Engraved in the Sea (Neteyam x reader) part 4
Ghosted for a week, now I’m back, enjoy :)
---
"Ow," Neteyam whined again, and you closed your eyes.
"I am never calling you a mighty warrior again if this is how you act to salve," You replied, though you did loosen your grip on his jaw.
Neteyam glared but let you continue your work, easing the ointment onto his cut and bruises.
You let the silence wash over you two, not saying anything when he twitched against your touch.
"This stuff works well," Neteyam said, breaking the silence with a sigh, "the ache is already gone."
You smiled, "It's the strong stuff."
"Did you nick it from the healers?" he asked, and you tilted his head slightly to the side.
"It's my stash," You stated, digging your finger in the bowl once more, "Had some nasty wounds in the past, from jobs and stuff."
Neteyam's eyes flicked over your face, and you stared at him for a moment before saying, "You're allowed to ask, you know."
"I won't be crossing a line if I do?" He asked
You shrugged, "it's the first thing people see when they look at me. I get asked a lot."
His eyes narrowed, "But does it bother you when they do?"
You thought about it for a moment, the scar feeling tight across your skin, "I don't mind if it's you asking."
He gave you a small smile before bringing up his hand and gently running a finger across the scar. You let him, much to your surprise, let your eyes close as you mentally followed the trail of his finger.
"If you are comfortable telling me, how'd it happen?" Neteyam asked, letting his hand drop.
"Ao'nung and Tsierya," You said, and his eye's winded in surprise, "I was protecting them from what we call an akula."
"An Akula?"
"The largest predator in this area, has a ridiculous amount of teeth," You said, grimacing, "One crossed our reef barrier, and my siblings and I were in the area. It spotted them first."
"You interfered to save them," Neteyam frowned when you nodded, "Were you scared?"
You huffed out a laugh, "Oh, I was terrified. I thought I was going to die. Instead, I got this jagged thing," You guested to your face.
"But that's what we do as older siblings, right?" You gave him a small smile," I'd do anything for them in a heartbeat, even if I'm only saving them and there is no one to do the same for me."
Your last words stuck in Neteyam's head, oh how familiar they sounded, doing anything for your family. How often has he taken the blame for his siblings or gone out of his way to keep them safe? Heck, he's sitting here with you because of the bruises he got defending his siblings. Hearing someone else going through the same thing was both sad and comforting.
"Always protecting our families," was all Neteyam could say in return.
You looked him in the eyes for a moment, trying to read his thoughts, and as you watched his flicker over your face, you could tell he was doing the same.
Neteyam let out a slight flinch when your hand slid over his shoulder and tapped his shoulder blade.
"Is that where you got this from?" You said it took him a moment to realize you meant the fresh scars that stretched across his skin.
"Explosion," Your eyes winded at the blunt statement before Neteyam clarified, "Lo'ak doesn't know when to listen, went into the field, and an explosion set off next to us."
"It must be scary, being in a war," You commented.
Neteyam shrugged, "They brought the war to us. We're just defending our home."
"What's it like? The forest?" Neteyam smiled at the curious glint in your eye.
Neteyam tried to ignore the ache in his chest when he thought about his home, "It's beautiful. Everything felt so connected. It didn't matter where in the forest I was. I still felt at home, happy."
You didn't need to ask if he missed it. The longing look on his face was enough.
You sighed and brought yourself closer. Crossing your legs, Neteyam followed suit. His breath hitched when you gently grabbed his hands and got them into your lap, running your thumb over his knuckles.
"I hope one day it does not hurt you so much to think about the forest," You said, squeezing his hands, "And that in time, you'll feel at home here."
You looked away for a moment, for the air started to feel heavy. His hands felt so warm. They have callouses like yours, small scars littering across them. One hand was bruised from the punches earlier. You wanted to hold his hands for as long as you could, and your heartbeat picked up when he squeezed them back. Taking a deep breath, you looked at him again, putting on a brave face and ignoring the tingling sensation in your fingertips.
"Neteyam," You started before closing your eyes and taking another breath," So much has changed for you and your family. I'm here for you if you ever need someone to talk to about anything."
"You're so busy keeping everyone else safe," You thought about what you said earlier, "So I'll try to be there to save you when you need someone."
Neteyam generally wondered if his mind would always blank after you did something like this. So many times, you've left him speechless, and this wasn't an exception. In fact, no, this was worse because he felt heat rushing to his face and his heart beating heavily in his chest. He's never had this feeling before, such comfort from someone other than his family.
"I could say the same to you," His voice felt caught in his throat, but he pushed to speak, "We'll look after each other?"
You grinned and gripped his hands tighter, "Mighty warriors."
Neteyam laughed, and a braid fell across his face. Without thinking, you brushed it behind his ear, and both of you froze. Now the air was tense and you needed to do something quickly.
Clearing your throat, you sprung up, stretching your legs before offering a hand to Neteyam, pulling him to his feet, "Right, we should go find the others." The sully boy nodded, "Yeah, we should see if they've made up."
You hummed and started grabbing at your ointments when an idea hit you. You didn't want this moment with Neteyam to end just yet, "Wait,"
Neteyam paused and turned to you, "There is something I wanted to show you unless you want to wait for another day?"
Neteyam looked at you and then in the direction where he was about to leave. He didn't want this moment to end either, and if you were willing to put your days' jobs on hold for him, he could do the same, even just for a little.
He nodded, braids swinging as he did so, "Alright, let's do it."
You smirked and walked past him, nudging his shoulder as you did, "You're hair is very dramatic, you know, has a mind of its own." Neteyam scoffed, shoving your shoulder back, "No, it doesn't"
"You hit Lo'ak in the face with it the other day."
"Shit, did I?"
He grinned as you let out a boisterous laugh. ---
Neteyam looked around the reef as you slipped off your ilu and glided into the water. He waited until your head popped back up to the surface before asking. "Why are we out here?"
Near the edge of the reef, the area around them appeared vacant.
"Don't worry, we are still within the barrier, so we are safe," You shrugged, "safe-ish."
Neteyam looked skeptical before you swam closer and held your hand to him.
"Don't trust me?" You said teasingly, a smirk forming when he finally gave in and took your hand, letting you pull him into the water.
"You know I do," Your eyes widen in surprise, but you say nothing as he continues, "Just don't want to drown out here."
"Then get ready to take a deep breath," You stated, already calming down your movements, "the ilus are too restless down there. It will just be us."
You thought for a moment before shifting to move right next to him, "Stay right next to me and if you want to back out at any point, give me the sign, and we'll leave."
Neteyam nodded and copied you as you took one final deep breath before diving into the water.
You glanced to your side and smiled as he swam next to you. Your arms glided through the water in powerful strokes as you both descended closer to the bottom of the sea. Neteyam followed you, copying some of your movements as you led him through a gap in the rocks.
Already the sight in front of him was stunning. The deeper they went, the brighter everything seemed—the flora flowing with the currents. Neteyam watched as you paused and signaled him to wait too. You swam around a bend for a few moments, leaving him to take in his surroundings.
Moments later, he jolted when he felt something brush against his shoulders and turned to see you grinning at his reaction. He was about to send you a sign complaining he could have choked until he saw a gill mantel in your hands. Allowing the creature to connect with neteyam, he nodded thanks, feeling better about not having to hold his breath.
He was surprised when instead of swimming ahead, you instead grabbed his hand, which was surprisingly not tricky to do when swimming, for you glided through the space. After a while, you finally stopped swimming, peering around the corner of the rocky beds before turning to him.
You signed to him, 'Close your eyes for a moment.'
While the request was odd, his curiosity got the better of him, so he did as you asked.
He let you guide him around the corner and bring him to where he needed to be. After feeling your hand squeeze his arm as an okay, he opened his eyes.
Paintings. So many pictures and drawings of all colors and sizes were embedded across the rocks, seeming to glow on their own, shining brightly. Neteyam stared in awe at sight, and you couldn't stop the feeling of pride that rushed through you for being the one to show him.
Neteyam couldn't help but swim closer, taking in bits of the art at once. Pictures of the Metkayina doing all sorts of celebrations, hunting, dancing, and ceremonies. Your village's history is laid out on the rocks, with views of the Tulkun alongside the Na'vi. Neteyam smiled when he looked closer at the figures and saw how they depicted you and your family.
He turned to you and pointed to this particular picture.
You signed to him, 'it was from our last reunion.'
He pointed to another, and you smiled, 'the day I was chosen to lead the hunting party out of the reef,' You thought back to how happy you were at that moment, the proud look in your sibling's eyes and the assurance from your parents.
'The moment the village saw me as more than a child, as a leader.' You continued.
Neteyam nodded and turned back to the wall, unable to look away. It was all so clear, all their lives engraved into the walls forever.
'Who did this?' He signed.
'My soul sister and I wanted these stories to be a part of the sea.' You signed, 'forever here, to cherish and learn from.'
Neteyam couldn't describe what he felt at that moment, but as he stared at the stories in front of him, he felt as if he was there for all of these moments. ' What do you think?' You couldn't help but ask.
Neteyam glanced at you and then at the paintings, looking back to one of you with the Tulkun. 'It's breathtaking.' ---
The first thing you did after emerging back to the surface was take a mouthful of water, as Neteyam tackled your shoulders.
"Ugh, Neteyam, what the heck!" You sputtered and shoved him, "I show you my spot, and you try to drown me!"
He laughed and shook your shoulders, "That was incredible. I can't believe you made that."
"It wasn't just me," You replied, still hacking up water, "My soul sister creates stories and art. It's her gift."
You signaled for the ilus, ensuring Neteyam was secured in his before getting on yours.
"Can we go back there sometime?" Neteyam asked eagerly.
"I'm glad you liked it," You couldn't help but chuckle, "Of course, anytime you want to get away, we can come here. It's meant to be seen, after all."
"There were so many," Neteyam commented, still sounding in awe, "Can you tell me about some more?"
You hummed, thrilled that he was happy, "Alright, where would you like me to start?" ---
The two of you had arrived back at the village not long after the eclipse, having spent the last few hours just talking and enjoying the company of one another.
"Spider knocked two teeth out when he did that stunt," Neteyam continued with his story, and you jumped on the deck and took off the saddle of your ilu.
"Two teeth!" You winced, "At least his mask didn't break. Do they really need to wear them everywhere?"
Neteyam hummed in agreement, and you whistled, "Damn, they must smell terrible."
Your laughter died down when you turned to face the deck fully and came face to face with your brother.
He was with his friends, but they all were looking anywhere but at the two of you. You could tell something was wrong from here as Ao'nung's eyes flickered to Neteyam and you. You nudged Neteyam's shoulder, getting him to turn away from his ilu.
"All of you besides Ao'nung, leave now, "You stated, "He will talk with us alone."
They meekly nodded and walked off, allowing you to step closer to your brother, "What has happened?"
Ao'nung hesitated for a moment, eyes flicking between the two of you. You frowned.
"What happened?" This time it was Neteyam who asked.
Your eyes cast over his bruise from earlier, and the realization hit you, "Lo'ak went to apologize to you. Where is he?"
Neteyam's eyes widened as the dread settled in, "Where is my brother?" ---
"I can send out another search party," You stated to Jake and Neytiri, "We don't have any looking north side, so I'll get one there now."
After Ao'nung told you and Neteyam what happened to Lo'ak, Neteyam dragged your brother to Jake while you cooled off. Beyond furious with your brother for such a stupid idea, especially after what happened to you and your siblings not even a year prior.
You informed your parents, and soon the entire village was looking for the young Sully boy, getting more agitated as time passed. Feeling helpless, you had gone to talk to the Sullys.
Jake nodded, "I'll go with them; Neytiri can search from the sky."
"In the dark?" You commented, crossing your arms, "If that's the case, we won't see him till morning."
Before either could reply, Hollars sounded out shouts of Lo'ak's name. You sighed in relief, "They found him."
The two, however, had already raced past you to their son.
Everyone started to surround them, and they watched the Sullys scan the boy for injuries. You watched as Neteyam hugged him before your father stepped forward, your brother in toll.
As you headed over you caught the last of Lo'ak words coming in defense of your brother. Ao'nung raised his head in surprise, and so did you.
You were relieved that Lo'ak was unscathed, but you were still upset with them. You pulled your brother to stand up and whispered in his ear, "I don't care that he took the blame, give him a proper apology later."
Ao'nung meekly nodded and went to follow Lo'ak. Glancing back to the other sully's you listened as Neytiri and Jake confronted Neteyam.
"Where were you?" Neytiri asked her son, who remained quiet.
"Yeah," Jake said, voice stern, "What happened to looking out for your brother, huh?"
"I'm sorry, sir," Neteyam replied, looking his dad in the eyes, but he couldn't help as his head dipped in defeat. He spent the day doing something for himself, and look what happened.
His ears perked up when he heard your voice, "That was my fault. I needed some help with jobs this afternoon."
Jake and Neytiri turned to you, and you stood tall and firm, "I lost track of time. It's not his fault."
The two looked at each other before Jake sighed, "Alright, Lo'ak is safe. That's all that matters."
You nodded, "I'm glad he's safe. Goodnight."
Neteyam looked like he went to say something, but you subtly shook your head. Right now, you both had to be the ones to take accountability. With that in mind, you walked off. ---
Neteyam couldn't sleep, as if his eyelids had been glued open. He can't say the same about the rest of his family, who were fast asleep. Jake and Neytiri had moved in the night to be closer to Lo'ak, the night's events still fresh in their minds.
Neteyam sighed. He wanted to talk to you, to thank you for everything you did for him today. Taking the blame, showing him your spot, breaking up the fight, and giving him salve as you let him talk about anything and everything.
He's never had one person take over his mind so quickly and so much at once. It was starting to feel ridiculous. With a groan in frustration, he sat up and quietly stalked out of the tent, heading straight to the healers.
In the short time he's been here, he's noticed you have several places you like to work in before residing for the night, staying up late in the dark while everyone else had already fallen asleep. He silently prayed that tonight would be one of those.
He stood straighter when seeing a small light gleaming from the healers' section. Peering in to find you crouched on the floor, you weren't doing anything else this time. Simply watching the flames flicker, upon hearing his arrival, you glanced at him and patted the seat next to you.
It took Neteyam a moment before realizing, "You knew I'd come to find you."
"It's been a long day," Was all you said in reply.
He nodded and planted himself down beside you. Both are watching the fire now.
He brought his knees up to rest his arms, "Thank you for everything today."
You hummed, "You're welcome. I enjoyed spending it with you, before the lost brother crisis."
You thought about what you showed Neteyam with the paintings, and you couldn't help but ask, "Can you tell me more about the forest? About your time there?"
"Of course, what do you want to know? ," Neteyam asked as you leaned back and closed your eyes. "All of it."