allegra

what the hell, sure.

[drewdaist]

@drewdaist ‘s masterlist. 🩵

neteyam te suli tsyeyk’itan

i never wanted to be your weekend lover (trilogy)

chief’s daughter // part two

ao’nung te tsika’u tonowari’itan

north. (series)

give it up to me

[drewdaist]

hello world !!!!!!!!! 🦶

sorry ive been mia i PINKY promise i’ll post something soon, i’ve just been xtra busy and i’ll be on vacay in a few days <3 but i will try to finish up a few of my drafts just for u guys xoxo

[drewdaist]

give it up to me

ao’nung x reader

📝 sometimes— well, most times, ao’nung craves for more than just a competitor.

suggestive but no smut !! both ao’nung & reader are 20 <3

Everyone always said you and Ao’nung were insufferable together.

For the entirety of your conscious life, you had been his sole competitor, the only one who rivaled him enough in strength, skills, and smugness. Where he was fast, you were one step ahead. Where you hit the target perfectly, he shot a perfect bullseye. It was like that. Always was.

Until it wasn’t.

As you grew, so did your competition— and so did the perspective others had on you two. It stopped becoming friendly banter and more of a will they won’t they. You hated it. You hated that it fed into your already blooming feelings. You hated that he used it against you.

During training, you’d hear it all.

You two are ridiculous.

Just fight already.

No, actually— kiss.

You ignored them. You always did.

Because whatever you and Ao’nung had between you, it had rules— even though they were unspoken. You competed. You teased. You pushed. But you never crossed the line.

And Ao’nung? Ao’nung had made it particularly different. Especially with the whispers of a love between you two.

It started the same way it always did.

The sun was at its peak, shining brightly onto the shore as you trained. The sand was warm under your feet, the light reflecting off the waters blinding you every now and then. You rolled your shoulders, loosening the tense muscles as you stepped into the team. Your braid swayed gently behind you.

Ao’nung was already there.

He leaned his weight against his spear, turning to greet you with a snarky comment as you arrived.

“You’re late,” he said.

“You’re early,” you scoffed, walking closer toward his frame.

The worst part of it all was that you couldn’t deny how pretty he was. He was chiseled, his torso sharp and lean, muscles impossibly prominent as water clung to his skin, making him glisten under the sun. His hair was neatly tied, though you’ve seen them loose— a sight you’d dreamed about one too many times. His face, Eywa, you hated how he looked, how much you wanted to punch him, how much you wanted him.

His tail gently tapped at your leg as you grabbed your spear, snapping you out of your thoughts.

“Princess needed her beauty sleep?” He shot.

You grinned at him, tilting your head. This was how it always started.

“Of course? What else would you stare at if it wasn’t me?”

He rolled his eyes at you, moving into position. “In your dreams,”

“I know I’m in yours.” You retorted.

For a second, he let himself falter. He knew you’d notice.

A spark lit up in your chest, a familiar one. You got into stance, tail flicking in excitement behind you.

“One on one,” you challenged. “No excuses when I win.”

He pushed himself upright, finally gripping his spear properly. “You always say that,”

“I’m always right.”

He laughed, though it sounded more like a cocky scoff, eyes fluttering before they found yours again. He shot a grin, the usual smug one he had whenever he was with you.

“You’re cute when you’re confident.”

You lunged before he could say anything else.

The clash was immediate. Skin against skin. Wood hitting wood. Sand scattering beneath your feet as you circled each other like two predators. Your movements were sharp. Careful. Precise. You knew his movements all too well. Where he was strong. Where he was weak. You knew all the chinks in his armor like the back of your palm— the feints, the way he overcommitted to his cockiness, the split-second break before he struck.

You saw it then, dodging it easily.

“Slower than usual?”

He hummed, amused. He rolled his neck as he got back into position. “Just getting started, yawne,”

There it was.

You might know his moves, but he memorized your weaknesses like they were his own. In particular, you don’t handle flirting very well.

“Don’t—“ you snarled, striking him harder.

Your spears locked, bodies closer as your breaths heaved. His grin shifted into something darker, eyes narrowing into yours. Something tugged at your chest. You took the chance and shoved him back, breaking whatever moment you had.

“Focus,” you said, voice a stern command.

“I am,” he replied cheekily. “On you.”

That earned him a glare.

You attacked again, faster this time. You aimed at his chest, shoving your spear into— nothing. He blocked, spun, and countered, causing you to lose balance and stumble. His hand shot out, catching your waist before you touched the ground. You shoved him off with a snarl, picking up your spear as you returned.

“Again.” You demanded.

This time, he didn’t rush you. He waited. He knew he had ticked the very buttons that caused you to lose patience, to make irrational decisions. He watched you pull back ever so slightly before striking. In the blink of an eye, he caught it, disarming you with a move you taught him.

Your spear hit the sand as he stepped into your space, spear pressed lightly against your side, trapping you in place.

“Point for me, I guess,” he said softly.

You hissed in his face. “You cheated,”

He pulled away, letting you have your own space. “You’re just mad I beat you.”

Just as he was about to turn around, you stopped him. “We’re not done, skxawng. Not until you play fair.”

He looked at you. Really looked at you. His eyes were dark with something you couldn’t quite tell, but it made your stomach twist, the fire in your heart burning twice as hard. Then, he smiled.

“Fine,”

But he didn’t move. Instead, he tilted his head again, lips hesitating before he said.

“You ever get tired of this?”

You frowned. “Of what?”

His gaze flicked from your eyes, down to your lips, then back up again. Deliberate. Unapologetic. Hungry.

“Of pretending it’s just a competition.”

You laughed, sharp and defensive as you tilted your head back. “Don’t flatter yourself.”

When you reached to pick up your spear, he grabbed your wrist. The contact sent a jolt down your spine, burning something deep within you.

“You’re doing that thing again,” he hummed. “When you don’t wanna admit something.”

You stepped closer, challenging him. You lifted your chin to look up at him.

“You’re delusional.” You retorted, canines peeking through your lips.

“Everyone else sees it.” He said, voice low.

“Then that’s their problem,” you shrugged. “Because I don’t.”

His grin returned, sharper now. As if he had planned this all along. “So,”

“So?” your brows furrowed. You opened your mouth to snap back when he cut you off— far too casually.

“When are you gonna give it up to me?”

His eyes never left you, save for the occasional flicker down to your lips that went slack, slightly parted. It morphed into a face of disbelief.

“Excuse me?”

He shrugged, utterly unbothered. “You heard me,”

He leaned down now, breath got against the shell of your ear, pulling away when he finished.

“I think you like pushing me because it’s safer than wanting me.”

Your breath caught— just for a second. You didn’t let him notice. You recovered impossibly fast.

You leaned in, painfully slow, just until he felt your breath fanning over his lips.

This is it, he thought to himself.

His heartbeat stuttered. Your eyes flicked to his lips, then back up to his eyes. Your lips curled into a cruel grin. Your voice was barely above a whisper, loud enough for only him to hear and feel.

“Careful, Ao’nung,” you said, pausing before you moved your lips to his jaw, hovering so close he swore he felt you on him, before you whispered in his ear.

“You might just get what you’re asking for.”

You pulled back just enough to meet his gaze, lips staying in a teasing smile.

For the first time— Ao’nung faltered accidentally, completely.

In reality, it was just a fraction.

But it was enough for only you to notice.

In truth, you hadn’t even meant to push him like that. Well— maybe. Just a little. But it didn’t hurt to give him a taste of his own medicine right?

You stepped back first, letting the tension linger between you, thicker than it had ever been. He was still staring, eyes blown wide for half a heartbeat before he recovered. His jaw tightened, ears pressed firmly against his head as he exhaled sharply. He hated that you got into his head. He hated that he let it happen.

You tilted your head. Sweet. Innocent. Lying.

“What?” you asked, your voice still laced with poison. “Gonna say something?”

He scoffed, rolling his neck as he gave in to your demand. He picked up his spear, leaning against it as he waited for you to get in position.

You knew he was watching. You knew he was staring. You bent to grab your own spear, deliberately slow, painfully aware of his gaze over your frame, watching you bend down, the way your tail swayed playfully, the way your hips moved like a trance. When you straightened, turning to face him again, you caught him watching the line of your throat, your collarbone, the neck he had a lifelong desire to mark.

Something dark in his eyes flickered. A need. A desire.

“Again,” he said.

This time, he didn’t bother to wait.

He struck carelessly, too fast. All brute strength and impatience. He forced you back step by step as he struck, though you easily slipped past them each time. You laughed under your breath, amused at how bothered he was.

“Getting sloppy,” you teased.

“Shut up,” he snarled through gritted teeth.

“Yeah?” You ducked under his swing, close enough that your shoulder grazed his chest. “Make me.”

That did it.

He growled, an animalistic noise that reverberated through your body. He grabbed your arm, spinning you under he had you under his chokehold. His arm was wrapped firmly, a soft warning, against your throat, as your back was pinned tightly to his chest. You felt the heat radiating off of him.

You hissed at him, attempting to wriggle out of his grip, but he was stronger.

“You’re fucking impossible,” he snarled into your ear.

Your movements slowed. Instead, you pressed harder against him, your hips firmly pressing onto his. You felt his heartbeat pick up.

“You love it,” you retorted, leaning your head back onto his shoulder.

The position gave him access to your jaw, your neck— your lips. It was horrifically tempting. If he wasn’t any better, he’d kiss you right then and there. But he didn’t want you to win. He sucked in a breath, sharp and shallow as he looked at you again. Your eyes were glued to his. He watched your pupils dilate ever so slowly.

“I’m sick of pretending,” he breathed.

You should’ve backed down.

But you didn’t. You couldn’t deny the part of you— the majority of you that agreed with him.

“Then do something about it.”

He paused, staring for just a moment.

Then, he crashed into you.

Your lips clashed with his, bodies mingling as you twisted your way to face him. Your hands found his cheek, his jaw, eventually settling on the nape of his neck. His hands found your jaw, settling on your waist for a while before he slid them down to your hips.

It was desperate. Sudden and messy. A kiss that told you he had been waiting too long for this moment to happen. His fingers dug into your skin, hard enough that you were sure he’d leave bruises. You tangled your hand in his hair, now coming loose as you tugged at it. The pull sent a jolt down his spine, making him groan into your mouth.

The noise didn’t help dull the ache in your chest. No— it worsened it. You kissed him harder now, tongue slipping past his lips as he tugged you closer to him. His hands found the bottom of your hips as he tapped his fingers there, urging you to jump.

So you did. You clung onto him, legs wrapped firmly around his torso as he walked back, off the shore and into the tree line. You felt the rough bark against your back, legs dropping to the ground as he pulled away, just enough to inhale.

His eyes were blown wide, desperation written all over his face, especially over his bruised lips. He leaned down again, your hands pulling him closer as you closed the gap once more. His hands stayed on your hips, then slid cautiously onto your ass, squeezing it. You let out a breath at the touch, his lips parting from yours to go painfully slow down your jaw, your neck, and placing bites to your collarbone. You didn’t care if he left a mark. Hell— you wanted him to.

That was when you felt it.

He nudged a knee, right where you needed him the most. It drove you crazy. He drove you crazy. You let out a soft moan at the feeling, immediately biting your lip to suppress the noise. You felt him chuckle against your neck, raising his head to meet your gaze. When he did, he retreated. A whine left your lips at the loss of contact.

He grinned at the sight, placing a chaste kiss to your lips when you pulled him closer. You kissed him slower this time, more deliberately. You felt his grip tighten now, around your waist. He pulled you flush against him, making you sigh without even meaning to. Your lips travelled down his jaw, down to just above his collarbone, close to his shoulder.

His breath was hot against your skin as you continued, nipping and biting at the soft skin. Your hand grazed his chest, pressing against him more firmly as you moved it— painfully slow, down his torso, all the way down, right down to his stomach, right above where he needed you the most.

His breath hitched, making you chuckle against his skin. You admired your work, the dark blossom of purple making a beautiful mark against his skin. He sighed, pressing his forehead to yours.

You stayed that way for longer than you intended— if you even did so.

Then, he rolled his neck, rubbing the nape of it until he landed on something that felt… new?

He froze, stiffening against you as he registered it. His hair was still a mess, lips still bruised and glossy from your kiss.

“You left a mark?” He asked, already knowing the answer.

“Looks pretty on you,” you smiled back.

His ears pinned down, huffing before he tilted his head to you again. “Is it noticeable?"

You let out a soft laugh at that, nodding your head as he touched it again. Then, he laughed too. “I can’t even hide it.”

You placed your palm over his, eyes softening now as you looked at him.

“Don’t,” you said softly. “Let them know,”

His brows furrowed in curiosity, though the smile that tugged at his lips remained.

“Know what?”

Your grin grew wider before you said it, tongue holding back the words before they slipped right through— like sand in a sieve.

“That you’re mine.”

He shifted closer, face morphing into a softer version of him. His eyes were still blown. And when he thought he was already breathless, you stole every bit of air left in him.

“Yeah,” he breathed. “That sounds right.”

He took your hand in his, then placed a soft kiss to your lips before he tugged you away, back to the main village. People would see. Rumors will spread. Eyes will stare.

But nothing mattered now that he was yours, and you were his.

note. this is so shite i wrote this in like 30 mins my apologies </3

[drewdaist]

chief’s daughter (2)

neteyam x tsika’u!reader

📝 neteyam always finds an excuse to end up at the hands of the olo’eyktan’s daughter.

part one

Neteyam paced outside your marui.

The skies were just beginning to soften when you had heard the unmistakable footsteps of his. You watched the shadow of his figure stepping carefully and cautiously, as if he didn’t want to startle you. It was cute how nervous he got. How the brave Neteyam melted into putty whenever he was around you.

When you stepped outside the hut, he was still pacing— abruptly stopping once he saw your figure. His father always talked about “love at first sight”, and though he hadn’t believed it then, he sure did now. His eyes were transfixed on you, looking up and down your frame as though he was blown away. Your hair was different again, curls of dark brown falling down your back as you swept the hair from your face in woven braids, adorned with the finest pearls and shells you had. He had never seen the top you were wearing— a weaving of the ocean’s turquoise shade and the evening purple skies.

Now, he really did believe in love at first sight.

When you tilted your head at him, waving a hand over his eyes he cleared his throat. He held the same, classic crooked grin of his.

“Hi,” he said.

“Hi,” you replied, smiling despite yourself.

Then, his hands shuffled before holding it out in front of him. A small bundle of reef flowers. They were sea-blooms, still damp with the salty waters, tied loosely with thin strands of fiber. The petals were a beautiful hue of blue and pale green as the scent of them wafted in the air— the shoreline at dusk and the soft breeze of the morning waves.

“I brought these,” he stammered, voice wavering in nervousness. “For you.”

Your chest thumped erratically, a pattern you had never felt before.

“You brought me flowers,” you echoed.

He winced slightly, like he had been bracing for impact.

“Yeah,” he breathed. “If you don’t like—”

“I do,” you cut him off. “They’re beautiful, Neteyam.”

You held your fingers out to touch them, brushing against his for just a second too long. He froze at the feeling— even though you had touched and healed him countless times before. You raised your head again, just enough to look him in the eyes as you smiled.

“Thank you,” you muttered.

“Always,” he responded without hesitation.

You walked side by side toward the water, close enough that your shoulders brushed one too many times— each time lingering longer than before. You could tell he was nervous by the flick of his tail, the calm sway turning into a stuttered flick toward your side. Heat enveloped your cheeks when his tail brushed your legs— once, twice.

“Sorry,” Neteyam blurted. “It’s just— I get really nervous.”

You breathed a soft laugh at his words as you glanced at him.

“It’s fine,” you replied.

His chest tightened at the sound of your voice— heart threatening to jump from his chest when he felt your fingers graze his. Once. Twice. Slowly. Deliberately.

He leapt before he could think, fingers intertwining with your own as you walked in rhythm. For a moment, neither of you spoke. Instead, you had let the life around you speak for itself— the waves gently crashing against the reef, the birds circling in the distant horizon, the breeze against the warmth of his touch. Your fingers buzzed with an excitement you couldn’t recognize, a foreign feeling. It felt like atokirinas were fluttering in your chest.

His steps slowed as you arrived. It was beautiful. A stretch of shore away from the main village with dozens of tide pools holding vibrant corals of purple and pink. The waters were much quieter here— the sound of waves becoming faint in the background. Under the evening sky, the waters glowed much brighter than the usual shores. It took your breath away.

He watched you in awe, a smile tugging at his lips when you looked back at him. You tugged his hand as you sat on a flat rock, legs draped across and into a small tide pool.

“Do you come here often?” you asked, voice a gentle breeze of fresh air to his ears.

“Sometimes,” he said. “When I need quiet.”

“It’s perfect,” you whispered, looking at the sea blossoms that resemble the ones you had in your hands.

“Yeah,” he breathed, but his eyes were fixed on you. “It is.”

The night went on like that. Conversation flowed just as easily as water did. About small things. About home, life, family. About childhood memories that surfaced without warning. About nothing and everything all at once.

His fingers always found yours, nestling in the small space between you as you went on— the warmth of it bled into your skin. Etched into your ribs was that blooming, warm buzz. Neither of you let go.

<3

The next few days passed in a blur.

Neteyam still came by the healing hut, though he wasn’t always injured. He still sat by you. Joked with you. Walked you to your place. Took you to his spot— Eywa, 9 times out of 10 if he wasn’t at training, he was with you.

Now, every glance lingered. Every touch carried weight.

When he handed you something, his fingers would brush yours and stay there for a beat too long. When he sat by you, your knees would stay glued to one another— grounding him in the present, in you. He had never not held your hand.

When you’re walking, he’ll hold you, a guiding arm meant for only you. When you’re working, he’d sit and watch. Watch your face pinch as you focus, watch your nimble fingers work your way around the herbs— all while he stays, tail softly curling behind your back.

You didn’t peg him to be the clingy type, but here he was. You were back in the hut, quietly working while Neteyam rambled on about everything and nothing at once. You listened intently, occasionally glancing up to meet his gaze. When you did, he’d stutter, just a little bit, but enough that it was impossible to miss. You noticed how he toyed with his fingers, brows furrowed as he was deep in thought. You thought it was adorable— everything was so… perfect. Your heart warmed at the sight, at his face, his voice. Everything about him was perfect.

Then, the flap opened. Along with it, the distant roar of the horn caught your attention.

Tsireya peeked in, just enough to bring the news. The tulkun are back.

Without hesitation, you grabbed his hand in your, dragging him to the shore. His excitement buzzed through you too, hurriedly calling his ilu as you mounted behind him. It wasn’t long before you were both met with the sight— mothers and calves, spirit brothers and sisters reuniting with one another.

Then, you spotted her, swimming toward you.

“Ri’atu!” you yelped, gently nudging Neteyam’s shoulder as you both mounted off the animal.

She was massive and graceful, her presence filling the space around you before you even saw her face. Her eyes— wide, knowing, impossibly gentle, met yours.

You smiled so hard it hurt.

Sister, I missed you, you signed.

I missed you too, she hummed, the water forming patterns of vibration. You are different.

Am I?

Her eye shifted slightly, not toward you, but rather behind you where Neteyam floated awkwardly. His eyes were wide, braids hovering over his face as he held a gentle smile. But he wasn’t looking at Ri’atu. No— he was looking at you.

He is… someone I cherish, you signed, shy despite yourself.

When you looked behind, he was gone, floating just above the surface as he caught a breath. Ri’atu followed you as you swam up too, her eyes just above the waters.

You breathed in a deep, slow breath, laying a hand over Neteyam’s. “Neteyam,” you guided his hand to her. “Here.”

He tilted his head in awe, grin wider as he heard her hum once more.

You glanced back at him. “She is Ri’atu, my sister,”

Hello, I am Neteyam, he signed.

“She says you have a kind soul.” you breathed, a soft laugh following it.

The hums continued like a melody as you signed back and forth. Somewhere in between, Neteyam had lost his focus— too puzzled by the finger talk you did. So, he just watched. Watched your hands move fluidly as you signed, the way you’d blush after your sister hummed, the warmth of your presence, the ache of reunion. He watched your expressions soften, smile widening as you laughed soundlessly.

He felt something shift in his chest.

He had never seen you like this. The water clinging to your skin like a cape, reflecting the soft gleams of the sun into shards of diamond. He was mesmerized— though he felt even that still underestimated it. He was sure Eywa accidentally sent her masterpiece down to Pandora.

It hit him then, he was in love with you.

His realization was cut short when you looked at him, smiling as you always did. He shoved the feeling back down his throat.

“She likes you,” you said.

He glanced at her, then back at you. “Me? She said that?”

“Well,” you shrugged, “something like that.”

He drifted closer, ears flicking in interest. “What else did she say?”

You hesitated. Then, you smiled.

“That,” you muttered, hand finding his under the water. “Is none of your concern.”

He huffed playfully, eyes already begging for the truth when you shook your head.

“It’s not going to work, Sully,” you giggled softly, his hand squeezing yours tighter.

When it was time to leave, you rested your forehead briefly against her side, signing a quiet goodbye. She responded with a low hum that vibrated through your bones.

The ride back was calm— a soothing ending to an aching reunion. He stayed with you, steady and gentle, as he always did. You thought back to her message, the very last thing she hummed before you had parted.

Be brave, sister. You are loved.

<3

The war came like a storm.

At first, there were murmurs of the sky people and their arrival on distant islands. Then, whispers of their attacks, their machines spitting fire across the islands. Your fear grew like a parasite, gnawing at your heart, tearing it bit by bit every day.

Along with that, training ran longer, patrols doubled, smiles faded quicker. Neteyam changed with it. Not dramatically— but just enough that he’d keep a close eye on you, eyes flicking to the horizon, laughing less easily. He tensed, you noticed.

Still, he managed to visit you whenever he could. Always with some excuse.

A bruised knuckle. A sore shoulder. Sometimes— well, oftentimes, nothing at all. He’d come in and say, “I just wanted to see you.”

You pretended not to notice how his visits stretched longer each time. As if he was cherishing every single moment he had with you in case the inevitable comes faster than he imagined. In case he never gets to see you again. In case he never gets to tell you. In case he never gets to build the life of his dreams with you.

That night, he stayed as you prepared batches of medicines, ointments, and pastes. In between the silence, you spoke. Your voice barely above a whisper as your hands slowed their work.

“Teyam,” you hushed. “I’m scared.”

His head raised to you, eyes softening when they found yours in the dim light. His hand landed on yours as he leaned in.

“We will be fine,” he said.

“But—”

“I will be fine,”

He knew you were worried about everything— about him. His bravery often led him into horrible situations. You exhaled, leaning into his touch.

The silence stretched after that, your work settled somewhere in the hut as he embraced you.

The hut was dim, only lit by the low glow of the bioluminescent plants tucked into woven baskets along the walls. Outside, the village stirred with anxiety, restless even this late into the night.

You looked down at where you were connected. Your hand in his— warm, steady, grounding. You exhaled softly.

“I keep thinking about it,” you whispered. “I don’t— I can’t lose you.”

His heart thumbed, chest tightening as he stayed. His lips parted, but no words came out. His thumb brushed against your knuckles, silently reassuring you until he gathered the courage to dislodge his heart from his throat.

“You won’t,” but the fear in his voice didn’t waver. Still, he continued quietly. “I won’t let that happen. For you.”

Your eyes were still on the mat when he leaned in. He stilled against you, forehead pressed firmly against one another. The touch was soft, gentle, and warm. Your eyes fluttered shut at the closeness, your nose nearly brushing his. You could feel his breath, short and staggering turning into slow and even breaths. You grounded him in a way no one— nothing else had managed to.

“You know, I don’t think I could do this without you,” you admitted, voice a hushed whisper.

His hand came to rest on your cheek, fingers brushing against your skin.

“You don’t have to,” he said. “I’m always going to be here with you.”

You stayed like that for a long time. Outside, the world faded into something distant and dull— nothing compared to this. Inside, the hut was warm, the air went still, as if even the silence didn’t want to disrupt this. Eventually, the weight of exhaustion crept in sneakily, your body slowly melting toward him more. He noticed instantly— he always did.

“Hey,” he murmured. “You’re falling asleep.”

“I’m not,” you protested weakly, though the way your head dipped closer to his shoulder betrayed you.

He huffed a quiet laugh. Then, you felt his arms around you, moving you to lay on the mat. As you laid, he kept his hand on you.

“Just rest,” he said gently. “I’ll wake you if anyone needs you.”

“Teyam, you need to rest too,” you argued sleepily.

“I’m fine,” he replied without hesitation. “I’m not going anywhere.”

You nodded, eyes already halfway closed. Sometime in the night, you felt him lie beside you, wrapping a protective arm around your figure. As if on cue, you nudged closer to him, pressing your face into the crook of his neck. He didn’t move— instead, he leaned into it, nuzzling his nose into your hair.

By the time the hut fell fully silent, you were both asleep.

Outside, the war waited. Easing in closer with each hour.

But for now, just for this night, you were safe in each other’s arms.

<3

War had reached you sooner than expected.

The wind carried a sharp, distinct smell— thick and metallic as though it didn’t belong in Pandora. Then, from the horizon, black objects— ships, came toward you. Everyone moved quickly, as though they had rehearsed it before.

By the time the first wounded were dragged onto the sand, you were already heading toward them, quick to heal.

Your hands began to stain a dark red. Blood— slick against your fingers, warm and unrelenting, a symbol of destruction. Someone was shouting orders. Ronal was at sea, leaving behind a small number of experienced healers. Someone else was crying. You didn’t— you couldn’t look up to see who.

A warrior collapsed at your feet, clutching his thigh where shrapnel had torn through muscle. Blood came in waves, pouring down his leg as he hissed in pain. You dropped to your knees beside him, hands moving like muscle memory to clean and heal the wound. You murmured reassurances you weren’t sure he could hear.

“Breathe. Stay with me. Look at me.”

The island shook as an explosion boomed offshore, the waves sending a sound that reverberated through your bones. Your heart thumped against your ribs, yelling one name over and over again. Still, you worked instinctively.

You tried not to look toward the water. Tried not to look through the crowd, figures running out of the smoke and fire. You tried not to replay the very moment he left.

Neteyam had kissed your forehead before mounting his ilu— a brief, grounding touch you felt even until now, a ghost of warmth against your skin. There, he murmured.

“I’ll be back,”

You smiled. You believed him.

More bodies came in. One was dropped to your side— unconscious with an arrow lodged deep in his side. You feared the worst. Still, you barked for help, clean water, for anything. Bodies came and went in a cycle. Blood, press, seal, tie. That was all you can do under the pressure of a war. Under the pressure of dozens of warriors fatally injured, each one solidifying your loss more and more.

Then, you saw him.

Your throat went dry, chest tightening as a syllable fell from your lips.

“No,”

You saw it immediately. The way his body sagged between his siblings, head lolling forward as his chest rose shallowly. Uneven.

You ran to him, laying him down right there and then. Your hands shook as you tore away the straps of his gear. He was shot. Blood bloomed across his chest on the open wound. It was high, just below his shoulder, dangerously close to where his heart beat frantically beneath your palm.

“Eywa,” you breathed. “Neteyam, look at me.”

You checked on him every second, making sure he was conscious. His eyes continued to flutter, unfocused.

“I’m fine,” he choked.

Your hand pressed harder against his wound, continuing your cycle of treatment. Through gritted teeth, you said.

“No, you’re not.”

He hissed softly at the touch, tensing his body. “It didn’t— it didn’t go through,”

“I don’t care,” you snapped, voice shaking. “You should’ve stayed.”

His hand lifted weakly, fingers brushing your wrist. You felt him stiffen, his touch colder than usual. His face morphed, wincing and hissing in pain as he tried to smile.

Your heart seized, vision blurring as your hands continued. Your lips parted in an attempt to speak, but he beat you to it.

“I love you,” he breathed.

The words landed between you like a gunshot.

Your heart stopped, fingers faltering for just a beat.

“You had to know,” he stammered, voice lower than before,

A shudder wracked his body. His hand tightened on your wrist before slacking, falling weakly.

“Neteyam?” you said, voice breaking. “Neteyam, stay with me—”

Silence.

You pressed harder, screaming for help, for anything, for Eywa to wake you up from this nightmare. The world crashed around you. You felt a pair of hands pull you back gently, but you fought them, refusing to leave his side.

“He’s alive,” someone said urgently. “He’s alive— we have to move him.”

You watched helplessly as they carried him away. You looked down at your hands then, stained with his blood. The sand was a dark red, marking where he had once been.

Your hands shook as burning hot tears dropped erratically. A choked sob left you before you gathered yourself, moving into action, into duty once more.

You suppressed your heart, tucking it somewhere, anywhere else.

<3

The light was impossibly bright.

Golden strands flooded his sight as he fluttered his eyes open. Then, came pain

It ached, lodging somewhere deep within him. The cloth that sealed around him had been stained red, right above where his heart was thumping. His eyes moved around slowly, eventually landing on the figure next to him.

There you were. Knees pulled and tucked into your chest, head resting on one as strands of hair splayed across your face, unbraided and messy. Your eyes were a bloodshot red— stripped raw from the tears you shed all night long. You didn’t sleep, he noticed it. His fingers moved toward you, slowly reaching out until he grazed you slightly, just enough for you to snap your head up.

Your eyes widened, leaning in closer as your hands softly touched him. Not the wound— him. Your hands touched his hand, his arms, then caressed his face. Your breath stuttered.

“Neteyam,” you muttered.

His lips tugged into a weak smile as you held him.

“Hi,” he whispered back.

Tears spilled down your cheeks as you whispered under your breath, thanking Eywa for saving him. You looked at him again, his eyes stuck on yours.

“I thought I lost you,” you whispered, voice raw and hoarse.

His hand raised slowly as his fingers came up to brush your hair. He winced again, but ignored it, hand cupping your cheek.

“I’m here,” he said softly.

You breathed out a weak attempt at a laugh, but it died before it could even succeed. His lips parted, but no word came out. In truth, he had always accepted death. He had always understood that protecting his family could one day, inevitably cost him his life. But he didn’t expect it to hurt this much.

“I’m sorry,” he muttered.

Your brows furrowed in an instant.

“Don’t—” you started. “You have nothing to be sorry for.”

He shifted slightly, grimacing as pain flared once more. You flicked toward him, stiffening, hands on him in a silent plea for him to not move.

“How long was I out?” he asked.

“All night,” you replied. “And most of the morning.”

His eyes flicked back to the entrance where the light had poured in. “You stayed?”

“I wouldn’t leave you,” you huffed. “I couldn’t. I couldn’t leave when you could wake up at any given moment. When you could—”

The words lodged in your throat before you could say them. It hurt. It felt wrong to say it.

“You look tired,” he said gently.

“You look horrendous,” you shot back.

He smiled faintly at that, a soft breath leaving his lips. In the silence, you let it slip before you had the chance to stop it.

“I love you too,” you admitted quietly.

His heart slammed against his ribs as his lips twitched. His breath hitched like the words had just struck him deep. His eyes stayed on you.

“Before you went out,” you murmured. “You told me you love me.”

“I do. I couldn’t,” he stammered, voice still rough. “I couldn’t die without letting you know. I’ve held onto it for so long already. Ever since I got here, I swore I’d focus, I’d remember what I was here for. But you changed that. All of the sudden I wasn’t just fighting for my family— I was fighting for you. For my future.”

Your chest ached as you listened, the weight of his confession settling slowly, painfully sweet.

“Teyam,” you breathed, eyes softening as your lips tugged upwards.

“I love you so much,” he said, quieter now. “I really do.”

You leaned in, pressing your forehead against him as your nose brushed his. You stayed that way for a while, eventually lifting your head to place a kiss on his forehead. You felt his warmth, the very embrace you would go to hell and back for, anchoring you in place.

“I love you too,” you replied against his skin.

And for once, nothing was left unsaid.

<3

The village was slowly coming back to life. With each day, the sun became softer, gentler upon the aftermath of the war. Sunlight filtered through the woven walls and flaps of the entrance, landing on drying herbs and medicine as you worked, rearranging the rack of medicine on the walls.

From the distance, you heard steps. Familiar. Unhurried. Your ears twitched toward the sound until the flaps opened, flooding the room in the soft sunlight as he appeared. Your head craned to the source, meeting a crooked grin as he leaned against the door like he had always belonged there.

“So, I don’t need an excuse to see you anymore right?” he said casually.

You smiled to yourself as you reverted back to your work, shaking your head as you moved a bundle of herbs.

“Skxawng.”

He scoffed, gasping his chest dramatically as he shuffled closer. “C’mon, don’t be mean,”

You fully faced him then, abandoning your medicine as you raised a brow. “Please, I’m everything but mean.”

He stepped in, closer than before. Close enough that you felt his warmth already.

“Yeah,” he said softly. “You are.”

Another step.

“ You’re very smart,”

Closer now, your back hovering above the wall behind you.

“Kind,”

His hand found your waist, tentative at first, then melting until his thumb pressed just enough to make your breath hitch.

“Beautiful,”

Your heart betrayed you, thumping erratically against your ribs as he inched closer.

“Amazing healer,”

His free hand lifted, fingers warm as he cupped your jaw, tilting your face up just slightly. You felt the caution in his touch, as if he was afraid of messing this up.

“Who just so happens to be mine.”

The world narrowed in on you. His forehead dipped closer, breath mingling with yours. You were close enough that you could count every freckle on his nose, the one he’d scrunch every now and then. Close enough that you felt his lips ghost above yours.

“Can I?”

Your answer came fast, faster than it should, without a hint of hesitation.

“Yes.”

He didn’t rush it, didn’t crash onto you, didn’t fight for dominance. No— he was soft, almost tentative, like he was checking if the moment was real. Like he was afraid it was a dream. Like he was afraid he’d lose you all over again. His thumb brushed against your jaw as your hand raised, cupping the back of his neck. The kiss deepened only slightly, warm and unhurried, full of every word you hadn’t dared to utter before.

When you pulled apart, foreheads resting against one another once more, you smiled— a real, genuine smile you hadn’t done for too long. Neither of you said a word. The silence enveloped you in a warm hug, peaceful and content as you were certain of it, of this— of him.

This time, war had not loomed over you.

This time, there were no words left unsaid.

Just him. Just you.

Forever.

[drewdaist]

chief’s daughter

neteyam x tsika’u!reader

📝 neteyam always finds an excuse to end up at the hands of the olo’eyktan’s daughter.

part two

Neteyam had to keep his composure.

Neteyam had to set his mind straight.

This wasn’t about you. This was about his people, his clan— his family. But keeping that in mind was impossible when the thought of you brought warmth to his cheeks and stopped his heart. You weren’t a warrior, though a simple polish of your skills could just as easily make you one. You were a healer, a tsakarem under the tsahik, your mother. Whenever one was injured, you had always been there to tend to them, the hut practically became your second home.

The first time Neteyam had seen you, he swore his heart stopped. His breath hitched as he took the sight in. Standing beside Ronal, your head tilted in curiosity as you watched the Sullies— your hair cascading in waves reminiscent of your home, adorned with a few braids that swept the hair from your face. Around your chest, fibers wrapped around one another in shades of blue, the shells and pearls glimmering under the soft sun. To Neteyam, you looked like an angel sent from Eywa herself.

That was when you noticed him— eyes blown and lips parted in awe. He realized you had caught him staring. You smiled softly at him, your hand coming up to gesture a wave. He snapped out of his trance then, giving you a nod as he smiled back. You saw his mother, Neytiri, nudge his side gently, his posture straightening as if he had remembered his duties. When you hadn’t been the one to help the Sullies adapt, his shoulders slumped slightly in disappointment, a frown hiding behind his stoic demeanor.

Before Tsireya had stepped away from his new home, he had stopped her.

“Tsireya?” Neteyam stammered.

“Yes?” She perked immediately, beaming her usual smile.

“The girl,” he started. “Next to your mother,”

“That is my sister,” she replied. “Y/N.”

“Oh,” he breathed, smiling as he let her leave.

He stayed where he was, testing your name in his mouth— once, twice, enough that it etched into every fibre of his being, the picture of you occupying his mind like a parasite. And yet, he wasn’t complaining. Instead, he was plotting.

The next days passed in a blur. He saw you occasionally, passing by, at supper, or whenever he had the chance to sneak glances at you as if his eyes were craving the sight of you already.

Under the waters, he had been training alongside his family. That was when his plan went into action. Within the few days he was there, he had already familiarized himself with the shores, knowing which jagged, sharp-edged rocks to avoid. And yet, he had still made his way toward it, his thigh grazing it not enough to be fatal, but just enough that the draw of blood stung him.

Within minutes, he had been brought to your hut, your head raising to assess the indigo figure who was softly limping.

“Sister, he is injured,” Tsireya said as she guided him to sit in front of you.

“It’s nothing, really,” Neteyam muttered, though the slight hiss in his tone was traitorous.

“Neteyam,” you urged, shuffling closer to check his wound, a deep scratch no longer than a finger on his thigh.

Your hair was different that day, swept up in a ponytail as a few soft strands still splayed across your face. He watched as you checked his wound, fingers gently grazing the area. Tsireya had left by then, leaving only two figures in the hut.

“So,” Neteyam whispered.

“Not bad, forest boy,” you quipped, shooting him a gentle grin as you reached behind to grab some herbs. Your hands moved with precision, face focused as you grinded them, the smell sharp on his nose. His eyes never left your figure, glued onto every movement, every twitch, every move you made. He watched your face, your eyes, your lips, how they held a soft pout as you continued your duties.

You hadn’t even raised your head, hands still moving like muscle memory when you felt it— his eyes on you.

“You’re staring,” you said.

Heat crawled up his cheeks, a hint of purple across his face.

“I—” he stammered, “You are a good healer, is all.”

“You should learn to be better at hiding it,” you shot, a playful grin tugging at your lips. “You have a habit of staring at me when you could just speak. I do not bite.”

“Oh,” he breathed, embarrassed that he let himself slip. “Sorry,”

“It’s okay,”

That was when you faced him, leaning in closer to apply the paste as you let out a soft laugh. His ears perked at the sound, biting his cheek to contain himself.

“Tell me if it hurts,” you whispered, your hands an inch away from his skin as he breathed out a small yeah.

He let out a small hiss as the cold paste touched his wound. You felt him stiffen under your fingers. When you had finished, wrapping a small leaf across the cut to secure it, you had stayed there— hand still on his knee as you stared at him. Your lips parted but no words came out. So did he. The air went still, both your cheeks a purple hue as you broke the stare.

You shuffled back slightly, hand slipping off his leg as Neteyam internally frowned at the loss of your touch. He blinked before he said.

“Thank you,”

When he stood up, you raised your head toward him, grinning softly as your tail flickered from side to side. Your lips were tugged upwards as you told him,

“Be careful, Neteyam.”

“I’ll try.”

He will. But he also wouldn’t mind getting hurt if it meant he could be closer to you.

<3

Only two days passed before he showed up again. This time, he didn’t have a large gash, or a fatal wound. It was a small cut on his palm, one he had accidentally gotten when he faltered slightly during training. In truth, it didn’t even need tending. Eywa, he’s had injuries much worse than that, and yet he still made his way to you.

You huffed at the sight, though the smile that crept up betrayed you.

“I thought I told you to be careful,” you said.

“I did,” he replied, still standing by the entrance. His smile was crooked, a playful glint in his eyes. You nodded to the spot in front of you as he shuffled toward it.

When he sat down, you had grabbed his palm, the blood already starting to dry up. Your fingers grazed it lightly, his fingers twitching at the contact. You raised a brow before you spoke.

“Neteyam,” you started. “This isn’t even bad. At all.”

“Still hurts. And,” he argued, shrugging his shoulders. “What if it gets— I don’t know, infected?”

You rolled your eyes at him, shaking your head as you reached over to grab a bit of paste you had prepared beforehand. You saw him grin from the corner of your eyes.

“You’re unbelievable,” you huffed, fingers working to apply the ointment to his awful, fatal wound. As you did, you heard his breath hitch softly. Then, he spoke.

“So,” he muttered. “Why don’t you train with the others?”

You didn’t look up. “Because someone has to be tsahik one day,” your fingers slowed, gently grazing him then. “I am a healer.”

He hesitated, shifting slightly beneath your fingers.

“But you’re strong. You could fight.”

You lifted your head then, meeting his gaze as you raised a brow. “And what makes you think that?”

He swallowed. “Just… a guess?”

You exhaled a laugh, shaking your head as your fingers grazed his thigh.

“Let me check your leg,”

When your palm had landed on him, you felt the muscles contract, his body stiffening at the feel of your palm on his thigh. It had happened before, he knew it, but he couldn’t help it. His tail swayed lazily behind him when you sighed.

“Neteyam, relax,”

“I am,” he said immediately, a little too fast.

“I can hear your heartbeat,” you muttered, feeling the soft, erratic thumps against his skin.

His ears flicked, cheeks warming a lavender bloom. “Then I am trying,”

A few seconds passed in silence. The air filled with the striking smell of herbs as you wrapped the cloth, shifting back to look at him.

“Alright,”

“So?” he asked, hopeful.

“You’ll live,” you said, placing the herbs back where they were before.

As he stood, you tilted your head up to him, your eyes still narrowed towards his.

“Thanks, again.” He whispered, eyes flicking down to the mat below when he felt his cheeks burn up once more.

You smiled at him. “Be careful, Neteyam. I mean it.”

His smile was small, fond. “Yeah, I will,”

Eventually, he left the hut, smiling to himself like an idiot. Inside, you sat frozen in place, a warmth engulfing your heart as you smiled to yourself.

<3

He was back the next day.

You didn’t have to look up. You heard him pace outside the hut, footsteps going back and forth as if he was waiting to be noticed— or gathering the courage to face you.

You kept your fingers working, though it was basically muscle memory by then. The flap lifted as light flooded in, blinding you momentarily as you saw the silhouette of a very familiar Na’vi arrive.

“Let me guess,” you sighed. “Another deadly injury.”

“Maybe,” he shot back, one arm held stiffly at his side. His shoulders slumped dramatically as he shuffled over to you. He looked almost proud as he held a crooked grin.

“Sit down, forest boy,” you huffed.

He listened immediately, crouching down as he sat on the mat.

“I think I did something to my shoulder,” he said, rolling his shoulders experimentally as he winced, his hiss coming out a little too dramatically. “It hurts.”

You raised a brow. “You think.” You paused for a moment, then said. “You trained. You are sore. Congratulations, warrior.”

“It could also be called an injury,” he offered hopefully.

You gruffed as you moved closer, fingers warm as they brushed over his shoulder, testing gently. You pressed, then circled, feeling the tense knot of muscle under your touch.

He sucked in a quiet, shallow breath.

You paused, fingers faltering slightly. “Does it hurt?”

“N—“ he paused. “Kinda.”

You rolled your eyes, then continued your movements. Your hands worked, slowly and calculated as you eased the tight muscle. His posture softened almost immediately, shoulders dropping as if it had been the first time he had been given a break.

“So,” you said casually, “you always get hurt this much?”

He laughed. “Only recently.”

“Hm. Weird.”

“Very,” he agreed. “Did you always want to be a healer?”

“Not really,” you muttered. “But it grew on me. And I grew to like taking care of people.”

The silence wasn’t awkward, it held a comforting weight. Like the world had faded away outside of the hut.

“What about you?” you asked, voice still a gentle quiet, like the soft lapping of the waves against the shore.

“What about me?”

“Did you always want to be a warrior?” you quipped, eyes flicking just once to look at him.

He breathed, pausing for a moment. “Someone has to take care of my family.”

You nodded softly, then, glanced at him again, and this time he was watching your hands— your fingers, your wrists, the way you focused so intently like the rest of the world didn’t exist.

Then, you noticed how his breathing evened out. You also noticed how he leaned into your touch, practically melting under your fingers. Worst of all, it was his stare that burned holes into your skull.

“You could say something,” you whispered. “And— maybe not just stare at me all the time.”

His mouth opened. Then closed. He breathed out a nervous laugh. “You make it difficult.”

You leaned in slightly, fingers still working at his shoulder. “Do I?”

You felt him tense, nodding as his voice dropped a little. “You’re… distracting.”

You hummed. “Funny, I was thinking the same.”

His ears flattened at your words, tail flicking behind him in interest.

A grin crawled up your lips. “How am I supposed to heal others when someone keeps making excuses to keep me busy all the time?”

“I don’t—“ he stopped, then sighed. “Well, what if I was?”

You smiled to yourself, pausing for a moment. “Then you would have to find other ways to have me alone,”

You felt his heart stutter. “I am,”

Silence settled over you as you pulled your hands away. For a moment, you swore he looked almost disappointed. His eyes met yours, glueing onto them very obviously.

“Awfully bold today, forest boy,” you shot. “Might think you’re flirting with me.”

His lips parted. Then, shifted into a soft grin. He shrugged his shoulders gently. “Maybe— Maybe I am.”

You held his gaze. “Good.”

His face flushed, his movements freezing for a moment before he stood up.

“Th—“

You cut him off before he could finish. “No need to thank me, Neteyam.”

He nodded and turned to leave.

Then, his footsteps stopped. You heard him clear his throat. “So. Um,” he said, turning to face you. “Are you free tomorrow?”

You tilted your head. “I am. Unless—“

“Unless what?” He cut you off instantly, brow raising in concern.

“Unless you decide to injure yourself again.”

He grinned at your words. “I’ll try not to,”

“Well then I’m free,” you said.

He paused, looking into your eyes until he spoke. “Okay. I’ll come pick you up tomorrow.”

You folded your arms, tail swaying gently behind you. “For what?”

Then, he hesitated. Just for a second. He inhaled— sharp and shallow before he said,

“It’s a date.”

And with that, he left. He grinned to himself, face hot and ears definitely purple as he left your hut. You watched him leave as your heart raced, looking back down at the herbs as you shook your head and let out a soft laugh.

A smile tugged at your lips, and undeniably, your heart.

“Tomorrow,” you tasted the words on the tip of your tongue.

So this is how it starts.

[drewdaist]

i never wanted to be your weekend lover

neteyam x reader

📝 you and neteyam grew up inseparable— until one drunken night blurs the line.

part one | part two | part three

contains suggestive themes, but no smut. neteyam is 21, r is 20 !!

The sun had barely flooded your marui when you woke up. And yet, Neteyam was already gone.

Across from you, his hammock swayed in the gentle breeze— empty. You barely sat up when the memories of the previous night had flooded your mind like an avalanche. You felt something putrid rise up from your stomach, then lodging in your throat. A pang hit your heart when you remembered the very words you uttered before complete silence took over the room, neither of you sleeping nor talking— just laying, awake, aware of the thick air between you.

You stood at the last memory, your skin ached for a cleansing, as if you could wash off the touch of another man’s hands on you. Still, you tried. And still, you failed.

The village was fully awake now, soft sounds of the bustle starting to emerge from the corners. You saw hunters gathering, mothers and their newborns, warriors preparing for training— but still no sign of him. You opted to finish your duties, weaving the very mat you had promised to Neteyam for your home. You doubt that he still wanted it— that he still wanted any of you.

Then, Lo’ak showed up. Without a knock, his figure stood under the dim light of your hut as he watched your nimble fingers intricately weave the design. It was mainly dried kelp and other coastal materials, but the center had been a bright indigo and brown of carved, wooden beads and feathers you had collected from all your visits home.

“Woah,” Lo’ak said, taken aback by your skills. “Nice work for a warrior.”

“Now what’s that supposed to mean, skxawng?” You shot back, the smile on your lips crawling up traitorously.

“Hey! It looks cool, real cool. Is it for—”

“It’s for my place, Lo.” You cut him off before he could say anything else— utter the very syllables that made up his brother’s name. Though, he wouldn’t have been wrong anyway.

“Yeah, okay,” he paused. You noticed him fumbling with his fingers before he finally spoke. “So— uhm. I need you to fill in my spot to train the kids. Like, now.”

You narrowed your eyes at him before huffing. Your fingers continued their work.

“And why is that?” You asked.

“I’ve got like… major important stuff to do. Seriously.” He pleaded, hands splayed across his chest like it meant the world to him.

“Tsireya—”

“I’ll do anything, I swear.” He had cut you off before you could ask any more questions. You huffed at his response, pausing to think it through.

“Fine,” You shrugged. Your fingers were starting to get worn out anyway, so why not take a break? It’s just children. “This is strictly a one time thing.”

His eyes widened at your response, flashing you a stupid grin as he ran out the hut. You trailed behind, watching as he ran off. You walked to the shore where training had been taking place, filled with little children eager to learn their basic survival skills.

When you got there, they had just finished briefing, simply about what they were going to do today. You had been so occupied with the kids that you had failed to notice who was lecturing them. Your eyes traced over the familiar figure— Neteyam. His eyes flicked to yours, stuttering for a moment before he focused back on his talk.

You felt it then— the shift. The way the world narrowed down to you, him, and something else you couldn’t quite put your finger on. All you knew was that it was horrid, and it clawed at your chest like a wild beast. Of course it was him. Of course Lo’ak hadn’t even bothered to mention that part.

Neteyam cleared his throat, posture straightening as he continued.

“You’ll be in pairs today and work on close combat basics. We’re not using spears today, so you can leave them with me. Go on then, pick your partners.”

His voice was stern, his gaze sweeping over the children, disciplined, careful, cautious not to get too close to you. You exhaled as your chest tightened, stepping forward to join beside him. When they got into pairs, you started.

“Okay,” you stammered, pausing to gather enough discipline to act like nothing happened, like your heart wasn’t crawling up your throat. “Face your partners, and we’ll start with stance. Keep your feet apart, as wide as your shoulders. You want to be balanced, then we will worry about strength.”

You watched as they mimicked you, moving their clumsy feet to follow yours. You hovered around as you corrected them, adjusting shoulders, nudging feet into place. And yet, you still felt Neteyam behind you, the way his eyes burned into the back of your head, how your shoulders almost brushed when you had walked forward.

You watched as he corrected a boy’s stance.

“Don’t rush,” he said calmly. “Survival requires patience.”

“Patience gets you killed if you hesitate for too long.” You countered without looking at him, guiding a girl’s elbow higher. “Instict matters, too.”

He clicked his tongue before saying, "Instinct is unreliable if you’re reckless. You’d be getting yourself killed.”

Neteyam glanced at you then, just briefly. But it was enough to convey the unreadable emotion that splayed across his face. You figured it was annoyance. You breathed before retorting.

“That is why balance is a thing. Control of all the elements is what makes a good warrior.”

You turned on your heel to observe the other children. He left it at that. He knew that if he had said any more, if any of you had said any more, that you’d end up causing a scene. Reckless for two respected people of the clan. In the distance between you, a child had nearly tripped. Nearly.

Your hands collided with his as your instincts rushed to help the boy before he crashed. Your skin felt hot as your heart started hammering even more— an electric buzz down your spine.

“Sorry,” you murmured gently.

“It’s fine,” he replied, automatically, instinctively. You could berate him, say you were sorry, and he’d still say it was fine. What he felt for you came by naturally— like it had always been that way.

By the time the sun climbed higher, sweat clung to your skin incessantly. The kids began to break into laughter once more, their energies spent on play-fighting with one another. You dismissed them with a wave and a promise to continue tomorrow. You watched as they scattered towards the water, leaving behind an aching silence between the two of you.

You wiped the sand off your hands on your thighs and turned away first. You needed to go before you could dig yourself an even deeper grave. Until, Neteyam spoke before you even took the third step away.

“Lo’ak didn’t tell me it’d be you.”

Your mouth hung, lips parting even though your brain was still searching for a reply.

“He didn’t tell me you were here,” you muttered.

Another pause. You felt him choosing his words the same way he always did— carefully, like he was stepping across thin ice. But now it seems he had gotten rid of that caution, only for you.

“Guess I should’ve asked,” he retorted.

You turned at his words, blinking as you stared at him. Once again, he had that look on his face— one you couldn’t even begin to decipher. You watched him raise a brow, it was as if he was waiting— challenging you.

You didn’t take the bait. Instead, you exhaled, turned on your heel, and left him where he was. You couldn’t let him get to you, crawl under your skin the way he had never done before. Though he had previously been under your skin, a cozy, warm, and knowing presence, he had now used all of your buttons against you, as if he was trying to rile you up, trying to get you to hate him.

<3

By the time supper had come along, the sky had already begun to darken. The light blue of the day shifted into indigo, bleeding into the dark umber of the sun. The village gathered around as it always did, and you, despite the growing distance between Neteyam and you, still sat with the Sully family. They were the closest thing you had to home. And he had been the very reason you had left it in the first place.

Around you, food was passed as laughter rose and fell in waves that failed to reach you. Kiri nudged your side, shooting you a worried look as you weakly smiled at her— your best effort at assuring her that you were fine. Totally fine.

Your eyes drifted down to the woven floors again, finding solace within the knots and weaves of the mat. Your fingers traced the pattern where the villagers once weaved through. You wondered if he had still wanted the mat he had begged you for.

As the others ate and chatted, you sat stiffly, mind wandering away, and appetite gone. You didn’t even bother to look across from you. To look his way. He didn’t either. The space between you grew ticker, heavier with each unresolved day.

Jake spoke idly at first as the conversation drifted as it always did. Patrols, repairs, the coming tides. His voice barely processed in your mind before he called out your name, eyes searching for yours. You winced slightly as you looked up, forcing another soft grin as you hummed. Then, casually, as if it were nothing more than another marker of time, he spoke.

“You know,” he began, looking your way. “Her twenty-first is coming up.”

Your chest tightened until Lo’ak spoke up.

“Grandma,”

“Shut up, skxawng.” You shot at him, glaring daggers at his stupid grin.

Jake huffed before he continued speaking, face softening as he looked back at you.

“That’s around the age most might begin thinking seriously about,” he paused, hoping you’d get the hint. And yet, you tilted your head, eyes filled with a tired curiosity. “A mate. Unless, of course, you have one already?”

Several heads turned toward you in smiles, harmless curiosity. Their ears perked in hopes of a familiar name, one you had grown particularly close to. You forced a tight smile.

“I haven’t thought much about it.”

Jake chuckled. “You don’t have to rush, you’ve got options. I’m sure—”

“You’ve got a few men already, don’t you?”

Your head snapped to the source. Neteyam tilted his head, a forced grin on his face. There was nothing soft in his expression. You didn’t like what was coming next. He clicked his tongue before saying.

“Nximpey,” he continued, ticking off names like he had recited this before. “Strong. Reliable. Good candidate.”

Your fingers curled into your palm as you forced your head down. The others waited for Neteyam to continue, their brows raised in interest.

“Atok,” he added. “Not the best warrior, but kind. Patient. Big heart on him. You’ve always liked that right?”

He paused again, grin growing wider as your tail flicked behind you. Your nails dug into your palm so hard you were sure it drew blood.

“Oh!” He faked an awed gasp, casually letting the sarcasm in it slip. “Ao’nung! Chief’s son. Strong hunter. Obvious choice. Looks like he’s got the hots for you.”

Silence weighed heavily as the others waited for your response. But you couldn’t. Not when your heart had pounded against your ribs so hard it hurt. Not when your face burned in shame. Not when everything you had built with him came crashing down.

If those were his true colors, you had to applaud him for his ability to keep up his nice guy facade for the last 21 years.

Instead of words, you responded with your absence. You didn’t trust your voice. You didn’t trust your heart— not here, not now. So, you turned away, shoving your heart into the nooks of your ribs as you walked away, not looking back once. Your steps felt heavy. Your face went hot. And before you knew it, you felt tears running down your face.

Pathetic, you thought to yourself.

The marui— the world itself felt too small. Everything in you ached. In shame. In guilt. In pain. Your breaths, shallow and uneven, were held back by choked sobs you’ve been holding back for days. Everything came spilling out all at once.

Your mind wandered back to the scene of the crime. Your hands shook as each word replayed in your head, over and over like a broken record— sharp and deliberate. Calculated. He saw the chance and took it bitterly, as if leaving you in the dust and shoving you away didn’t hurt enough. He did that on purpose.

Something ugly climbed up your throat.

For the first time in your entire life, you hated Neteyam.

You hated him more than the sky people, than anything, than anyone. He, the golden boy, the one everyone admired, belittled you. You hated him. How easily he’d spoken, as if he had memorized it. How he acted like he hadn’t spent last night lying awake beside you. How he knew exactly where to strike and did so. How you let that stupid, mistake of a night happen. How you trusted him. How you loved him.

As you paced the hut, breathless from the burning hot tears, you heard footsteps approaching.

Slow. Cautious. Familiar.

You didn’t have to turn your back to know it was him. To know that he had the audacity to do that to you and walk in here without a single ounce of guilt.

He didn’t speak. You felt him stand behind you, a few steps away. He was cautious now, when he should have been before, as if he had expected you to lash out at him if he got too close.

You turned before you could stop yourself, the words spilling from your mouth without hesitation.

“Really?” you scoffed. “Nice fucking move, Sully.”

He flinched, though his facade didn’t falter. He still had that face, plain as ever.

“I was just saying—”

“No,” you cut in. Your voice rose then. “You weren’t just ‘saying’. You knew what you did. You put on one hell of a show, Neteyam. Are you proud? Satisfied? You—”

His face twisted. “You left.”

“Because you humiliated me,” you shot back, tears threatening to spill once more. You laughed at the stupidity of it. “Because you sat there and offered me up like I was a play thing— like I wasn’t even sitting right in front of your face. You looked me in the eyes, and still said it.”

“I didn’t mean it like that.”

“Then how did you mean it?” you demanded. “Because it sounded like you were trying to publicly humiliate me, Neteyam. Like you were offering me to those men like some piece of meat. Pushing me towards anyone who isn’t you.”

His eyes flicked to yours. He went rigid, lips parted slightly.

You laughed bitterly, shaking your head. “I told you, word for word, that I didn’t want a single one of them like that. You know me inside and out. I know you didn't believe me when I told you I didn’t even sleep with Ao’nung. I know you wouldn’t believe me if I said that I couldn’t even touch him, Neteyam. That it felt wrong. And I apologized to you. What more do you want from me? Tell me— what?”

He didn’t answer. He couldn’t. Your voice began to waver but you didn’t stop. Instead, you stepped closer.

“What? Did you want me to break? To beg for your forgiveness? To take back that forgetting thing?” you blinked. “Did you want me to tell you— to say it out loud, that I can’t handle it?”

You saw him swallow, jaw clenching as he blinked.

“That not once since it happened, have you ever left my mind. That even before that, you have been the very thing, the only person that has ever occupied every single thought in my mind— my heart, Neteyam.

“You don’t get to act like you don’t know. To punish me for loving you so badly that I offered forgetting in exchange for being a burden— another one of your meaningless hookups, because I know I couldn’t handle being just that. Pretending. Even if I tried.”

He broke then. The words hit him like a bullet to the heart.

“I’m sorry,” he started. “I was— I was scared.”

You scoffed at him.

“I thought if I did that. If I made you hate me enough, you’d leave me. Because at least it’d make the pain of pretending hurt less. Make it easier, because I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t real— that I don’t get reminded of it every single second. Eywa, I wanted you to choose someone else. I wanted to push you away because I couldn’t— I didn’t think that you felt it too. That you felt the way I do for you.”

He paused.

“That night— the morning, when you offered to forget, it took all of me to not tell you right then and there that I didn’t want to forget. I don’t want to. But I let you because I thought that if that was what you wanted, then I’d give it to you. I’d do anything for you. Eywa I—”

His breath hitched, throat tightening until he said.

“I love you. I always have, and I always will. You’re the only girl— the only one I have ever wanted. All those other girls were just a distraction from you. I thought that if I met one, liked one enough, I’d forget about you, about how I feel for you. But is it so bad that I couldn’t? That every time I was with them, I’d hear your voice, I’d see your face, feel your touch. And the whole time, every time I was with another person, every single fibre in my being was screaming at me to go— to come back home to you. I don’t want to forget. I don’t want to pretend like I don’t love you, because I do. I love you so much. I’m sor—”

“I love you too,” you breathed.

And for the first time, you actually could. Your heart had calmed, your thoughts had come to a halt. The world narrowed down to you and him.

In the blink of an eye, he tugged you closer, wrapping his arms around you. You wrapped around him back instinctively. He exhaled, his face finding the crook of your neck.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured against your skin.

“So am I,” you whispered back.

You stayed like that for a while. No one spoke. Neither of you needed to. His arms stayed, warm and grounding, as the distant waves crashed against the shore. You felt his heartbeat above yours, slowing down as he melted under your touch. This time, you didn’t brace for something to go wrong. You didn’t have to.

You felt his lips part. Then, he whispered.

“Stay,”

Your heart beat stuttered at his singular word. Something in you cracked. The ache had bloomed into something now, a love, a shared one. And you wouldn’t leave it even if you tried.

“Always,”

He raised his head, arms still firm around you as he leaned in, pressing his forehead to yours. Not a kiss. Just closeness.

Just you and him, together.

And that was all you needed.

<3

The sun spilled in soft strands of golden rays. The warmth of it caressed your figures, tangled in one hammock. Despite the sun waking up, the village was still half asleep— the only sounds being the distant chirp of the birds and the constant crash and pull of the waves.

You stirred awake, gently and unflinching. You didn’t open your eyes right away. Instead, you embraced the warmth within the cocoon, within his arms. You laid face to face, head slightly leaning on his chest as his head was tucked snugly atop your head. You felt his heartbeat on yours— steady and calm. The rise of his chest brushed against your cheek every time, warmth bleeding into warmth.

You felt him shift slightly, raising your head enough to see his face. He looked so beautiful like this— peaceful. He looked softer, lashes against his cheeks that were riddled with freckles. You traced them over with your eyes, counting memorizing each one. His hand tightened at your hip, a panic reflex of your last time sharing a hammock. A sound rumbled in his throat, a soft hum, as he opened his eyes, adjusting to the gentle creeping sun.

His brows furrowed slightly, softening when his vision cleared. He saw you. Warmth engulfed his heart at the realization.

“G’morning,” he mumbled, though his words were borderline unintelligible.

A smile tugged at your lips as your arms tightened around him, a response you didn’t have to voice. His gaze stayed put, softening over every feature of your face before returning back to your eyes. He had always loved looking at you. Eywa, he could die right then and there and die a happy man. He nudged his head against your hair, resting momentarily before you pulled back slightly, just enough to look at him again.

“I told you I’d stay,” you murmured.

His smile widened at that, the tip of his canines peeking through. He studied you for a moment, something hazy covering his eyes. You saw him flicker down to your lips as you curved another grin. He returned his gaze to yours, searching— asking.

You didn’t reply.

Instead, you leaned in. Softly. Gently. As if the moment would fleet away if you moved too abruptly. You raised a hand to cup his cheek as he leaned in, too. Your foreheads brushed first, then your noses, until his lips brushed yours.

You melted into him, gentle and careful. His lips pressed onto yours like he was memorizing the feeling, like for a moment, the world had stopped spinning. Your hand curved to the nape of his neck, fingers threading in his hair. The kiss deepened slowly, naturally, like it was unfolding itself— like a flower blooming. When he pulled back just slightly, your foreheads still stuck to one another as you tried to catch your breath.

His breath hitched before he leaned in again, kissing you once more, like he couldn’t get enough of you. His arms wrapped around you tighter, anchoring you to his chest. You melted even further, like you had settled there permanently.

Outside, the village began to wake.

But inside the marui, time had stopped. Every ounce of doubt had fleeted from your being as you stayed still— as he stayed still with you.

This time, there was nothing to forget.

note. hope u all enjoyed! xo

[drewdaist]

i never wanted to be your weekend lover

neteyam x reader

📝 you and neteyam grew up inseparable— until one drunken night blurs the line.

part one | part two | part three

contains suggestive themes, but no smut. neteyam is 21, r is 20 !!

You woke to warmth.

Not the sticky heat of the bonfire, but the soft, gentle warmth of the sun creeping in your marui. A body curved against yours, steady and slow breaths fanning across your neck. His hand draped around your waist— protective even in sleep. Your eyes drifted down to your legs that were tangled with his, then to the woven mat below where your clothes were clumsily discarded.

Your clothes. And his.

That was when it hit you. Skin on skin. Bare bodies tangled with one another. For a moment, you had forgotten how to breathe, how to think. Your heart raced as the memory bled into your mind like ink. The feast, the drinks, his hand on yours. The heat, the kiss— you slept with Neteyam.

You attempted to swallow, but your throat went dry. You shifted away, slowly, cautiously, doing your best to avoid waking him up and inevitably having to talk about it. As you did, he stirred awake, eyes blinking as he adjusted to the daylight. He tugged you closer, naturally, instinctively. You placed your hand on top of his.

“Teyam,” you whispered, trying to let him know how awful of a situation this was.

A quiet sound emerged from his throat before his eyes opened. When they did, bleary and unfocused, they widened immediately. He was wrapped around you, both your bodies bare. Sure, you had slept and cuddled together, but you never did that naked— let alone sleep with one another.

“Oh,” he breathed. You echoed him weakly, a gruff leaving your lips as you got up.

He watched silently as you clumsily threw your clothes on. He swore his heart stopped. In the morning light, you looked beautiful. Hell, you always did. But there was just something about you when your eyes were still heavy with just a glint of light in them, when your cheeks were a soft purple hue, and your lips stuck together in a soft pout. Some mornings, it took him all his might not to just kiss you right there and then.

But his eyes betrayed him, lingering on the soft curve of your neck as you tilted your head at him, brows furrowing in confusion. His lips parted in a mix of awe and guilt. You felt it before you saw it— the way his body went rigid, his breath hitching as if he’d been struck.

“What?” you asked, already dreading the answer. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

He didn’t respond. His eyes raised back to yours in an instant as his mouth parted, but no words came out.

“Neteyam,” you pressed, “what are you looking at?”

You lifted a hand, fumbling sleepily to your neck, still warm from his embrace. You knew without even having to see it. He had left marks. Your best friend, and definitely not your mate, didn’t only sleep with you— he had also marked you. Your eyes traced his frame, wincing when you caught a glimpse of it. A bite mark— your bite mark, evidently laid on his shoulder.

His hands reached where your gaze had laid, he felt it too. The shallow, unmistakable mark of teeth digging into skin.

“Shit,” he muttered.

“I—” you stuttered, too stunned to speak. “I’d never leave a mark.”

“Well, guess that makes the both of us.” He replied, offering an awkward smile.

You picked up his loincloth and threw it at him as he got up, fingers fumbling the piece into place. You met his gaze then, really met. Neither of you could bring yourselves to smile.

Outside, the village has stirred awake, beginning its usual course of day. The soft sounds of life continued, blissfully unaware that something so fragile had shifted overnight. You winced, sighing as you turned away, trying to do anything that could somehow, miraculously turn back time and erased the fact that you had both done it.

Behind you, you heard him inhale slowly, as if he was calculating what would happen once he said his words.

“We should… talk about this.”

Your stomach twisted. You stayed put, refusing to meet his gaze.

“Let’s just,” you paused, mind racing as the words left your lips before you could stop yourself. “Forget about this.”

You didn’t know what took over you, but you felt it was better to shove it under a rug than face the fact. That you did want him, you’ve wanted him for so long. That all the guys you’ve met weren’t even close to being him. That you had tried your best to forget— to move on, but you’d always fail.

You exhaled as you turned to meet him. He looked up from where he’d been staring at the floor, jaw tight, shoulders drawn in like he was still bracing for impact. For a moment, he didn’t bother speaking— he couldn’t. Just watched you, eyes searching your face as if he was waiting for you to take it back.

His lips echoed your words.

“Forget it?”

You nodded, too quickly, uncomfortably. The air between you went taut. Unspoken words hung in the air.

“It was the txalì,” you added, hands stiff against your sides. “We were drunk. Things got out of hand.”

His fingers curled slowly against his palms, you watched him in silence. He stood, unmoving, just blankly staring at the mat below. You saw his tongue dart out between his teeth, as if he was itching to say something. You hoped he did. Hoped he refused to forget, to tell you he wanted it, wanted you. That he felt the same way for you, too.

“Okay,” he breathed, eyes still refusing to look your way.

You left the marui without another word. And just like that, you both agreed to forget. Forget that you had both crossed the line. Forget that you were both on the brink of moving past friendship. Forget that you were both young and reckless. That was all it was. A drunken mistake.

<3

He stared at the opening of the marui, where the horizon laid ahead. Your words echoed in his head like a broken record. He wanted to. Eywa, he wanted to just let it go so bad. But he also didn’t want it like this. He didn’t want you to just be another one of his meaningless lovers— to lose years of friendship over one stupid, drunken act. He wanted you to be his. To be the only one he had in his heart— which you already were. He wanted you to know. To take him as your mate. For you to feel the same.

His heart pounded against his chest in a flurry of anger, shame, love, and guilt.

He didn’t know what possessed him last night. Maybe it was seeing Ao’nung’s eyes lingering on you all night long when you hadn’t noticed. Maybe it was all the times he saw you dragging another one of your boys away, when you’d come back with your lips bruised and your hair askew. Maybe he had been so fed up with seeing your face whenever he had been distracting himself with another girl. To imagine it was your lips on his, your name he was breathing, your skin he was touching.

He realized then, standing frozen still, that he had messed up completely. That he had missed any shot whatsoever at being the one you loved. So, he gathered his courage and walked out the marui. If what you wanted was to forget, then forget he would.

<3

Inside the hut, your fingers clumsily weaved the dried kelp. Once again, you had ended up with a crooked mat. It was a quiet day, just you, your working hands, and a pile of materials that needed to be woven as soon as possible. But that was impossible given your current state. You huffed as you threw the piece onto the floor, your face landing in your palms.

Tears flooded down before you could compose yourself. It started small— harmless, even. A thought you didn’t mean to finish. A memory you didn’t mean to linger on. The way he had held you last night. The way his mouth parted in your name, over and over like it was his favorite word. Hell, you had even remembered the way he cradled your face, the smile he gave, the way he was so gentle despite his intoxication.

You told yourself it didn’t mean anything. That he treated all the other girls just the same. That you were just another one of his meaningless hookups. He was a warrior, anyways, with responsibilities and a clan on his shoulders. He had no time for stupid, silly feelings. The thought repeated itself again, like an unbroken cycle.

You inhaled shakily, eyes clouded from the tears that didn’t intend on stopping. You got up, setting down an unfinished mat as you paced the hut, heart knocking against your ribs like it was begging to be let out. The light that passed through the cracks was cruel— too soft, too gentle as if it hadn’t been touching the wreckage of something you’re pretending never happened.

Your palms rubbed against your face once more, this time clawing and scratching at your cheeks, as if you could scrub away the memory. As if you could forget the way his voice called out for you, when he had asked if you wanted to stop, when he had lost all of his hesitation when you told him not to. You reminded yourself that you had made a choice. That you had leaned in anyway. That you had chosen this. That you were the one who offered to forget it.

This wasn’t some fairytale. That, you knew. Childhood best friends didn’t get to want each other like that, not without consequences. You knew this. You’ve always known this.

But knowing didn’t stop the ache, didn’t stop how badly your heart was hurting. Your chest continued to tighten, even more so when you realized he was going to follow through with your request. That he, too, was going to forget. You thought about him again, if he was off with another girl. If he had done the very same, given the very same gentleness and tenderness he had given you to the other girls. Neteyam had a particular talent for obeying one’s orders. And it was too late to take back yours.

You hated it.

You hated that he loves you enough to let you go without a fight.

Your heart broke once more at the thought of him complying, of choosing silence over fighting for you.

You sunk back down before continuing your work, sniffling through your choked sobs as your fingers moved like muscle memory. You told yourself you’ve done this before. Pushed it down and prayed— prayed to Eywa that the feeling would go away at any given moment. Prayed that this wasn’t any different than the others.

But it was. That was the hardest part.

Because strangers didn’t look at you like they had loved you since they were children. Strangers didn’t know your tells, your fears, the way you got quiet seconds before you broke into tears. Strangers didn’t make a promise you clung to like a false hope.

Your throat tightened. You pressed your fist to your mouth to keep from making a sound. You had to stop crying— it was your doing after all.

Between your thoughts, you wondered if he was spiraling too. You wondered if he was angry. If he hated you. If he was convincing himself it didn’t really matter. If he was perfectly fine. You squeezed your eyes shut at the last thought— the image itself tearing you open.

The day went on like that, avoiding his usual route, keeping your head hung low. You knew that as long as you didn’t face him, the problem had basically ceased to exist— save for the fact that his name was the only thought that echoed in your head, refusing to go away.

This was your choice. You had to live with it.

<3

Days passed the way days always did on the island. The sunrise bled into the reef as duties piled on top of one another. Neteyam in particular made sure he had enough that it had taken every last bit of his mind, leaving no room to think. He trained harder than usual. Stayed longer with his father. Volunteered for patrols he didn’t need to be on. Anything that kept his hands busy and his mind quiet. Because as soon as he had the silence, the emptiness— his thoughts always drifted back to you. His heart would hammer against his chest, begging for him to drag himself back to you, to tell you how he felt.

But he couldn’t do that. Not when you had been the one to speak— to agree on forgetting. Not when he had chosen silence. Not when he missed the very chance to beg you to take it back, to tell you how he really, truly felt.

And yet, no matter how hard he did try to distract himself, it didn’t work. Because everywhere he went, you were there too. The image of you, your voice, how you had laid your hands on him, your lips, your body, your teeth in his shoulder— Eywa, he was helpless. But you were never beside him anymore. Not like before.

You drifted now— between people, between laughter and conversation, between meaningless distractions.

Supper was the hardest part of the day. Everything was always louder. But tonight in particular, our senses felt like they were on fire. No matter how hard you tried to occupy yourself with small talk, your eyes always drifted back to his frame. His usual seat, next to you like two peas in a pod, had been claimed by Kiri. Or rather, you saw him with an empty space right beside him and still chose to sit across from him.

It would have hurt too much. To sit next to him as if nothing happened. To act like you didn’t both bear markings of one another. To follow through with your own promise.

So you didn’t. You let yourself build that wall. Let the distance between you and him eat you alive, gnawing at the remains of your heart.

For days, you had distracted yourself with friends, with duties, with the endless pile of shells and kelp and stupid, silly beads. You were so sick of it. Sick of pretending. Sick of aching. Sick of the thought of him knocking at your heart every second of the day. Eywa, even your dreams were only of Neteyam. But this wasn’t a dream, it wasn’t some childish fairytale.

Tonight, the ache had begun to eat at you. So, you let yourself be distracted once more, in the presence of a particular man. Ao’nung was always close, always had been. But the past few days, he took the open space next to you as a chance. A chance to get closer to you. You talked, laughed at his jokes, smiled when the time was right— anything to get your mind off of him.

Neteyam noticed everything.

The way Ao’nung had reached for you, the way his knees bumped into yours, the way his eyes drifted to your lips when you weren’t looking. Worst of all, the way he had occupied the very space that was meant for Neteyam. And he watched you. The way you leaned into it, the way your smile came quicker, forcefully, as if it hurt you to do so. Something ugly twisted in his chest.

He watched as Ao’nung stood, offering his hand to you. He watched you take it, though the hesitation in your eyes betrayed you— but only he could have noticed it. He watched you two walk away, as Ao’nung put an arm on your waist. Something in Neteyam went cold. He stayed there until the very last of the villagers left. He hoped that maybe you’d be done with that stupid, childish boy when he got to the marui.

When you had walked away, Ao’nung had pulled you off the track, into the trees just above the shore. You let him. You let him talk on and on about things you couldn’t care less about. You let yourself loosen, smiling at him as his steps faltered. Just deep enough within the trees that you two wouldn’t be visible to anyone passing by.

“So,” he started again. “You and Neteyam?”

“We’re—” you stammered, before saying steadily. “We’re just friends. Nothing at all.”

You saw the way Ao’nung smirked at that. His mouth curved into something sharp and satisfied, as if he had just been given a green light. The air went still as he leaned in closer, too close for your liking. When he was inches away from your face, he broke a whisper.

“Good.”

Then, he kissed you. It was nothing like Neteyam’s. It wasn’t violent by any means. It wasn’t even rushed. But it was wrong in a way you felt immediately, your body practically rejecting him. And yet, you still kissed him back. His mouth was insistent, testing, like he expected you to meet his need— to melt into him. His hands gripped your waist, but it felt wrong. Everything in you was aching for another man’s touch, for another man’s love— Neteyam.

His hands lowered to your hips, tugging at the strings of your loincloth. You stiffened at that, hands coming up to his chest before he could pull any harder. You pulled away from him.

“No,” you said, breath uneven. “I don’t—”

Ao’nung blinked at you. “I thought—”

“I’m sorry,” you broke, stepping away from him as you tightened the knot of your loincloth. Your heart pounded, skin crawling like it remembered something it didn’t want to.

You waited for him to say something, anything, to scoff or to laugh. But he didn’t. Instead, he nodded like he had understood your words without you having to explain them. You turned and walked away, feet carrying you somewhere familiar— home.

The marui was dark when you slipped inside. You tried to move quietly, to sneak in and hopefully not talk to him— the way it had been for days. But the second you did,

“Had fun with him?”

A voice sliced through the air. You saw his frame, the shadow of him, sit up, shoulders slumped over. He hadn’t torn his eyes off the entry, off of you, like he had been waiting. You swallowed hard, jaw clenching as your feet carried you to your own hammock. Your heart was lodged in your throat.

“I don’t—” you start, your voice wavering. “I don’t wanna talk about it.”

He huffed a quiet, bitter laugh. You knew what he was thinking. You hugged your arms around yourself, suddenly aware of every place Ao’nung’s hands had been, every second you gave in to him when you should have been walking away.

“I didn’t sleep with him,” you said.

His breath shuddered at the thought. Of you under Ao’nung, of his lips on yours, of his hands touching your body, touching where his hands once were.

“I didn’t ask,” he muttered.

“But you thought it,” you shot back. “You always do.”

The silence between you ached, like it longed for confrontation. It was heavy, suffocating even.

You laid down in your hammock, turning onto your side as your back faced him. You squeezed your eyes shut, hoping, wishing that this was all one horrendous dream. The words crawled up your throat before you could stop yourself.

“I’m sorry.” You whispered.

You heard him shift at that, as if he almost said something. You hoped he did. In return, he offered silence. Neither of you slept. And somehow, that hurt more than if you had.

[drewdaist]

i never wanted to be your weekend lover

neteyam x reader

📝 you and neteyam grew up inseparable— until one drunken night blurs the line.

part one | part two | part three

contains suggestive themes, but no smut. neteyam is 21, r is 20 !!

Two halves of one soul.

That was what they called Neteyam and you.

Your mother had been a close friend of Neytiri, a bond formed during their teenage years when they had trained together. Aside from Neytiri, your mother had been one of the best warriors of Omatikaya. She was strong-willed, brave, and fast— much faster than Neytiri.

Your father had died by a stray attack from the sky people when you were young, leaving you and your mother alone together. He, too, was a strong warrior, admired for his physical strength and undeniable skills. While he was alive, Jake had befriended him. In a way, Jake found him to be very similar to Tsutey.

That left you. With your parents both being skilled warriors, it was to no surprise that you had been one, too— even surpassing their abilities.

While your mother was fast, you were too fast to track. Sometimes, the others claim they’d feel the wind rush past as you ran. When you were young, you remembered how Jake would watch you train, claiming you “moved like a flash”. While your father excelled in hand-to-hand combat, you were ruthless, an unrelenting strength having bloomed within you.

Since you were young, you had trained like it was life or death— because, well, it was. Home was never safe. You knew that one day, the sky people would come back, a hundred times harder to fight. You knew their weapons were advancing, and so were their skills. With all the knowledge they had of the Na’vi, you were sure they would use that to their advantage.

Sooner or later, you found it to be almost therapeutic, as if it had let you let go of all your unsaid emotions. Well, that and another reason, too.

Your mothers being close meant that the Sullies would be frequent visitors of your home. Their friendship passed down to you and him. Even your births weren’t far apart at all, yours only being 4 months after his. Even as babies, you two wouldn’t let go of each other, sobbing when you had to be separated after a day’s worth of playing. As kids, you welcomed his siblings with the same warmth you gave him, practically being their second older sibling.

As you grew, your friendship with him only deepened. You had been there for all his moments, and he was there for yours. When he lost his first tooth, when you had your first crush (his heart broke slightly, though he didn’t want to admit it), when you both passed your iknimaya. You went through it all with him. Eywa, even though it was a stupid promise, you still remembered it like the back of your hand. It etched into your brain, staying there permanently.

“When we’re older…” Neteyam started, pausing for a bit. You hummed at him to continue.

“If we’re 25 and we both don’t have a mate, would you be mine?” He asked plainly, like it hadn’t been the very thought that consumed you whole when you had first learned of what a mate was.

“Skxawng. That’s impossible.” You said, huffing as you continued to weave. He nudged you with his elbow.

“Why? I know the girls totally dig me, but—” You silenced him with a glare, though the smile that crawled up your lips betrayed you horribly.

“Because there’s such a thing as arrangements, Teyam. You wouldn’t even make it past 21 before they set you up with a stranger!” You argued, eyes back on your project.

“Then make it 21. That’s like— uhm… 8 years from now. If we’re both single by 21, we’re mates.” He replied, shrugging his shoulders like it was nothing. You smacked his head as he gruffed.

“Fine,” you sighed. He watched as your hands continued to weave the intricate designs of the armband— the very one he had begged you to make for him.

It wasn’t a terrible idea, he thought.

Not at all, you rang.

<3

Things are different now.

The Second Pandoran War made your stay at Awa’atlu permanent— save for the occasional visits home. The very war where you had almost lost Neteyam, the war that almost killed you, too. Where you thought you were skilled, you had been nothing compared to their guns. Sure, Jake had some of his own, but your lack thereof had put you in a very vulnerable position. Not only did you not get to train with guns, you had also refused to touch one. It felt wrong to use the very weapon that killed your father— even if it was for your own safety.

But now, the war is behind you. The next matter has lingered on your mother’s tongue for the longest time. Every time you had visited her, it would always be one of the first three things she asked you about.

“Y/N, how are you? How are things in Awa’atlu? Do you have a mate yet?”

And every time, the answer would always be the same, your head hanging low and a sigh escaping your lips every single time you replied to her.

“No, ma’sanok.”

Without fail, she would always— always bring up the same idea.

“What about Neteyam? He is a good match. Even Neytiri thinks the same.”

And without fail, you’d always spiral into your own thoughts. You were both of the age now, you in particular were a month away from the very age that you had intended to mate each other at. And yet, there was still absolutely no sign of his interest in you. As a matter of fact, he’s had his fair share of the reef girls, and still no mate.

And you? Sure you’ve dabbled in Metkayina men, but none of them compared to him. Neteyam was kinder than any of the reef boys, a better warrior, a better man. He knew you inside and out. He felt like home. Eywa, he was the only one you have ever wanted. But you couldn’t dwell on him, heartbroken, while he was out with another girl— let alone act on your feelings. Your parents might push the idea onto you, but you could easily deny that.

What you couldn’t deny was that every time he had come back to you with updates on another girl, a part of your heart would break. You uttered no word of it. Not even to your best friend, Kiri.

Tonight was no different than other feasts— well, except that now you were able to drink with the adults. The villagers were livelier than ever, the island stirring alive with music, dances, and the shared bonfire. The finest of foods were served to share, from the sweetest fruits the island harbored to the rarest meats, brought from the annual big hunts of Metkayina.

The air was filled to the brim with laughter, children played with each other as their parents chatted along. Tuk had been a part of them whilst Neytiri was talking with another mother. Lo’ak stayed glued to Tsireya as she occasionally dragged him to dance by the fire. You had stayed where you were, too busy admiring everyone else to get up and dance. Beside you, Neteyam had sat, close enough that your shoulders were practically glued to one another, along with Kiri, Spider, as well as Ao’nung and his friends.

A shoulder nudged you, dragging you back to reality. It was Neteyam. He nodded over to Ao’nung who was trying to talk to you.

“Txali,” he said as he passed you a cup. “Drink up, warrior.”

You took it, looking at it hesitantly. You raised a questioning brow his way.

“It’s sweet, trust me.” Neteyam said, urging you to drink. You shot him a glare before chugging.

The crowd laughed as you downed the drink in one go. You coughed at the taste. It was sweet at first, deceptively so. Then, it burned. A heat bloomed in your chest, causing you to let out a soft hiss. Neteyam patted at your back, laughing as he did.

“Skxawng, you weren’t supposed to chug it!” He said, earning an elbow to his stomach. Ao’nung praised you for your “braveness”, saying that he’d never even done it himself.

“You should’ve told me before, idiots.” You shot at the group before they bursted into laughter once more.

The night went on like that, a blur of drinks, laughter, and the very heat that pooled in your chest. To make matters worse, txali did not seem to make Neteyam’s habit of being touchy any better. His arm was now completely slung around your frame as Ao’nung joked once more. The air was heavier when you were drunk, as if every touch etched deeper into your skin. You opted to distract yourself again by watching the people.

In times like these, bioluminescence seemed to cling to everything— skin, hair, the edges of smiles teetering on laughter. If you had to guess, about half of the island’s population was drunk, a shared warmth between the crowd. Neteyam tipped his head back, then moved it to lean onto yours. You didn’t usually think much of the habit, but under the influence, you craved him more than that. Your gaze averted to his. For just a beat, you swore he held a fire in his eyes you had never seen before.

You swallowed, jaw tightening as you continued listening to the conversation. They had been going on about some hunt, the usual gathering conversations, things you couldn’t pay any mind to, not when the arm around your shoulder drifted down with every sentence. His touch left an aching mark, one that lingered, burning you up.

This wasn’t unusual. Sure, you were way too used to Neteyam touching you. But growing up with each other meant that you were accustomed to it, that you didn’t let it linger. Most of all, that it didn’t— it shouldn’t make you ache for more. But it did. And you couldn’t do anything about it. Maybe you could stumble over to Nximpey, who had been particularly fond of you, and especially of your body. If he was with another, you always had Atok, who you had wrapped around your finger.

But none of them would ever make up for Neteyam, or in particular, your lack of him. Whenever you were with another boy, the only man you had in mind was him. His hands on you, his lips on you, his face between your—

“Y/N!” Ao’nung called out, shaking a cup in front of your face. You shook your head, already feeling far too tipsy. And yet, Neteyam’s fingers digging at your waist said otherwise.

“C’mon, we’ll split it.” Neteyam said.

That was all it took for you to accept the txali, sipping half of it as you held it out for Neteyam, who gladly took it, downing the rest in one go. The purple liquid dribbled down his chin, slipping down the sharp line of his jaw until your fingers came to it. You didn’t know what took over you, your body moved before your mind could even react. Your fingers had trailed the liquid up to his lips, your fingers hesitating just a beat on his soft lips before you pulled them back to your own lips— lapping at the liquid you caught. You looked him in the eye the entire time before you swallowed, tongue darting out to lick your lips.

“What? Wouldn’t want it to go to waste, right?” You said blankly, tilting your head as you kept eye contact.

For a brief moment, his eyes darted down to your purple-stained lips. He wondered how they’d feel on his, how you’d taste. He brushed the thought off before you could read it through him.

“Yeah,” he breathed, a smile tugging at his lips. His arm had now landed around your hip, gripping even tighter after your act.

You swore he was burning up. You hid a grin at the thought, opting to place a hand on his thigh— tentative at first, then firmer. You thanked Eywa that everyone else was just as drunk that they hadn’t even noticed how close you were, or how you were inches away from kissing him right there and then.

As the conversation went on, he leaned closer into your shoulder, his breath hot on your neck. Not close enough that his lips were latched onto it, but close enough not to ignore. Your hand drifted further up his thigh. You were playing a dangerous game, was it so bad that you liked it?

It was harder to tell between your sober thoughts and your drunken actions, but you let it, because the ache was getting to a point that was harder to ignore. You felt the fire ignite in the pit of your stomach. Your hand stopped inches away from his loincloth, your fingers tracing invisible circles against his skin. Neteyam’s breath hitched against your neck.

“Teyam,” you intended to whisper though it came out more of a plea than anything, loud enough for only him to hear.

He hummed against your neck, fully buried in there now. You inhaled— sharp and shaky.

“You’re drunk,”

“You too,”

You felt him smile lazily, his teeth a cold contact against your warm body. You hissed at the feeling, your tail flickering as Neteyam chuckled. Then, he lifted his head and turned to the group.

“‘m gonna walk Y/N home.” He announced, lifting you up with the same arm that was slung around your hip. You stumbled back before he caught you.

“Easy, girl.” He muttered, a stupid grin you wished you could kiss off tugging at his lips.

None of you looked back as you slipped away from the firelight. You left behind the music, the laughter, and the last of your self control. The feast had been far from over, making the rest of the village a quiet ghost town— save for the tide that continuously lapped at the reef. The walk back was nothing short of drunken laughter and stumbles, though he was doing most of the catching. At some point, he had given up on watching you trip and instead, picked you up and slung you over his shoulder, your face meeting his back.

“Teyam!” You yelped, shocked by his sudden actions.

“You keep falling over, might as well.” He mumbled, placing a chaste kiss on your thigh. You were sure it left a mark. The heat in your stomach grew— on the verge of bursting the longer you were touching him.

In a matter of seconds, he placed you down with a sigh in front of your shared marui. He met your face with a sly grin. You hadn’t even meant for it to happen, your body just naturally gravitated towards him, your face inching closer to his. And yet, he didn’t move away. Not at all.

He leaned in, breath hitching as his eyes flicked to your lips, then back to your eyes. His hands hovered on your waist as yours were on his chest. You surged forward before your courage could falter, lips crashing onto his. The kiss was nothing like the gentle ones you had daydreamed about, where you and him were happily together. It was heat and want and months— years of restraint snapping all at once.

He kissed you back, meeting your need. His teeth clashed against yours as your hands trailed up to his hair, fingers hovering above his kuru as he breathed into the kiss. You took the chance, delving deeper into him. His hands dropped to your hips, fingers digging in so hard you were sure he’d leave bruises. He tugged you flush against him like he’d been waiting for this moment— like he was anchoring you to him forever. His mouth moved against yours with practiced ease and a desperate eagerness.

Even as he walked you inside, you hadn’t pulled apart from each other, your hands still clinging onto him as his own roamed your body like he was trying to memorize it. Then, you broke apart long enough to breathe, to drop down to the woven mat and have him on top of you. He kissed you again before you had time to think. But even then, you wouldn’t even be able to. Every single fibre in your body was on fire, repeating his name over and over like an unbroken mantra. You wanted him— no, you needed him. You craved him so badly it ached. And little did you know, he did too. The heat in his stomach chanted your name, and only you could fulfill such needs.

His lips trailed down your jaw, placing kisses in the crook of your neck and leaving bruises where he shouldn’t.

“Tell me to stop,” he muttered against your skin, though the way his lips were still latched onto you was traitorous.

“Tell me,” he breathed, desperation heavy in his voice, “and I will.”

You inhaled then, eyes fluttering open to look into his as you replied. His lips were bruised from the kiss as his eyes still held the very fire you had caught a glimpse of, though now you had seen it fully. His breathing was uneven, you could tell he was preparing himself for rejection. And yet, you muttered,

“Don’t.”

That was all it took for him to continue, twice as hard now that he had gotten your permission. His lips roamed your body as if he would forget at any given moment, your lips parting in a breathy moan of his name, over and over like a broken record.

Somewhere in between, both your clothes had been clumsily discarded, leaving behind only the distant sound of drums, the dim light of the moon, and the fragile line you had finally crossed.

note. SURPRISE. had this one in the drafts for a while now lol…. how are we feeling about this. erm

[drewdaist]

north.

ao’nung x sully!reader

chapter ix. i’m always, forever, running back to you

For the first time in a while, Ao’nung had not been tossing and turning all night long.

For the first time in a while, Ao’nung had known what it felt like to be at peace— at home.

As the sun began to rise, shifting the indigo sky to hues of baby blue, the village of Awa’atlu slowly began to rise. But you? You were terribly far from waking, from disturbing the peace you have so carefully crafted with him. You had shifted sometime during your slumber, your back pressed firmly against Ao’nung’s chest, facing the rest of your sleeping family. His arm was slung around your waist, fingers intertwined with your own, engulfing them completely. Your tails mingled, forming a loose coil, as his nose rested in the crook of your neck, burying his head snugly. Even in rest, he hadn’t let go of you.

His hair was mostly loose now, his bun barely containing his curls. Soft snores escaped past his lips, his breath warm against your neck. Yet, neither of you stirred— not even in the slightest.

Inside the Sully marui, between your tangled sleeping figures, the world was still.

Then, Jake woke. Stretching his arms high and wide, he blinked, rubbing the tiredness from his eyes as soft light spilled through the woven gaps. He stared at the waves lapping just outside their home as ilus softly chirped in the distance. He could hear the faint laughter of children playing by the shore. He yawned once more before getting up, being cautious enough to not wake the rest of his family. As he stood, he noticed the strange figure wrapped around his daughter.

He blinked.

Then, he rubbed his eyes.

He swore he thought he was hallucinating, as if he had been still sleeping, dreaming of the sight in front of him. He stepped back to Neytiri, crouching down slowly to wake her. She stirred awake as she sat up, rubbing at her eyes as the light began to drown the room.

“What is it, Ma’Jake?” She asked, her voice still a quiet, raspy whisper.

“Baby,” he asked, his tone unmistakably laced with concern. “Am I dreaming or is someone else in the room, like, with our daughter?”

She grumbled, used to decades of his silly antics. She got up slowly, stretching her long torso and arms as she yawned, moving closer to where you laid.

She blinked— once, twice.

“What.” She said blankly. It wasn’t even a question— she had just been baffled by the sight.

Sure, they knew you two were close. But they had never been aware of this before. They shot a look at one another, still trying to process why on Pandora their daughter had the olo’eyktan’s son wrapped around her like you two had been carved into the mat itself. They watched as you two slept, completely unaware of your parents’ confusion.

And yet, she had never seen you so still before, so deep in your sleep, so cozy against the boy. As puzzled as she was, she knew one thing that was sure— what you two had is special, and she wouldn’t let Jake disturb it.

Jake had shuffled closer in an attempt to wake you, but Neytiri had placed a firm grip on his arm.

“Let them,” she whispered. He huffed softly, gaze flickering between you and Ao’nung. At how you were tangled together without even realizing it. He was already trying to figure out what in Eywa’s name he would say to Tonowari later— he didn’t even want to begin to think of Ronal.

Yeah, your son was cuddled up with my daughter all night. Uh— my bad?

“She needs this, Ma’Jake.” Neytiri murmured, her voice gentle but firm.

“But—” Jake started, only to be cut off in an instant.

“They look happy,” She said quietly.

“Yeah, but—” Jake exhaled through his nose.

“Then, let them.”

A pause settled over the marui, broken only by soft breathing— yours was slow and even, Ao’nung’s deeper, warmer. His arm tightened unconsciously around you as he slept, as if even dreaming he feared letting go.

“Am I dreaming?” Lo’ak whispered harshly. “Are you seeing this?”

“Kiri,” he hissed. “Kiri— wake up.”

“What, skxawng,” she muttered, eyes barely open. “You’re so annoying—”

“Look,” Lo’ak breathed. “Holy shit this is—”

“Lo’ak.” Jake warned.

“Dad, look at his face,” Lo’ak whispered, awe-struck. “Oh, Eywa. This is good.”

“They look like Mom and Dad.” Tuk said softly, tilting her head.

“Tuk—” Jake snapped, mortified.

“Enough, let them rest.” Neytiri said, though there was a smile in her voice.

That was when you stirred.

Not fully awake, just enough to feel warmth, familiar and safe. Your fingers twitched against Ao’nung’s. He shifted too, brow furrowing, tail tightening around you like instinct alone had pulled it there.

“Oh,” you mumbled sleepily. “It’s not what it—”

“Looks like?” Jake cut in. “Sure is, kid.”

You squinted, eyes finally opening. You immediately wished they hadn’t. Every single one of them was staring.

“You’ve got some explaining to do with his parents later,” Jake added dryly. “I’m not helping you. His mom’s gonna skin me alive.”

Ao’nung jolted awake beside you, eyes wide, posture stiff as he took in the scene. Your dad, Toruk Makto, looming, your mother calm but unreadable, Lo’ak vibrating with barely-contained enthusiasm.

“Eywa—” he blurted, scrambling upright far too fast. “I’m sorry, sir. I didn’t mean—”

“It’s okay, Ao’nung,” Neytiri said gently. “You are welcome here. Anytime.”

He froze at that, ears flicking, clearly not expecting kindness where he’d braced to be yelled at.

“Yeah,” Jake added, rubbing his face. “Just— don’t do anything, uh… weird. Please.”

Lo’ak clutched his chest dramatically. “Dude. I can’t even. This is too good. Oh, thank you, Great Mother.”

“So,” Kiri said calmly, far too calmly, “when are you guys getting your own place?”

You groaned, burying your face in your hands. “We just woke up. Please.”

You huffed against your palm, suddenly aware of just how close you two were, feeling the warmth of his chest against your shoulder, your back leaning against his arm, and his breath that was an inch above your neck. You froze, before settling back like you had never left to turn towards him.

“Hi,” you murmured, a soft smile planted on your lips.

You could tell he was flustered. Eywa, he was a horrible liar both verbally and physically. His ears had twitched, his smile a shy grin, his cheeks a warm shade of purple, and you felt his tail tighten just the slightest bit. He hid his face in the crook of your neck once more.

“You’re gonna leave a dent in there,” you teased. He didn’t even bother moving to reply, opting to murmur against your skin as he put his hand on top of yours.

“I can’t show my face anymore, you know that?” He replied, his voice loud enough for your ears, barely sounding cohesive with the way he was clinging to you like a cat.

He smiled into your skin as you exhaled, leading your body against him the slightest bit more. He couldn’t bring himself to admit it, but he swore you look even more beautiful like this, next to him, half awake, and clinging to each other like your lives depended on it. His heart warmed at the thought. You had him in a terrible chokehold, and he couldn’t help but fall deeper in love with you.

Then, a voice broke the comfortable silence.

“Eugh,” Kiri groaned. “Seriously, get a room.”

You giggled at her words, finally parting from Ao’nung. You both yawned, stretched, and got up. Your eyes lingered on one another’s for a beat too long— as if you hadn’t just slept together in your family home, as if you were falling in love all over again. And in truth? You fell deeper in love.

You were completely engulfed in it now, and not a single fibre in your being detested it.

“What are you going to tell your parents?” You asked, already fearing for your life and your image in front of his parents, who amazingly just so happened to be the olo’eyktan and tsahik.

“Uh,” Ao’nung paused, thinking for just a moment, before shooting you an awkward grin. “I hadn’t thought about that.”

“Eywa, help me.” You stood, still as a statue. You were sure this was it, now. You were so dead. Then, he suddenly shuffled. You shot a look of confusion as he was halfway out the room.

“I… gotta go.” He said. You exhaled, opting to choose that he was going to face his parents. Still, a part of you wished that he hadn’t just ran out the door like it was some stupid fling. You rubbed your eyes once more, grumbling as you started to get ready. You huffed the thoughts of him, the fear, the anxiety. You felt the white stripe of paint seep into your skin— anchoring your feet to the woven ground.

You’re thinking too much, you thought.

You repeated it over and over like a mantra until you started to believe it— just the tiniest bit. Enough to keep your thoughts at bay and go on with your day.

<3

You huffed as you plopped down next to Kiri.

“Wow,” she gasped, looking around dramatically. “Y/N without Ao’nung. Something’s definitely wrong now.”

“Don’t even. I just need my sister and the ocean for now.” You muttered.

She hunched closer to you, noticing your gloominess. It wasn’t normal.

“Do you wanna… talk? About it?”

“‘m fine.” You replied without skipping a beat. Then, quieter. “I miss you, you know?”

She turned towards you. “I know.”

“I miss our family. I miss Neteyam.”

She pulled you into her arms, holding you the way she always did. Sometimes, you swear she was meant to be the older sibling.

“I’m sorry, Kiri.” You whispered. “I wish you could see him, see all of them.”

“Hey, don’t worry about me. Eywa— The Great Mother must have something. Some reason for that. I just don’t know it yet.” She said, shaking her head slightly.

Your hand reached out for hers tentatively. You knew Kiri was special. You saw it, so many times. How she connected with nature, how she had been one with the water— as if she herself was born from it. You didn’t say anything. You knew that she knew.

In truth, Ao’nung had been avoiding you like the plague. At first, when he had left in panic, you had thought that he was afraid to face his parents. You couldn’t blame him for that.

But when he completely ignored you at breakfast? It was weird. Of course it was. You had made it an unspoken rule to speak without any words spoken whenever you were at gatherings. And yet, he hadn’t looked up from the woven mat at all. Hell, he wasn’t even there for 5 entire minutes until he got up and left. You weren’t stupid. You knew that you two weren’t necessarily a thing. Hell, you weren’t even close to being mated. So, you brushed it off, mentally beating yourself for caring too much.

To make matters worse, it was a rest day. Days when you and him would spend your time with friends, or simply alone. Sometimes he’d take you on patrols, or a casual hunt, a swim, or even to sit and talk, Eywa knows, where until eclipse came. You had made him a part of your routine, as did he. It was impossible for him to miss you unless he was away— or avoiding you.

It hurt. It ached. It lingered and bloomed in your chest like a wound. You hated that you felt this much, cared this much over a boy. But you did. And there was nothing you could do about it. You had braced yourself for the worst case scenarios— braced yourself for distance someday. You just hadn’t expected it to hurt this much— you especially hadn’t expected it to happen after last night. Hell, what would you even tell your family? That the boy who stuck to you like glue and slept with you in your family’s home just got up and left? That he had one day changed his mind and cut you off like it was nothing? That what you had between you was nothing and purely a figment of your own, stupid imagination?

The night replayed in your head like a broken record. The cove, the touch, the almost kiss, the stupid words he had said, your blindness, the fact that you wore your heart on your sleeve like it was nothing. The warmth, the intimacy, the fact that it all felt so natural— so right. It made you sick. It made you want to crawl into a hole, curl up, and die.

And yet, here you were. Alive, breathing, and watching him from afar.

<3

Ao’nung was stupid.

He had made a mistake. He had seen how this had gone, one too many times.

First, he had insulted your family. Second, he had left your brother out in the open ocean, stranded and alone. And now? Now, he had really done it.

He didn’t even know what got to him. When he woke, the sun casting strands of gold across your face, the most beautiful girl he had ever seen, he swore he was the happiest Na’vi alive. That he could have died right there and then, and still go out a happy, satisfied man.

And then, it dawned on him. Well— not really. He was just stupid. He thought that he had gotten too far ahead of himself. That he let himself pretend he wasn’t Ao’nung. That he wasn’t someone who had ruined too many things in his lifetime.

Because the night before hadn’t just been a moment. It hadn’t been just laughter and closeness and the way your breath stuttered when you two were far too close. It hadn’t been the way your fingers brushed his jaw, his kuru, how your lips just barely grazed his, or how the world had gone completely silent when you looked at him like that. Or worst of all, how you had been the only thing, the only person who could get his heart to race and calm at the same time. The one who showed him that he was still capable of emotions beyond arrogance and anger, that he was capable of love.

It had felt like the truth.

And that terrified him.

So, he avoided you like the plague. He avoided every gaze, every step that would lead to you. He kept his eyes on his food, his palms, the floor— anything to pretend that he didn’t feel his chest caving in every time he sensed you were nearby. When he heard your voice, soft, familiar, warm— never toward him, it nearly broke him. He left before you could look at him for too long. Before you could pull him aside and ask why he was acting like this. Before he had said something else he couldn’t take back.

His gaze tracked along the horizon, then the shore. His ears yearned for the sound of home— of your voice, your laughter, and your smile that had him in a chokehold. He looked towards his own hand, the place that should’ve been holding you like it always does. Eventually, he saw you sitting with Kiri, quiet and small. He swore he heard his heart crack.

You looked tired. Hurt.

He beat himself up mentally for making you feel like that. He had seen you upset before, at his own hands too. But this was different. You looked crushed. Hopeless. He noticed, even from afar, that your eyes lacked the usual glint, like the stars had scattered down to Pandora and snuck itself in there— that your smile lacked the hint of warmth, the usual softness that had simmered into every line.

That itself punched him in the gut. Harder than anything he’d ever felt.

But the thought that he might lose you, not because you didn’t want him back, but because he had been too afraid to reach for you, to face what he felt with all his heart— made him feel sick. He swore he felt the acid rise up his throat, threatening to spill from his mouth in syllables that made up your name. You were the very fragments that made up his being, after all.He held his tongue, pressing a hand over his chest, as if he was expecting blood. It hurt as if it was a real wound.

But he knew it. He didn’t want a life where you were just a memory. He didn’t want days where he trained without you, slept without you beside him, laughed without the sound of yours harmonizing with it. He didn’t want to wake up years from now, to see you happy with your own mate, your own family— and realize that he had let the right person walk away because he was too cowardly to say the truth out loud.

By the time the sun had begun to dip, staining the sky in shades of pink and orange, he had made his decision.

He had found you as eclipse had settled, standing alone near the path that led toward the cove. Even your own footsteps had betrayed you, had led you to him. You knew deep in your heart that he had etched himself in every fibre in your being, that your very soul had carved itself out for him to slot himself in, and the worst part was that you had let it. You had let him be a part of you, to let yourself love him as you thought he did you. You didn’t even mean to walk down, it was that deep into your soul, etched into every muscle, every step you took.

It all led back to him.

His footsteps matched yours, like it always had. He followed your steps in silence, all the way to the cove. You had stepped in before him. And yet, neither of you had even bothered to sit down. The proximity would’ve been too damaging for you. Between you, stood a respectful distance— as if you hadn’t just crossed it all. His voice shook when he finally broke the silence. It shattered like glass.

“Can we talk?”

“Talk?”

He exhaled, slow and shaky, like he had been holding it in all day.

“Yeah—”

You had enough, scoffing as you shook your head before you cut him off.

“You have been avoiding me all day, and now you want to talk? If you wanted to up and leave you should’ve done so before whatever we had done last night. Look me in the eyes, Ao’nung, and tell me that it was nothing. Say it.”

You stepped closer, looking him dead in the eyes. You blinked— once, twice, before continuing your words. His eyes hug long, shoulders slumped bearing a heavy guilt.

“I thought I knew you. But I guess I was wrong. Because I saw you, Ao’nung. I saw the version of you that— that was kind. That cared. That listened. That didn’t judge, didn’t back away, didn’t flinch. I saw the side of you that was capable of more than hatred. I saw your smile that— for once, wasn’t a stupid smug smirk. I saw your gentleness, the way you acted with tenderness, with kindness. I saw you with love.”

You paused for a moment, inhaling shakily.

“Tell me I was imagining. Tell me I was stupid enough to believe that what we had was more than just— that it was nothing. Tell me.”

You jabbed a finger at his chest. At his silence, you stepped back. You felt your eyes burn, tears threatening to spill.

“Because I couldn’t. Not after everything. I can’t stand here and ignore the fact that it hurts, it hurts that you’re avoiding me. You could’ve chosen to do this days— weeks ago. But you didn’t. Why? Ao’nung. Just tell—”

“Because I was afraid. Because I—” He cut you off before you could say any more, before you could spiral further from the actual truth.

“Because last night. Last night made things real for me, and Eywa, I’ve been thinking about it— about you, all day. I woke up and I saw you, and it made me realize that this was all I had ever wanted. That you were it for me. And it terrified me.”

He looked at you then, really looked at you.

“Because that wasn’t the Ao’nung I know. I’m not meant for that, I’m— I’m stubborn, I’m arrogant, I spent my whole life avoiding those feelings because I knew that I’d just destroy it. That I wasn’t meant for it. And you… you made me realize too many things all at once.”

He swallowed in the air, as if his next words might take his own breath away.

“I realized that I don’t want to train without you as my partner, I don’t want to sleep without you next to me, I don’t want to wake up and not see you there. I don’t want a life where you’re just a memory. I want you in it. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

“And I’m so afraid, I’m terrified of messing it up. Of losing you because I made some stupid mistake like I always do. And you were… everything I couldn’t bring myself to come close to. You’re kind, you’re pure, Eywa, everything with you just feels so natural, so right— so perfect. All my life I had avoided anything that had the slightest thing to do with… with love. But you— even Eywa is shoving it in my face.”

He tugged at your hand, pointing at the waters beneath the rock. There was a flower, a whole garden of them. Shining in hues of indigo and blue, they were mesmerizing.

“There was never a flower here before you came. I swear it. I grew up here. Since I was a kid, I hid here every single day. I would’ve noticed. And now, it’s everywhere. The whole thing is filled with it. And the planktons— they shine brighter. And I know that doesn't just happen. Not for nothing. Not for just anyone. And everything… it all leads back to you.”

He took your hands in his now, eyes boring into yours. He stepped closer, hesitantly, cautiously— like he was afraid of crossing a line he couldn’t undo.

“If you’d let me, I’d go anywhere for you. I’d do anything. I don’t care if it’s stupid or reckless or if it scares me more than this does. I’d go to hell and back if it meant I could have even one life with you. Even one moment where I get to choose you and you choose me.”

“I can’t keep shutting myself out, pretending I don’t feel this, pretending I’m not terrified but still doing it anyway. I can’t act like my heart doesn’t pound every time I see you. Like you’re not the very first person I look for in a crowd. Like I don’t sleep worse without you by my side. Like I don’t see you every time I close my eyes. Like you haven’t consumed every single thought of mine— waking or dreaming.”

“You don’t even— You don’t even have to say anything. You don’t have to feel the same. I mean— I hope you do. Eywa knows how much I’ve thought— how much I’ve mentioned your name whenever I talk to her. But if you don’t, I’ll still be here. I’ll still show up, still wait. I’d still choose you, because that’s just— it’s already done for me. There’s no one else for me.”

He laughed softly, breath hitching before he prepared himself for his next words. His tongue peeked through his canines, as if he was testing the words on his tongue.

“I love you. And I don’t want to die one day knowing I was too much of a coward to let you know, to let you walk out the door with someone else. So,”

He inhaled then, steadying himself.

“If you don’t want this— if you don’t want to take this chance with me, I’ll survive. It’ll hurt. But I’ll survive. Because Eywa knows how much I feel for you. And that won’t change, ever. It’ll always be you. That, I know for sure.”

He fell quiet, chest rising and falling hard. His eyes were fixed on you like he was bracing for impact. For his heart to break, for him to beat himself up over and over again, for him to see you love someone else that wasn’t him. For him to live on with a piece of his soul within you, though he wasn’t the one you were with.

You placed your hand over his chest, over the very place where his heart lay. Your eyes flicked up at his, staying there. Your lips had parted, tongue hesitating for a few moments before you had finally said, soft and quiet— and yet, devotion still stained your words. Love was unmistakably present.

“Ao’nung,” you whispered, the shakiness in your voice hadn't faltered. “I choose you. Over and over again, I’d choose you in every lifetime, because I can’t imagine myself without you. I can’t imagine who I would be without a piece of you with me. I—”

You inhaled then, sharp and shaky. Your hand moved to his jaw, the way it had done so twice in the past. You leaned in tentatively, as if the choice of him pulling back was even possible. He had craned his head lower to reach you, his lips a breath away from your when you said,

“I love you too.”

You kissed him.

It wasn’t rushed. It was slow, hesitant, careful. As if you were afraid the moment itself would shatter if you moved too quickly. Your lips brushed his. A beat after, he melted. He exhaled shakily into the kiss, his hands finding your waist as if it was an instinct. He leaned into you more, meeting your kiss with a tenderness that made your chest ache— like he was memorizing the shape of your mouth, the touch of your lips on his, the warmth of you, committing it all to memory. He swore you made his knees buckle.

When you pulled back, it was only by an inch or two, lips still tingling— still aching for one another. Your hand was still on his jaw, as were his hands on your waist. You tried to steady your breathing, but you were far too gone now. You felt his heart beat wildly, racing beneath your palm.

“I see you, Ao’nung,” you whispered against his lips.

Without skipping a beat, he whispered back.

“I see you.”

That was all it took for him to crash against you. He kissed you like it was a trigger word, like he had reached his breaking point. His hand came up fast, cradling the back of your head as the other pulled you flush against him, as if he needed to feel you there— every single inch of you. Solid and real, as if you might disappear into thin air.

The kiss was deeper. More certain. With absolutely no trace of hesitation.

It carried everything he hadn’t said. Every stolen glance, every time he’d force himself to pry his eyes off of you like it was a battle, every night he lay awake knowing you were only a breath away and still impossibly far. His mouth moved against yours with a quiet urgency, like he was afraid the moment would slip through his fingers if he didn’t hold on hard enough.

He only pulled away to breathe in. A soft, almost disbelieving sound left him against your lips. It was somewhere between a laugh and a breath. It was a quiet finally.

He rested his forehead against yours, your noses still brushing against one another, eyes still closed as if he was savoring this moment, the feeling of you against him, the way his heart hammered in beats of threes— as if each one said I love you. The hand that was cradling your head moved to rest on top of yours— on his jaw. His thumb brushed the back of your palm, trembling.

“Eywa,” he breathed, barely above a whisper. “I’ve wanted to do that for so long.”

“So,” you let out, a soft laughter following it.

“So,” he started, pulling back just enough to look into your eyes. “Will you be mine?”

You nodded before the word even reached your lips.

“Yes.”

That was all it took for him to break out in a breathless grin. He pulled you closer, if that was even possible. You swore you were practically one by now. And yet, you wouldn’t have had it any other way. He pressed another soft kiss to your lips, before tucking his face into the curve of your neck, breathing you in like he’d finally found where he belonged. You felt the way he steadied there as your warms wrapped around one another.

“My girl,” he murmured against your neck, voice low and awestruck. “You have no idea what you just did to me.”

His tail curled around your leg, betraying him completely. Laughter filled the air once more. It was warm, unguarded, and finally— happy. He pressed another kiss to your jaw, your neck, your collarbones— anywhere he could reach.

You were his.

And he was yours, too. Body and soul.

Outside, the world had stilled, and somewhere, sometime— Eywa was watching.

A flower bloomed between the cracks of the flat rock in the cove.

It marked a new chapter— a new beginning for two young lovers.

<3

Keeping your relationship with Ao’nung private was the simplest thing on the checklist. Before you had even got together, you were already acting like a couple anyway— stolen glances, sneaky touches, and his terrible habit of tugging at your tail. No one suspected a singular thing.

The Sully marui had made Ao’nung a frequent visitor, too. Every night, he’d promise the same exact thing.

I’m just going to stay here until I relax. I’m not going to fall asleep.

And yet, every night he’d still manage to break his promise and fall asleep anyway. Because nothing could tear him apart from being next to you, fully engulfed in your warmth— whether he was curling up around you, or you were the one curled up on his chest.

Neytiri had paid no more attention to the way you two slept like an old, married couple. But Jake on the other hand? Every morning he made it a mission to sneak up to you two and assess how you were sleeping. He did not want any more babies under his roof. And yet, his heart still couldn’t help but soften at how you were. Even he couldn’t deny that what you two shared was truly something special— something pure. As if Eywa herself brought them together— like they were the missing piece of each other's puzzles.

It had been two weeks since you made it official, and last night— right before you had gone to bed beside him, he had signed to you.

Tell them tomorrow?

You didn’t have to sign back. You nodded, a firm, warm smile tugging at your lips as you curled into him.

It was nearing eclipse. The sky had begun to play with hues of pink and orange as the tide slowly settled. Tsireya had insisted upon learning how to weave, which you gladly took up. It wasn’t that different from weaving back at home, only more… slippery. But it was safe to say that you had a good guide.

Tsireya was trying with all her might to get Lo’ak to weave properly. But when he did, it would always end up wonky, messy, or he’d miss a loop and mess it all up— having to start all over again. He huffed in frustration as he failed once again. You saw the way Tsireya handled him, with care, with gentleness— everything Lo’ak needed and more. Your heart melted at the sight.

You had already finished your new top long before this, sighing in satisfaction. It was beautiful, Ao’nung had helped you pick out the right materials. You weaved it with caution and care, making sure you hadn’t missed any loops like a certain someone. Ao’nung had taught you the whole way through. It was shocking to learn that he, of all people, was actually decent at the art. His hands guided yours, practically glued onto it as you weaved the top. It was an array of blue and tan, adorned with paua shells and fish scales, reflecting the elements of your new home.

Ao’nung had eventually peeled himself away from you to help Tuk, crouching beside her with a dramatic sigh as if he were about to take on the most difficult task known to Na’vi.

“No, no— like this,” he said, tail flicking behind him as his fingers corrected hers. “You’re pulling it too tight. It’s supposed to flow.”

Tuk squinted at him. “You said that last time.”

“And I was right last time too,” he shot back, unbothered. “You just didn’t listen.”

You laughed softly, watching them from where you sat. Ao’nung was patient with her in a way he rarely was with anyone else, voice gentler, movements slower. Every so often, he glanced back at you, quick, unconscious checks— as if grounding himself there before going to Tuk.

She eventually succeeded in looping the fiber correctly. She jumped up in excitement.

“I did it!”

Ao’nung grinned. “See? Natural talent. Must run in the family.”

“Guess someone missed the gene,” you muttered under your breath, but loud enough that Lo’ak heard it and glared daggers at you.

“Watch it,” he warned, though it hardly scared you at all.

Tuk beamed, then immediately held it up. “Is it crooked?”

“Yes,” he said without hesitation.

Her face fell.

“But,” he added quickly, softening, “it’s okay, it adds… character!”

She nodded then, accepting this as truth.

By the time the sky had deepened into richer shades of coral and violet, everyone had finished— more or less. Lo’ak stared at his lopsided weaving.

“I hate this,” he muttered.

Tsireya leaned over, smiling. “You don’t hate it. You hate that you’re bad at it.”

He glanced at her. “Same thing.”

She laughed, nudging him with her shoulder. “You’ll get better.”

Ao’nung rose then, stretching his arms over his head. “Alright,” he announced. “Before Lo’ak has to start all over again, let’s eat.”

At supper, you sat close. Closer than strictly necessary, even closer than usual. The woven top rested against your skin, fitting perfectly, and you caught Ao’nung glancing at it more than once.

“You’re staring,” you murmured under your breath, pointing out the very, incredibly obvious fact.

“I am,” he admitted, a glint of playfulness in his tone. “Can’t help it”

Lo’ak was halfway through his food when he noticed. He audibly gagged, to which the whole family flicked towards. Jake raised a brow as Lo’ak nodded towards the two of you.

“Can you guys like… not?” He said, rolling his eyes.

“Just say you’re jealous, Lo’ak.” You shot back, narrowing your eyes at him.

“Jealous of you and fish lips? Nu-uh.” He retorted. You swore you had never seen a boy so sassy before. Tsireya giggled next to him.

“So are.” You replied one last time before a sigh cut you both off.

“Enough,” Jake cut in, “Lo’ak respect your sister and her—” he paused for a moment, unsure whether or not you guys were official, before eventually landing on his name. “Ao’nung.”

You stuck your tongue out at him as he sighed, accepting his defeat. Ao’nung’s tail curled around your hip. Not protective— just there, purely out of habit.

Your attention reverted back to your food. Still, you felt a smile creep up your lips for no particular reason. Your heart warmed then, even warmer than what you thought was possible. For the first time in a while, grief had not lingered in the air. It was comfort, a shared happiness that lingered in the corners quietly. You wouldn’t have had it any other way than being there, with him, with your families, between the village life of the shore, listening to the ocean breeze pull the tide back.

Then, it happened unconsciously. You leaned against his shoulder, head resting there like it always had. You sighed, eyes fluttering shut as you felt his warmth against yours. The future wasn’t certain, it never was. But you were of this— of the one person you would never let go. You were certain in both of you, in what you shared— in him, most of all.

You love him the way the ocean loves the shore, coming to kiss the soft sands of it for all of eternity. Endlessly, faithfully, always and forever. His hand had grazed yours hesitantly, as if you hadn’t been holding onto his for what felt like a lifetime. Then, his fingers wrapped around yours completely, steady, certain, unwavering. The thought of your families completely drifted from your head. All that was there were you and him.

Turns out, you didn’t have to say a single word.

Whilst you were in your own world, everyone else shared a knowing look as a warmth spread across the group. Neytiri smiled at the sight, Ronal tilted her head in a quiet acknowledgement, and Tonowari and Jake nodded at one another— not a single word uttered.

They knew, and they had accepted it.

In his quiet, steady presence, you finally found the peace and love you didn’t know you were allowed to keep.

You were home, and you never wanted to leave.

note. hope u guys enjoyed xo

[drewdaist]

north.

ao’nung x sully!reader

chapter viii. meet me at our spot

You woke before the sun had come up.

In times like this, Pandora was still. Unbothered. Not even the animals nor the plants disrupted the cycle that had been for all its life. Ilus woke from their slumber, swimming in circles under the peeking sun as the trees woke with a gentle sway. The sky was pale shades of orange and blue, early enough in the morning where it looked as if it hadn’t quite yet decided what kind of day it would become.

You slept… alright. Just fine. Enough to keep you going throughout the day. Standing by the shore, the ocean breeze caressed your face, feet planted to the soft sand beneath you. The tide hadn’t gone high enough for the waves to reach you. You breathed, just living. Not a single thought passed your mind. You wished it was like that all the time. And yet, the paint still lingered on your skin. And yet, you were still here.

Walking back to the marui reminded you of how things once were. When your brother had been hurt. When you had been hurt. When you shut yourself in. When you hated him.

You smiled at the thought, it was amusing to you how different things were then. All the way before Awa’atlu. Before Quaritch. Before Neteyam. Before the words you said. Before the three taps to his jaw. Before telling him how you really, truly felt. You had hoped he got the message, but with the air between you, the shift you both felt— you knew he did.

Not a single fibre in your being regretted it. Eywa, if you had the courage to say it, you’d already done so. You felt a heat rushing to your cheeks then, as if the thought of saying it itself bloomed a whole garden in your heart.

After what Kiri had told you, you knew that two things were sure:

You were already in too deep.

And you don’t ever want out.

<3

He tossed and turned all night long. He hoped that by some miracle, if he closed his eyes just long enough, his mind would give in and slip into the abyss.

And yet, here he was. Staring at the woven ceiling as he always did, fingers tapping relentlessly at the mat below him as the sun rose. Had it been that long?

He grumbled, hands rubbing over his eyes, hoping it would at the very least wake him up. It did not. He sat up straight, eyes peering outside his marui. And there you were, walking back to yours, sneakily, cautiously. He wondered if you were as restless as him, if you stared into the abyss all night, tossed and turned only to face the image of him, as he did you. If this restlessness was a sign from Eywa, then she had a cruel sense of humor.

Then— footsteps. Tsireya came in, already ready to start her day. Her hair was pulled back neatly, adorned with a couple of pearls equally as bright as her smile. She caught a glimpse of Ao’nung. His bun had come undone sometime during the night, curly strands falling loose over his eyes. He held a scowl across his face. She furrowed her brows. Weird, she thought. Since they were kids, Ao’nung had always slept like a rock. The instant he fell onto his mat, he was out like a light. But this… this was new. And she had her suspicions on why.

“You okay?” Tsireya asked, raising a curious brow.

He didn’t look at her right away. Just sat with his elbows on his knees. He sighed before answering. His voice more of a grumble than actual words.

“M’fine.”

She hummed, unconvinced.

“You don’t look like it.”

He dragged a palm down his face once more. He swore it must’ve left a mark. He exhaled slowly, gaze drifting towards the waters outside.

“Just… couldn’t sleep.”

“Hm.” Tsireya tilted her head. “Training today?”

“Yep.” He popped the P, rolling his neck, then his shoulders, before looking at her. “Where’re you headed?”

“Uh—” she paused, smiling awkwardly, as if she was hiding something. “I have… something I need to do?”

He narrowed his eyes. “You better not be off with that skxawng—”

“Hey!” She shot him a look. “You do the same exact thing. Don’t think I haven’t noticed, you’re not exactly good at hiding the way you stare at her.” Her lips curled into a cheshire grin. “You are totally in love.”

“Don’t even.” He warned. But he didn’t laugh. Didn’t scoff. Didn’t deny it.

“HA— wait.” She paused, the words sinking in her head. “You’re not even denying it? You? Love? Y/N—”

“I swear I will snitch on you.”

“I’m sorry.” She laughed, already stepping away. “Heh… you love herrr— sorry.”

He dropped back down with a thud, groaning as he covered his face in his hands once more. He stayed like that for a while, contemplating every decision he had ever made, contemplating his life.

Then, he thought of you. It was inevitable. He swore you had lived two lives. One on the shore and the other within the microscopic nooks and crannies in his brain. You lingered in every thought. Even if it was the furthest thing to you— he’d always find a way back to you. It was always— it will always be you.

His chest tightened. He got up abruptly at the thought, finding a newfound excitement to start his day. He got ready quickly, fastened his best armband, and made a futile attempt to wash off the tiredness on his face— though he hardly succeeded.

Still, he didn’t mind.

Not if it meant seeing you.

As he stepped out, he was met with the already awake village. The morning light filtered through the canopy as children played with one another, parents occupied with their own routines. He rolled his shoulders, it ached— badly. This had never happened. Eywa, you are very funny, he thought.

He clicked his tongue under his breath.

Great.

The familiar group of young warriors came into view. Between them, he caught sight of you. He hadn’t even meant to search for you, it had just happened naturally. And something in him eased, slightly, just enough for him to feel it. Like a warmth spreading down his spine. Like the warmth you radiated curled up against him. He walked faster toward you, his pace increasing without him even realizing.

When he got there, you greeted him with a smile. You hadn’t the time to look at him, really look at him. Just enough for him to stand close to you, to feel your shoulder bump against his.

“You’re late,” you whisper. “You never are.”

“You noticed.” He grinned. Of course you did. He remembered every little thing about you, too. But if he listed them, he feared it would last an eternity.

“ ‘course I do.” You shot back, not even bothering to look at him. He cheesed harder at your words, tongue poking at his canines.

“Partner up.” A voice boomed. You both forgot what you were really here for, too occupied on each other's words, on the small touches, on the shocks that ran through your body every time you felt them.

“Hm,” you faked thought. “Who should I pick?”

He rolled his eyes, grumbling as his hand met your waist, curling around it as he dragged you to your own space. You giggled softly, yet once you had your distance, his hand lingered for just a beat longer than necessary, almost as if he was contemplating not letting go at all.

Across you, Tsireya watched with a knowing look, nudging Lo’ak’s shoulder. She cooed at the sight of her brother, the big bad Ao’nung, softened around you. It was weird. It was funny. It was cute.

Lo’ak gagged at the sight. He made the horrible mistake of adding a sound effect, to which you snapped your neck toward. Your eyes narrowed, your finger dragged horizontally across your neck. I’m gonna kill you, you mouthed. He just chuckled, whispering something to Tsireya that made her lose her composure.

You moved together easily, flowing like water, like muscle memory. Striking, dodging, circling around one another in a hunger you couldn’t replicate with anyone else. Not when each touch, each brush, each collision lit your body on fire— both of yours.

This time, he moved slower than usual. Missing a dodge, his strikes lagging behind. You noticed every move.

“You okay?” You murmured when no one else was looking, concern written all over your face.

He swallowed. It was hard to get the words out when you looked so divine, even when you were breathless. Especially when you were breathless.

“Yeah,” he replied without skipping a beat. You didn’t believe him. He knew you didn’t.

“You’re slower,” you hesitated, “more tired, I mean.”

He didn’t reply for a beat, a few seconds too long. You knew something was wrong.

“Didn’t sleep,” he admitted, then corrected himself. “Couldn’t sleep.”

You furrowed your brows, your face curved with care, with gentleness. Your voice dropped.

“Oh,” you said. “Is it bad?”

He exhaled, sighed actually. A faint huff of a laugh beneath it. “I’ve been worse. Don’t worry about me.”

You sighed. You hated how stubborn he was.

“Too late,” you said, your face lined with worry. With caution. “You wanna slow down? Seriously, it’s o—”

“I don’t wanna, ‘m fine,” he pushed. He looked into your eyes, looked at the way your face scrunched in disbelief. He loves how much you care. “I swear.”

“You’re a terrible liar.” You retorted, eyes rolling. You looked at him one last time, inhaling as you got back into position.

“Just,” you warned him, “don’t pass out on me.”

“No promises,” he said as his lips curled into a devilish grin.

“You’re impossible.” you scoffed, trying to hide how much you cared. How much you love him.

“You love it.”

Unfortunately, he was right. You made sure he didn’t know. You struck once more, successfully getting him under your knife. You smirked, embracing your win, ravishing in your rare glory against him.

“When will you learn not to get distracted so easily?” You teased, a cheshire grin on your lips.

“When I stop having a pretty girl trying to fight me.” He shot back. He saw the way you blinked. The way your ears twitched ever so slightly, and especially the way your tail flicked faster at that. He knew how to get under your skin. How to press the right buttons to get you so flustered. He loved it.

“Enough.” The instructor cut in, telling everyone to take a break.

You both stayed there a beat too long, eyes stuck on one another. You saw it then, his eyes flicked down to your lips, the way he had done before. You broke away before you got ahead of yourself. Before he had listened to his impulsive thoughts and taken the chance right there and then. No, he wanted it to be special. He had spent all night planning it out, he wouldn’t let one singular stupid impulse ruin it.

You parted with an exhale as he tilted his head in amusement. It seemed as if he wasn’t so restless after all.

<3

You had a serious problem.

You had both made an awful habit to stare at each other during supper. Sometimes it was a quick glance, others a longing stare, and yet, even when you had caught him staring countless times, he had always grinned back shamelessly.

In truth, it took guts not to ogle at him all night when he sits right across from you, your families forming a sort of deformed oval shape every time. You hated how he looked in the soft, dim light. How the bioluminescent planktons bounced a light off his skin that made him look awfully beautiful. How his freckles lit his face, forming a path that went all the way down his torso. How his terrible smile and embarrassing, shameless habit of staring only made you want him more.

You brushed the thought off before it got too far, opting to find the woven mat below to be a more interesting subject. What you had failed to notice though, was that he was staring at you, thinking the same exact things. And what you both had failed to notice, was that everyone else was aware of it.

When you two were talking, they’d snicker at one another. When you two were training, hitting and jabbing at each other, they’d see the extra caution in his movements, as if he could never bring himself to hurt you, especially not like that. And lastly, when you two were too occupied sneaking looks at one another, they’d smile knowingly at how idiotic you two looked. And yet, they had never verbalized it, never made you two aware of how obvious it was— until now.

“So,” Lo’ak cut in. “Are you two like… a thing?”

Oh, he was so dead.

You huffed, ears pinned back as your face flushed in shame.

“What? No—” Your voice cracked as if it betrayed itself.

Ao’nung didn’t even look at him, instead finding solace in your face. He watched how you reacted, his eyes flicking to yours, your ears, your expression. You saw Tsireya giggling, leaning closer to Lo’ak as if they had planned this through.

“You’re really bad liars,” she added.

“That’s not—” Ao’nung started, rubbing the back of his neck. He was flustered, and now it was your turn to stare. “It’s not like that.”

The silence that followed was overbearingly loud. Everyone was looking at you and him now. People you loved, faces you see every single hour of your waking life.

It hit you then, sharp and sudden. Your family was here, and so was his.

“Who?” Tonowari cut in, brows furrowing slightly, completely unaware of how his son had fallen head over heels for Toruk Makto’s daughter. “What are we talking about here?”

You saw Ao’nung stiffen ahead of you as you swallowed.

Lo’ak grinned like it had gone even better than he had planned. “Just wondering,” he started, eyes darting between you two, “why these two are always together.”

“Training partners,” Rotxo added. “Every time.”

“What a coincidence!” Kiri chimed in. “They’re always sitting next to each other.”

“Except dinner,” Tsireya said, a sneaky smile on her face. “They’re always staring at each other. Weird right?”

You both groaned, hiding your face in your hands. Despite trying your best not to smile, you failed. Horribly.

The parents hummed, thoughtful now, as they looked at the two of you. Your mother softened her eyes as Jake looked far too entertained for your liking.

“I mean,” He chimed in. “You are gonna have to make that decision soon.” He said as he shrugged.

You groaned at him, “Dad!”

Neytiri poked at his side, glaring at him like she had at Lo’ak.

“Jake.” She warned.

“What?” He said innocently. “Just saying.”

Laughter bloomed at that. And for a moment, everything felt warm. Like you had officially made it home. Your heart was pounding beneath it all. Through the laughter, you met his eyes. He tilted his head slightly, mouth forming the words without sound.

Meet me at our spot.

Your breath caught as a soft, gentle warmth enveloped your heart. You nodded, looking at him. He was already smiling, though it had only been for your eyes, like the world had narrowed down to just the two of you.

<3

Ao’nung had left not long after, making up some lame excuse that was weirdly believable, by his parents’ standards. When people had started to get up and go to bed, you watched the tide once more, legs dangling off the woven floors. You couldn’t deny the excitement that bubbled up your stomach and latched onto your heart, eventually landing on the soft purple on the apples of your cheeks. Unlike him, you slipped away easily. Your parents knew you had always liked your time alone, slipping away to Eywa knows where. They trusted you, knew that you’d always come back safe and sound.

Under the eclipse, life started to fade, into slumber, into the temporary darkness. Your feet moved instinctively, as if every step was etched into your muscles. You reached the tall stones of the entrance, hesitating for just a moment. It wasn’t doubt, no, you never doubted a single second with him. You were nervous. You had taken the leap and changed what was between you two without a single word being uttered.

When you stepped in, he was already on the rocks, staring into the waters below, at the kelp that gently swayed, the little animals that swam and crawled around the rocks, at the newly bloomed flowers that glowed brightly under the moonlight that always made him think of you.

He turned towards you, even though your steps hadn’t made a single sound. He knew your presence, knew when you stepped into a room, he felt you all the time. His hair was slightly looser, soft strands of curls gracing his face. Inside the cove, his freckles had glowed brighter. He smiled at you.

“Hi,” you murmured.

“Hey,” he replied, his voice softer than usual. You moved closer, sitting beside him on the flat rock. You breathed, feeling the soft graze of your shoulders that came with the slightest movement.

“Well, that was…” you started, hesitating for just a moment, “something. Before— Lo’ak, I mean.”

“Skxawng.” He scoffed, a smile tugging at his lips. “I knew they were up to something this morning.”

“They’re cute together,” you said lightly. “You can’t deny it.”

“Gross. Seriously.” He shook his head, but his eyes crinkled with amusement. You always liked the way he smiled with his whole face, his cheeks suddenly prominent, his eyes crinkling. It reminded you of a baby.

“When you have a brother like Lo’ak,” you continued, settling closer beside him, “it’s hard to miss the way she changes him. Like, she softens him. He’s… calmer.”

He glanced at you then, really looking at you. From your eyes that seemed to hold all the stars in the universe, to the curve of your nose, to your soft lips that he couldn’t bring himself to pry his eyes away from.

“I guess,” he said. “Still, disgusting. I feel nauseous even thinking about it.”

You laughed softly, the sound bouncing off the stone walls.

“You are such a hater, Nung.” You nudged him. “Still, it makes me think about what they say about us.”

“What?” His head snapped towards yours. “I don’t—”

“The big bad Ao’nung,” you teased, “soft for a forest girl.”

He groaned, though the smile on his lips curled traitorously.

“I can’t blame him,” you added. “It’s not every day you get to have a forest girl around.”

He yawned softly. You knew he was tired, you could tell by how he blinked for a beat too long. As if at any given moment, he’d fall right asleep.

“Tired?” You asked gently, placing your palm over his. “We can head—”

“No.” He straightened quickly. “I’ll survive.”

You let your palm stay there, glued to his like it had always been there.

“You say that too many times for my liking.”

“Then you’re just gonna have to deal with it,” he smirked, “forest girl.”

“And you,” you said, finally lifting your hand to jab at his chest. “Need to sleep tonight, fish boy.”

“You don’t even know how hard I try.” He groaned into his palm. “Every time I close my eyes I. I see—”

“See what?”

He hesitated. You noticed how his jaw clenched, how his posture shot back up, as if he was hiding classified information.

“No.”

“Don’t do that to me,” you groaned. “Ao’nung, just tell me. I promise it’s probably not even embarrassing. Trust me— I know embarrassing.” You leaned closer at that, nudging him with your shoulder. “Please,” you dragged. “C’mon, you’re so mean to me.”

He scoffed at your words. “One— no. And two? I have been very kind, actually.” He looped his finger around your necklace, the necklace he made for you. The touch burned. Something in you ached. “Look, you’re wearing proof of it.”

“This?” you said lightly. “This— was a very pretty apology. Doesn’t count.”

“What? That’s not f—” you didn’t let him finish.

In the blink of an eye, you lunged at him. Tickling every single part of his body you could reach. Your fingers dug at his sides as he yelped.

“Tell me,” you laughed breathlessly, “or I’m not going to stop.”

“No— ah!” He twisted, wriggling around to try and escape your wrath.

He moved around like a worm as you continued your attack. Laughter bounced off the walls, as the sea witnessed the sight. And somehow— some way, you found yourself in an incriminating position.

He had pinned you gently to the rock below you, with one hand braced beside your head and the other pinning your wrists against your chest without thinking. The laughter died slowly. He was breathless, strands of curls falling over his head and gently grazing your cheek. It was all too familiar.

Your chests bounced up and down, trying to calm your nerves. But he was too close. Far too close.

His touch burned you, sending sparks down your spine and setting your heart on fire. His breath ghosted a mere few inches above your lips. The laughter was long gone, and yet— neither of you moved. Instead, he loosened his grip on your wrist just enough for your hand to snake back up to his jaw. You felt him swallow under your touch. His throat bobbed, jaw tightening like it was holding something back.

It slipped past your mouth before you could even stop yourself.

“Ao’nung,” you whispered.

His eyes shut, ears pinning back. You swore his heart hammered against his chest so hard you felt it against yours.

“I—” he started, then stopped.

The words lingered on the tip of his tongue. But he couldn’t do it, couldn’t say it. Not when you looked like this, under him, breathless. Not when you said his name like that.

“Say it,” you breathed. His eyes snapped towards yours, pupils blown wider than you’ve ever seen them before. “Say—”

“I can’t,” he murmured, eyes constantly flickering from your eyes to your lips like an unbroken cycle. You tilted your head slightly. If you moved a single muscle, you’d close the gap between you two. But you didn’t. Instead, you grinned at him, the hand on his jaw moving behind his ear and up to his hair.

In the process, you had unknowingly grazed the base of his kuru. He swore he’d get his payback for that— one day. He shivered at your touch, eyes fluttering before narrowing back at you. His tongue poked at his cheek, a smile tugged at his lips before whispering.

“You’re going to kill me,” he breathed, hesitating for just a bit. You felt his tail wrap around your thigh.

“Hm,” you hummed. The noise sent a buzz across both your bodies. His breath hitched against your lips. He let out a low, broken sound in his throat. Only Eywa knows how hard he was fighting to not lose composure. To not lean in right there and then. To not wrap his hands around you like an anchor. To not listen to the very impulse that had rang in his head like an alarm for the past few weeks.

He leaned in anyway. So slowly it hurt.

Your noses brushed. A soft, accidental graze that sent a jolt through you. You inhaled sharply, and so did he— sharp and shaky. He was warm, so warm.

You felt the heat of his lips against yours. The promise.

Your eyes fluttered shut. For one torturous moment, you were so sure this was it.

But he stopped.

Another sound tore from his throat, somewhere between a groan and a sigh. It was torture. Then, his lips brushed, then landed on your jaw, a breath away from your lips. He pressed a single peck there before he trailed down your jaw to the crook of your neck, finding a new home within its warmth. Your grip tightened in his hair, both of you shuddering for a moment. His hands flexed against your sides, tail pressing even harder against your thigh. He inhaled sharply.

“You can’t do that to me.” He stuttered into your neck, breath hot. Every fibre in your being was screaming at you. You wanted to snap. “You don’t even know.”

He nudged his nose against your neck harder.

“I want to—” he started, stopping himself immediately. Then,

“I want you so bad it hurts.”

He confessed that like it was a sin. Your heart hammered. He felt it.

“Then why don’t you do something?" You asked, breathless despite not doing a single thing.

“Because,” he breathed you in. “If I do, I don’t know if I’d stop.”

Your breath hitched at his words. Eywa, this was definitely torture.

“Then don’t.” You pushed.

He lifted his head then, finally looking you in the eyes.

“You deserve more than this. I want it to be proper.” He smiled, letting out a soft laugh.

“Next time,” you murmured.

“Next time.” He echoed.

He rested his forehead against yours— soft, warm, intimate. But not enough.

The walk back was quiet, but not empty. It was never that way with him. The quiet never brought discomfort, it was always just… there. Just the silence of being together, walking together, and listening to the distant waves crash against the reef. Your steps fall into rhythm without even trying. Like it was something natural. You were close enough that his shoulder was practically glued onto yours. The air between you was charged, like one wrong movement would snap the very thin rope.

His hand drifts closer, without even meaning to. It was always there, an open offer for you to take. This time, it felt different. It was still the gentle, warm touch that soothed you, but it had a deeper meaning between it. As if the second you took it, it would’ve solidified all your beliefs. That this was real. You and him.

You hooked your pinky around his. Then, his fingers curled around yours, enveloping it like it always did. His thumb pressed into the back of your palm, tapping three distinct taps. You smiled. Neither of you said a single word.

His grip tightened before you had reached the entrance of your marui. Like he didn’t want to let go, like he wanted to hold you— forever. Then, his arm let go, opting to wrap around your waist as he pulled you closer to his side. Steps away from your place, he slowed down. As if he wasn’t ready to let go of this moment just yet. His fingers brushed soft circles above your hip.

“You’re always welcome to sleep here,” you whispered. “If you want.”

He looked tempted, you swore his lips almost gave into a soft yes. Instead, he shook his head.

“I shouldn’t,” he said softly. “Not tonight.”

Then, he craned his neck closer, pressing a soft, gentle kiss on your forehead.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” he whispered against you.

You smiled as he stepped back, turning around to go to your own place. You knew he was watching, he always did. Even if it was as small as this. Your heart couldn’t help but bloom after that.

You fell back against your mat, eyes fluttering shut as you drifted asleep.

<3

Ao’nung stared at his ceiling. Again.

This was horrible. You had him under spells and he was hopeless. His thoughts raced, thinking of every possible solution. And yet, only one was for sure. Still, he was scared that you’d reject him, kick him out as if he was a lost puppy. He huffed, dragging his palm down his face. Then, without him even thinking, he was in front of your marui. His own footsteps had betrayed him.

By some miracle, you had woken up at the right time to see a shadow outside the entrance. Without hesitation, you got up, knowing exactly who it was.

“I— uh…” he hesitated softly, rubbing the back of his neck before continuing, “couldn’t sleep?”

A small smile tugged at your lips as you yawned softly. Even in rest you could still tease him.

“You said you were fine.”

“I was lying,” he admitted quietly. “Just a little.”

You shifted, grabbing a hold of his hand as you led him inside. His footsteps were lighter, more cautious as he passed your sleeping family.

“I won’t stay long,” he whispered. “Just until I’m sleepy.”

“Mhm,” you murmured. You didn’t believe him.

You laid down with him, noticing how he had hesitated for a beat before following you, as if it was something dangerous, something fragile.

He laid down on his back, stiff at first, arms folded loosely over his chest. There was a respectful distance between you, as if he hadn’t almost crossed the line moments before. And yet, even his presence, and your presence, grounded him— engulfed him in a warmth impossible to achieve without you.

Eventually, you rolled onto your side to face him. He turned his head to face yours, eyes already set on you like he always had.

“You’re really bad at relaxing,” you whispered, loud enough for only his ears to catch.

He huffed a quiet laugh. “Only when I’m not alone.”

You hadn’t even meant to, it was like a reflex. You scooted closer, resting your head against his shoulder as your arm draped over his torso. You paused for a beat, giving him time to pull away. When he didn’t, you relaxed, and melted onto him, as if you were a warm blanket on him.

You felt his breath slow and slowly, his arm came around you, settling comfortably at your waist like he was still testing the waters. He rested it after a few tentative minutes, firm and warm, like it had always belonged there. You heard him exhale, the tension leaving his body.

His tail shifted then, tapping against your thigh, then wrapping around it like an instinct. You smiled against him, burying your face in his shoulder. Everything felt warm, like home, intimate in the simplest way. His thumb continued to trace small circles against your back. The silence was comfortable.

At some point, you felt it falter, his breathing had evened out. You realized it then, he was out like a light. You let him sleep. You didn’t dare to move, not a single muscle. Except when you smiled, a soft, satisfied smile against him. You heard soft snores escape past his lips. The waves gently crashed against the reef, as it always had, outside your marui. It felt like everything had fallen into its right place. Like you had made a new home, here with him.

note. im kicking my feet i want him sb 🫨

[drewdaist]

north.

ao’nung x sully!reader

chapter vii. i never let anybody in (but somehow you got under my skin)

The light passed through the cracks of the cove.

Soft. Gentle. Warm.

The tide had risen, the pool filling up just slightly as small fish emerged, starting their day early. You woke, hesitating just a moment. For a second, you forgot where you were– until you felt a warmth wrapping you like a blanket.

Ao’nung had you tucked under him– an arm slung around you, his tail curling slightly at your thigh, lips parting as soft snores escaped. Your eyes softened at the sight of him peacefully sleeping.

You didn't panic, you didn’t flinch, Eywa, your breath didn’t even hitch. It was as if you were exactly where you were meant to be. As if it was natural.

He stirred as you were staring at him. His voice was hoarse, mind still groggy after just waking up.

“Hey,” he rasped. “G’morning.”

You smiled softly, your voice like a warm blanket against him.

“Hi,” you muttered.

Then, he realized the position you were in. You curled up against him, him clinging onto you like his life depended on it.

“Oh,”

You let out a weak huff, almost sounding like a laugh, but not quite. Still, he grinned at that.

“There she is,” he said, voice still low and rough. You covered your face in your palms, embarrassed that you let this happen, that it felt so right– so perfect.

You both stayed like that, unmoving, simply listening to the soft, distant waves and chirping animals. As the moment fleeted, you felt the grief settle back in your heart like it had never left.

He noticed. Noticed how you stiffened slightly, how your breath stopped its familiar rhythm. He sat up, stretching his arms high and wide.

“Eywa, my back—” he grumbled.

“Shit, I’m sorry,” you blurted. “I shouldn’t have fallen asleep–”

“No,” he cut in gently, “please.” A small smile tugged at his lips. “That was probably the best sleep I've gotten in a while.”

“Even though it cost you your precious back?” you teased, feeling a tiny bit lighter than you were moments ago.

“An arm and a leg,” he replied without skipping a beat.

You looked at him then. Really looked at him. His hair was a mess, bun barely holding on. His skin was marked faintly by coral impressions from where he’d been lying, proof that he hadn’t moved— not even once.

“Really, Ao.” you said quietly. “Thank you.”

“Always.”

The walk back to the village was slow.

The world was slowly waking up, slowly moving on. You heard the ilus call from the shore, the waves softly crash against the reef, the sound of people moving through shared grief. It was still quiet. Small talk, with little to no laughter. He stayed by your side the whole way.

When the village, the people, came into view, your chest tightened. You knew with this step that everything would be gray again. You saw familiar shapes, Ronal and Tonowari, your friends and siblings gathered, and your parents.

In that light, they looked older. Pained. Tsireya spotted you first, meeting you with a gentle hug as you hugged her back. Tonowari nodded briefly, then towards his son who was a few steps behind you– shooting him a knowing look.

When Jake spotted you, relief washed over his face, still present was the grief, the pain from his open wound. You stepped toward him, toward your family now.

“I was worried,” Jake murmured.

“I figured,” you said. “I’m here.”

Ao’nung appeared behind you, clearing his throat.

“I, uh,” he said awkwardly. “I’m sorry for worrying you, Sir. I promise your daughter was safe the whole night.”

Jake nodded, a knowing look on his face.

“Thanks, kid.”

As the day began, quietly, carefully– you stayed close to your family, to the people you loved. The grief was unwavering. It anchored you in place, between the soft tendrils of the glowing anemones that held him.

But they were there with you. Feeling the same pain, the same grief.

That itself was enough for you to keep going. To live for him the way he would want you to.

<3

You had painted a stripe down your face, all the way down your torso– a traditional Na’vi symbol of mourning.

You didn’t tell anyone where you were going, not even your parents.

They knew you needed space, you needed to be alone, separated from all things that lead back to him— just for a moment.

The village hummed as you walked along the shore. It felt wrong that the world still kept spinning after his death. You slipped past the people, past the worried glances of the people who had heard of the tragedy.

The path to the spirit tree felt familiar, your feet itself moved in instinct. You felt the strip of white weigh you down as if it said, my world has stopped, yet you all live on– as if it anchored you to the grief you carried.

Behind you, you felt a shadow, felt the footsteps that followed yours– and you let it. Because without any words being said, you knew who it was, why he was there. He gave you enough distance and comfort at the same time. You knew he didn’t mean to follow you. It became a habit of his, to not let you fall back into isolation, but he still gave you the space to breathe, to grieve. His being– steps away from yours, said everything. I’m here with you, I’ll stay here until you need me again, until you’re ready.

You knelt at the water’s edge, fingers trembling slightly as you grazed the surface.

Only then did he speak, softly, as if he was crossing a line.

“I won’t stay if you don’t want me to.”

You turned, just enough so he could see the slightest bit of your face. You shook your head once, barely visible. But he caught on, he stayed.

You stood still, a silent plea for him to come closer. He obeyed, walking to your figure– not touching you, but close enough that your shoulders brushed. Close enough that you felt his warmth, steady and real.

When your breath hitched, feet moving ever so slightly towards the tree, he tapped your wrist with three soft presses.

I’m right here.

You inhaled a shaky breath, preparing yourself as you made your way under. He followed.

The tree illuminated the waters below, humming a quiet, natural song. Even in grief, Eywa still sings.

Your fingers brushed your kuru as you hesitated. For a moment, fear curled up your throat. Fear of what you might see, of what you might feel, of how you might act. You felt it bubble, backing away from the tree just a bit. Then, you remembered all the words unsaid. How you never said goodbye, how you never told him how grateful you were to have him– your other half. You let the soft tendrils of your kuru connect, ears pinning back from the feeling.

The water swallowed you whole as everything faded away into nothingness. Then– light. Soft. Just like it always did at home, peeking through the branches of the Hometree. It was the very first memory you had. The fire crackled softly as the scent of charred sturmbeest wafted through the air. Your mother was above it, watching it cook intently as she hummed a soft, gentle song– Lo’ak’s song. You saw a baby Lo’ak slung around her, sleeping peacefully.

Beside you, a small, young Neteyam groaned.

“Ma’sanok, I’m hungry.” He complained, tugging at Neytiri’s side.

You giggled, nudging him with your shoulder. Your mother shot him a stern, yet fond look, then said,

“You must be patient, Teyam.”

He sighed dramatically, crossing his arms as if he had just been betrayed. You forgot how dramatic he was.

Jake emerged from the light, smiling as he scooped you and Neteyam up effortlessly, swinging each of you over one shoulder. You met Neteyam at his back, laughter spilling from your chest as you squirmed.

“Gotcha,” he said, voice warm and easy.

For a moment, everything felt safe. Whole. Like this was what home was supposed to be. Like nothing had ever come close to corrupting it.

When he placed you back down, making his way over to a focused Neytiri, the light had shifted slightly. Neteyam had aged, the same age he was when he died. He stood in front of you, eyes soft in something you didn’t know how to name. He was happy. Untouched. Unharmed. He was smiling, until he noticed your absence of it. Your chest seized, breath hitching as your eyes burned.

“Why are you crying?” He asked gently, stepping closer to you. He didn’t know.

You shook your head. You didn’t answer. You couldn’t answer. Instead, you wrapped your arms around him, holding on as tight as you could, afraid he might disappear again.

“I love you, Teyam,” you whispered, voice breaking. “I’m sorry.”

He hugged you back without hesitation, twice as hard.

You didn’t have to say it. He knew.

“I don’t know what to do,” you sobbed into his shoulder. “I don’t know how to live without you.”

You felt him shift, his breath picking up a different pace before he spoke.

“You have to,” he started, voice wavering. “You don’t have to be strong all the time. Just… live.”

Before you could speak or sob again, he continued.

“You’ll figure it out. You’ll learn, you always do. I don’t want you to miss out on a life stuck on me, on my… my death.” The words tasted bitter against his tongue, unnatural. Announcing his own death felt wrong in every way possible. His hands found your face, pulling away just enough to look at you.

“You’re not alone anymore,” he smiled, his eyes dropping down before he continued. “Just… take care of them for me. Live as much as you can… for me. For the life I couldn’t continue, though I’m more than grateful to have lived it with you, with mom, dad, with everyone else. Eywa, I’d take Lo’ak’s blame a thousand more times if it meant I could relive my 15 years of life for just a second.”

He smiled like it was painful, face scrunching as though his wound had reappeared.

“Tell me– promise me you will.” He asked.

“Yeah,” you whispered, “I promise.”

With that, the memory faded. You tugged at your kuru, letting the tendrils disconnect from one another.

You broke the surface with a gasp, his head already on yours. He waited. The light from the tree felt dimmer now that you had done it, now that you had heard his words. Jake knew before he even said it. You have to live for him, that’s what he would've wanted.

He grabbed your hand, breaking your thoughts as he guided you back to the rocks. He sat there with you, silent, patient. You placed a hand on his thigh briefly, as you choked back a soft cry. You wrapped your arms around him. You didn’t have to say anything. He didn’t have to say anything. He held your hair and your back, he held you in this life, in this moment.

In a small voice, he murmured.

“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to,” he started. “But I’ll be here. Always.” He squeezed you a little harder at his words. He felt you shake your head against his shoulder.

“I saw him,” you said. “He was happy. Confused. He– he didn’t know what happened.” Your voice cracked. “It was so hard to say, so I didn’t. But he knew anyway. I don’t know how I was supposed to live, without him.”

Your breath hitched, steadying yourself before continuing. He stayed silent, still rubbing your back, softly.

“But I know now, I think. I don’t want to, but I do. And I have to live for him, even if I still don’t know how to be a person without him.”

Ao’nung didn’t tell you how to fix it. That it was going to be okay. That you had to be someone you weren’t.

“I don’t know how to, either,” he hesitated, admitting softly. “Life— it moves relentlessly. You’re still stuck, grieving. And yet, the world still lives on. Still goes on after your loss. Spitting you out and leaving you bare. You don’t have to be strong. You don’t have to act like it’s okay, because it’s not. You don’t have to pretend, you just have to be. To live. To be close to the ones you love.”

He twitched at that, like he had just confessed something he wasn’t supposed to. He expected you to move, to freeze, to flinch. You didn’t. You stayed, listening, waiting.

“I used to think if I stayed busy, training, running from it– it wouldn’t get to me. But it did. It always came back for me.”

You swallowed, pulling back to look into his eyes, to look at him.

“It came back for me too.”

His hands were on yours now, thumb brushing along the ridges of your knuckles. You saw him hesitate, lips parting as if the words had already spilled.

“But… when you’re there,” he starts. “It’s different. It doesn’t go away– it never does. But it doesn’t feel suffocating either. I don’t feel so…”

He searched for the words. You completed it for him.

“Alone?” He nodded, a soft tug at his lips. ‘Yeah, me too.”

He let out a soft breath, not quite a laugh, not quite a sigh.

“Good.” He murmured. “Because I don’t want you to be.”

You leaned in, forehead pressing against him, steady, certain, grounding. With him, every day felt like a step toward happiness. With him, your thoughts faltered into nothingness.

“We’ll figure it out. Together,” he whispered. “Even if it takes an eternity.”

This time, you tapped against the ridge of his jaw. Three words he had never dared to say. Three words he feared would snap the fine line between you two. Three words that would change everything. And as you stood, everything shifted. Between you, the air no longer held any weight.

The grief was still there, but so was he, and so were you— as well as a third, comforting presence in the air that lingered. You couldn’t name it, but it felt new yet familiar. It felt like the soft breeze, like the way the waters glimmered as the fractions of light grazed the surface. It felt like the planktons blooming beneath your touch, like the soft landing of an atokirina on your heart. And that changed everything.

<3

The sky burned a lilac heaven as eclipse began. It came every day without fail, as did supper. A time to nourish the body, the soul, to connect with the people around you.

Sounds were still dim, a quiet, healing grief shared amongst the crowd. You sat between your family, shoulders drawn in, mourning paint still stark against all of your skins. And yet, something had shifted in you.

Jake noticed it first, but he hadn’t bothered to voice it. Not until he saw another pair of eyes on you, steady, comforting, cautious. You caught the way his jaw tightened ever so slightly, eyes flicking in something you hadn’t read yet. You followed his eyes, feeling the same warmth engulfing you from afar. Across you, behind Lo’ak, was Ao’nung. His eyes were on you, as if he was trying to decipher a code, trying to peek into your soul. You had caught him staring.

His ears pinned back, cheeks a soft purple shade as his tail swished in a flustered flurry. He smiled at you— softly, knowing. Then, his smile stiffened into an awkward tug. You followed his gaze. He was smiling at Jake.

You felt heat build on your cheeks as your fingers fidgeted. Jake furrowed his brows at you as you replied to him with a… smile? You bared your teeth, not quite a grin, but not a hiss either. You just did. He nodded at you, concerned that maybe you fell, tripped your head, and lost your brain in the midst of it. You hung your head low, staring at the woven mat below, trying to avoid making it more obvious than it already was.

You felt it then, how the space between you changed. Like a thread pulled taut— not snapping, just there.

Jake saw that too.

When the eclipse was full and people began to depart, back to their maruis, off to end the day— you found yourself by the water.

The tide was going out, waves pulling back with each crash. Under the waters, life still moved in hues of blue and purple. You stared at it, watching the light bounce off every surface (Ao’nung watched how it bounced off your skin, your freckles brighter than a thousand stars). Beside you, Kiri joined you without sound.

She sat, knees drawn to her chest, eyes reflecting the bioluminescence like she belonged to it. Quietly, her voice started.

“Y/N…” she said, sharply inhaling. “It’s okay, you know.”

You swallowed. “What is?”

She tilted her head slightly, a knowing smile tugging at her lips. “Moving on. Letting yourself fall back into life again.”

Your fingers curled into the wet sand beneath you. “Kiri—”

“The longer you hold yourself back, away from it,” she continued gently, “the more it hurts. Love isn’t forbidden. Not when it’s kind. Not when it’s gentle. Not when it’s pure.”

You didn’t look at her, opting to watch the waters once more, but you felt her eyes on you.

“I see it,” she added softly. “Between you and him.”

Your breath stuttered. “It scares me.”

“That’s okay too,” she said, standing. “Just… don’t close the door. Let it happen. Let him love you the way you already love him.”

And then, she was gone. Like the tide slipping back into the sea. Still, you stayed. Thinking, breathing, being.

You thought of him. Of his hands which always found their way to you. A graze, a tug, or wrapped around you. He never pushed, never asked for more than you could give him. He was always there, for you, with open arms and an open heart. Ready to give you whatever you need, warmth, sanctuary, life. All that he had, he was ready to give, to share it with you— together.

You thought of how he made you laugh when you thought you never would again. How grief was still present, still in you– but it had no longer shadowed your heart. How your heart made space for a new tenant.

When you finally stood, you caught sight of him at the edge of the village. He had seen you too. Neither of you moved. Then, he gave you a small nod, and a smile that had become your new favorite sight. It wasn’t an invitation, nor was it a question. Just acknowledgement.

You nodded back.

He turned toward his marui. So did you.

<3

Sleep didn’t come, not even a wink of it.

Ao’nung tried everything– again. It started that day, when he had almost done it, almost pulled you closer, almost crossed the line. But last night, even whilst being stabbed by the tiny ridges of the coral, he still slept like a baby. It didn’t take him long to realize why. He had always known it was true, but his suspicions were just confirmed.

He thought back to you. The way you curled up against him. How your breathing had evened out, your heart finding a steady song to repeat. He remembered your warmth, the solace you carried with you. How the world had finally gone quiet beside you.

He shifted, turning onto his back. He stared at the woven ceiling, one his traced over with his eyes too often now. He exhaled.

It wasn’t just that he missed you. Of course he did. He missed you, all of you.

But it was that sleep itself felt wrong without you now. Like something essential was missing, like an ocean with no water.

He pressed his palm to his eyes as a small, knowing smile tugged at his lips. He felt warmth spread across his cheek, over his heart.

Eywa, help me, he whispered.

Somewhere between the warmth of you and the ache of the distance, he still felt it lingering, humming within him like a tulkun’s song. A realization settled in him:

He was already in too deep.

And he didn’t want out.

note. yay we’re happy again

[drewdaist]

north.

ao’nung x sully!reader

note. this chapter follows the main event of atwow (neteyam’s death), it’s a bit longer, and unfortunately not as much fluff as the previous chapter, sorry guys 🙂‍↕️

chapter vi. hold me until someone sends me a sign

Nothing was ever simple.

Simplicity was never meant for the Sullies. It didn’t matter how cozy you got, or how much you made Awa’atlu your new home– Quaritch was still on the hunt for you. And with each passing day, you knew he was getting closer to you.

“Our brothers and sister have returned,” Tsireya announced, her smile beaming like the sun. “Come!”

That’s when you saw it, across the horizon were small, moving mountains. It was beautiful. A sacred reunion to the Metkayina. You gasped in awe, feeling a hand on your arm. You turned over, greeted by Ao’nung’s smile. Tsireya motioned towards you and your siblings, urging you to come with.

“Come,” Ao’nung started, “meet my brother.”

He called for his ilu, diving in the water before surfacing with an open arm, an open invitation for you to come with him. He nodded, excitement written over his smile. He was careful, intent as you mounted his ilu, a hand grasping onto his hand while the other slid onto his waist.

He let your hand go for a moment, though the touch still burned– etching into your skin. He glanced back at you, grinning like an idiot.

“Ready?” He asked as you nodded in return, whispering a small reply.

“Always.”

With one hand gripped onto his ilu, he slid the other on your thigh, holding you in place. You dove under water, catching short glimpses of the native fish and bright corals.

And yet, your eyes still circled back to your thigh, where his hand lay.

In truth, you were fine with or without his anchor, but he still lingered. Your palm pressed harder against his waist, moments before you surfaced. Only then did his grip falter, moving to touch his brother’s head.

He motioned his hand to him, signing. Brother, I’ve missed you.

In return, the tulkun let out a low hum, eyes averting to you as you smiled.

Ao’nung let out a breathy laugh as he signed his words. This time, you only understood a handful of words. She… friend… gentle.

Beyond that, you couldn’t understand his words, blinking at the sight of his hands instead. But you saw it, his ears pinned back as he blushed. You wondered what his brother could’ve said to make him so flustered. Then, he turned toward you. “Go on,” he guided your hand toward his brother, “he wants to meet you.”

Your hand landed on his head, as the massive creature nudged it softly, earning small laughs from you and Ao’nung. It continued to hum as Ao’nung signed beside you. You didn’t pay any mind to him, too occupied with petting and grinning at the tulkun.

As you swam with them, you lost track of how many times his hand held onto yours. You were sure it etched into your skin. You wanted to stay in that moment forever. Where you were happy, where every anxious thought dissipated from your mind, where all that mattered was that you were there– happy with him.

<3

“Payakan is a killer,” Tonowari said, his stern voice failing to hide the fear beneath it, “and therefore he is an outcast.”

The air in the marui was thick as he scolded Lo’ak, disappointed that Tsireya allowed him to bond with the outcast. Since the arrival of the tulkun, a deep, lingering anxiety bloomed in the pits of your stomach. You knew that whatever was coming would be bad. Much worse than anyone thinks. Your head hung low, as did everyone else’s.

As Tonowari and Lo’ak go back and forth, you saw Neteyam’s eyes stuck on his brother– hoping that somehow, he’d stand down. But it was Lo’ak after all. Sighing, Jake grabs Lo’ak’s arm.

“That’s enough.” His voice boomed. He was tired and you knew it. Tired of everything, tired of running. Some days, you’d notice him by the reefs, watching the kids fish with their parents. You knew he missed home, missed when things weren’t complicated, when the biggest concern he had was of his kids growing up, of time passing by.

You stayed there as they dispersed. Lo’ak was off being scolded by Jake, Neteyam had stepped out for a breather. From the corner of your eye, you saw Ao’nung whispering to Tsireya as she cried, comforting her the best he could. Everyone else moved away, but you were anchored there, feeling a distasteful feeling rise up your throat. Your heart ached. You winced in pain, clutching your chest as you felt a hand on your back. There he was, again. This time, his concern took over him, hands twitching and grasping at whatever he could.

“Hey,” he muttered softly, “what’s wrong?”

You whimpered softly. It was all too much. Before you knew it, his hand had caught the tear sliding down your face, cupping your cheek gently.

“Look at me.” He guided. “I’ve got you.”

He pulled you into a hug, his movements careful and cautious, as if you were made of porcelain. Your head nested in the crook of his neck as you cried. You wanted to pull back, to look at him like nothing had happened, like you were fine– as you always were. But somewhere between, the thought had completely disappeared as he let you sob, soothing you through it all as his hand caressed your head while the other stayed firm around your waist. He muttered words of comfort that fell on deaf ears. You had stopped sobbing then, but still clung to his neck as if the whole world stopped for just a moment when you did, giving you a short break from the reality of it all.

You twitched, pulling away gently, his hand finding your cheek once more as you grasped onto his free one. Your head hung low until you decided to find his eyes. Your mouth had parted, trying to find the words that you lost sometime between now and then.

Instead, he smiled at you. The same, genuine smile he shot a few days ago. The smile he wore more often now with you. You breathed once more, accepting the words lost as you smiled weakly in return. You stayed there for a moment, or two.

With Ao’nung, time ceased to exist.

“I’m sorry,” you whispered. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

You exhaled shakily, voice trembling as you parted from his grip.

“I just—” your voice wavered. “I’ve had this feeling… this dream. It’s awful, Ao.” You swallowed “I saw the sky people, the RDA. I saw them come for me. For us.”

Your hands trembled now, curling into fists.

“With their big ships. Their guns. It’s like they were hunting. Hunting us. Me and you.” Your eyes burned. “I saw the tulkuns. Some were dead. Some were wailing. Their song was different. It hurt so much.”

His jaw tightened, but he stayed silent.

“What scared me the most,” you breathed, “was the people. Shot. Dying. Dead. So many of them.” Your voice broke. “I saw you, Ao’nung.”

He stilled.

“You were dead.” A choked sob escaped past your lips. “A bullet straight to your heart. And I couldn't save you anymore.” Your hands moved to your face. “I remember holding you. Eywa, it still terrifies me.”

You shook your head, as if the movement would erase the image from your head.

“I know they’re coming. And they won’t stop until they get us. They’ll hurt anything— anyone to get us.”

For a moment, the only sound was the waves crashing softly against the distant shore. Then, he reached for you. Slowly. Carefully.

He took your hands in his, palms warm and steady, grounding. The shake in you eased just a little.

“They will come,” he started. “That… I cannot deny.”

Your heart sank.

“But they will not take us so easily.” His thumb brushed over your knuckles gently. “Not while we are here. You. Me. Our families– our people.”

“They have their weapons,” he continued. “The guns you speak of. It will be hard.” His gaze softened. “But you are strong. Your brothers, your sisters– your parents. Strength runs through all of you.”

He hesitated for a moment, then moved closer. His forehead nearly touched yours.

“And believe me when I say this,” he murmured. “You will not lose me.”

Your breath hitched, a broken voice saying, “You don’t know that.”

“I do.” He smiled.

You frowned at him, “How?”

“Because I will be careful,” he said simply. “Because I will fight. Because if there is a future where you are standing alone, then I will live in every way I can to prevent it.”

His hand rose, resting over your heart. Your palm laid atop his.

“And because,” he added quietly. “I am not done being here. Not with you.”

That was all it took for your hands to cradle his head, steady, blinking. Then, you pulled him for a hug, your face burying into his shoulder once more. He wrapped his arms around you. Solid. Certain. Unwavering.

For a moment, your fears had gone away.

For a moment, all that was certain was you and him. And nothing else mattered.

<3

The death of Ronal’s sister, Ro’a, shook the island. She was a composer, a revered one— and a mother to a newborn calf. The clan gathered, eyes glued to the olo’eyktan ahead of them. Beside him, stood your father.

“We knew of this tulkun hunt,” his voice rang, booming across the area. “But it was far. Now, it is here.” His gaze averted to your father, who had looked far too hopeless.

“The sky people won’t stop,” he started. “This is just the beginning.”

His eyes moved across the room, facing the hurt, accusing eyes of the clan. Still, he continued his words.

“Your tulkun must leave. Go far away.”

Ronal lashed at that, eyes burning from the loss of her beloved sister.

“Leave?” She yelled. “You live here and learn nothing.” Her voice was unwavering, determined to fight as her hands waved at the Sully family– at your family.

Neytiri’s arm flickered, but Jake was fast enough to catch it, giving her a soft look. She hung her head, ears pinned back.

Suddenly, a warrior stands, his spear raised above his head.

“We will fight to protect our brothers and sisters!” He yelled, unaware of the dangers initiating a war would cost.

In an instant, war cries flooded the area. Your father moved, quickly, shouting to get their attention.

“No!” He yelled. “If you attack, they will follow you here. They will destroy you. Listen—” His words were drowned out by the crowd.

He raised the pinger, the mark of death, above his head and yelled once more.

“Tell your tulkun,” he started, “if they are hit with one of these. They are marked for death. Call for me, and I will silence it.”

The crowd silenced at the sight, the air was thick with anxiety. Tonowari nodded his head and affirmed the orders.

“Go.”

In an instant, the crowd left, anxiously finding their brothers and sisters before they could be hit. Before they could be dead. Beside you, Lo’ak scurried away, Tsireya trailing behind him. Neteyam huffed to your side, walking past you before looking back.

“Let’s go.” He says to you. Without blinking, you ran after him.

Lo’ak and Tsireya were talking when you caught up. He scoffed at the sight of you both.

“Stop following me.” He said, his tone still bitter.

Neteyam replied before you could think.

“You think I like babysitting you?” He laughed. “I’m just trying to keep your dumb ass out of trouble.”

“Teyam–” you started. You knew the two of them, how easily they’d start a fight.

“Please, Lo’ak. Just stay for now. I don’t–” you sighed, “we don’t want you to get into any more trouble.”

“He’s not trouble,” Lo’ak replied, “he’s my brother.”

Neteyam placed a hand on his shoulder, but Lo’ak shoved him off before his words could come out.

“Get off me.”

Tsireya shot you a look, then to Neteyam. She hesitated, then said, “Go, I will stay with him.”

Before you could respond, they leapt into the water, swimming away on their ilus as Neteyam stormed away. You stayed there, watching the horizon, fearing the sure arrival of the sky people. The dream came back to you again, the image shaking you. You hung your head, your hands fidgeting with the necklace around your neck– a soft attempt at grounding yourself. Inhale. Exhale. You listened to the tide once more.

The sky was burning a soft purple. Eclipse was close. You could only hope that Lo’ak was alright. That by some miracle, he wasn’t digging himself deeper into his grave.

Inhale. Exhale.

You left the shore, walking back towards your marui.

Tomorrow, everything will be fine.

Tomorrow, peace will come.

<3

The lagoon was calm. Too calm

You were near the mangrove roots, half-distracted. Fingers trailing through the water as Tsireya sorted nets nearby. You haven’t slept well. The dream was still clinging onto you like salt on skin.

Then, footsteps. Slow. Cautious. Sneaky.

Your ears perked at the sound, turning around to the source. And there he was, Lo’ak, slipping toward the reef.

Before you could say anything, Neteyam trailed behind him, already suspicious as to what he’s up to. You overheard them as you walk closer.

“No way you’re rolling out of here, bro.” He said, nearly catching Lo’ak’s arm if it weren’t for his quick flinch– whipping around as you’re steps away from them.

“Lo’ak–” You started, quick to be shut down by your brothers’ banter.

“I’ve gotta warn Payakan.” Lo’ak said. It started there. The verbal jabs at each other, it was all too familiar. But this one was different, and you knew it.

Lo’ak’s voice snapped you back into reality as he turned around, steps away from the edge, from the open waters, from the open hunting area.

“He’s my brother,” he gruffed, “I’m going.”

Neteyam’s hand caught his arm, this time, successfully catching it.

“Oh, he’s your brother?” Neteyam chuckled. “No, I’m your brother–”

“Get off of me!” Lo’ak yelled, accompanied by a poor attempt to lunge at his ilu.

However, Neteyam was much faster than that, grasping at whatever he could. In a matter of seconds, Lo’ak spun, punching Neteyam on the cheek, hard. The sound itself made you flinch, and he staggered from the sheer impact. They came crashing down, a flurry of punches, yelling, tugging at who knows what.

You sighed at the sight. Idiots.

“Stop!” You shouted as Tsireya, Rotxo, and Ao’nung rushed in behind you.

“Eywa, you idiots!” You grumbled once, twice before dragging an ear. Who it belonged to didn’t matter. What mattered was that your brothers would stop fighting. Would stop arguing over the smaller things when you were on the brink of a full blown war.

Lo’ak winced at your grip as Neteyam staggered, his lip busted after the punch.

“Stupid, stupid boys.” You scolded. “You fight over this when war is on the horizon. What if you die? You want your last words to be a punch to his face? You know how stupid that is?”

“Lo’ak. If you believe that Payakan is truly your brother,” you uttered, already letting his ear go as his head hung low. Still, he listened to you. “Then you must go. Save him before it’s too late.”

At that, Neteyam flinched, his brows quick to furrow.

“What? It’s danger—” you placed a hand on his chest, letting Lo’ak walk away.

“Teyam.” You warned. And yet, he grumbled, turning around and calling his ilu after Lo’ak.

In a matter of seconds, you were all after him, too– as Ao’nung grabbed your wrist, pulling you toward your spot behind him on his ilu.

The water explodes with movement then, a flurry of blue and bubbles. In between, you spot Kiri and Tuk, who follow you nevertheless.

Somewhere in your chest, it rang. The same, awful feeling you had. This time, it was gnawing, clawing at your throat. This is it, you thought, hands clinging to Ao’nung harder.

Ahead of you, Payakan emerged from the waves. Humming a low, painful song. You saw it then, in Lo’ak’s grasp. A pinger. He was marked for death.

The group panicked, calling for Jake as you looked ahead. The horizon darkened with metal.

The ship was headed straight towards you.

You heard the familiar voice of your father over the comms.

“Stay put. Do not engage.” He warned.

Ao’nung shifted slightly, at an angle where the ship was obscured from your sight. He knew it then, knew you felt it clawing up your throat. His palms found yours in a soft embrace, his thumbs tapping thrice, sending a clear message– I’ve got you. You didn’t answer. Instead, your grip tightened.

Panic rang through you all like sirens. In the corner of your eyes, you saw Lo’ak signing to Payakan, urging him to dive under, beneath the waves. When everyone was submerged, it happened.

A bright, blinding flash came before you felt it. The impact of it blowing you away in the waters, your eyes ringing from the explosion. It hit you like a fist to the skull, your body flung away as your fingers tore loose from Ao’nung’s.

Everything was a ringing silence, a burning light, and a flavour of pure iron.

You didn’t know how long you were out for until you felt an arm dragging you, hauling you back against his chest. Above the waters, Quaritch circled on his ikran, roaring through the comms.

“No more depth charges. Those kids are worthless dead.”

You sucked in a sharp breath before surging under the waters one more as Ao’nung’s ilu moved forward. Around you, the group scattered, panic and anxiety fracturing you all. You saw submarines, crab-like robots, and sky people plunge beneath the waters. Now, they were really hunting you.

Lo’ak signaled once more, guiding everyone through the towering bed of sargassum ahead. Ao’nung didn’t hesitate, he banked hard, nearly throwing you off as he dove straight after Lo’ak. The dark kelp swallowed you whole, the only source of light being green-gold shards. Somewhere behind you, Neteyam peeled away. Later, you’d learn he went back for Payakan, tearing the pinger free, and dropping it into the deep coves.

Ahead of you, Lo’ak and Tsireya vanished in a flurry. You stuck with the other four– Ao’nung, Kiri, Tuk, and Rotxo. You held onto Tuk like she’d be swept away as Kiri signed to her, you okay?

She signed back weakly, need air.

Ao’nung grasped onto you as his ilu slid away. You were truly alone now, surviving solely on your skills. Suddenly, he motioned you all to swim with him as he led the group to an airbell. Inside, it was dim and echoing, damp with condensation. You pressed yourself against the inner curve as your heart hammered. You thought about Neteyam, about Lo’ak and Tsireya.

His hand found yours in the dark. And for a short, sweet second, you sagged with relief. Your head fell onto his shoulder as you drew deep, shaky breaths. Around you, the group followed, deciding to savour the air for survival as opposed to speaking.

From then on, it all happened in a single blur. The collapsed airbell, the muffled screams, the lost grip– it all happened faster than you could react. All that was left was you, surrounded by the sargassum that engulfed you.

Your lungs burned.

Your hands shook, as you thrashed and swam as fast as you could. Where you went didn’t matter. What mattered was that your family was safe– that your friends were safe.

You surfaced then, inhaling sharply as water went down your throat. You coughed, splashing around like a wild ilu. Above you, Tsireya and Lo’ak were screaming, caught in a net that Lo’ak was hanging from as they were flown to the ship. You dove back under, swimming as fast as you could towards the massive metal ahead of you. Despite being underwater, your body still burned. An anger, a fear blooming in your chest. You wanted this to be done.

You surfaced by the edge of the ship as the three landed, faced with a guilt-ridden Spider.

“Don’t hurt them!” Spider’s voice cracked, skidding to Lo’ak’s side as he dropped to his knees.

“Never better, cuz.” Lo’ak spat.

In the distance, you heard the familiar cry of your mother’s ikran. On the deck, Quaritch tugged at Lo’ak’s comms and said,

“Jake, tell your friends to stand down,” he warned, “you want your kids back, you come out alone. You know better than to test my resolve.”

As you carefully climbed onboard, shielding yourself from his view, you heard your father’s voice.

“Check your fire. I’m coming out.”

Suddenly, a force slammed onto the boat, staggering it off its balance– Payakan. The metal screeched beneath him and all hell broke loose. Quaritch and the recoms opened fire as you dodged each and every bullet, making your way to your siblings. However, the thought of ricocheting bullets didn’t cross your mind until you felt it burning your arm.

A stray bullet grazed your left arm. Not a clean shot– but just enough to draw a dramatic amount of blood from you. You hissed at the pain, wavering it off as you redirected your focus back to your siblings. Behind you, a figure appeared. Neteyam, who landed hard on the deck. He caught up to you as the gunfire stopped, his knife in his grip already. His eyes lowered to your arm, instinctively moving to assess it.

“Hey—” he said, “You’re hurt.”

“I’m fine.” You said, walking ahead already.

You freed the girls whilst Neteyam handled Lo’ak. You sliced at Tuk’s restrains as she leapt to you.

“Y/N!” She cried.

You turned with your hand in Tuk’s, ready to dive back under when Lo’ak whipped around, grabbing a gun from the deck as his fingers curled around it, a cheeky grin decorating his face.

Neteyam grumbled at the sight, “Lo’ak– no! Come on!”

“They’ve got Spider locked up–” he started, his voice urgent and eyes rogue.

“We’ve got to get him out.” He continued.

For a second, Neteyam hesitated, you could see him calculating all the odds. And yet– he still marched over, snarling under his breath as he shoved past Lo’ak, making a run for the bridge.

You followed without thinking, the blood from your arms began to dry. You held onto Tuk, practically becoming her Na’vi shield as you kept your eye on Tsireya. Above you, a shadow loomed, slamming onto the deck as Wainfleet landed on his ikran, Kiri scrambling off his grip before she was cuffed to a pipe.

“Look!” Tuk yelled, pointing at the sight. “We’ve got to go back for her!” She turned without hesitation as Tsireya paused, hesitant. You shot her a look.

“Go.” You urged. “Get her somewhere safe. I’ve got the boys.”

You paused for a moment, the words simmering on your tongue.

“If you see Ao’nung,” you started, but the words wouldn’t leave.

She knew what you meant, slowly nodding.

If I don’t make it, tell him everything I never got to.

You turned at that, catching up with your brothers. And yet, it persisted— the shaking feeling that something would go terribly wrong.

You spotted Spider being dragged by the bridge crew. In an instant, the three of you drop from above as Neteyam hits the deck first. You struck at the first trooper you see, knocking him out just enough for him to black out. Then, Lo’ak fired. The sound was deafening as you watched Lo’ak staring at the sight. The body. The gun in his hand. You grabbed him before he could think.

“Lo,” you said as you dragged him with you, “c’mon.” You saw him swallow at your words. Neteyam rushed to your side, afraid any of you were injured, before moving over to Spider. You didn’t slow, none of you did. And yet, you didn’t have time to register before another gun fired. This time, it aimed directly at all of you. Wainfleet.

Neteyam lunged as he grabbed all three of you for cover. Bullets fire, missing you completely. And yet, one tore past, inches away from Lo’ak as Neteyam pushed him.

“Move!” He yelled. The deck was a blur of grey as you all ran, leaping into the great waters below.

You hit the water hard. Cold. Loud. Violent.

You surfaced first, choking.

One by one, the boys followed. Lo’ak peeked through the debris to watch Wainfleet turn away. Then, you heard a sharp gasp. You turned at the sight. Neteyam.

On his chest, a clean shot. You watched the blood flow like ink in panic, grabbing him and pressing down on the wound.

“Tey—” you choked as he hissed.

“You’re going to be fine.”

But you knew, deep down, that this was the dream. It was your reality.

Lo’ak and Spider high fived behind you, unaware of their dying brother.

“Skxawngs!” You yelled, anger and panic intertwined in your tone. “He’s shot.”

The ride to safety was a blur, like everything was. Your father and mother landed as you sobbed, still attempting to heal the deadly wound. You looked at Jake, who barely had any glint of hope left in his eyes.

“It’s a clean shot. I can’t help him.” You cried, watching as Neteyam– barely holding on, met Jake’s eyes.

“Dad,” he choked, “I want to go home.”

You sobbed at his words, your forehead pressed against his knuckles.

Eywa, if there’s a time for miracles then let it be now.

Eywa, let him live.

Eywa, take me instead.

You didn’t even get to see his last breath, as the final glint of light– of life, left his eyes. Your mother screamed, but you couldn’t bring yourself to acknowledge your surroundings. You stayed even after they had left to get the girls, hands still holding onto his. You felt him going cold beneath your fingers.

Your fingers grazed over his eyelids, closing them, letting him rest. You hardly noticed the figures that emerged, mounting off their ilus. The only thing you remember feeling was a soft, familiar hand on your back. But this time, it was frozen in place. You felt it shake as he crouched beside you, taken aback by the sight of Neteyam.

You sobbed into his neck as he held you. Firm. Grounding. The world had stopped then— an abyss had opened, and it swallowed you whole.

<3

The night was still outside the marui. You watched the tide, unchanging, continuing its lifelong cycle despite the death it just witnessed. A single flame lit your parents as they cleansed Neteyam’s still body. You watched as their hands slowly stroked the body, the soft sponge moving over his limbs, his hands, his motionless chest.

You’d stopped sobbing now. Instead, you stood still, numb, hollow.

He was your twin— your other half. There was no you without him, and vice versa. Where he was the tide, you were the wind, moving along with it, moving in one.

And now, the world had consumed you whole and spat you out, leaving behind the shell of what once was. The world was still expecting you to exist without him. To walk. To speak. To keep breathing.

You didn’t know how to.

You didn’t know who you were if you were only half of something— someone who had once lived. But this was now your life, and you had to live with it.

Under the stars, you watched your parents haul his body, now curled up like a child. Like he was reborn, not into life, but into death. Before they had let him go, you pressed your hand to his heart once more, your eyes scanning across his face in an effort to memorize every stripe, every freckle. You floated above with your siblings, watching intently as his body was taken below the water, onto a wide bed of glowing anemones.

His body was engulfed in the golden bed, holding him tight, holding him forever.

It was unfair. Unfair that he couldn’t be home. That the sea had him. That you lost him before he even had the chance to live. Before you left, you looked one more time, his figure only a silhouette under the soft glow.

When you reached the rocks, dragging your hollow body with each, agonizing stride, there they were. Tonowari, Ronal, Tsireya, Rotxo, and Ao’nung. It took the last bit of life in you to look at him as your breath hitched. His brows furrowed in concern, you reassured him with the smallest tug at your lips that he reciprocated.

Before you could step toward him, towards comfort— you felt a hand settle on your shoulder. You turned to face your father. His eyes rimmed red, his face drawn in a way you had never seen before. He looked older, smaller. Like the weight had finally come crashing down on him

“Y/N,” he muttered.

He couldn’t get the exact words out. You knew it was too painful for him to look at you, because to see you was to see Neteyam. To see the shape of his son still breathing when the other no longer was. He blinked, once, twice. Like if he blinked enough, there would be two of you again. Like all would be right again.

You put your hands over his, then, slowly pulled him into a hug. You buried your face as he cradled you— the first time he had hugged you in a long time.

“I miss him.”

The words slipped before you could stop them. A small, broken whisper.

“I know, sweetie.” He said quietly. “He’s…”

“In a better place now?” You interrupted, your voice cracking. “I know. I just— I’m so tired, Dad. I wanna go home.”

“Hey, hey. Look at me.” He said, his hand cupping the back of your head as he pulled back just enough to look at you. “We will. We’ll go home.”

You shook your head slightly.

“It won’t be the same, not without him. I don’t know anymore. I can’t—”

Your voice failed you. He put a palm on your head, a silent way of him saying, I know. Then, he whispered.

“Everything is different. But we have to keep going, for him. You have to live for him. That’s what he would want.”

For a moment, everything went still. The ache in your chest eased. Not by much, not at all. But just enough to let you breathe. Enough to keep you standing.

Jake looked past you, at a standing Ao’nung. He watched you with open arms, like he’d been waiting, unsure whether to give you space or step closer. His expression was quiet, grief written into every line.

“Go with your friends,” Jake said gently. “I don’t want you to shut yourself in, alright?”

“Yeah,” you whispered. “I won’t.”

You stepped reluctantly, hesitantly. Because you knew that stepping away meant facing reality— a reality without Neteyam.

You went to Ao’nung.

Lo’ak drifted toward Tsireya.

Kiri stayed close to Rotxo.

And Neytiri carried Tuk, her arms wrapped tight around the last piece of her heart that was still breathing.

An unspoken understanding hummed through you all.

<3

You walked beside him without saying a word. You didn’t have to. By this time, you knew each other well enough to know what the other was feeling… thinking. Then, you felt his fingers glide across yours. Slow. Deliberate. He took the leap, intertwining your fingers with him. It said everything he needed to say.

He led the way along a narrow stretch of reef and you let him, too tired to voice your curiosity. He matched his pace to yours, steps faltering whenever yours did too. Every so often, he’d tilt his head just enough to look at you, as if you could vanish into thin air.

The path dipped downward, hidden from the main shore. Ahead of you, a huge rock formation stood with a crack big enough for you to slip in. He stopped right as he was about to slip in, looking back at you, hands still firmly interlaced. He nodded at you, come. And you did.

The cove opened up as you stepped in– small, secluded, cradled by the rocks and lit only by the corals of the small tide pool. Above it, a flat rock big enough for two people. It clicked now, this wasn’t somewhere anyone else went– this was his spot.

You watched as the bioluminescent plants traced the waterline in pale blues and greens, the night sky reflecting beads of light through the openings. Ao’nung tugged softly at your hand and led you to sit down with him. Your legs dangled over the rock as you sat, still silent.

In here, no one could get you. Nothing could get you. All that was were you, him, and the unchanging tide. Beside you, Ao’nung settled, warm. His shoulders gently grazed yours. He placed his fingers above yours, not engulfing, just enough to reassure you.

For a while, you stared ahead. Your mind wandered to Neteyam. To his soft laughter. How it came so easily, sounding like the soft sunlight. You thought of how he used to trail ahead of you, always checking back, always waiting. You thought about how he would never do that again.

Your chest tightened. It ached. Then, you felt it. Three taps against your fingers. It brought you back to the world.

The taps always sent a message. You could always decipher it, understand that it meant one of a handful of things.

Most of the time, he’d reassure you. I’m right here. I’ve got you. It’ll be okay.

Other times, it would be concern. Are you okay? Want to leave?

But he had never tapped this, afraid he’d move too fast, break something already fragile. I choose you. I love you. I see you.

This time, you didn’t bother trying to decode his message. You chose to feel this, feel him. Just you and him. You squeezed his hand in return as you lifted your head to look at him. For a moment, you both stayed like that, smiling softly, blinking.

You leaned into him without thinking, weight resting against him, giving away to gravity. Your breath hitched, his heart paced. Ao’nung didn’t move away, instead he stayed. Solid and warm, letting you take whatever you needed.

His arm came around you slowly, almost hesitantly asking for permission. You let him, let his arm rest there, anchoring you. The silence stayed between you. Not uncomfortable. Understanding. That you weren’t alone. That he wouldn’t let that happen as long as he was alive.

Eventually, you softened, heart slowing down and breathing evening out. Your eyelids grew heavy as you tried to fight it. You lost— your head tipping slightly, coming to a rest on his shoulder.

He froze, startled, unsure what to do. He looked down at you, your face still lined with grief, lashes damp, and brows faintly furrowed even in rest. He adjusted his position just enough to give you more comfort. For a moment, he thought about waking you. But he knew against it, to let you flee for a temporary peace before dawn broke.

The cove glowed softly, embracing the two figures in the soft light. Slowly, carefully, he laid you down with him– an arm still around you, guarding something fragile, someone he loved.

Somewhere, sometime, Eywa noticed.

Under the sleeping figures, flowers bloomed, brighter than a thousand stars, as a single atokirina drifted down, settling in the space where you and him connected. Where you were one.

[drewdaist]

north.

ao’nung x sully!reader

chapter v. only in my dreams

His hand grazed yours, once, twice, engulfing yours the third time– fingers interlocking with one another, as if with even the slightest pull away, everything would come crashing down all at once.

It was warm.

It was sure. Sure that loving you was the easiest thing he’d ever done, that with every single fibre in his being, he loves you– and it was certain. Certainly his hand.

It was unmistakeable– a hand you’ve touched one too many times, lingering for a beat too long every time.

Your eyes traced the outline of your interlocked hands, reaching higher and higher, tracing over his arms, graced with an armband adorned with carvings significant to you, to home, surrounded by his favorite shells. It wrapped around him snugly, it looked beautiful– perfect, even.

It took courage to rip your eyes off of it, off of him and his stupidly perfect arms, to move your focus onto his face. He was smiling, like a stupid, smug idiot. And yet– he had never looked so at peace whilst looking at you, practically ogling you with those eyes of his. Eyes that you’ve tried to read so many times. Eyes that said too much all at once. But this time, the message was clear. His smile softened, eyes shifting down to your lips.

“Can I?” He whispered, leaning in anyway because he was certain of this– of you.

He raised his hand to cup your cheek, soft and gentle. Your words got caught somewhere between the tip of your tongue and your heart. In an instant, you let out a single word, a single syllable.

“Yeah.”

He leaned in closer, his breath practically fanning over your lips as his hand cupped your face. This time, harder, like all his doubts and fears crumpled under the word you let out, as your hands landed on his chest, anchoring you to him.

“Y/N!” A voice suddenly rang.

Instead of him, you were met with the face of your horrific brother, who woke you up with a shove. Your heart dropped instantaneously.

You were dreaming about him.

Ao’nung.

“I’ve been trying to wake your skxawng ass up.” He grumbled, though his face betrayed him with a small grin.

You sighed. It felt wrong. It was wrong– to dream of him like that. Especially considering the promise you swore not to break.

Just friends, you breathed.

But as much as you tried to deny it, you were disappointed that it was only just a dream.

<3

The air in Awa'atlu was irritatingly humid that day, a sticky feeling that lingered, and was unfortunately amplified with the training you had to endure. Bodies moved in the clearing ahead of you– aiming, dodging, tackling, as the warrior, Nximpey, sparred against a significantly weaker opponent. In one strike, his dull spear hit his opponent's chest– his body falling back in an instant.

“You lack defense,” Nximpey spat. “You are sure to die if you do not fix that.”

Still, he reached a hand out, helping his opponent get up. Nximpey turned around, carefully assessing each person to find a worthy opponent. He was tall, a full 9’0 of pure strength– one of the greatest Metkayina warriors.

His eyes narrowed, head tilting in enthusiasm. You realized, he was looking at you.

“Forest-dweller. I’ve heard stories of your clan’s agility,” he smirked. “let’s see if they’re any true.”

Before you could move, Ao’nung placed a hand on your wrist. He knew it all too well. Nximpey had a horrible habit of trying to, in his words, give the newcomers a taste of Awa’atlu. In reality, he wanted an easy win, an ego boost.

“No,” Ao’nung said firmly. “She is only to spar with me.”

“When did we decide that?” You replied, confusion written all over your face.

“Unless you want to lose horribly or break a bone, I wouldn’t give it a shot.” He advised, keeping his hand firmly on your wrist– the touch sending a buzz through your body. Or maybe it was his words.

She is only to spar with me. You huffed the thought away before you could even process it fully, letting Ao’nung’s grip falter as you walked ahead into the clearing. He wanted to grab you again, to keep you there with him, to keep you from hurting yourself– but you were too far ahead, a clear decision in your moves.

“She is brave,” Nximpey chuckled. “Good choice, brother.” He said, directing it to Ao’nung.

You breathed, trying to calm your nerves. You haven’t even fought since… well since the whole incident happened. You prepared for the worst.

Nximpey hissed and began his attack. He struck towards your heart, an easy dodge as you slid under. In the blink of an eye, you struck his leg, causing him to fall face first as you pounced on his back. Horrifically, you underestimated his strength as he flipped you over, his position giving space for you to put him into a headlock with your legs.

His arm snaked under, giving your tail a surprising yank as you hissed, giving him enough leverage to escape your grasp. He flipped you over, and within a second had you face down as he straddled your back, pulling your head back by your hair. In an instant, he unsheathed his knife to your exposed neck, adding a soft pressure. Not enough to cut, but just enough to know that you would’ve been dead.

“Dead.” He announced, dropping his grip from your hair.

You hissed before he got up with a chuckle, looking down at you. Then, he offered his hand, one you begrudgingly took. Before you had walked away, he took one more look at you, scanning up and down your body.

“You are not bad, forest-dweller.” He muttered. “If you wish to spar again, you know where to find me.”

You blinked at him, feet glued to your spot for a beat too long before you returned to your place next to Ao’nung. When you stood by him, you knew something was off. The way his ears flicked downwards, tail swishing the same way you do whenever you’re irked.

“What’s wrong?” You whispered to him, not wanting to disturb whoever’s sparring now.

His head stayed low, eyes glued to the sand below him. You nudged against his rib, once, twice, until you heard a huff.

“I told you not to do it.” He finally replied.

“I’m not a child, Ao. I don’t mind losing.” You said, a concern still laced in your tone, in the way your body leaned into him, hands hovering above his forearm. If you moved any closer, you’d be glued to him.

“I know,” he shot, finally looking at you. “But I also happen to have ears. I heard what he said.”

He grumbled like a child, shoulders slumping slightly more upon seeing your amused face.

“Ao,” you snorted, “he’s a jerk. Trust me when I say I’d rather lose to you a hundred times than be squished under him again.”

He smiled at that.

Not the smug, cocky grin he wore like an armor– but a real, genuine smile. It caught you off guard. Your head tilted in response, tail flicking in amusement.

Oh?

Oh.

Oh, this was good.

You buried your face in your hands, a poor attempt at muffling your laughter. He watched you and raised a brow– fond and confused, shoving your head away. Lifting your head, you tried to form a cohesive sentence between giggles. He sighed, muttering a small Eywa, help me.

“You–” You couldn’t help but giggle once more, “You are so jealous.”

“WH–” He huffed, ears flicking down. His voice dropped, quieter now. “I’m not. I just think you deserve someone who’s not a jerk. Someone who cares.”

“Oh yeah?” You teased. “And who might that be?”

“Shut up, forest girl.”

You grinned. “C’mon. You’re no fun, Ao. Just admit it– you were jealous.”

“No.”

“A littleeee bit?”

“No.”

“An eensy weensy—”

“You say such strange things.”

“I wouldn’t be saying them if you’d just be honest with me!”

He hesitated.

“And if I said I was,” he asked slowly, “then what?”

“Then–” You swallowed, suddenly aware of how close he was. “It’s cute. You’re cute when you’re mad.”

His face went hot instantly.

You tugged at his hand, leading him down a path, away from the group.

“C’mon, fish boy.” You said, turning to face him when you arrived somewhere… more private. “Put that anger elsewhere.”

“If you–”

“Fight me.”

He blinked. “Wh– What are you on?”

“You said I could only spar with you, right?”

“Yeah, but–”

“So let’s do it.”

He studied you for a moment, then smirked. “If you say so.”

The fight was fast and messy and far too charged.

Sand kicked up beneath your feet as you circled each other, hands catching wrists, bodies colliding and breaking apart again. He managed to pin you first, breath warm against your cheek, his weight holding you firm onto the ground.

And then he hesitated.

Just for a second.

It was all you needed to twist and flip him over. He collided with the ground, hard, onto his back. Before he could recover, you straddled him, knee digging into his side as you pressed your knife to his throat.

“I won,” you said.

But the words died between you.

Your eyes locked. His hand slid unconsciously up your back as the other stayed anchored to your hip, steady and warm, while one of yours rested flat against his chest. You felt his heartbeat beneath your palm. The knife slipped from your grip, palms finding solace on his jaw, as your thumb brushed his cheek.

Your tail curled around his thigh like it was meant to be there.

Neither of you moved. Instead, you leaned in.

So did he, eyes flickering to your lips.

You felt it again, his breath against your lips, his touch sending jolts down your spine, the heat both of you were radiating.

He, again, leaned in closer. So close, you could practically feel his lips graze yours.

Then– footsteps crunched in the sand.

“Uh.”

You both froze as a voice sliced through the thick air, unmistakably Lo’ak’s. Next to him, Neteyam, Tsireya, Kiri, and Rotxo stood staring, expressions ranging from horrified to amused.

“This is… not what it looks like,” you said, immediately scrambling off his lap.

“Is it?” Lo’ak asked. “Cause it looks like you two—”

“I will drown you all.” Ao’nung said, sitting straight up, ears a shade of purple.

The walk back was loud, awkward, and full of questions, poking at you and Ao’nung. When the group dispersed and you were left in your marui– in your own thoughts, your heart still hadn’t slowed.

Just friends, you reminded yourself.

Definitely just friends.

<3

Across your marui, Ao’nung laid restless in his.

He laid on his back, endlessly staring at the woven ceiling of his home. His hands folded stiffly over his chest, over where his heart lay. It beat differently– pace increasing whenever his mind wandered. Whenever he thought of you.

Nothing worked. Every time he closed his eyes, images of you flooded his mind. The way you looked above him, mouth agape in a breathless grin, as your canines peeked through your lips. Your eyes were focused, boring into his. He couldn’t shake the image away no matter how hard he tried. Every detail was etched into his brain– your breathlessness, your warmth, the fact that both of you were far too close. The worst part? Your tail– wrapped around his thigh beneath you without hesitation, like it belonged there, like it was natural.

Eywa help him.

He rolled onto his side, but you were still there. Then to his stomach, and there you were. Finally, he landed on his back again. You were all he could see, all he could feel.

It wasn’t supposed to happen like that. Sparring was normal. Teasing was normal. Getting pinned, flipping the advantage, blades at throats– it was all a familiar routine.

Except it hadn’t been. Not when your hand had pressed over his heart like an anchor, not when his hands gripped at your back, not when your thumb had brushed his cheek like it was the most natural thing in the world.

He swallowed at the thought.

He should’ve moved– that he knew.

But instead, he leaned in.

He was so close.

Ao’nung groaned quietly, covering his face with one hand. This was bad. This was really bad. He’d promised himself (as you did too). Promised himself that he wouldn’t let things get complicated. That he wouldn’t let his feelings blur lines that were already fragile.

And yet.

You weren’t a threat. You weren’t the demons he had heard countless stories of. Eywa, you were the furthest thing from it. You were laughter in quiet moments, sharp wit wrapped in a tender gentleness, eyes that looked at him as if he was worth listening to. Sometimes, you’d be teased for looking at him as if he himself hung the stars in the sky– though he wasn’t aware of this.

He exhaled slowly.

Just friends, he told himself.

Friends didn’t look at each other like that.

Friends didn’t forget to breathe.

Friends didn’t almost—

Ao’nung sat up abruptly, hands gripping onto the woven mat beneath him, a poor attempt at grounding himself, at letting go of the thought of you.

Tomorrow, he decided, he would be normal. He would tease you as he always did, train with you, keep a careful distance. He would be respectful. He would be mindful. He would be smart. Because he knew how fragile the already blurred line was between you two. How one more second alone would drive him to cross it, to finish what you both had started.

He would not think about you.

How your name sounded in his mouth, though it came so naturally. As if it had been written in his genes, as if your name was the sweetest melody he’s ever tasted.

He would not think about the necklace resting against your skin, one you had yet to remove since he placed it on you the other day– his fingers radiating a head as he grazed the back of your neck. How it fit so perfectly on you, how it made you look like his.

Worst of all, and arguably the hardest one to brush off, he would not think about your eyes, your touch, your lips, a breath away from his own.

The tide shifted outside, waves whispering against the reef.

He laid back down with a sigh.

Tomorrow was going to be a problem.

note. hi guys this is my favorite chapter so far xo

[drewdaist]

north. masterlist

ao’nung x sully!reader

31.9k words | one sided enemies to lovers… maybe :p

chapter i. i need some time (i need to get away from here)

chapter ii. usually i’d be fine (but my head is spinning)

chapter iii. the promise (when in awa’atlu)

chapter iv. dead to me

chapter v. only in my dreams

chapter vi. hold me until someone sends me a sign

chapter vii. i never let anybody in (but somehow you got under my skin)

chapter viii. meet me at our spot

chapter ix. i’m always, forever, running back to you

note. hi tumblr this is my first fic okay i suck at writing please don’t throw tomatoes this is purely self-indulgent i love ao’nung okay bye

[drewdaist]

north.

ao’nung x sully!reader

chapter iv. dead to me

The next days were devoid of a certain Metkayina boy.

You knew that a jab at your family meant a jab at you, and you grew to not tolerate disrespect. Instead, you asked for a change in your schedule, resorting to becoming a tsakarem under Ronal along with Kiri. Her gifts meant training felt natural, listening to her own instincts as opposed to the official tsahik of the Metkayina. Ronal took offense to that, but noticing Kiri’s particular… uniqueness, she had decided to trust that the girl knew how to heal someone like it was in her blood, like she had done it in every lifetime before this one.

You, however, struggled to keep up with the tsahik, often finding yourself one, two, five steps behind the group. It was true that healing wasn’t your forte, but you would rather face the shame of falling behind than train under fish boy’s guidance. Ever since the Kiri incident, you swore to yourself, and you did your best to stay true to it. And Ao’nung, understanding your anger towards him, avoided you at all costs. Even if he did cross paths with you, there was no quick glance, no polite greetings, or even a hint of interest in his body language. Instead, he marched past you, ears down and tail swishing incessantly, like he was itching to get away before something, anything happened.

But of course, Awa’atlu was the size of your palm, and eventually you knew you had to face him. You just didn’t think it would be because of this. It had been hours since you saw Lo’ak. And though you were used to his antics, it was out of character for him to not get any of your family members involved. As eclipse grew closer, you became more and more suspicious as to where he was, an itching feeling gnawing at your throat. You knew it wouldn’t be good. And what made it worse was your fears being confirmed.

Footsteps broke into the marui, slicing through your thoughts. There he was, Ao’nung. His wrist was captured in a crushing grip from Neteyam, who had dragged him here, furious. Ao’nung was still bruised from the fight, ears hanging low and face purple in shame. What he had said couldn’t have made you feel any worse.

“Lo’ak,” he muttered, “We left him outside the reef. It was supposed to be a joke, but it’s way too late for him to be there. Alone.”

You stormed over to him, tail swishing in a frenzy after what he had confessed. In an instant, your palm met his cheek. The noise slicing through the silent air within the marui as Neteyam gripped your free wrist, afraid you just might murder the bruised boy in front of you.

“First, you insult my family. Then, you fight, like a child, with my siblings.” You scoffed, jabbing a finger at his chest. Ignoring the looks around the space, you continued, “And now what? You leave my brother stranded in waters he has never been in. Have you no shame, Ao’nung? It’s bad enough that you mock us, but to hurt my brother as bad as this? Do not expect forgiveness from me in the slightest– You’re dead to me, Ao’nung.”

It was bad enough that he had done such a thing. But to hear those words, to feel your palm strike against his cheek, to know that he was no longer forgivable in your books? It stabbed him, hard. It tore his heart and sent guilt bubbling up his throat like acid. But he couldn’t undo what he did. No– he had to live with the consequences of his actions. To live bearing the heavy sins that undid any of the good he ever did in your eyes.

You felt Neteyam tug at you once more, and in an instant, you crumbled in his arms. All the fences you put up came crashing down as you broke into tears. Jake, who’d been taken aback by his daughter’s sudden outburst, marched to your side. His large hand rubbing against your back in a futile attempt at comforting you. Still, he huffed a disappointed sigh at Ao’nung, but having to be the bigger person, spoke up.

“Thank you, Ao’nung.” He sighed, “I’m sure he’s fine, he’s a strong kid that one. Stupid, but strong.”

You let out a small chuckle at his words. Though harsh to some, it was true and everyone knew it. He was reckless, but he had the guts of a true warrior, always making it out alive. Maybe not injury-free, but at the very least he was alive. In the midst of your awful breakdown, a yell was heard from the shore.

“The boy has been found!” In a second, everyone was gathered outside. Your tears came to a halt at the return of your brother. As he walked up to the people, Jake and Neytiri were one of the first to see him, immediately checking for injuries whilst Neytiri had tried her very best to gather her nerves.

“Give me strength not to tear my son’s eyes out.” She hissed. Lo’ak bowed his head, knowing the lectures and disappointments that he’d soon face. It was times like these that made you want to protect him, to shove him behind you and stand up for him. It wasn’t his fault and you knew it, but despite that, Lo’ak had still taken the blame for it. Though your lips had parted in just the slightest, ready to argue, Neteyam had once again held you back. He knew this had to happen, that tensions would only rise even more if arguments perked, that you’d lose your last chance at a temporary safety here at Awa’atlu.

Across you, Ao’nung had glanced your way, noticing your quiet sniffles and poor attempt at hiding your anger– towards him, towards yourself, towards everything. Mentally, he was beating himself up for what he had caused.

<3

It had been days– Eywa, it’d been weeks since Lo’ak’s own incident caused you to shut yourself in entirely, the only times you spent outside being awful tsahik trainings you had to endure, and the new, nightly habit of sneaking out in the dead of night to visit the waters of the beach, lit only by the flora underwater and your own, bright spots that dotted your body and face. That was the only time you knew for certain that you’d be alone. Truly alone. That you’d have the freedom to just be for once, without the burden of medication or the sight of the very boy who had caused this in the first place.

This was a new side of you that your family had yet to see– secluded, quiet, isolated. It scared them, scared them that your unpredictability would shake the family. Despite their initial reaction being to poke and prod at your side, invade your every space with touch or the endless string of questions– to which you’d bluntly respond to in a single word, a whole sentence if you were feeling particularly lovely that day. Eventually, they backed away, thinking your silence demanded space.

But the silence became too loud, too destructive for your family to endure.

Jake had caught you one night, legs dangling over a smooth rock above the waters. It wasn’t hard to tell whenever you snuck out, they’d just let you leave in hopes that one morning, you’d wake with the sudden urge to open up again, to be normal again.

He sat beside you, knees bumping yours as a silent hey. You didn’t look up, you didn’t even flinch at all. This was inevitable after all. You heard him inhale, like he was unsure how he’d even begin his words. For a moment, you enjoyed the silence between you two, it felt like some sort of father-daughter bonding activity.

“Kid,” he muttered.

“I know this isn’t easy– running away from everything you know. I– uh. You know how bad I am with words, kid. I just wanted to say I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were holding all of that in, and I failed. I know I failed as your dad, and I’m horribly wrong for all the times I brushed you off for Teyam or Lo’ak.”

“And I know you're angry. At the world, at yourself. But you have to understand, kid, that you’re the last one holding onto that anger. Your brothers, they’ve been bonding with the others. Your sisters too, even. But you’re still here, hiding, closing yourself off from the world. Do you know how many times Tuk has come crying to me, asking why her sister is gone?”

“Eywa, your mother, your– we’re worried. We’re so worried and we’re terrified that we could lose you at any given moment, Y/N. And I don’t know if you’ve noticed but every single morning, we’ve got a really concerned, and really fishy intruder at our door, asking if you’re ever feeling better. Now I don’t know what’s between you two aside from what he did, but the kid seemed real worried about you, I thought he was even more worried than us.”

That earned a chuckle from you, who finally cracked not long after he mentioned Tuk. You felt sick that she was so concerned, that she was so bothered by your sudden seclusion. His arm now wrapped around your shoulders, pulling you into an unforgiving hug.

“Come home, kid. We’re all waiting on you.” He whispered into your hair. And as if on cue, you melted into him, a silent sob escaping past your lips.

<3

The morning after felt awfully light, like a weight had been lifted fully from your shoulders, crumpled and eradicated. Following your usual morning routine, you made the new adjustment to stop by the common area between maruis, where people gathered for breakfast. As soon as you made your way there, you were greeted by a very excited, and very enthusiastic Tuk, who leapt onto you like a leech.

“Y/N!” She screeched, jumping onto you with an unrelenting grip like a tsyong. She nuzzled her head into the crook of your neck as you soothed her. It was adorable how clingy she was, a 5’7 child of pure sass she inherited from your father.

“Tuk, relax! You’re going to strangle her.” Kiri scolded, her concerned scowl morphing into a soft smile as she met your face.

Beside you, a voice rang. The very boy that’ll one day cause your blood pressure to fly through the roof. Lo’ak shot a stupid grin and said, “Nice to finally see you again, sis.”

“Rose from the dead, I see.” Your twin retorted, ruffling your hair before you had the chance to dodge him. You shoved him away with a scoff.

“Shut up, Tey.”

But even as you said it, your lips tugged upwards.

It felt good to be here. To be home.

“Hey, kid,” a warm voice called out, unmistakable Jake’s. “Any plans for the day? And don’t say yes, cause I wanna show you something.”

Before you could answer, Neytiri was already moving toward you, her eyes sharp with concern.

“Ma’Jake, do not overwhelm her.” She scolded him, then turned toward you, softening instantly. “Ma syulang, I’ve been worried dead.”

She pulled you into a hug before you could think to resist. Her arms were firm, grounding, familiar– like she was anchoring you back to her, afraid the moment she lets go you’ll return to your isolation.

“I know, ma sa’nok.” You murmured into her shoulder. “I’m sorry–”

“No,” She said immediately, pulling back just enough to look at you. “I will not hear it. Eat. Your father wants to take you along.”

Before Jake could respond, another presence made itself known.

“Y/N,” Tonowari said as he approached you, his tone laced with the unmistakable stoicism of an olo’eyktan. “Glad you’re feeling better.”

Jake straightened instinctively as Tonowari placed his fingers on his forehead, gesturing towards both him and Neytiri, returning it with a quiet respect.

“Jake,” Tonowari continued, his gaze shifting between your parents. “there are things to be discussed later. It is urgent.”

Jake sighed, rubbing the back of his neck before looking at you with a regretful smile.

“‘m sorry, kid. Guess we gotta do it tomorrow. Or another day. Alright?”

“Don’t worry, Dad. I’ll just… hang around.” You nodded, forcing a small smile.

And as they walked away, responsibilities pulling them back into motion, you stayed where you were, surrounded by your family and the chatter of the Metkayinas around you. You let yourself linger there, smiling at every stupid joke your brothers said, because it really, really did feel good to be home.

The pieces of your life that scrambled apart seemed to be falling into the right place, a better place now. Only there was a big piece that you’ve been avoiding like the plague. A piece that you swore you’d never pick back up. An 8’5, aquamarine-skinned piece, who– as much as you hated it, completed the puzzle of your very being.

As if it was some sick, twisted joke from Eywa, you heard a voice behind you clearing his throat. You straightened instinctively, ears twitching in anxiety because it was one you had heard one too many times. His signature move to announce his presence. You felt Kiri’s palm lay flat against yours, her eyes holding a soft worry for you.

That’s when you heard it, soft footsteps followed by a shaky inhale. Like he was digging for the very words that had once glued to the back of head. How are you? I’m sorry. Are you okay? I never meant to hurt you. I miss–

Your thoughts raced as he placed a soft finger against your shoulder, testing the waters until his entire palm landed on you. A gentle, soft touch– as if the slightest touch would break you, would break him.

“Y/N,” He muttered, now facing you entirely as his palm dropped to his side. His ears twitched, once, twice– his lips parted before he could think.

“Could you walk with me? I–” He stopped, catching the slight softness in your eyes that disappeared in an instant. “I need to talk to you.”

You’d never been down this path before, but then again, you’d spent the past months huddled up either on your mat, your favorite rock, or wanting to die under the tsahik. Eywa, you hadn’t even known the true beauty of Awa’atlu aside from the waters. Which was exactly why he took you here, down a beaten and sketchy path through the trees. There, flowers you’d never seen before bloomed, in colors and shapes unfamiliar to the ones at home. It felt like every step you took was accompanied with a soft gasp as you marvelled at the sights. It had been your umpteenth gasp, and Ao’nung broke a small chuckle, earning a small thwack from your tail against his leg.

“Where are we going?” You quipped, eyes still glued to the flora native to the island.

“You’ll see.” He shot back, a poorly hidden anticipation lingering in his tone.

You scoffed softly, and left the soft hum and chirps of the forest to tackle the silence between you.

“Well, just don’t kill me.” You joked, his steps immediately faltering as he shot you a sharp look.

“You think too low of me, Sully.” He retorted, realizing in an instant the trap he set himself up for.

“I mean, you kind of did change the trajectory of my brother’s life– by, you know, attempting to leave him to die.” You huffed, continuing your steps behind him. “So, yes, Ao’nung. I do unfortunately think very low of you.”

His head hung lower at your words, his steps slowing to where you assumed was your destination. He turned around, walking backwards with a weak smile, like your words struck a blow through him that he was forced to smile off. His eyes softened at the sight ahead of him, your face breaking into a soft smile, awe glistening in your eyes like the stars had found a new home within them. Eywa, you were the most beautiful thing he’s ever seen, the most precious blessing from Eywa he’d ever received. And for a moment– he swore he could die right there and then, die happy seeing you like this.

“Come,” Ao’nung said softly, gesturing toward you. He held his hand out, fingers trembling just slightly.

“Where?” You asked, blinking. “I thought–”

“To me, stupid.” He said, a weak grin tugging at his mouth. “How am I supposed to speak when you’re too busy admiring some plant?”

“You’re lucky I’m nice.” You replied, though you stepped closer anyway.

“I know you know what I’m going to say,” He began, inhaling deeply. “But I’ll say it anyway,”

His hands shook more noticeably now.

“I’m sorry, truly, I am. For everything– your brother, your family, your pain.” His voice wavered, but he didn’t stop. “I realize now it was stupid, selfish of me to do that to you and your family when you were only seeking sanctuary. I grew up hearing stories– horrific stories of, well, sky people.”

You stayed quiet, letting him speak.

“You, being here in my home, I felt cornered. Threatened. Like I had to put my fences up even though I knew you weren’t them.” He swallowed. “And you aren’t. You’re– you’re not.”

His gaze flicked up to yours, earnest and raw.

“And I really do appreciate that you would listen to me. Eywa knows how sorry I am, how worried I was. I–” He let out a shaky laugh. “This is pathetic. I’m sorry.”

You reached out before he could spiral further, laying your palm against his.

The reaction was immediate– and hard to go unnoticed. His breath hitched, shoulders stiffening as if the touch alone had caught him off guard. His skin was warm, grounding. Familiar in a way that felt new. Like the cool sea breeze he had felt every single second of his life. Only it was different– different in a way that it carried with it a promise. A promise he’d uncover only under the guidance of Eywa.

“It’s okay,” You said gently, squeezing his hand. “Go on.”

“I waited for you,” He admitted quietly. “Every morning I met your father, I swear he’s sick of me now. And every night, I knew what you were up to. All those nights you spent staring into nothing on the shore… I was there. Just hiding.”

You frowned slightly.

“I didn’t want to scare you,” He rushed. “Or burden you again. I knew you needed that space and I–”

You cut him off by pulling him into a hug.

Ao’nung froze for half a second before his arms wrapped around you, tentative at first, then firmer, sure.

“Ao,” You murmured, “It’s okay. I forgive you, I do. It was stupid of me to behave that way. It was disrespectful– to you, to your parents–”

“Stop,” He said quickly, pulling back just enough to look at you. It was all too close. Too intimate. It felt foreign, forbidden to him. It felt… right. “Believe me I know disrespect.” He hesitated, then added, “Actually, I– uhm,”

He stepped back and fumbled awkwardly at his sling as you blinked.

“I want to give you this. As a gift– a peace offering if you will.”

He placed the necklace in your hands.

It was beautiful, woven shells smoothed by the tide, pale beads that shimmered faintly like sunlight reflecting off the shallow waters. But threaded between them were bits of wood and seed-like charms, shaped carefully, deliberately. Forest-born things. Familiar things.

“Eywa,” You breathed. “Ao’nung… it’s beautiful. You made this?”

“Okay, one– how dare you.” He scoffed. “Of course I did.”

“Sorry, it’s just–” You smiled softly. “I’ve never had something like this.” You hesitated. “Do you mind… helping me put this on?”

“Well,” He said, lips twitching. “You must really like it.”

“I will throw this away.”

“NO– c’mere,” He stepped closer, carefully lifting your hair as he fastened the necklace around your neck. His fingers brushed your skin, lingering for just a beat too long. “There.”

You turned slightly.

“You look–” He cleared his throat. “It looks beautiful. On you.”

“Thank you, Ao.”

“We should… get back.” You said, though you didn’t move right away. Eyes lingering on him for just a second too long. His breath caught in his throat, swallowing down his incessant urge to k–

“Yeah,” he agreed. “We should.”

The walk back was quiet, but not uncomfortable. Ao’nung trailed just behind you, his gaze catching on the way you moved, the way the necklace rested against your collarbone, the way you glanced back every so often like you were checking he was still there.

When you reached your marui, he stopped.

“Hey,” he said softly. “Thank you. For hearing me out.”

“Always.”

“I better see you tomorrow,” he added, smirking. “You’ve missed out on a lot of training.”

“You underestimate me, fish boy.”

“See you around, forest girl.”

You stood there longer than necessary after he left, your fingers brushing against the necklace unconsciously.

Just friends, you told yourself.

Scratch that, acquaintances at best.

“Hey, kid.” Jake said suddenly. “You alright? Where’ve you been?”

“I was out.” You replied. “Ao’nung took me around, he apologized and–”

“When did you get that?” Kiri interrupted, pointing at your neck.

“Oh– Ao’nung made it for me.” You said, smiling. “It’s his peace offering, or whatever.”

“Courting you already?” Neteyam grimaced. “Gross.”

“WHAT– NO? Eywa forbid a girl makes peace.”

“Looks more like an admirer to me.” Lo’ak teased.

“How cute! Little sis has a cru–”

“I will skin you,” you pointed at Neteyam. “And you. No hesitation.” at Lo’ak.

“Is Y/N going to marry Ao’nung?” Tuk asked brightly.

“TUK!”

“Alright, enough.” Jake said, amused. “Your sister’s not going anywhere. Nor is she dating anyone.”

“See,” you said smugly. “Told you, losers.”

“But,” Jake added, rubbing his chin. “He does look at you weird. And he did–”

“I hate all of you.”

That night, as the village settled and the sky darkened, you lay awake longer than usual—thinking about the ocean, about apologies, about tomorrow.

Just acquaintances.

This time, you wouldn’t break your swear.

…Right?

note. FINALLY 😛 will they be lovers ??? will fate deny them ??? happy new years everyone xo 🫶

[drewdaist]

north.

ao’nung x sully!reader

chapter iii. the promise (when in awa’atlu)

The waters were calmer today, or maybe it was Tsireya. Her hands laid on Lo’ak’s stomach, guiding him on his breaths, but her words fell upon deaf ears as he could only stare at her, seemingly mesmerized by her grace.

“Breathe in, breathe all the way down here,” she guided. “And exhale slowly.”

Her brows furrowed, and Lo’ak looked as if he himself was struggling to breathe. You looked at Neteyam, who had been hiding a grin. You knew for sure you would never let Lo’ak forget about this. Her hands shifted to his chest, right over where his heart settled. The group fixated on the sight.

“Lo’ak, your heart beats fast,” Tsireya said, “Try to concentrate.”

It was then that it broke, snickers and chuckles crowded the flat stone the group settled on. Hell, even Neteyam and Ao’nung grinned at each other like a bunch of fools, while Kiri looked over it already. Your hands settled on the stone beneath you, glistening with bioluminescent algae that seemed to glimmer in the sun. Across you, Ao’nung noticed how you admired the smaller things he’d usually brush off. How your tail playfully grazed the shallow waters below, and how your ears twitched at the slightest laughter.

He didn’t want to feel like this. Eywa, he swore to himself that he’d always, forever hate the sky people for what they did to Pandora, for what he knew was inevitably coming to destroy his home. But there was something about you. Something he couldn’t necessarily put his finger on. He had dozens of girls trying to court him, Eywa knows how much there truly were. But he had always rejected them, feeling a certain unease in his chest that told him, wait. He knew good things took time, but what good could you bring?

Sure you were strong, but you were nothing compared to Nimxey, you were a healer to a point, but you were nothing compared to Tseyal. His mind dug through each crevice of his brain to find the reason why you felt so… right. You felt like the soft sunlight that gently invaded his marui every morning, like the cool breeze of the oceans. Worst of all, you looked even more beautiful than the glowing flowers that he swore were the prettiest thing in Pandora– that grew in his secret cove, the place he hid in whenever he felt like it was all too much, a place he hopes to share with his future mate. And he hated that he felt that way.

The only reason he snapped out of this trance was Rotxo’s elbow digging into the side of his rib. But Eywa help him, for when he looked up he met your eyes, puzzled on why the Metkayina boy was so fixated on your hand, on you.

A voice cut through the air,

“Oh Eywa, Kiri look!” Tuk exclaimed as she caught a glimpse of the small animal, a baby ilu had made its way to the shallow waters.

“Perfect timing! Your next training is to ride. Now I’m not the best rider, but I hope that I will suffice.” Tsireya smiled, beaming her dimples towards a very nervous, and very purple Lo’ak.

As more ilus made their way toward the group, Ao’nung gathered you all in a small circle, along with one ilu, not fully adult, but just enough for the group to start on. He clicked his tongue, calling toward the ilu as he gently patted it, the animal nuzzling against his hip. Cute, you thought.

“If you want to live here, you must ride.” He said, motioning to the ilu, obviously. What else would you ride?

“Like your ikran, you must be gentle. Though it won’t try to kill you, riding an ilu can be tough for you forest people. Maybe you can fly and all but with an ilu, you must also control your breath, your heart, and mind.”

He connected his kuru with the ilu’s, ears faltering for a second. He mounted the animal and swiftly went away. This shouldn’t be difficult.

Lo’ak went first, mounting the ilu with a smugness you’ve seen one too many times. Ao’nung steadied him, nodding and letting him go. It took maybe 5 seconds before Lo’ak had been thrown off, leaving a very amused Ao’nung and Rotxo. You knew how much he wanted to impress Tsireya, but you were only Na’vi after all, so of course you had to make fun of him.

“She definitely wants you now, Lo.” You teased as he shot daggers at you. Tuk had been so ecstatic, she lunged forward in an attempt to volunteer herself as tribute. But to your, and everyone else’s surprise, Ao’nung motioned your way.

“C’mon Sully, put your training to use.” He smirked, earning a scoff from you, gently holding your palm out to the animal. It was smooth, like a pali but softer, slicker. It nudged its head on your torso and Ao’nung grinned at the sight.

“She likes you.” He said.

You held your kuru out and Ao’nung guided the ilu’s towards yours. Everyone else was watching intently, Neteyam in particular raised a brow at Ao’nung’s odd gentleness towards you.

“Mawey, Sully,” he muttered, “she’s just as nervous as you.”

“Hey, girl,” you whispered, connecting your kurus at once. The feeling sent waves through you and you felt everything she felt. The water, her nervousness, cautiousness towards a stranger. And in turn, she felt your fear, your sadness, and your curiosity all at once. It was too much. You always were composed, the Sully that was just fine, always fine. But that was only because you didn’t want to burden them with what you felt. And sometimes, well a lot of the times, you felt too much, but you’d always suppress it, hiding your emotions behind the image you carefully crafted. The Sully they never had to worry about.

Your ears fell back, eyes shut in your overwhelm when you felt Ao’nung’s palm lay flat against yours.

“Hey, look at me,” And look at him you did, meeting his eyes that for once held an emotion other than anger, rather it was concern– care. “Breathe, whenever you’re ready.”

You nodded at his words, go, you thought. You felt your heartbeat settle as you dove under. The waters were quiet, say for the occasional hum of the marine life. You went slowly, speeding up when you knew that you and her were a match, a perfect ride. You looked back and met Ao’nung with his eyes narrowed, watching your every move.

You surfaced once more, a smile gracing your face and greeted with the familiar cheers of your family.

“Whatever, show-off.” Lo’ak grumbled as Tsireya giggled at his side.

“Guess you didn’t drown after all, forest girl.” Ao’nung shot, as your eyes narrowed back at him.

“Guess you underestimate me too much, fish boy.” You retorted, earning snickers from the group.

As your family took turns riding, you noticed Rotxo beside Kiri, who had noticed some marine life with her. You thought it was sweet, awfully so. They were deep in their shared nerdiness as you poked Neteyam’s rib to motion towards them. He noticed and grinned.

“You know, that was literally you and him before.” He quipped as you raised a brow.

“Me and who, exactly?”

“Fish boy over there,” nodding towards an occupied Ao’nung, who was helping Tuk mount her own baby ilu. “Has the heart eyes for you.”

“You’re kidding. He hates me.” You snorted.

“And you?” He joked.

“I will drown you, Neteyam.” You threatened as he raised his arms in defeat.

“Whatever you say, little sis–” His words cut off when you pushed him into the water in a weak attempt to drown him and his exaggeratedly loud mouth. He surfaced, breathless and in laughter.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” He pleaded, “mercy.”

You walked away, towards your little sister who was swimming circles with her ilu and you couldn’t help but chuckle. If being away from home meant starting a new chapter, then you had hoped that this chapter would be one for good. Safe? That’s out of the question. But as long as your family was happy, then you were too.

Ao’nung watched as you kept an eye on your sister. Eclipse was dawning upon the island as he called Tuk again, helping her get off the ilu as he ushered them back home, clicking his tongue in appreciation.

‘It’s getting late. You should all rest, and I will see you tomorrow.” He said and you all walked towards your own marui. He made sure you were safe all the way, keeping a silent, watching eye for you. And your family, of course.

The following days were a slow cycle– wake, eat, train, eat, sleep. You were working on a beaded piece while Neteyam was sharpening his blade. Lo’ak was Eywa knows where, and you were sure Kiri was off occupied by nature. You didn’t think it was silly, of course not. You knew since she was born that she was different, blessed– in a way not many Na’vi are. Finishing your piece, you decided to take a stroll, not without bothering your twin first.

“Tey,” you nudged him. “Let’s look for Lo’ak.”

He grumbled, “Skxawng, he’s probably off causing trouble.”

“Well then let’s get him before he does.” You urged him to get up, making a headstart towards the familiar beach you’d always train on. It was a quiet day as Tonowari decided that you all deserved a rest, to which Ao’nung smiled. And yet, it still hurt him– just a little bit, in the crevice of his ribs where his heart lay he knew it meant that he wouldn’t see you.

You caught a glimpse of Kiri who was occupied, head in the water as she laid in the shallow waters watching the sand. Above her, Ao’nung, Koro, and two other boys you’d never met were snickering, and as you overheard them call her a “freak”, you marched towards them.

“Are you some kind of,” Ao’nung started, “freak?”

They bombarded her with stupid questions, and even dumber remarks. On her hands, her tail, her blood. Before you could reach her, Lo’ak made his way first, defending her as they crowded the two, pulling on his tail and grinning. Neteyam stormed ahead of you, shoving Ao’nung straight in the chest.

“Back off, now.” He said as Ao’nung smirked, he found it amusing how loyal your family was to each other, how loyal the demon blood was. That was when you arrived, eyes narrowing at Ao’nung, who you’ve known to be everything you hated. He was mean, careless, and worst of all he had hurt your sister. Another Metkayina boy, one you’ve never seen, made a pathetic attempt to hiss, to which you responded. Tail flicking in anger as Neteyam nudged you behind him.

As your family walked away, the same boy just had to say something. In theory, it wasn't even a bad word. But it was the timing, the tone, the context.

“Buh-bye!” He said, quiet giggles emerging from his stupid lips. It incited something in Lo’ak, who had turned around and marched towards them once more. He bundled up his fist, shoving it in their faces as they watched, curiously. You all knew then and there that this wouldn’t end well, not at all.

Lo’ak swung at the boy, once, twice, three times until Ao’nung hit the ground with a splash.

“It’s called a punch bitch!” Lo’ak said, “Never touch my sister again.”

It was then that Ao’nung leapt at him, pulling and punching at whatever he could. The boys fought like wild animals when Neteyam decided to step in. You and Kiri stood at the sides, snickering at how stupid the sight truly was.

“AGH! MY TAIL!” One yelled.

“OW, MY EAR! LET GO–” Another shouted.

Kiri giggled at the sight, and you huffed, deciding to end such stupid quarrels.

“Enough,” you shouted, pulling at the closest tail you could find which happened to be Ao’nung’s. He hissed, but upon realizing it was you, he called his friends to a halt. No amount of apologies could ever make up for how stupid him and his friends were, you knew it then. They all limped back to their own group, ridden with runny noses and black eyes.

“You are all stupid.” You huffed, jabbing Ao’nung’s chest, you continued.

“You in particular. I don’t ever want to see you even looking at my family in the wrong way. Eywa, you touch them and I swear I will skin you.” You let out a quiet hiss, letting him know that you were dead serious. You let Neteyam pull you back, walking towards your own marui. You swore from that day on that Ao’nung was your fated enemy. A man you swear to never befriend, even if it was the end of the world.

note. i’m a firm believer in kirotxo 🙂‍↕️

[drewdaist]

north.

ao’nung x sully!reader

chapter ii. usually i’d be fine (but my head is spinning)

Dawn arrived faster than you thought it would, but maybe that was the two full days of ikran flying hitting you. Being in Awa’atlu meant your usual clothes would not suffice in the waters, but worry hadn’t even began to cross your mind when your eyes settled on a matching pair of chestpiece and loincloth, knitted from dried kelp and adorned with native seashells, despite its beauty and careful craftsmanship you winced at the transparency of it– though it wasn’t far off from your usual pieces.

Across the room, you heard Tuk gasp. “Y/N, look! Isn’t it pretty?” She twirled and showcased her new outfit, courtesy of whichever child it had been stolen from.

“You look lovely, Tuk!” You complimented. “C’mere,” ushering her your way.

As she came close, you pulled her into a hug, “I know we’re far from home, but we’ll be back sooner than you think, okay?”

“I’m okay. I miss mormor and all, but I like the sea!” She retorted. Huh, guess everyone else wasn’t so sad after all.

“Wait, sea? Tuk we just woke up, we haven't even touched the water!” You thought she was joking, of course she loved it before she touched it, she’s just a kid!

“What are you talking about? Of course I did! Tsireya took me, and they’re training now–” You’re heart stopped. You might as well be drowning right there and then because of all the days you could’ve slept in, you chose to sleep in on the day you’d make your first impression with an entirely new clan.

“Training? Tuk, how long have I been asleep?” You asked, hoping you’d only woken up mere minutes after they’d left.

“Well let’s see, they did a swim practice, now they’re onto breathing but they’re probably done–” Just when you thought your heart couldn’t drop any more, it was buried, six feet under the ground behind a coffin.

“Eywa have mercy, I’m late. I’m new and I’m late. I might as well be dead! Gotta go, see you, tell mom–” Your words didn’t even manage to reach Tuk as you rushed out, making sure to slip on your new clothes courtesy of Tsireya.

You arrived breathless, hair in disarray, new pieces clumsily thrown on and a crooked grin.

“I– uh. Travel got the best of me?” You tried, walking into the water Lo’ak splashed you, only stopped when Tsireya touched his wrist and a blush crept up his face.

“That’ll wake you up.” Neteyam shot as you glared at him, almost as if to say “Why didn’t you wake me up, skxawng?”

“Maybe it is your custom to be late, but here training starts early, and we expect you to follow through with it.” Ao’nung started, looking at you with pure hatred in his eyes, as you muttered a small apology with your tail between your legs.

“Enough, Ao’nung, she is tired. Let her. For now we try to breathe again,” Tsireya nudged his shoulder and smiled, “Ao’nung will help Y/N.”

“What–“ He started, but was cut short when her tail hit his hip, and he huffed over to you.

“Alright, skxawng. Don’t panic, don’t fight the water. You must be one with it.” He began, easing over towards you, unnervingly still, arms crossed, eyes narrowed on your Tsireya’s clothes on you.

“Easy for you to say, fish boy.” You shot back, eyes narrowing towards your sworn enemy. Was he? Wait, when did you decide that?

“Do you want me to help you?” He replied, his tone laced with the sass of a little girl. Maybe he spent too much time training the kids, you thought.

“Sorry– just,” Your apology was cut off by his sigh.

“Listen, just watch me first alright?” He offered, dipping into the clear waters as you followed, or at least attempted to, giving up after a mere 5 seconds. You counted, ten, thirty, sixty seconds. He surfaces, awfully smug but not even breathless, as if he had just dipped in and out.

“See? Not that hard, and I wasn’t even trying.”

“Whatever.” You glare at him and he grins faintly, satisfied with his little talent show.

“Now you try.”

The water rippled around you, calm and soft. You took a deep breath, short and sharp. He knew immediately you wouldn’t last.

You dipped into the water, and approximately 15 seconds after, bubbles surfaced, along with a very wet and very annoyed you.

“You tried to drown me!” You accused jokingly.

“I didn’t even touch you!” He lifted his arms in innocence, your hurt face unknowingly spreading a warmth within him, like a baby ilu, he thought.

“Ao’nung!” Tsireya yelled, a warning that he would begrudgingly have to obey. He huffed and took a step closer to you.

“Slow your breathing, here, and your heart,” He said, placing a hand on your diaphragm, then above your heart, “You must understand that the water is one with you, as you are with it. Let it be with you, let it be you. Mawey.”

And for once, you felt yourself melt under his touch, becoming one with the water. He nodded, giving you a signal and you allowed yourself to dive into the water as he joined you.

Opening your eyes felt natural, it didn’t sting like you initially thought, but as your eyes met Ao’nung’s you couldn’t help but stifle a laugh, though it became a struggle as you choked on the water. Panicking, Ao’nung grabbed you and patted your back as you met the surface. It should’ve been easy– breathing. If you did it in the air, why couldn’t you just hold it for a little while under water? Why did his touch send dozens of atokirinas to float in your stomach? Why does he hate you? Why did your head feel like it was spinning off?

“Eywa help me, what is wrong with you?” Ao’nung retorted, “We will try again.”

“I’m sorry, it’s just I’ve never–“ You apologized, giggling.

“Laugh again, and I throw you into the deep end and leave you to drown.” He threatened, but the look in his eyes told you he had not a single hint of a lie.

So you tried. Once, twice, Eywa knows how many times. But every time, it would always end with you breaking into a laughter while his brows furrowed even more.

“You have got to understand my view.” You tried, but every word seemed like another fence being put up between you two.

“I get it, Sully. Fish lips, whatever you call me. Let’s just get it done. Again, this time you laugh and I really do drown you.” This time, you didn’t laugh. It had died somewhere between your tongue and the pits of your stomach, replaced with a bitter guilt.

“Oh. Ao’nung it wasn’t like that,” You apologized, reaching for his arm, but he moved away.

“I swear Ao, it’s just I don’t know what I’m doing, alright? I’m sorry. I mean it and it has nothing to do with your face. I mean how’d you even get there? You look fine– I mean you look good, that was weird wasn’t it? Like you seem normal, like a Na’vi. Eywa help me.” You muttered, slapping a hand over your mouth. But for the first time in 24 hours, you thought you saw Ao’nung crack a smile. You swear you did.

“Alright, Sully. Save your breath for the water.” He said, and you went in. For the first time, it felt natural. Even with the sight of him, it felt like the water was where you were meant to be. To pass time, he waved you to come with him, to swim and look at the nearby corals of purple and teal, some even an occasional orange hue. The ocean was beautiful, it was a new beginning, perhaps a new, real home.

Underwater, it’s silent, intimate. You can feel his presence, the subtle shift of his weight, the brush of his fingers against yours as he adjusts your posture. Your lungs almost scream for air, but his eyes meet yours, unflinching, steady, and something in you relaxes.

Occupied by the marine life once more, you didn’t notice how Ao’nung was occupied himself. Not with the usual ocean that he had seen every single second of his waking life, but with a foreign Na’vi, whose hair was braided and secured in place with beads and feathers unknown to him, whose freckles matched the map of the stars, and worst of all who he swore he’d despise, a demon, intrigued him more than he intended her to.

As they swam to the surface, they were met with the rest of the crowd. Tsireya was first to quip, “You’re a natural! You’ve lasted far longer than Lo’ak, that’s for sure.”

“Well I had a decent trainer.” You nudged Ao’nung’s shoulder, as he huffed and rolled his eyes.

“Save me.” He pleaded jokingly, but the look he shot you seemed like he wanted you to save him, though you had failed to notice it.

He watched as you rejoined your family, your steps light but purposeful, moving through the shallow waters of Awa’atlu as if you already belonged. His tail flicked once, almost imperceptibly, betraying the small tension in his otherwise calm posture. From the corner of your eye, you caught the faintest shadow of him pausing, but choosing to blame it on your lack of rest.

“Tomorrow you will learn to ride. It will be hard. You might drown.” His gaze landed briefly on you again, and you rolled your eyes.

“For now, rest. Be with your family, familiarize yourself with the environment. As much as you hate it, it is your new home.” He gestured slightly toward the surroundings, the luminous glints of the bioluminescent marine flora casting soft shadows over his features.

“And maybe don’t be late,” he added, almost under his breath, though loud enough for you to catch it. “Ilu aren’t known for their patience.”

The sun dipped lower, painting the sky in shades of fire and water, and you couldn’t help but wonder if he ever truly let anyone, or anything, get this close. But today, even in silence, you felt it. He was here, and he was watching.