standing by and doing nothing.
"are you planning to do this forever?"
here we go.
"we're in a meeting."
"you were avoiding me before the meeting."
"Neteyam."
you turned your head slightly toward him, enough to show you were listening. you could see the nearest na'vi starting to turn their heads in your direction, could almost feel the whispers threatening to rise. your lips parted, ready to tell him to stop whatever insanity he was about to start, but Lo’ak cut in.
"we're doing this in the middle of a meeting now?"
both of you turned to him. Lo'ak raised his hands in surrender, already looking away like he wanted no part in any of it.
your attention snapped back to Neteyam, this time without the courtesy of pretending to be calm. "if you keep going---"
"what?" he looked at you, serious. "are you going to keep pretending that night didn't happen?"
"that's not fai—"
"you’re the one who said this wasn't real." he cut in, his voice low. there was something in it no longer interested in being careful. "and ever since, you’ve done everything you can to not look me in the eye. which tells me—" a pause, "you know you were lying."
for the first time in weeks, you couldn’t look away. he was close enough for you to catch every detail of his face, to follow the rhythm of his breathing. you stayed there, holding his gaze as if something could be said through it.
your way out came with the silence that fell over the marui. in a brief moment of clarity, you searched for its source, just to find Toruk Makto’s eyes on you, along with the rest of the warriors.
"guys," Jake said, from the other side of the place.
you had both been too caught up in whatever world you’d slipped into. someone had probably tried to get your attention before, and neither of you noticed.
but you were grateful for the interruption. you weren't ready to face whatever courage was sitting behind Neteyam’s eyes.
Tonowari and Jake spoke for only a few more minutes before dismissing everyone. you were already moving toward the exit the second it ended, quick and deliberate, hoping to be out before Neteyam could reach you, before he could even think of stopping you.
Jake’s voice, firm, stopped you at the entrance.
“you stay,” he called. there was no doubt he meant you. “Neteyam, you too.”
of course. this can only be some kind of curse.
Lo'ak passed by you, hand at his own neck like he was being strangled. you caught the shape of good luck on his lips before he disappeared through the entrance, his expression making it very clear he didn’t want to be in your place.
Jake was standing in the middle of the marui, arms crossed, carrying that familiar paternal look you could recognize anywhere. Neteyam watched you with the same unreadable calm from minutes ago. it was almost unsettling, the way his eyes never seemed to stop finding yours.
"what's going on here?" Jake began, glancing between the two of you before shaking his head. "you know what? don’t tell me. just stop."
"dad—"
"no. i need both of you focused here. alert. alive." his tone was sharp, exhausted. it made you feel like a child being scolded by your own father. “whatever this is, figure it out later. right now, i need you here.”
your shoulders drew in slightly, your gaze dropping to your feet. a long sigh left him, and from the corner of your eye, you caught that Neteyam no longer carried that composed warrior look. there was something almost at ease about him.
"you asked me something a few days ago." Jake cut through your thoughts, your eyes drifted back to his face.
your posture adjusted automatically. you could feel Neteyam turning his face in your direction, confused. but you knew exactly what Jake meant. he had been the reason behind every question lately.
"has that happened to you?" you asked, hoping that if you spoke quietly enough, the waves would swallow your voice. "that feeling that your life here is the real one… and the one over there... is just a dream you had."
in the days after your last conversation with Neteyam, it was as if every question that had been buried for years had surfaced. you found yourself wondering constantly — what you wanted, who you were, what you were supposed to do, how any of it would be resolved. and in that moment, it felt like the only person in the entire galaxy who could understand was Jake Sully.
Jake stayed quiet for a moment, eyes on the horizon.
"it did." he said. "it took me a while to realize… but i think it happens."
for a few seconds, he kept looking at the ocean, as if he weren't just seeing an endless blue. you wondered if he was thinking about the forest, the place where he had first fallen in love.
"at first, it was the opposite." he added. "Pandora felt like the dream. the base… that was what felt real."
the waves filled the silence between you.
"but when you open your eyes to see what this place really is..." he continued, in a calm tone, "living with the people, fighting for the same things..."
a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"the rest starts to feel distant..." his eyes came back to you. "like something that happened to someone else."
"i told you that you'd understand when the time was right." Jake spoke and something in his eyes had changed. "i think this is a start."
your brow furrowed. with every fraction of a second he didn’t speak, your heart hammered harder against your chest.
"we found your sister. alive."
the air left your lungs, relief slipping over you like a second skin.
a loud ringing filled your ears, your knees turning unsteady beneath you. instinctively, your eyes searched for Neteyam. you noticed the instant your eyes met that he didn't look surprised.
"you knew?"
he nodded, seeming to want to come closer.
"she was in an Omaticaya village, they’re bringing her here," he explained. in his face you could see that wasn't all. "from what i understand... she doesn't intend to go back."
your face tightened in confusion. his words reached your ears, but your mind refused to follow.
"at least not to her human body."
thoughts began to race. you remembered the day you left the base, the files and recordings Jake Sully had that Stella had accessed. it hadn’t only been about discovering what you had done. she had been studying him. how he had been accepted. how he had become one of them.
Stella's avatar bought time — it was a healthy body that had no chance of getting sick the way her human one had. to live fully in that blue body, though, her human body would have to die, something you and your mother had given everything to avoid.
that had never been an option. avatars were no longer anything but soldiers at that point in the war. there were no more efforts toward connection between humans and the Na’vi. you were proof of that, and it was only so that Stella wouldn't have to be. all of it had only ever been to buy time. for a cure. for the chance that she might still live a normal life.
you couldn't tell if you were in shock. nothing reached your ears anymore. and at a moment no one present expected, your eyes rolled to the top of your head and your body lurched forward. Neteyam caught you before you could hit the ground, his knees hitting the floor as he pulled you close.
he held you there, calling your name while shaking you, panic rising at the sight of your quiet face. you weren't breathing. there was nothing to suggest that life had ever existed in that body.
''she went back to her human body,'' his father said as if that were some consolation. ''she'll come back, son.''
Neteyam knew that.
since he had first laid eyes on you, he knew you transitioned between two bodies — a dreamwalker. the second you arrived unconscious in Awa'atlu, he knew that at some point you would leave.
you leaving him had been all he could think about these past weeks. and even with all the time he had spent preparing himself, he realized now that he hadn’t been ready at all.
at least, not for the emptiness you left behind.
0703 HOURS — RDA CONTAINER, LINK STATION
you couldn’t tell what hit first. the claustrophobia of the capsule, the heat, or your own body.
it was like a small explosion. very small. the noises from outside were what you noticed first, then the smell, the lack of light, the slow awareness of where you were. it had been a while since you'd been there.
you thought of your hands and tried to move them, preparing to open the pod, but before you could, the lid opened.
''she's moving—''
''i know she's moving, i have eyes—''
''then stop pushing me—''
''i'm not pushing you, i'm passing—'
several hands reached you at once. you couldn't see yet — the light had hit your face all at once and blinded you — but you knew it was Jesse on one side and Anya on the other. for a second, you almost laughed before you could breathe properly, unsure if it was relief that they were alive or simply hearing them argue again.
you blinked, disoriented. letting your human body take its time getting used to your presence.
as your vision steadied, you found the faces you had missed most in the weeks that had passed. the space between you disappeared in a rush. Anya grabbed at your neck, pulling you close, while Jesse wrapped both of you in one of his firm, clumsy ways.
you couldn't tell who was crying — you'd bet heavily on Anya — but all of you were shaking. they held you tight, as if you might disappear at any second, and you returned the embrace with whatever strength you had left. relief flooding your soul to know they were alive. that they were okay.
''my god, we're so stupid'' Anya said, muffled, her voice breaking with sobs. ''you're such an idiot, how could you do that?''
''i know.''
''we didn't know what to do.'' she pulled back just enough to see your face, her eyes red and tired. ''if we should wait, if we should come after you. we thought you might have—'' she didn't finish. ''we stayed here. that's all we could do.''
you tightened your grip on both of them, still holding on like none of you were ready to let go. “we’re not splitting up again.”
with a small shift of your legs, you tried to get out of the capsule, their hands still holding you steady. in the few seconds observing you could see how exhausted they were, the deep shadows under their eyes, disheveled.
''welcome back.'' Jesse said. it was the first time you'd seen him cry.
''first time i see you crying, other than for that nerdy movie.'' you nudged him lightly with your shoulder. he wiped his face with his shirt.
''if you do that again, i'm requesting a transfer to earth.''
it felt good to hear the sound of their laughter together.
the sensation of your human body felt, at the very least, strange. too small, in a color you barely recognized, and with a hunger that felt like you needed to eat for three people at once.
a second later, it hit you. you were back in your life. and without meaning to, you let yourself think that for the first time in weeks, you wouldn’t be waking up to the fruits Neteyam used to leave by your bedside.
when you managed to stabilize on your own, a noise came from the other side of the container. all the three of you lifted your heads toward your mother entering the room. the moment your eyes met, you knew that whatever time you had spent away had been far harder on her than on anyone else.
she wasn't wearing her lab coat, had a shirt rolled up to her elbows and a breathing mask hanging against her. that was the face you had known for nineteen years. you had seen your mother get through the hardest time of your lives, but you had never seen her this exhausted.
the second recognition crossed her features, she came toward you without hesitating, pulling you into a tight embrace, arms wrapped around your back with enough force to make your tired body ache. you held her just as tightly, resting your face against her shoulder, breathing in her familiar scent, the closest thing to home you knew.
''you're alive,'' she whispered and you trembled at her tearful tone. it didn’t feel like she was speaking to you. ''you're alive.''
after a few seconds — or maybe minutes, time had stopped making sense — she pulled back, hands still on your shoulders. the two of you had always shared a quiet kind of understanding, and now she looked at you the same way she had for years after your father left. like she was making sure you were still there.
'’i’m okay, mom. i'm here.' 'you said, eyes glassy, a small smile pulling at your lips.
and just like so many times before, you watched her expression soften as she read every detail of your face. she nodded, wiping the tears from her cheek with a smile.
''you are. you're here.''
behind you, Anya approached to hug you again and even with a quiet eye roll, Jesse stepped forward to join, wrapping all of you together.
in that moment, you allowed yourself to breathe. as if you had been holding a long breath through all those weeks not knowing if they were okay.
the rest of your problems could wait a second.
1509 HOURS — AWA’ATLU, METKAYINA SHORES
Neteyam was a second away from losing his mind.
since he had first laid eyes on you, a part of him had always been waiting, as if he no longer belonged to his own body. if your presence already caused that, he was definitely not prepared for what your absence — for the first time in weeks — had done to him.
you were in your marui and he hadn't lasted a single second being beside your unconscious body. he couldn't bear hearing others say you had gone back to your human form, as if the one lying there wasn’t you. and he hated looking at you and not seeing a sign of you there. the expressions he had memorized, the eyes he searched for, the laugh he had grown to love.
it wasn't a dreamwalker lying unconscious.
it was you who wasn't there.
and despite not being able to be by your side, he couldn't go far. his feet were stuck in the dense sand in front of your marui. throwing small shells back into the sea.
hours had passed since you returned to your human body, and his father had been clear, they were to wait for you to come back. your sister was being brought by warriors and your absence temporary. Neteyam had the feeling that the lecture had been directed more at him than at anyone else. which was new. he had never been the one to question. never the one to ignore direct orders.
but he knew where you were. he had heard his parents speaking with Norm.
and he was desperate to say out loud what he hadn’t managed to speak aloud yet. you had told him, once, that one day you would have to choose between the two worlds you moved between. he needed you to know there was something here worth choosing, something only he could offer.
his eyes kept following the rhythm of the waves going back and forth, the sounds of the village fading into the background, until footsteps approached from behind. the sun was setting, showing the end of the day and he recognized his mother’s presence before she came into view.
''your family is at the table.'' the tone was gentle but Neteyam knew there was something behind it. ''are you going to let your siblings eat your share?''
he laughed, brushing it off, before throwing another shell far into the ocean. “i’m not hungry. they can go on without me.”
she lowered herself into the sand beside him without asking. she never did.
"something's bothering you."
Neteyam had grown tall enough to be taller than her, but just like with his father, she had the ability to make him feel like a fifteen-year-old boy again without any apparent effort.
"it's about the sky girl."
''that's not her name.''
it wasn't intentional to defend you, but it was automatic. from his mother's look, without a trace of surprise, he realized it was something she had noticed other times.
"is there something happening between you two?"
if he had still been thinking clearly — which he hadn’t for some time — he would have dismissed it. the question wasn’t really a question. she knew something was happening and he suspected she had known since your first day on the island. and after weeks dodging Lo’ak’s teasing, he knew how to avoid answers.
the thing was he no longer knew if he wanted to do that. lying about what he felt until he could convince not only the others, but himself as well.
"Lo'ak is here, alive, because of her." he said at last, tossing another shell and watching it disappear into the water. "i am here because of her."
Neteyam felt the words stuck in his throat as the silence stretched between them. not because of what he felt, but because of how he seemed about to burst if he didn't confess it.
"i ache every time she's not close."
it was the closest he could come to saying it.
"when i met her..." his voice slowed. "i had to rethink everything i had ever learned about them. everything our people went through because of them." he took a deep breath. "but she risked so much for someone she didn't even know."
if he closed his eyes, he could still see you crouched on the ground, wiping away Lo'ak's footprints with your trembling hands and your face twisted with the effort not to cry. it was the first time Neteyam had seen someone suffer so much to do the right thing.
''we've lost so much because of them. i know that.'' he continued, careful. ''and i hate that.'' a paused. ''but there's a part of me that is almost… relieved they came back'' his shoulders lowered as the truth settled between them ''the star that brought them here was the same one that brought her.''
his childhood had been peaceful. he had grown learning his people’s ways beside his siblings, admiring his father, living in a world that had always felt like his own. the sky people had always been around, only those who had been selected to stay.
he still remembered the pain that had overtaken his people when they returned. stronger, more numerous. crueler.
Neteyam was fourteen. he had been in training to become a warrior and leader for some time. with their arrival that intensified, the responsibilities grew, the days shortened, and the idea of having something of his own, a life beyond duty, became more and more distant.
especially something like this.
someone like you.
when he found his mother's eyes and saw the quiet understanding there, he realized she understood like no one else. after all, you came from the same star his father once had.
''so why are you still here?''
the question caught him off guard. his mouth opened, searching for some answer but none came. for hours, his mind had been building elaborate ideas to show you that you belonged to Pandora, that it wasn't just him who wanted you there. Eywa had shown you, again and again, that you were one of them.
if wanting were enough to keep someone in place, you would never leave.
"we argued a few days ago," he said, quieter than he intended. "she told me i was wrong about what i feel."
a pause.
"she's not. i just — she's trying to push me away. and i'm not going anywhere."
Neytiri absorbed it in silence, her gaze drifting toward the ocean. the sunset stretched across the water, warm and endless. a slow breath from her drew his attention back. she turned toward him, lifting a hand to his face, holding it gently.
"are you in love with her?"
it was as if his heart had dropped from the top of an Ikran.
"yes."
his mother moved her hand to rest over his chest. Neteyam could no longer say whether it was there or with you.
"strong heart," she whispered. "cannot protect from everything."
he covered her hand with his for a second. when he pulled away, she was smiling, softly, in a way he didn’t think he had ever seen before.
"go," she said. "before your father notices."
this time when he stood and began to walk away, he didn't hesitate. his steps turned into a run toward where he could call his Ikran.
he stopped at the entrance of his marui, finding Lo’ak there, eyes widening at his sudden appearance.
"bro, you trying to--"
"i need you to distract dad."
Lo'ak furrowed his brow in confusion, then slowly, a grin spread.
"finally something i'm naturally good at."
Neteyam ruffled his hair as his brother pushed him lightly, then ran off again.
he was going to bring you back.
1603 HOURS — RDA CONTAINER, LINK STATION
"so, let me see if i've got this right..." Jesse pointed at you, his hands pressed together under his chin. “you were in the most romantic moment of your life and still managed to say it wasn’t—”
"there was nothing romantic about it."
"there's a little" Anya interrupted, her eyes going to Jesse, who raised an eyebrow at her. "ok, it's the most romantic thing i've ever heard in my life."
"anyway," he turned back to you with a shake of his head. "that poor guy. didn't know he was getting involved with a professional self-saboteur."
you rolled your eyes, arms crossed over your chest, leaning against your link pod, focusing your gaze on the two of them.
"it's more complicated than that. Neteyam is..." a slow breath left your nose.
"a Na'vi prince and you... human?" Jesse shot back, and you stared at him. Anya hit his shoulder before turning to you.
"so what? weren’t his parents exactly that?"
the thought had crossed your mind before, but it stayed buried somewhere deep. turning your back to them, you opened the capsule and pushed yourself up, sitting on the edge.
"Jake doesn't have a reckless sister trying to become Na’vi or a mother to take care of,” you murmured, shoulders dropping, eyes on your bare feet. “it’s different.”
it would never work. even if you wanted it to.
"you're in love with him."
your head lifted slowly toward them. you processed the words as if the air had suddenly thinned, like you were running out of breath.
oh.
"if you deny it, you’re only proving it," Anya pointed out, and there was something gentle even in that.
the worst part was that nothing in you rushed to disagree.
"for my own sanity, i need to go," you were already lying down in the pod. "speaking of my reckless sister, she’s probably waiting for me."
their laughter reached you before the lid closed.
"someone has to keep torturing that poor dude."
the discomfort of switching bodies barely hit you this time. your mind was too busy catching up to something it had probably known for some time. you were in love with Neteyam.
but it was the first time anyone had pointed it out, or that you had recognized it.
when your eyes opened again, the familiar ceiling of your marui was the first thing you saw. you stared at it for a few seconds in pure silence, trying to settle into the thought.
you wondered if you would be able to walk away again, knowing the only thing you wanted was to be with him.
your thoughts dissolved when, sitting up, you heard a sound at the entrance. you turned your head and there you found Stella.
just like you, she no longer wore her old human clothes. her hair was braided like theirs, her large golden eyes fixed on you with a fear you had never seen before.
"you kept me waiting forever." she laughed, trying to mask it.
without hesitating you stood faster than you expected, wrapping your arms around her smaller frame. in the weeks apart, it seemed she had taken the time to grow, she was taller than you remembered.
the hold didn't feel like enough. your mind was moving too fast to understand that she wasn’t going anywhere. tears slipped down your cheeks as you breathed in her familiar scent.
"i was so scared of losing you," you whispered, holding her tighter.
she held you just as tightly, her body trembling with quiet sobs.
"i thought you'd be furious with me."
a small laugh escaped you at her thin, shaky voice.
"i am," you pulled back, holding her by the shoulders. that fear you had seen was already gone. "don’t ever think about doing something like this again. we’re grounding you until you’re thirty and you're never leaving my sight again."
through laughter, the two of you went back to embracing. all you could think was that you would have swum further, waited longer, just to see her like this. happy and alive.
when you pulled apart again, your hands stayed on her shoulders as she wiped away tears that seemed endless.
"i'm so sorry. i didn't want to put you through all of this."
"we could have talked," you said, giving her shoulders a small shake. the smile was still there, but your brow had tightened. “why didn’t you tell me?”
''would you have listened?'' she asked softly, something almost hurt in her tone.
you studied her face carefully, searching for an answer that didn’t come. your hands slipped from her shoulders, falling to your sides.
"of course i would have—"
"no, you would have seen it like a soldier, not as my sister."
there were a thousand versions of Stella you had memorized over the years. but this one — bright-eyed, unhesitating, so full of feeling she seemed to take up more space than her body should allow — this one was new.
"Stella, we'll figure this out. Stella, it'll be fine. Stella, you don't need to be scared." she mimicked you, while ranting in a way you had never seen from her. "you would have gone looking for a solution the second i told you. and i didn’t want that. i wanted you to listen to me."
you didn’t know how to feel.too many parts of you were waking up at once. you didn’t know if you felt angry, hurt, or disturbed by the fact that she was right.
but it was your duty.
“it’s my responsibility as your sister, Stella,” you said, with a certainty you knew too well.
“stop.” her voice came out tired. “i hate it when you talk like that.”
“Stella—”
"no, listen." she took a step back. her tail stopped moving. "i was so tired. you have no idea what it's like. the treatment. every time it works for a while and then it stops. and mom killing herself trying to figure out how to save me, and you trying to fix everything, and me in the middle pretending i’m fine so it doesn’t get worse.” she swallowed. “i’m exhausted. of waiting. of being a burden."
watching her face, you could see the hurt building in her eyes. something in your chest sank at the thought that you were causing that.
"in this body, i don't cost anyone anything. if Eywa decides i deserve to stay, i stay. if not—" she shrugged, but her eyes shone differently. "at least it was my choice. not a doctor's, not yours, not mom's. mine."
"you're fourteen."
"almost fifteen." she shot back quickly. you almost laughed. "and i know what i want. i know what i was feeling." her voice softened.
''i can't say i understand but it's not fair. you're asking me to give you up. to let you die.''
"it’s not your job to keep me alive.'' her voice came out quiet, trembling. "you're disappearing trying to keep me here. and i’m scared that one day i’ll look at you and you won’t be there anymore.''
"you know all i’ve ever wanted was for you to have a normal life. a long one," you murmured, feeling your throat close into a knot.
"i know." she said softly, through a long breath. "but i saw dad. ever since we found out i was sick, i grew up knowing that's how it would end for me too." somehow, that hurt you more than the idea of losing her. "and he's not here anymore. but i am, and i saw what it did to you and mom, even years later and—" she swallowed, looked to the side for a second as if gathering the courage to say what she wanted. "i can't do that to you again."
you didn't answer, didn’t have the strength to.
"i don’t really remember him… not from when he was still healthy." she slowly took your hands. "but i remember you. how you were before all of this." there was something human in her. something only she had. "and then i heard you talking to Jesse and Anya."
every part of your body reacted at once, like cold water had been thrown over you.
"you changed after dad died. you never laughed or seemed at peace anymore. mom and you were always arguing behind my back and that day—" she paused, a small smile appearing. "i saw you again."
"you did all of this just to bring me here?" your voice came out as nothing more than a shaking whisper.
"no, not at first." she shook her head. "i want to stay, i want to try. but i knew you would come after me… and i hoped you’d come here. to find him.’’
when did you grow up so much?
your shoulders fell with a long sigh as you pulled her close, resting your head against the top of hers and pressing a soft kiss there.
supporting her meant so many things you could barely look at them all at once. it meant giving up any chance of staying. because then it meant leaving your mother without either of you, which you would never do. it meant sacrificing Jesse and Anya, who had given up their own lives to help you.
they could never go back to the base, but they could never stay there as humans either.
that was real. just like your heart being crushed against your chest. you, and Neteyam.
even this close, he kept slipping through your fingers. becoming something you couldn't have.
"alright. i'll be by your side." you said at last, pulling back to hold her shoulders again. hope sparked in her eyes, even as yours stayed tense. "but... we need your human body. and it's at the base."
you could see the exact second the realization fell over her. panic surfacing in her expression, and you wished you could take it away — but inside, you were just as lost.
the tension of your words dissolved when you heard footsteps, several of them. you recognized that sound without much effort and confirmed it when Lo'ak, Kiri, Tsireya and squeezed between them, Tuk appeared.
"you're back!"
Kiri hugged you, Tsireya and Tuk joined right after. you tried to return it as best you could, catching a glimpse of Stella behind them, trying to compose herself and wipe away her tears.
"you took too long." Tuk declared, breaking from the hug. you tapped Lo’ak’s hand as everyone turned toward Stella. "is that your sister?"
"yeah, everyone this is..."
"Stella." your sister said, slipping into the space in your sentence.
something inside you settled when Stella smiled, exchanging greetings in na'vi with a smile you hadn't seen in months. the Sullys had a way of doing that, pulling people in before they even realized it.
but nothing could silence what you wondered inside. where was the oldest of them, and how your heart longed for his presence.
0039 HOURS — AWA’ATLU, GUEST MARUI
after months of chaos, you had grown used to the constant noise. even when alone, your mind was loud enough to fill the silence. once the night settled and you managed to pull Stella away from the Sullys, she fell asleep peacefully in your marui.
and somehow, everything there felt very quiet.
even your mind.
you had been watching Stella sleep for a long time. relief settling in alongside a quiet kind of envy that even with so many problems, her sleep was clearly unaffected. her tail moved occasionally, slowly, as if even asleep she couldn't be completely still. there was nothing you had missed as much as that.
sitting at the edge of your marui had become routine after so long on the island. your head lifted toward the sky, eyes tracing the distant stars glowing miles away. nothing seemed to bring comfort, not even the silence of the night.
everything that needed to be resolved was beyond your reach, and you were here, with no idea how to fix any of it. how to convince your mother to let go of her own daughter, or how to retrieve a body without being seen. as the eldest, solving problems had always come naturally. you were good at it.
but at the most important moment of your lives, you didn't know where to begin.
the night kept passing, when in the distance you heard someone approaching. you already knew who it was. you had seen his ikran earlier, returning somewhere beyond the reef.
something in the air changed when the fabric covering your entrance moved and he stepped inside. there was no need to turn. the way your heart hammered in your chest answered for itself.
you just hoped he wouldn't stay long enough for you to do something you'd regret.
"is she okay?" his voice came out low, careful with the silence of the place.
"she's sleeping."
he stood still for a second. just like every other time, the sound of the sea and the wind faded into nothing, and the silence between you became the loudest thing in the room.
"i brought some things." he said, with the calm tone you were used to hearing. "for both of you."
you glanced over your shoulder, catching his figure from the corner of your eye. he was holding a small bundle, folded leaves over something you couldn't identify with just the moonlight entering the marui. you rose slowly, trying to ignore the cold twist in your stomach at his presence.
when you noticed the bioluminescent points the night brought across his skin as they reached his face, you sensed something different in him.you couldn’t stop the thought, wondering if it had something to do with the hours he’d been gone.
"you can leave it there."
he nodded, took a step closer. you moved at the same time to help, without letting yourself think too much. but the space was too small, and your timing was completely off. suddenly you were too close.
the bundle fell.
the things scattered across the floor in an exaggerated sound thanks to the silence. your head snapped toward Stella, but she didn't move. both of you froze for a second, then knelt at the same time.
you started gathering without looking at him, sensing you were dangerously close. you had decided that the safest thing was to keep your distance from him. it clearly wasn’t working.
your fingers nearly brushed his twice, but you avoided it each time, redirecting your hands, pretending you hadn’t noticed. pretending he hadn’t meant it.
after a moment you felt a light tickle on your cheek, a loose strand of hair falling over your face.
your hand lifted to move it, but his reached first. slowly, unhurriedly. he tucked the strand behind your ear and for a second you forgot what you were doing, your breathing shortening.
when you raised your eyes, he was already looking at you.
he was so close you could count every mark on his face, observe all the features you had dreamed of since the day you met him. your eyes moved slowly over every detail, still feeling the contact of his warm skin.
he didn't look away, giving you enough space to pull back, to step away, but you didn't. you started to wonder if he could hear how loudly your heart was beating.
it was impossible to tell who moved first. maybe both. but he was so close, close enough that you could feel his breath against your face.
is this really going to happen?
your eyes were closing, waiting. when a sound reached you both.
Stella shifted.
the two of you turned toward her. she murmured half a word, a sigh, and then didn't move again. just like when she was a child.
you stayed looking at her for a second. your heart was still in your mouth. when you stood, Neteyam was already on his feet and there was something in his face you recognized. an expression dangerously similar to the one you had seen days before.
you couldn't let that happen again. it would be too cruel.
without thinking too much — as had become your habit with him by that point — you reached for his wrist and pulled him outside, far enough not to wake Stella. he followed in silence, even though you could sense he had something to say.
under the moonlight again, you both stopped, face to face.
"i thought i made myself clear."
Neteyam stayed silent, eyes fixed on you.
"and i thought i wouldn't have to say it again" you continued, because his silence made you want to fill the space. "i have no idea what you think this is, but if it’s that, you don't owe me anything, Neteyam."
his brow furrowed slightly, as if he didn't understand.
"i saved your brother because it was the right thing to do. i wouldn't have let you die either." you crossed your arms, trying to look steady. "that's not something you need to repay. i'm not a debt of yours."
he just kept looking at you.
nothing in his face telling you what he was thinking. for a second, you thought that was it. that you could breathe again.
"you really believe that." it wasn't a question. he seemed incredulous, speaking more to himself than to you.
"Neteyam–"
"no, listen." he raised his hand to stop you. "is that what you think of me? of who i am?"
"i didn't say–"
"you did." he stepped forward. instantly you stepped back. "you just said it. you think i'm here because i think i owe you something." his jaw tightened slightly.
your throat closed. you blinked, frustrated. you rarely cried, but with him, it was becoming something embarrassingly frequent.
"you know that's not it. i trusted you... i told you things i've never told anyone else."
his eyes were like the other night. wounded, full of hurt. your mind drifted despite yourself, back to what he had told you then. how he feared not being able to meet everyone's expectations, the weight he carried, the dreams that never left him. the years he had dreamed of his mother's screams after being shot.
you knew then that perhaps you had gone too far.
"you’re not the only one with responsibilities. everything in my life is a duty." his voice was firmer now. his face was tight and honest in a way that made you realize you had struck something. "my father. my people. my siblings. i know what it is to carry something because you have no choice." he stopped right in front of you. "you are not that."
"don't make–"
"you know you’re not." he interrupted, simple. "i see you."
your heart sank in your chest. you hoped he wouldn't notice what that had done, but you knew he did. he always did.
"and you can't keep us apart. that's why you're saying this now. not because you believe it."
"i can't–" your voice came out louder and trembling, caught with tears in your throat.
"you're doing everything to push me away and i keep staying. there’s nowhere for me stay, but i’m still here." he paused. "i hold on to every small thing you let me have."
you were hurting him. the realization was worse than knowing it was inevitable, that you didn't know how to stop even when he didn't deserve it.
"i'm in love with you."
it was like a long breath leaving him, and whatever remained of you going with it.
no.
"not because you saved Lo'ak. not because i owe you something for that day." he spoke so quietly, as if it were something only you should hear. "because i'm choosing. it's the only thing that is completely mine."
you had never wished so much that your body would betray you and cut the connection, taking you far from there.
Neteyam looked at you for a few seconds, this time visible to you. you could see the plea in his eyes, his jaw softening and his tail swaying the way it used to when you appeared.
all of Pandora seemed to have gone silent and only you and he existed.
“i wasn’t going to beg,” he said quietly. “but i don’t care about pride anymore.” closer again. his lips very near your face. “stay.” a breath. “i’ve already chosen. i need you to choose too.”
no matter the effort you made, the words wouldn’t come. the thin line you both had always walked, seemed to have snapped and blurred with everything else.
then he stepped back. and this time, he left.
you didn’t move, watching his silhouette disappear between the maruis.
once he was out of sight, you let yourself feel.
your body lowered slowly, arms wrapping around your knees, holding on to something, anything. there were no tears left, not really. just the hollow weight of everything pressing in at once. no solutions that would keep you and Stella there. no future where you could return what he felt without it costing too much.
too much.
choosing him meant letting go of everything you had fought to hold together for so long.
and you didn’t know how to do that.
but it felt like, with every step he took away, he was taking something of yours with him.
and you knew your heart was still there, you could feel it. beating against your chest, loud enough to prove it hadn’t left you entirely. otherwise, you might have doubted it.
because all the small pieces Neteyam had taken — on the first day you met, in the clearing, in every day you had shared since then — were with him.
and now you feared he had all of you.
1239 HOURS — RDA CONTAINER, LINK STATION
"i'm in love with you."
the ceiling of the container was the same as always. gray, metal, and at the corner, a thin crack crossing the right side — not deep enough for outside air to get in, but visible enough to be found. if you closed your eyes, you could trace every inch of it. you had been staring at it for a long time. you didn't know how long.
after being made to take nutrients through an IV, you were lying down trying to recover whatever strength your human body still held. enough to face all the problems waiting outside — some on the inside too.
"it's the only thing that is completely mine."
you took a deep breath.
you hadn't slept that night. you tried to put in order of urgency the list of things that needed to be resolved: Stella, her human body at the base, your mother, Jesse, Anya. but everything your mind desperately to push away kept coming back in flashes.
"i hold on to every small thing you let me have."
for someone who had been steady her entire life, you were starting to come apart.
"stay."
you gave up trying to gather any thought that didn't circle back to Neteyam.
on the other side of the container, Jesse and Anya had been silent for a while, which, on its own, was suspicious. those two were never silent. you raised your head from the pod's headrest just enough to check: they were hunched over one of the monitors, shoulder to shoulder. there was something in the way Anya brought her hand to her mouth that made you sit up.
"what are you watching?"
their backs stiffened, every muscle going tense. neither of them answered right away. Jesse tilted his head as if considering the question, then turned his chair toward you.
"nothing."
"nothing important." Anya added.
they glanced at each other the second you approached, exchanging desperate looks you would recognize anywhere. when you got close enough to see the monitor over their shoulders, you found the recording of an external camera. it showed the container entrance and if you squinted, you could make out the date from the day before, just before sunset.
when you ran your eyes across the image completely, you found what they had been staring at.
standing outside was Neteyam.
he wasn’t doing anything, exactly. his ikran rested nearby, his back leaned against it. every now and then he looked around, toward the entrance, as if waiting for something, but most of the time he just stood there, staring at the horizon.
hours before telling you he was in love with you.
so that’s where he had been.
a quiet thought crossed your mind, uninvited. wondering what he had been doing there. whether he had seen all the human pieces you could never quite hide.
''what was he doing here?'' you asked, unable to look away from him.
''he showed up a while after you left, looking for you.'' Anya said, even without looking at her you could hear the excitement in her voice. ''looked like he wanted to tell you something.''
''looked like?'' Jesse grumbled. ''i thought we'd have to drag you back here just to get him off our back."
probably the last thing he wants now is to see me, you thought.
"you know," Anya began, slowly, "that whole oldest brother complex... perfect boy thing–" she gestured vaguely at the screen. "it really suits him."
Jesse crossed his arms while shaking his head. "tragically."
you looked at them and turned your eyes back to the monitor. it was true. the dreamy Neteyam had been made for that.
"how long did he stay? did you talk to him?"
"for a while." Jesse answered when he saw your expression. there wasn't a single trace of irony this time, which was clearly an enormous effort on his part. "something like that."
you furrowed at the answer.
"he stayed with your mom for a long time," Anya explained, and you could tell she was trying not to smile. "then he started doing something we didn't really understand. trust me, we tried. then he left, and now some pretty intense-looking na’vi showed up to check if we were okay. that’s it."
he had asked them to look after your family.
there could be a million versions of you and you were almost certain none of them deserved him.
the silence lingered for some time. you could sense the silent conversation passing between them, deciding who would question you first about what was happening.
"i need to talk to my mom." you said, leaving no opportunity for them to say anything more.
your mother was in the back of the container. she used that area for a moment to herself — away from babysitting two irritatingly intelligent teenagers. the papers were scattered as always, her lab coat hanging on the chair. she looked up when you entered and there it was again, that same look. the quiet assessment, as if she studied you for a few seconds before speaking.
"you're awake." she observed, over her glasses.
"seems difficult these days," you murmured with an empty laugh. you pulled a chair from the corner and sat sideways, legs hanging off the side. "i think we need to talk."
your mother let out a small laugh, pushed her glasses up, and closed the notebook in front of her. she began organizing the papers on the counter.
“yeah… i think we have a few things to figure out.”
for the past few years, all you had felt was anger. uncontrollable anger. you hated that stella was dying — something you had to admit, because she was — hated your mother’s apparent lack of reaction, hated that your father had gone and left you there.
it wasn’t her fault. but stupidly, you had no one else to blame. except yourself. for having better genes, or just the luck of surviving.
"your sister won’t change her mind," she confessed in that same calm tone you had heard your entire life. "i knew we were going to lose her the day i told the truth about the treatment."
you kept looking at her. for the first time in years, you noticed something other than her jaw tightening. her eyes were tired, looked long enough, you could see they were slightly swollen, as if she had been crying.
''i think… this time we'll have to let her go.''
that was the last thing you would want to hear, but you knew it was true.
the silence stretched so long you didn’t even realize when the tears you’d been holding back started to fall.
''i'm not ready—'' your voice broke as your eyes lifted to her face. ''i'm not ready to let her die.''
as you hadn't done in years, you cried like a child in your mother's arms. being comforted by small pats on the shoulder while your body trembled and the sobs grew louder.
it was irrational to blame yourself for not having the illness Stella carried, but it wasn't the first time you had prayed to switch places with her. you didn't want to let her die. but you couldn’t stand to keep her in pain either.
after you managed to calm down, breathing slowly again, your mother pulled back, wiping the tears from your cheeks. her expression was gentle, but heavy with fear.
''i need you to forgive me.'' she said softly, just for you. ''i’ve asked too much of you… more than i ever should have.''
''what are you talk—''
"no." she paused. "i need you to know this, i need you to understand that none of this is your fault." her voice came out choked, heavy with restrained tears. "i watched a little of you disappear every time you went into that body, and i don't know why i agreed to it. i was so lost… i was so selfish."
small tears began sliding down her face.
''your father was the gravity of everything i had. and after he was gone, everything kept spinning around nothing.''
you didn't want her to feel guilty for a single second of those years, even if you had been the support when all you wanted was to just be a daughter. grieving your father had been one of the worst feelings you had ever experienced, but hers had always surprised you.
today, years later, with your heart resting in someone else's hands, you were beginning to understand why.
''it's okay, mom. i was just doing what was best for everyone. you were too.''
"but that wasn't your responsibility. you were just a kid." she let out a long breath. "your father and i never wanted you and Stella to carry any of this. it was never meant to be yours."
gently, she ran her hand across your face, as if while looking at you, she could see you as a child again. when you closed your eyes, you remembered, for a moment, what your father’s touch had felt like. the same words he once told you.
"dad told me the same thing..." you paused. "a few days ago." you saw the surprise on her face, as if she hadn't expected it. “he wasn’t mad at me… i kind of expected him to be, at least disappointed. but it was the opposite."
her face softened, and once more she pulled you close in an embrace.
"of course he isn't, my love. we're so proud of who you've become." those words filled a space you didn't know existed in your heart. "your father always knew what to say. for you, he always left the best parts of himself. i don’t need a blue body to know that."
you squeezed her shoulders.
your mother, in the entire universe and every galaxy that existed, was the only person who shared the same fears, loves, and people as you.
"i miss him so much." your eyes burned. "we didn't have enough time."
"i don't think any time in the world would ever be enough... but your father knew the value of every moment with the people he loved.” her eyes found yours. "and there's a certain young man who seems to know that too."
you tried to say something, to question what she was talking about, but she got up and went to the cabinets at the back. when she turned, she was holding something you didn't understand at first, but soon recognized.
a music box.
in your mother's hands was your old music box. it had a small ballerina that used to dance to the sound of a melody as old as the green, sunny days of earth. you had forgotten about it.
the short years on earth had been good. you had privileges others no longer did. you could have chosen anything you wanted to do when the time came. art was as scarce as trees by then, but your last dream had been to be a ballerina.
you would have lived for art. through the painful ballet shoes and performances that made you feel like you belonged somewhere. it would have been a good life.
but like the music box, something in you had been broken on the arrival to Pandora. and your dreams had disappeared with its music.
"i thought it was broken."
"it was," your mother offered, extending the box still closed. "but a boy came by... he seemed pretty determined to fix more things than just this box. he spent hours trying to understand what it was."
Neteyam.
"i..." your voice faded, still in disbelief at what you were holding.
carefully, you opened it. the ballerina rose, exactly as you remembered from childhood. even more carefully, you turned the key. the music came out soft, like it was relearning its own volume, and the ballerina began to spin. slower than before, but spinning.
"you’ve already given up so much, honey…" your mother said, gently. "you don't have to do that with this."
you couldn't stop following the ballerina spinning. you tried to breathe properly, but couldn't quite manage. you were surprised by how much you were capable of crying.
"what about you?" you whispered, looking up at the face of the person you looked for every day. vision blurred with tears. "Jesse and Anya?"
"i've made my choice, sweetheart." she brushed a strand of hair from your face, smiling softly at your tear-streaked cheeks. "they have too."
it felt like someone had kept you pinned to the ground for years, a foot pressed to your chest and in that moment, they were finally letting you breathe.
ever since you met Neteyam, since you went to Awa'atlu, it felt like some things could finally belong to you. like you were starting to belong to yourself. not to some soldier or a laboratory.
but none of it came close to how much you wanted him.
you closed the lid slowly, carefully. with the ballerina resting, it felt like many things inside you could finally do the same. perhaps that feeling of never belonging had always been because you were in the wrong place. in the wrong body.
when your eyes found your mother's, she had that familiar, challenging look you had known your entire life.
"go," she said, simply, before you could speak.
you laughed softly, a short, honest sound. the most genuine one you had let out in a long time around her.
"i haven't even said anything yet."
"you didn't have to." she took your hand and squeezed once, firmly. "i've known that face since you were four years old."
you looked at her for a long moment. at the tired eyes, the lab coat hanging on the chair, your mother, Sophia. then you threw your arms around her again, holding her tight.
“i love you, mom,” you said, so quietly you thought she might not hear.
but she held your head, hugging you just as tightly. almost as if knowing that once she let go, she didn't know if you would come back. and you weren’t sure either.
"i love you, sweetheart."
but when you turned and walked away, you knew there was only one choice in your heart.
1623 HOURS — AWA’ATLU, METKAYINA VILLAGE
Neteyam had disappeared.
you had searched every corner of the village, but he was nowhere to be found. not at the training grounds, not with his father or his siblings, not out on patrol. at this time of day, he was usually somewhere within reach, but he was gone.
at the peak of your desperation, you started asking around. the elders said no, though not without first praising how dedicated he was to his duties. the warriors you tried said they hadn't seen him since morning training. somewhere between the third or fourth person you started to get irritated. especially when you tried asking a group of girls your age, the way they talked about dreamy Neteyam, almost as if his name meant something more. you gave up on them when you realized being angry any longer wouldn’t help.
at some point during the search, a hint of doubt settled in.
he was easy to find. not just because you knew his routine, but because he always seemed to be somewhere your eyes could reach. and then you started wondering if he wanted to be found at all.
maybe he had believed what you had insisted so much. maybe he had realized you weren't willing to accept what he was trying to offer… and had simply given up.
the thought landed heavier than you wanted to admit. you decided you could examine it later.
just as you were about to give up, losing the courage to keep going, Tsireya and Kiri passed by you. your mind was too far away to notice them. it was the grip on your wrist that pulled you back. both of them looked at you with curiosity.
"where are you going? we've been calling you forever." Kiri said, studying you with an expression that made you realize you had seconds to say something good enough to convince her.
"sorry, i was distracted."
it wasn't exactly a lie.
apparently satisfied enough, the two of them drifted into a conversation about Stella, Tuk and a tulkun. you wanted to know — genuinely wanted — but it was as if your mind had stayed behind somewhere in the village, still searching. you were calm because you knew Stella was doing very well, and panicked because maybe Neteyam didn't want anything to do with you anymore.
maybe i should say something...
"— and i have to admit, it's funnier when Stella tells it---"
no, maybe i should wait.
your feet kept pace. it was like your body knew how to pretend better than your face did.
"after dinner we're going to those rocks—"
no. i’ll tell him. i’ll tell him today.
"are you even listening?"
you looked at their curious faces and realized you couldn’t lie again.
"sorry girls. i just have a lot on my mind."
that wasn't a lie either.
Stella was with the Sullys, Roxto and Aonung — no sign of Neteyam. you ran your hand through her hair as you approached and she pushed it away with a small laugh. that left you reassured, even satisfied.
when you sat down or at least when your body sat, because your mind was still somewhere else, composing thousands of versions of simply saying hey — the conversation was already halfway through.
"— but in the end she just let us go," Stella was saying, with a smile that took over her whole face, "but i still think the whole being swallowed thing is disgusting."
laughter. you tried to follow along, blending into the circle without really processing what they were talking about.
"what about you, sky girl?" Aonung turned to you, pulling you from your mental torture. "what's the scariest thing you've ever done?"
several pairs of eyes turned your way. Stella was quicker with her response.
"she's terrified of heights."
"i'm not terrified." you shot back, rolling your eyes. "i just prefer to keep my body away from places where it might fall and break."
"you cried climbing a tree once."
"that was a strategic panic."
everyone laughed. you added something about how your body might be made for climbing trees, but your mind definitely wasn’t, and after some talk about going into the forest later, you thought of an answer.
"i ran from a thanator once," you said. "it was awful." you thought of the most terrifying seconds of your life. "but at least it didn't find me."
Lo'ak groaned before you even finished. he dragged a hand down his face. "don't even start."
you frowned. "what?"
"don't talk about thanators or he’ll hear and start—"
seeing your confused expression about what his brother was saying, Kiri cut in, rolling her eyes but smiling at you.
"he's talking about Neteyam. he got hurt once after running into one, a while ago. the whole village heard about it."
"yeah, he doesn't let anyone forget." Lo'ak added casually, not noticing how your expression shifted.
"he doesn't let you forget." Kiri corrected, then looked back at you. “it was a little before you arrived.”
a little before you arrived.
you were sure your heart skipped a beat — or stopped altogether for a fraction of a second. the two kept talking and their voices blurred together, your mind drifting back to the forest. if you closed your eyes, you could almost see him standing in that clearing again.
''have any of you seen him?'' you asked before thinking. they all went quiet, looking at you.
''uh… i'm not sure?'' Kiri answered, clearly surprised by the urgency in your face. ''we haven't seen him since earlier, he probably went out.''
you looked in Stella's direction, she had a wide smile on her face. you ignored the confused looks and started running in the opposite direction.
you had to find him. you had too much to say. Eywa, you didn’t even know where to begin, but you couldn’t spend another second without telling him.
as you ran, you tried to organize every place you’d already searched. the training grounds, the maruis, the paths you knew and those you didn't. nothing. no one knew, no one had seen, and the whole village kept moving like his absence wasn’t something impossible to ignore.
you couldn't go to Jake or Neytiri to ask. you had been avoiding them since Stella arrived. and Stella’s punishment had turned into lying every time Jake came looking for you. but you knew he was dangerously close to not believing the excuse about the link anymore.
especially when you were searching for his eldest son like this.
so you let your feet guide you, covering the same paths for the third time.
there was something humiliating about searching for someone who might not want to be found. but there was something even worse about stopping. so you kept going.
passed the platforms near the coral, passed two young warriors who said the same as the previous ones — we haven't seen him — and at some point your lungs started begging for a break. you stopped outside your marui, with little hope left and your body demanding rest. you stood there, listening to the distant noise of the village and the waves hitting the shore.
a deep breath filled your lungs as your eyes lingered on the vast blue.
after a few seconds of silence, the sound of an animal caught your attention. you looked up. high up in the sky something large was flying. narrowing your eyes, you recognized it as an ikran.
something inside you clicked. the memory of his voice as if he were beside you, repeating.
"up there, you stop being who you are down here. i'm not the first of anything, i'm not anyone's son. it's just you and the sky. " he looked you in the eyes then. "i wish you could feel that."
Neteyam had learned to live by the sea. but there was nothing he loved more than where he came from.
mentally, you called yourself stupid more than once before you started moving.
your eyes scanned your surroundings, searching for anything that might resemble the forest. all you saw was water, endless water. you called for your ilu, a little more desperate than you meant to be.
the water was cold, enough to startle the heat running through your body. your ilu moved smoothly, quickly, as if it could feel how urgently you needed to get somewhere. the farther you drifted from the island, the more blue surrounded you.
until it hit you, the closest thing to his home in Awa’atlu wasn’t on solid ground, it was high above, in the open sky.
when you finally spotted the nearest stretch of forest and the towering cliffs, there was only one that held a view of both the ocean and the trees at once. you stilled on your ilu, staring at that patch of green in the middle of all that blue.
''i hate heights.'' you muttered to yourself as you climbed off.
there was something about running toward the love of your life. your feet kept going without the usual caution you were used to taking. branches scraped against your arms, roots caught at your steps more times than you could count, but you didn’t slow down.
by the time you reached the cliff, the sound of the ocean had been replaced by the soft rustling of leaves and the quiet life of the forest. your lungs burned.
it took more than a few seconds to convince yourself to start climbing.
it was high. it was very high.
there were enough branches and ledges to make the climb possible — technically — but your brain was too busy listing everything that could go wrong to focus on technical possibilities. you had never gone this high, not willingly.
every time you paused to catch your breath, you shut your eyes tight, afraid that if you looked down, your stomach wouldn’t be the only thing that dropped. you tried to remember every movie you’d ever watched with Jesse and Anya — every scene where someone dangled over the edge, clinging to nothing, and the advice was always the same. don’t look down.
you climbed another meter. eyes fixed on the flat edge that held solid ground a few meters away.
you prayed he would be there. that you had read him right, that this wasn’t a mistake. because if you reached the top and found nothing, there was no telling if you’d make it back down with your dignity intact. maybe not even at all.
when your hands finally found the flat edge, you used the last of your strength to pull yourself up.
and he was there.
sitting with his back to you, one leg dangling over the edge and the other bent, looking at the sunset as it painted everything in shades of orange.
you had seen him so many times, and yet your brain always needed a second. always as if it were the first time.
there. out of the woods.
surprise flickered across his face — real, unguarded, as if he hadn’t expected to find anyone there. Least of all you.
''what are you doing here?'' he asked, already standing.
through uneven breaths and trembling limbs, you pushed yourself up, forcing yourself not to look away from him, fully aware of the height beneath you. you really hoped you didn’t look as pathetic as you felt.
"you're here." you said, then immediately second-guessed yourself at the look on his face. “no— i mean i was looking for you."
"why did you come all the way up here?" he glanced over your shoulder, toward where you had climbed from. “i could’ve come to you.”
your heart raced. you couldn't tell if it was the height or him.
''you saved me—'' you started, and immediately recognized from his look that he needed more than that. ''that day in the forest. you saved me from the thanator.''
you already knew the answer by the way he looked at you.
''didn't you?''
''if you came up here to say the debt’s paid, you didn’t have to climb all this way,'' Neteyam began, irritation threading through his voice, frustration just beneath it. ''i would have done it even if you hadn't saved Lo'ak.''
''why?'' you pressed, stepping closer this time. ''why did you save me knowing i was an avatar?''
he stayed in silence for a few moments, his eyes never leaving yours.
''why did you save me that day in the forest?'' he countered. ''why didn't you let me and Lo'ak die?''
the silence that followed was different from all the others that had existed between you.
''because it was the right thing to do.''
that wasn't the answer he wanted. you could see it in the way he stepped back, then forward again, lips pressing together like he was holding something in.
gods, why can’t I ever say the right thing?
''you climbed up here because it was ‘the right thing’?” he challenged, stepping closer like he was daring you to retreat. ''you're shaking from head to toe and that’s what you have to say?''
no.
you couldn't take your eyes off him. you couldn’t force the words that actually mattered out of your chest. that was far from everything.
''i've spent weeks convincing myself i was doing the right thing.'' you began, your voice came out steadier than you expected. ''i don't deserve you, Neteyam. i never will. keeping my distance was the only way to protect you from something i can’t give you.'' you took a step closer. ''and it was working. it was great. but then you started making it impossible.'' you paused, and when you continued your voice came out smaller. ''why did you fix that music box?''
he looked away for a second — just one — and you knew. you had been right about each other.
''you went there. you spent hours with my mom. asked warriors to keep watch over them.'' your voice broke a little. ''without me asking, without expecting anything in return.''
"they're important to you—"
"they are… but who does that?" the words came before you could hold them back. "that's exactly the problem. you don’t even see it, do you?" you paused. "that's why i knew i shouldn't have let myself get so close to you."
being near him grounded you in a way nothing else did. the trembling in your knees wasn’t from the height anymore.
''since i got here, nothing has really been mine. and that's fine. i've spent years not wanting anything for myself.'' you could feel the plea in your own eyes. ''and then you showed up, and every time we met, it only made me want to see you again.'' a shaky breath left you. ''and i hated it. i hated how i couldn’t breathe without you crossing my mind.”
the sun was setting slowly behind him, the whole sky tinged with shades of pink and gold, and you thought it was cruel that he looked so beautiful in that moment.
“so i tried to ignore it. we both know that’s all I’ve been trying to do.” your fingers curled slightly at your sides, like you needed something to hold on to. “i’m scared. terrified, actually. because i don’t think i could bear the thought of a life without you in it.”
for all the reckless things you had already done — swimming for hours in open water, climbing a ridiculous cliff just to stand here, running from a thanator — none of it came close to this.
“i’m yours, Neteyam. my heart has always been yours, even before i chose.”
he went still, just for a second, but it was the longest second of your life.
''i climbed up here because i couldn’t let you spend another second thinking i hadn’t chosen you.'' you continued, your heart in your throat.
the wind passed between you, carrying strands of hair in every direction. the gentle rustling of the trees around the cliff mixing with the distant sound of the waves.
but nothing mattered.
only you and him.
Neteyam lifted his hand to your face, holding you gently, like he wasn’t sure you were really there. his thumb brushed your cheek like he’d done it a thousand times. his eyes found yours, searching, confirming and you didn't look away.
''tell me this is real.'' he whispered, his voice blending with the wind.
you shivered at the plea in his face.
''there’s never been anything more real to me,'' you answered, your hand finding his arm as your foreheads touched.''i shouldn't have–“
he shook his head once, like he had heard enough.
and then his lips found yours.
your eyes widened for a second, your body tensing before melting when his hands found your waist and pulled you closer. he kissed you like he had been waiting too long to be careful about it. there was no space between your bodies but it still wasn’t enough. you already missed it before it was even over.
you pulled apart for a second. your eyes meeting as something new settling between you. this time, when he kissed you again you were ready. lips meeting more gently, like you both finally believed this was real.
when you finally broke apart completely, your foreheads stayed together. eyes closed and breathing unsteady. neither spoke for a moment.
''you took your time.'' he said, finally.
when you opened your eyes, you found his steady gaze and the shy smile he always carried. in that moment, you thought you would never see anything more beautiful.
''i know.''
Neteyam closed the space between you again, pulling you closer as you rested your head against his shoulder. you let yourself stay there, holding on to that moment, not wanting to break whatever the two of you were sharing in silence.
"i told you." he murmured at the top of your head, softly kissing your hair. "you couldn't keep us apart.''
you weren't sure how long you stayed like that, wrapped around each other, your heartbeats slowly falling into the same rhythm. but the night was already taking over when he called his ikran.
the creature appeared at the edge of the cliff, majestic. without a word, Neteyam recognized the fear on your face and held out his hand.
''come on. i won't let you fall.'' he said, his eyes locked on yours with a certainty you were finally allowing yourself to believe. ''do you trust me?''
your gaze lingered on his face. the bioluminescent points, the large golden eyes that had been part of your dreams since the very first day. then you looked at the hand he was holding out.
this is one of the biggest taglists i’ve ever seen, but i just want to thank every single one of you! it honestly surprises me that so many of you waited to see what i’ve been writing.
because of your likes and comments, more people get to see what i love doing most. your words are so kind and they truly make me so happy.
i hope i don’t disappoint, and please share your thoughts with me.
Ever After High Book PDFs (and how to access them yourself!)
I’ve finally finished collecting and converting the books! This is a masterpost, so strap in. First, the goods:
LINK HERE: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/16a4rl7u4QxGD-8T06ZTnuUnyxPr7hovA?usp=sharing
This will take you to a Google Drive folder with both Ever After High book series! They are all PDFs, meaning you can easily download them and read at your own leisure. They’re free, completely safe, and yours to share! And of course, I ask that you keep this within the fandom so I don’t get any copyright notices.
Pictures below to show you what’s available!
Order: I’m providing links that show you the correct order to read the books. They are not in order here!
Ever After High I: https://everafterhigh.fandom.com/wiki/Ever_After_High_(book_series_I)
Ever After High II: https://everafterhigh.fandom.com/wiki/Ever_After_High_(book_series_II)
ADDITIONAL BOOKS
Mattel released more books (like the pet books), but I didn’t download them because it was too much already! But I’m happy to report that you CAN access them from the same website I did. I’ll show you how to do that (and download the EPUB files if you want those).
HOW TO ACCESS THE BOOKS YOURSELF
1. Go to libgen.is
This is what you should see. Make sure that “Fiction” is selected underneath the search bar.
2. Type in “ever after high”.
All the books should come up. If you don’t see the title of the book you’re looking for, try searching the actual title or one of the authors (Shannon Hale or Suzanne Selfors).
Note: Fairy’s Got Talent and Fairy Tale Ending by Suzanne Selfors both come up under the name Ever After High. They look like this:
Make sure to read the Series name to know exactly what book you’re getting!
3. Click on the name of the book you want, under “Title”. It will take you to this page:
Now, PAY ATTENTION. Go to where it says “Download” and click on “[Libgen.rs]” ONLY. Nothing else. Do not torrent. That will get you in trouble. Do not click any other link than the one I’ve circled here. It is the only one I use, and the only one that I have personally ensured will not get you into pirating trouble or give you any viruses.
4. Click “Get”.
You will then wait until your computer has downloaded the document. It will appear as an EPUB.
MOST COMPUTERS/WEB BROWSERS CANNOT OPEN EPUBS!
So how will you be able to read it, you may ask? Stay tuned! There are 2 ways to do it.
HOW TO OPEN EPUB FILES
Easy Way
The easiest way to read your book is to turn it into a PDF first! I used this website to change all the EAH books into PDFs. It’s free, simple to use, and very safe. Link here: https://www.pdf2go.com/epub-to-pdf
The area with instructions has also been underlined. It automatically downloads for you! Just save to your computer and start reading!
Harder Way
If you truly want to read it as an e-book, here’s how to do it. These instructions only work for Chromium-based web browsers like Google Chrome or the NEW Microsoft Edge, so if you use Firefox, Opera, Safari, or something else, I’m sorry to say you’ll have to either look it up or do it the easy way.
1. Search Google for “chrome extensions”
It will take you to this site.
2. Search “epub reader” scroll down until you find this:
Exactly this one, not a different one. I haven’t tried those and I don’t know how they work.
3. Click on it and add it to Chrome.
I use the new Microsoft Edge as my browser, but it’s based on the same thing as Chrome and thus you can download any Chrome extensions. Once you do this, it will now be an extension on your computer. Accept any permissions it asks for.
4. Click on the extension in your browser.
It shows up as a gray book. You will then see a blank page with this folder on the top. Click on the folder to open your file explorer.
5. Click on the EPUB you want.
If you move your mouse down to the gray line at the bottom, this strip at the bottom will appear. You can change settings, look at the Table of Contents, change the font size, and more!
CONCLUSION
That’s it for now! Hope you enjoy this. I’m tagging users who expressed interest in reading these books: @wehiddendesires, @deerdeardarling, @baiorettoldicno, @eahshipper. Feel free to share, reblog, or just pass the link around!
I am SO sick of people using ai for fics. Especially because they claim they wrote it themselves. Everything good that I have read I have either found to be ai or ai-assisted. I am especially upset because the majority of the fics that I read are in the avatar franchise, of which literally discourages ai greatly. You using ai for recreational activities like creative and FICTIONAL writing says so much about your character. It literally takes three clicks and a Google search to find you out. I don't know how many more times I have to say this, FUCK AI AND FUCK THE PEOPLE WHO STAND UP AND USE IT. ESPECIALLY FUCK THOSE WHO USE IT FOR ENTERTAINMENT. YOU'RE GROWN. put your damn fingers on the keyboard and start typing. I promise you that even if you think you suck, your human skill will be so appreciated. stop poisoning our online spaces with computer slop. start contributing. Hop off corporate dick and make something yourself. You are using fresh water to generate something you could make yourself. I crave human creativity, not the cold soulless slop provided by an algorithm.
They didn’t mean to hurt you — but they did.
And you started changing because of it.
Now they notice… and it’s already different.
USHIJIMA WAKATOSHI
“Watch what you eat,” Ushijima says, voice low, neutral. He’s looking at your tray like it’s offended him.
You smile—a practiced, automatic thing—and laugh it off.
“Oh, right. Yeah. Just hungry, I guess.”
He nods. Just once.
And that’s the end of it. To him, anyway.
The next day, you bring a salad. You poke at the lettuce with your plastic fork, chew each bite like penance. He glances at your lunch, says nothing.
The day after, it’s just fruit. You peel a clementine slowly, fingers sticky with juice, and avoid his eyes.
Then you stop bringing your usual snack. The one he used to reach over and steal a bite of without asking. The one that always made him smile—subtly, but still. Now your bag is empty. So are you.
By the fourth day, Tendou corners him by the gym doors.
“Hey, Wakatoshi,” he says, voice too light. “You realize she’s barely eating, right?”
Ushijima blinks. Still, silent. His gaze drifts toward you—sitting against the wall, water bottle untouched, your eyes vacant in a way he can’t quite name.
That evening, practice ends. The sun is low, gym almost empty. You sit alone on the bleachers, staring at nothing, your fingers curling around the hem of your sleeve.
He approaches without a word, sits beside you like it's instinct. In his hands: two onigiri, wrapped carefully.
“I didn’t mean it that way,” he says, eyes on the rice, not you. “I just… I care if you're healthy. Not thinner.”
You don’t respond. Your fingers twitch toward your bag, but fall short. He places one onigiri in your lap, the other in his own hands.
You pick at the rice. Slowly. Cautiously. Like you’ve forgotten how to be hungry.
He doesn’t speak. Just sits with you, quiet, steady. Watching.
There’s guilt in the way his shoulders slope. In the way his chopsticks pause every few bites, waiting to see if you’ll keep going.
You finish half. It’s the most you’ve eaten all week.
He nudges the second one a little closer. Not pushing—just offering.
“Please eat,” he says, barely louder than a whisper. “With me.”
And you do.
For a long time, he says nothing else. But his silence is kind now. Careful.
And when he finally looks at you, it’s with eyes that say he’s sorry in all the ways words can’t.
SHIRABU KENJIRO
The words slipped out of Shirabu’s mouth like a diagnosis—clinical, cold, final.
And the worst part?
You weren’t even fighting.
You had just spilled tea on your notes—weeks of lectures and scribbled diagrams now soaked through and curling at the edges. You laughed, a little sheepishly, brushing at the mess with your sleeve. “Well. That’s my sign to take a break, I guess—”
He didn’t laugh.
He stared at the papers like they’d personally offended him.
“You’re not cut out for the kind of future I want.”
You blinked.
“…Future?”
He nodded once, distracted, eyes already flicking back to his laptop. “Medicine’s not for people who lose focus. Who make little mistakes.”
You smiled, like it didn’t sting.
Laughed, like you hadn’t heard that same voice in your own head on bad days.
“Right. Of course.”
That night, you stayed up redoing your notes from scratch.
And the night after that.
And the one after that.
You started waking up before him.
Stopped doodling in the margins of your med books.
Stopped humming when you cooked, because every second needed to be productive.
Coffee became a meal. Sleep became a luxury.
You didn’t complain. Didn’t cry.
Just… shifted. Quietly. Carefully. Willfully.
The version of you Shirabu fell for—the one who teased him while quizzing him on anatomy terms, who wore fuzzy socks to study groups, who once made him a human heart out of Jello just to prove a joke—she was slowly fading.
At first, he liked the change.
The silence. The discipline.
The way your pens were always aligned now.
The way you never interrupted him mid-sentence anymore.
But then…
He noticed.
You never touched him just because anymore.
Never made dumb puns over dinner.
Your shoulders stayed tense even in your sleep.
The music in your world had gone quiet—and he hadn’t realized how much he loved its sound until it disappeared.
One night, he came home late from the library and found you at your desk, fast asleep.
Your glasses were still on.
Your hand was stained with blue ink, fingertips trembling slightly from too much caffeine and too little rest.
There was a cut on your thumb from a broken pen.
Your lips were dry.
You looked pale—drained, like all your color had been slowly siphoned away.
He didn’t say anything. Just stood there, heart sinking.
And when he touched your hand, you didn’t even stir.
He sat down beside you, swallowing guilt like poison.
“I didn’t mean for you to become someone else,” he whispered, the words raw and foreign in his mouth. “I just wanted you with me. I didn’t realize I was asking you to lose yourself.”
His voice cracked.
For the first time in years, he cried.
Quietly.
Beside you.
Because you were still there. Breathing. Trying.
But something in you had cracked.
And he had been the one to make the first fracture.
TSUKISHIMA KEI
That was the last thing he said to you that day.
You had just finished gushing about your favorite show—something about parallel universes and time loops and a sad, smiley villain who reminded you of him (your words, not his).
You were laughing, hands moving, eyes bright.
And he had sighed, leaned back in his chair, and muttered:
“Are you done yet?”
You blinked.
Laughed it off. “Right. Sorry. Got carried away.”
He didn’t respond. Just went back to scrolling.
After that, you didn’t talk about your favorite shows anymore.
Stopped sending him memes.
Stopped rambling in long voice notes that always ended with you laughing at your own jokes.
He noticed, of course. But didn’t say anything.
Yamaguchi did.
“She doesn’t text you stuff anymore, huh?”
Tsukishima scoffed. “Didn’t realize you were tracking my notifications.”
But later that night, alone in his room, he opened your chat.
Scrolled through the silence.
Past the last thing you sent—a meme, three weeks ago. A stupid one, about dinosaurs and headphones. He hadn’t even reacted to it.
The empty space beneath it felt louder than any rant you used to send.
The next day, he walked past a store on the way home and froze.
In the window: a little keychain of your favorite character.
The one you wouldn’t shut up about for two whole weeks.
The one he pretended not to care about but secretly knew the name of.
He bought it.
He didn’t even think. Just… did.
The next morning, he dropped it on your desk before class. No warning. No note.
You blinked, staring at the tiny figure in your hand.
“What’s this for?”
He adjusted his glasses, gaze fixed somewhere over your shoulder.
“So you’ll annoy me again.”
You stared at him for a beat, stunned. Then your lips twitched.
You didn’t say anything.
But that night, he got a message.
[you]: i just rewatched episode 8 again and i need you to understand how emotionally devastating that scene was. also this keychain is SO cute i might cry.
He read it three times.
Smiled. Just a little.
(Translation: I forgive you. I missed you too.)
SUNA RINTARO
He had said it offhandedly. Barely looking up from his phone.
You had just sent him a selfie—your hair a little messy, eyes a little dull, but your smile was there. Honest. Tired, maybe. But still you.
And he said:
“You look tired.”
You blinked at the screen, lips twitching in a way that didn’t quite reach your eyes.
Then replied,
“Yeah. Been a long day.”
After that, you stopped sending selfies.
Started fixing your hair more before calls.
Wore cooler tones. More neutrals. Nothing bright. Nothing bold.
Started double-checking the lighting. Your angles. Yourself.
One day you joked,
“Better not look tired again, right?”
But your voice was too quiet. The kind that curls at the edge of something fragile.
Atsumu noticed it first.
“She doesn’t send you stuff anymore, huh?”
Suna didn’t answer.
“You told her she looked tired, didn’t you?”
He shrugged. But his thumb froze over your chat.
Unread messages: none.
The last picture you sent had disappeared after twenty-four hours. You didn’t save it.
And you hadn’t sent another since.
The silence in the thread felt heavier than words.
So he stared at his camera for a long second, then sighed and snapped a picture.
No filters. No angles. Just him—messy hair, hoodie hood half-on, eyes barely open.
He sent it with a message:
“This is how I look when I actually look tired.”
“You always look like someone I wanna keep looking at.”
You stared at the screen. Chest aching.
Then, finally:
[you]: you're still bad at words.
[suna]: yeah. but i’m trying.
And he was.
In his own way—awkward, quiet, a little late.
But trying.
(And somehow, that was what mattered most.)
OIKAWA TOORU
You didn’t mean to bother him.
You had only sent three messages.
Short ones. Thoughtful, even.
[you]: hey, u free later?
[you]: you okay? you’ve been quiet today.
[you]: let me know if you need anything. i’ll leave you be. promise.
And then it came.
His reply.
Flat. Dismissive.
Laced with exhaustion and that familiar edge he gets when he’s overwhelmed.
[oikawa]: you’re really needy sometimes.
You stared at the screen for a moment too long.
Then you smiled. The kind of smile you force when people are watching.
“lol sorry. my bad.”
One last message. That was all.
And then you stopped.
You stopped texting first.
Stopped sending him memes you knew would make him laugh.
Stopped double-texting, triple-texting.
Stopped reaching out at all.
You gave him what he seemed to want.
Space.
He noticed by dinner.
By the time the team wrapped up practice, Oikawa was already scrolling through your messages, rereading old ones like a lifeline.
There were no new ones.
No “I miss you.”
No “Goodnight.”
Just… nothing.
He opened your chat three times that night.
Typed. Deleted.
Typed. Deleted again.
What was he even supposed to say?
Iwaizumi noticed the silence too.
“She’s not needy,” he said while they packed up. “You’re just used to being worshipped.”
That stung.
Because it was true.
Oikawa Tooru had always been admired—on the court, online, in every room he walked into.
He thought love looked like attention.
He hadn’t realized until now that he’d treated your warmth like a reflex, not a choice.
Until you took it away.
Until your silence said everything.
So three nights later, he was standing in front of your door.
A hoodie pulled over his head. Hands stuffed deep in his pockets. He looked small. Not in height—but in guilt.
He knocked.
Once.
Twice.
You opened it.
Your eyes were tired. Guarded. The space between you filled with things unsaid.
Oikawa’s voice was low. He didn’t even try to smile.
“…I miss your ‘needy,’” he said.
You blinked, lips parting slightly.
“I miss you.”
Still, you said nothing. Just looked at him like you weren’t sure if this was another performance or the real thing.
“I don’t want space,” he continued. “I want your clingy texts. I want the memes. The constant check-ins. The way you send me random thoughts at midnight.”
He looked down at his shoes.
“I want everything. Even the parts I didn’t appreciate.”
Silence.
Then he looked up, eyes raw.
“I only push away the people I care too much about,” he whispered. “And that’s you.”
It wasn’t poetic.
It wasn’t dramatic.
It was just honest.
For a long moment, you stood there. Then, slowly—quietly—you stepped aside.
He didn’t wait for permission.
He just walked in, shoulders trembling slightly.
You closed the door behind him.
And neither of you said another word.
Because this time, he would show you through presence what he failed to express in words.
He came back.
And he didn’t let go.
SAKUSA KIYOOMI
It was just a bad game.
He was frustrated. Quiet. His shoulders tight. His jaw locked.
You knew how he got.
You didn’t say anything.
You just reached out—softly, gently—for his hand.
Not to fix him. Just to say I’m here.
But he pulled back like your touch burned him.
“Don’t touch me right now.”
The words weren’t loud.
They didn’t need to be.
You blinked, hand frozen mid-air. Then you let it drop, your voice a quiet crumble.
“…Sorry.”
That was it.
You stepped back. Gave him space.
And from that day on, you stayed there.
You stopped reaching for him.
Stopped brushing your fingers against his sleeve when you passed by.
Stopped fixing his hair when it curled over his forehead.
Stopped lacing your fingers through his on long walks.
You hesitated now—every time.
Your hands hovered near him, never landing.
And Kiyoomi… didn’t notice.
Not at first.
But Komori did.
He waited until the locker room was empty, then slammed his locker shut louder than necessary.
“You told her not to touch you,” he said, arms crossed. “And now she doesn’t. Happy?”
Kiyoomi blinked, confused.
“She flinched when you brushed her arm, Omi. She flinched. That girl used to hold your hand like it was second nature.”
The words hit harder than they should’ve.
Komori left. Kiyoomi sat down, heart unsettled, brain replaying every tiny moment—your hands curled into your lap, your stiff shoulders, the way your gaze flicked to his fingers then away.
It was true.
You were gone, somehow, even while still beside him.
That night—no, early morning—he couldn’t sleep.
He stared at his phone screen in the dark, thumbs hovering. Then:
[sakusa]: i’m sorry. i didn’t mean to make you feel unwanted.
No typing bubbles appeared.
He didn’t expect them to.
But the next day, he found you outside the gym, hugging your arms to yourself, pretending not to see him.
He walked straight to you.
You looked up, cautious.
He didn’t speak. Not yet.
He just reached forward—and for once, it was him who was shaking—and took your hand. Both of his around yours, like anchoring something fragile.
You looked down at the connection.
Then back at him.
His voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper.
“I want you close,” he said. “Even when I’m upset. Especially then.”
Your lip trembled.
He held your hand tighter.
And in that quiet moment, on the edge of hurt and healing, you let yourself believe him.
Because sometimes, people push away what they need most.
And sometimes, if they’re lucky, they get the chance to hold it again.
KENMA KOZUME
You used to sit beside him.
No words. No noise.
Just quiet company while his fingers danced across the keyboard, headset snug over his ears.
You liked being close.
He never complained—until one night, between matches, he muttered without looking at you:
“You’re kind of distracting when I’m streaming.”
It wasn’t cruel.
It wasn’t sharp.
But it stuck.
You blinked. “Oh.”
And after that… you stopped.
You stopped bringing snacks and dropping soft kisses to his temple when he won.
Stopped curling up next to him.
Stopped humming under your breath or watching from the corner of his screen.
You stayed in your room more.
Quiet. Out of sight.
Invisible.
Kenma didn’t notice at first—too busy adjusting his settings, managing collabs, climbing ranks.
But Kuroo noticed.
Over Discord, mid-game, as Kenma sat in silence between rounds, Kuroo muttered:
“She doesn’t bug you anymore, huh?”
Kenma blinked.
“What?”
“You look kinda lonely now.”
The words landed like a delayed hit.
Kenma glanced to the side—out of instinct—at the space where you used to sit.
Empty.
Still.
He stared longer than he meant to.
His fingers paused over the keys.
The stream kept running. The chat wondered what happened. But Kenma didn’t move.
Later that night, he found himself in front of your door.
A bag of your favorite snacks in hand. Slightly crumpled from how tightly he’d been holding it.
He knocked once. Soft.
You opened the door, eyes tired.
Surprised.
He didn’t speak at first. Just held out the bag.
“…What’s this?” you asked quietly.
“Peace offering.”
Your brow arched. “You said I was distracting.”
He looked down, fingers flexing.
“I know,” he murmured. “I was wrong.”
You stayed quiet.
So he stepped forward, placed the snack gently beside his controller on his desk, then turned back to you.
“Come sit with me?” he asked.
Then, even softer:
“I miss your noise.”
You blinked.
And for the first time in days, your lips curved—just slightly.
He held his hand out toward you.
And this time, when you took it, he didn’t let go.
Not even when the game started.
Not even when chat noticed.
Because he wasn’t playing to win anymore.
He just wanted you back beside him.
Even if you distracted him.
Especially if you did.
MIYA ATSUMU
You hadn’t meant to cry.
You didn’t even realize it was happening—until your voice cracked mid-sentence, and you saw the way Atsumu’s expression tightened, not with concern, but irritation.
“I’m not in the mood for your drama right now.”
It hit like a slammed door.
You blinked once. Twice.
Then you nodded.
"Sorry," you said, voice barely there.
And after that—you stopped.
You stopped venting.
Stopped opening up.
Started smiling too wide, laughing a little too quickly.
"I’m fine."
"Just tired."
"Nothing big."
You said it so much, you almost believed it.
But Atsumu didn’t.
Not at first—he was too wrapped up in training, in pressure, in exhaustion and ego.
But Osamu noticed.
“You broke something, y’know,” he said one night, tossing a towel over Atsumu’s head.
“You might wanna fix it before it stays broken.”
That’s what finally made him pause.
And that’s what led him here—
To the empty gym hallway, where he found you sitting against the wall, knees to your chest, eyes blank.
You didn’t notice him at first.
Didn’t look up.
Didn’t flinch.
He walked over, crouched down, and gently rested his forehead against your shoulder.
“…I’m the drama,” he whispered, voice raw. “Not you.”
You stayed quiet.
He clenched his fists. Loosened them. Then tried again.
“Please don’t hide your feelings from me. Ever.”
Your throat tightened.
You looked away, eyes burning, lip trembling—but still, you said nothing.
So Atsumu pulled you into his arms.
Held you there. Not asking for forgiveness, not rushing it—just there.
“I was stupid,” he mumbled into your hair.
“I was tired and selfish and I made you feel like too much.”
His voice cracked.
“You’re not too much. I was just too stupid to handle someone real.”
You didn’t say anything right away.
But your hands slowly—finally—gripped the back of his jersey.
And that was enough.
Because this time, he wouldn’t let go first.
KITA SHINSUKE
You were tired.
Not just physically, but the kind of tired that settles in your chest and makes everything feel heavier.
You forgot to do something small — misplanted a row of seedlings in your shared garden, or maybe you overslept and missed breakfast with him.
He didn’t yell.
He never did.
Just that calm, steady voice:
“That’s not very disciplined of you.”
No anger. Just disappointment.
And somehow, that was worse.
It clung to you for days.
You started fixing your posture more, triple-checking tasks, waking up earlier than needed.
No more lazy mornings. No more spontaneous dancing in the rain or lying in the grass just to feel the sun.
You stopped being soft. You started being… correct.
And he noticed.
How your laugh faded.
How your hands trembled when you thought he was watching.
It was Aran who quietly pulled him aside one afternoon.
They were harvesting. The sun was warm. But Kita felt cold at the words:
“She’s not blooming anymore. She’s surviving.”
“You’re so focused on raising standards… you didn’t see her lower herself.”
That night, he found you tending the garden.
The same bed you both built together.
The soil was dry. The petals curled inward. And so were you.
He knelt beside you silently, heart heavy.
“Discipline matters,” he started. “But so does grace. I should’ve given you more of it.”
You didn’t look at him.
Your fingers kept digging gently through the soil.
So he did something rare.
He placed his hand over yours.
Soft. Still. Sure.
“You don’t need to be perfect… to be precious to me.”
Your breath hitched.
And when you finally looked up — eyes glassy, dirt smudged on your cheek —
he smiled, just barely.
“Let’s grow softer things. Together.”
KAGEYAMA TOBIO
You’d tried something new.
Maybe you curled your hair, tried eyeliner, wore that outfit you weren’t sure about but finally had the courage to put on.
You didn’t expect a grand reaction.
But you didn’t expect that either.
“You look weird.”
He didn’t laugh.
Didn’t smirk.
Just said it like a volleyball stat: flat. Unthinking. Unfiltered.
You smiled like it didn’t hurt.
Went to the bathroom that night and wiped it all off.
Told yourself it wasn’t a big deal.
But the next day, you played it safe.
No more makeup.
Neutral clothes.
You toned it down, layer by layer, until it felt like you’d erased something.
And he didn’t even seem to notice.
But others did.
Sugawara asked Kageyama during practice, teasing but genuine:
“What happened to all those selfies she used to send you? I kinda miss the glitter.”
Kageyama blinked.
Paused.
Scrolled through his phone that night.
Through bright lipstick, messy buns, silly filters, captioned doodles.
Gone, now.
He found you that night, seated quietly on the porch or your shared bench near the gym.
“Hey…”
You looked up. Tired. Dull.
He sat beside you, awkward fingers twitching on his knee.
“You’re… not weird. I mean, you are, but like. Not—bad weird. Like… your kind of weird. And I liked that.”
You didn’t respond. Just stared ahead.
So he added, softer this time:
“I’m stupid with words. But I didn’t mean to make you feel like you had to disappear.”
You swallowed.
He turned slightly, desperate and clumsy:
“Please don’t change for something dumb I said. I didn’t realize how much I loved… all of that. All of you.”
You turned to him.
Eyes glossy, voice small:
“Then why didn’t you say that sooner?”
He didn’t have an answer.
So instead, he reached into his pocket and held out the phone screen — a selfie of you from a month ago.
“I saved this one. I liked your smile here the most.”
DAICHI SAWAMURA
It was something small.
You tripped on a stair and instinctively, he caught your wrist, pulling you close before you fell.
Someone whistled.
A teammate teased: “Ooh, Daichi, playing knight in shining armor?”
He panicked. Embarrassed. Tried to play it cool.
So he shrugged and muttered,
“She’s not my responsibility.”
Laughed it off.
But your smile didn’t reach your eyes.
You’d never expected him to take responsibility for you.
You weren’t asking to be saved.
But you’d thought — maybe — it was okay to lean. To trust. To fall near him.
After that day, you stopped doing that.
You handled everything alone — even when your hands shook carrying too much, even when your emotions threatened to spill.
No more late-night texts.
No more spontaneous hangouts.
No more quiet moments walking beside him.
You avoided everyone for a while.
Until Suga found you missing again from another group outing and went straight to Daichi.
“She knows she’s not your responsibility, Daichi. She just thought… you gave a damn.”
That silenced him.
That night, he went up to the school rooftop — the place you always went when you needed to breathe.
You were already there, arms wrapped around your knees, eyes on the sky.
He didn’t speak.
Just sat beside you.
Let the silence ache between you both.
Then finally, barely audible:
“I wanted to protect you. Not push you away.”
You didn’t look at him. You just said, hollowly:
“You don’t have to explain. I get it.”
But he shook his head gently.
“No, you don’t. I didn’t say that because I didn’t care. I said it because I was scared of how much I did.”
You blinked, eyes burning.
“You’re not my responsibility,” he whispered again — but this time softer, reverent.
“You’re my person. That’s… different.”
Why are you not re-blogging? You think the fandom is dead, that no one’s interacting anymore, no one’s doing anything, no one’s writing, no one’s posting. ‘Everyone was so hyperfixed on that character, Where is the writing?’
People are writing. People aren’t reblogging. People aren’t giving some good feedback to motivate the writers that are putting their hard work, time, effort into making this piece that you were reading.
‘oh, it’s just too much work. You don’t wanna click that button and then click a few tags.’ Then you’re gonna have to suffer and not see a lot of writing from a lot of people because the only way this fucking app works is if you reblog.
I see so many pieces of work with 59 likes and 1 blog, I just saw one that had 690 likes and it had 9 reblogs. Even 1,000 likes and only 59 reblogs too. It’s devastating to see for the community of Tumblr. And I’ve been here for like five years, the way this app works is if you re-blog.
There’s so many people that are writing. There’s so many amazing things that I see and I try my best to reblog every single one that I read. That’s what I love doing because sharing someone’s piece of work is just beautiful because it allows me to show it to more people.
I reblog. And the beauty of it is;
I get notifications that this person liked it and this person liked it, and then that post continues to get more views, more likes and reblogs. All just because one person, reblogged it.
so please, if you are a part of Tumblr and you love reading your favorite writers fics, or love reading about your favorite character, please do your job and reblog it.
And if you don’t like re-blogging because you don’t want to do that on your account, then you can make another account and put all of the things that you read on that account. You can do separate things, like fic recs.
You can figure it the fuck out if you want people to actually be writing for a character you love. The writers are writing, you ain’t helping them share their work.
pairings aged-up neteyam x omatikaya!female warrior
notes canon divergence, mutual pining, neteyam has a phd in yearning, neteyam and reader are always bantering, reader is cocky and very protective of neteyam, funny lo’ak as always, so much smut, p in v sex, oral (f and m receiving), big dick neteyam 🙏 tell me if i miss anything !
word count 23k
synopsis you are one of, if not the, fiercest huntresses of the omatikaya clan, skilled with your bow and arrow on the ground, but even more unparalleled on top of your ikran. for this, your being neteyam’s second during missions against the RDA is a no-brainer. everybody knows you’re the only one who can go toe to toe with him. he knows that, you know that.
————————
"The south ridge perimeter reports another breach," you heard Neteyam’s voice cut through the hum of the warriors' chatters, his tone sharper than a freshly honed arrow. "A scouting party, four demon soldiers, armed with heat rays. They’re probing our defenses near the West Bridge."
"Heat rays?" you asked, leaning back against the rough bark of the Hometree's roots, the woven mat beneath you shifting slightly. “Do they wish to paralyze us with heat now? And what do they feel about that being used on them?”
Neteyam turned his head to you, his gaze, usually so intense, flickered with something akin to amusement. "Perhaps they wish to roast us." A low growl rumbled in his chest. "Their arrogance grows with each passing cycle."
"Their arrogance is merely a pretense because we keep swatting them away like moonwraith," you countered, pushing yourself upright. "A moonwraith, if persistent enough, still annoys. What's the plan, warrior?"
"The plan, huntress, is to send them back to their metal boxes with a clear message." His eyes, the color of a golden pool, fixed on yours. "They will not pass. I will lead a swift strike team. You will be my second."
"Naturally," you drawled, a smirk playing on your lips. "Who else would you trust to keep you from getting your ass kick when you inevitably get too persistent?"
A low chuckle escaped him, a rare sound. "My persistence has served this clan well, paskalin,“ his voice laced with sarcasm. “And your vigilance has saved my ass more times than I care to admit."
"Oh, don’t humble yourself, ma ‘teyam,“ you taunted with a deliberate soft voice, making him stand taller because your voice sent a jolt of shivers down his spine. “Your foolishness sometimes provides a challenge for me." You rose, stretching, your muscles coiling beneath your skin. "Where do you want me? High cover? Flank? Or should I just shadow your every move like a loyal hound?"
His lips curled into a smirk as he cleaned the council’s table. Under me, he thought mischievously and the thought sent another powerful spark in his middle that he had to clear his throat and remind himself to be serious.
"Your 'loyal hound' act is commendable, but I require your eyes in the sky, above the canopy. Spot their escape routes before they even think of them. Cut them off." He began to move towards the exit of the council tent, his strides long and purposeful, a stark contrast to the nervousness he's feeling at the prospect of being left in the tent alone with you. "And ensure no one gets caught in their heat rays. Those things could disorient the ikran."
"Understood," you called after him, already picturing the turbulent air, the scent of the forest floor rising to meet you. "I'll make sure their asses burn for weeks, even without their fancy toys."
————————
"They're moving faster than the last group," you reported, your voice a calm current in Neteyam’s ear via the link, the wind whipping past your face as your Frakrr, your ikran, banked sharply, a shadow against the clouds. "One of them carries a larger disruptor, a portable cannon. It’s heavy. He’s lagging."
"A cannon?" Neteyam’s voice was a low growl. "Pinpoint its location. I’ll approach from the ground, through the undergrowth. We’ll separate them."
"He's near the old Root Bridge, southwest of your current position. The other three are fanning out, covering his six. They think they’re clever." You tightened your grip on your bow, the string humming faintly with the tension of your intent. "I see a clear shot at the cannon-bearer. If I take him out, it might disorganize the others."
"Hold your shot," Neteyam commanded, his voice firm. "We don't want to alert the entire forest just yet. Let them feel secure. Let them make mistakes."
"My patience wears thin when they threaten our home, Neteyam," you retorted, though your ikran remained steady, circling high above. "But your decision, as always, guides us. Tell me when to strike."
"When I give the signal. Watch my back, paskalin. They're good at flanking."
"I always watch your back," you murmured, more to yourself than to him, your eyes scanning the dense foliage below, every rustle, every glint of metal, a potential threat. You saw the three scout outriders, their human forms clumsy against the natural world, their rifles held ready. They were too focused on the ground, too confident in their air superiority. A mistake.
"Now!" Neteyam’s voice boomed, sharp and sudden.
You didn't hesitate. Your ikran dipped with a single tap of your foot, a controlled fall, wind screaming in your ears. You drew your bow, the arrow a blur against the moonlight, aimed not at the man, but at the power pack on the back of the heat cannon. The thud of the impact was almost imperceptible over the wind, but the resulting shower of sparks, a brief, violent flash, was unmistakable. The human carrying the cannon stumbled, a cry of surprise ripped from his throat.
"Cannon disabled," you announced, pulling up sharply, your ikran letting out a triumphant cry. "One less nuisance."
Below, you saw Neteyam, a blur of blue and shadow, engage the remaining three. He moved with a predatory grace, a warrior's dance. One human went down with a guttural cry, another staggered back, clutching his arm. The third, the leader, turned to face Neteyam, raising his rifle.
"Behind you!" you yelled, already releasing another arrow. It whistled through the air, finding its mark in the human’s shoulder. He cried out, dropping his weapon.
Neteyam, without even looking, spun, his knife ending the skirmish with brutal efficiency. He looked up, his gaze finding yours in the darkness. A silent acknowledgment passed between you.
"Clean work, Y/N," he said, his voice now calm, the adrenaline receding. "As always."
"You leave too many openings," you replied, a playful edge to your tone. "Someone has to patch them up."
"And you always do." He turned, surveying the fallen humans. "Let's secure the area. No more surprises tonight."
————————
The war council tent hummed with a different kind of tension now, a dull, persistent thrum like a distant storm. The recent skirmishes, though repelled, were increasing in frequency.
"They're probing our supply lines," one of the older warriors, a seasoned hunter named Ak’tan, reported, his voice gravelly. "Targeting the fishing grounds, the herb gathering paths. They want to starve us out."
"Starve us out?" you scoffed, crossing your arms. "They'll find our resolve tougher than their metal ships. We know these lands better than they know their own names."
"But their numbers are growing," Neteyam interjected, his eyes scanning the faces around the circle. "And their technology advances. We cannot simply rely on our knowledge of the forest."
"So, what do you propose, Neteyam?" you challenged, meeting his gaze directly. "A frontal assault on their fortified positions? A suicide mission?"
"No," he said, his jaw tightening. "A strategic disruption. We hit their communication relays. Blind them. Deafen them. They rely on their machines too heavily. Without them, they are lost."
"A bold plan," Ak’tan mused, stroking his chin. "But their relays are heavily guarded. It would require a deep penetration into their territory, a small, stealthy team."
"Exactly," Neteyam affirmed. "A team of our most skilled warriors. Those who can move unseen, strike swiftly, and disappear without a trace." He looked at you, a challenge in his eyes. "And those who can provide air cover, neutralizing their patrols before they even know we are there."
"You're volunteering me for another one of your adventures, then?" you asked, a smile playing on your lips, even as your heart quickened. The thought of flying deep into RDA territory, the danger, the exhilaration, was a potent mix.
"Only if you believe you are up to the task, paskalin," he returned, a slight tilt to his head. "It will be dangerous. More dangerous than anything we've faced before."
"Danger is merely a measure of the challenge, ma ‘teyam," you countered, pushing off the ground, your stance radiating confidence. "And I thrive on challenges. When do we leave?"
"At the next full moon," he replied, his eyes holding yours, a silent agreement passing between you. "We will need to scout their patrols, map their movements. It will require patience."
“Patience,” you rolled your eyes. That’s something you famously lack.
————————
Dust plumed from beneath the thudding feet of young warriors, their bodies a symphony of muscle and grace on the Omatikaya training grounds. You stood at the archery targets, the familiar weight of your bow a comfort in your grip, the wood worn smooth by countless hours of practice. Your fingers, calloused from pulling taut strings, nocked an arrow with a fluid motion. The tip, obsidian-sharp, gleamed under the sun.
A low whistle, like a wind through hollow reeds, cut through the din of training. Neteyam, his torso bare and glistening with sweat, leaned against a gnarled tree trunk, a casual pose that belied the coiled power within his frame. He watched you, a smirk playing on his lips, his tail a slow, rhythmic sway behind him.
“Still practicing your aim, huntress?” he called out, his voice a warm rumble that carried easily across the clearing. “Thought a warrior of your renown would be above such mundane tasks.”
You released the arrow. It cleaved the air with a sharp sound, burying itself dead-center in the target’s heart. A perfect shot. You didn’t even glance at it, instead turning your head slightly, meeting his gaze with a challenging glint in your own eyes.
“A true warrior never ceases to hone their craft, Neteyam,” you countered, your voice a silken thread, laced with just enough bite to keep him on his toes. You pulled another arrow from your quiver, the feathers brushing against your hip. “Unlike some, who seem content to merely observe.”
He pushed off the tree, his movements effortless, a predator stretching. He walked towards you, his long strides eating up the distance. The other warriors, though engrossed in their own drills, shifted their eyes, a subtle ripple of attention following his approach. He commanded a space, an unspoken reverence in their regard.
“Observation is a critical component of strategy, paskalin,” he said, stopping a few paces away, his height towering over you, casting a long shadow. His eyes roamed over your form, lingering on the taut curve of your arm, the elegant line of your neck. “One must understand the capabilities of their allies… and their rivals.”
You drew the bowstring back again, the muscles in your shoulders bunching, a testament to your strength. Your tail flicked, a nervous habit you’d long since learned to ignore, but one he always noticed.
“Are you implying I am an ally, ma ‘teyam?” you asked, your voice dropping to a low purr. The arrow hummed, trembling slightly as you held your breath, aiming. “Or a rival?”
He chuckled, a rich, deep sound that vibrated through the air. His hand, warm and calloused, brushed against your elbow, a seemingly innocent adjustment to your form. Your skin tingled where he touched.
“You,” he murmured, his voice now a low whisper meant only for you, “are too wild to be tamed, too fierce to be contained. A rival, perhaps, for the title of the clan’s most stubborn warrior.”
You released the arrow. It struck the previous one, splitting the shaft cleanly down the middle, a feat of precision that drew gasps from some of the younger recruits. You lowered your bow, turning to face him fully, your hips swaying subtly as you shifted your weight. His eyes, you noticed, dropped to your hips, a flicker of something raw and hungry in their depths before he quickly masked it.
“Stubborn, am I?” you challenged, a playful smirk curving your lips. You took a step closer, invading his personal space, your gaze locked with his. “Or merely persistent for excellence? Perhaps you find my ambition… threatening, Olo’eyktan-in-waiting.”
He leaned in, his breath warm on your face, his lips brushing your ear as he spoke. “So fiery, little huntress. Makes me wonder what other fires you keep hidden.”
A shiver traced its way down your spine, but you met his gaze unflinchingly, your own eyes sparkling with mischief. You knew the effect you had on him, the way his pupils dilated, the subtle tension in his jaw. You reveled in it.
“Some fires,” you whispered back, your voice husky, “are best discovered in the dark. Away from prying eyes.”
He groaned, a low, guttural sound that was almost a growl. His hand, which had rested lightly on your elbow, now squeezed, a possessive grip. The undeniable hardening against his loincloth almost frustrated him, a result of the images that are assaulting his mind now. You watched his eyes dilate as he stares at you. The thought of him, aroused by your words, by your mere presence, sent a thrill through you.
“You play a dangerous game, paskalin,” he breathed, his voice tight with barely suppressed desire.
You pulled away, a slow, deliberate movement, your hips swaying provocatively as you turned to collect your scattered arrows from the targets. You knew he watched every line of your body, the flex of your muscles, the sensual rhythm of your every step. You felt his gaze like a tangible heat on your skin.
“Only with those brave enough to challenge me, Neteyam,” you tossed over your shoulder, a final, teasing shot. Your tail, you knew, gave away your own excitement, twitching subtly behind you. You heard him release a ragged breath, and a small, private smile touched your lips. He was always so transparent with you.
You didn’t even know when this started. You two have always had a good rapport with each other despite the two-year difference. The sharpness of your archery skills had earned you a place on his level when you two were still aspirants, and while you wouldn’t call him your best friend, you definitely have the best chemistry especially in the battleground. No one knows him like you do and no one knows you like he does.
Warriors around you have long seen what you two refuse to acknowledge and that is why, even at the ripe age of one and twenty, you still remained unmated. Without any prospects, too. Which is a non-issue for you. You’re not eager to get mated, anyway.
The sun began its slow descent during one of your usual trainings, painting the western sky in hues of orange and purple. The training grounds slowly emptied as warriors drifted away, their day’s exertions concluded. You remained, meticulously gathering your arrows, each one a testament to your skill. The soft thud of your bare feet on the ground was the only sound for a moment, save for the distant chirping of forest creatures.
A shadow fell over you. You didn’t need to look up to know it wasn’t Neteyam. The scent was different, heavier. A sense of unease pricked at your senses.
“Still here, Y/N?” A voice, rough and unpleasant, intruded on the quiet. Takrem. One of the clan's warriors known more for his brutish strength than his intellect or grace. His eyes, huge on his head, always seemed to linger too long on the women of the clan.
You continued collecting arrows, ignoring him, hoping he would simply move on. Your tail, which had been still, now twitched with irritation.
“Ignoring me again, are we?” he sneered, stepping closer. You felt his presence loom over you. “Too busy dreaming of the Olo’eyktan’s son, perhaps? You make it so obvious, the way you preen for him, the way your eyes follow him. Think batting your eyelashes will get you a mate, little orphan?”
You straightened, turning slowly to face him, your eyes narrowing. Your voice, when it came, was low and dangerous. “My parents died fighting for this clan, Takrem. They earned my place here, and I earn it every day with my bow, not with my eyes.”
He laughed, a harsh, grating sound. “Oh, you earn it, alright. With your pretty face and your even prettier body. Think you’re so special, don’t you? Always with Neteyam, always whispering in his ear. But he’s the Olo’eyktan’s son. He needs a Tsahik, a true leader, not a… a stray.” He took another step, his hand reaching out, fingers splayed as if to touch your arm. His words achieved its desired emotion from you, its truth gripping your heart. “Maybe you should try making yourself useful to other warriors, too. You might find it… enjoyable.”
Before his fingers could even brush your skin, a blur of blue and black streaked past you. Neteyam. He had come from nowhere, drawn by some unseen tether, and his eyes, when you saw them, were not the warm, teasing pools you knew. They were twin points of pure, unadulterated rage, glowing like embers in the twilight.
Takrem, caught off guard, stumbled back with a yelp when Neteyam grabbed him by the nape, effortlessly dragging him so he could face his fist, a blur of hardened bone and muscle, connected with his jaw. The crack echoed through the near-empty training grounds. Takrem’s head snapped back, his body reeling, and he crashed to the dirt in a heap.
Neteyam didn’t stop. He launched himself at the fallen warrior, his hands closing around Takrem’s throat. His knuckles were white, his teeth bared in a snarl. Takrem clawed at Neteyam’s arms, his face rapidly turning a sickly purple.
“You touch her again,” Neteyam snarled, his voice a guttural rasp, “and I will break every bone in your body. I will rip out your throat.”
The sound of pounding feet announced the arrival of other warriors, drawn by the commotion. They scrambled to intervene, their faces etched with alarm. Five of them wrestled Neteyam away from Takrem, who lay gasping, clutching his throat.
Neteyam fought them with a ferocity that stunned them all. He bucked and thrashed, his muscles coiling and flexing, each movement a desperate attempt to break free. He was a wild beast, consumed by a protective fury.
“Let me go!” he roared, his voice raw.
The warriors strained, their feet digging trenches in the dirt as they tried to hold him. He was too strong, too driven. With a sudden, explosive surge of power, he tore free from their grasp, sending two warriors sprawling. His eyes, still blazing, immediately found Takrem, who was now scrambling to his feet, fear etched on his face.
Neteyam lunged again. Takrem let out a whimpering cry, too slow to escape the onslaught. Neteyam’s fist aimed straight for Takrem’s face again.
“Neteyam!” Your voice, though not a shout, cut through the chaos like a sharp blade. It was low, firm, imbued with an authority that brooked no argument.
He froze after having delivered several punches, his arm hanging in the air, his body trembling with suppressed violence. His head snapped towards you, his eyes still burning, but a flicker of recognition, of obedience, began to dawn in their depths. The other warriors, relieved, let out collective breaths, their bodies slumping with exhaustion.
You walked towards him, your movements calm and deliberate, a stark contrast to the storm of emotion swirling around him. You reached him, your hand gently closing around his wrist, pulling his arm down. His muscles were rigid, his skin hot beneath your touch. You pulled him and he stood up, towering over you now but everyone knows who has the authority.
“What do you think you’re doing?” you asked, your voice quiet, but firm. Your gaze was steady, unwavering.
His chest heaved, his breathing ragged. He looked at you, then at Takrem, who was now backed against a tree, shaking. “He… he was harassing you, Y/N. He spoke to you with disrespect. He touched you.”
“He barely touched me, Neteyam,” you stated, your voice devoid of anger, yet laced with an undeniable disappointment. You looked around at the other warriors, their eyes wide, their faces a mixture of awe and concern. “You can’t act like this around your warriors. You are the son of the Olo’eyktan, the one they will follow into battle. Do you understand that?"
His head dropped, his gaze falling to the dirt, the fire in his eyes dimming, replaced by a sheepishness that was almost comical given his earlier rage. He looked like a scolded child. The contrast was stark, and the other warriors shifted uncomfortably, avoiding eye contact. They had seen him like this before, also so completely under your command.
You reached out, gently cupping his cheek, forcing him to meet your gaze. “You will apologize to Takrem, Neteyam. And then you will bring him to your father for appropriate punishment. After all, he’s done this to many women before. His actions deserve to be judged by the clan’s laws, not by your fists.”
He sighed, a long, weary sound, the fight draining from him. His shoulders slumped. He looked at you through his lashes, his eyes searching yours for any lingering anger. “Are you… are you alright?” he asked, his voice softer now, laced with concern. He reached for your hand, his fingers gently closing around your wrist, his thumb stroking your pulse point. “He truly didn't touch you?”
You shook your head. “I’m fine. But your hands…” You gestured to his knuckles, which were already swelling, a deep bruise blooming across them. “Come back to me. I’ll tend to your hands.”
He nodded, a silent agreement. He turned, his shoulders still tense, and walked towards Takrem, who flinched as he approached. The other warriors watched, a silent testament to the power you held over him. He spoke to Takrem in low tones, the words indistinguishable, but the meaning clear. Takrem, head bowed, nodded meekly.
You watched Neteyam lead Takrem away, a strange mix of pride and exasperation swirling within you. He was so fiercely protective, so passionately devoted. It was both endearing and, at times, utterly infuriating.
You returned to your arrows, finishing your task as the last vestiges of daylight bled from the sky. The air grew cool, a gentle breeze rustling through the leaves. Soon, Neteyam would return. You knew he would. He always did.
The stars, brilliant pinpricks of light, began to emerge in the velvet expanse above. The sounds of the forest, the rhythmic chirping of insects, the distant call of a hexapede, filled the silence. You sat on the packed earth, a small bowl of soothing herbs and a strip of clean cloth beside you, waiting.
A rustle in the undergrowth, and then he emerged from the shadows. Neteyam. He walked with a subdued air, his usual proud bearing tempered by a quiet humility. He approached you, his eyes meeting yours, a silent question in their depths.
“He will be punished,” he said, his voice flat, as he sat beside you, his large frame settling onto the ground. “My father… he understands.”
You nodded, taking one of his hands in yours. His knuckles were indeed swollen, the skin broken in places. You gently dabbed the herbal paste onto the wounds, the cool sensation a stark contrast to the heat of his skin.
“You know, for a warrior who is supposed to lead with wisdom and strategy, you often resort to brute force,” you chided, though a soft smile touched your lips.
He grunted, wincing slightly as you applied more paste. “Only for you...”
You wrapped the cloth around his hand, securing it with a careful knot. You then took his other hand, repeating the process. “That’s not valid, Neteyam. Do you hear me? Think of your reputation. The Olo'eyktan's son, always losing his temper because of some girl, resorting to brawling like a forest beast.“
He looked at you, there’s anger in them now, his jaw working. “My reputation means nothing if someone dares to disrespect you. If someone dares to threaten you. You— You are— I will not stand by while someone diminishes you.”
Your heart fluttered, a small, private forest ikran taking flight in your chest. His sincerity, his raw protectiveness, always disarmed you. You finished wrapping his second hand, then gently cupped his jaw, turning his face towards you.
“I know,” you whispered, your thumb tracing the strong line of his cheekbone. “And I appreciate it. But there are other ways. Ways that maintain your authority, your standing among the clan.”
He leaned into your touch, his eyes closing for a moment, savoring the warmth of your hand. “I’ll... I’ll do better next time.” He opened his eyes, his gaze locking with yours, a deep, soulful intensity.
The words hung in the air, heavy with emotion. You felt a familiar warmth spread through your chest, a gentle ache that was both sweet and profound. You are protective of him, too, with a fierceness that matched his own.
————————
You and Neteyam, two shadows among the leaves, moved with practiced grace. The forest pulsed with the rhythm of the wild, but your focus remained outward, scanning the horizon for any unnatural blight. The RDA's footprint, though distant, left a lingering unease.
You pointed a finger, tracing an invisible line across the distant mountains. “They’ve pushed further west. Two more patrols sighted yesterday, deeper into the territory.”
Neteyam’s gaze followed yours, his brow furrowing slightly. “That’s too close to the nesting grounds. What are they looking for?” His voice, a low rumble, held the edge of a predator.
You shrugged, a subtle shift of your shoulders. “Resources. Or perhaps they're testing our patience.” You glanced at him, a glint in your eye. “Or maybe we’re just getting soft, letting them creep so close.”
A low chuckle escaped his lips, deep and resonant. “Soft? We are prioritizing caution over a headlong charge, paskalin,” the way he drew out the endearment known only to him, sent a shiver down your spine. “I remember a time when a certain huntress would have been the first to advocate for reconnaissance before reckless engagement.”
“Reconnaissance is one thing. Paralysis is another,” you countered, your lips curling into a playful smirk. “Besides, I’m just trying to keep you on your toes. Someone has to remind the great Neteyam that even the mightiest warrior needs a nudge now and then.”
A rustle in the undergrowth, sharp and sudden, cut through the air. Neteyam stiffened, his hand dropping instinctively to the hilt of his knife. His eyes, usually warm, narrowed to slits, scanning the dense foliage with an intensity that could peel back layers of deception. You watched him, a flicker of amusement dancing in your own eyes. He was always so coiled, so ready.
Then, a small, spotted head poked through the leaves. A hexapede fawn, no larger than your torso, blinked up at you with wide, innocent eyes that were immediately marred with fear. It let out a soft bleat, then darted away.
A laugh, light and free, bubbled from your chest. You couldn’t help it. The stark contrast between Neteyam’s coiled tension and the tiny creature was too much. “False alarm, warrior. Your paranoia is showing.”
He relaxed, a slow exhalation of breath, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. “Better safe than sorry. My father always says…”
“Your father also says a true warrior knows when to laugh,” you finished for him, rolling your eyes playfully. “And right now, you look ridiculous.”
He stepped closer, his movements fluid, deliberate. “Perhaps. But you, huntress, are always like this. You remain so calm, so collected, even when danger, real or imagined, is at our doorstep.” His voice softened, admiration clear in its depths. “How do you do it? Be like that and still manage to question my decisions, challenge my authority, and make me want to prove myself to you?”
You met his gaze, a warmth spreading through you. The air thickened, charged with an unspoken current. “Perhaps,” you murmured, your voice dropping to a low, husky tone, “I just like seeing you rise to the challenge.”
He took another step, closing the distance between you until his warmth radiated against your skin. His eyes, dark as the deepest jungle night, held yours captive. “And do I?” His voice was a soft whisper, a breath against your ear.
Your eyes, drawn by an irresistible pull, drifted down to his lips. You imagined the press of them against yours, the taste of him. “You know you do, warrior…”
He caught the direction of your gaze, a knowing glint in his eyes. “Is that a challenge, too?”
You smiled then, a slow, languid curve of your lips, a smile that promised both mischief and surrender. You looked at his mouth again, then, deliberately, you ran your tongue along your own lower lip, a silent, undeniable invitation. Your fingers, light as a feather, found the hard curve of his bicep. The muscle flexed beneath your touch, a testament to his strength. He was a mountain of a man, taller than most, broader.
“You impress me, warrior…” you purred, the words a silken caress, threatening to unravel his carefully constructed composure. It wasn’t that he had much resolve left when it came to you, not really.
His hands, warm and firm, found the small of your waist, pulling you against him until no space remained between your bodies. He dipped his head, his lips brushing yours, a light, quick caress. “Do I impress you enough to allow that?” he breathed, his voice rough with suppressed desire.
You looked up at him, your heart hammering against your ribs. “More than enough, Neteyam…”
A soft groan escaped him, a sound of pure relief and burning hunger. He captured your mouth again, this time deeper, more invading, a hard, demanding kiss that stole your breath. His tongue, slick and urgent, swept into your mouth, tasting, exploring, claiming. You met his fervor with your own, your hands rising to tangle in the thick braids at the back of his head, pulling him closer still.
He broke the kiss, pulling back just enough to look into your eyes, his breath ragged. "I have wanted you. I want you so much," he rasped, his voice raw with emotion, "for so long. Every time you challenged me, every time you saved my life, every time you just looked at me…”
“Oh?” you cockily raised a non-existent brow, your fingers tracing the strong line of his jaw. “Were you plotting on me, warrior?” you teased.
He lowered his head again, bending at the waist now so his lips could reach the sensitive skin of your neck, sending shivers through you as you wrapped an arm around him. “I’ve tried, honestly,” he chuckled, kissing your neck. “You are far more elusive than a syìl.”
You giggled, your neck almost breaking at your attempt to evade his ticklish lips. Saying that as a skilled hunter who has caught a syìl, a deer with a keen sense of its surroundings, twice before is funny of him. “I shouldn't have been then?”
He fought the urge to groan, his hand tracing the curve of your back, then slipping beneath your loincloth, his fingers finding the bare skin on the back of your thighs. If you hadn’t been too elusive, he’s confident that you two would have had a child by now, no doubt.
He kissed you again, his hands, no longer gentle, roamed over your back, tracing the curve of your spine, pressing you tighter against his hard frame. When he finally broke the kiss, a ragged gasp escaped your lips, your vision swimming. You leaned your forehead against his, both of you breathing heavily, the jungle sounds fading into a distant hum.
“Here?” you whispered, the single word thick with question, a soft plea.
He blinked, his eyes unfocusing for a moment as if just remembering your location. Then, a primal glint ignited within them. Without another word, he scooped you up into his arms. A small yelp escaped your lips, a surprised sound that dissolved into a gasp as he cradled you against his chest. He moved with swift purpose, his powerful strides carrying you deeper into the dense undergrowth.
He found it: a secluded hollow, hidden behind a towering thicket of luminous plants, their soft glow casting an ethereal light. The ground was a carpet of thick moss, soft and inviting. He knelt, then gently lowered you onto the mossy bed, his eyes never leaving yours. As you settled, he leaned down, his lips finding yours once more, a soft, lingering kiss that promised everything.
His hands, no longer trembling with uncertainty but with raw, focused desire, moved to the fastenings of your garments. The straps and woven fabric fell away with practiced ease, revealing your skin to the soft, dappled light. He stripped your top first, his head dipping to kiss your breasts, sending shivers through you. Then your loincloth, the soft fabric sliding down your thighs. He took his time, his gaze devouring every inch of you as you lay exposed before him.
When you lay stark naked, the soft light illuminating your form, he paused. His eyes, dark and hungry, traced the curves of your body. A low growl rumbled in his chest, a sound of pure, unadulterated yearning. He leaned down, his lips trailing fire along your collarbone, down your neck, to the soft slope of your shoulder.
His mouth found your breast, suckling gently at first, then with increasing fervor, his tongue laving the taut peak of your nipple. A delightful hum vibrated in his chest as he drew you deeper into his mouth, tugging, teasing, eliciting a soft moan from your lips. Your fingers, tangled in his braids, pressed him closer, arching your back into his embrace.
Then, his fingers, warm and calloused, brushed against your most intimate skin. A jolt, sharp and exquisite, shot through you. Your hips involuntarily arched, a gasp catching in your throat. No one had ever touched you there, not like this. The sensation was foreign, overwhelming, and utterly thrilling.
A deep satisfaction bloomed in his eyes, a possessive glint. He watched your face, a mask of pleasure and surprise, as he gently, slowly, inserted a single finger into your slick folds. You were so tight, so warm, clenching around him, making his breath hitch.
He began a slow, rhythmic pressure, his finger sliding in and out, exploring the depths of you. All the while, his mouth continued its delicious assault on your breasts, suckling, nipping, leaving a trail of fire. His other hand traced the curve of your hip, his thumb stroking the sensitive skin of your inner thigh.
Then, he broke away from your breast, his tongue tracing a path down your abdomen, following the line of your navel. You watched him, mesmerized, as he moved lower, his intentions becoming terrifyingly clear. He kissed the soft skin of your inner thigh, his breath warm against you. Your hips instinctively tried to pull away, a protest forming on your lips. But he was quicker. His hands, firm and unyielding, tightened their hold on your thighs, spreading them wider, pushing your knees back until you were fully exposed to his hungry gaze. He dipped his head, his tongue flicking out, tasting you.
A gasp tore from your throat. The sensation was electrifying, a shockwave of pleasure that radiated through your entire body. His tongue, hot and wet, swirled around your clit, teasing, flicking, then circling with a deliberate rhythm. He pushed his face into you, his nose buried in your wet folds, inhaling your scent like the most precious of perfumes. His lips parted, drawing your clit into his mouth, suckling it with a voracious appetite.
You cried out, a raw sound, your body arching violently against the mossy ground. He devoured you, his tongue delving into your depths, swirling, licking, teasing, until your entire being vibrated with an unbearable pleasure. Your fingers dug into the soft moss, your back arched, your legs trembling uncontrollably. Wave after wave of exquisite sensation crashed over you, building higher and higher, until you were a writhing mess of pure, unadulterated bliss.
When he finally pulled away, your body spasmed with a final, shattering climax. You lay there, shaking, tears streaming silently down your temples, your breath coming in ragged gasps. Every nerve ending sang with a delicious ache.
He rose slightly, his face flushed, his eyes dark with triumph and lingering desire. He cooed softly, a tender sound, and leaned down to press a kiss to your damp forehead. “Still with me, baby?” he asked, his voice thick with affection. “What do you want?”
You blinked, slowly regaining your senses. A flush of indignation, mixed with a healthy dose of lingering pleasure, washed over you. You pinched his side, a sharp, playful jab. He chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound that vibrated through your body.
“Why am I the only one naked?” you demanded, your voice still a little breathless. “This is unfair…”
A wide grin spread across his face, a flash of white teeth in the dim light. He pushed himself up, his powerful form rising above you. You couldn’t help but stare, your gaze tracing the magnificent lines of his body. His broad shoulders, the sculpted planes of his chest, the ripple of muscle in his abdomen—he was a masterpiece of strength and grace. As he shed his loincloth, your breath hitched.
His cock, thick and long, sprang free, already engorged and glistening with a pearl of precum at its wide head. It pointed directly at your pussy, as if it knows its target. It seemed to pulse with a life of its own, eager, demanding.
A sudden, unexpected wave of fear washed over you. You tried to push yourself up on your elbows but his hand flew to your shoulder, gently pushing you to lie down again. “Neteyam…” you whispered, your voice laced with genuine apprehension. “I… I want to know. Will that fit? Have you seen yourself?” You gestured vaguely towards his impressive erection. Has this monster always been down there? “Will it hurt?”
He knelt between your thighs, his gaze softening, though the hunger in his eyes remained undimmed. He leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to your lips, then licked them. “It will fit, yes…” he murmured, his voice a soothing balm. “And baby, it will also hurt. But I’ll take care of you. Do you trust me?”
You swallowed, your throat suddenly dry. His sincerity, his tender concern, cut through your fear. You met his gaze, searching, then nodded, a small, decisive movement. “Yes. Yes,” you breathed, he pushed you back down onto the soft moss and you surrendered to him completely.
A slow, possessive smile curved his lips. He spread your thighs wider, positioning himself, his cock pressing against your wet entrance. He leaned down, kissing you deeply, his tongue invading your mouth as his body prepared to invade yours. His lips moved from your mouth to your neck, leaving a trail of fiery kisses, distracting you from the impending invasion.
Then, slowly, deliberately, he pushed. A sharp intake of breath escaped your lips as the thick head stretched your slick, tight folds. You clenched, instinctively trying to resist, but he held you firm, keeping your hips still. He waited, letting your body acclimate, letting the exquisite ache begin to transform into something else. The tip of him pressed deeper, a slow, agonizing stretch. You whimpered, a soft sound of pain and growing pleasure.
He pushed again, a little further, then paused, his eyes locked on yours, searching for your consent, for your acceptance. You nodded, your breath ragged, urging him on. With a low groan, he pushed again, slowly, inch by agonizing inch, until he was fully inside, stretching you to your limit. A sharp, searing pain, quickly followed by a rush of intense fullness, made your eyes water.
You cried out, a muffled sound against his shoulder as he leaned down to kiss you, absorbing your cries. He held himself still, letting your body adjust to the incredible stretch, letting the pain subside, letting the pleasure build. You felt him, thick and throbbing, filling you completely.
When your body began to relax around him, clenching and releasing in tentative pulses, he pulled back slightly until only the head remained inside, then pushed in deeper, a slow, deliberate rhythm. The initial pain had given way to an overwhelming sensation of being utterly filled, stretched, claimed. You wrapped your legs around his waist, pulling him closer, instinctively seeking more of this profound connection.
He began to move, a slow, deep thrust, withdrawing almost completely, then plunging back in, each stroke a testament to the years of yearning, all the fantasies he’d harbored. The air around you filled with the wet sounds of skin on skin, the rhythmic thud of his hips against yours. He was a man unleashed, his control slipping, his body driven by an insatiable hunger for you.
He thrust harder now, faster, his breath coming in ragged gasps, his eyes half-closed in a haze of pleasure. You met his rhythm, bucking your hips to meet each powerful stroke, your nails digging into the muscles of his back. The friction, the depth, the sheer power of his invasion, sent shivers through you. You felt yourself spiraling, caught in a tempest of sensation, every nerve ending alive and screaming for more.
His balls slapped against your ass with each powerful thrust, a rhythmic beat that echoed the frantic pounding of your heart. He groaned, a deep, guttural sound, pulling back to look into your eyes, his face contorted with raw passion. “Baby,” he rasped, his voice thick with emotion, “You’re so… so tight. So good.”
He slammed into you again, a deep, powerful thrust that made you cry out, your climax building swiftly, fiercely. You felt the delicious pressure building, a sweet, unbearable tension that promised to shatter you. He drove into you, over and over, his movements becoming frantic, desperate, pushing you to the brink. Your body convulsed around him, squeezing, milking him, as you cried out his name, your own climax exploding within you, a blinding flash of white-hot pleasure.
He groaned, his body tensing, shuddering. With a final, deep thrust, he buried himself to the hilt, his hips grinding against yours as he spilled his hot seed deep inside you, a torrent of liquid fire. He collapsed onto you, his heavy weight pinning you to the moss, his breath ragged against your neck, his body still trembling with the aftershocks of his release.
"Fuck, that was good..." you whispered, your voice still shaky.
He lifted his head, his eyes, dark and heavy-lidded, met yours. A tender smile touched his lips. "Understatement of the year. It was so much better than all of my fantasies," He kissed your forehead, then your nose, then your lips, a lingering, possessive kiss before he stared at you with eyes filled with emotions. You are his now, even though you don’t know that.
You smiled at him, tracing the strong line of his jaw. “I’ve imagined this, too, handsome...” you admitted.
He chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound that vibrated through your body. "Perhaps you should have stopped fighting my plotting sooner."
A bark of laughter tore at your throat but it sounded like bells in his ears. "Perhaps," you conceded, snuggling closer into his embrace. "But the tension… it made this all the more potent, didn't it?"
"It did," he agreed, tightening his arms around you. "But now… now there is only this. Only us."
————————
The next morning, a soft glow filtered through the leaves, painting the forest floor in dappled light. You stretched, feeling the delicious ache in your muscles, a testament to the night's exertions. Neteyam was already awake, propped on his elbow, watching you with a soft smile.
"Good morning, fierce huntress," he murmured, his voice still thick with sleep and something else, something tender and possessive.
"Good morning, mighty warrior," you returned, a smile curving your lips. "Did you sleep well?"
"Better than I have in years," he confessed, his hand reaching out to trace the line of your hip. "Knowing you are beside me… it is a peace I have not known."
"A peace you deserve," you said, leaning into his touch. "Though I suspect this will be short-lived once the council convenes."
He chuckled, a low rumble in his chest. "Indeed. They will be wondering why their two most volatile warriors are suddenly… quiet."
"Quiet?" you scoffed playfully. "Never. Not even this could make me shut up, Neteyam."
"And I don’t wish for you to shut up, paskalin. I have other ideas for your fiery mouth though," he teased, his eyes glinting.
You, too innocent to catch on his innuendo, are now focused on the actual reason you two are even here last night. “Speaking of the council. We have a mission.”
"I haven't forgotten," he replied, sitting up, grabbing your garments first and helping you clothe yourself. "And now, I have even more reason to ensure their defeat. To protect this home, and everyone in it." He met your gaze, his eyes filled with a new resolve as his fingers fixed your braids in place.
You grinned at him and cradled his cheek in your palm. “And I’ll do as I have always done... I'll protect you. Always, Neteyam.”
He reached out, pulling you into a fierce embrace, his lips finding yours for a deep, lingering kiss that promised a future beyond the war, a future filled with shared passion and unwavering loyalty.
————————
The war council tent hummed with a familiar tension. The air, usually thick with the scent of damp earth and crushed herbs, now carried a faint, metallic tang, a ghost of the RDA’s presence nearby. Neteyam stood in the center, a map etched into the table before him, his gestures precise as he outlined their next move.
"Their patrols along the eastern ridge have doubled," he announced, his voice cutting through the murmurs. "They’re establishing a new forward operating base, a supply depot for their ground units."
"A depot this far inland?" Ak’tan, the seasoned hunter, grunted, his brow furrowed. "They grow bolder with each passing cycle."
"Or more desperate," you countered, leaning against a support beam, your arms crossed. Your eyes, however, found Neteyam’s, a quick, knowing glance passing between you. He felt it, that sudden spark, a private language spoken in the crowded tent. "They’re stretching their supply lines thin, exposing themselves."
"Exactly," Neteyam affirmed, a subtle shift in his posture, a slight straightening of his shoulders as if your agreement amplified his conviction. "Their arrogance is a weakness. We exploit it."
"How?" another warrior, Sio, asked. "A direct assault would be costly. Their defenses will be heavy."
"We don’t assault," Neteyam explained, his finger tracing a winding path on the map. "We disrupt. A small, agile team. Infiltrate under cover of darkness, disable their communication arrays, sabotage their fuel cells. Blind them, then cut off their lifeline."
"And the air?" you inquired, your gaze locked on his, a playful challenge dancing in your eyes. "They’ll have air support. Scorpions, Samsons. They won’t let a ground team operate unmolested."
"That, paskalin," he said, his eyes glinting, "is where you come in."
A smirk played on your lips. "Of course."
A low chuckle escaped him, a sound that seemed to ripple through the tent, drawing curious glances. "Thanks. Your skills will be invaluable. You’ll draw their air support, create diversions, keep their eyes on the sky while we work below."
"A dangerous game," Ak’tan observed, his gaze traveling between you and Neteyam. "To face their air power alone."
"Not alone," you corrected, meeting Ak’tan's gaze with unwavering confidence. "I’ll have the sky. And I’ll have Neteyam’s team counting on me not to let them down." You turned back to Neteyam, your voice dropping slightly, for his ears only. "Don't get too comfortable down there, warrior. I expect a spectacular show from you."
"And I, from you, huntress," he replied, a challenge in his tone, a flicker of heat in his eyes. The air between you crackled, a palpable energy that made even the seasoned warriors around you shift uneasily. Neteyam was already dismissing them.
Lo’ak, seated near the edge of the circle, cleared his throat loudly. "Are we discussing strategy, or... are we just admiring each other’s battle prowess?"
A few snickers broke the tension. Most of the warriors are already making a bee-line toward the door. Neteyam shot Lo’ak a withering look. "We are discussing the survival of our clan, Lo’ak. Next time, pay attention."
"I am," Lo’ak insisted, eyes wide and innocent. "It’s just… the way you two look at each other. It’s like you’re having a whole other conversation in your heads."
You rolled your eyes, a small smile tugging at your lips as you gave the remaining warriors a nod, watching them go out. "Lo’ak, maybe you’re just tired. You’re reading too much into things."
Neteyam crossed his arms, his expression unreadable. "See, I told you that time you hit your head would one day result in this."
Lo’ak snorted. "I saw what I saw. I’m merely telling you two."
"We’re acting normally, I don’t know what you’re talking about," you chuckled, shaking your head.
"Exactly. Your normal is eye-fucking each other. Especially you, brother. You think you’re so slick—"
"Lo’ak!" Neteyam berated, his voice sharp, effectively shutting his younger brother up. Lo’ak visibly flinched, then slumped back, a knowing smirk playing on his lips despite the reprimand.
You two decided to behave in the next meetings that ensued, but the undercurrent of unspoken communication between you remained, a silent hum beneath the surface of tactical discussions. Every time you looked at the map, you felt his gaze on you. Every time you spoke, his eyes, dark and intense, sought yours. The tension was a living thing, a palpable force that pulled you together, even across the space of the council tent.
————————
After another gruelling council with the elders this time, the tent seemed to expand, the silence stretching between you. You moved to help Neteyam clear the map, rolling up the hides, gathering the small stones and twigs used to mark positions. He watched you, his movements slower than usual, his eyes following the curve of your back, the sway of your hips.
"You're very quiet, warrior," you observed, turning to face him, a playful glint in your eyes. "Lost your tongue?”
He stepped closer, his hand reaching out to brush a stray braid from your shoulder. "My tongue is perfectly capable, paskalin. It merely chooses its moments." His voice was a low rumble, sending a shiver down your spine.
"Oh?" you challenged, your breath catching in your throat as his fingers grazed your neck. "And is this one of those moments?"
He didn't answer with words. His mouth descended, claiming yours in a kiss that was both urgent and deliberate. You met him with equal hunger, your hands finding purchase on his chest, then sliding up to tangle in his braids. The kiss deepened, a silent conversation of desire, of the unspoken longing that had simmered between you all evening.
He pressed you against the rough bark of the support beam, his body a warm, solid weight against yours. Your hips bucked instinctively, grinding against his, a moan escaping your lips. The soft hide of your garments provided little barrier to the heat building between you.
His hands, surprisingly gentle yet firm, found the ties of your loincloth, working them loose. You gasped, pulling back slightly from the kiss. "Here?" you breathed, glancing around the empty tent.
"No one will disturb us," he rasped, his lips trailing a path down your jaw, to the sensitive skin of your neck. "They know when to leave us to our… discussions."
His fingers slid beneath the fabric, finding the warm, damp skin of your inner thigh. You arched into his touch, your body responding with a primal urgency. His thumb brushed over the delicate folds, sending a jolt of pure sensation through you.
"Neteyam," you whispered, your voice thick with desire.
He pulled back, his eyes, dark with lust, met yours. "You wanted to see a spectacular show, huntress?" he murmured, a predatory glint in his gaze. "I can provide one."
He knelt before you, his powerful frame folding with practiced ease. Your breath hitched as his eyes locked onto yours, a silent question passing between you. You nodded, your fingers tangling in his braids, pulling him closer.
His lips, warm and wet, found you, sending a shockwave of pleasure through your entire being. You gasped, your head falling back, a low moan escaping your throat. His tongue flicked, tasting, teasing, exploring every sensitive curve. You whimpered, your fingers clutching his hair, urging him on.
He worked his magic, his mouth a potent instrument of pleasure. You felt yourself unraveling, the world narrowing to the exquisite sensations his tongue and lips created. Your legs trembled, threatening to give way. You braced yourself against the support beam, your body arching, desperate for more.
The climax hit you like a sudden, violent storm, shaking you to your core. Your body convulsed, a cry tearing from your throat, echoing softly in the tent. He kept his mouth on you, lapping up your release, savoring every drop until your tremors subsided.
He rose, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "Spectacular enough, huntress?"
You were breathless, your legs still weak. "More than enough, warrior," you gasped, pulling him closer for a deep, hungry kiss. "More than enough."
————————
The forest was a symphony of night sounds, the bioluminescent flora casting an ethereal glow on the path. You moved with practiced stealth, your hand resting at your sheathed knife, your senses heightened. Neteyam walked beside you, his presence a comforting anchor in the vast wilderness. You were checking the perimeter again, a routine patrol that had become a pretext for stolen moments.
"The wind shifts to the north," you observed, your voice a low murmur. "Good for masking our scent from any stray RDA patrols."
"Or good for carrying the scent of prey to a hungry predator," Neteyam countered, his eyes scanning the dense canopy above before picking some utumauti fruit. "Always two sides to the same coin, paskalin."
"Always," you agreed, a small smile playing on your lips. "Which side are you on tonight, warrior? Predator or prey?"
He turned, his eyes glinting in the dim light. "With you, huntress, I am always the predator."
You chuckled softly. "A bold claim. I've seen you run from a charging sturmbeest."
"Only to lead it into a snare," he retorted, stepping closer, his hand brushing yours. "A tactical retreat, not a flight of fear."
You squeezed his hand, your fingers intertwining. "And what snare do you plan for me tonight?"
He led you off the main path, deeper into a thicket of willow trees, their long, flowing branches creating a private, secluded chamber. The air here was cooler, softer, filled with the scent of damp earth and sweet-smelling blossoms.
"This is our spot," he murmured, pulling you further in. "No prying eyes, no curious ears." He turned to face you, his hands cupping your cheeks, his thumbs tracing the lines of your cheekbones. His gaze was intense, possessive. "I want to teach you something new, paskalin."
Your heart quickened. "Oh?" you breathed, your eyes locking with his. "And what might that be, my mighty warrior?"
He pulled you to take a seat on the soft, mossy ground, with him leaning on a rock and pulling you close to his body. He handed you the fruit he picked earlier and you quickly peeled it off, taking it to your mouth and humming at its sweetness. You glanced at him when you felt his eyes on you, your forehead creasing when you caught him watching you intently.
You offered him the fruit and he bit on it without taking his eyes off you. You licked your lips wet and closed your thighs tightly, suddenly feeling too tingly. “What were you going to teach me?”
He cupped your cheek, his thumb finding your lower lip. “You know I put my fingers in you, right... When I want to pleasure you?” he asks, his cheeks burning up.
You cheekily smiled and nodded, “Yes. And I like it,” you said and adjusted yourself to lean more toward him. “Is there something like that... That I can do for you?“ Your golden eyes are practically shining in excitement now, making him laugh.
“Yes... There is,” he nodded at you, learning to kiss you sweetly.
You reared your head back to refuse for the kiss to go deeper. You’re too excited. “Show me.“
“Let’s kiss first,” he said and you’d have protested if he didn’t look so nervous, so you nodded and tilted your head up to give him your lips.
He kissed you hungrily, his hand on your waist pulling you close to him as if he wanted to weave you into his own skin but straddling him is the closest thing to that. His large hand spanned the side of your head, tilting it to the side so he could kiss your jaw, down to your neck. You moved your hips to grind your mound against the hard ridge poking it and he groaned.
His hand on your waist tightened to hold you still. You felt his hands move behind him and you know that he’s unfastening his loincloth. You broke the kiss to watch and his eyes didn’t leave yours, too, until he has freed himself from his garment. You looked down, your breath hitching at your throat. You’ll probably never get used to the daunting size of it... And yet you take it every time, when it comes to it.
You adjusted yourself so he could bring his cock properly between you two. “That...“ he said, his voice a low, rough growl. "With your hands."
Your cheeks flushed and a thrill of excitement coursed through you. You had seen him naked and felt him inside you several times before, but this raw, unapologetic display of his desire, coupled with his explicit instruction, was something entirely new.
"How," you whispered, your voice almost trembled.
He took your hand, his fingers guiding yours around his shaft. The skin was hot, velvety smooth, stretched tight over rigid muscle. You felt the pulse of him, the sheer power contained within. He guided your hand, showing you the rhythm, the pressure, the subtle movements that made him groan.
"Like this," he murmured, his eyes half-closed, his head falling back slightly as your touch intensified. "Yes, just like that, baby. You learn quickly."
You followed his lead, your fingers finding their own rhythm, mimicking the sensations he craved. He watched you, his gaze burning, a silent testament to the pleasure you were giving him. His hips began to thrust into your hand, his breathing growing ragged.
"Faster," he urged, his voice tight with suppressed desire. "More. You’re doing it perfectly."
You increased the speed, your hand moving with a newfound confidence. He groaned, a deep, guttural sound that vibrated through your bones. His eyes snapped open, locking onto yours, filled with a raw, primal intensity.
"Eywa," he gasped, his body tensing, "I'm close."
You continued, matching his frantic pace, until he convulsed in your hand, his seed spurting, hot and thick, onto your fingers. He cried out, a powerful, primal sound, his body trembling as he emptied into your palm.
He collapsed against you, his head buried in the crook of your neck, his breath ragged. You held him, your fingers still slick with his release, feeling the tremors that wracked his powerful frame.
"You are a great teacher, warrior," you murmured, a triumphant smile on your lips as you brought your fingers to your mouth, tasting him.
He lifted his head when he heard you hum, his eyes heavy-lidded, a deep satisfaction etched on his face. "And you, a most eager student, huntress." He kissed your fingers, now spotless after you’ve licked them clean then looked at you, a possessive glint in his gaze. "Next time, your mouth."
————————
The next few weeks became a dance of stolen moments. War council meetings were filled with a heightened, almost electric tension between you and Neteyam. Your banters became sharper, laced with double meanings only you two understood. Your glances lingered, your smirks more knowing. The other warriors, though oblivious to the full extent of your clandestine activities, sensed the shift. Lo’ak, however, remained stubbornly perceptive.
One evening, after a particularly grueling council session dissecting RDA drone patterns, you and Neteyam were the last to leave. You were rolling up the map, your movements fluid, when Neteyam’s hand brushed your hip, a quick, possessive caress that sent a jolt through you.
"Their drone coverage is denser than expected," he murmured, his voice low, his eyes scanning the empty tent. "We'll need to adapt our approach."
"Adaptability is our strength," you replied, your voice equally hushed, your gaze meeting his. "Perhaps a distraction, a feint in the north to draw their aerial eyes away from the eastern depot."
"A sound strategy," he agreed, his eyes lingering on your lips. "But it would require a significant aerial presence."
"I am significant," you challenged, a playful glint in your eyes. "And my ikran is faster than any of their metal birds."
"I do not doubt it," he said, stepping closer, his hand finding the small of your back, pulling you gently towards him. "But I would prefer you did not face their full force alone."
“This huntress does not fear a challenge," you whispered, your hands resting on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart.
He leaned in, his lips brushing your ear. "No, but her warrior fears for her."
Just as his mouth was about to claim yours, the hide flap of the tent rustled, then opened. Lo’ak stood there, a sheepish expression on his face.
"Forgot my knife," he mumbled, his eyes widening as he took in your proximity, your hands on Neteyam’s chest, the palpable tension in the air.
You reacted instantly, pushing Neteyam away with surprising force, almost sending him stumbling. He caught himself, a look of annoyance mixed with amusement on his face as he looked at his brother.
Lo’ak, however, burst out laughing. "Eywa! You two are ridiculous! I knew it! I knew something was going on!"
"Lo’ak, go!" Neteyam growled, his face flushed.
"My knife!" Lo’ak insisted, pointing to the spot where he’d left it. He retrieved it, still chuckling. "You know, for two of the fiercest warriors in the clan, you two act like startled hexapede fawns."
"Go, Lo’ak!" you snapped, trying to regain your composure, your own cheeks burning.
"I’m just saying," Lo’ak continued, shaking his head as he backed out of the tent, "the way you two look at each other, the way you banter… it’s practically indecent in the council tent. You’re going to do some shady shit here and don't even try to deny it." He laughed again, the sound echoing as he disappeared.
You and Neteyam stood in silence for a moment, the aftermath of Lo’ak’s observation hanging heavy in the air. Then, Neteyam let out a low chuckle.
"He's not wrong," he admitted, a wry smile on his lips. "I was definitely eye-fucking you."
You punched his arm playfully. "You were practically drooling."
"Only because you look so hot when you challenge me," he countered, pulling you back into his embrace. "It makes me want to put you in your place."
"Oh?" you challenged, your eyes gleaming. "And what place is that, Neteyam?"
He bent down, his lips brushing your ear. "Under me, paskalin. Always under me."
He kissed you then, a deep, hungry kiss that banished all thoughts of Lo’ak and council meetings. The brief interruption had only heightened the desire, made the forbidden taste even sweeter.
————————
The next evening, you and Neteyam were deep in the forest, supposedly checking the perimeter for RDA incursions but found yourself now at a small, hidden clearing, shielded by massive roots and hanging vines. Your secret spot, the one he’d found for you.
The faint scene of damp soil and blooming plants hung in the still air. You knelt before him, the cool, mossy ground pressing into your knees, your eyes locked on his. Neteyam, propped against a smooth, ancient stone, watched you with an intensity that made your skin prickle. The air hummed with an unspoken promise, thick and potent.
“Are you ready?” His voice, a low rumble. His hand found the intricate braids framing your face, a gentle tug guiding your head closer to the swollen, purple head of his cock. It stood proud, thick and rigid, slick with a single bead of pre-cum that glistened in the muted light.
You met his gaze, a slow, knowing smile spreading across your lips. “Was I ever not?” Your eyes, dark and gleaming, held no trace of hesitation, only a burning eagerness. You leaned in, the tip of your tongue tracing the slick crown, tasting the musky saltiness that made your own mouth water. A soft gasp escaped him, a sound that thrilled you.
“Good, baby,” he breathed, his fingers tightening in your braids, a silent command. “Take it slow.”
Your lips parted to take him in slowly. The heat of him filled your mouth, a sensation both alien and utterly intoxicating. You felt the thick ridge of its head slide against the roof of your mouth as you took more, your cheeks hollowing, your throat working to accommodate his impressive length.
He groaned, a deep, guttural sound that seemed to come from his very core. His hips twitched, a subtle movement against the rock behind him. “That’s it, baby...” he murmured, his fingers still held your braids, a firm, guiding pressure, encouraging you to go deeper, to explore every inch.
You pulled back slightly, just enough to let the air rush into your lungs, your eyes never leaving his. A thin strand of saliva connected your mouth to the slick head of his cock, stretching and breaking. You licked your lips, tasting him, before diving back down, this time with more confidence, more hunger. Your tongue swirled around the ridge, then sucked him in with a steady pressure.
You worked him, your head bobbing, your throat stretching. You felt the tremors start in his body, a subtle shiver that ran through his powerful frame. “Oh, baby,” he gasped, his head falling back against the rock, eyes half-closed, heavy-lidded with burning pleasure. His grip on your braids loosened, his fingers now threading through the loose strands, a soft caress. “You’re so good. So goddamn good.”
You grinned, a small, triumphant curve of your lips, and continued your work, your pace quickening. You wanted to push him over the edge, to hear the raw, uninhibited sounds of his release. Your tongue flicked, danced, teased, then swallowed him as much as you could, sucking hard, pulling him into the depths of your mouth.
A guttural cry tore from his chest, a sound of pure pleasure. His hips bucked, arching off the rock, and a thick, hot gush of cum exploded into your mouth. It was a torrent, warm and salty, filling your mouth, coating your tongue. You swallowed, instinctively, greedily, taking every drop, not wanting to waste a single bit of him. He pulsed inside your mouth, emptying himself completely, his body trembling, collapsing back against the rock.
You held him there, letting the last tremors subside, then slowly, deliberately, pulled away. Your mouth was slick with his essence, your chin glistening. You looked up at him, your eyes still locked on his, a challenge, a question in their depths. His chest heaved, his breathing ragged, his face flushed. He was weak, utterly spent, but his eyes, though heavy-lidded, still burned with an intense desire as he watched you.
You ran your tongue over your lips, cleaning away the last traces of his cum, then leaned down, licking the length of his cock, from the tip all the way down to the base, cleaning every drop as he has always done with you. You licked the underside of his shaft, leaving him pristine. You caressed him softly, your palm cupping his cock gently, feeling the warmth radiating from him.
You pushed yourself up onto your hands and knees, still kneeling before him, your body radiating heat, a triumphant smile playing on your lips. Neteyam, head still resting against the rock, watched you with eyes gleaming with a raw, primal look in them. He was beautiful in his vulnerability, his broad chest rising and falling with each labored breath.
You leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss to his muscled abdomen, then another, trailing a path up his chest. Your hand, still around his cock, gently stroked him, feeling the soft, warm skin, the subtle twitch beneath your fingers. His hips shifted, a small, involuntary movement, a testament to the lingering arousal that still simmered within him.
“Was I good?” you teased, your voice low, husky with satisfaction, your lips brushing against his warm skin. You looked up at him, your eyes sparkling with mischief.
He chuckled, a rough, breathy sound that vibrated through his chest. “Good?” he repeated, his eyes finally opening fully, meeting yours. “Understatement. I almost forgot where we are, baby.” He reached out, his fingers tracing the curve of your jaw, his thumb brushing your lower lip, still swollen from your ministrations. “You were incredible. You have a natural talent for making me lose my mind.”
You grinned, a flash of white teeth. “Let’s do this again.” You leaned in closer, your fingers still circling his cock, making it twitch again. “With you standing. Fuck my mouth or something.” You pulled away slightly, your hand rising to caress your own throat, your fingers tracing the delicate hollow there. “I want to feel you here. Deep. Feel you fill me, right here.” Your eyes, dark and burning, met his, challenging him, promising him more.
His breath hitched. His gaze dropped to your fingers on your throat, then back to your eyes, a fierce, hungry glint igniting within them. He groaned, a deep, primal sound that resonated through the forest. In one swift motion, he pulled you forward by the nape of your neck, his mouth crashing down on yours, a desperate, raw kiss that stole your breath and promised an eternity of exquisite pleasure.
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The mission to disrupt the RDA supply depot was set for the next moonless night. The air crackled with anticipation, a mix of tension and grim determination. Neteyam gathered his ground team, their faces painted with war markings, their weapons honed. You stood apart, your Ikran a dark silhouette against the fading light, its massive wings occasionally rustling.
"Remember the plan," Neteyam commanded, his voice low, yet carrying through the gathering gloom. "Stealth is paramount. We move like shadows, strike like viperwolves. No unnecessary confrontations. Our goal is disruption, not eradication."
“And if we encounter resistance?" one of the younger warriors, Ru’nak, asked, his voice betraying a hint of nervousness.
"Then we fight," Neteyam replied, his eyes hardening. "But we fight smart. Preserve yourselves, preserve the mission." He turned his gaze to you. "Y/N, you have your orders. High cover. Prioritize their air assets. If a Scorpion or Wasp gets close, you take it down."
"Consider it done," you confirmed, your voice steady. "They won't touch your team, Neteyam."
"And I expect you to return," he said, his eyes locking with yours, a private message passing between you. "Both of you."
You nodded, a fierce determination in your gaze. "Always."
With a final nod, Neteyam led his ground team into the dense jungle, disappearing into the shadows. You mounted your ikran, the familiar leathery skin warm beneath you. A surge of adrenaline coursed through your veins. This was your domain, the vast, open sky.
You soared upwards with a war cry, your ikran a silent hunter in the night. Below, the jungle was a tapestry of dark greens and blues, punctuated by the occasional glow of bioluminescent plants. You located the RDA depot, a sprawling complex of metal structures and harsh, artificial lights, a festering wound on the face of Pandora.
Suddenly, a blip appeared on your comm link, a warning from Neteyam. "Airborne contact. Two Samsons closing fast."
"Understood," you replied, your voice calm, even as your heart pounded. "I see them."
Two sleek, metallic Samsons, smaller and faster than the heavy Scorpions, detached themselves from the depot’s perimeter, their searchlights cutting through the darkness. They were fast, designed for rapid interception.
"They're coming for me," you muttered, a predatory smile spreading across your lips. "Good. I’m letting them."
You pushed your ikran into a steep dive, then pulled up sharply, using the dense canopy as cover. The Samsons, although designed for open air combat, struggled to maneuver through the twisting branches. Their pilots, accustomed to clear skies, were disoriented.
"They're clumsy," you reported, a hint of disdain in your voice. "Like flies in a spiderweb."
"Don't get cocky, paskalin," Neteyam warned, his voice tight. "They still carry heavy firepower."
"And I carry a sharper arrow," you countered.
You circled, drawing the Samsons deeper into the maze of trees. Their searchlights danced wildly, trying to pinpoint your location. You waited, patient, calculating. Then, you saw your opening. One Samson, attempting a tight turn, exposed its underbelly.
You dove, your ikran screaming through the air, a blur of blue and red. Your bow was already drawn, the arrow a silent, deadly projectile. It struck the engine housing, a dull thud followed by a shower of sparks. The Samson sputtered, losing altitude, then exploded in a fiery ball, crashing into the jungle below.
"One down," you announced, your voice devoid of emotion. "One more to go."
The remaining Samson, now wary, pulled back, its pilot more cautious. It hovered, its weapons locked onto your last known position. But you were already gone, a ghost in the trees.
You circled high above, waiting. Below, you heard the faint sounds of skirmishes, the distant crackle of RDA weapons, the cries of your clan. Neteyam’s team was engaging the ground forces. You had to keep the sky clear.
The Samson finally made a move, cautiously advancing towards the ground skirmish. You saw your chance. You dropped from the sky, a silent, deadly predator. The Scorpion’s pilot, focused on the ground, didn't see you until it was too late.
Your ikran slammed into the Samson, a jarring impact that sent shivers through your body. You held on tight, your bow already aimed. You fired, the arrow piercing the cockpit, silencing the pilot instantly. The Samson, now pilotless, spiraled downwards, crashing with a deafening roar.
"Air clear," you reported, your breath coming in ragged gasps. Your ikran let out a triumphant cry, circling above the battleground. "The sky is ours."
"Understood," Neteyam’s voice crackled, relief evident in his tone. "We're almost at the communication arrays. Keep watch for reinforcements."
You watched, a silent guardian, as Neteyam’s team moved like shadows through the depot. You saw him, a blur of blue, moving with lethal efficiency. He was a force, a storm of controlled violence. You felt a surge of pride, a fierce, possessive joy. He was yours, and you were his.
Suddenly, a new blip appeared on your comm. "Heavy air contact! Scorpion gunship, inbound from the south!" Neteyam’s voice was urgent.
A Scorpion. A massive, heavily armed gunship, a flying fortress. This was different. This was a true challenge.
"I see it," you replied, your jaw tightening. "It's coming for the depot."
"You can't take that alone, Y/N!" Neteyam warned, his voice laced with concern. "Fall back! Draw it away!"
"No," you declared, your voice firm, resolute. "Not while you are still on the ground, warrior."
You pushed your ikran into a full assault, soaring directly towards the incoming Scorpion. It was a massive target, its rotors churning the air, its weapons array bristling. You were a tiny speck against its imposing bulk, but you were also faster, more agile.
You weaved and dodged, avoiding the Scorpion’s initial volley of fire. It was like dancing with death, each near-miss a chilling whisper against your skin. You needed to get close, to find a weakness.
"I'm drawing its fire!" you yelled into the comm. "Hit those arrays, Neteyam! Now!"
Below, you saw flashes of explosions as Neteyam’s team breached the arrays. Good. You had bought them time.
The Scorpion roared, its heavy machine guns spitting fire. You felt the wind of the bullets as they tore through the air around you. Your ikran cried out, a small wound appearing on its wing. You groaned at the sight of it.
"Hold fast, Frakrr," you murmured, patting its neck. "We are almost there."
You dove directly beneath the Scorpion with guttural, angry roar for your wounded mount, a risky maneuver. Its heavy guns couldn't track you at such close range. You flew up its underbelly, ignoring the frantic attempts of its smaller turrets to engage you. You saw it, the fuel lines, exposed and vulnerable.
You drew your last arrow, a specially tipped incendiary. You aimed, your entire being focused on that one shot. You released.
The arrow struck true, piercing the fuel line. A small flicker, then a gush of highly flammable liquid. The Scorpion shuddered, then a massive explosion ripped through its underbelly, tearing it apart from the inside. The massive gunship disintegrated in a spectacular fireball, raining debris down on the jungle below. You pulled your Ikran away, soaring clear of the inferno, your body aching, your heart pounding.
"Scorpion down," you reported breathlessly, your voice rough with exertion. "The sky is clear. Again."
A moment of silence, then Neteyam’s voice, filled with an emotion you couldn't quite place. "Baby… you are insane."
You chuckled, a tired, triumphant sound. "And you, warrior, are alive. Mission accomplished."
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The aftermath was a mix of exhaustion and exhilaration. Neteyam’s team returned to the Hometree, tired but victorious. The RDA depot was crippled, its communication arrays destroyed, its fuel cells sabotaged. The impact of the Scorpion’s explosion had sent shockwaves through the jungle, a clear message to the Sky People.
You and Neteyam met at the edge of the ikran roost, your ikran now being tended to by the healers. He walked towards you, his face streaked with grime and war paint, but his eyes, when they met yours, were clear and intense. He grabbed you gently by the nape and pulled you to him, your face hitting his chest before he wrapped his other arm around you in a fierce, possessive embrace.
"You were reckless," he said, his voice low, a hint of anger in it. "You could have been killed."
"But I wasn't," you countered, meeting his gaze defiantly. "And your team is safe. The mission is complete."
He reached out, his hand gently cupping your cheek, his thumb tracing the faint line of a new scar near your temple. "I watched that Scorpion fall. My heart stopped."
"A warrior's heart should be stronger than that," you teased, leaning into his touch.
"Not when it beats for you, paskalin," he murmured, his voice rough with emotion. "Never when it beats for you."
You wrapped your arms around him, burying your face in the crook of his neck, inhaling the familiar scent of him. "You did well, Neteyam," you whispered. "You always do."
He pulled back, just enough to look into your eyes. "And you, huntress," he said, his gaze burning, "you are magnificent. The fiercest warrior I know."
He kissed you then, a kiss that tasted of victory, of relief, of a love that had blossomed in the crucible of war.
Later, the central clearing of Hometree thrummed with celebration. Fires danced, casting long, flickering shadows against the massive trunks, illuminating faces painted with joy. The air sang with the rhythm of drums and the sweet scent of roasted hexapede lathered with honey. On a raised dais, adorned with vibrant flora, sat the Sully family, their presence a quiet anchor amidst the joyous chaos. Jake and Neytiri watched their people, their faces etched with pride.
Neteyam, however, did not watch the dancers or the feasting. His gaze, steady and unwavering, found you. You sat on the ground, a cluster of orphaned children gathered around you, their small faces upturned, utterly captivated. Your hands moved, painting vivid pictures in the air as you spun tales of ancient hunts and brave warriors. A soft laugh bubbled from your throat, infectious, and the children erupted in giggles. One small girl, her eyes wide with wonder, reached out to touch your braid, and you smiled, ruffling her hair. Neteyam’s lips curved, a private, tender smile that only grew as he watched you, bathed in the firelight.
Neytiri, ever attuned to her eldest, followed his gaze. Her eyes softened as she saw you, a radiant presence among the young ones. She knew this look on Neteyam’s face, had seen it many times before, subtle yet persistent, whenever you were near. A quiet knowing settled on her features, a silent approval for the path her son seemed destined to walk. She smiled to herself, a gentle, almost imperceptible movement of her lips, happy for the future she saw unfolding before them.
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The war council tent, usually a sanctuary of strategic thought, felt charged tonight, thick with an unspoken tension that had nothing to do with the looming RDA threat. Neteyam stood before the map, his back to the entrance, a silhouette against the bioluminescent markings. His voice, usually a steady current, held a sharp, almost brittle edge as he detailed his plan.
"Their new weapon shipments," he began, his finger tracing a path deep into enemy territory, "they’re moving them through the Northern pass. Heavily guarded, but also predictable."
"Predictable, perhaps," you countered, your voice cutting through the hushed murmurs of the other warriors, "but impenetrable. That pass is a known choke point. Their heavy artillery will be dug in, covering every angle."
He turned, his eyes, dark and unyielding, meeting yours across the space. "Which is why we won't assault it directly. We go for the source. A preemptive strike on the storage facility before they move the payload."
Ak’tan grunted, a low, rumbling sound. "Deep behind enemy lines. A suicide mission, Neteyam."
"Not if executed with precision," he replied. "A small, agile team. In and out before they even realize what hit them. Sabotage the weapons caches. Make them useless."
"And the approach?" you pressed, stepping forward, your arms crossed. "Their air patrols are relentless in that sector. Scorpions. They won't miss a ground team, no matter how 'agile'."
"That’s why you're here. You’ll draw their attention. A diversion,” Kinul, a warrior in Neteyam’s meticulously chosen team, answered.
Neytiri produced a short, sharp sound. "A diversion? You want the girl to lead a fleet of their metal birds on a merry chase while you sneak into their nest? This isn't a game. That’s a suicide mission for her.”
You bit your lip as silence followed Neytiri’s comment. You figured no one would speak after her. You can’t afford to not side with Neteyam when his authority is being questioned, especially by his mother.
“I guess it wouldn’t be easy," you conceded, gazing at the map. "But I’m the only one who can do it. Their air assets will be focused on me, giving the assault team the window they need on the ground."
"And if they overwhelm you?" Neytiri asked, her voice low, a challenge hanging in the air. "If you fall?"
Neteyam groaned from across the room but you didn’t look at him. “Then the clan will have to avenge me,” you said easily, refusing to dwell on things.
“Stop,” Neteyam’s voice boomed from where he is.
You turned to him. “I’ll bring an aerial team. Lo’ak and Entu. We'll give your plan a chance,” you told him. His eyes softened, just for a fleeting moment, a spark of concern visible beneath the warrior's facade.
Jake, sitting beside Neteyam shook his head. "This mission is asking too much," he stated, his voice flat. "This isn't a supply depot, Neteyam. This is a fortress. They’ll have ground-to-air defenses, too. You’ll be walking into a trap.
"I've considered all angles," Neteyam insisted, his voice firm, shutting down further argument. "The risk is calculated. The reward is worth it. Crippling their heavy weapons will save countless lives." He swept his gaze across the council. "I know it’s dangerous. But it must be done. I will lead the ground team. Who will join me?"
A ripple of unease passed through the warriors. Even the bravest among them hesitated. You tilted your head, “I will.”
Neteyam’s eyes didn’t leave you, his face unreadable as he watched you. You stared back, a storm brewing in your gut. You wanted to argue more, this is reckless, there are impossible odds he was setting for himself, but you’ll follow him wherever and you know that. The image of him, exposed and vulnerable on the ground, flashed through your mind. You couldn't leave him. You never could.
"I will," Ak’tan followed you, his voice gruff. Others followed, their loyalty to Neteyam overriding their apprehension.
"Neteyam," you called, your voice tight, “if you get so much as a scratch, I will personally tie you to a tree and leave you for the viperwolves."
A genuine, albeit brief, smile touched his lips. "I wouldn't expect anything less, paskalin. It will be alright. I promise."
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The predawn air tasted of damp leaves and the metallic tang of fear. You watched Neteyam’s team disappear into the dense undergrowth, moving like ghosts, their forms swallowed by the pre-dawn gloom. Your heart hammered against your ribs, a frantic drumbeat against the silence. It will be alright, he'd said. A hollow promise in the face of what lay ahead.
You mounted your ikran, Frakrr, its massive wings beating silently, lifting you into the still, dark sky. Entu and Lo’ak away on your rear. The air grew colder, thinner, as you ascended, the world below shrinking into a tapestry of shadows. You flew high, a silent guardian, your eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of RDA air patrols.
An hour passed, slow and agonizing. Below, the forest remained quiet, undisturbed. Too quiet. There is no presence of the Scorpions you thought you would face. Your comm link crackled, Neteyam’s voice, strained.
"We're in position," he whispered, the sound of distant, muffled alarms just audible. "They've detected us. Engaging."
Then, chaos. A sudden burst of gunfire erupted from the ground, followed by the roar of heavy machinery. Not the muted sounds of a stealth mission, but a full-blown firefight. Your blood ran cold.
"Neteyam!" you yelled into the comm. "What's happening?"
"Too many!" his voice, raw with effort, came through fragmented. "We're surrounded!"
Your ikran let out a guttural cry, mirroring the terror that seized your heart. You pushed Frakrr into a dive, plummeting towards the inferno below. The forest floor exploded with light, a blinding array of searchlights and muzzle flashes. You saw them then: a swarm of RDA soldiers, far more than anticipated, their armored forms swarming Neteyam’s small team.
They weren't just soldiers; some were in AMP suits, their hulking forms casting long, menacing shadows, their heavy cannons spitting fire. Neteyam’s team, caught in the open, fought valiantly, but they were being overwhelmed, pushed back, their numbers dwindling.
You saw Neteyam, his movements a blur of lethal grace, taking down two soldiers with his bow. But then an AMP suit, its massive arm swinging, sent him sprawling. He scrambled to his feet, but another soldier was on him, then another. There were too many. They were cornering him.
A primal scream tore from your throat, a sound of pure, unadulterated rage and terror. You pushed Frakrr harder, faster, a blue and red streak descending from the heavens. You saw them closing in, their weapons aimed. They were going to kill him. Lo’ak and Entu followed your descent.
Just as you descended, a familiar roar echoed through the sky. Neytiri, on Sa’ata, soared into view, followed closely by Jake, his ikran a blur of blue. They had seen you, seen your desperate dive, and followed.
"Neteyam!" Neytiri’s fierce war cry sliced through the din of battle.
Below, Neteyam was on his knees, his hands bound, his head bowed. His team, what remained of them, were similarly subdued, surrounded by a menacing circle of RDA soldiers and AMP suits. The clan's fiercest warriors, skilled in stealth, caught like common prey.
You didn’t hesitate. Your bow was already drawn, an arrow nocked. You moved instinctively, a blur of motion, your heart a cold, hard knot of fury. An RDA soldier, adjusting the scope on his rifle, aimed directly at Neteyam’s head. Your arrow flew, a silent, deadly whisper, burying itself in the soldier’s neck. He dropped, a choked gurgle escaping his lips.
Another soldier, piloting a smaller, agile robot designed for close-quarters combat, moved to stand over Neteyam. Your next arrow found the robot’s optical sensor, blinding it. The machine sputtered, then toppled.
You were a force of nature, your arrows finding their marks with sickening precision. You targeted the pilots wearing AMP suits, the exposed joints of their armor, the communication arrays on their backs. Each shot was a prayer, a curse, a desperate plea to Eywa to protect him.
From above, Neytiri’s arrows rained down, each one a testament to her legendary skill, finding gaps in armor. Jake, dismounting his ikran, unleashed a volley of gunfire from his assault rifle, the alien weapon spitting fire and death. Lo’ak, too, dropped to the ground, his own rifle barking, his movements swift and sure.
The RDA soldiers, caught between a relentless aerial assault and a sudden, brutal ground attack, faltered. Confusion spread through their ranks. You saw your chance. You dismounted Frakrr, landing silently amidst the chaos, your knife already in hand.
A soldier turned, his rifle coming up. You were faster. Your knife flashed, finding the soft spot beneath his helmet. He crumpled. You moved to another, a blur of motion, a terrifying, avenging spirit. Your rage was a cold, pure fire, burning away all thought, leaving only the instinct to kill, to protect.
You fought your way through the remaining soldiers, your eyes fixed on Neteyam. The last AMP suit, its pilot already wounded by Neytiri, tried to bring its cannon to bear. You dodged, and with a desperate lunge, plunged your knife into the exposed neck of the pilot. The suit shuddered, then went still.
Silence descended, broken only by the ragged breaths of the survivors. The ground was littered with the fallen, a stark testament to the ferocity of the battle. You knelt beside Neteyam, your hands trembling as you worked at his bindings. Lo’ak and Entu attended the others.
A cut was bleeding above his brow, but his eyes, when they met yours, were alight with a mixture of relief and something else, something almost like… joy?
"Are you hurt?" you demanded, your voice hoarse, your fingers fumbling with the cuffs.
He didn't answer. The moment you freed his hands, he pulled you into a crushing embrace, his arms tightening around you, pulling you against his chest. You clung to him, your body trembling, the adrenaline finally receding, replaced by a wave of nausea.
"I told you," you whispered fiercely, pushing against his chest, trying to pull away, "I told you, one scratch! You almost—"
You looked up at him, ready to unleash the full force of your fury, but his face was split by a wide, brilliant smile. A smile that reached his eyes, crinkling the corners, making him look young and utterly foolish. He was happy.
"You came for me," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion, his eyes shining.
Your jaw dropped. The rage that had been simmering beneath the surface exploded. "Are you smiling?" you hissed, your voice trembling with disbelief. "You were caught! They almost killed you! You promised me it would be alright! You promised!" You pushed him again, harder this time, your hands finding the rigid curve of his bow. You shoved it into his chest, a desperate, angry gesture. "You cannot do this again! Do you hear me? You cannot do this to me again!"
He reached for you, but you spun away, tears blurring your vision. You sprinted towards Frakrr, leaping onto its back with a desperate cry. You dug your heels into its flanks, sending it soaring upwards, away from him, away from the scene of near disaster, away from the foolish, infuriating smile that had almost broken you.
Neytiri watched you go, then turned to Neteyam with dagger eyes. Jake, holstering his rifle, walked over, a weary look on his face.
"Best you go after her, son," Jake said, his voice laced with exasperation. "She seems pretty upset, and you're being stupid."
Neteyam, still smiling faintly, looked from the retreating speck of your ikran to his father. "She was amazing, Dad. Did you see her?"
"I saw her, Neteyam," Jake replied, his voice flat. "I also saw you on your knees, about to get your head blown off. Go. Now."
Neteyam nodded, the smile finally fading as the weight of your anger settled on him. He turned to Lo’ak, who was already mounted on his ikran. "Lo’ak, give me a ride. Mine’s back at the Hometree."
Lo’ak raised an eyebrow, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. "Took you long enough, brother. Better hurry, she looks like she could spit fire."
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The ikran roost at Hometree was a cacophony of squawks and rustling wings, but you barely registered it. You paced the wide platform, your heart still pounding, a cold knot of fear and fury twisting in your gut. Frakrr, sensing your distress, nudged you gently with its head.
Then, Neteyam landed on the roost with Lo’ak on Lo’ak’s ikran. He dismounted, his eyes immediately finding yours. He started towards you, his steps hesitant. "Paskalin," he began, his voice soft, "baby, wait."
You whirled around, your eyes blazing. "Don't 'baby' me, Neteyam! Don't you dare!"
He tried to reach for your hand, his fingers brushing yours. "Come on… baby, I’m so sorry." His voice, though, held a forced sincerity, a hint of that infuriating amusement still lingering beneath the surface. He was trying to sound apologetic, but his eyes betrayed him. He was still high on the adrenaline, still thrilled by your rescue.
You pushed him back, hard, your hands flat against his chest. The tears you had held back finally streamed down your face, hot and angry. "I was so scared, Neteyam! You cannot do that again! You can’t do this to me again!" Your voice broke, ragged with emotion. "Your family can't lose you. This clan can't afford to lose you. I. Can't. Lose. You!"
The words, raw and unfiltered, hung in the air between you. The forced apology, the lingering amusement, vanished from his face, replaced by a stark, dawning realization. He saw the terror in your eyes, the genuine, visceral fear that had consumed you. He saw the depth of your anguish, the way your body trembled, not with anger now, but with the lingering shock of what almost was.
A warmth spread through his chest, a feeling so profound it almost buckled his knees. He had never seen you like this, so utterly vulnerable, so openly terrified for him. It sank in then, the true weight of your words, the unspoken love that fueled your fury. He loved you so much, with a fierce, aching tenderness that stole his breath.
He pulled you into his arms, this time not possessively, but gently, carefully, as if you were made of fragile glass. He buried his face in your hair, inhaling your scent, letting your tears dampen his shoulder.
"I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice hoarse, devoid of any pretense now. "Eywa, I am so sorry, paskalin. I didn't think… I didn't know you would be so scared. I promise. I will never scare you like this again. Never."
You clung to him, your sobs wracking your body, the fear slowly giving way to relief, to the overwhelming comfort of his embrace. He held you tight, stroking your hair, murmuring reassurances until your tears subsided, until your trembling stopped, until only the quiet rhythm of his heart beat against your ear.
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Later, much later, in the secluded heart of the forest, the bioluminescent flora painted your secret spot in soft, ethereal hues. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and crushed leaves, a sweet, earthy perfume. You lay tangled with him, bodies slick with sweat, the echoes of your climax still vibrating through your limbs.
He kissed you then, a deep, searing kiss that tasted of lingering passion and profound emotion. He pulled back slightly, his eyes, dark and intense, locking onto yours.
"I love you so much," he whispered against your lips, his thrusts still fast and hard, a primal rhythm connecting your bodies.
You stared into his eyes, a gentle smile blooming on your face, your hands gripping his biceps, urging him deeper. He moved inside you, a slow, deliberate rhythm now, riding out the high, his gaze never leaving yours.
"It's true," he repeated, his voice thick with emotion, "I love you so much. I know you don’t feel the same way yet, but I'll change that. I will court you, and I'll have your love. I promise. Please, have me." His voice was raw, determined, yet laced with a vulnerability that stole your breath.
You chuckled, a soft, breathless sound, letting your head fall back against the soft moss. His face fell, a flicker of hurt in his eyes, thinking you mocked his confession, or perhaps didn't take him seriously.
But you pulled him down by the nape, your fingers tangling in his braids, and he allowed it, his body still, waiting. You pressed a hard, possessive kiss onto his swollen lips, then pressed your forehead against his, your breath mingling.
"Neteyam, where are you?" you asked sweetly, your voice a husky whisper, tired from the battle, from the fear, from the love that had consumed you.
His forehead creased, a slight confusion in his eyes. "In the forest?"
You chuckled, a low, throaty sound, and kissed him again. "Wrong. Where are you?" you repeated, your gaze unwavering.
"In our spot?" he tried again, a hint of desperation in his tone.
You shook your head slowly, a playful glint in your eyes, and narrowed them at him. Your legs, still wrapped around his waist, tightened, squeezing around his cock, making him groan. "You’re inside me," you smirked, the words a soft caress against his lips. "You just fucked me so hard I’m still aching... and you're talking about courting me..“ you grinned, cupping his cheek. “Oh, how chivalrous, my mighty warrior."
He blinked, his hips moving, a slight recoil as he began to pull out from you. "Do you... do you feel disrespected—"
"I don’t," you answered, wrapping your legs behind him, holding him fast, refusing to let him withdraw. "I am merely saying... it is not needed. I... love you, too, Neteyam. And I—"
He groaned, a guttural sound, and kissed you hard, cutting off your words. He broke away, his eyes, dark with lust and something else—anger, determination—burning into yours. "Do not say that. That a courtship is not needed just because we’re doing this already. I will court you, and I will win your favor before you choose me as your mate." His voice was firm, resolute, leaving no room for argument.
You wrapped your arms around him, pulling him close, your smile radiant. "I already chose you, Neteyam. I choose you. I love you." The words were a soft caress, a balm to his warrior's heart, making him groan again, a sound of pure, unadulterated pleasure.
"I love you more, paskalin. So much," he told you soulfully, his fingers tracing the curve of your jaw, "and I’ve chosen you a long time ago. But no, I’m going to court you first. We’ll do it the right way, baby."
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The forest, a canvas of emerald and sapphire under the distant moons, whispered secrets. You watched Neteyam, his silhouette etched against the vibrant bioluminescence, as he carefully placed a carefully woven choker on your hand. Its pattern, delicate and precise, caught the faint light.
"For you," he murmured, his voice a low rumble.
You picked up the choker, feeling its beaded surface beneath your fingers. "It's beautiful, Neteyam." You met his gaze, a playful challenge in your eyes. "But I still hate this... right way of courtship you’re talking about," Your fingers traced beads, then, subtly, raising your hand to cup the firm line of his jaw. "This is not what I had in mind."
His jaw tightened, a muscle twitching. He stepped back, a small, almost imperceptible distance. "Baby," he began, his voice firm, "we agreed. A proper courtship. No more... stealing moments."
A huff of disbelief escaped you. "Stealing moments? Neteyam, you were inside me barely a week ago, whispering promises. Now this?" You gestured to the two of you. "I can’t even touch your face.”
He knelt, his movements fluid, and picked up a cluster of glowing mushrooms, arranging them around the choker. “We’re courting, paskalin. I want to show you tokens of my regard. Show you my respect for you and for what we will build,“ he looked up, his eyes earnest, almost pleading. "I want to show you, truly show you, how much you mean to me. Not just in the heat of passion."
"Oh, the heat of passion," you drawled, a smirk playing on your lips. You leaned closer, your scent, a mix of forest and your own unique musk, filling his senses. "I remember that heat. It was always... intense. And you seemed to enjoy it immensely." Your finger trailed down his arm, leaving a tingling path.
He flinched, a subtle tremor running through him. He rose abruptly, putting more space between you. "Paskalin, you make this difficult." His voice was strained, a hint of desperation there.
"Difficult?" You laughed, a low, throaty sound. "I am merely being myself. You're the one who decided to become a monk overnight." You took another step towards him, narrowing the distance he tried to create. "Are you sure this isn't just an excuse? Perhaps I wasn't... satisfying enough?"
His eyes flared, a dark fire igniting within them. "Never say that." He seized your wrist, his grip firm but not painful. "You are more than satisfying. You are everything to me.” He pulled you closer, his breath hot against your face. "That is precisely why. I want to honor you. Truly honor you. As my future mate. My love."
You felt the tremor in his hand, the tautness of his muscles. He was struggling. And you, the fiercest of huntresses, knew exactly how to exploit a weakness. "Honor me?" You leaned into his touch, your body molding against his. "Is this how you honor me? By denying me what we both crave?" Your voice dropped to a whisper, a seductive lure. "I crave you, Neteyam. Right now. Here. In this forest you so carefully chose for your... tokens."
He groaned, a raw sound torn from his throat. He released your wrist, his hands moving to cup your face, his thumbs tracing the line of your cheekbones. His eyes, dark pools of desire, locked onto yours. "Paskalin," he breathed, his voice ragged, "do not tempt me. Not now. I have made a vow. To myself. To you. I will not break it."
"A vow?" You arched a brow. "To whom? Eywa? Or your own stubborn pride?" You pressed your body fully against his, feeling the undeniable evidence of his desire. "Your body says otherwise, mighty warrior."
He closed his eyes for a brief moment, a battle raging within him. When they opened, they held a renewed resolve. He gently pushed you back, creating space again. "It is not pride. It is respect. For us. For our future." He looked away, towards the distant glow of Hometree. "This is important. For me. For us. Please. Understand."
You watched him, a flicker of something akin to admiration, mingling with your frustration. He was unyielding. A true warrior, even in matters of the heart. "Fine," you conceded, the word clipped. "But don't think for a moment this makes it easy. For either of us." You pressed a palm against his chest, feeling his thundering heart.
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The sun, a fiery orb in the Pandora sky, warmed your face as you sat weaving a basket by the river. The rhythmic splash of water against stone, the chirping of forest creatures, a soothing balm. Until a small, insistent tug on your braid broke the calm.
Tuk’s voice, bright and clear, cut through the air as she called your name. You turned, a smile already forming as the seven-year-old launched herself into your lap, followed closely by a scowling Lo’ak, a serene Kiri, and a perpetually curious Spider.
"Hey, little warrior," you greeted Tuk, ruffling her hair. "What trouble are you bringing me today?"
"Kiei said you're going to be Neteyam’s mate!" Tuk exclaimed, her eyes wide with innocent wonder. "Is it true? That means we’ll be sisters!"
Lo’ak snorted, dropping down beside you. "Of course it's true, Tuk. Everyone knows Neteyam's been mooning over her for ages." He shot you a knowing look. "You just took your sweet time noticing."
"Mooning?" You feigned offense, raising a brow at him. "Neteyam doesn't moon.”
"Oh, Neteyam did more than just 'moon'," Lo'ak rolled his eyes. "Remember that time we were playing by the river and you decided to climb a tree? He had a fit when you slipped."
"I did not slip," you corrected, a faint flush creeping up your neck. "I was testing the branches."
"Sure, you were," Lo'ak scoffed. "And then he spent the next two days following you around, making sure you didn't, quote, 'test' anything else."
"He was just being protective," you defended, though a memory of Neteyam's frantic face, his grip on your arm, flashed in your mind.
"Protective, my tail," Lo'ak countered. "He was terrified. And then he got into a fight with that older warrior, Maru, because Maru dared to joke about your..." he gestured at his chest and you smacked his arm.
"Maru was a fool," you stated, dismissing the memory. "He deserved it."
Kiri, who had been quietly observing, spoke up. "Neteyam has always liked you." Her voice was soft, ethereal. "Even before he knew what it meant to like someone."
You paused, your basket-weaving forgotten. "What do you mean?"
Kiri shifted, her gaze distant, as if seeing beyond the present. "I remember when he was twelve. You two were always together at training. You had this new loincloth, bright green, woven with beautiful threads. It was very striking."
You remembered it. One of the garments your mother has woven for you before she died.
"Neteyam," Kiri continued, "he wouldn't wear his old one anymore. He insisted on getting one the exact same color. His was a bit too small for him, but he wore it anyway. He looked ridiculous."
"He did!" Lo'ak burst out, laughing. "I forgot about that! Mom and Dad kept asking him why he wouldn't wear his proper training gear, and he just kept saying, 'It feels right'."
Spider, who had been listening intently, chimed in. "And remember when she and Neteyam had that huge argument about the hunting grounds? You wanted to push further into the eastern territories, and he thought it was too risky."
"He was being overly cautious," you grumbled, remembering the heated exchange. You had been so angry, you hadn't spoken to him for days.
"He was furious when you didn't talk to him," Spider recounted, a grin spreading across his face. "He snapped at everyone. Even Neytiri. He wouldn't eat properly. He just kept pacing, muttering about 'stubborn huntresses' and 'reckless decisions'."
Lo'ak nodded vigorously. "Yeah! And then when you finally made up, after you brought back that enormous hexapede, he was practically glowing. He made everyone listen to your story twice, even though he'd been there."
"He always makes a big deal out of you," Kiri added, her eyes meeting yours. "Everything you do. Everything about you."
A strange warmth spread through your chest, mixing with a sudden, unsettling realization. You had always thought it was just a strong bond, a shared warrior's spirit. His protectiveness, his arguments, his attention... you’d attributed it to his role as future Olo'eyktan, his innate sense of responsibility. You always saw his intensity as a reflection of your own.
"He was... always like that?" you asked, your voice barely a whisper.
"Always," Kiri confirmed, her hand patting your arm. "He always looks at you. Even when he's talking to someone else, his eyes still find you."
Lo'ak rolled his eyes. "Yeah, it was annoying. We'd be planning a hunt, and he'd just... stare. Like you were going to disappear if he looked away for a second."
A wave of understanding, slow and powerful, washed over you. All those subtle glances, the way he always seemed to know when you needed backup in a skirmish, the way his voice softened when he spoke to you, even when he was trying to be stern. The arguments, the reconciliations, the shared laughter, the fierce camaraderie... it wasn’t just rapport. It was devotion. It was love, long before either of you had given it a name. You had been so focused on proving yourself, on holding your own, that you had been blind to the obvious.
You had been so dense.
A small, rueful smile touched your lips. "Eywa," you breathed, "I really was so dense."
"It's okay," Kiri said, her gaze gentle. "Some things take time to see."
————————
The three moons and a half of courtship passed in a blur of small, thoughtful gestures and simmering frustration. Neteyam brought you rare flowers from the deepest parts of the forest, their petals glowing with an inner light. He carved you another animal, a graceful viperwolf, its fangs bared in a silent snarl. He hunted for you, always bringing the choicest cuts, leaving them discreetly at your sleeping alcove in the communal hut you share with other unmated women. He sang you ancient songs when you two are together in your spot, his voice, usually so commanding, soft and melodic beneath the stars.
Each gesture, each token, spoke of his deep affection, his unwavering commitment. And each night, you lay on your mat, the wooden carvings beside you, the scent of the flowers filling the air, and felt the ache of longing grow. He was courting you, truly. He was showing you his heart. But Eywa, you miss him. You miss his gentle touches, his lips on your skin...
One evening, as the first moon dipped below the horizon, casting long, ethereal shadows, you found him by the river, skipping flat stones across the water. The air was cool, carrying the earthy scent of the riverbed.
"Neteyam," you called, your voice cutting through the quiet.
He turned, his eyes, usually so composed, showing a flicker of surprise, then something else, anticipation, perhaps. "Paskalin."
"This is enough," you stated, walking towards him, your steps firm and purposeful.
He frowned, a slight crease appearing between his brows. "Enough? Do my tokens displease you?"
You stopped before him, placing your hands on your hips. "No, your tokens are... charming. Your songs are beautiful. Your restraint, however, is becoming a problem."
He blinked, confusion clouding his features. "Restraint? I do not understand."
"You do not understand?" You scoffed, a short, sharp sound. "We have been doing this for moons now, Neteyam. Three moons and a half of chaste glances and beautiful gifts. Do you honestly think I don't feel you watching me? Do you think I don't feel the tension between us, thick as the morning mist?" You stepped closer, invading his personal space. "I feel you, Neteyam. Every moment. And I know you feel me."
His gaze dropped to your lips, then back to your eyes, a fierce battle raging in their depths. "I… I want to do this properly. For us."
"Properly?" You leaned in, your voice dropping to a seductive whisper. "What is proper about denying what Eywa put in our hearts? What is proper about denying the very essence of our connection?" You reached out, your fingers tracing the line of his jaw, the taut muscles of his neck. "I have chosen you, Neteyam. You said you would win my favor. You have it. You've had it for a long time, apparently, even when I was too blind to see it."
He swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing. "Baby, we’ve gone over this. I want to make you feel my love... That it is not just lust I feel for you.”
You smiled. "Lust is a part of it, Neteyam," you countered, your fingers tangling in his braids, pulling his head down. "A powerful, undeniable part. But it is not just lust. You know that. I know that. And after three moons and a half of you being a saint, I am beyond ready for you to be a sinner." You pressed your lips to his, a soft, teasing kiss, then pulled back slightly. "Mate with me, Neteyam. Now. Tonight. Without all the strenuous clan celebrations and the endless speeches. Just us. Under the stars. As Eywa intended."
His eyes were wide, filled with a mixture of shock, desire, and a hint of relief. He stared at you, truly stared, as if seeing you for the first time, seeing the depth of your desire, the strength of your conviction. The unwavering certainty in your gaze.
"You... you want to mate?" he finally managed, his voice hoarse.
"I do," you affirmed, your smile radiant. "I want you. All of you. Tonight."
A profound sigh escaped him, a sound of surrender and immense joy. He pulled you into his arms, crushing you against his chest, burying his face in your hair. "Eywa," he breathed, "alright. Alright, baby. A thousand times, yes."
You chuckled, a triumphant sound. He gave in so fast it almost made you laugh. All that talk of proper courtship, of restraint, of honor. One word, one touch, and he crumbled. You loved him for it.
————————
The ancient Tree of Souls, its roots delving deep into the earth, its branches reaching for the heavens and also draping around its beholders, bore witness. The air shimmered with an unseen energy, the bioluminescent plants around you pulsing in a silent symphony. You stood before Neteyam, his eyes, dark and fathomless, locked onto yours. The traditional mating ceremony, stripped of its usual grandeur, held a profound intimacy, a spiritual weight that transcended any celebration.
He reached for his kuru behind him, bringing it in front of you and you did the same, smiling at him. His other hand held yours, his fingers intertwining with yours, a gentle, possessive grip. The pink tendrils of your neural queues danced in the air as your hands moved closer, the tendrils reaching for each other until it embraced into a beautiful woven tapestry, sending a shiver through you, not of cold, but of a deep, resonant warmth that settled in your very bones. You felt the raw power of his love, a force so overwhelming it threatened to drown you. It was in the fierce tenderness of his gaze, the slight tremor in his hands, the silent, unwavering promise in his eyes.
"I see you," he spoke, his voice a low, guttural murmur, raw with emotion. "My mate. My heart. My everything."
You felt it then, the surge of his devotion, a tidal wave of feeling that washed over you, pulling you under its glorious current. His passion burned, a fierce, protective flame that wrapped around you, claiming you, making you his. You saw the possessiveness in his eyes, not a desire to control, but a desperate yearning to keep you safe, cherished, forever by his side.
"I see you," you echoed, your voice thick with unshed tears, your own heart swelling to bursting. "Neteyam. My sky. My heart. My soul."
He pulled you closer, his forehead resting against yours, the scent of him, wild and uniquely Neteyam, filling your senses. You closed your eyes, feeling the tremor that ran through him, a resonance that echoed deep within you. This was it. The culmination of years of unspoken longing, of fierce camaraderie, of a love that had grown, strong and resilient, in the crucible of battle and the quiet moments between.
When you opened your eyes, you saw yourself reflected in his. But it wasn't just your image. It was a vision. You saw a woman, glowing with an inner light, her features softened by love, her eyes shining with a fierce, untamed joy. You were so beautiful. Radiant. When he says he sees you, he does. This is what he sees.
And then you felt it, a frantic, thunderous beating against your chest, so violent it threatened to shatter your ribs. For a terrifying, exhilarating moment, you thought it was your own heart, racing out of control.
But then you realized. It was his.
His heart, a wild drum against your chest, thrumming with such overwhelming love, such fierce devotion, such boundless passion, that it echoed through you, consuming you. He was watching you, truly seeing you, and in that moment, he was realizing the full, breathtaking extent of his love for you. It was a love that transcended words, a bond forged in fire and starlight, a promise whispered on the wind.
He kissed you then, his lips eventually sliding down your jaw, trailing fire along your neck. The tendrils of your kuru, still intertwined, pulsed with a heightened energy. Every touch, every breath, sends a jolt directly to your core. His hands, no longer restrained, found the hem of your top, pushing it up, peeling it away from your skin.
Cool night air kissed your exposed chest, only to be replaced by the heat of his palms, cupping your round breasts. A gasp escaped you as his thumbs grazed your nipples, already hard and yearning. He devoured your mouth again, his tongue mirroring the urgent thrust of his hips against yours. The soft moss beneath you became a bed as he lowered you, his weight a delicious pressure. He tore his mouth from yours, his eyes, dark and heavy-lidded, locking onto yours.
"I missed you," he rasped, his voice raw, laced with the hunger of months denied. "So much, baby..."
His fingers found the knot of your loincloth, untying it with practiced ease. The fabric fell away, leaving you bare to the cool night and his searing gaze. He shed his own with brutal efficiency, the pink bioluminescence of the tree you're under allowed you to appreciate his magnificent form. He was a force of nature, all taut muscle and simmering desire.
He knelt between your legs, his eyes burning into yours. The connection through your kurus intensified, a surge of pleasure coiling low in your belly. You felt his mind, a torrent of desperate longing, his body echoing the same fierce need. He shifted, nudging against you, and a whimper escaped your throat.
"Please," you breathed, your hips arching instinctively.
He didn't wait. He plunged into you, a deep, full thrust that stole your breath. A cry tore from your lips, half pain, half ecstasy. He was everything you remembered, and more. Tighter. Hotter. The months of forced celibacy made him a primal beast. He drove into you, hard and punishing, each thrust a declaration of his hunger, his possession.
Your legs wrapped around his waist, pulling him closer, demanding more. His hands kneaded your breasts, his thumbs circling your swollen nipples, sending electric currents through your core. You arched your back, exposing yourself fully to his ministrations, relishing the glorious friction, the exquisite pressure. He pulled your hips to him with every powerful push, his free hand tangling in the hair at your nape, holding your head steady as he claimed your mouth again, kissing you with a ferocity that left you breathless.
You met his rhythm, bucking against him, crying out his name as pleasure coiled tighter and tighter. The connection through your kurus made it almost unbearable, every sensation amplified, every nerve ending singing. You felt his pleasure, his intensity, his absolute surrender to the moment, mirroring your own. He pulled back slightly, his eyes still locked on yours, a primal growl rumbling in his chest.
"You're so tight," he gasped, his voice thick with desire. "So good. I could stay inside you forever."
He shifted, pulling you onto your hands and knees. The moss, soft and cool against your skin, gave way slightly under your weight. He spread your knees wide, taking you from behind with a rougher urgency than before. You cried out, your hips rocking back to meet his relentless thrusts. He gripped your waist, pulling you back with each powerful surge, burying himself deep inside. He leaned down, his mouth finding the sensitive skin behind your ear, nipping and sucking, his teeth grazing your lobe.
"Mine," he whispered, his voice dark and possessive. "Always mine."
You were a mess of gasps and moans, your body trembling on the verge of splintering. He flipped you onto your back again, his strong hands sliding under your hips, lifting you, tilting you, taking you at an angle that sent new waves of sensation through you. He leaned down, his mouth closing over one engorged nipple, suckling hard, then moving to the other, until they were both swollen and aching, exquisitely sensitive.
He didn't let go until you were spent, your body trembling, a tremor of pure exhaustion and satisfaction. You felt yourself drifting, the world blurring around the edges, his body still a heavy, comforting weight on yours. He shifted, pulling you close, his arm wrapping around you, his hips still moving, slow and shallow, inside you. You felt his lips on your neck, a soft, lingering kiss, then another, and another, until sleep claimed you.
————————
You woke to the gentle rocking of Neteyam’s body, a soft, rhythmic thrusting that had continued even in your sleep. Your entire body ached, a delicious soreness settling deep in your muscles, especially between your legs. The air was cool against your skin, but a deeper warmth enveloped you. You opened your eyes to the soft, diffused light filtering through the leaves, and the sight of Neteyam’s face, peaceful in sleep, his chin resting on your head.
You were clean. Your loincloth and top were back on, though loosely arranged. He had taken care of you, even in his sleep-addled state. You smiled, a soft, contented sigh escaping your lips.
"Good morning, baby," he murmured, his voice thick with sleep, his eyes fluttering open. A lazy smile spread across his face, his gaze warm and heavy. Fuck, you are actually his wife now. His mate.
"Morning," you whispered back, stretching slightly, a groan escaping you as your sore muscles protested.
"Was it too much?" he teased, his hand caressing your back.
"Never too much," you countered, though your body begged to differ. "Just... thorough."
He chuckled, a low rumble in his chest. "I missed you."
Your delightful laugh sounded like bells in his ears. “I told you... Staying away from each other that way was a bad idea...” you yawned and he pulled you tighter into him.
“But it made our lovemaking more pleasurable, didn’t it?” he whispered in your ears, now trailing kisses down your jaw.
You stayed there for what felt like hours, simply existing in each other's presence, the quiet intimacy a balm to your soul. The sun climbed higher, painting the forest in dappled gold, before Neteyam finally stirred.
"We should go back," he said, his voice tinged with reluctance. "They will be wondering."
The forest floor felt different beneath your feet, no longer just earth and roots, but a path imbued with a new significance. You walked beside Neteyam, his hand finding yours, fingers intertwining. The air around you hummed with a subtle charge, a faint, sweet musk clinging to your skin, a testament to the night’s communion.
As you approached the communal area, the familiar sounds of the clan drifted towards you. Laughter, the rhythmic thud of weaving, the distant echo of a hunter’s call. Kiri was the first to spot you, her head tilting, a faint smirk playing on her lips.
"Eywa, Y/N," she said, her voice a low, amused hum. "You positively reek of Neteyam."
Lo’ak, leaning against a tree, burst into laughter, throwing his head back. "I swear to Eywa, they've been doing what couples do since forever! Thank goodness they finally mated!"
A blush crept up your neck, hot and undeniable. You felt Neteyam’s hand tighten around yours, a silent show of solidarity. Just as you were about to retort, a stern voice cut through the air.
"Who mated?"
Mo’at stood before you, her eyes, sharp and knowing, sweeping over the two of you. Kiri, Lo’ak, and Spider, who had been listening intently, suddenly became intensely interested in anything but the newly-mated couple. Lo’ak pretended to examine a leaf, Kiri stared at the sky, and Spider meticulously cleaned dirt from under his fingernail.
Neteyam squeezed your hand, pulling you closer, his chin resting lightly on your head. "Us, Mo’at. We mated before Eywa."
Mo’at’s gaze softened, a flicker of a distant memory in her eyes. Twenty-four years ago, Neytiri had stood before her, saying the same words about Jake. A small, almost imperceptible smile touched her lips.
"Lo’ak," she commanded, her voice regaining its usual authority. "Go find your parents. Tell them to come here."
Lo’ak, visibly relieved to be given a task, bolted. Moments later, Jake and Neytiri arrived, their expressions a mix of curiosity and concern.
"So," Neytiri began, her eyes narrowed, her gaze flicking between you and Neteyam. "You mated without the clan, without ceremony. Is this how you honor your mate, my son?"
Jake, however, clapped Neteyam heartily on the shoulder, a wide grin splitting his face. "Attaboy, Neteyam! Took you long enough." He turned to Mo’at, a twinkle in his eyes. "Mo’at, can we just get the blessing done? They look like they've been through a war. Especially," he paused, his gaze lingering on your flushed face, "they look absolutely drained."
Lo’ak snickered from behind his father. "Neteyam is definitely drained."
Your cheeks burned, the embarrassment a physical heat. Everyone knew what you two did. Everyone could see... smell. Neteyam, sensing your discomfort, gently nudged you forward.
"Come," he said, his voice soft, ignoring Lo'ak's comment. "I have something to show you."
He led you away from the curious stares, past the familiar paths, towards an unfamiliar part of the Hometree. A new hut stood nestled among the magnificent and large stems facing the distant river, its woven walls and sturdy frame speaking of careful craftsmanship.
"Whose hut is this?" you asked, your brow furrowing in confusion.
He smiled, a slow, possessive curve of his lips. "Ours." He opened the entrance flap, ushering you inside. "I had it built several moons ago. Before I even started courting you."
You stepped inside, admiring the spacious interior, the soft mats laid out, the scent of fresh wood and woven fibers filling the air. "Before courting me? What would you have done with this if I didn't agree to be courted?" you teased, turning to face him.
He wrapped his arms around you from behind, pulling you flush against his chest, his lips brushing your neck. "It would still be ours, paskalin. Because I would have done everything to win you,” he said it like a promise. “It will need more decorations," he murmured, his gaze sweeping around the hut. "What do you have in mind?"
You leaned back into his embrace, your fingers tracing the rough weave of the wall. An orphan, you had never truly had a home of your own, not like this. Your mind, already buzzing with ideas, began to fill the space. You turned in his arms, your eyes bright.
"Oh, Neteyam," you began, your voice brimming with excitement as ramble, "we could hang glowing plants from the ceiling, I’ll have to work on a tapestry to hang on the main support beam, and we need a special place for our weapons, and a bigger mat for sleeping, and a place for the children’s things..."
He stared at you, his eyes full of love, his thumb gently caressing your cheek. "Children?" he asked, his voice soft. "Do... Do you want them?” he asked as if he’s determined to get one now once you answered yes.
You grinned, a wide, uninhibited smile. "Yes. Yes, I want them, Neteyam. I... I didn’t have siblings and I can’t remember much of my parents. You are my only family... and I want to build a big one with you."
His eyes, dark pools of devotion, searched yours. He leaned down, kissing you tenderly. "I will give you everything you want. As many children as you want... I will give it to you. I love you so much, baby.
You smiled. “I love you more, ma ‘teyam.“
————————
The festivities of your mating was a fanfare event both you and Neteyam can't wait to escape, if only you weren’t on the dais with his family, being the center of everyone’s attention. You’ve barely enjoyed the confines of your new home for a whole day when Tuk and Kiri arrived, excitedly whisking you away, apparently so you all could work on your hair and attire for the ceremony.
Joined with some girls that were also your good friends, they renewed your braids and laid out several tops and loincloths you can choose from that were so beautiful you’ve never worn anything like those before. Even though you’ve always believed yourself to be very resolute, especially emotionally and mentally, you found yourself tearing up.
You have no clear memory of your parents so growing up, the taunts of your being orphan would only occasionally pierced through your hard shell. But now... You can’t help but wonder what your parents would think about your mate. Judging from the garments your mother left behind, you assume she loved dressing up so would she like the cascade of vibrant crimson red feathers you chose to adorn your chest with?
You watched Neteyam conversing with the elder warriors after Lo’ak had asked to borrow your mate and didn’t even wait for you to agree before dragging him away. Jake had joined them a few minutes ago and now you’re left alone with Neytiri and you suddenly feel awkward. You’ve rarely talked to her outside of council meetings and the times you talked to her about random stuff when you were a teenager and Kiri’s closest friend don’t seem to count.
You sipped on your cup of fermented fruit wine and cleared your throat. You seemed to remember also... That you mated with Neteyam without ceremony and without telling anyone. She knows her son and she also knows you, so she must have deduced already that it was your idea. You looked down at your food, your face heating up.
“Daughter,” she called, her voice carrying despite the loud celebration. You turned to her with an awkward smile but she smiled at you warmly, taking your hand in hers. “I don’t think I have thanked you yet,” she said quietly now. “For saving my son. In fact, for always—”
You turned to her, putting your other hand over hers. “There is nothing to thank,” you said firmly, squeezing her hand slightly. "Everything I did for Neteyam, I did because I can’t...“ you cleared your throat and your cheeks burned at what you’re going to say to his mother. “Live in a world without your son. Every time he does anything reckless, I know I would dive without thinking... And die saving him...”
Your eyes stung with the tears that pooled in them and you bowed your head so she wouldn’t see it. Neytiri herself had started tearing up as she squeezed your hand. “I know, daughter. I’ve seen it,“ she whispered, . "You love him. And you don’t know how thankful I am for the love you have for my son...”
You shook your head. “There is nothing to thank,” you repeated, a sob tearing at your throat.
You sniffed when you heard footsteps approaching. You already see Jake beside Neytiri and you lifted your head when you felt a familiar hand gently tug at your elbow, looking up and seeing Neteyam’s face marred with worry and his eyes glancing at his mother with accusatory glint as he pulled you to him. You chuckled and let him pull you up so he could hug you.
“Why are you crying?” he asked, cupping your cheek.
You smiled up at him, realizing that you rarely ever cry, but whenever you do, it always has anything to do with him. You shook your head, “Your mother and I were just talking about something important. Nothing bad...” you nonchalantly said as if you didn’t just vow to his mother that you’d die for him.
Lo'ak had made it back to the dais before Neteyam could respond, clicking his tongue. "See, the women of this clan are already weeping and I haven’t even departed for Awa'atlu yet,“ he shook his head.
You sniffed. “Awa’atlu? What are you going to do there?”
You remembered a time when you were teenagers and their family spent a whole moon there, you feared they were never coming home. But most of all... You were anxiously thinking about all the girls who would see Neteyam the way you do. When they came back though, only Lo’ak had brought home stories about a certain Metkayina girl.
“Father’s sending me to convene with the Metkayina, sister. Tulkun hunting led by Sky people had severely worsened in the past moons. Tonowari had apparently sent a message through Peylak,” now he’s gone serious, no traces of his earlier rumor.
You glanced at Neteyam. You’ve never been to the reef but from the stories Neteyam, Lo’ak, Kiri, and even Spider have told you in passing, one of the most beautiful features of it is the tulkun and to hear of them being hunted and killed mercilessly by these greedy Sky people who burn your forests and kill your brethrens... It fills you with inconceivable anger.
You wished Lo’ak well in his journey and wished that you could do more than that for the reef people even though you have your own fight here in the forest. The people are still at the height of the celebration when you and Neteyam slipped away to go home. Home. To your kelku, the one he had built before he even asked to court you.
He hugged you from behind as you two walked inside, his lips leaving soft traces of kisses on the nape of your neck. “I’d have to babyproof this... For the little ones,“ he said in a thick voice, sending shivers down your spine.
You watched his hand gesture to some spots in the hut where little kids could fall if left unattended. You smiled and turned in his arms so you could hook your arms on his nape. "I haven’t thanked you for this yet, ma ‘teyam,” you murmured, pulling him down so you could kiss him.
His hands settled on your waist. “What for?” A slow smile spread across his face.
“For this. This will be my first actual home,” you said with a small smile.
His forehead creased and it looked as though he was in pain for a moment before he pressed his forehead against yours. “There is nothing to thank, baby... You don’t know how long I’ve dreamed of this. Being with you like this... Knowing for sure now that you’re going to be the mother of my children. It was a pleasure to build where we will start our family,” he pressed a kiss against your lips.
You smiled, pulling him for a hug as your eyes glistened with tears. “I’ve never cried this much in a single day before,“ you said as you buried your laughter in his neck. “Well, perhaps when you guys went to Awa’atlu. I thought you were never coming back...” You sniffed.
He released you from the hug and made you face him. “Why am I only hearing of this now?“ his eyes crinkled with joy and confusion.
You pushed your lips forward. “I didn’t like what I thought of then. I thought you’d never come back and you’ll settle down there...”
"What?“ He chuckled. “Baby, I was only fifteen!”
You rolled your eyes. “Well, I don’t know. Lo’ak can’t stop blabbing about this Tsireya girl and I was just waiting for you to talk about some girl and I don't even know why I wanted to strangle you every time I think of it.”
Now, he’s fallen in a fit of laughter, pulling your face to kiss you. “I would never,“ he said. “But they do know who you are. I told them about you,“ he smirked, his eyes glinting with a light of possessiveness. “We’ll go there soon. Check on Lo’ak. So they’ll know you're actually real.”
Your forehead creased. “They thought I wasn’t?“
“No, it’s just that I keep talking about you. I happen to always find a way to insert your name in conversations that they start wondering, curious and all,“ he smiled.
In your excitement, you kissed him then, a kiss that tasted of forever, of home, of a future intertwined, irrevocably and beautifully. You were his, and he, unequivocally, was yours.
🐚 = fluff
🍂 = angst
🪷 = mostly fluff, sprinkle of angst
🪐 = mostly angst, sprinkle of fluff
Jake Sully x reader
He gets his own masterlist because this is getting out of hand.
Jake Sully Masterlist
Tonowari x reader
Series:
🐚 1. Water Lily | 2. Paysyuyl
You and Tonowari are entirely clueless
🐚 My Pearl: The Jump, The Fall, The Plunge
One shots:
Romantic 🐚
When a fight breaks out between Tonowari and a man vying for your attention, you realize there might be something you missed.
Tsu’tey x reader
I Want to See 🐚
You never thought you'd get the full Na'vi experience, but not only did you get a fast pass to learn it up close, you get an angry teacher to show you the ropes.
Poisonous🪷
Your mate's family never approved of you, but you didn't think they hated you to the point of murder.
Picnic 🐚
A relaxing day by the river with the Sully family, trying out what Jake calls a "picnic".
Tarsem x reader
Shy 🐚
Jake Sully uses his skills as Olo'eyktan to play matchmaker for his eldest daughter.
Don't Leave 🍂
You find out that your entire family is abandoning you just as you are about to give birth.
Sully!Reader and Sully!Family
Feral Creatures 🐚
Jake's sister takes the kids so Jake and Neytiri can go on date night.
Strong Heart 🐚
Sully daughter!reader helps Lo'ak prepare for his Iknimaya ceremony.
I'm Sorry 🍂
During your escape from the Mangkwan and the Colonel, you and your dad find yourself in a situation no medicine can fix.
Chosen by Eywa - A Team of Two - Chapter 6 - Finale
← chapter 5
contains: arranged marriage, mentions of war and grief, angst, one-sided enemies to lovers, slow burn
wc: 6.2k
chosen by eywa masterlist | general avatar masterlist
a/n: ngl it was funny to disappear for three months and randomly drop the finale like this. to be quite honest, whoever has been closely following my blog, knows that i took a break due to some personal matters as well as bc of guilt of making avatar-related content. in anyway, this series has been a journey, i really put so much into this, thinking about this story has been a consistent thing for the past months. i really don't expect this to get the same hype it did when i published the first part bc it's been soo long and people might have forgotten about it completely but i would still appreciate it if you read it and leave a comment. enjoy!
They were nice about it, welcoming as if she was already a part of the family, but Y/N still couldn’t push away the nagging feeling of intruding into their space. She was used to being on her own, sleeping, eating, living by herself. There was no shared meal before going to sleep, no conversation to lull her into her dreams, yet at Sully's home the well-forgotten routine that Y/N’s been doing with her parents before their death, was practiced like a prayer.
Neteyam’s warm gaze encouraged her to accept yet another sweet gesture from his little sister. Eager to bond, Tuk offered Y/N her hammock, next to Kiri’s. The other siblings only snickered at the unfortunate unfolding of events, and Neteyam too, tried suppressing an amusing smile that was so ready to give away the humor he found in the whole situation.
She was so nervous about it too, and suddenly, Neteyam felt his chest swell with something unbearably big and overwhelming. I love you, he thought, watching the way she complied with his family’s wish to take care of her, the way she mumbled a “good night” to everyone before laying down in an unfamiliar hammock.
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Y/N’s eyes fluttered softly, the light spilled into the room with a brightness she wasn’t adjusted to yet. The hammock underneath her was different, uncomfortable, and she grumbled, shifting her position, only to be met with restriction. The further she pushed against it, the more she realized that the resistance wasn’t from the hammock itself. With a puzzled frown, she turned around and when her eyes settled onto a chest, that’s what snapped her fully awake. The sight of Neteyam, snoring peacefully next to her, brought back the memory of the last night with a flush of embarrassment.
How did she end up in his hammock? In the stillness of the night, her thoughts restless, Y/N watched how everyone seemed to have fallen asleep a long time ago. She tried peeking out of her hammock to catch a glimpse of Neteyam but it was too far and too dark to see him. Quietly, without giving it a second thought, she slipped out of her hammock and carefully stepped around others to approach Neteyam’s. His face was bathed in the moonlight with a soft glow, and as if she was in the dream and had all the time in the world, she stared at him for a moment, to make sure he was still there, safe and sound. Maybe because she loved him too.
It caught her off guard when he opened his eyes with a knowing smile, already having felt her eyes on him. She didn’t move for a moment, but the unspoken connection seemed to grow deeper in the darkness. Without a word, he opened up his arms, and Y/N didn’t take long to consider his silent offer. She dived into his hammock and snuggled close to him, and the way he held her, made her feel the safest she had ever felt. Ever since her parents died, since Kaye was no longer there, Neteyam grounded her like the gravity. As if he understood her too, like the vision from his Dream Hunt, everything just clicked, and nothing felt more natural than having her in his arms.
They fell asleep so quickly that, in the morning, as Y/N recalled the events of the night, she almost assumed it was only a drem. Her heart dropped as she traced the patterns of his chest all the way up to his face, finding his peaceful expression, mouth slightly open as he snored with such sweet noises coming out of it. She smiled to herself at the sight and then heard a faint rustling joined by soft giggles. Y/N’s head quickly snapped into the direction and the revelation nearly made her die at the spot from the embarrassment.
In an attempt to be quiet, Tuk and Lo’ak were giggling like a pair of toddlers who had seen a banshee for the first time. Their gazes were surely pointed at their older brother sound asleep and Y/N, cuddled up into him. Y/N’s mortified eyes then quickly found Kiri, who just looked irritated and tried ignoring her siblings, then they traced the frames of Neteyam’s parents. Jake and Neytiri were trying to be mature about it, to put on the blissfully unaware act, even though both of them were the first to find Y/N in Neteyam’s hammock. They circulated around the small table, setting up for the breakfast, and Y/N hid her face in Neteyam’s chest, whispering softly but urgently.
“Neteyam, wake up, please.”
His nose scrunched once but then it felt like his mind just gave up and decided to ignore Y/N’s voice completely. She tried again, this time swatting at his chest just enough to make him shift. The sunlight did the rest of the work, as Neteyam lazily opened his eyes, stretching as much as he could within the proximity of the small space in his hammock. He blinked sleepily, his gaze landing on Y/N and it took him a few seconds to register the situation, but as he did, a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips. Y/N was the woman from his Dream Hunt and last night, as he struggled to fall asleep, he found out that she felt so too, the way she laid into his arms and lulled him to sleep just with her scent. Neteyam’s chest warmed with love, and he couldn’t wait to let her know about his secret.
With a yawn, Neteyam stirred from his seat, and as his eyes grazed around the room, taking in the scene, Y/N was already jumping out of his hammock.
“Good morning,” he greeted them loudly, giving a particularly stern look to his siblings.
"Good morning," Y/N echoed him, her voice barely above a whisper.
Lo’ak and Tuk giggled once more under their brother's gaze, while Kiri only hid a knowing smirk. Neytiri and Jake continued to set up the morning table with content smiles on their own faces. Y/N stood awkwardly next to the hammock, and it made Neteyam’s chest swell with even more amusement. He had never been happier than now, to wake up to the woman of his dreams next to him, with his family being genuinely proud of him. Y/N peeked from behind her hair, as Neteyam stepped out of his hammock with comfortable stature, and she slowly followed after him, as he sat down on the ground around the table.
“Come, Y/N, you’ll eat with us,” Neytiri gave Y/N a soft smile, gesturing to the spot next to her oldest son.
With a nod, Y/N took her place silently, the embarrassment of being caught in Neteyam’s hammock was clearly showing through how deep blue her cheeks were turning. Jake and Neteyam exchanged a knowing look and like a proud father he only chuckled to himself at the situation. And it wasn’t like anything had happened, everyone could have guessed that they only shared a hammock, but to Y/N it seemed like her whole reputation had crumbled.
Kiri, clearly enjoying her friend’s sudden flustered state, couldn't contain her amusement any longer, busted into laughter.
"You two are so whipped."
"Y/N, did you cuddle with Neteyam because you like him?" Tuk added on, her voice filled with innocent curiosity.
Y/N's cheeks turned even deeper at the question, and she fumbled for words, feeling the weight of everyone's gaze on her. She glanced at Neteyam, who was trying his best to hide his own embarrassment behind a composed expression.
“Neteyam is a wonderful person, I mean… everyone probably likes him,” Y/N stammered.
"I mean it's clear she does more than like him," Kiri teased.
People don’t just fall in love overnight. It happens gradually, with shared moments, time spent together, with tears of both sadness and joy. It is just the realization of it all hits them suddenly. Y/N had a whole day to realize that she felt love for Neteyam, but she wasn’t going to say it for the first time so publicly. She wanted it to happen naturally, after she had processed everything herself, alone.
"Come on now, I'd be worried if they didn't touch each other at all," Jake whispered with a snicker, coaxing a small chuckle from Neytiri. He cleared his throat, "Alright, alright, enough for now.”
Neteyam attempted to hide his own smile at the words, and he hung his head, focusing on his food, but his tail quickly and secretly found its way under the table, wrapping around Y/N’s ankle. She shivered at the touch but welcomed it, nonetheless, relaxing just a second later.
︵‿︵‿︵‿︵
“You’re staring again,” she tried to scold him for it, but frankly, there was not a feeling more pleasant than to feel his warm gaze on her.
Neteyam chuckled to himself, the excitement from waking up besides Y/N - woman from his vision overflowing him. Like the pieces of the puzzle were finally fitting together, everything just clicked, his world fell back into its place. He leaned in, his finger hooking under the long necklace adorning her neck and for the third time since she wore it, Y/N couldn’t understand his astonishment with Tuk’s gift. Sat in front of him on the forest ground, as they took a break from the morning chaos with his family, Y/N let out a sigh. There was a mixture of happiness and guilt swirling inside of her, babbling up in her chest to the point that she wasn’t sure how else to behave. It was as if she suddenly had forgotten about who she was.
“You’re still wearing the necklace,” Neteyam pointed out, gathering one of the blue feathers and running it through his fingers with fascination, “Isn’t it too long? Uncomfortable?”
“Do you not think it’s nice? Your sister made it for me,” Y/N teased.
They were close to each other, an undeniable pressure building and hardening in between the two bodies. Like a magnetic pull that lured him in closer, and Neteyam now took another one of the feathers into his gentle grasp, studying it for a moment before breaking into a grin.
“I didn’t even know she was going to give it to you,” he recalled with a low chuckle, almost as if he was saying it to himself. His eyes shifted back to hers, finding Y/N already looking at him, “It doesn’t mean you’re obligated to wear it though… if it’s bothering you.”
“Hey, hands off,” Y/N swatted at his hand playfully, pulling the necklace away from him, “I like it very much, so I don’t really care about the practicality. I think it looks great on me!”
“It does,” Neteyam chuckled, leaning back onto his elbows and Y/N felt a little disappointed at the loss of proximity, “I think you could make anything look beautiful.”
“Oh,” she let out. He was bold. Since the morning, he was more forward than usual, and she couldn’t guess if it was the aftermath of her willingly stepping into his hammock and sleeping with him or was it the fact that their ceremony was fast approaching and now there was only a matter of a few casualties left. But she liked the boldness.
Though Y/N could assume that Neteyam wasn't in the wrong. If he was making a move on her, he was truly just doing his duty, he was warming up to his mate. It wouldn’t be very pleasant to have their first kiss in front of the whole clan, would it? Y/N shivered at the thought of kissing him first, now, alone. There were certainly moments she thought he would, and it almost seemed like if she didn’t push him away, they’d be much closer now than she ever anticipated.
“I’ll tell you tomorrow,” Neteyam promised suddenly, a soft smile stretching his lips.
“Tell me what?”
“Tell you about the necklace… why I’m so intrigued by you wearing it.”
“Is there a valid reason?” Y/N quirked her eyebrow in surprise.
“There is, I just don’t want to scare you away.”
“Scare me away? Neteyam, I think we’re way past that point. It’s not like we can back out now,” she joked weakly.
Neteyam didn’t find humor in her words. Was she still bothered about it? Was she still spiteful of the idea of mateship with him? Surely, if she hated it so much, why would she stay? He was beginning to think that she was finally reciprocating, last night was the testament to that, so why was she back to making these comments? He frowned, suddenly growing silent, and that’s when Y/N knew that she messed up. She jumped to retrieve her words with eagerness, hand clutching at the long necklace.
“I was joking.”
“I know,” Neteyam hummed softly but his head shook slightly, giving away his disagreement.
Y/N could feel her heart sink at the way his face fell. She leaned in closer, her palms finding support on either side of his body, nails digging into the soil. Their faces were now mere inches apart, and Neteyam's breath caught in his throat, his eyes searching her face.
“I don’t want to back out of this,” she whispered sincerely, her own eyes boring into his.
Neteyam could only gulp, waiting anxiously for her to take the next step. His heart picked up a rhythm, when she finally closed the gap between them, and though hesitantly, but with such tenderness, pressed her lips against his. He welcomed her like the forest would welcome the first warm rays of the sunshine, responding to her kiss. Savoring her taste wasn’t enough, he needed to engrave the way she felt into his memory permanently.
Love couldn’t be that easy, could it? Falling into the person you were so begrudged against, letting him catch you when there is no one else to witness your fall. Letting him become your rock, your whole world, your person who makes everything else become a senseless noise, a blurry background. When your words are guided by the wish to please him, to humor him, to bring a smile to his face. Falling into him was sudden but easy, careless. It felt right. Like it was destined by the greater power, by the will of Eywa herself.
Eywa makes no mistakes. Y/N had clung to these words her whole life, in bad and in good, she found comfort in knowing that her journey was already written out, that she was destined for a greater purpose, greater love than she was used to receiving. That no matter the circumstances she had brought upon herself, the Great Mother had been looking out for her, that Eywa brought Y/N the kind of love that she never imagined possible.
The silence as they pulled away was bittersweet. Neteyam could feel his heart almost stop at the proximity, as she was still looming over him, catching on her breath. Overwhelmed, he brought a hand to her cheek to make sure he hadn’t imagined it. Her smile grew, eyes darting between his to guess if he was thinking the same. Y/N had no idea that up until this morning, Neteyam was already utterly smitten with her. That every thought in his mind was occupied with her.
“What was that for?” he questioned
“For being patient with me. For seeing me…”
“I do, I see you,” he nodded, eager to spill the confession that has been on the tip of his tongue for some time now.
“I see you too,” she whispered, “I thought I knew what love is. Thought that I got what I deserved and nothing more but now I know how blind I was.”
Neteyam's heart swelled with both joy and sadness. He reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. She leaned into him, closing her eyes briefly to savor the moment.
“You weren’t blind, you were just scared,” he reassured, “But you don’t have to be anymore. I’m here now.”
︵‿︵‿︵‿︵
Y/N looked up from her unfinished work to Neytiri for the third time in the past minute, it was hard to concentrate on something she was struggling with, when right next to her, somebody else was doing it perfectly. Neytiri’s fingers worked quickly and gracefully, beads were woven into a shawl with recognizable patterns usually worn by the Olo’eyktan’s family. Y/N sighed in frustration at her own piece of work - a long beaded skirt that was supposed to match the shawl for the ceremony.
“You’re doing great, just be patient with yourself,” Neytiri spoke softly, barely lifting her gaze towards Y/N, but a small smile stretched her lips, nonetheless.
“I don’t have time to be patient,” Y/N sighed again, “The ceremony is tomorrow and…”
“Take your time, the ceremony won’t happen until you finish your skirt the way you like it,” Neytiri teased, putting aside the shawl, as if she was sensing that there was something else bothering Y/N.
To be quite frank, though Neytiri knew from the beginning that Eywa’s signs were truthful, the reactions she first got from her son and Y/N scared her. She could see the way they started looking at each other, the morning Y/N spent in their hut was an undeniable testament to her growing connection with Neteyam, but Neytiri still wasn't completely convinced that they were going into it surely. She watched how Y/N struggled with her weaving for a moment before reaching out to pat her shoulder lovingly, signaling for her to take a break.
“There is something else on your mind that is keeping you distracted. Tell me.”
Y/N gulped nervously, giving up on the skirt. She contemplated for a minute if she should spill the intense guilt she has been feeling since kissing Neteyam onto his mother and possibly ruining the way she was perceived by his family for the rest of her life.
“I know that after losing someone as close as your mom it is hard to open up to another woman,” Neytiri spoke softly, "But I already consider you my child. You can tell me what’s wrong.”
“It’s…” Y/N looked up with a softened expression, “You know why I was so opposed to the arrangement in the beginning?”
“You were scared, no?” Neytiri squinted.
“Yes but there was a bigger reason,” Y/N breathed out slowly, taking her time, “I was in love with someone else… or I thought I was. But we weren’t mated and I don’t think he was ever going to mate with me, so I couldn’t tell anyone that. I could only be angry because I was helpless.”
“Do you still see that someone else?” she asked carefully, like a mother asking her child something she is afraid to know the answer to.
“No. It was Kaye.”
“Kaye?”
Neytiri nodded in understanding, small pieces of information she heard about Kaye’s death were falling into pieces. The way Y/N behaved when he was first shot, how long she refused to attend to her tasks and how Neteyam skipped training to be with her. The days Y/N stayed inside and turned into an empty shell of herself. Y/N wasn’t just angry and rebellious, she was hurt because she was alone. Neytiri reached out once more to pat her on the shoulder with motherly care.
“I’m sorry, my child.”
“I felt so guilty,” Y/N hung her head, staring at her own hands, as she revealed the deepest secret she withheld, “Because no matter how much Kaye hurt me, I didn’t want to fall for somebody else. And Neteyam… he is perfect. I can’t help it, the way I feel about him. But it also feels like betraying Kaye… betraying what we had.”
“Y/N, look at me,” Neytiri spoke gently, “Eywa does not make mistakes, she brings us what we need, even when we don’t expect it. Just because you’re following your destiny, it doesn’t mean you are forgetting Kaye and what you had with him. Your heart is capable of holding both love and memories.”
Y/N nodded weakly, her eyes tearing up at the words she had been so desperate to hear. She wiped her eyes, lips trembling in the search for ways to express her gratitude. Neytiri watched her for a moment with a newly gained perspective. She had always observed Y/N to be a smart empathetic girl but she had never gotten to experience her side of things.
“I understand more than you think I do,” she attempted a playful tone, “Before mating with Toruk Makto, I was meant to be with another warrior… his name was Tsu’tey. It was my duty to the clan, a tradition. But Eywa sent me Jake, a sky person. He was an outsider, it was against all odds, challenged the path I thought was set for me. But love finds a way."
Y/N felt her heartbeat pick up. Surely, she had known the way Neytiri and Jake found their way to each other, how he became the Toruk Makto to prove himself to her. But hearing it like this, from Neytiri herself, made Y/N see her as someone real, who wasn’t perfect, who was once a girl too, torn between her duties and her heart.
“Eywa has a way of guiding us, you just have to trust her,” Neytiri smiled, her gaze returning to the girl in front of her, “Whatever you feel, know that I am here for you, just as your mother would be there for you. You are a part of our family now.”
“Thank you, Neytiri, for… everything,” Y/N reached out to gently grasp Neytiri’s hand.
She felt accepted and understood. For the first time in so long she remembered the connection she had with her mother. How, no matter the circumstances, she had a safety net to fall into. Neytiri smiled, squeezing her hand, and reached for the unfinished skirt.
“Now, for this part, you’d want to change up your technique…”
︵‿︵‿︵‿︵
Lo’ak had never witnessed such unease in Neteyam, it was so out of character for his typically unshakable older brother. This unexpected anxiety radiating from Neteyam has somehow transferred to him too, Lo'ak's palms were sweating, as he observed silently. With trembling hands, Neteyam held up a bowl of vibrant yellow paint to Jake, who dipped his fingers into it and continued drawing a pattern on his eldest son’s forehead,
“You alright, son?” Jake took a small sigh, throwing a quick knowing glance at Lo’ak. Neteyam took a moment to reply.
“I don’t think so,” he mumbled, zoned out, eyes focusing on the horizon with a deep wrinkle forming between his eyebrows, “Everyone is going to be there watching, no?”
“Well, yeah, that’s kind of the point,” Jake chuckled weakly, “To seal your bond before the clan and Eywa.”
“Are you scared?” Lo’ak chimed in anxiously, he wasn’t sure if Neteyam’s answer was going to calm him down either way.
Neteyam couldn’t bring himself to respond with words, so he only gave his brother a short nod. Jake frowned and took a step back to glance at him.
“What are you scared of? Everyone loves you and Y/N together, your union has already been blessed by Eywa. You love her, no?”
“Yes! I mean… it couldn’t be anything less,” Neteyam looked up at his father, then sighed again, “But it’s scary. How did you do it? I mean, you gave vows before the entire clan like a hundred times, with everyone watching you, holding you responsible.”
Jake chuckled warmly, guessing that the reason for Neteyam’s nervousness wasn’t necessarily the choice of being with Y/N, undeniably, he was smitten with her, but rather announcing it to everyone. Because once he makes his union everyone’s business, there is no going back. But as the future Olo’eyktan, whatever Neteyam was affected by in his role as the chief was also going to affect the others. Jake thought he knew exactly what to say now.
“It is scary, I’m not gonna lie. It gets easier with time but I remember being terrified to make big promises with everyone’s eyes on me,” a hint of nostalgia flashed in his eyes, then a lazy smile made its way onto the man’s face, “But I have a secret. Helps me every time.”
“What is it?” both brothers asked simultaneously, watching their father.
“Your mother,” Jake answered in a heartbeat, “When you know there is the right person standing beside you, who supports you wholeheartedly and will always keep by your side, it doesn’t matter anymore. Because you’re making a promise to her, and you know that when it comes to her, you will keep that promise with your life.”
Neteyam nodded with a sense of understanding, as if the answer his father gave him, suddenly connected bridges. He rapidly stood up from his seat, shoving the bowl of paint into Lo’ak’s hands, and sprinting away. It wasn't hard to guess where he was headed.
︵‿︵‿︵‿︵
Y/N twirled awkwardly, the long-beaded skirt trailing behind her in a swift dance, glistening under the soft sunlight filling out the tent. Neytiri tilted her head slightly at the movement with an approving hum and beside her Tsahik nodded in agreement. Y/N felt herself melting under their gazes.
"Oh Eywa," Kiri’s voice brought her back into a state of insecurity.
Y/N twirled once more, this time weaker, discouraged by the tone. She ran her hands over the beaded top, before staring back at her friend in anticipation.
"What's wrong with this?"
"Nothing," Kiri shook her head, "You just look so beautiful.”
“You look perfect, my child,” like her mother’s voice, Neytiri spoke to Y/N with such surety and tenderness, that all of the worries were now melting away.
"Can I steal her for a moment?"
Everyone's head snapped at the future Olo'eyktan walking in, his eyes glistening at the sight of Y/N in the beautiful garments she had woven for the ceremony. It was too soon for him to be there, to ruin this moment of her bonding with the women in his life, but Neteyam didn't care. Couldn't care if he had to, he was eager to get her alone, to wash away his anxiousness once more before they were mated before the whole clan.
His grandmother tsksed loudly, Neytiri throwing a disapproving glance, and before anyone could really protest how improper it was of Neteyam out of all people to disrupt the tradition, Y/N was already apologizing and running out of the tent.
"Come," his hand found hers like an instinct and pulled her gently towards his ikran, "The Mother Tree is beautiful at this time."
"But there are preparations for the ceremony," she scrunched up her nose at the thought of so many people seeing them.
"Don't worry, we'll just sneak a look and be out of there," Neteyam reassured.
As Y/N followed Neteyam's lead, her heart raced with a mixture of excitement and nervousness. She couldn't believe she was going against tradition, breaking away from the preparations for the ceremony. But at the same time, she couldn't deny the thrill of being alone with Neteyam, away from prying eyes and expectations.
They reached the outskirts of the camp, where the dense forest greeted them with its familiar embrace. Neteyam led her to a secluded spot near the Mother Tree. The sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting a warm glow over the two of them.
"Close your eyes," he whispered, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.
She rolled her eyes but complied anyway with a grin. She felt his touch as he sneaked something into her palm and closed it gently, something smooth and rounded and familiar but she couldn’t guess what it was.
Without waiting for his instructions, once his hand left hers, she opened her palm to find two wooden rings. Y/N looked back at Neteyam in a slight confusion, finding him already smiling at her, his freckles glowing with particular brightness.
“I made these out of the root of the Mother Tree,” he explained softly, “One for you, one for me.”
“They’re beautiful,” she whispered, examining the rings up closer, noticing the small patterns needled into them.
“I know it seems a little simple but let me explain first,” Neteyam stole one of the rings back, twirling it in between his fingers, “Where my father comes from, there was no ceremony before Eywa but there was something similar… a tradition,” he paused to gulp down, suddenly a rush of nervousness overwhelming him, “The couples would exchange rings to symbolize their love for each other. And they would wear it for the rest of their lives to show how their hearts still belong to each other, that they will always be connected.”
Gently, taking her free hand into his Neteyam pondered for a moment before sliding the ring onto her finger. Silently, his eyes asked for approval, and once he noticed hers glistening with the tears of joy and a faint smile forming on her lips, he smiled too, sealing the bond. It fit perfectly, he hadn’t guessed it, of course it would. He held her hand too many times not to know.
“This means…” she whispered, her voice filled with too many emotions, “I want to be connected to you too.”
Without a thought, she slid the other ring onto his finger and ran over the patter with care. His fingers quickly intertwined with hers, the wooden rings clinking from the touch as if Eywa suddenly clinked all of her bellflowers to signify the success of the union. Eager now to express his love, Neteyam cupped her face quickly, resting his forehead against hers with a toothy grin.
“You’re mine now, and I am yours,” he announced happily, coaxing a joyful laughter out of her.
His mouth quickly caught that sound, she nearly stumbled but Neteyam’s hands were firm and steady, pulling her into him. His lips felt so natural against hers, it felt like they were molded off each other and no one, not even Eywa herself, could plan how perfect they seemed to be right in this moment.
As they pulled away, Y/N glanced at the ring again with genuine warmth in her eyes. For the first time in years, she felt happy unconditionally, without fear of losing it. A few more tears streamed down her face.
“Well, now my gift will look lame,” she mocked playfully through the tears, coaxing a chuckle out of Neteyam.
Shaking his head, he reached out to gently wipe away a tear from her cheek.
"No gift you could ever give me would be considered lame," he assured.
Slowly, she reached into her pouch, carefully taking out the necklace she had prepared to give him during the ceremony. The one that he got a glimpse of the other night, but she was so quick to hide. Woven with intricate patterns it reminded Neteyam of the necklace worn by his grandfather. He took a small breath; his fingers grazed over the beads and feathers to try and feel everything he could at once.
“I made this for you to wear,” she whispered softly, like she was scared he wouldn’t like it.
Unmistakably, it was a necklace worthy of an Olo’eyktan. The colors, the patterns, the size. It was too fancy to be worn by the other clan members, too clanky and beautiful to be used every day. Very fitting to show a status. With trembling hands, he took the necklace into his hands, marveling at its beauty.
“Are you sure?” Neteyam gulped, looking back at her with uncertainty.
“You don’t like it?”
“I do,” he was quick to interrupt her before she could jump to conclusions, “No. I mean, of course, I like it! But I don’t know if I can wear it… it looks like something…”
“Something like an Olo’eyktan would wear.”
Neteyam nodded in agreement, his own insecurity of his status and fear of leading one day washed over him. He might have prepared for the change his whole life but no one chose him. His father was chosen, but Neteyam was never the leader that his people asked for. Sure, he was strong and brave and smart but was he capable of being the one? These thoughts would often consume his mind with a rotten feeling of incapability, vulnerability that would ultimately make him question everything about himself. So why was she sure of him?
“Well, you are the Olo’eyktan. My Olo’eyktan,” she assured with a soft smile, as if guessing his thoughts. And just like that, he felt the weight fall off his shoulders.
Her faith in him was like a guiding light, illuminating the path that seemed so unknown and dark before. He realized that it wasn't about living up to the expectations of others; it was about doing his best while he had her by his side.
Neteyam, suddenly flustered by the way she was looking at him, eyes so full of love and admiration, looked down. His eyes caught the blue and instinctively almost his fingers reached to graze the blue feathers of the too familiar necklace. Y/N shivered at the touch.
“You know how I saw a woman in my vision, during my Dream Hunt?” he whispered, looking back up at her.
Y/N nodded with an understanding, showing that it wasn’t something she could forget. The memory has set in motion the whole ordeal, their mating, their fate.
“I couldn’t see her face… I thought it was only a sign I was ready, that it wasn’t anyone in particular that Eywa was showing to me,” Neteyam continued, lost in his own thought, “But there was something odd about her… a long necklace, just like yours, with blue feathers, going all the way down… too long to be worn by anyone else. I thought it was odd but then... what isn’t odd about getting a vision from Eywa during your Dream Hunt?” Neteyam chuckled and paused, waiting for Y/N’s reaction, “It was you, wasn’t it? From the beginning, it was destined to be you and me.”
Y/N put her hand over his, the one that was still holding onto her necklace, her eyes widening in surprise. Her heart raced at the revelation, and just like a confirmation, she noticed a woodsprite floating around the two of them. Eywa makes no mistakes.
the end!
this was lazily edited so please don't mind me, i'm just glad to have put out this final chapter! i hope you enjoyed the series, i know i did, thank you!
the deepest sighs, the frankest shadows | neteyam x avatar!reader
summary: it's been a week since the consciousness transfer and there is more to adjust to than just your new body. for starters, the approaching threat of the sky people and the preparations for war. or, that in an attempt to bring some light back into the world, mo'at finally announced the future olo'eyktan's mate. choices are to be made as both relationships with the sully brothers are still unclear. somehow, though your heart is already made up, and what about the perfect soldier? it brings up the question: duty or love?
pairings: neteyam x avatar!reader
word count: 18.1k (this is insane)
warnings/notes: the end at last, smut, minors DNI (18+ please), unprotected sex, slight choking, mating, swearing, mention of sky people, confessions upon confessions, neteyam being stupid but also completely obsessed with you, loose ends tied up, brother reconciliation, angst (has to be), crying, fluff, happy ending?
series masterlist | one of us: part eight (finale) | requests are currently open for now
Please, let him be soft.
Neteyam Te Suli Tsyeyk’itan his whole life had been compared to gunmetal, sharp arrows, and serrated teeth of the most vicious predator in Pandora. He resembled all of those things because he was a warrior, the best soldier, and a hero to many — or at least he would be once he won this war and became Olo’eyktan. Many people compared him to many things; all deadly, crenulated, and power filled. It was very deserving to be spoken of so highly and to that degree because Neteyam didn’t lose a fight.
He didn’t falter or show weakness, and like any soldier, had the ability to push down his feelings until they were so small and minuscule they were barely there. He was built and trained up since he was no more than a child preparing for this future, this prophecy, and this battle against the sky people. Neteyam Sully was Toruk Makto’s eldest son and in turn the best-prepared soldier for the upcoming war.
Those who saw him as all those things refused to realize that he was also Na’vi, not made of steel or unbreakable shields, but of humanity. His humanity and ability to have feelings were shown a mere week before as he stood in the middle of the village, a limp body strewn along his arms. The perfect soldier then was not unwarpable or without weakness. Just like old, warn, and overused things, he had broke in front of everyone. He is no robot, no man without emotions as no leader should be without a strong heart. Fearless, improbable, and also not one of the eldest son’s traits because he very much had feared. Feared losing the very woman no one would have ever expected him to fall for. In that brief time, everyone saw that heroes hold just as much humanity, and more so heroes have the ability to break.
But, please let him be soft.
Neteyam Te Suli Tsyeyk’itan had shattered and then when it was all said and done, with nothing left to cry for, his emotions were packed up and sent away again. Without even being fixed, he returned to being the hero that held the entire world on his shoulders. Because even if you asked and begged, Eywa would tell you just as anyone else that the world needed him. His hope, his strength, his courage, his leadership, and his strength. The world needs everything and he will give it all, including his heart.
It was no longer yours, not since the consciousness transfer, not completely. You wanted nothing more than to go to him when you woke up. You wished for him to reveal that he was flawed and breakable and somehow felt immensely for you. You wanted the whole world to know he was soft and that he was yours. You wanted to kiss him, feel him, know that the two of you could now have it — all of it while you still could. In that brief moment of clarity with all the walls built up before they came crumbling down again. It was only a matter of time, a matter of solitude before the storm would come and before the enemy would come.
Suddenly, everything had aligned and life was no longer at your fingertips. It was no longer outside of a large metal box or a sleep away. It was right here, right in front of your face. You went asleep for the last time in your original form and when you woke up with Toruk Makto staring down at you, hand cradling your face, you knew you had made it to your true form. You made it to your reality, your existence.
It all was in your grasp and you would never let it go again. You stared up at Vitraya Ramunong’s mauve neuron rods and you realized that this was why she had sent you back. With tears kissing your cheeks, you realized she had granted you this silent prayer so he could be soft and he could be yours.
Neteyam would give them everything until he was nothing but a shell of himself, nothing but an imprint of dust. He would give and they would take it all, anything he could spare. Neteyam would give them everything so she gave him you.
You were there because of him.
If only you could tell him that. If you were only given a minute, a spare moment, to say how irrefutably in love with him you were. If only Eywa could prolong a spindle of time so that if anything were to happen either of you could go with touched lips and empty mouths. You could go without anything else to say.
Somehow though as soon as you were okay and back in good health, you realized that where gunmetal can warp and tarnish, it can also be repaired. Arrows could be glued and dull teeth, sharpened. What once was could be again and you grasped that over the next week. A week full of weaponry dispenses, battle practices, meetings upon meetings of planning routes, and combat groups. The conversation revolved around the sky people, the territory they had long since crossed, and their weaponry only. Everyone had nearly forgotten about your visit with Eywa, the consciousness transfer, and you and Neteyam.
If you weren’t practicing flying your Ikran and shooting your bow or locked in the grasps of Tuk and Kiri, you were talking strategies with Jake. Somehow he had noticed that after all your training and previous knowledge of humans, there was a warrior buried deep inside of you. You had become an asset to him despite the close loss. If you had a moment to spare, you were constantly in search of Neteyam, just begging the Great Mother for more than a passing glance or nod of acknowledgment.
If you managed to see one another, you both would momentarily freeze and just stare at one another almost painfully, so many words needing to be said. There were so many times when he would try to mouth something to you but it never got far because he was swept away in a matter of seconds. Neteyam was busier than you were, having become his father’s right-hand man and despite only being nineteen was promoted to one of the generals of the operation. If he wasn’t training, he was for laying his father’s orders. He was no longer soft or yours but the mighty warrior once again.
Then if he had any moment at all, Tsahik was dragging him away to discuss whatever was required of him for his courtship. That was another thing that had happened, Neteyam’s mate had been announced, proudly to the clan. Mo’at thought it would help with providing calmness to the people. That despite the alarms going off in everyone’s head that there was something to celebrate, the manhood of their future Olo’eyktan and his future wife.
Tsmandi Te Nätäkx Ayitul’ite — the finest young healer in the clan. She had been training with Mo’at for years, and somehow over the last six months, you hadn’t thought to see her as more than the Tsahik’s healer in training. You should have seen the signs and many reasons why she and Neteyam could be a perfect fit. She was intelligent, kind, and able to lead the people alongside him. Not to mention she was stunning with long wavy hair, a small curved nose, and perfect blue and ivory markings along her skin. She was the perfect choice for Tsahik and somehow at the news, it was hard to even hate her for it.
You wanted to. You wanted to hate her so bad but you knew that there was no point in it. No point in hating her when it was just as much out of her control as Neteyam’s. It wasn’t her fault that you had feelings for him or that despite most of the village realizing it that Mo’at continued to go forth with the arranged courtship anyway. It wasn’t her fault that Jake had actively noticed how his son felt about you and instead of stepping in or saying anything, he decided to stick his head in the sand and focus on the other problems that plagued the clan. Neytiri had tried to talk to her mother, to try and revert the match but despite her being the wife of Olo’eyktan, Mo’at still had say and control over the pairings. A pairing she didn’t see you fit for. They were to consummate their mateship and get married as soon as things slowed down with the sky people, possibly as soon as after the first battle and airstrike.
Of course, you had no idea what Neteyam was thinking or feeling because whenever you saw him, he was back to focusing on his duties, the weight everyone asked him to carry. It seemed even his own heart, soul, and suffering he was trying to manage. You would bear it, but it seemed he didn’t want you to.
A storm was coming and suddenly you had come to the conclusion that a moment would never be supplemented for you to be able to talk to Neteyam. The two of you were like the sun and the moon — revolving around one another, unable to touch and it didn’t matter how close you got, you would never meet. He was the sun, the source of your warmth, the ability for you to breathe. With such an effect to provide for everyone, came a price to pay. One that resembled a fleeting moment he shared with the moon at dusk and dawn because where he was the sun, he was the untouchable, uncurable, unfreeable. He wasn’t yours and because of the perfect soldier in him, he might never be.
“So, based on how they are approaching the village, we know they would invade from this direction. There are no other markings that are east of the village so there won’t be any of them over on that side. The only thing we have to worry about is them coming from the sky, which is where the group on the Ikrans will come in,” Jake was in the middle of the same spiel he had been going over for three days now with the same people: all of the riders and soldiers.
You found yourself glancing over past your eyelashes to Neteyam who stood on one side of Jake, as a right-hand man, and Lo’ak on the other. Even with his troublesome and risky behavior, he was still expected to fight and the sight of the two of them together now with faded green bruises and cuts shrunken down to small lines, you were unable to look away. You hadn’t spoken to Lo’ak yet about his proposal or the idea of you two mating because every spare moment was put towards Neteyam but where there was no conversation with Neteyam, it meant you weren’t able to have one with Lo’ak. He was getting antsy evident in the way his eyes found yours in a full room or he tried to catch you while you were alone after training. Somehow it hall had been avoided though.
“Neteyam and I will be with the airborne group,” Jake said then, his son’s name drawing your attention back to the importance of the meeting, “We will start here and fly there, waiting for a signal.”
“If you are a spotter you do not engage until you have to. We will take care of the first lines of fire and lead the attack,” Neteyam’s voice was serious as he glanced between the riders, the edge to his tone coinciding with that of a leader. His eyes flickered towards you but no longer than they had anyone else. You felt your stomach rise and fall just as quickly as he continued, “You’re spotters, you report, and that is all. When you see something, call it in, and then wait for further orders.”
Neteyam glanced around his father to Lo’ak who sent in a noticeable eye roll back. Jake knocked his elbow into the side of his youngest son and Lo'ak straightened up suddenly at the realization that his father had seen what he did in response to the future Olo’eyktan. A mutual understanding moved through the small crowd like a hush as Lo’ak nodded toward his father — everyone silently agreeing to listen to every word that Neteyam was saying.
This wasn’t another ‘what-if’ scenario or a hypothetical situation to use to prepare the people or yourselves. This was real and it was actually happening. Gone was the comfort that appeared with the ‘what-ifs’, a small understanding that no matter what was said or done they would remain as they were, a hypothetical situation. But now, things had inevitably changed. There was no putting this to sleep because it would still be the only thing thought about as soon as everyone left the room.
There was no going back to how things were; before the sky people, and their arrival. Ever since the night of your ceremony when Jake and Neteyam found them near the territory line, they were always there; not just in the forest slowly creeping closer and closer but in everyone’s minds. It was no longer a scenario but a possibility that would finally appear soon.
A few nights ago you had overheard Jake talking to Neytiri that if things begin to deter far in advance of the war, they should flee — protect their home for as long as they can but if it begins to go downhill, leave while they all still can. He had already advised many women and children to leave, and find shelter and solace within the mountains where he knew the technological advances could not operate. You were pondering how long it would take until he ordered everyone else to retreat, even the mightiest of warriors.
It was sure to happen because he wasn’t the same marine or Jake Sully he once was. The Toruk Makto had laid his reign to rest and now there was more at stake; his family. Before it was about honor and portraying a message about the quality of life. Many losses had occurred but for the greater cause of success. It seemed that even as the clan faced that same threat, Jake wasn’t as dedicated to the message, not if it meant losing the lives of many. He wouldn’t show it though, not to those still willing to lose their lives to protect their home. To protect their views, he would keep up the facade that he was the same leader he once was proud of.
“They’re coming and they aren’t going to stop unless we do something about it,” Jake said, a small hiss falling from his lips as he thought back to this long hard fight that had become his life, “They think that they can take whatever they want, but we have sent them this message before and we will do it again. That we won’t stop, not as long as they keep coming. We will fight. You will fly with me, your Olo'eyktan, and we will remind them that they can’t do this. They can’t take whatever they want while we’re still standing. So, prepare yourself, brothers and sisters, because they are coming, but they don’t realize that we’ll be ready!”
Cheers and hollers filled your ears as you looked around at the riders, spotters, and soldiers all soaking in every single word their brave leader had to offer. He had led them to victory once against the sky people and he would do it again. That was what all their faces said as they stared forward, with no moment to fear what could happen next or if they would even be alive to see that victory. His words shook you straight to your bones but you could only stare forward, in shock, as you took in the expressions of both of his sons. Lo’ak with one of his fists in the air, a grin was stretched across his face, almost satisfyingly as he thought about the violence that was soon to come. It was a look of vengeance, wanting and needing justice for all his people's pain.
Then there was Neteyam.
Please, let him be soft.
Strong, mighty warrior, Neteyam. He stood proudly, his hands on his hips, head tilted at the sight before him. Honorable future Olo’eyktan, Neteyam would follow his father to the ends of the world and would even let it take him if it meant he could save everyone else. He would sacrifice everything just to feel his father gushing with pride. That was who he was and suddenly like the worst realization, you knew it wouldn’t matter how much you wished for someone to just hear you, to let him be soft and be full of imperfections. You wished that he would walk away but that seemed like too big of an ask from you when the world needed him as much as it did.
Somehow his eyes found yours and his mighty statue faltered slightly under the weight of your gaze and your longingness. His lips curled slightly into a frown, one holding every emotion and every word you knew he wished he could say. That he felt for you in a way he didn’t for anyone else and that he could want you the way he did but it wouldn’t change anything. His look held so much admiration and softness, but even in it, you could see the harshness of reality — the one thing he could never say out loud. I can’t.
As if his proclamation meant nothing. As if losing you, or the fact that it had almost happened hadn’t done enough for him to leave his duties to the side. Like even though you were standing right there in front of him, everything he could want, he still couldn’t do this for you. He couldn’t go against what was expected of him at least not then, not with what was at risk. Suddenly as your heart constricted in your chest, his intense stare never leaving your trembling frame, it felt like you had been too stupid to fall under his spell. I see you. It suddenly had lost all meaning to your life.
As soon as Jake was done making his grand speech and the noise level had faded to a mere nothing, you found yourself sneaking out from the tent, beating the rush that was sure to follow. You felt his eyes drag over your back as you slipped out into the evening air, the sun beginning to set behind the tree line. A wind rippled along your skin, goosebumps being left in its wake as you approached your tent to leave your bow and chest guard.
The many voices of the rest of the riders and spotters filled the air as they began to exit from the tent. You hurried around the corner, eyes taking in the sudden dullness that seemed to have fallen over the area. The familiar dash of children was gone, instead, it was a mere memory as the village was now completely filled with soldiers, and riders, all decked out in armor and with weapons. The warmth that once was provided by the Omatikaya people had faded to a numbing fear that rattled everyone’s teeth.
Fear of the unknown, the fear of having to wait for the unknown. It was all that was on people’s minds and the days were no longer filled with meals, prayers, or times of celebration. In place of it, all was prepared for a war that could appear any day now. With everything, it felt like you hadn't been flirting with the possibility of death a few days prior or passed through the eye of Eywa. It was like you had never been human at all.
Somehow you integrated quickly, ideally, as if this was where you always were meant to be. It didn’t change the fact that every time you closed your eyes at night in your hut, you weren’t used to not having them open again in the link pod. It was the most significant adjustment, knowing you were no longer bouncing back and forth from one body to the other. You closed your eyes and opened them again in the morning with no interruption in between. That was your life now.
As you approached your tent, you heard the rushed footsteps from behind you as they bounced hurriedly across the dirt of the ground. You felt your heart pick up in your chest at the possibility of it being Neteyam but the feeling faded just as quickly as you heard the person call out to you.
“Y/N!” Lo’ak.
You sighed, peering over your shoulder, having should have known that it would be him over his older brother. Neteyam would never run after you like that. He was deliberate with even how he walked to protect his precious image from the rest of the people and he needed to seem calm and collected. Lo’ak’s face scattered in paint of orange and green, meaning he was probably about to go out on a spotting run and was just trying to catch you before. A quick conversation you hoped, as you still hadn’t had the opportunity to tell him you couldn’t accept his proposal.
“What, Lo’ak?” you asked, turning back to your tent, slipping inside.
"Wow," he followed, surprise forming on his face as he watched you place your bow down on the table, “Really, you’re not going to rush off this time?”
He had a point as for days you had been so concentrated on getting Neteyam alone, you were practically running at the sight of Lo’ak and his reckless confession that had left you backed up in a corner. A corner you now had to face head-on because what once was a hypothetical scenario had become your life overnight. You like a mighty soldier came out on the other side and now your future lay before you bare of any plans or decisions.
You were so blinded by the love you felt deep within your chest, you hadn’t thought any further than the way it had wholly consumed you. There was that word again, consumed. Consumption. Almost as if Neteyam’s love was water that would cure the dire thirst that had overtaken your lonely soul. Somehow the dire need had taken over every other physiological ask of your body.
Lo’ak had not been a priority but how could he have been when this obsession had once again become a “will they, won’t they” scenario.
“Y/N,” your name fell from his lips like the softest touch and you felt the recoil of your heart back into your chest, “If you plan to make a break for it I am not going to just let you go this time. Frankly, if you try to run off, I am just going to go after you and I think you remember that it is quite easy for me to catch you.”
You sent him a narrowed look over your shoulder before you busied yourself again with removing the chest guard as well as the knife strapped to your waist, “You never stop do you? With the flirting?”
“Well why would I ever stop when I get to see that look on your face every time I do it,” he chuckled, eyes flickering over the fierce glare and the furrow in your brow that matched the same one you once had when you were human. Even though you now stood only a few inches shorter than him and with ivory-dotted skin, you still were so much like the you he once knew, all starting from the animated expressions that coated your face in life.
He reached forward his thumb brushing over the folded skin, “The crinkle right above your nose only ever shows up when you’re annoyed or angry. And you’re cute when you’re annoyed.”
You smacked his hand away and sighed loudly not finding his affection welcoming in the slightest with the current circumstances at hand; the sky people, the guarantee of war, the possibility that any of them could die, the fact that he was still waiting for you to accept his ask to be his mate, or that he knew very well how you and his brother felt about one another. His flirting didn’t feel right in any way at that moment.
“Can you stop that, just… what is it, Lo’ak?” you sighed, rubbing the furrow he had been talking about seconds ago. You hoped it would disappear under your fingers, smoothing back to normal to keep him from feeling any more satisfaction. He knew your expressions and feelings inside and out, filling you with the worst dread, “Why are you here?”
“We need to talk,” he shrugged, casually as if the conversation he was hoping to have was just that but you knew better. Based on the glint in his eyes and the sly smile, you knew that nothing was casual at all about it and that with the charm laid on thick, he finally once again had you in that corner.
“Lo’ak…”
“No, I am not letting you walk away from this again. This can’t go on any longer,” he said, voice lowering as his hand extended forward as if it was going to touch you but it stopped mid-air due to the way your eyes hastily followed it. It fell back down to his side and you instantly felt guilty about it.
His mouth parted then as if he was going to say something else but you stepped forward, practically begging him not to, “Lo’ak, stop."
“Y/N,” he warned.
“Don’t say another word,” you professed, taking a step back away from him, “Not about this. Everything I said that night remains true and I haven’t changed my mind. I won’t let you do this, I can’t. I will not hold you back and diminish your chances of falling in love.”
“Y/N—”
“No!” you shouted then, feeling your shoulders shake at the exasperation of the word, “We can’t. You deserve better Lo’ak and I deserve better. Marriage and mating are not some solution so you don’t end up alone. I would rather be alone than become something you’ll resent. I won’t do that to myself.”
“You’re right,” he said, his words ringing out but muffled by the intense panic you felt as soon as his voice filled your ears.
“No, Lo’ak—”
“Y/N!” he raised his voice as both hands took your shoulders firmly. Shaking you lightly, your frantic eyes found his, finally flickering up from where you had been staring at the ground. You were met with a soft smile so loving and kind as a deep chuckle escaped from his mouth, “I said you’re right.”
“What?” your ears flattened slightly in shock as your eyes widened.
He laughed again, thumbs beginning to rub circles into the inside of your arms, finding the most amusement from the look on your face. “Look, I love you. I do, but not enough, and surely not as I should. Watching you and Neteyam this week, I realized that how I feel about you can’t compare in the slightest. And expectations or logistics of the future put aside, it would be wrong of me to make you settle for someone who doesn’t look at you the way he does. You deserve more than what I can give you and I am sorry I didn’t realize it earlier.”
The look hadn’t faded from your face, instead, it only deepend, your hands finding his arms, able to feel the warmth of his skin under your fingertips, “Really?”
“Yes,” he chuckled, “Plus, do you really think I want to be with a girl who would rather have my brother. No thanks.”
Your heart clenched in your chest, twisting and turning almost like you were about to be sick even though the look on his face resembled only amusement and laughter. Like his own joke was too funny not to laugh at himself. Your grip on his arms tightened unexpectedly, “I’m—”
“Shut up,” he cut you off, eyes narrowing at the way you were going to profusely apologize for something that had been completely out of your control the moment you had met Neteyam. Lo’ak even noticed it the first night, how you looked at his older brother like he had hung the stars. Even when he was less than welcoming during that first meeting, you saw the world in his eyes. “I’m fucking with you. It’s fine.”
“Is it?” you asked, hesitantly.
“Yes.”
You weren't convinced evident in the way your gaze fell back to the ground, not fully able to meet his eyes from the shame and guilt that was eating away at you. You had hurt him and led him on out of fear and it was inexcusable. With Lo'ak though, when it came to you he was always quick to forgive. Shown in the way, his fingers wrapped around your chin, lifting your head so your eyes once again met his.
“I have been second to Neteyam my whole life in everything and I don’t think I could go through with being the person you’d settle for just because you couldn’t have him. You were always right about that, how we shouldn’t choose to be with someone to settle. If we had, I think it would’ve killed me. We would have truly been miserable,” he admitted sadly with a solemn smile overtaking his features.
You had felt your eyes well up at his words, at the pain that had decorated his face in the form of worried lines and battered scars. He was right, just as you had been a week ago and had been every day since. The two of you would have been miserable but it didn’t deny the sudden sadness that formed. The grief that had formed for your friendship that might just never be the same and the love you swore you could have felt for the Sully son in another life. In this existence, you weren’t meant for one another and your souls would never coincide but possibly in another life and another world they would have.
“I want you to know I was never angry with you that it was Neteyam you chose. Even with him getting everything, I could never be angry with you about that,” he squeezed your arms under his palms as he paused for a brief second before continuing, “The reason I was so upset was that I was afraid he was going to hurt you. I know my brother and I knew that duty comes first, it always would, so I figured Tsmandi would come first. But watching him this last week, watching him as we all almost lost you, I can see now that nothing will stop him from feeling how he does when it comes to you.”
You felt your breath hitch, the weight leaving your entire body as you stared up at Lo’ak in slight awe. Not a single ounce of annoyance or jealousy filled his face, no spitefulness. When he said he loved you, he was telling the truth and when he said that it couldn’t compare to Neteyam’s feelings it was said with so much courage. There was no anger there laced within his wide eyes, but so much reassurance.
“When you came here Neteyam was a soldier who carried his mighty sword on his back. Before I would have told you that without a doubt he would stick to his orders, and his duties as the firstborn but he’s not the same person anymore. He is more than our father’s perfect little soldier but our future Olo’eyktan. He has a strong heart. He’s fit to be a ruler and to lead the clan to victory. But most of all, a man with a strong heart doesn’t take orders from anyone.”
“No, stop that,” you denied, suddenly, his words too much. Your face fell as you thought back to the last few days ever since you woke up from the transfer in a haze, a desperate haze for Neteyam's attention. He was and always had been the soldier the world expected of him. “Don’t say things that aren’t true.”
“But it is true.”
He would give them everything. He wasn’t soft, and he wasn’t yours.
You shook your head and sniffled, “No.”
He was a king’s son and there was no room for love among duty. It was inevitable and Lo’ak’s words only drilled holes in the hope he had built up seconds before.
“Yes it is and you’re being stupid,” Lo’ak said then effortlessly and it stung as it slid in past your chest.
Your eyebrows knitted together again, “Lo’ak!”
“Well you are,” he laughed, shaking his head, “You’re being just as stupid as he is. You’re stupid and in complete denial. It’s like you don’t realize you hold his heart in your hands. His feelings for you aren’t going anywhere. Neteyam is a ruler, yes with no fear, but I never said that a king sometimes doesn’t need a little push here and there.”
There will come a ruler whose brow is laid in thorn, smeared with oil like David’s boy. He will tear your city down…
An English poet once wrote that “there is a tide in the affairs of men, which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.”
Neteyam never knew who this man was or what he did that made his life so damn significant. He just saw him as he was, a sky person that once lived hundreds of thousands of years ago, facing the same idealistic problems that seemed to also be consuming his world. No, the future Olo’eyktan couldn’t care less about William Shakespeare but more about what he said. There is a tide in the affairs of men. In reality, the saying meant more having come from his father, first told to the young boy when he was no more than ten years old. The marine himself had heard it from Norm not long after he had arrived on Pandora.
The famous line stuck with Jake after all these years and he then passed it on to his oldest son, who seemed he would need it one day. That evening, sitting in the dark tent, the newest crafted bead on his songchord being rubbed between his thumb and forefinger, that was all he could think about. There is a tide in the affairs of men, which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.
There was a possibility of violence and war soon approaching followed by a long line of grief and all he could think about was that damn poet’s line his father had told him time and time again the older he got. Neteyam sat near the doorway of the tent and peered out towards the darkness of the forest while the sound of his father’s voice faded in the background accompanied by the taking apart and putting back together of guns. One pulled apart sat at Neteyam’s feet but he had lost interest in the weapon long after the sun had set.
His mind drifted then to where it always seemed to end up, you. More specifically, the way you had looked at him during the meeting earlier that evening, the disbelief and the pain that had overtaken your face. The complete betrayal you felt as the days were fading away quickly, days where he was still free and not some other woman’s.
He had held you with your last dying breath and said the most intimate words anyone could say within the clan and yet, he stood there across the room acting as if they meant nothing. To him, it was the most significant thing he had done in his life, but in a minor lapse of judgment, he had let the rest of his responsibilities appear again and take away his attention. Where every day passed until he and Tsmandi would be asked to be mated, also was another day gone until the sky people attacked the village. It was just a matter of time which one would occur first.
He felt his disappointment in himself increase as well as a wave of anger at his lack of awareness. He already almost lost you once and Eywa couldn’t promise the two of you a lifetime together or years to come of oblivious bliss. Nothing was promised and he was sitting there wasting every second for a battle that very well could kill him.
“Neteyam,” the sound of Jake’s voice pulled him back into the present.
He was clutching the bead so tightly in between his fingers, it had slipped and the entire songchord had fallen onto the ground. He hadn’t even noticed the absence that was left within his grasp. Not bothering to pick it up, his eyes expectantly found his father’s. The gun he had been putting back together sat in his lap in pieces, but he had paused to get Neteyam’s attention. His brows were raised curiously and a small curl was starting to appear on his lips. A look that Neteyamw wasn’t quite sure he had seen before.
Jake then nodded towards the entrance of the tent, his ears flickering as he did so, “Go on.”
“What?” Neteyam asked, unsure if he had heard him correctly.
“Go on,” he repeated, nodding his head again, “If I know her as well as I think I do, she won’t wait forever.”
Neteyam’s eyes widened then, hands dangled across his knees as he tried to process the words he never thought he would hear but felt himself reveling in for moments on end. Brows furrowed slightly, he felt as if it had been too good to be true because there was certainly no way. “But Dad—”
“You’re a good warrior Neteaym,” Jake complimented as his hands began to fiddle with the weapon in his lap just as a sudden emotion appeared in his voice, “But you’re destined to be a ruler someday, to become the next Olo’eyktan. An Olo’eyktan makes decisions for himself. No fear.”
“No fear,” Neteyam repeated slowly, still unsure if any of it was real.
“Now, go. I will handle your grandmother.”
Jake’s final words were all the confirmation that Neteyam needed. Picking up his songchord and gripping it tightly in his palm, Neteyam rushed out of the tent, leaving the burdens and the ripped-apart gun behind. Able to feel the way the moon and the stars reflected across his skin in the dark, he couldn’t help but pause outside the tent and peer up at the sky. A soft smile began to pull at his lips and in that brief pause of time, he sent up the quietest whispers of gratitude to the Great Mother. Then as if the world had finally felt like it was going in the right direction, he tightened his hold around the songchord as a new sense of determination formed. It took hold around the base of his stomach, filling him with the greatest fire known to man; pertinacity.
With hurried steps, he made his way across the village, your tent in sight. He could see the dim lighting from the lantern inside and he felt himself holding his breath as he reached for the flap of it. What would you say when you saw him there practically groveling for forgiveness, for a chance to prove himself? How would he properly say in so many words that he was wrong and that it had always been you? It’s you. Even as the world was starting to cave in around him, it was you he thought about and dreamed about. It was you and he had been entirely stupid for so long.
He took a deep breath, fingers clutched around the fabric but as he went to pull it back, he was distracted by the sound of a loud whistle. It made his ears twitch and he found himself turning to locate the loud noise. His hand fell away from the tent as he found Lo’ak just a few feet away slowly approaching, his arms hanging loosely at his sides and a look on his face Neteyam couldn’t quite decipher. Some lingering yellow markings were still pressed along the younger brother’s temple and arms, but they were practically invisible in the dark. A week ago, Neteyam had only looked at Lo’ak with hatred and with his fists balled tightly together, a feeling that had never been there before when it came to his younger brother.
Now as they stood only a few feet from one another, in front of your tent, still having never addressed that night, Neteyam felt his stomach tighten again. Not only in guilt about what he had done but also in slight anger as his resentment and jealousy still lingered under the surface. Lo’ak had asked you to be his mate, and Neteyam still didn’t know what the outcome would be or what you had even decided to do. He refused to be in a room with Lo’ak unless it had something to do with the ongoing conflict with the sky people, so now standing there in the darkness of the village, there was an obvious amount of tension that still lingered.
Lo’ak nodded in the direction of the forest behind him, shrugging his shoulders as he did so, “You just missed her. I am sure you could still catch her though.”
Neteyam heard the words and slowly felt his stoic expression and rigid stature fade. His fists unclenched and his ears flickered curiously. His lips parted slowly, in surprise as he glanced from his younger brother to the forest practically calling his name, “Lo’ak—”
“You’re the better man,” he said, cutting him off and shrugging his shoulders as he did so, “You always were. I was just too stubborn to get out of your way.”
The future Olo’eyktan found himself shaking his head as if he couldn’t believe that his younger brother thought he was the only one at fault here. They both had been. Things had only fallen apart because of their indignation toward one another and their incessant need to push down all of their real feelings until they no longer felt as if they existed. It was something they both had gotten from their father and it had shown with how they chose to handle this whole situation, with violence.
“I have always been too hard on you, Lo’ak. It's unfair.”
The younger Sully laughed, his chest rumbling slightly almost as if he was trying to brush off all the seriousness that was forming, “It is what is expected of you. You should be hard on me because I need it. We’re not kids anymore Neteyam and I need to start taking responsibility for my own actions. I have been letting you do it for far too long. So please hear me and believe me when I say that I was wrong about this. I knew how you felt about her and even when I saw how she so obviously looked at you, I chose to ignore it.”
“You were doing what you thought was right, I can respect that,” Neteyam replied honestly, his eyes softening at the sight of the pained expression plastered across Lo’ak’s face.
“No, I was trying to be you.”
His brows furrowed at Lo’ak’s admission, lips curling slightly into a frown at the emphasis of the word you. Something that he never expected to hear. “What do you mean?”
“I was trying to be you. I thought I was protecting her… that I could protect her, but I’m not you. I was wrong, Neteyam because she never needed my protection. I was scared that you would hurt her, that somehow your duty, your need to put everyone else first would wreck everything. I was trying to protect her, but I can’t do that because I’m not you. I am not made to be a ruler.”
There is a tide in the affairs of men.
I am not you.
Neteyam felt his deep inhale get lodged within his chest at Lo’ak’s words, ripping what was left of the walls he had built up to pieces. Ears pulled tautly back, he stepped forward and found his hand reaching out to take a hold of his younger brother’s shoulder, “Lo’ak, it is a good thing. I wouldn’t want you to be me. I wouldn’t want you to carry these burdens. It’s suffocating.”
Lo’ak’s head fell slightly, almost like he was guilty he was the younger son, free of more responsibilities and expectations. Even though it had not been his choice, he felt guilty that Neteaym was the one who had his future completely planned out for him, that because of their birth order, his brother was unable to fully commit himself to you.
Neteyam squeezed his shoulder lightly, “I am glad it’s not you, Lo’ak. I am so relieved that you are who you are. I know the guilt you must feel but it’s not a weight you should waste time bearing. This wasn’t a choice you made and you need to let it go. Yes, you’re not me. You’re not a perfect little soldier, but believe me, it’s not a title worth having.”
The honest sentiment was strong as it settled deep within Lo’ak’s chest suddenly breaking through all the resentment that had been there for years. The outcast. The wrong brother. The mess up. It all no longer mattered as he stared at Neteyam because for years while he had been so busy trying to hate him and make his life harder, he failed to realize just how unlucky the firstborn really was.
It was never that Neteyam got everything he wanted but rather was given everything without a choice in the matter. Everything and everyone’s approval he hadn’t asked for. In exchange the pressure to be perfect, to do everything right, and to never disappoint. The reality that had been looming over them their whole lives was that Neteyam wasn’t the lucky son, not in the slightest, just the one that held the entire family and world in his hands.
It surely was a responsibility Lo’ak was relieved he would never have.
“I mean look what it has gotten me,” Neteyam said then, shame covering his face as he glanced over his shoulder at the tent, “I have hurt her. I have continuously hurt the only woman I have ever had feelings for.”
“Feelings?” Lo’ak asked, eyes narrowing as he observed the reaction that overtook his brother’s face from the question, “You love her then?”
It was a softness Lo'ak had never seen on his brother’s face before. It was like all worry and all weight had left him in a matter of seconds. What was left was a mere admiration for the woman who was sitting waiting in the woods. She had left to pray to Eywa, to ask for answers for her heartbreak that seemed to be inevitable but the answer was as clear as day and standing right in front of Lo’ak. It was the soft lift of the corners of Neteyam’s lips to the coruscated flash in his eyes.
“Y-Yes.”
Lo’ak nodded, slightly surprised that Neteyam finally admitted it but somehow not surprised by the response that finally confirmed everything. It had always been there under the surface. The answer to the very question he asked moments ago, but to actually hear it out loud was foreign.
“You should go,” Lo’ak said then, glancing briefly over his shoulder to the forest and the direction you had disappeared to, he could only assume to the spot Neteyam had introduced you to.
Neteyam’s face pinched together for a moment, brows furrowing as he tried to analyze Lo’ak’s expression and his sudden need to send him off into the forest. It was almost as if his younger brother couldn’t handle any more of the conversation. The younger Sully stepped back, putting some more space in between them.
As Neteyam was going to say something more, he was silenced quickly as Lo’ak raised his hands, “I am fine. It’s fine, really. I am just saying you shouldn’t waste any more time. You should go.”
He agreed silently and knew then that after everything that had happened; the tension, the arguments, that fight that broke out somehow this one conversation had healed all wounds. It had healed those very blows that had been sent to Neteyam’s chest and had brought the worst rage out of him. The betrayal he felt seeped away and somehow nothing was left but the forgiveness and understanding that clouded his mind. It was a reconciliation that had somehow seemed to fix all of the things from over the years of growing up under the same roof, always in competition, acting as if their father’s pride was something to be won.
Lo’ak for years had felt that he had always come second and that he would never be Neteyam. It wasn’t a disagreeable aspect anymore but rather something he could learn to see as understandable. He didn’t want to be Olo’eyktan, not really, and that came with all the standards laced within the title. For the first time in years, there was an understanding between the two, an acceptance of sorts and it all started and ended with you.
Neteyam slipped by Lo’ak, the confirmation of you being in the forest already guiding him to a certain place he was sure you'd ran off to. The only place either of you'd end up when it was this late and with dangers lurking around. It was the only spot either of you would wait for the other and it brought the most comfort when times were dire and destructive. There was no knowing what would fall upon the forest the next day or the day after. No guarantee of what would happen to the clan, to the village, to the people, and to those who were about to put their lives at risk for the entirety of their belief system.
Neteyam very well could die tomorrow and now suddenly all he could wish for was to have one night. One night where you could be his and he could be yours, completely, honestly with nothing else wedged between the two of you. He wished to have you, to feel your skin beneath his fingers, to memorize the way you would look up at him, and the way you would say his name. Most of all he just wanted you to promise him that it wasn’t too late. That he hadn’t fucked things up that bad.
He needed to hear that despite everything you loved him.
Just as his feet reached the tree line, Neteyam stopped at the sound of Lo’ak calling out to him again. Turning around, he found his younger brother sending him a proud smile, one that reached his eyes, not an ounce of sadness or disappointment to be shared between the two. “Just take care of her okay?”
A single nod was all that was expressed from the older Sully, the man who had fallen so irrevocably in love he couldn’t imagine doing anything else for the rest of whatever time he had left — take care of you was the only thing at the top of his list. Fuck the responsibilities. Fuck the arranged marriage or the expected mateship. Fuck the control his grandmother seemingly wanted over who his partner was going to be.
Jake’s words rang around in Neteyam's ears as he turned back towards the forest and stepped inside.
An Olo’eyktan makes decisions for himself. No fear.
He found himself suddenly picking up his pace, the wind brushing along his skin as he began to run. His knife clattered across his thigh from the holder around his waist colliding with his songchord as he brushed past the brush and tree branches. His eyes were set forward in the dark, the lush glow of the forest the only thing to guide him as he felt his lungs begin to burn. They burned for air as his legs began to ache. Sweat was forming along his brow but the only thing his mind was set on is getting to you.
No fear. He kept repeating it to himself over and over again. Simply, because he didn’t fear much. He never gave a second thought to what his father asked of him. Being a soldier and the talk of war never scared him somehow. He prepared his whole life to someday die in battle but you, somehow telling you how he felt was so much worse. The idea of actually admitting it out loud to you was the scariest thing he'd ever do. Letting himself fall for you was something that took more courage than he would ever care to admit. Because loving you meant he was going against the crown, the expectations, and the future wife that had been chosen for him. He was going against the prophecy that Mo’at had laid before him.
As he slowed near the familiar trees and mangled brush, it felt as if the Great Mother had another plan for him all along. Almost as if she had brought you back for him and him alone. There was a great plan, a future that would be laid out before him and he felt that Eywa was promising that you would be the one by his side.
He held his breath as he pushed the brush aside and stepped swiftly through the forest spotting you from beneath the trees. You stood near the base of the river, arms wrapped around yourself as you stared forward at the water, tracing the ripples with your eyes. Lips pursed, you shifted from side to side seemingly lost in your thoughts, so much so you didn’t hear his approaching steps. Neteyam stopped just a few feet away, allowing himself a few seconds to admire you, your side profile, and the way your hair fell effortlessly across your shoulders. The top half was pulled back out of your face and laced together in a small braid, leaving a few pieces to frame your face. Your smooth skin reflected the sheer lights of the water and he couldn’t help but trace the slope of your nose and the slight purse in your lips.
He hadn’t been this close to you since the night among the mauve tendrils, the night among the Tree of Souls where you collapsed in his arms. Where he had bared every pain that was painted across his soul to you. He could still picture the way your face was dosed with salty tears, aching and begging for him to understand. I trusted you. His pained words still echoed in his ears now but it seemed things had changed so much since that fateful night a week ago.
It was as if you were the one now who felt betrayed, heart twisting at the thought of him being with someone else. Entirely the same way he had felt when he had found out Lo’ak had asked you to be his mate. Except for the way you stared into the empty river, gaze void of any warmth he knew somehow you were feeling far worse than even he had.
Neteyam had known what it felt like to feel the one slipping through his grasp to another, he knew what it was like to feel so betrayed and heartbroken at the way reality messed with your perception. He had felt the wounds strike his being and somehow even with knowing all of that, he had bestowed it on you. A feeling he hadn’t wished to befall anyone had been passed off to you and the guilt was choking him.
A click of your tongue filtered in through his ears and as he took a brief step forward, your body turned in his direction. Instantly, you froze, surprised to find him standing there, eyes locked on you in the dark. His gaze shamelessly traced the shape of your body and you found yourself in silence watching him as he did so. Your heart had picked up in your chest as a heat of some sort started to pool in the base of your stomach due to how delicately it felt like he was tracing your skin. You hadn’t heard him approach and now to have him standing there before you after so long, it had filled you with so many emotions. So much love and so much pain as he was there in front of you, soon to belong to someone else.
He watched the glass form across your eyes as the pained expression filtered across your features. The obvious furrow of your brows and the twitch of your lips held his attention away from your smooth exposed skin. You were glued to your spot, the frustration pricking at the nerves of your body, filling you with a numbing rage at the sight of him. You had craved it for a week, needed it with every fiber of your being to see and talk to him. Days ago you needed him to promise you and reassure you that there was nothing to worry about. That Tsmandi would not be his and he would not be hers, but he never came. He never let those reassurances leave his tongue and now somehow the sight of him in the only spot that brought you tranquility felt poisonous. As if it all had become toxic.
You turned away from him then, arms tightening around your waist as you found solace in the appearance of the blue water rather than his gold eyes. A lump had formed in your throat and the painful bob of it left you trying to conceal the tears that were starting to well in your eyes. Tears of anger as he stepped closer, his gaze burning holes into the side of your head. His shoulder brushed yours softly as he let his stare drift from the side of your pinched face to the river before him, the sound of the waterfall sinking into his ears.
With his hands clasped behind his back, he smiled softly as he thought back to that night all those months ago when you sat at the bank underneath the stars for the first time. It was the first time he had ever told someone about the nightmares he barred on his back as well as the first time he had let himself acknowledge his feelings for you.
It felt as if the two of you had grown so much since then, aged at least five years instead of just the one. Somehow in a course of almost a year, he was no longer that delirious young boy, desperate for his father’s approval. No, he had become a strong warrior, skin coated in the toughest armor and a future of reign in his grasp. He felt like a true man as he stood next to you, a woman he wished to give his entire self to. He felt honorable and worthy and powerful. That was how you made him feel even when you wished to recoil from him, even when you wished to run and let the fear guide you away deep into the forest.
“It’s seemed like we have lived an entire life since the first time I brought you here,” he said suddenly, stare flickering back over to you, satisfied in the way your ears twitched and you turned your head slightly to him, his words practically guiding you back to him. “We were both so young and naive that night. It was the first time I felt you break through my resolve. It was then that I knew I was beginning to feel something for the girl who appeared in the forest. It was like you were a gift from Eywa herself.”
Your brows furrowed, lips forming into a frown as you looked over at him, to meet his eyes. The look in them took you by surprise and suddenly you found the anger ravaging you as you met his soft gaze. “You shouldn’t say things like that to me. It isn’t fair of you.”
He ignored your reply as well as the annoyance that dripped from your lips, “It was like you were sent here to save me.”
His hand dropped to his side and examined your expression as his pinky brushed delicately across the skin of your outer thigh, just below your hip bone. You sucked in a breath past your teeth and felt your hands tense around your body at the feeling of his warm touch and the satisfied smirk that appeared on his lips. A pang appeared in your chest and you felt the lump in your throat get larger. You glanced down at his hand as it glided across your hip bone again, while his tall looming body seemed to envelop your senses completely.
You granted yourself a moment to divulge in the feeling, to let it shoot to your core and the desire you felt for the man before you, the undesirable, the unattainable. But then you felt your body's hotness turn to rage as he took another step closer to you, his eyes half-lidded and scanning your face. You shook your head and found yourself hissing at him, your hand roughly pushing his away.
“Ftang (stop)!” you demanded, the warning in your voice void of any warmth as your eyes narrowed in his direction, a pained huff following from your parted lips, “What are you doing, Neteyam? Why are you here?”
“You know why.”
“No, I don't,” you said, sticking your hand out to keep him an arm's length away. If you were going to have a conversation you needed to have a clear mind to do it and you couldn't have a clear mind with him hovering over you.
“What, you don’t have some dinner or meeting tonight with your future wife to talk about wedding logistics?”
“No,” he said simply, refusing to step back even with your threatening gaze.
“What do you mean, no? You are to be married, yes?” you asked, suddenly confused as it was all the village had been able to talk about for the past week. It was the only topic of importance other than the sky people and the intended doom that would soon fall upon the land.
“I don’t wish to marry any woman unless it’s you,” he admitted, reaching up so his fingers ghost over your cheek. He brushed a piece of hair that was framing your face back behind your ear and you hated the flush that appeared on your face. He smiled as his eyes flickered down to your lips still parted in confusion.
His words hit you in the chest like a ton of bricks, words you had only ever thought you would have heard in your dreams. They were all you had wanted since the night he had come to you in the healing tent since he had cupped your cheek and whispered the very confession that had confirmed every feeling he had had.
He had barred his soul and for the last week, you had been left in the dust, left to contemplate your future before you. You watched him as he entertained the idea of mating with the chosen women for him, as he contemplated it to please the village and the people. You had been left in a spiral of pain wrenching and pulling at every will of yours to live while he had been squaring away every duty asked of him.
You shook your head, feeling the cringe of your lips as you reached up and shoved his hand away from you. You stepped back, lips quivering slightly as your eyes stared daggers into his, “No.”
“Yes,” he replied, trying to reach out for you again, confused by your sudden need to recoil from him.
“No,” you took another step back away from him, the twist of your lips matching the way your heart felt in your chest, “Ftang nga (stop that)! You’re being mean, Neteyam.”
His brows furrowed, standing tall as the small quiver of your lips held his attention, “What, how am I—”
“I waited for you,” you uttered indignantly, as the pained look in your eyes seemed to amplify, “For days, I waited. Waited for you to come to me and say something, anything. All I needed was some reassurance, hear something that confirmed I hadn’t wasted my time on you.”
“Y/N—”
His heart ached at your words and his guilt seemed to intensify as you only wished to push him away even further for the pain he had caused you. After everything, you felt so disgusted and hurt by the distance he had put between the two of you. He had been so caught up with his father, with planning for the attack, that he hadn’t even spared a single moment for you. A moment to express his feelings and reassure the anxieties that had been preying on your innocence for far too long.
“They announced your courtship with Ms. Tsmandi Te Nätäkx Ayitul’ite, the next Tsahik. I waited and you still didn’t come. You let me believe that you were going to marry her, that you once again would choose your duties over me. I waited for you,” you repeated, eyes welling torturously with tears as your breath was ripped from your throat.
His shoulders fell slightly, as the single phrase I waited for you seemed to hold just as much weight as your previous admission. The way I feel about you is consuming. Except where that one had actively repaired every damage he had ever felt like a precious oath, this one brought out nothing but dread in him.
As if those four words were a farewell and you would soon disappear from his sight, back into the forest where you had come from. Like the words were a confirmation that he was incapable of fixing what he had done, the hurt he had caused. He was standing before you offering to throw every caution to the wind, offering to risk it all; his reputation, his reign, his expectations, for you. It took him too long to have realized it but now that he had, a silent prayer was cast across his heart that it wouldn’t be too late.
“Tsap’alute si (I’m sorry),” he professed anguished as you seemed to only be pulling away from him, “I shouldn’t have kept you waiting. I should have come to you, talked to you, and told you everything that has been on my mind since the night in the healing tent. I was scared Y/N. I am still so fucking scared. I almost lost you. You collapsed in my arms, in my fucking arms and I—I can’t. I can’t bear the thought of it, especially now with the sky people closing in.”
“It’s not something you can guarantee, Neteyam,” you said, softly, staring intently up at him and the sudden vulnerability that was plastered across his features, “You can’t assure you’re going to protect me through this. This war is unpredictable and your protection can’t be promised.”
“It has to be,” he mumbled out, face pinched together and hand hung in the air, desperately trying to reach out to you, “Y/N, not even for a second, was I considering marrying Tsmandi. You need to know that. This week it was never my intention to blindside you or keep the whole thing from you. I never thought about it even if it were my duty. I couldn’t, not when my heart solely belongs to you."
“Neteyam,” his name fell from your tongue breathlessly but no other words followed.
“It’s always been you. From the moment I saw you in this very forest, cowering behind my baby sister as no more than a stranger.”
You shuddered, every desperation and need for him evident in the way you seemed to lean closer as if his words were the secret password to your being. Like he could put you back together simply by the way he looked at you alone and his sweet words. You stared up at him, so close to offering him what was left of the dying organ in your chest.
It was a lost hope and even as it anatomically was healthy enough, beating away in your chest, the phantom pain was strong and killing every will you had left. This man had played with your feelings, spun you around on his finger as he tried to decide whether he wanted you. You had stood by, letting his control over your feelings be something he could hold over you.
Somehow even with what he had put you through, the long excruciating week of tears and the fears of the unknown, you found yourself holding onto every single word he professed. You were giving in and the thought terrified you. It terrified you that somehow he would be convinced to forget about you, to leave you once again, in favor of his throne and the means of doing what was expected of him. You were cautious, cautious as you offered him everything you had left of yourself.
“You aren’t being fair,” you professed, your heart rate so loud it echoed in your ears as every last conscientious thought seemed to be escaping from you. Like at any moment you would be out of excuses and let him graciously take you.
“No, but I am not lying about how I feel either. I never have. Oel ngati kamele (I see you).”
Those three words seemed to bring you to reality. They hit you so hard, you felt you were back in that tent just before the consciousness transfer. He repeated them just as earnestly and desperately, needing you to believe him. Needing you to say it back as if his sanity depended on it. Like the thought of you denying him would break him entirely.
Somehow though at the sound of them in your ears, you felt nothing. The meaning was gone and instead, you were left with an ache from the absence of the feeling his words once brought you. At that moment, you had let the fear take over and steer you away from the same desperation you were feeling as he was. For so long you had tiptoed around one another, had hurt each other in favor of protecting yourselves.
Now with all the possibilities there just at the tips of your fingers, you felt the fear rush through your veins like ice water. Coldness and spite were all you could feel then for a brief moment as you thought back to the night among the Tree of Souls. How you had poured everything out to him and he turned his back on you as if it was the easiest thing. He looked down at you with your chest open and exposed, and spat in your face. He had torn you to pieces shamelessly and you could still remember it evidently.
He looked as you had that night, staring down at you with the same look you once had. He was offering you everything, scarily so, a dire need for you to accept him. To say yes. Your hold on him was just as strong as his and this time he didn’t hide it. He didn’t hide his need for you. His need that filled his entire body with shock waves and desirous fantasies. His need to combine his soul with yours for the rest of time, so that you would never be apart again. He didn’t hide how much he needed you, how much he needed your kiss to grant him life.
It was all there within his eyes, his gold wide eyes, speckled with every true feeling he had. You felt petty then as you stared up at him hoping to fill him with just as much dejection as he had to you.
“You aren’t capable of seeing.”
Sometimes, it just wasn’t enough. That’s how you felt like sometimes there weren’t enough words in the world to heal every wound. It was evident by the angry tear that slipped past your water line. It slid down your cheek, your skin still smooth and bright under the luminescence of the forest. He followed it as it settled in the corner of your lips.
It was harsh. Cruel even to deny both of you this. The possibility of finally being together, but your pride was bent too much and somehow you just couldn’t put the hurt you felt aside — not after everything. You couldn’t.
The exhale from his lips was entirely broken, as if you had stolen his last remaining breath from his lungs. He stared at you utterly confused and hurt, not understanding that his ignorance this past week had caused you so much pain. So much that you would walk away from him completely. Suddenly the weight had returned, the weight of a broken heart. Somehow it was far worse than any weight he had felt before. He finally saw that all he wanted was you, and the thought of losing you completely to his stupidity was maddening.
You turned from him, shaking your head slightly as if you couldn’t look at him for another moment longer. One more glance was sent to the water, the river filled with far too many memories, memories of him and you. You knew then that it didn’t matter how much you loved him, you wouldn’t be a woman who groveled, or who would beg for him.
There wasn’t a word or anything that he could say that would stop you from walking away.
“I love you, Y/N.”
Except there was that.
You felt your breath get lodged in your throat, your steps halting from where you stood a few feet away. Fingers twitching at your sides, you found your eyes locked forward at the darkness of the forest as shock drenched your body. Lips slightly parted, you felt your heart stop completely in your chest at the sound of those three words escaping his lips. Words you never expected him to know let alone say.
Somehow they felt heavier than I see you. They spoke to the human you once were and they felt heavier on your being and your consciousness. They held so much more meaning and feeling to you and somehow you found they had stopped all of your efforts to leave. You closed your eyes for a moment.
He had you.
With a strangled cry on your tongue, you suddenly turned slowly to face him, knowing he controlled every fiber of your being. You were a puppet on strings and he was the sole puppet master.
He stood by the bank, chest puffed out, eyes desperately trying to find yours. They quickly traced your tears and swollen lips as every honest look about him swelled across his face. He wouldn’t let you go, you knew that. After everything, he couldn’t but at that moment you wished he would set you free more than anything. Set you free from the pain that panged you so profoundly. Because it would be far easier than ever to grant either of you this. Neteyam Te Suli Tsyeyk’itan owned you and he held your heart in between his palms and the thought terrified you.
You shook your head, lips quivering as he slowly approached you each step sending your senses in over drive, “No. Neteyam, no.”
He stopped in front of you and he saw it then with your true feelings reflected in your tears. You were scared, absolutely terrified. The thought to feel so consumed by someone was scaring you away from him and he understood it. Stood there beneath the stars, he understood it completely. Because god forbid you give yourselves to each other and somehow this war destroys it. Somehow one of you loses the other, left to wither and collapse under the weight of grief. Eywa forbid one of you is returned to her far sooner than expected.
He felt his own tears fill his eyes as he reached out, hands taking your arms softly. Hesitant for a moment, he found his stare flickering up at the sight of something out of the corner of his eye. Uncertainty plagued his mind then, only wanting what was best for you and for him. As he peered up though, he felt his chest tighten unexpectedly at the sight of an atokirina floating right above his head, emitting a soft glow. He felt his stomach clench and then relax by the sign it brought. Suddenly then, he had never been more sure in his life.
“I’m in love with you,” his eyes fell back down to you and a soft smile appeared across his lips as he leaned closer, “I know I don’t deserve it, I don’t deserve you. Not after how I have treated you all this time.”
You felt a sob fall from your tongue as all reserves seemed to crumble before you at his feet. I’m in love with you pushing every single insecurity you felt away. It was branded across his eyes and made your whole body feel as if it was going to collapse in his arms. It was the clearest he had ever been and it had you falling apart at the seams.
Sometimes, it just wasn’t enough. Words weren't enough but those were. To you, those words were everything and more.
It didn’t matter then to you that you were terrified of losing him or that he was promised to another woman. It didn’t matter that he was supposed to be Olo’eyktan and all of these expectations hung heavily on his shoulders. None of it mattered anymore that every sign had pointed to the two of you not being able to be together because he was in love with you. He was in love with you and Eywa seemed to have blessed the match willingly. She had brought you back for a reason, for this, for him.
Let him be soft
Let him be mine.
His hand drifted up until it cupped the side of your face, it overwhelming you as he cradled you softly. His thumb traced your jaw so carefully as his eyes bore straight into your soul.
“From the moment you got here, I was condescending, rude, too absorbed in myself, and still am. I tried so hard to deny what I felt for you, for months, and this last week I found myself still trying to do that. I have been so blind and so fucking stupid. Not only was I focused on the fact that I almost lost you but the impending war. I have been awful and confusing. I admit that I have done so many things, so many horrible things, but here I am, begging you to love me anyway.”
His voice broke then, his thumb moving along your jaw to your temple and the tear stains that were stuck along your skin. His heart ached for you then and he knew that he wouldn’t go on if it meant you couldn’t be his mate. He needed you like he needed air and the thought of living another day without you was murderous.
“I am no perfect solider. I am flawed and am more difficult than I would ever like to admit, but I am a man who desperately loves you,” he whispered, leaning closer, his intense stare devouring you whole, “I am offering you everything, everything I have. I have done so many terrible things, I know that. But please, just tell me that despite it all you love me.”
His other hand which was gently wrapped around your arm slipped to your waist. As his warm fingertips pressed along your skin, you felt an exhale escape from your parted lips. Your body shuddered, out of instinct, and you leaned closer to him enough that his chest was almost pressed firmly against yours. At his lingering touch, you felt the warmth in your stomach begin to pool more just as another small breath escaped from your mouth.
His hand flattened against your lower back, pulling you flush against his chest. Your entire body felt hot then as your eyes flickered shamelessly from his dilated pupils to his parted lips. Lips that had been on your mind every night for months. Lips that you had wished would claim yours day after day, night after night.
Tell me you love me.
You gasped at the feeling of his heart beating profusely in his chest, clashing with your own. Your eyes then snapped up to his wide ones as he stared down at you. He was waiting for what you would say next, waiting for what you would do next. The desperation was evident, interlaced with the desire that coated his golden orbs. His golden orbs that were drenched in reflections of the forest almost as if you were back between the mauve tendrils.
The sight of an atokirina floating over his shoulder made you think that maybe you were, that you had traveled there. Like Neteyam wasn’t really there in front of you, saying all of these things. This was all just a figment of your imagination and would be nothing but dust by the morning. It was real though, as real as the Great Mother herself. All evident by the pull of your stomach and the need that was brewing at the base of your stomach for the man before you.
You always wanted him, always wished to be claimed by him and no one else, and now here he was before you, begging, asking. All while Eywa approved of it herself. Your eyes flickered back over to his face, as the pressure within your stomach began to appear in the form of a throb in between your thighs.
His tongue swiped along his bottom lip and you found yourself following the movement with your eyes, wishing it could be replaced with your own. You couldn’t deny the feelings that were overtaking you, or the incessant need to confirm them with action. You loved him, of course, you did and it was something you wouldn’t be able to deny any longer.
With a quiet whisper, your eyes found his and all want to deny him seemed to melt from your body, “I can not lie to you.”
His ears perked up at your words and he found his eyes tracing the way your features had visibly softened, your own eyes reflecting all the same things his was. Desire. Need… Love. He tilted his head curiously, his bottom lip finding a place in between his teeth as the anticipation began to eat away at him.
You sighed, hand lifting from your side to press along his chest, right where his heart sat. He inhaled at the feeling as a small smile appeared across your lips, “There is no one else who has ever made me feel as you do and there never will be. It's you, Neteyam, always.”
Your eyes softened, taking in the way he smiled down at you, a low chuckle falling from his lips in relief at your words. You smiled too then as he leaned closer, hand still firmly wrapped around your jaw. You felt your breath hitch again in your throat as his stare flickered down to your lips and then back up to your eyes.
His mouth parted softly as his thumb drifted to your lips, and your thighs involuntarily clenched as he traced your upper lip and along your cupid’s bow. A breathy gasp was ripped from you as he dragged the pad of his thumb down across your bottom lip, satisfied with the way it bounced back into place.
Unable to stop yourself, your eyes fluttered shut as his hand slowly trailed down away from your face. Palm ghosting over your neck, his thumb moved from your chin down across your pulse point. He felt himself stir at the sight of your wet parted lips and the way your lashes brushed along the tops of your cheeks. He couldn’t stop himself then as his hand firmly took a hold of your neck and pulled you forward.
His lips gently found yours and for a second you could barely register the pressure. It was so soft, delicate as if he was trying to savor the first touch. You were the first to move your lips against his and even as you did, it was tender and slow, so different from the way he was clutching onto your neck.
His lips moved effortlessly against yours and you felt yourself practically melting in his arms, legs close to buckling beneath you if it weren’t for the stronghold he had around your back. His lips were soft, slightly parted, teasing with an underlying sense that was almost demanding.
A whimper escaped from your mouth and at the sound, he pressed his lips harder against your own. His hand tightened around your neck then, and at the feeling of his thumb pressed firmly against your pulse, you couldn’t stop yourself from letting your head lull back slightly, mouth parting at the action.
The urgency built up just as the throbbing in between your legs had. Just as the warmth seemed to spread across your entire body like firecrackers. His tongue molded with yours and at the feeling of it engulfing yours, you couldn’t help but arch your back into his.
Your hands found a place along his shoulders, fingernails brushing against his skin with ease. With a flick of his tongue, your hands dug into his back and it pulled a groan from the back of his throat. At the sound, you couldn’t help but buck your hips forward into his, desperate to feel anything, everything.
Feeling you struggling to catch your breath, his teeth took a firm hold around your lower lip and pulled back out of the kiss, releasing it with a pop. All while his eyes traced the way some of his saliva pooled along your lower lip. He shifted on his heels as he took notice of how puffy and red they were as well as how dilated your eyes suddenly appeared. He knew then there was nothing he wanted more than to have this view for the rest of his life, to be the one who pushed you this close to the edge, to have complete and utter control over every part of your body.
Hand leaving your neck, he reached behind himself to take a hold of his queue. He reveled in the way your eyes widened slightly as he brought it around his shoulder. His other hand that still had a firm hold around your hip tightened, his thumb brushing along the string of your bottoms. You shifted under the touch, breath completely stolen from your throat. You shook your head slightly, unsure at that moment as Neteyam stared down at you, his queue offered out to you.
“I have always wanted you Y/N. Always,” he whispered lowly, finger twisting around the string of your bottoms as his eyes scanned your face with the utmost softness he could muster, “There is no one else I would want by my side.”
Your heart clenched in sync with your thighs and suddenly there was nothing left to say, no other excuse to be had. He already had every part of you including the aching organ in between your ribs. What else was there left to spare?
Neteyam Te Suli Tsyeyk’itan was asking you to be his mate and there weren’t enough reasons to stop you, not while he stared down at you like that with his hands touching you the way they were. You were putty under his touch and with your entire being aching to give him what was left of you, you grabbed your queue from your back and pulled it forward. You held your breath as you stared between them, their pink nerve endings twitching in the air.
Slowly, you watched as he extended his out further towards you and with the most docile touch connected his with yours. As they firmly wrapped around one another, you felt all air be stolen from your lungs and every sensation in your body be exemplified. Tsaheylu. Your whole body suddenly collapsed forward as your eyes widened, pupils growing in size.
Staring forward at Neteyam, you watched as his own eyes dilated and his entire body jolted forward, arms tightening around you. His forehead fell to yours and for a moment you both just stood there wrapped up in the other’s arms, soft pants echoing off the forest trees. It was like you had been awakened and all you could focus on was the erratic beat of his heart in his chest and the gasping breath of his lungs You could feel it to your very core and it only heightened every sensation and desire you had.
At the sight of his glistening lips and blown-out pupils, the ache in you intensified from the extra stimulation. He groaned slightly as your hips met his again and he couldn’t help but let his lips connect with your jaw. His head dipped, lips tracing the skin from your jaw to your neck with his tongue.
Both of his large palms gripped tightly at your hips, trying to pull you as close as he could just as his teeth poked at the surface of your skin. Finding the pulse in your neck, he bit down slightly and you couldn’t stop your eyes from rolling back at the sudden sensation that went straight to your core. It was like every nerve ending had been lit on fire from Tsaheylu and you wished to never disconnect from him again.
His arms were wrapped strongly around your body and you found yourself moaning out his name as his fingers traced over your hip bones, firmly enough to hopefully leave a mark. “Neteyam…”
As his lips found your collarbone, his hands took a hold of your thighs and pulled them up and around his hips. A small noise escaped your mouth at the sudden feeling of your feet coming off the ground but it was replaced then by a moan at the feeling of his core meeting yours. The newly added pressure had you aching in his arms, as if he wouldn’t do something soon you would actually die.
His lips trailed up and claimed yours again and instantly as his tongue molded to yours again, he fell down to his knees, them hitting the ground harshly. His hands were still firmly gripped around your thighs as your knees slid to the grass on either side of his. Sat on top of him, you felt the feeling in your stomach tighten slightly. He was hard under you, straining against his bottoms.
“Yawne (my beloved), look at you,” he said lowly, staring up at you, his eyes half-lidded and full of need, “I think this is where you were meant to belong.”
With his hands wrapped around either one of your legs, he pushed you off of him slightly and then onto the ground. You felt your back arch slightly at the feeling of it meeting the cool grass. He crawled over you and you felt your legs tighten from around him as his body hovered over yours. With his arms on either side of your head, you were unable to stop your gawking at the sight of him looking so huge and strong on top of you. Even in the darkness, you were able to see every line and tautness of his muscles. It was like he was sculpted by the gods themselves and all you could think about was how you desperately wished for him to overpower you.
His lips found your collarbone again and then slowly as if he was taking his time, planning to use every minute of darkness you two had, they trailed down your chest. You arched into him again as his breath fanned across your breasts through the thin material of your top. With open-mouth kisses, his lips were followed by his tongue as they left a trail of wetness between your breasts all the way down your stomach. They stopped right above the line of your bottoms, right above where you ached for him most.
He glanced up at you and smirked as his hands pushed your knees apart further. You begged then, shamefully, “Neteyam, please.”
Teasingly, his hand trailed down the outside of your thigh before firmly wrapping around your knee. He lifted it up onto his shoulder and his lips found the inside of your thigh then. Your body tensed and then relaxed as he began to trace his lips up the side of your leg.
With each inch he got higher, you felt the anticipation flooding your system and you couldn’t help but twitch with impatience. A moan slipped past your lips as his tongue flattened across the inside of your thigh only a few inches from your soaked bottoms. Mouth falling away from your skin, he glanced up at you through his eyelashes and grinned smugly at the want in your eyes. With your leg still balanced across his shoulder, he reached up, his fingers curling around the string of your bottoms. His eyes never left yours as he gave them a gentle tug. They loosened around your frame.
Your hands tightened at your sides as you felt them fall away from your body and discarded off to the side. He groaned loudly as his eyes traced down your frame and before you knew it he was leaning in, mouth finding your inner thigh again. They trailed up slowly until he was face to face with your lower half, bare and aching for him.
His hand left your hip, fingers slipping in between your legs to part your split. At the feeling of his fingers, your breath hitched and then a second later you felt his mouth connect with you. His tongue found your clit in a matter of seconds and you couldn’t stop the twitch that ripped through your body at the skillful flick he sent to it. His other hand reached up to push your body back to the ground just as he flattened his tongue against the bundle of nerves.
Your head tilted back at the feeling while a whimper was ripped clean from the back of your throat. He chuckles and the sound vibrates through your entire body. His middle and ring fingers then slip in with ease and you can’t help but tense under him with the newfound stretch. He waited a moment, for your breath to even out and for the uncomfortable pull to fade. After a few seconds, he dove in like a starved man, his lips wrapping firmly around your clit, sending a jolt of electricity through your entire body. A string of curse words falls from your lips like a symphony and it only fuels the man below you more.
His fingers start to move, creating their own pace dragging along your walls as the slickness only seemed to increase in between your legs. His tongue poked and prodded at every inch of skin he could find. His pace quickened and it all was starting to become too much as anywhere his fingers didn’t reach his tongue did. It moved up and down, tasting every part of you.
His name was the only thing you could find yourself saying as his fingers suddenly curled up inside of you. Your entire body jolted, heat appearing across your skin in dabs of sweat as your heart rattled away in your chest feeling like it could explode at all the pleasure being pulled from your body.
“Neteyam,” you found yourself calling out as the assault only seemed to continue, the overwhelmingness of it almost too much on your body.
He ignored you as his lips firmly sealed around your clit again, tongue going to work, as his fingers curled again. The heat rushed across your entire body straight up to your face and your hips pushed up into his hand with your back continuously arched into the air. Your heel dug into the back of his shoulder at the feeling of his tongue again. He sucked at your fluids like juice just as your thighs tightened around his shoulders. With his hand wrapped firmly around your knee, he lifts your thigh higher and your jaw drops open in shock. No sounds could be formed then as the spring in your stomach began to tighten.
You realized then what was soon to happen as it felt like he was sucking every last innocence out of your body, every last drop claiming you as his. He groaned as his pace somehow got faster. You clench your eyes shut just as his fingers hit the point deep inside of you. His grip on you was bruising as his tongue sucked and flicked and took everything you had to offer him. You were squirming at that point unable to stop the pulsing that was emitting from deep inside of you. Your chest was rising and falling so quickly that you felt as if you couldn’t catch your breath.
You pleaded for him to not stop and just like he would grant you this for the rest of his life, his fingers curled into you one more time and you felt the coil deep within your stomach snap, taking the rest of your body with it. He ripped the feeling straight out of your body and pulled the loudest cry from you with it. Your voice cracked as he continued pushing his fingers up in you, tongue not moving from where they were clasped around your clit. Your leg shook from where it hung off his shoulder as your vision blurred, expelling tears from the inner corners. Body collapsing onto the ground, he waited a moment, fingers still in your body and tongue pressed to your core, before he pulled away.
Your ragged breaths filled his ears and he couldn’t help but smile as your leg slipped down from around him. He pulled his fingers from you and you winced slightly at the sudden feeling, your lower half tightening around nothing.
As your eyes fluttered open again, you stared at him as he leaned up over you on his knees. Your spent body being imprinted on his mind. Wiping at his mouth with his forearm, he licked his lips, the taste of you still coated across his tongue. At the sight of his glistening lips and narrowed eyes, the heat appeared again in seconds.
His lips sloppily collide with yours and as if he hadn’t already ripped it out of you once, you felt your chest arch into his. His tongue pressed along yours and you shivered at the way he tasted, like you. With the remnants of your actions splayed between your thighs across your skin, you felt the wetness appear again. He smiled at the feeling of your body against his and groaned as his hand drifted down in between your bodies to his own bottoms. Your nails dug desperately into his back and his hips jolted into yours in surprise. Fingers pulling at the band of his bottoms, he yanked them from his body. Your breath hitched again, the sixth time since he first had touched you as you felt his hardness brush against your core.
He hissed at the feeling and for a moment his head collapsed into your neck, almost painfully. You whispered his name and it brought his gaze back to you. He felt his entire life flash before his eyes with the sight of you below him. Irrevocably you were finally his, you were there, and you were alive. You were his.
It wasn’t another late-night fantasy where his hands had wandered in between his legs. He blinked and you were really there. You were alive and he couldn’t stop his hand from drifting up to your neck again, desperately craving the gentle flutter of your pulse. Hand gripping tightly around your throat, he watched with a furrowed gaze your reaction as his tip pressed into your entrance, prodding slowly.
Without a warning, he pushed in, bottoming out quickly. You cried out again, chest arching up into his as he hissed at the involuntary tightness around his dick. His head tilted back for a moment, trying to memorize the feeling of you squeezing so beautifully around his length, your name falling from his parted lips in praise.
After a moment, his eyes fluttered open again as spews of love sputtered from his lips. His hands reached for yours at your sides and you gasped at the way he pushed them up above your head, his fingers lacing in between yours. As you squeezed around him again, he swore, deciding then to pull out and slam back into you.
“Oh, fuck,” he exhaled then as he did it again, the pleasure flooding his system, “Yeah, that’s it.”
That heat began to pool again instantly as one of his hands slipped from yours down in between your bodies. His thumb found your clit. It was still swollen from the effects of his tongue, and without a second to waste he began to build up a pace. His hips rammed into yours, harshly sending your back into the ground as your legs wrapped up around his waist.
It all was building up again and you felt your head lull to the side suddenly overstimulated. It wouldn’t take long this time as it all was flooding your system; his grunts, the pleasure, the feeling of his body wrapped around yours strongly. He groaned out as you clenched around his dick again, you already fast approaching the edge. He rammed up into you harder as his hand tightly held yours.
“It couldn’t have been anyone else, Y/N. It’s always been you. You’re meant to be my future wife, my Tsahik, my mate,” he mumbled lowly as his pace began to falter quickly, “Only you.”
You hummed then, “My Olo’eyktan.”
His eyes rolled slightly at the title, it sounding so formal across your tongue and he couldn’t help but speed up further. He sent another and then another thrust straight into you, as his thumb continued throwing circles into your bundle of nerves.
Somehow it all had led you here, the six months of training, him starting off by disliking you, the arguments, the issues. All of it led to this with you splayed beneath him, being fully claimed as his. You let the noises fall freely from your swollen lips as all the tension and the pain seemed to fade away.
Neteyam’s grunts filled your ears as his palm tightened around your throat once and then twice. The pressure had you squeezing around him, it bringing you to that point quickly. He slid in so easily and quickly as your juices coated your inner thighs. His thumb didn’t stop and before you could even realize it, that spring in your stomach was tightening and then breaking completely.
Your whole body erupted into flames as a cry fell from your lips, it was so loud and so startling. You pulsed around Neteyam as he pulled out and slammed back into you, the sudden flutter of your walls, pulling a groan out of his throat. He couldn’t hold on much longer with the constant clenching around his cock. His eyes squeezed shut then as his hand moved away from your clit to dig into the skin of your hips. It was bruising as he gave one more pump before his whole entire body stilled, tensing above you.
You exhaled suddenly at the feeling of him shooting up inside you, followed by a few more thrusts before he was pulling out completely. The lost feeling of him was surprising as the sound of his gasps filtered in through your ears. Chest meeting his, your face was flushed with color at the sudden realization.
You were mated for life.
Reaching up, you cupped his face, practically asking him to open his eyes to coat your vision in gold and specks of green. With a gentle exhale, they snapped open and met yours. An exhausted smile appeared across his lips as your thumb traced delicately along his jaw.
You were overwhelmed at that moment by it all; the fact that you were laying in your spot with the future Olo’eyktan of the Omatikaya, with no promise of the days ahead. You felt everything as well as the pulse in his body from the bond of your souls.
You were one, forever and the only thing you could think to say at that moment was, “I love you too.”
The Na’vi say that every person is born twice.
It is the greatest rebirth ever granted to a person. A mere moment of acceptance, of acknowledgment, a promise that no matter what, you have a place among the people forever. There is a greatness that comes from it; the connection that the people have for one another, the power they emit gracefully.
The Na’vi were more than just a tiny sliver of humanity you had fallen upon. It had become your life, your existence, your sole purpose in life. Grace Augustine had once seen that in the Omatikaya, she saw them as her destiny. Then there was dream walker Jake Sully. He led the clan to victory against the sky people and now suddenly sat upon your Ikran, queue wrapped firmly within its, dread once again was felt in the air. A moment of the unknown presented to all.
Success was never guaranteed. Life was never guaranteed, but there were more important things than the need to breathe. Justice. Perseverance. Triumph.
All of that had masked over the necessity of a long life, of years to come because why promise life if there was a chance it would be dull and overtaken by enemies. Why have life if it is only filled with smoke-clouded air, and living in fear? So many had suffered at the hands of the sky people, and so many losses had been wasted at their feet. Their greediness overtook the humanity that once plagued their hearts.
It was no way to live, captive in your own world.
“Look alive, people, we got metal in the sky,” the Olo’eyktan’s voice filtered in through the transmitter strapped within your ear.
Your body stiffened, glare narrowing at the sky before you.
War was coming. Violence would soon erupt in the world of Pandora once again, after nearly two decades of peace. The Omatikaya people once again led the tide of Na’vi and Ikrans in the sky. Multiple bands of people scattered across the forest, waiting like silent death traps.
This was it.
Taking in a deep breath, you found yourself looking off to the side towards the Olo’eyktan. You looked past Jake and you felt your eyes meet his instantly. The great warrior was already staring at you. The mighty soldier’s golden eyes traced your face with the utmost determination you had ever seen. Neteyam Te Suli Tsyeyk’itan flew upon his Ikran, gun gripped tightly within his palms. Hair braided back out of his face laced with feathers. His face was covered in war paint, dosing his skin in bright colors. The orange and the green stripes were an imprint and you took a few seconds to take in the sole sight of the Toruk Makto’s oldest son. He had become just as he was always meant to.
He was made with gunmetal and veering sharp teeth. He was made to be mighty and strong and fearless. He was a warrior. A soldier. A hero.
He once again was giving everything to the world without a second thought. They needed him as much as they once needed Atlas or Achilles. They needed the great soon-to-be Olo’eyktan so desperately and he gave everything willingly. The world needed his strength, his courage, his blood, and his sweat. Most of all, they needed his heart.
He would give it all for his people, for his home, for you. Because he wasn’t just a mighty warrior but a ruler. A king and a king would sacrifice his entire being for the betterness of everyone else. He flew then powerfully, captivatingly, and even with all the pressures of the world on his shoulders, you knew then he would not falter. He would not collapse under the weight or break under the pressure.
He was stronger than any gunmetal or wooden arrow. He was the chosen one and more than that he was yours. He was your love, your soon-to-be Olo’eyktan, and your mate.
Neteyam’s gaze flickered across your features, skin bathed in bright paint, a glint filling your eyes. He nodded towards you and you felt your body tense unwillingly as the sound of metal blades drifted through the air. You granted him one more look, the sight of him gracing your being with one last fateful glance.
The Na’vi say that every person is born twice.
With the screech of your Ikran in your ears, your gold eyes snapped back to the sky before you, and speckled with the lightest green they locked upon a metal chopper in the distance, and you knew then that it was just the beginning.
author's note: this is the end... i don't know what to do with my life now but i hope all of your angsty hearts can rest now.
one of us taglist is not working the best right now and I have over the limit of people asking to be tagged (it says it's fifty) so, for now, I am just not going to have a taglist because I can't tag everyone and it's taking a lot of work to figure out.
Summary: You have fallen in love with the ever stoic and brooding So'lek. So, your friends convince you to court him. You know he would never accept any form of courting except traditional. Anything through interesting artefacts from the RDA, past handmade stuff, all the way to the best harvested resources from your hunts. Anything for him to see you worthy. Does it work though? If so, why did he vanish all of a sudden with no word? Will he come back?
Warnings: none for now, just fluff
Notes: Well, I had an insane burn out and I came to the conclusion I'm awful with multichapter fics. So, likely after this one, I'll be sticking to just one shots. But I'm determined to finish this series. If I left any <i><i/> tell me, since I'm double posting it to AO3 as well as here
Part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4 (work in progress...)
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“What should I do? He’s not taking the hints at all!” you whined, lounging over Priya’s lap on your stomach like an overgrown cat, your tail lashing back as she mindlessly braided small pieces of your hair together. “I don’t know babe. If he’s anything like human males, then he’s going to be stupid about love. I don’t think he’s like humans, only thinking with their dicks, but love signs might still be lost on them.” Priya shrugged, trying to console you as you laid together in the plush alcove of the HQ. It came to a mutual agreement that So’lek’s name shall not be named when whining about him, because he was very likely to be around.
“Are human males really that useless? Dear Eywa. Now I understand why you’re into women.” You scoffed, rolling your eyes and dropping your forehead against Priya’s thigh. Her body shook gently with an amused laughter, her fingers raking through your hair. “It’s not really a choice. Sexuality is not something you choose on Earth, but yea. I’m still glad to be with the fairer sex” She hummed softly.
It stayed quiet for a moment before Priya chimed in again. “Maybe you should get a makeover or something. On Earth, if you want someone’s attention, you dress nice, smell nice and you stick around the person to make them see you in a better light.” She grinned like she just had an epiphany. “Better light? I mean, the lighting in here is buttcheeks, but would a better light make him fall in love with me?” you picked up your head, confusion on your face as you studied Priya’s deadpan look. “No, babe. I meant…whatever. Just…maybe ask the Aranahe clan for help. Me and my already limited knowledge on men, let alone Na’vi men, is little help to you, girl. I’m just here for the tea.”
You sat up on your knees, kuru sliding down your back, making you shiver involuntarily as you stared ahead in thought. Ask the Aranahe for help. Sure, you had friends in the Aranahe, but would any of them really know how to court someone like So’lek and make you look pretty for him? Unless…
“But wait, I’m not making you tea. We ran out of tea bags couple days ago. But I promised I’d go look for some more at the RDA-“
“Oh my god! Just go girl!”
Getting to the Hometree didn’t take long. Only couple minutes with Katir. Today was pretty much a day off for you. Just existing, no fights, no chores. And yet, you walked out and called your ikran, only to find her already prepper with her lighter, non-fighting gear, by none other than So’lek himself. It honestly made you grin the whole way to the Hometree. Because what you were about to do, would be for him.
You jumped off your bonded, strutting past everyone on the landing platform high up in the tree, waving happily at Kukulope who waved back leisurely, before you made your way inside. The Hometree’s warm lighting always put you at ease. Before you helped take down couple RDA sites, the top of the tree buzzed with the fluttering of kinglor wings. But once you cleaned up their natural habitat, you helped relocate them back into the forest. That made the tree a little quieter with their wings, but hundred times louder ad busier with the weavers, admiring and working with their new, stronger silk. That’s pretty much how you found her as well.
“Hey, Nefika!” you called excitedly as you skipped over the buckets of silk dye towards the master weaver in the centre, soaking pieces of silk in a different bucket of dye. Her head snapped up, making you almost concerned she might snap her neck, colourful feathers bobbing in her hair and beads clacking together. A wide smile graced her worn features as she sat back, wiping her hands into a spare cloth before getting up to greet you properly.
“Hello, ma yawntu! It’s been so long since I’ve seen you!” Nefika boomed excitedly, arms spread out for you to fall into, squeezing you in a strong hug. “We’ve seen each other couple days back” you laughed in amusement, your head falling on her shoulders as she rocked you like a mother would. Nefika always felt like a safe space to you. Ever since Etuwa brought you here, Nefika was one constant in this tree. Always here, always willing to listen and always to back you up.
“It’s always long to see your beautiful face.” She cooed, her hands finding your face, cradling it gently once you pulled back. She always knew how to make you smile, that’s what made her so special to you. “But I know you, you little rascal! You only come to find me when you need something! You’re breaking my heart here, ma yawntu…so! Spill it. What can I do for you this time?” She threw her hands up, dramatic as always. You could only grin in response.
“You know me too well.” You conceded playfully, ears swivelling back under her interested gaze, the thought of doing this only to impress So’lek suddenly feeling so childish and vain. But you were already too far gone to go back, so you had to push through. “You better not laugh at me, woman,” you warned playfully. “However…there might be someone that I may or may not want to impress. So, I was wondering if you could help? Make me look like the most beautiful girl in this chunk of Pandora?”
Her eyes stayed glued on you for almost an uncomfortably long time, just observing before a small smug smile lit up her face. “Oh, you sweet thing. You’re already beautiful. But I am flattered it is me you chose to come for help to. Of course I’ll help. One beautiful woman to another.” She hummed, her hands finding her hips as she circled you. Her hands brushed over your hair, bringing it to her nose. “You smell divine, like ripe fortunefruit, I’ll give you that. But that hair needs to be fixed. And your clothes a little tidied. Come, come”
She giggled, taking your hand and pulling you along towards her chamber. “Your clothes are fine for everyday use. To run around and do your warrior things. But they won’t impress a boy.” She mused and before you could even compute your own voice, a small correction of ‘a man’ flew out of your mouth. Her head whipped around, her bob bouncing as suspicion crossed her golden eyes. “A man, you say. Who is this man, pray tell?” she grinned wolfishly. A flush crawled over your face at her gaze, your ears swiveling back in embarrassment. Her eyes narrowed before she released your hand and raised hers in a sign of resignation. “You do not need to tell, ma yawntu. I’ll try to guess and guess what a distinguished man like him would want.”
She moved towards a woven basket, opening it up and picking up intricate tops one by one, judging each one with scrutiny of an executioner, before turning and holding them up to envision them on your body. Shaking her head, she tossed them away like they disgusted her. Upon finding nothing of interest she scoffed, shoving them all back before moving to a different box, this was woven with wood to give it more structure. “These ones are the good ones. From the old kinglor silk. I’m aware they make the same quality silk now again. However, I do not have time to replicate these with the new silk.” She shrugged, digging through the boxes.
You could clearly see these were some of the best quality works you’ve ever seen. Not that you’ve seen many traditional Na’vi garbs, but from seeing what everyone in the Aranahe wore, these were almost celebratory quality clothes. Light, airy, colourful, dotted with intricate beads and iridescent shells. She continued the process of pulling them out, scrunching her nose in distaste and tossing them aside. Until one. She pulled it out, ready to toss it, before stopping and staring at it. Finally, she turned around, holding it up to compare to your body from where she was kneeling.
“This one, ma yawntu.” She grinned victoriously. Standing up, she strolled over proudly like a hammerhead flaunting its plume. “This one is it. You are sweet like fortune fruit, smell divinely like one, its only right the colours would suit you.” She declared before presenting you with the piece. “Try it on. Tell me what you think. I’ll go look for the matching tewng.”
With that you were left alone with the piece. Moving to the side, you examined glistening material, smiling. It was beautiful. The colour was soft, not assaulting to the eyes. The leather complimented the colour of the silk, and the beads were clearly sewn with love for the craft. So, you set it aside. Removing your own top wasn’t difficult. Koranu made it quite easy when she showed you how to make the shawl. It was sturdy with leather and plant fibre weaved to be protective, while the colourful silk around the shoulder and neck, along with the iridescent shells, made it pretty. So, you took it off easily, looking back quickly to check no one was there to see you.
When you confirmed you were alone, you carefully slipped the top over your head, just as Nefika entered again. “Here it is. You will be breathtaking.” She grinned, gasping when she saw you. Her face softened into a proud smile, walking over, her hand finding the small of your back. “Here. Let me help” Her coo felt like a gentle touch. Setting the tewng down next to your top, she walked around to allow her deft hands tie the leather choked that held the top together around your neck. Once done, she helped you out of your loincloth, careful to avert her eyes when you undressed for your privacy. She helped you tie the strings, correcting the hanging embellishments before she stepped back.
“I feel like I’m looking at a woman ready for a mating celebration.” She breathed out, her eyes soft, hand reaching up to cover her mouth. “Come look. You are ethereal.” She whispered, as if talking too loudly could crash the illusion. Walking over to a wall of the tree coated in dry resin, polished to a perfect mirror and there you saw the whole village.
The top consisted of a brown leather choker, woven with intricate patterns, iridescent shells and beads sewn onto it. Lavender coloured silk was attached to the centre of the collar, the two pieces of fabric draping down to cover the breasts, wrapping around the chest where they tied in a long bow, the bottom of the draping having more beads and shells as tassels. From the same point on the leather choker also sprouted two pieces of lighter purple sheer silk, draping your shoulders and attaching to the back of the collar.
The tewng was made of a slightly darker colour to the top, asymmetrical at the bottom with ornate holes in a pattern, The top was, again, embellished with more beads and shells, the straps made of the same brown leather and two pieces of the same sheer fabric draping your hips. The colour made the blue of your skin look rich, the cut showing off your newly honed muscles. You felt breathtaking.
“Ma sevin yawntu.” Nefika sighed, her hands sliding down your shoulders before gently guiding the arrow glove off your hand with the promise of replacing it with a matching, or at least a similar one. She caught the furrow of your brows before laughing. “Don’t worry, you get this one back with your clothes”
“No, I just…Sevin?” You asked, whipping your head around to look at her in confusion. “What does that mean?”
She stared at you like you’ve just grown another head, before snorting. “Sevin, ma yawntu, means pretty. I’m calling you pretty. Yikes. I knew the RDA didn’t allow you to learn much Na’vi, but this is just sad,” She tutted her tongue before sauntering off to retrieve a watching glove to your outfit, leaving you standing there like you’ve just been hit with scalding water.
Sevin. Sevin. That’s what So’lek called you. Was he calling you pretty? Obviously sevin meant pretty. You’d trust Nefika with your life, so it did mean he called you pretty. So, then why wasn’t he picking up the hints on your courting!? This was so confusing.
“Unclench your jaw, yawne. Your teeth will hurt when you get to my age.” Nefika joked as she slid a brown leather archery glove over your wrist before standing behind you. “What coul’ve possibly distressed you this much about the word sevin, hm? You can tell me.” She prodded gently, turning you slightly in her grasp as she looked into your eyes. She could tell by the unsure look and pinched back ears you were hesitant, only to break seconds later.
“It’s So’lek. Sometimes he calls me sevin. I just…I didn’t realise and I’ve been courting him and he’s not reciprocating!” you word vomited, throwing your arms up, ears twitching in distress as you stepped back. You were sure your expression got more miserable when you heard her laugh.
“Oh! You silly little thing! Is this about that old fool? You should’ve said so!” Her bubbly laugh bounced off the walls. “You promised you wouldn’t laugh!” You cried, attempting to slip past her to escape, but her hands grasped your arm and pulled you back. “No! No! I’m just excited, ma syulang! Oh, how cute you are…how have you courted him so far?” She asked with a grin, easing your nerves slightly.
“Well…I spend time with him. We go out for hunts, on missions, we’ve gone flying like a week and a half ago. And I gifted him a list of names from the RDA I’ve always given him.” You explained before your eyes found Nefika’s unimpressed face. You blinked before furrowing your brows. “What?” you mumbled
“Yawntu…So you’ve done nothing out of the ordinary and yet expect him to see through your soul? You need to do something different! Make him something! For us the gift of jewellery made with your very own hands is the highest symbol of love.” She explained, motioning to her bracelets and necklace to prove her point. You opened your mouth to argue that you didn’t know how, but she was already two steps ahead. “Come! I’ll teach you. You make it for him looking like that?! He will drop to his knees.”
With that you settled by the fire, you watched her show you the example, sitting it in front of you to take inspiration while she worked on your hair. It was surprisingly more difficult than it seemed, but the motion and repetitive nature put you oddly at peace. What definitely helped as well was Nefika sitting behind you, her hands undoing your previous hairstyle to brush through your hair and get back to rebraiding it into a more intricate braid.
“Just like that. You can add the bead now. On the middle strap. Just like that!” She instructed from over your shoulder. You nodded in understanding, threading a polished crystalised sap bead on the leather strip, before braiding it back into the necklace. You weren’t sure what was So’lek’s favourite colour, but you did know he liked colour, despite his often dull look. So, the deep orange looked good next to the bright green and soft yellow will give him a pop of colour.
“And now you can add the tooth,” she instructed, motioning to the nantang tooth you decided you wanted for the centre piece. You’ve hunted a mature nantang couple days back. Its flesh was a gift for the Aranahe, leaving you with its teeth. Some of them you used for your gear, but one stayed behind. A smaller one, but still well formed so you came to the conclusion that it would look wonderful on jewellery. And now with Nefika’s help you learned how to use it.
It took only three hours to finish the piece and for Nefika to finish your hair, gently slipping couple flowers made of silk and feathers into the braid. “You will take his breath away, ma yawntu.” She grinned proudly as she spun you around, watching the silk drape your blue skin. “Go home. Go get your man. But come back as soon as possible and spill the drama.” She hugged you tightly, her hands finding your face like proud mother before ushering you away with a gentle pat to the butt. You rolled your eyes internally as her drive for drama, a thing she seemingly always had. Whenever someone was fighting, she was there to watch. If something happened to someone, you learned through her what it was.
So, with that you skipped out of her chamber back up to the ikran landing platform, walking past couple hunters who have just landed from their hunt. Out of the corner of your eye you could see them whip around, almost fast enough to make their kuru whip them in the face. That enough was a sign that this just might work on So’lek. Maybe not to that extent of snapping his neck to look, but he will look for sure. With that thought putting a smile on your face, you clambered on Katir’s back and took off to go back to the Resistance.
It was quite late into the night by the time you landed in front of the Resistance. You jumped off your ikran and walked towards the entrance, eager to show off your outfit. Upon entering, the Resistance was dim, most of the people long in bed with only couple left awake to keep track of RDA. And there sat So’lek, looking peeved as he carved a bow out of a chunk of root. His head snapped up when the airlock hissed shut, his eyes catching yours.
“And where have you been? It’s late in the night. I was-…we were all worried about you!” He hissed, setting his work down before standing up, towering over your form. You smiled at the worry etched on his face, walking closer. You walked from the dim corridor into the light of the small alcove, grinning like a nantang.
“Didn’t know I had a curfew” You joked, watching his face relax when his eyes dropped to your clothes, mouth staying open in shock. You snorted, watching his eyes flick up and down, ears, previously flat against his skull, now pointed at attention, blinking slowly. “Wow. No need to undress me with your eyes, good sir. You can just ask.” You teased, watching his face cycle from mute amazement, to sputtering embarrassment.
“I’m not. I- Sarentu! You can’t just say things like that…” he sputtered like boiling water, his ears flicking back, face growing purple as his body straightened up uncomfortably and turned away slightly. “I’m joking…” you mumbled, smile softening a little. “Do you like it?” You asked quietly, suddenly growing unsure of yourself. You looked down at the revealing outfit, very unfit for fighting, before spinning around to give him a show. His face relaxed, his eyes tracing every inch of your skin, trying to avoid your breasts before nodding lightly.
“You look…beautiful.” He breathed out, almost like it physically hurt him, his face somber as his hand reached out to brush your arm, touch feather light. “Breathtaking, truly.” He hummed, giving you a tight smile, arms dropping to his sides as he straightened his back, trying to coach himself back in line.
“Thank you.” You grinned, a flush crawling up your neck. You expected some other words from him. Nice was on top of your list. Or good. Or interesting. You definitely didn’t expect beautiful and, least of all, breathtaking. But you must push through. This was only part of the plan, the other past rested nestled in the waistband of your loincloth. You bit back the nerves rising in your chest, reaching back to pull the carefully crafted necklace and present it before him.
“Uhm…here. I made it with Nefika for you.” You stuttered out, shoving the necklace into his hands, barely seeing his face turn into utter shock. “Sarentu…what is this about?” he asked carefully, measured. You couldn’t tell him straight up, that’s not very Na’vi. You have to say anything, but I want you.
“It’s a gift. I was learning to weave, and I had a spare tooth, so I used it. It’s for you. Don’t worry about it.” You dismissed it, stepping back with a nervous smile. “I’m kinda drained. I’m just- I’m gonna go to bed. Enjoy, So’lek. Good night.” You grinned, turning around, his flushed face barely flashing in your mind before you were out the airlock door again, smacking a hand against your temple. Fuck! That was so stupid! You could’ve done anything except this. And yet this is the outcome. How fucking stupid are you? Fuck! So embarrassing.
“Sleep well, yawne.” He mumbled just as the door slid closed and you stepped outside into the small overhang where the Sarentu hung out and usually slept. Ri’nela was out like daylight, leaving only Nor carving a pa’li out of wood before his head raised. “Woah! Looking good! Was that what you were up to all day? And So’lek didn’t jump your bones?” He snorted, smirking as he watched you plop down next to him by the fire. “Nor!” You chastised him gently, face flushed. “He’s not gonna jump my bones. I don’t think it even had much effect on him…” Nor looked confused before shrugging. “Would’ve worked on me.” He hummed. Well, there was one last thing you could technically try, since RDA gear, or handmade gift, nor stunning outfit didn’t work. But you’ll need help, or at least some mental help. This was the last hail Mary before you’d either give up forever, or just straight up tell him and ruin the team dynamic forever.
summary: your lessons with the eldest sully son begin. except he isn't impressed by your previous knowledge or your determination to learn their ways. he wasn't impressed with you at all, in fact, and it was shown in his short temper and sharp glares. as time goes on you have to learn to handle your emotions when it comes to him, to ensure that you won't get kicked out of the village, but it's not always as easy as it seems.
pairings: neteyam x avatar!reader
word count: 7.8k
warnings/notes: cursing, neteyam being an asshole, enemies to lovers, lo'ak x avatar!reader (slightly), tuk being adorable, lots of lessons like the first movie
series masterlist | one of us: part two | requests are currently open for now
Dr. Augustine once said, “The closest way to the afterlife was through the Na’vi.”
Eywa was never based on science or tests profited by doctors in lab coats. When the sky people inhabited this land, the idea of the great mother was foreign — almost like a folk tale. To them there was no concrete evidence to her existence, no facts to prove she was the way of life and caretaker of the afterlife. Just as the Na’vi believed it was hard to teach the sky people when their glasses were already full, to them there was only scientific fact. Grace Augustine, however, went beyond the facts. She dedicated her whole life, aside from studying the biology of the planet to trying to connect with the Na’vi people and to Eywa.
In countless video logs, she talked about her doubts, her scientific brain questioning this phenomenon as much as the next scientist, but then as time went on the facts no longer mattered. Eywa became real in her final moments at least that’s what Jake had told you once as a child. Eywa was real and her connection to every neuron within the ground, the water, and the plants of Pandora were seen in the everyday life of the Omatikaya. They felt her, communicated with her, and based their life and decisions around her. She was the purpose and meaning behind it all, and Grace stated clearly that if you wanted to walk among them, you must fully understand that. You must become one of them.
The next morning you woke before the sun even had with a hand shaking you awake, your name the only thing they could say. You ignored them and just rolled over to face the wall of your room, but seconds after that your body met the cold morning air of the room as your blankets were ripped from your body. You shivered and glared over your shoulder to find Norm standing there, your blankets still in his hands. He shrugged rather innocently as you continued to stare daggers at him. “The wake-up call is early in the village. Better get a move on.”
You ate some breakfast and changed your clothes and by sunrise, you were in the link pod. Just like the day before, you closed your eyes and when you opened them, you were back in the hut. The sun peeked its way past the slit in the tent, greeting your face with warmth. Your hand reached up tracing your features of your ears, your nose, and your lips. As they did, a huge smile formed across your face because it had worked for the second time. You sat up and as you did, you were met by the opening of the tent being ripped to the side similarly as Norm had woken you up that morning in the camp. Kiri waltzed in already dressed and ready for the day. She grinned down at you and the radiance that seemed to glow across your dark blue face.
“Up and at ‘em. You have a long day ahead of you,” she said, some extra clothes in her hands, some that looked so thin and dainty as if they wouldn’t cover anything, “Also I brought you some clothes. You’ll fit right in.”
“Thank you, Kiri,” you replied sweetly as you stood glancing down at the ripped, dried blood shirt that still occupied your frame.
Her brows rasied for a moment though, a mischievous smile appearing as she glanced out of the hut, “Also, there is someone here who is dying to see you.”
She let out a high-pitched whistle and in an instant the other side of the tent was pulled to the side, a smaller blue frame bounding in. Tuk appeared and her gaze met yours, she became completely still. Her eyes widened in awe and stared up taking in every part of you. Even though you weren’t yourself in so many ways, it was as if she would know without even being told that it was you. The same aura about you remained.
“Hi, Tuk.”
As your smooth voice filled her ears, it broke her from her temporary spell. She ran forward, both of her arms tightly wrapping around her waist. It was the first hug from the child that didn’t feel completely overwhelming. You were able to hug her back just as tightly, her whole body finally fitting within yours. “It’s really you.”
Her words shocked you slightly but as you shared a look with Kiri she could only smile at the interaction before her. Heart feeling warm, you grabbed Tuk under both of her arms and hauled her up onto your hips and your ears were met with the melodic sound of her laughter. After a moment, you found her own hand moving upwards to trace your face starting at your jaw to your nose. “You look just as I always thought you would”
“Yeah?”
The child nodded incessantly as her small hands moved through your long black hair, straight as a pin that fell to your lower back. It was like a lightbulb had popped up making her entire face light up. “Will you let me braid it?”
“Of course.”
Then she looked over to her older sister who was still standing in front of the doorway. “Kiri, can you help me?”
She rolled her eyes teasingly but her smile gave away her true feelings to her younger sister who she found it hard saying no to on a given basis. “Sure, Tuk.”
You changed quickly and spent the next thirty minutes not only adjusting the small beaded top across your chest but hissing at the way the two sisters tightly pulled at your hair. Tuk was just finishing the last of the two pieces of hair that framed your face when a clear loud whistle ripped through all of your ears.
You glanced over at Kiri and she sighed under her breath realizing how quickly the time had gotten away from you all, “It’s getting late in the morning and we all know that can only be one person. You should get going.”
You agreed and stood thanking both of them before you stepped out from the hut, the morning light hitting you straight in the face. As your eyes adjusted, you found two Na’vi young men standing outside almost shoulder to shoulder mumbling to one another with light rain dancing across their skin. The storm had subsided to a mere drizzle and you felt it on your face and shoulders the second you walked out. Kiri and Tuk followed you out of the hut and the small girl slapped her hand over her mouth to stifle her laugh at you picking at the back of your clothed bottoms. The sound caught both of her older brothers’ attention and as they peered up toward you, they became awfully quiet. Both of their eyes were focused on you.
For the first time ever, you appeared just as every other woman in the village did with smooth blue skin, white glistening freckles, and a tall lean body similar to theirs, dressed in beaded tops and small bottoms. However for some reason, neither of them could admit it yet, but they both knew all too well that you would stick out — not just because you were a dream walker but because there was something about you that radiated a beauty that differed from every other woman in the village.
Neteyam found himself noticing how differently your hair fell, it was still long and straight but littered with braids. The two front pieces were braided framing your face and drawing more attention to your high cheekbones and soft smile. There were more in the back too, falling softly against your back. He also noticed that Tuk and Kiri had left some of your natural hair alone, appearing just as soft as it had last night. He cursed himself for having acknowledged it and for how much time it had taken up.
“Woah, look at you,” Lo’ak’s voice shifted all eyes to him, including his older brother’s. Neteyam had blinked before turning to look at Lo’ak who was staring at you in a certain way that was far different than he had before and it was evident to anyone. “Fine as always. Maybe even more so.”
Kiri groaned out of annoyance and the older Sully boy glanced up over at you to find your mouth parted in almost shock, a small hue appearing on your cheeks. Before anyone could say anything else, Neteyam drilled his elbow straight into his younger brother’s side as he was far too flirty with everyone. Lo’ak bent over, a loud hiss of pain emitting from his throat. With a frown on your face, you approached slowly out of comfort, hands outstretched as if you were going to touch him.
“I said 'early', you’re late,” Neteyam’s voice was harsh, so harsh he almost didn’t recognize himself, “I wanted to start earlier. The sooner we start, the sooner we can be done.”
Your attention completely shifted off of Lo’ak but instead to his older brother that was sending a glare over in your direction. You found yourself folding under his gaze and suddenly your arms were wrapped around your torso and your lips that were etched out into a frown deepened.
“Tsap’alute si (I’m sorry).”
He shook his head and exhaled as if he was annoyed with you. Annoyed for you even speaking Na’vi as if you were proving a point that you weren’t just some dumb dream walker. To him though, it didn’t matter how much you knew, there was no way you saw and lived the way they did, and that meant he would still have to spend weeks, possibly months teaching you. “Let’s just go. Your pronunciation needs work, by the way.”
Kiri and Lo’ak’s mouths dropped out of shock as their brother never spoke to anyone that way. Sure he was stern with them when they got in trouble, but that tone was usually saved for lectures and reminding them to not be stupid. This, this was so unlike him, to be rude just for the sake of being rude. Short-tempered was never like Neteyam at all. He was patient, understanding even but he wasn’t displaying any of those promising traits at that moment. You glanced over almost in disbelief at Lo’ak but as you looked back at Neteyam, he was still staring at you expectantly, his eyebrows raised and lips formed in a tight line. You bit your tongue to withhold from offending the future Olo’eyktan and shrugged.
Extending your hand out towards the village, to signal for him to lead the way he seemed to prefer that better than your unnecessary comments because he nodded approvingly and began to walk into the direction of the forest. You looked one more time at his siblings and your friends behind you, somehow feeling the nerves starting to appear in your stomach again. Lo’ak sent you a wink for reassurance and you watched as Kiri playfully shoved him for it.
You followed after Neteyam feeling like a lost child as the village almost parted for him, people stepping aside to clear his path. He emitted power, loyalty, and the future of this clan. He commanded respect seen in even the eldest eyes even though he hadn’t fully proved himself to them. They bowed at him and wished him a good morning. The best hunters of the village decked out in the most extravagant shoulder pieces and jewelry acknowledged the young warrior with a nod of their heads while the children danced around him hoping to get a smile out of him — a smile out of their role model and future leader.
Then there were the many young women, potential future suitors for the Olo’eyktan in training. It was in the way they looked at him, watching him move, and stopped whatever they were doing to whisper about him as the two of you passed.
He didn’t acknowledge them, not even a look in their direction though one of them could be his future wife. In no more than a year, he could be done with his Olo’eyktan training and be betrothed to one of those lucky ladies and you, who knew where you would be. It was evident you didn’t quite belong there yet with your unfamiliar face and five-fingered hands. You knew it and so did all of those young women your age.
Because where they looked at Neteyam with complete awe and longing, it was as if they saw right through you. Like you didn’t even exist to them and those that chose to make eye contact, pursed their lips and looked you up and down less than kindly. It was almost comical in the way that they thought Neteyam would even consider you a choice to be a potential future mate — but in reality, as you were starting to learn it really wasn’t his choice though was it?
No, it came down to Eywa, and how the Tsahik interpreted it. It was whether or not Neytiri and Jake could accept the bond for their son. Whether it was his choice or not, you knew that all those girls had nothing to worry about. As some of their glares seemed to only narrow further, you broke their eye contact and instead found interest in the ground and the way your bare feet sunk into the soil.
As you entered the forest, Neteyam commanded your attention not by so many words but based on the way he was looking at you. You hadn’t been paying him any mind at first, too encapsulated by the flora flittered with raindrops, the same ones that pressed along your own skin leaving goosebumps in their wake. Your eyelashes felt heavy, lips cold, and fingers wrinkled but you ignored it all as you peered at the forest around you. At first, you didn't even know he was looking at you, thinking possibly he had just kept walking, leaving you behind. But as you turned on your heels you found him staring at your back, almost curiously but he adjusted his gaze immediately. He nodded for you to follow him.
For the next hour or two, you found yourself walking alongside him repeating the words and phrases he used to explain your surroundings. He identified so many things in the forest, gave you their Na’vi name, and almost expected perfect pronunciation back especially since Lo’ak and Kiri had mentioned you had been studying the language for years. But it wasn’t as if you were really studying the language as many did. You didn’t have access to hear the words out loud from video recordings or another person. All you had was textbooks and handwritten journals left behind in scraggly handwriting. Even though Norm was fluent in Na’vi you found yourself always talking yourself out of asking him for extra help. So, with all of that considered, of course, your pronunciation was off.
In fact, with every other word you spoke, he would have to repeat it after as he wasn’t satisfied with the way you said it the first time. You tried to remain patient, withhold any eye rolls or snappy comments, and simply do as he said. However, it was difficult, nearly impossible, as he constantly mumbled under his breath and sent you the worst looks that made you wish the ground would just swallow you whole. If he really didn’t want to do this why didn’t he just say no?
Sure, he was the next Olo’eyktan and was expected to do everything his father asked of him but Lo’ak didn’t do that and he was just fine — constantly getting into trouble and lectured for hours on end, but fine. If Neteyam disliked you that much and thought of you as a nuisance he could have said no. His mother would have been more than enthused to kick you to the curb and send you back into the forest.
After about two hours of walking around and dealing with enough of his scolding, you found yourself asking for a break, switching to something else to keep your energy up. For a moment, you thought he was going to argue, be angry that you were even making such a suggestion, but then a look appeared on his face. One you had never seen before — one that could be seen as pure determination. He turned around on the heels of his feet and stared into the forest, the forest covered in rain.
His golden eyes flickered back over to you, “Follow me and try to keep up will ya?”
Just like that, he broke out into a clear sprint off into the forest. For a moment you stared after him in complete shock but as his words registered and his form became fleeting, you took off. As fast as you could, you let your feet slap against the wet grass. You leaped over rocks and branches, eyes frantically focused on the blue speckle before you.
After about five minutes, you could no longer hear the ragged breathing of your voice or feel the burning within your chest. The bottoms of your feet were getting soar but you pushed that pain far away into the back of your mind. The village was miles behind you and somehow the only thing you could focus on was catching up to Neteyam. He ran straight, remaining in your clear view, and you had an inkling that when he began to slow down it was to let you catch up.
The closer you got though, he began to change his course; winding around trees, ducking under fallen limbs, not daring to slow down for anything. You kept up, being so close you felt as if you could reach out for him. Then without warning, you watched almost slowing to a halt as he jumped up grabbing onto a nearby tree branch, he hoisted himself into a large tree. He didn’t stop, evident in the way you could hear him climbing higher and higher into the towering tree.
You took a deep breath and bounded forward following his movements as exactly as you could. As soon as you had made it up to the first branch, you could see him about ten or so feet up higher than you. You smiled down at yourself and began to follow. Climbing from branch to branch you went higher and higher, following his every move. Before you knew it, you had to have been almost hundreds of feet above the ground as you were unable to look down and see the ground. Partially hidden by the numerous branches and overgrown leaves, you were unsure of how far down it really was.
Your breath felt short, adrenaline coursing through your veins. Neteyam slowed down for you again and this time stepped off onto one of the long thick limbs of the tree. As soon as you had reached it, he barely spared you a glance and continued forward. He began to run again and so did you. It brought on flashbacks from that first night in the forest trying to keep up with his siblings in the dark. Somehow though this was less settling than that even in the daylight.
You hurried after him, jumping over long branches to nearby trees. You kept up well for a while until he jumped up and grabbed onto a limb and swung himself across a small gap in the trees landing on the other side. Your breath was cut short in your throat and you felt your fear spike for a mere moment, evident in the way you came to a clear halt at the edge. Neteyam continued forward and within seconds you knew you had to make a decision: make the jump or fall behind. If you chose the latter you weren’t sure how you were going to make it back on your own.
So you backed up and ran forward, both your hands reaching up to grab onto the same branch. With your hands clasped around it, you swung your body forward but within a second of letting go, you knew you had let go too early. You decided against trusting your own body and instead relied on a physical guess. One foot hit the edge of the thick tree limb, the foliage pressed against the tip of your toe, but the other barely even brushed it.
You felt your whole body shift back much like it had the night in the forest, this time it felt ten times worse, and happening all too quickly. Just as you felt your other foot slip, two hands appeared and gripped tightly onto your wrists and pulled you forward. Enough so that you collided with his body and one of his hands moved down to your hip to steady you.
Your eyes were screwed shut, a scream almost releasing from your throat, having expected the fall when his hands had steadied you against him. Slowly, trying to ease your breathing, your eyes fluttered open to find Neteyam in front of you, so close, closer than you thought he would ever be. His eyes were gold with specs of yellow and green in them.
They were scanning over you to make sure you were okay. Soft white freckles were scattered across his forehead and his nose, some so faint you had to lean in closer to see them. His hands were tough against your skin and you found yourself glancing down at his hold on you for a moment. He pulled away instantly when he saw where you were looking. He growled slightly under his breath and you felt his frustration in the way he avoided your stare.
“I know, I’m sorry, I almost had it—”
“You stopped, that's what happened. You stopped and you thought about it. You can’t afford to think out here. You think, you die. Thinking affects judgment and the speed at which you move,” he explained, hands outstretched and lips curled in a scowl, “You have to be quick, trust yourself, and trust your body.”
His voice was thick, deep, and laced with both an accent and irritation. You took in every word, knowing that if you wanted to survive if you wanted to learn and be trusted to be a part of the Omatikaya, you had to rely on everything he said. So, you ignored the attitude and simply nodded knowing it was his way or die.
“Understand?” he asked again, wanting more than a visible cue.
“Yes.”
“Okay,” he inhaled and began to step back further away from you, “Come on.”
There was no more running after that and he only led you a few feet over to a spot among the tree branches that thickened out and left a pocket to peer out at a small patch of the forest. It was cloudy so there wasn’t much sunlight, but it was enough to provide light between the trees. He took a seat and you followed suit. Just like that as if his hands hadn’t been wrapped around your waist five minutes before, you returned to learning the language.
Netetyam pointed both of his fingers at his nose, his gaze locked onto you as you sat in front of him, legs crossed over one another, “Ontu.”
“Ontu,” you repeated.
His fingers then moved to his ears, “Mikyun.”
You paused for a second and his stare intensified. Cautiously you said,“Mikun.”
He hissed slightly, repeating the word slower, “Mik-yun.”
“Mikyun.”
He hummed satisfied enough as he then pointed at his eyes, the same golden eyes you had found yourself staring at mere minutes ago when he had you held tightly against him. “Nari.”
“Nadi.”
“Nar-ri,” he said again.
“Nadi,” you tried, but it only came out sounding the same.
Leaning forward, he sent a swift flick to the side of your ear less than softly. Your ear flickered and flinched at the contact. You withheld yourself from barring your teeth to him as his stare only widened expectantly as his other hand still pointed at his eyes. “Naaariii!”
The avatar program was starting up again, just as things were changing for you. After days spent with countless lessons, you arrived back at the camp through the link pod to find Norm and Max waiting. They proposed the idea or more so forced it. You would put in practice, the sole individual with data to analyze but it would work. All because of your irresponsibility that had led you right into the hands of the Omatkikaya, they wanted to start a study of their own and continue Grace’s work. She more than anyone was fascinated by the biology of the forest but more so she found greater interest in the Na’vi and understanding how they worked.
They managed to power up the video cameras and they insisted, rather made it a requirement, that every day after you returned back from your body and the village, you would sit down and talk about your experience no matter how tired or belligerent you were. It was so serious and they were so focused on whatever data that you acquired, that they locked you out of both of Grace’s and Jake’s video logs, so yours remained genuine.
You were exhausted and that first night you didn’t have much to even reflect on, except that you had almost fallen to your death and the whole day was spent getting lectured and flicked at. A few times you found yourself pausing, wondering if you should even include Neteyam’s name within any of them in case you happened to say something you shouldn’t. Say something after he seemed to push your buttons just right one day and that led to you talking shit about him over the log. Then what would happen if one of his siblings managed to get their hands on it or even him? Your fear was embarrassing because not only did you hold in your emotions well, but you had managed to hold your tongue for days. Then again who knows how long that could last.
The second day in the village, you found yourself bursting out of your tent barely having woken up in your human body thirty minutes before. Somehow you still felt refreshed, and determined, more so to prove to Neteyam that you were more than what he thought you were: a useless dream walker. More than that, you wanted to prove to him that his attitude and his need to dislike you wouldn’t break you down. He wasn’t going to push you back to where you came from. You were there to learn and that’s what you were going to do.
You were surprised as you stepped out that the sun was shining and for a moment you slowed down to enjoy the way the warmth of the morning light reflected across your face. Just as you were about to take off again towards where Neteyam had told you to meet him the night before, the sound of your name was yelled out from just a few feet away.
Looking over your shoulder, you found Lo’ak jogging over to you, his hair pulled back of his face and a curious glint in his eyes. “Hey, what’s the rush?”
“I have to go Lo’ak,” you replied, beginning to walk into the direction of the field again, “I can’t be late.”
Reaching out, his hand took a hold of your wrist pulling you back, a smirk dancing across his face. You sighed. He was in another one of his flirty moods and you didn’t have the time or the energy for it. Especially, since all of these years you were convinced he only was like this to practice for when it actually would come in use one day. You bit your tongue to not let that notion slip as his thumb ran softly against the inside of your wrist.
“I feel like I never get to see you. You can’t spare a second?”
“It’s your brother, so what do you think?” The sarcasm was evident, it practically dripping as you dropped your respectful facade in front of the youngest Sully son.
He chuckled, face lighting up as he clicked his tongue over into the direction of where he knew Neteyam was waiting, “You’re right. Go.”
He released your hand, you winked up at him and smiled before taking off again into a jog. You moved around children and women of the village getting an early start on chores. The sun had barely reached the top of the sky when you found the field and Neteyam. He stood against a rock, arms crossed over his chest, chewing on his bottom lip in thought. His ears flickered at the sound of your heavy footsteps and when he looked up, he found you barreling toward him.
Your hands were stretched out towards him, “I’m here. I’m here.”
It had rained the day before and most of that first night you came to the village, something you hadn’t taken into account. Evident in the way as you went to slow down, your heels digging into the ground, you struggled to find traction in the mud. Instead, you slid across, colliding straight with Neteyam. His hands found your shoulders and for the second time in two days, he found himself steadying you. Something you were starting to strangely get used to. His expression of surprise narrowed as you looked up at him, shoulders raised innocently.
“Hi,” you said quietly.
He just pushed you back from him, releasing his touch from around your arms. You tried not to take note of how it left you slightly cold but focused on the annoyance laced across his face. “We should get started.”
“Okay, what are we doing today?”
He didn’t respond to your question and at first, you were going to ask again, but you stopped yourself as he placed his fingers within his mouth and let out a loud whistle. It was so loud you found yourself wincing slightly but looked onto the forest as the sound of something approaching caught your attention. You stepped back near Neteyam but he only chuckled as the creature appeared. It was strong, with hard-scaled skin, four eyes, and six legs. A direhorse or as the Na’vi people called them, a pal’i. Neteyam gripped the rope around the creature’s nose and guided it closer.
You approached them slowly, and he took in the way you scanned over the direhorse in slight amazement. Your hand reached out, brushing against its tough skin across its side. Its queues resembled ears as it flickered back behind its head. With your hand still pressed against her side, feeling the way she breathed, Neteyam nodded up, a silent command to get on.
You were hesitant at first but obliged. It took a couple of tries, the horse far taller than you thought it’d be, but as you jumped the third time, hands grasping at its hard exterior, you swung one leg over the side of it and signed with relief. Neteyam held onto the rope still peering up at you as you adjusted yourself rather uncomfortably. Then taking the direhorse’s queue he handed it over to you. You grabbed your own, the long braid feeling heavy in your hand.
“Tsaheylu?” you asked, glancing from your queue to the horse’s able to see the nerve fibers dancing out of either of them.
He nodded, “The bond.”
At his words you connected them and gasped, inhaling deeply as what felt like a spark traveled from the queue across your spine into your brain and then continued to spread throughout your entire body. Your pupils dilated confirming the bond. Neteyam held tightly to the pal’i’s rope as the horse rose on its hind legs out of surprise, a noise falling from its mouth. He calmed it back down as you worked on finding your breathing again but as you did it all felt different. With your hands pressed along the sides of the horse, you realized then that your breathing was in sync. That somehow and some way, you were able to feel everything the horse was. It was almost as if you could see through her eyes and control her own heartbeat.
“Feel her,” Neteyam finally spoke, his own hand pressed along the horse close to yours, “Feel her heartbeat. Her breath. Her legs. You can tell her what to do, inside of you.”
Staring down at him, you watched as he slowly let go of the rope, nodding towards the queues which you gripped firmly in your palms. “Now, tell her where to go.”
Taking in a deep breath, you nodded, letting her heartbeat guide you. “Walk forward. Slowly.”
The sound of your voice transferred to her ears and slowly she stepped forward beginning to move. Your breath hitched in your throat but then eased as she listened to what you said and began to walk. Neteyam followed you, slightly impressed by your deliberate command as your words were chosen carefully. You smiled then as you asked her to continue forward but speed up slightly. It was as if you felt like you were the one running yourself.
Neteyam found himself smiling slightly to himself, watching you experience the bond for the first time; the way it heightened your senses and brought everything new to light. If you loved this wait until you got to form a bond with an Ikran. There was nothing like flying, up there with no bounds, no limitations — just you and the sky. That was his favorite thing Tsaheylu had ever given him.
For the next few hours, you rode, you focused, and you practiced giving commands and telling her to stop. You had only slipped off a couple of times but always seemed to land perfectly on your feet. Trust your body, you kept reminding yourself of what Neteyam had told you the day before, and somehow even with this, it was working. It didn’t last for very long though.
As you gotten used to speeding up and advising the pal’i to turn in any direction you commanded, you had let your guard done. Your focus had wandered the longer you rode her. Just as you hit the two-hour mark, you were unaware of the eyes watching you from afar. Neytiri stood arms crossed over her chest with Jake appearing not far behind her. He stood next to her and nodded approvingly toward you.
However as Lo’ak returned back to the village, just on the edge of the forest, his eyes took in the way you moved almost effortlessly and the overconfidence that was clear across your face. Stepping out from behind some bushes, he placed two of his fingers into his mouth and let out a high-pitched whistle, louder than the one Neteyam had delivered earlier. It was so loud, it distracted you but only for a mere second. With your mind wandering away the pal’i got spooked by the sound and raised on its hind legs taking you by complete surprise. You felt your queue break loose and you fell backward, bouncing off the back of the horse straight to the ground, landing into a pile of mud.
Neteyam signed in disapproval before chasing after the horse, catching it within seconds. As he walked back, he found his younger brother standing over you, hands on his knees bellowing in laughter. You moved up onto your knees, able to feel the mud sticking across your entire front and some of your face. He rolled his eyes but stopped the action as he found his parents nearby watching the entire lesson unfold. Neytiri smiled in amusement catching her husband’s eyes as Lo’ak took your hands and helped you to your feet. You began to wipe at the mud on your arms but in dismay as that didn’t help in the slightest.
“Does she remind you of anyone?” Neytiri asked and Jake could only chuckle under his breath.
You spit towards the ground able to feel the mud within your mouth and upon your tongue. Lo’ak stood in front of you laughing unable to stop himself even as you glared up at him.
“Holy shit, now that was awesome,” he grinned, not intimidated in the least by you.
He reached forward, his hand brushing the braid in front of your eyes behind your ear, touch lingering far longer than it should. Neteyam approached, the rope of the direhorse wrapped up in his palm. His steps faltered slightly as he found the two of you. You try to wipe the mud from your face and Lo’ak’s hand lingering near your cheek. You slapped his hand away though in anger and the boy bursted out laughing again.
Neteyam continued walking and pointed his glare in the same direction you were, “Lo’ak, what the fuck are you doing?”
“Hey, brother,” the younger Sully boy grinned, crossing his arms across his chest as he bumped your shoulder with his teasingly.
You felt like shoving him right into that pile of mud and who would be laughing then. You were doing well, really well and then he went and embarrassed you not only in front of Neteyam but in front of their parents. You hissed over at him stepping away, losing his contact altogether.
“Just having a little fun.”
“Having a little fun?” Neteyam hissed, his hand reaching out as if he was going to push him over too. “What is wrong with you? Just once you can’t behave. Just once. You always have to be an A-class distraction and pain in the ass.”
“It’s not that big of a deal,” Lo’ak argued.
“Go, just go. Before you do anything else to piss me off.”
The two brothers stared at one another, neither of them backing down. You glanced between the two of them, hands raised in the air waiting to see which one would eventually give in first. It wouldn't be Neteyam, you knew that. Because even though his brother took him for granted and often blamed him for so much, Neteyam was the future Olo’eyktan and that meant so much even to Lo’ak.
Lo’ak groaned slightly and took a step back lifting his hands up as if he were surrendering. He sent one more glance in your direction, a sly smirk appearing on his lips as he turned fully around and wandered off. Neteyam’s intense glare then shifted to you.
You sighed, already knowing what it meant, “And what did I do?”
“You weren’t focused.”
“Focused? Are you kidding me,” you argued, “Lo’ak was the one to… the pal’i got spooked.”
He shook his head as if everything you were saying to him was complete and utter bullshit and you were starting to get tired of it. “You weren’t thinking.”
“So, what yesterday you tell me not to think, and today I am supposed to?” you snapped at him, still trying to rid yourself from the mud slapped across your body and your face. The feeling was suffocating almost nearly as much as his eyes and accusing tone were.
“It’s different.”
You huffed flailing your arms to get the mud off your hands and felt some satisfaction in the way it flew onto him and stuck to his chest. “Well, how about you make up your mind and tell me what you want me to do and I will do it.”
Somehow all those times he had looked at you, the glares accompanied by the lectures were nothing compared to how his entire body and face shifted at your outburst. He was the future Olo’eyktan and the only ones who talked to him like that were his parents. His parents that he usually gave reasons for them to talk to him that way. You, on the other hand, had no right to talk to him that way. You were a nobody. A mere inconvenience he was stuck with and teaching anyways. He committed to spending countless hours and days with you to teach you. It was like his entire face hardened, his stare becoming ice cold and you knew then if he didn’t hate you before he definitely did now.
Somehow you didn’t back down though, you held the same stare, mirroring his with all the effort you had. You didn’t have room to feel anxious or worried about the repercussions, you just couldn’t. Before any other words could be said though, you felt two hands gently take a hold of your arms and pull you back away from Neteyam. It was Kiri, she had witnessed the arguing from a few feet away and had heard most of it, your last sentence had urged her forward to stop her brother from saying anything more that he might regret.
“Okay, why don’t we go and just take a little break,” Kiri urged, finally making eye contact with Neteyam. Her interference seemed to only anger him more.
“What she’s a little afraid of some mud now? There are worse things out there,” he exasperated pointing at the forest and it took Kiri to drag you away from her older brother.
“Neteyam, just take a couple of hours to cool off, okay?” she said, both her hands still steering you in the opposite direction.
As she took you away in the forest, your blood was still boiling and your skin was hot to the touch. His words began to replay in your head. “I swear I could—”
“I’m going to cut you off right there,” Kiri interrupted, chuckling lightly as she led you further and further into the forest to get you cleaned up, and give you some space to talk, “It’s probably best not to threaten the future clan leader.”
“He is just so… ugh,” you yelled, your voice reverberating across the trees of the forest and Kiri had to contain herself from laughing.
Though she agreed her older brother was acting like a total asshole, the fact that you showed any ounce of anger was laughable to her because for all these years you had been the calmest and most collected person. Lo’ak could push your buttons all he wanted and most of the time you would ignore it, other times possibly deliver some sarcasm his way.
This though was a whole new side of you she had never witnessed and she wasn’t entirely sure how to deal with it. Neteyam brought out crazy eyes from you and the urge to scream and punch something. It was a side you hadn’t been entirely sure you even had in the first place.
“Yeah, he is being quite difficult isn’t he?”
“Difficult?” You laughed, the sarcasm in your voice interlaced with annoyance, “More like impossible.”
Eventually, you approached a nearby stream and you sat down on the edge, unable to keep your body still as Kiri undid the braids in your hair. There was more mud stuck within your hair than you had noticed before and as Kiri pointed it out, you felt yourself think back to the whole afternoon. Eventually, as you slumped down into the river and began to rub your skin, you felt Kiri looking over at you with an amused expression on her face.
“What?” you asked, “This isn’t funny, Kiri. Your brother hates me.”
She laughed and rolled her eyes, having never taken you as the dramatic type, “Hates you? Okay, I think you’re pushing it on that one. Neteyam could never hate anyone. Sure, he has that little warrior act down, but underneath all that he’s just a moody nineteen-year-old. I mean, of course, he can come off as bossy most of the time, but he is incapable of hating someone, especially when he’s only known them for a few days. He’s known you for two.”
“So, you think there’s a chance he could like me?” you asked, already knowing the answer but curious about her take on the whole situation.
“I never said that,” she smirked to which you sighed, sinking down further into the stream to let the cool water weigh you down. She waited a moment as you dipped your head back letting it wash over your face and your hair.
As you reappeared and began to wipe the water from your eyes, she offered you a look of reassurance, “Look, I will admit he’s been acting like a dick. But you have to realize he’s known you for all of five minutes. Then add in the responsibility of having to teach you about how we live on top of everything else he has going on, that would make anyone a little bit stressed.”
You hummed, letting the water lap up against your lips as you stared forward at the deep blue water in thought. Mostly about whether or not this was a good idea. Whether appearing in the village and uprooting people’s lives was something you should have considered before you agreed to let them take you here. Or maybe far before that when Norm and Max even offered to give you the avatar. You were naive to think that given this body people would be able to accept you quickly just because you looked as they did.
Kiri noticed the way you were lost in thought, staring forward with mud slipping down the side of your face. She said your name at least twice and it took her splashing water at you to even get you to acknowledge that she was talking. It was like she could read what you were thinking because, with a small tilt of her head, she smiled lightly as if to tell you there was nothing to worry about. “He just needs time, Y/N. While he was busy being trained by my father, we had a seven-year head start getting to know you. He’ll come around, I promise. It would be impossible for him not to like you.”
“Really?” you asked, softly.
“Are you kidding? He would be crazy not to,” she assured, before beginning to laugh again as something else occupied her mind, “Which reminds me, what the fuck has been going on with Lo’ak lately?”
Your brows furrowed, “What do you mean?”
“Have you seriously not noticed him lately? The extra annoyingness. The compliments. The sudden need to pop up everywhere you are,” she said, watching as slowly with every observation she pointed out, you began to realize exactly what she was hinting to.
“No.”
“Yes,” she laughed, “Hey, if Neteyam turns out to hate you, at least you’ll know Lo’ak will like you enough for the both of them.”
ꨄpairing: neteyam x fem!omaticaya!reader / jake sully x reader(platonic)
ꨄrequested: no
ꨄtype: mostly angst, some fluff
ꨄsummary: you always wanted to feel appreciated, neteyam always wanted to be the best warrior; in short: u seek validation in older men cause you dont have family and because you are the best warrior, neteyam is jealous of you, the whole fic roughly follows the plot of atwow!!! ummmm kinda enemies to lovers?????
ꨄwarnings: SPOILERS AHEAD, DONT READ IF U HAVENT SEEN ATWOW, mentions of being shot, angst, my bad writing cause i havent written anything since september, reader is a year older than neteyam
ꨄa/n: i feel like this is so bad i am sorry
ꨄword count: 3,402
‘How could you both be so stupid?’ You threw your hands in the air and shot a glare at Neteyam. ‘You could’ve died! Does that mean nothing to you? Your father explicitly told you to observe, not engage! You are like a child Neteyam, both you and Lo’ak!’
‘I wanted to stop him, he’s just too disobedient.’ He avoided your eyes.
‘And you had to take the blame again? He’s never going to learn if you keep doing that.’ You shook your head and sighed.
‘Can you stop? I’m the oldest and I need to protect my siblings.’
‘No. No, Neteyam. I am the oldest. I may not be your sibling but I am the oldest and, believe it or not, I wouldn’t forgive myself if anything happened to them.’
Especially you.
‘You can protect them, be a big brother, but don’t take credit for every stupid thing they do!’ You moved closer to him and snapped your fingers in front of his face to get his attention. ‘I know you want to prove your father you can be a warrior, but it doesn’t mean that you have to put your life at risk when Lo’ak does something stupid.’ You huffed. ‘Just be careful next time.’
Neteyam felt jealous of you, of the way his father trusted you enough to put you in risky missions because he knew you would survive, of the way he praised your fighting skills and of the way he put you on a pedestal. You were born during the first war with the sky people and both of your parents had died fighting. The clan surrounded you with love when you were growing up, but you had never had anyone to call a mother or a father. You were just an orphan trying to find a place alongside everyone that you crossed paths with. So, when Neteyam was jealous of you having his father approval and trust, you were jealous of him for having a real family. When you were younger you would hide behind the trees and watch them cuddle underneath the night sky, your little heart breaking and longing for this kind of comfort and love. Even though you were Omatikaya by blood you still sometimes felt like an outsider. You occupied your time with training, flying, shooting arrows and that’s why Jake was impressed, that’s why you were one of his favorite warriors and he knew he could trust you. He even got you your own gun, which Neteyam and Lo’ak were especially jealous of.
Deep down you knew what this was about. Jake cared about you, but not like he cared about his own children. That was the real reason you were sent on those missions, the reason he took you everywhere with him on fights. He just didn’t want to risk his sons life's. You knew that and you still took part in everything because those were the moments when you felt like you belong.
° 𐐪𐑂 ♡ 𐐪𐑂 ₒ 𐐪𐑂 ♡ 𐐪𐑂 °
‘Can we talk?’ Jake asked from behind you.
‘Of course, sir.’ You nodded your head and stopped sharpening the spears.
He sat down next to you and sighed.
‘We are leaving tomorrow.’ He said firmly. ‘This is not a safe place for my family anymore.’
‘Oh, I see.’ You whispered, a wave of sadness ran through your whole body.
‘I want you to come with us.’ Your ear twitched and you looked up at him with hopeful eyes. ‘And I want you to promise me you will protect my children when I won’t be able to do it myself.’
‘I promise.’ You answered quickly. ‘I’ll do my best, sir.’
He smiled at you and stood up, ‘Tomorrow after the ceremony. Be ready.’ He shot you one last glance and walked away.
The next day you were waiting for the Sully family by the ikrans, your thoughts were interrupted by a loud shriek of Tuk.
‘Are you coming with us (Y/n)?’ She asked after she ran up to you.
‘I am.’ You smiled at her and after giving you a hug she ran back to her mom in order to get on an ikran with her.
While you were checking your bags attached to your own animal, you felt someone intensely staring at the back of your head. You didn’t have to turn around to know it was Neteyam. You never knew why he gave you those weird glances, a part of you wished they weren’t that hateful. At first you tried being friends with him, but after a while his behavior towards you had changed. While you were getting along with his younger siblings, he was always staying away from you, watching your every move. The relationship between you felt like some sort of rivalry, but there was always this warm feeling you couldn’t shake off when you knew he was nearby.
After a long, tiring flight to the Metkayina clan you were exhausted, the thought of laying down was the only one in your head. You made the appropriate gesture towards the Tsahik and the Olo’eyktan when they arrived and you suddenly felt really small under Ronal’s gaze. She started walking around you all, examining your tails and postures.
‘Is this also your child, Jakesully?’ She asked, you could feel her judging eyes on you.
‘No. She’s not my child, but she is the best warrior in our clan and she is important to my family.’
‘Is that true?’ She moved to look into your eyes.
‘Yes, Tsahik Ronal.’ You gave her a long nod and felt the warm feeling spreading in your heart after hearing that you were important to the Sully’s.
She whispered something to herself and went back to her husband who a moment later agreed that all of you could stay with them. You smiled to yourself when you were walking through the village following Tsireya, everything felt so fresh and untouched by war, those people didn’t live in fear unlike your clan. You dropped your belongings on the floor and went over to Neytiri to help her.
‘It’s okay, you can go with others and learn the Metkayina ways, I can handle the unpacking.’ She told you and put her hand on your arm.
‘Are you sure?’
‘Yes, go.’ She smiled sweetly and playfully pushed you towards the exit of your new home.
You ran towards the shore and started looking for your friends. When you finally spotted them you quickly jumped into the water and swam quickly in their direction.
‘Can I join?’ You asked Tsireya when you emerged from the water.
‘Of course!’ She gave you a smile. ‘Follow us everyone.’
After swimming for a while she took all of you to meet the ilu’s and learn how to ride them. You were scared of failure, especially after seeing how fast Lo’ak let go of his ilu. Tsireya helped you get on the animal and told you that you’re gonna be okay, you just have to hold it tight.
‘How could she not be fine? She’s the best warrior after all.’ Neteyam muttered with annoyance.
‘Stop it.’ Kiri smacked his arm.
‘What? She shouldn’t be here, her place is with the clan. I don’t even get why she’s here with us in the first place.’
‘It’s not my fault your dad values my skills more than he does yours.’ You replied harshly and then without a second thought told your ilu in your mind to go forward.
You felt angry at Neteyam, rage was filling your body. You were the best for a reason and you would prove that to him. You tightened your grip on the handle attached to the animal’s body and took the biggest breath in your life before diving into the depths of the ocean. The speed was horrible and you felt your hand slowly relaxing.
No. I won’t give him the satisfaction.
You tightened your fist and held the handle even harder than before. After readjusting your position and squeezing your thighs to feel more steady you felt the oxygen slowly leaving your lungs. You shut your eyes and rode upwards, soon emerging from the water and jumping with your ilu only to dive again. You rode over to your friends and smiled at Tsireya. Everyone was impressed, because this was your first try and it definitely required special skills to get it this perfect. Annoyance was written on Neteyam’s face, he scoffed and started swimming away. You sighed and got off the ilu.
‘Neteyam, wait!’ You screamed and swam towards him.
He didn’t even look back and you reached him after you both got out of the water.
‘Neteyam, what happened?’ You touched his arm and he immediately turned around to face you.
‘You happened.’ He scoffed. ‘I am tired of you taking my place all the time. I try so hard to meet my dad’s standards and it’s never appreciated because of you!’
‘It’s not my fau-‘
‘It is. It is your fault.’ He interrupted your sentence and walked away quickly.
And there it was again. The feeling of loneliness consumed you once again, when the boy you adored walked away feeling only hatred towards you. Sure, you were often picking fights with him, replying to his comments with the same energy, but maybe this time you really did take it too far?
° 𐐪𐑂 ♡ 𐐪𐑂 ₒ 𐐪𐑂 ♡ 𐐪𐑂 °
You were helping Tsireya with some of the duties one day and Neteyam was far from you, but still in your sight. You were stealing quick glances at him so that your friend wouldn’t see it, when suddenly he quickly swam away and you couldn’t see him anymore. You excused yourself and left Tsireya by herself to go and see what had happened that made him go that fast. The closer you got to the direction he swam towards, the better you heard voices screaming and sounds of fighting. You came over to Kiri, she was softly laughing at the pile of boys in front of her. You had to admit it was funny, but at the same time you were all supposed to be on your best behavior. Because of that, you walked over to them and hissed loudly, their heads turning to face you.
‘Enough.’ You spat and looked over at Lo’ak and Neteyam. ‘Both of you.’
They stood up and walked towards Kiri, you hissed at the Metkayina boys once again and turned around to join the Sully’s.
‘It was going well, you didn’t have to-‘
‘Was it, Lo’ak?’ You stopped and looked at him. ‘You were supposed to be on your best behavior, what were you thinking?’ You turned to the older boy.
He didn’t reply to you, he just took his brother by his arm and walked away.
‘You are both unbelievable.’ Kiri whispered making you turn your head in her direction.
‘What do you mean?’
‘Just tell him you like him already.’ She whined.
‘You know I can’t.’ A sigh escaped your lips. ‘He hates me, Kiri. He sees me as a rival, he despises me.’
‘He doesn’t.’
‘He does.’ You said louder. ‘I don’t want to talk about it anymore, let’s go.’
‘Lo’ak was the one that started that fight, he was just helping him.’
‘I know.’ You replied and looked down, soon arriving at your home.
‘And you? Why weren’t you keeping an eye on them?’ Jake turned to you when you entered the shack.
‘I’m sorry, I was helping Tsireya.’ You avoided his gaze. ‘Next time I won’t let anything happen to them.’
And you were right.
You jumped down from your ikran and landed on the sky people’s ship. Neteyam found his way to his siblings and Tsireya as fast as you, jumping onto the deck from his ilu. You shot your arrows towards some sky people coming towards you.
‘Cut the handcuffs!’ You told him when he reached you.
‘Come on, bro. Hurry up!’ Lo’ak screamed at his brother.
You turned around and saw Tsireya and Tuk jumping into the water, ‘Go! Both of you!’ You yelled at the brothers.
Neteyam started dragging the boy away, ‘They have Spider! We have to help him!’ Lo’ak tugged on his brother’s arm.
You locked your eyes with Neteyam, ‘Shit!’ He hissed. ‘Okay, let’s go.’
‘No, you are not going anywhere.’ You stopped both of them. ‘Go back to your father, right now.’
‘We have to help Spider, please (Y/n).’ Lo’ak looked at you with terrified eyes.
‘UGH!’ You shook your head and hang your bow on your body. ‘Just stay close.’ You told them and ran towards the inside of the ship.
You were quietly moving on the big pipe on the ceiling when some people started walking your way, Spider was surrounded by them in a circle. All three of you jumped down at the people and freed your friend, but then a pure moment of joy was interrupted by gunshots firing your way.
‘Go! Go!’ You screamed and pushed the boys towards a wall that would hide all of you.
Neteyam snatched the gun from Lo’ak and started shooting at the enemies, you pulled out the gun Jake had gifted you and helped him.
‘I’ll tell you when to jump and you jump!’ You shouted and looked over at them, they were rapidly nodding their heads. You gave a few more shots towards the enemies and took a deep breath. ‘Now!’
Lo’ak and Spider jumped quickly into the water, you pushed Neteyam first and jumped as the last person. For a second you felt relief when you heard their happy screams, but it was washed away when you started struggling with keeping your head above the water. Adrenaline started coming down and you felt your lower abdomen on fire.
‘Yes! We did it bro!’ Lo’ak hugged his brother who was laughing softly.
‘Come on! We need to go!’ Neteyam yelled when Tsireya came up from the water riding her ilu.
‘Nete…Neteyam…’ You coughed.
His smile faded and he rapidly swam towards you.
‘I’m shot you skxawng.’
‘Shit! Shit!’ He cursed. ‘Just hold on a second!’ He held you tightly and sat you down on the ilu. ‘It’s okay, just hold on.’ His panicked voice echoed through your ears.
He saw his father standing on a rock and everyone started screaming for him. A worried expression came up on his face when he saw his son holding you tightly.
‘She’s shot, dad, help her!’ They started pulling you up to rest you on the wet rock.
Jake inspected your body only to see a big wound on your lower stomach which was quickly bleeding out.
‘Take her to the village, right now.’ He told Neteyam and helped put you on the animal again.
Neteyam held you in his arms as he tried to ride the animal as quickly as he could without causing more damage to you.
‘Hold on, okay? Don’t you dare die on me!’ He yelled to you.
‘But I am so sleepy, Nete..’ Your voice was weak, but he still heard you.
‘No, don’t sleep, we’re right there, just…Just hold on..’ He finally saw the village and hope filled him up. ‘We’re here, it’s okay. It’s gonna be okay.’ He looked down at you to check if your eyes were still open and he saw you slowly blinking. ‘HELP! I NEED HELP!’ He screamed as loud as he could which caught the attention of some people by the coast, they quickly ran to get the Tsahik who was helping other wounded warriors.
‘Neteyam..’ You coughed.
‘We’re here, hold on for me.’ He looked down at you again.
‘I see…’ Your voice was getting weaker. ‘I see you, Neteyam.’ You whispered and closed your eyes.
‘No. No, no, no. Help! I need the Tsahik!’ He got off the ilu holding your limp body in his arms.
Ronal emerged from behind the people and told him to put you in one of the shacks. The Tsahik pushed him outside and covered the entrance with a curtain made out of big leaves and seaweed. Neteyam finally felt the tears on his face which previously were washed away by the splashing water. He didn’t know what to do, fear, sadness and adrenaline were running through his body. He waited for what felt like hours and when he felt Tuk’s arms around him all of a sudden he felt safe. His whole family was okay and when he came eye to eye with his father, he broke down crying again. Jake hugged his son and caressed his hair with his hand. A sudden rustle made Neteyam break the comforting hug. Everyone turned towards the sound, Ronal was standing in front of the shack, her expression was unreadable. She locked eyes with Neteyam.
‘She’s alive. Barely.’ She stated.
‘Thank you, Great Mother.’ Kiri whispered and hugged her brother from the side.
‘She needs a lot of rest and I am not certain if she will survive the night.’ Ronal said and started walking away. ‘Do not bother her. Now it is all up to Eywa.’
° 𐐪𐑂 ♡ 𐐪𐑂 ₒ 𐐪𐑂 ♡ 𐐪𐑂 °
Your nostrils were filled with a disgusting smell which made you slowly open your eyes. You saw Ronal putting some type of paste on your wound and you hissed.
‘I guess this means I’m not dead.’ You whispered, your voice hoarse.
‘No, but it was close.’ She replied and wrapped some bandages around your stomach. ‘Rest, my child.’ She whispered and walked out, leaving you alone once again.
After a while the silence was interrupted by Jake, ‘Hi.’ He said as he sat down next to you.
‘I told you I’d keep them safe.’ You weakly smiled at him and he let out a soft laugh.
‘Yeah, I knew you would.’ His smile quickly faded. ‘I.. I wanted to thank you. For protecting them. And I’m sorry for using you so much, on all of those fights… I forget that you are still young, god… You’re only a year older than Neteyam and I’ve never thought something like this would happen to you…’ He paused. ‘You have a whole life in front of you, I’m sorry for trying to take that away and not protecting you.’
‘It’s okay.’ You whispered. ‘I know you only wanted to keep your family safe.’
He nodded and stood up, a tear fell down his cheek. He looked like he wanted to say something more, but nothing came out, he gave you one last smile and walked outside. After a while you closed your eyes because the light started bothering you, but you immediately opened them when you felt someone put their hand in yours. You looked at the way your fingers were intertwined with Neteyam’s and gave him a soft smile.
‘I’m so sorry.’ He whispered.
‘You have nothing to be sorry about.’ You coughed out.
‘I have. I am sorry for getting angry at you, for getting jealous about my father and for..’
‘Hey, it’s okay.’ You whispered and stroked his hand with your thumb. ‘And I’m sorry too, I shouldn’t be taking your place by your dad’s side.’
He nodded and squeezed your hand, ‘It’s okay, I know you just wanted someone to be proud of you. Kiri told me how… How you feel like an outsider all the time, because you don’t have…’
‘Parents?’
‘Yeah.’ He looked down at the floor.
‘After all these years I got used to having no one, but when your dad and other warriors from the clan were so proud of me… I just felt this hapiness that I finally belong somewhere, that’s why I always wanted to be the best…I’m sorry again, Neteyam.’
‘I forgive you.’ He smiled. ‘I can’t believe you were ready to die for me.’ He softly laughed and you reciprocated the smile.
‘I can.’ You whispered. ‘And I forgive you too, for being so mean to me.’ Your smile grew wider. ‘But you were cute when you were angry.’
‘Is that so?’ You gave him a long nod. ‘And now I’m not?’
‘No.’
‘Liar.’
Your giggles filled up the space around you and you didn’t even notice when he got so close to your face. You felt his breath on your skin and he put his other hand on your cheek.
‘I always thought you hated me.’ You whispered into his lips.
‘Do you still think that?’
‘No.’ It left your lips more like a breath rather than a word.
He finally closed the gap between you and it all just felt right. His lips on yours felt so right. You finally felt like you were not alone.
‘I see you, (Y/n).’
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