M

will you sing for me?

[odysirena]

Atlantis (the cost of getting older) ༆

pairing: neteyam/fem!metkayina!reader

summary: with the death of quaritch, the sullys return to the forest. not wanting to make your mate part with his family for your sake, you decide to come with them. how will the return of his responsibilities as the future olo’eyktan affect your relationship?

tags: angst with a happy ending, found family, hurt/comfort, they argue out of love (but it’s mostly because i love drama), nonlinear narrative

PROLOGUE: the butterfly

PART 1: what it means to breathe

PART 2: beauty is terror

PART 3: UNTITLED

PART 4: UNTITLED

(taglist: @luvlykrispy @nao-cchi @darkacademictrash @okaylorrainee @bwormie @donaldsmac)

[losticaruss]

thinking about how. thoughout the books, we see percy become percy jackson. and it carries so much weight. it's percy jackson, and hoo really confirms that. but in the show it's percy and they give his first and last name and they're tossing it around like it's nothing and i just can't wait for percy to become percy

[cherriielle]

claimed by the sea 🔱

[slowmiracles]

percy asking grover if he saw what happened to his mom.. poor baby, he was probably hoping it was one of those things that he’s been told was all in his head like. his disappointment when he saw the minotaur horn..

to everyone else, it’s a spoil of war—kleos.

to him, it’s undeniable proof that his mother is gone.

[luvmist]

Hey can I request a aonung x reader

Where Aonung gives a necklace made of shell to the reader who is a Sully. The next day one of her brothers wonders why she has a new necklace.

Thank you and have a great day!!

GRAVE (1.6k) ❀ 。 ׄ ׅ

ao’nung x f! na’vi reader.

compendium: when thick tension turns to potent love, can it truly stay hidden?

warnings: suggestive flirting, kissing, strong language, fluff and humor mostly, a bit of angst, shifts between flash backs and flash forwards, sully fam being nosy

notes: i liked this request sm i may have gotten carried away lol. apologies. but either way i hope u enjoy anon. still tryna explore ao’nungs character plus still extremely new to writing. so i hope this is acceptable. also ik the title sounds grimey but this fic is p lighthearted. drew inspo from a poem as well as a song. as always, please mutilate me with criticism and correction so i can improve

you’re not entirely sure how it happened. misted vision prevailed over timeline and verity. however, it is safe to say that if someone had told you upon your initial arrival to the reef, that no less than four months later you’d be sneaking around with the olo'eyktan’s indisputably insufferable son, your incredulity would’ve been comical.

wistfully recalling the first time you’d seen him — hard eyes. firm and arrogant. guard up, unsmiling. stunning. holding tight onto kiri’s hand, your own eyes acknowledged the gradual gathering of the metkayina clan around your family. regardless, your sight was consumingly preoccupied with him. he stared back. the blue of his irises were fervid. at the time, you dismissed it as anger. a reaction to your family’s invasion and unfamiliarity. it was not that. but in the moment, you remained ignorant. a twisting enthral of unknown sentiments travelled through your stomach as you stubbornly kept his intense gaze. butterflies. you clutched your sisters hand tighter.

cerulean water engulfed your waist. an hour had passed since olo'eyktan tonowari and thasìk ronal had granted your family uturu. learning the metkayina’s craft and method seemed to be laced with under tones of compelling urgency. around you stood your siblings, and infront of you, three na’vi. rotxo, a calm and charming boy. tsireya, an unfathomably pure spirit. and him. you tried to listen attentively, but how could you? his stare was vivid. you mustn’t look, but you do. and oh, how the thrill of the sapphire orbs that you’re met with is worth the missed explanations you’re being fed by an eager tsireya. slowly, the side of his mouth curves upwards. not into a smile, but rather a smirk. smug. turning your head defiantly, you keep your focus on his sister. although, you weren’t sure if you were defying his pomposity or the ever present glittering feeling inside your own chest.

days passed, and tension thickened. you were quick to learn the boys’ name. you were quick to learn the boys’ ways. ao’nung had a knack for coming up with a snarky remark in any given situation. ao’nung was fiercely loyal to his friends, and rejected change. ao’nung enjoyed teasing people. ao’nung felt comfortable in positions of dominance. ao’nung was sly, strategic and innovative. yet often acted on impulse. and above all, ao’nung was an exceptionally determined man. once he had centred his desire, not one thing could deter his aim.

in short, ao’nung had chosen you. pridefully, you had rejected his advances. wanting to make him feel just as refused as he had made your family feel. your sister. but this only fuelled his combative love for a challenge. and thus, he began pursuing you. you didn’t deny yourself any conscious apprehension, you were attracted to him. and yes, he did have an effect on you, and yes, there was a blatant connection. but no, you absolutely would not allow yourself to be swooned. yet unfortunately unlike ao’nung, your determination falls flaccid when your riveting heart begins to enchant your spirit with an unexplainable and irrevocable emotion.

ao’nung decorated the next month and a half of your life. he would flirt, rather blatantly. staring, so much staring. he liked when you would look away. putting his broad chest against your back and whispering to you. he knew he made you nervous. but soon, the boyish smirk that remained plastered to his face, changed. it became a smile. a real, true smile. one he reserved only for you. and his eyes, cold and stern, became tender. bright. and only then did your indignant resistance finally cease. only then did you allow yourself to fall. and fall you did. you recall the moment you stopped running, it was a simple moment. all you remember was him, the waves, and his voice. he said your name. just your name. you liked how he said your name. like you, really liked it.

within a week your mind was mush. he invaded every sense, thought and moment. sitting next to him on the peer, legs swinging from the wooden dock as the fish swam below your feet. glowing coral and treasures.

“will you let me take you out, already?” he started.

“and be seen in public with you? no way.” you respond. smile evident in your voice. it wasn’t entirely a joke. after you accepted your desire, the principal reason you had avoided taking ao’nung up on his suggestions and invites (or rather pleas and desperate whining), was because of your family. it was terrifying, not knowing what they would think if they found out you had grown a feverish affection for the same boy who almost got your brother killed. the same boy who tormented your sister. your kiri. the thought of their disapproval and anguished disappointment paralysed you. he knew.

“ma yn” he spoke. a vocation, telling you to look at him. once you did, “we don’t have to tell them, for now. just please. open your heart to me—” he was crying. shit. he was really crying. he pulled you roughly into his chest, his face in your neck “it was a hunt before, i see that. but now, it’s no longer your infernal presence that tortures me. i have taken your soul into mine, and through you i have become a man. he became quiet. “just please. fuck. please. please.” his lashes were wet against your skin. he was so desperate. aching to give you the love his hands, spirit and mind implored him to encase you in. begging. begging you to let him take care of you. you finally answered him, “we have to take this to the grave.” he only nodded in response, and with an open mouth he wrote his name on your throat. by the end of it, you were shivering.

he walked you to your marui afterwards. both of you in fits of laughter, tears long forgotten. “you’re gonna come see me ride tomorrow. my first tsurak.” he stated. he was staring at the sand. “and why would i do that, ao’nung?” he took his time responding. usually, his pace was rapid. his wit conjuring responses faster than he could process them. “cause you’re my girl.” he finally looked up.

instantly, everything ao’nung had been saying made sense. all that talk about man and woman, torture and growth. it had aligned itself in you like a constellation. you understood now. looking at him, he was grand. vast and big. towering over you. his hands, just as large and calloused as they were amatory. strong arms. thick neck. jaw clenched. deep, vehement voice. it’s like you were suddenly becoming aware of the fact that he was male. powerful. protective. tender. your mouth fell slightly ajar, his muscular arms wrapped despairingly around your waist. you felt it most then. all that man. how much he made you feel like a woman. you let out a shaky breath. only three words in all existence could express your present notion. “i see you.” it was barley audible, yet it was more than enough. and with that, he kissed you.

the deal was simple — tell no one. in public, you were mere acquaintances. yet behind closed doors, you were vigorously infatuated with one an other. he’d stare in a group setting til you were tugging him away when no one was looking. stealing kisses. part of the routine. secret whispered nothings in your ear. date nights, after eclipse. he’d take you swimming, or to the spirit tree. he quickly became your life source. your oxygen. as if you were holding your breath all day and his kisses were the only thing that could finally ease your burning lungs.

“let’s take it to the grave” you’d say

hours spent craving each other. loving words, he’d spill them while you traced patterns on his chest.

“they’ll never find out how bad we behave” he’d assure

on his lap, with his lips on your neck as you told him about your day. breathing in his musk, feeling him mumble into your throat. “i made you something” you manage to make out his muffled words. “you did, ma nung?” you say, giggling already. his grip on your waist tightens. “yeah.” he smiles into your warm skin. one of his hands leave your waist and begin rummaging around in his burlap satchel he had lazily chucked on the sand. you hear clinking before you’re presented with a necklace. a very pretty necklace. “ao’nung” you whisper, one hand flying up to cover your mouth. it’s a shell necklace, traditional metkayina ornamentation. a halitosis rests in the center with smaller trinkets circling the remaining space. he raises his eyebrows, smirking already. “you like it?” you look at him. “it’s perfect. thank you.” “let’s see it on then, turn around.”

later, sitting cross legged in your marui, you face a mindlessly unprecedented challenge. “what’s that?” asks your brother, plopping down next to you. “what are you on about.” you deadpan. “that necklace, where’d you get it?” you look up at neteyam. “huh? what are you guys talking about.” lo’ak chips in. lo’ak, who had been with you all afternoon and had not noticed the necklace, whereas neteyam pointed it out within minutes of being back. typical.

“uh, i made it.” you answer. trying your hardest to sound nonchalant. “that’s nonsense. you can’t bead jewellery for shit.” lo’ak stated. “well i managed didn’t i?” you shoot back. “yn.” neteyam, this time. “you realize you always hide your thumbs when you lie?” he continues. you sharply look down and sure enough, he was right. you were clenching your thumbs tight in your hands. when did you start doing that? indignantly you look back up at an amused neteyam. opening your mouth, only to find yourself speechless.

could you really take this to the grave?

[odysirena]

Hellooo could I please be 🧞‍♂️ anon? I'm not sure if you have a system like that but hahahaha.

Just wanted to drop by and say your writing is so beautiful. And just take your time with the update! Im sure your brewing up something nice. But could we possibly have a snippet pls? 🥹

hi! i don't really have a system rn but yes of course :')

it's taking a bit mostly because i'm busy and because i want to fit in as much as possible since the series is only going to have four parts!

here's a snippet

thank you for waiting :)

[odysirena]

Hai, I just stumble on your story while missing Neteyam so bad. I got a little upset that he didn't get many scene and died in the movie. But your story make him more than alive. Thank you for bringing such a great work. I love it :')

hello!! i'm glad my story could make you feel better! thank you for the kind words and i hope you have a wonderful week 💙

[cultemis]

MODERN DAY SCHOOL HEADCANONS (multiple!)

content — okay i've never seen any modern day headcanons so i'm not sure if people will like these but they're funny to make so im gonna do it anyways.

AO'NUNG !

so irritating istg and you're so into it??? he gets on your nerves, but the way he looks at you when you're not looking gives him away completely

him and his friends will bug you any chance they get but not in an unacceptable way. they know better than that, ao'nung would probably kill them

he'll walk you to class knowing his is the opposite way and be waiting outside as soon as the bell rings. it almost makes you wonder if he even went to class

"you can eat lunch with me and my friends today"

you never do bc you have friends of your own of course but that won't stop him from trying

exceptionally good at math and no one acknowledges it since he acts like a damn idiot outside of class

grades???? never down. not if he wants to keep playing basketball bc he would totally play the sport. james told me so himself

you don't go to any of the games bc it's just not your thing, but he did find himself asking at one point and was very surprised to see you in the stands that night

instead of celebrating with his team, he decided to shoot his shot and take you to a local ice cream shop where he FINALLY confessed his feelings

under any other circumstances, you would've thought he was joking, but as i said, his eyes don't lie. you saw the way he looked at you, you were just waiting for him to make a move

cue his friends hooping and hollering when he drags you through the halls with his hand in yours the next day, proud ass smile on his face bc you were finally his he's such a fool

leader of simp nation fr

you two are so cute, complete opposites and everyone adores it

"y/n i think i need help on this problem" "ao'nung you have a high A in math????"

high school sweethearts through and through

NETEYAM !

i wouldn't say he's a goody two shoes but he's still top of his class and would totally be valedictorian or salutatorian or some shit like that

catch him studying in the courtyard during lunch or reading manga bc i KNOW he would

has his airpods in (brent faiyaz is playing)

literally has never said a word to you, but you have met his eyes a couple times in the halls, though he just looks away without a second thought

you made progress with your not-so-temporary crush one time when you asked him for a pencil with a sweet smile on your face and lovesick eyes

he literally laughed in your face and shook his head in amusement before facing the front again, making you realize your pencil was sitting in your hand

you cried tears that night

one day he pulled out a copy of fruits basket and suddenly you're jumping in your seat as you ask him if he's team kyo or not (he is)

you didn't get to talk much before the teacher started her lesson but he did follow you out the door that day, asking what else you're into

baby boy was locked tf in from that moment on

from that day forward, you sat with him in the courtyard, sharing stories and mindless thoughts. he looks forward to that hour every day

wrote his final essay for his ELA class on what it's like being in love with you and it's now framed in your room

you're his first girlfriend so you're pampered on by him. the girls wish they had a bf like yours

asked you out at that same table you two share two months later and you thank natsuki takaya every day for writing fruits basket

kind of a loser but he's your loser bf and you're so deathly in love with him

LO'AK !

you did NOT like this boy

he was so annoying. and not in a cute way like ao'nung was, but genuinely irritating

you've been going to school together since fifth grade so you know him more than you'd like to

you get along well with his sister and it makes you wonder how they're related at all

tries to cross you up in the halls and thinks it's top tier comedy

probably the type to ask you "thot daughter or gay son" in the halls :'(

ended up seeing him outside of school when hanging with kiri where you realized, he's actually a cool kid when away from his friends

he ended up sitting on kiri's fluffy rug with a squishmallow in his lap, invested in your girl talk

isn't as annoying in school after that day and it made him notice how you are more willing to be around him so he does end up maturing a bit more (everyone say thank you yn)

once you had his number, you'll send him a ss of a song you like with no context and the next day, he's giving you his opinion (he loves them all)

his friends try to hang out at school bc they notice he's been straying away and only when he says yes, does he realize how annoying he must've been bc being around them after your calming presence is like being surrounded by barking dogs

walked around with a nba yb book bag all throughout middle school and you make sure to remind him of that

he cringes so bad when you two talk about pre!yn lo'ak

asked you out on a fucking sticky note and got it confiscated by the teacher before you could read it so when the teacher read it out loud, he just shrugged and waited for your answer

you were so humiliated by your soon to be boyfriend but couldn't stop grinning bc he really does keep you entertained

you said yes btw

[odysirena]

this did not help my recently founded aonung obsession

[odysirena]

omg his actor is sooo cute

RIGHT LIKE 🧌 the video of him walking by with his hair down i was fr kicking my feet BYE

[odysirena]

im in tears yall i might have to delay the atlantis ud in favour of writing an aonung fic because i just saw a filip geljo edit on my tiktok fyp and … IMFJCHEJDKWKXKWKDM 🧍

[cordyce]

imagine having play fights with ao'nung

don’t do this to me …….

it always starts out so innocent too! ao’nung mouths something off with that stupid smirk that’s always curving up his lips and you reach over to smack the back of his head. you turn to walk away and he’s immediately pulling at your tail with a laugh. feigning gasps, mocking faux anger you turn back around on him. pushing and shoving as laughs leave your mouths—but it isn’t fully a game.

how could it be? with how competitive the two of you are. play fighting with ao’nung always starts off innocent, yes, but it never ends up that way. because light pushes turn a little harder, jabs turn more frequent. and nine times out of ten play fights with ao’nung always end with the two of you rolling around on the ground scrapping like two year olds over a toy ilu. and—nine times out of ten—it’s usually you who gets pinned to the ground.

“i win,” he simpers, pride lacing his voice as he straddles your stomach and holds your wrists to the sand. “as always. you know, really, you could at least try.”

and you roll your eyes. huff at him as you (hardly) try to free yourself. “oh, you know. didn’t want to bruise your ego too much by absolutely stomping you.”

and he’ll laugh at that, quirk a brow ridge up at you like he’s looking for a round two. then, he leans a little closer, gets in your face.

“tell you what,” he offers, “gimme a kiss and i’ll count this as your win.”

you contemplate it, roll it around on your tongue. then you nod with a hum. “okay, deal.”

and he’s all too eager, too willing, to drop his guard and lean in to kiss you. it’s sweet, the kiss—as it always is. and you do indulge him in it, truly. but ao’nung is just so gullible sometimes when he’s getting what he wants, and he just melts so easily for you.

so the second you feel his grip on your wrists loosening just the slightest bit, you’re bucking your legs out from under him and twisting around until it’s him who is pinned to the ground. your hands on his shoulders, your thighs straddling his waist—he looks up incredulously at you as he rushes for a breath.

“i win,” you taunt—mock—as a smirk of your own stretches across your face. and ao’nung begins to ramble, dispute your claims of victory, but you simply lean down to kiss him again just to shut his conceited ass up. and it works, like a charm. like it always does.

yeah, play fighting with ao’nung is.. fun.

[odysirena]

giggling like an idiot the way u write aonung is just so hmgfdhgfdgd

[odysirena]

giggling like an idiot at part 2's title 🤭

[insert smiling emoji] if it makes u feel better it is directly referenced at least once too [insert eyes emoji]

also!! here's an update for u guys :)

please drop by my inbox ! i love reading what you guys have to say when i have free time <3

[odysirena]

i was going to make a hc for one of my requests but i just accidentally thought of an actual plot BYE.

[odysirena]

just wanna commend you because how is your writing so versitile? got me laughing like a maniac with childs play and in awe with ur colorful words. U R JUST SO BRILLIANT!

ahhhh thank you for the kind words! i actually feel like that's something i struggle with--mixing poetry prose and humour, or generally just incorporating poetry prose into fanfiction without it dragging out--so thank you for this, really!

i hope you have a lovely day! 💙

[odysirena]

WAIT.. is ur @ an odyssey pun ..

i'm actually surprised someone noticed LOL

yes, it is! :)

[odysirena]

if you ask me why

masterlist

pairing: lo'ak x gn!metkayina!reader

summary: Lo'ak, your long time friend, asks you to set him up with Tsireya.

tags: mutual pining, (kinda) idiots to lovers (2.6k)

“No.” 

Lo’ak sighs at your response, “Bro! Why not? You literally have nothing to lose!”

Said boy has been trailing you ever since you denied his request to set him up with your best friend. 

You stop walking to give him a pointed stare. The boy shrinking down sheepishly under your gaze, “It has been an hour. Are you not tired of constantly whining like a child?”

You turn around, not waiting for an answer, smiling to yourself when you hear the sound of his footsteps from behind you. “Just tell me why you’re saying no and I’ll stop, I promise.”

Your steps come to a halt at his words causing his body crashing with yours. Ow, shit, bro what the fuck?! Ow, ow, ow.

“Stop whining and maybe I will,” Lo’ak straightens his back, assuming a salute position before he realises you have no knowledge when it comes to human military.

He racks his brain and rummages through memories for something to say that would hold significance to you, “Do you pinky promise?”

Lo’ak’s smile grows wider at the memory that’s been resurfaced by the simple question. He watches as the corners of your mouth twitch into an almost smile. 

(You’ve been giving him a lot of those lately, he collects every image his mind is able to capture and stores them in a box, pulling them up when he’s down, convincing himself that he’s only remembering the memory of your almost smiles because the jokes that led to them were funny.)

The serious nod that you respond to his question with has him mirroring the expression on your face, the smile quickly returns though.

Because you wrap your hand around his fourth finger, pulling at it lightly before you seriously say, “Your pinky finger is now mine.”

It takes everything in him to hold in his laugh at your display. 

He will never admit it but a small part of him is endeared. Your willingness to indulge in his humanity with no prejudice despite your friends’ opinions always makes him feel grateful.

No one will ever be able to claw this out of him but any time he’s particularly down, he always thinks of that day. 

The day he let someone fully hold his hand without pulling away. 

He was having a particularly bad day. Payakan was away, he got in trouble with his dad, the icing on the cake? Ao’nung’s friend called him a freak again. 

Your consolation came with a mask of curiosity. 

He knows your curiosity didn’t pop up randomly.

Because nothing about anything you did was ever random, it’s almost like your very being was fueled by pure intention. 

Well-timed dialogues, perfectly executed jokes, compliments disguised as insults. 

The next thing he knew he was laughing, the sour cloud over his head dispersing without him even noticing. 

So when you asked him about his fourth finger, he responded with a joke. 

(In his defence, how was he supposed to know you’d believe him when he said that wrapping a hand around the fourth finger and pretending to pull it off sealed a promise?)

A part of him thinks you know, another, content with ignorant bliss. 

“I like you, Lo’ak.”

Your statement effectively shakes him off the rabbit hole of a memory, his eyes widening and jaw going slack in the process.

“Excuse me?” Lo’ak says uselessly.

You should see yourself right now.

Your heart feels like it’s going to leave your body and bury itself at the bottom of the ocean.

Your mind feels like it's going to explode with how fast it's racing, coming up with ways to rationalise your sudden confession.

But all an outsider would see is the tilt of your head. Emotions tucked away from your face, buried behind the person you've spent years being.

“You asked me why I don’t want to ‘set you up’ with Tsireya?” Another tilt of head at an attempt at indifference, “Did you already forget? You trailed me around for an hour?”

You stare at his dumbfounded face and realise he wouldn’t be able to form a response within the next minute. So you smile to yourself and turn to leave.

You pause, turning around slowly and reaching for a hand. The same one you plucked a pinky finger out of. 

You make a display of returning it, smiling up at him as you do, “I told you I wouldn’t break it.”

Later, if asked why you turned down his request in favour of telling him you like him, the answer would be simple. 

Why would you push him towards another person when you want him for yourself?

–

“There’s just no way,” Kiri and Neteyam say in unison. 

Lo’ak huffs and rolls his eyes, “Guys! I swear I’m not joking.” 

When the two don’t budge, he turns to their youngest, “Tuk! You believe me right?”

Tuk scrunches her face, “I don’t know,” she trails off, “aren’t they a bit too good for you?”

Her statement brings a laugh out of Neteyam and Kiri. Lo’ak rolls his eyes but the smile on his face is difficult to miss. 

“Okay wait, let me clarify,” Kiri says, walking towards him as she does, “You were begging them to set you up with Tsireya,” Lo’ak nods slowly, “And when they refused and you asked why and they said it was because they ‘like’ you,” Kiri’s quotation marks warrant another eye roll from Lo’ak. 

Lo’ak knows it sounds ridiculous. He wouldn’t believe it to be real himself if his heart wasn’t currently suffering from the repercussions of the smile you gave him.

So he aggressively nods his head at Kiri, “Yes! Bro! Exactly!”

Kiri looks between him and Neteyam, her jaw slacked, “Oh. He’s not joking.”

“You skxawng, why would you ask them to set you up with Tsireya?” Neteyam asks, amusement obvious in his voice.

The question has Lo’ak throwing his hands up in the air, “What do you mean why? Is it forbidden?”

Kiri shrugs, “Not really,” she gives him a teasing look, “But why are you asking the person you like to set you up with another girl?”

Lo’ak screeches, “The person I– WHAT?!” 

His siblings laugh at him as he stands mortified. 

Their parents call them from inside the marui, something about food being ready.

Before Neteyam follows their sisters to go inside, he grabs the back of Lo’ak’s head with a smile on his face, “Perhaps you’re in need of some introspection brother.”

–

Ao’nung was starting to get annoyed. 

When you barged in on him weaving and told him you would wait till he’s done–fully understanding that the activity required utmost patience–he was grateful. 

The sound of your footsteps filling the empty area as you pace back and forth has his fingers slipping up and making more mistakes than he’d like.

He sighs in relief when Näyì, the third member of your trio, enters the marui. Putting the straws down and cracking his knuckles before he speaks, “Thank Eywa, please put me out of my misery.”

You stop pacing and stick your tongue out at him–a habit you picked up from Tuk–before you turn to Näyì. 

“I accidentally told Lo’ak I like him.” 

The words’ effects are immediate. Ao’nung gives you a look of disbelief and Näyì gives you a look of amusement.  

“You don’t do accidents,” Ao’nung says. Näyì nods in agreement before she hums, “He must really drive you crazy then.”

Näyì suddenly gasps, “Wait. . Did he. . reject you?” 

Ao’nung scoffs at her display, rolling his eyes before saying, “He’s as crazy for them as they are with him. Do you not see the heart eyes he sends their way when he thinks nobody’s looking?”

You give Ao’nung a look, “No?”

A sigh leaves your mouth, “I mean, he didn’t reject me. . .”

“Then why do you look so dejected?” Näyì asks.

Ao’nung’s face twists into a playful grin, “Are you sad because you’re now stuck with him?”

You shove him, ignoring the whine he lets out, you collect your thoughts, voice dropping to a whisper when you finally speak.

“I told him I like him after he asked me to set him up with ‘reya.”

The response you receive is mixed.

“YOU DID WHAT?!”

“Oh that boy better stay away from my sister.”

You flinch at their exaggerated displays, letting them calm down to allow the words to properly sink.

When Ao’nung finally stops laughing like a maniac at the idea of his little sister with Lo’ak, Näyì turns to you.

“Explain.”

You shrug, “What else is there to say? I’ll be fine if he and Tsireya ever get together,” you ignore Ao’nung’s barfing gesture, “but I don’t really want to have a hand at it, you know? Why shove them closer together if I know it’s going to fill me with regret eventually?”

The duo takes your words in, the silence being broken by Näyì when she hums, “how about the part where you told him you like him.”

A sheepish expression is placed on your face, “That part’s the accident.”

Ao’nung gives you a look, “But I don’t think it was an accident, is it?” You blink up at him, “You told him you like him so he could consider your feelings.” Your mouth slightly hangs at his observations, “You want him to know so you don’t feel regret later on, and now you’re worried because he could reject you.”

He pats your back playfully, “I don’t know why you’re worrying so much though.”

You roll your eyes at him, “Did you forget the part where he asked me to set him up with your sister?”

Näyì snorts at your question, “He has never smiled at ‘Reya the same way he smiles when you’re around.”

Ao’nung nods in agreement, “Tell you what. Why don’t you try to see for yourself?” You widen your eyes in question, “Hang around him and Tsireya, you’ve always been perceptive, this shouldn’t be any different.”

You open your mouth to answer but he’s already shushing you, ushering you and Näyì out of the marui so he can continue weaving.

Once you’re walking side by side with Näyì, she tells you, “He does have a point though. It’s fine to be sceptical but you might end up regretting it.” 

You know it’s a trap to get you to follow through Ao’nung’s plan. But when the word regret leaves your mouth you know you’ve fallen into it.

–

The next time Lo’ak sees you, Tsireya is on your side.

You would be lying if you said that the sight of his body going rigid once he takes notice of you isn’t amusing. 

“Hello, Lo’ak.” The greeting comes from Tsireya and Lo’ak has to force his eyes away from your figure to greet her back.

When they’re done sharing pleasantries, you speak.

“You told me you needed extra practice for your rites of passage, didn’t you?” You smile at him sweetly, the sight of it making his stomach flutter, his body acting against his will yet again.

“I was telling ‘reya about it and she gladly offered!” Tsireya opens her mouth to correct you, to say you asked me to do this as a favour? 

Please just go along with it, you say with your eyes, hoping it reaches her. When your best friend closes her mouth, you turn to look at Lo’ak.

He’s already looking at you. It surprises you that he doesn’t look away–like he usually does when you catch him staring–clouded eyes locked on your features.

You cough. Gesturing for him to join your friend that’s already in the water.

When he still doesn’t budge, you raise your hand to lightly push him towards the water. 

But you never get the chance to, because he catches your arms and tells Tsireya he’ll be back. 

The girl nods, but once the two of you are out of sight, she moves to leave. A knowing smile on her face, knowing better than to wait when it was you he left with.

“Lo’ak–” You start, letting him pull you towards a secluded area on the shore. 

When he finds a spot away from prying ears, he turns to look at you, “What are you doing?” 

The playful smile on your face drops when you see the serious expression planted on his face. 

How did things stray so far from your plan? It was supposed to be simple. Have him and Tsireya hang out, observe them from afar, and finally, draw a conclusion.

But now both Tsireya  and the playful boy you know are nowhere to be found. 

Standing in front of you is someone you’ve only seen three times. The intense look on his face makes him feel unfamiliar.

He drops the hand he was holding and paces in front of you.

“What are you doing?” He asks again, desperation clear in his voice.

You clear your throat in an attempt to steady yourself. You don’t look at him when you speak, afraid he’d find a trace of weakness in your face with how intensely he’s staring.

“I don’t understand why you’re. . frustrated,” his pacing comes to a stop and you find your body looking at him against your orders, “didn’t you ask for this?”

Your eyes lock and you watch as the clouds forming in his eyes clear up. 

“Did you lie?” He asks suddenly.

He sees your confused look, “When you told me you liked me, was it a lie?”

You find your body moving to shake your head before you can even speak, “No, I–”

“Then why are you doing this?” 

Because I couldn’t stand to wait to know if you would reject me.

I had to see if you wanted her enough to not consider me. 

Is what you would say if you didn’t have pride to protect. He wouldn’t be able to claw that information from you even if he begs. Liar. The tiny voice in your head calls you out. You would learn to fly if he asked. 

You don’t really want to lie, so you answer with another question instead, “Do you not want this anymore?”

It’s a loaded question and you both know it. 

When he doesn’t respond, you get so frustrated that words leave your mouth before you could think them over.

“I have liked you the moment you fell off your ilu during your first week here.” You turn your back on him before you continue, afraid of how he’d react to you baring your soul to him, “I like you when you’re making stupid jokes and references I don’t understand. I like you when you’re breaking rules, something I could never do. I like your bravery and your conviction; your ability to stand up for the things you want.” 

You pause.

“I like you even if it scares me.” 

You feel a hand on your shoulder, it spins you around, forcing you to stare at Lo’ak in the eye and then. . . laughter. Your face scrunches into displeasure, watching as he throws his head back. 

When he calms down, he takes notice of your unimpressed expression and rushes to explain yourself, “No– shit– fuck– no, I’m not making fun of you.” 

He sighs, moving his hands so they’re holding yours. When he sees your face soften, he continues, “I think the main reason I was so. . in denial with my feelings was because they were too strong. It scared me. The feeling is as intense as the love I have for my family but it’s different.”

He pulls you in an embrace, kissing the crown of your head before he speaks, “I’m sorry it took me this long to notice.”

You hum, “I’m sorry too,” you move your head from its position on his chest in favour of looking at him, “I knew and I didn’t tell you sooner.”

He repositions the two of you so you’re both facing the sunset, your back against his chest and his hands making their way home around your waist.

The sun sets and Lo’ak finds that he’s fine with it. 

Because on your face rests constellations that are begging to be explored.

A/N: not proofread… anyways! i was supposed to work on requests but this idea came to mind and i just .. had to write it! i’ll definitely get around to them soon! as always! reblogs and replies are appreciated! thank you for reading :)

permanent taglist: @nao-cchi

[odysirena]

ok but ur mood board for atlantis is just so ?? intentional i feel like THE DARK BLUE AND THE TEAL COLORS ON THE OCEAN GAVE ME A WHIPLASH BECAuSE? was that on purpose (bcoz of the metkayina and the omaticaya skin difference)

AND THE "CAN I GO WHERE U GO" lorddd the color palette feels so intentional u r crazy as fuck the attention to detail???? MHMMM

anon ily