(Palia) Nai'o x GN!Reader
"What was it like in the...where did you come from?"
"A pink void. And I don't know, I only gained consciousness on my way out. Seemed nice for that brief moment though."
Nai'o smiled at your response, squeezing your hand that was wrapped in his. The sun was high, but not scorching as you both sat under a tree not far from the Daiya's farm.
"I'm glad it was nice, at least," he acknowledged.
You shifted so your head onto his shoulder and looked up at his face, the sunlight making his hair seem to glow. How was he so damn pretty?
"Why the sudden interest? Jina got you on a mission for her research?"
He breathed out a laugh, saying, "Absolutely not. She wouldn't want me within a 10 meter radius of anything related to her research."
He began to rub his thumb along the back of your hand, seemingly subconsciously soothing either you or himself since he couldn't rub his neck with his hand occupied.
"I just...want to know more about you. Everything you can tell me."
Your heart constricted at the sentiment. Ever since arriving in Kilima everyone has been (mostly) pleasant and helpful, yet not particularly interested in you. In the human re-emergence? Sure. In your impact on the ancient human relics and temples? Absolutely. Your actual personhood seemed to be more of an afterthought.
So to hear Nai'o ask about something you've recounted plenty of times to others, but with the motive of understanding your experiences, it touched a need of yours you hadn't realized you had.
"Oh, or not! You don't need to tell me anything you're not comfortable with! I don't want to seem pushy, Mom's always getting on me about how I word things...." Nai'o rushed to clarify, eyes wide with concern.
You tilted your head in confusion at his statement before you felt a wetness on your cheeks and realized you had begun to cry.
"Oh," you breathed out before taking your free hand to wipe at your face, "Sorry, I'm ok. I just... it hit me that you really care."
If it was even possible, Nai'o gave you a look of even more concern than before.
"Well, yeah. Of course I care! I wouldn't be dating you if I didn't care. I care about everything you do and have to say. Did you think I didn't?" He asked, shifting you to a position where he could see your face better. He hesitantly reached out to wipe a tear away, hand hovering just above your cheek as in a request for permission.
You closed your eyes and leaned your head into his hand. "I guess I just hadn't thought too deeply about it. I knew how I felt about you when I initiated this, and was ecstatic when you said you felt the same, but everything has been so.... so much since I arrived here that I haven't really given myself a moment to pause and reflect on what I might mean to you. Nobody else seems to care too much one way or the other about how I'm really doing."
"What're you talking about? I know at least my family cares, and Kenyetta cares, in her own way, and-" You cut him off with a gentle kiss to his cheek before resting your forehead against his.
"I know, sweet pea, but you're the only one who sees me for me. It just means a lot to me. Ok, love?"
Nai'o swallowed hard before responding, "Yes, love. Please call me that more, by the way."
You smiled against his lips before committing fully to a kiss. The berry pie you had shared earlier left a lingering taste in both of your mouths, and you sigh as you separate.
"Tell me everything about you too, ok?" You requested as you leaned back against the tree, your head returning to Nai'o's shoulder.
hey. sorry if the formatting sucks I wrote this on my phone and idk how to format on mobile. I have risen from the grave w a new unrelated fic but I prommy I'll go through my backlog in my inbox ❤️