Sasha

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[stxrgirlfcs]

Chivalry ☾ ⋆*･ﾟ

aged up!neteyam x fem!human turned na’vi!reader

wc: 4.5k // part one, part two

Summary: Driven into a cave by a sudden thunderstorm, the unspoken tension between you and Neteyam finally snaps. What starts as sharp bickering turns dangerous when the rain forces silence, and he admits to a secret he’s been burying for far too long—a filthy secret.

Tags: smut, angst, fluff, neteyam and reader are in a perv off, porn with a plot, reader is lowk a brat, flustered neteyam, cocky neteyam?, scent kink kinda, witty banter!!, pent up horniness, injury, humping, slow burn, friends to lovers

a/n: heres part two!! not proofread so I apologize for any typos, enjoy :))

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The week that followed, human scientists and Na’vi alike argued over me as if I were a riddle that demanded solving. I was passed between cold lab lights and sacred Eywa spaces. My renewed existence temporarily overtaken by blood tests, scans, and long, grueling rituals commanded by the Omatikaya—rituals that lasted hours on end.

Spider’s reaction stuck with me the most.

When he first saw me, his face lit up with genuine excitement. He laughed and cracked a joke, "I've gotta stop missing these fishing trips!” And for a moment, it felt normal. Like we were still just us.

 But I saw it. The hesitation. The way his smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. The jealousy he tried so hard to bury beneath humor and impassiveness. He was happy for me, truly. But it was tangled with something painful, something implicit.

In the nights that followed, I kept expecting to wake up human again, like this was all a dream and to laugh at the absurdity of it all. But each morning, I woke with thick black hair spilling across my face. With the quiet weight of my tail curled against my hip, its tip brushing my skin like a reminder.

This was real. And I was still here, and the first time I saw myself in the mirror gave me a feeling I knew I would be chasing forever. 

I still looked like myself. The same dimple curved into my cheek when I smiled too hard, the slight unevenness of my nose remained, the small beauty mark that kissed my cheekbone. My reflection was unfamiliar. But unmistakably mine. I would never see a human face staring back at me again. The thought should have terrified me. It did, a little. But beneath the fear was something else—something warmer, steadier. And for the first time in my life, I truly felt beautiful.  

—————————————————————————

Amidst more lab tests and evaluations, the Omatikaya elder women demanded I come with them, prying me away from the cold hands of the scientists. Their purpose was sacred, they said. I needed to be bathed.

It was a ritual reserved for new women of the clan, most often performed when individuals from other clans joined in mating with the Ometikaya. But with my current situation, and my existence defying tradition, the elders did not know how to name what I was. So they chose the closest truth. They treated me as a newcomer.

They led me to a tent on the eastern edge of the grounds and guided me inside. At its center laid a rocky pool embedded into the ground itself—whether the tub had been shaped by nature and honored by the Na’vi, or carefully constructed around something ancient, I didn’t know. I didn’t ask. Honestly, I was still in disbelief that this was my life, so I didn’t have the energy to question the construction of a bathtub.

One of the women brought me to a woven divider within the tent and guided me into the private corner. Once settled, she gently nudged my shorts down, until they were on the ground. I stepped out of them, one foot after the other. I should've felt vulnerable in this moment, having a stranger undress me like this and see my body. But I didn't. Really. And what was coursing through my brain was less barren thoughts of my usual self-consciousness, and more so my new found curiosity. The elder woman left, leaving me alone behind the divider. I used this opportunity to take off my top and set it aside. 

By that point, I was completely naked. I already knew the basics of Na’vi anatomy—Norm had kept very detailed anatomical diagrams pinned in his office for as long as I could remember. Growing up in the lab meant there were very few surprises left in that department… So I wasn’t expecting anything shocking when I looked down.

Still, I was curious. Curious to see if anything was… well, different.

I started with touch. I rested a hand against my breast, feeling familiar weight beneath unfamiliar skin. They were still mine, just Na’vi-proportioned, and blue instead of my old human complexion. My eyes fell to the faint stripes tracing along the underside, fading as they reached the center of my chest. My hands moved lower, reaching the curve of my hips then stopped when I felt the inner-part of my thigh. That was when I finally looked down.

I was completely hairless, which I hadn’t expected—but I wasn’t complaining. I gaped at all the markings on my skin; various shades of blue, scattered with more familiar beauty marks. Small bioluminescent freckles were glowing softly, catching the light as I shifted, even more prominent when I opened my thighs slightly. 

And… as I expected; my vagina was still very much me, just… painted in Pandora’s palette.

Focusing way too hard on my new blue private parts, I heard the divider shift and shot my hands to my sides. The elder woman had returned, holding a wooden bowl filled with dusty red powder. She signaled for me to move my hair behind my shoulders, and I did so diligently. With a practiced touch, she dashed red powder on my collarbones, then licked her finger and coated the tips into the powder, gently stippling the red paste on my sternum and tracing a line down to the notch of my belly button. She waved her arms in a spiritual upward motion toward my shoulders, closing her eyes then bringing her hands back behind her, signaling that this part was finished. She then motioned for me to excavate the divider and walk towards the edge of the thermae. 

I stepped in, submerging myself, the warm water greeting me as I relaxed into the tub. Two other women came inside from the tent's opening, forming in alliance around the pool and whispering soft prayers over me while the eldest massaged the powder into my scalp. 

After the bathing ritual was over they patted me dry and began dressing me in traditional forest garments. A woman with a large feather boa came from another cove within the awning, and held out a loincloth with intricate beading lining the waist line as well as a leaf woven vestment—strings and more beads fringing the bottom edge. She assisted me with tying the garments, teaching me specific knot styles that were snug and secure. She then rubbed oils firmly into my skin; topnotes of salt, lavender, and sweet fig filled the surroundings. I've never smelt something more heavenly. 

I shuddered as I remembered the piercing ozone scent that fried my nostrils every time I entered the lab. That chemical air being the only smell I could associate with my human life. 

So, as I drew in the beautiful aroma emitting from the oils, a small smile bloomed on my lips. 

They finished with a few brief prayers, and with one last spritz of oil, the eldest woman turned to me and said, “You are Omatikaya now.”

Back at the lab the humans explained what they could, about how the hell all this was possible. They clinged to biology like a lifeline. The scientists described it like this: It was as though the planet itself had grown me from the inside out—like a seed bursting from the forest floor. My molecular biome had been completely re-coded. My cells reshaped, my DNA altered entirely. 

But it was undeniable, Pandora had rewritten me. And after seven days of being treated like a scientific miracle, the lab finally let me be alone and just sit and take in the events that had transpired. Finally able to deal with the toll my “first week alive body” was enduring. Though instead of resting, all I wanted was to see my friends—to be with them now that I could finally keep up.

—————————————————————————

Neteyam was waiting for me at the watering hole, a spot we used to play in as children just a ten minute walk from the lab. He was facing away from me in a crouched down position, his hands in the water—bringing them back up to his face.

 I kept my distance—just to watch for a moment, the muscles on his back flexing and shifting as he went through the motions. The band around his arm hugging his bicep, working over time not to snap every time his muscles grew taut. 

There was something so captivating about the way he moved. His strong stature—so overpowering yet in perfect harmony with his delicate nature. 

I walked forward, my foot stepping on a twig making a stiff crack sound. Neteyam whipped his head around, his expression defensive, then his eyes met me, he softened. 

“Just me Tey, relax.” I chuckled, kneeling down to the spot next to him on the edge of the watering hole. I began mimicking his action, dipping my hands in the water and cleansing my face with the cold liquid. 

He didn't respond to my remark, his tender expression eying me with interest as I continued to wash. I would be lying if I said I didn't feel butterflies at the notion of his focus being on me, only me. He was still so quiet, the sound of his breathing hitching as I finally turned to look at him. He looked away immediately, that cheeky grin tugging at his flushed cheeks. 

He opened his mouth as if to say something, then quickly closed it again. 

“Are you having an aneurysm?” I teased, though burningly aware of the way his tail flicked, the crimson on his cheekbones deepening, the way he couldn't look me in the eye, or stand still without fidgeting with his arm band. 

A sly yet proud feeling crept over me– was I making Neteyam te Suli Tsyeyk'itan, enrooted with stoicism, the mighty soldier and son of Toruk Makto… flustered? 

That thought fizzled away as quick as it came—my false confidence turning into bashfulness. Because as much as I want to believe that my transformation opened his eyes for me, I was still me, and Neteyam was still the most sought-after male in the clan. 

I reminded myself—he has options, many options. 

He finally managed to speak, “So I see that you finally gained a fashion sense.” Motioning to my new Omatikaya loin cloth and woven top that was gifted to me by the elders. 

I splashed water in his direction. Smartass.

Ignoring his jab, I asked where the others were. “Where are Kiri and Lo’ak, I thought they were hunting with us?” 

Neteyam rolled his eyes, “Skxawngs decided to ditch us for Spider. I asked if we could come along but they said ‘younger siblings only,’ and then flicked me off. So!” 

I giggled, “I remember when we used to be the cool kids, everyone was always bothering us and following us around.” 

He laughed, shaking his head—putting a hand to his heart as if reminiscing the good ol’ days. 

“Their loss. We always have fun, just us two anyway. C’mon.” He took my hand. Those words almost making my legs wobble as I stood with him. 

His tall frame was still peering down at me, though nowhere near as craning as when I was a human. “This is still so trippy, seeing you like this,” he exclaimed. 

“Yeah…I know.” I agreed. Grabbing my tail and admiring it. 

His lingering gaze focused more carefully now, as if he was fixating on something. I looked up, squinting back at him.

“Neteyam?” I snapped, waving my hand in front of his eyes. 

“Sorry,” he chuckled, blinking hard. “It's just— you have that same dot, the one on your cheek, it didn't go away. That's good.” He lightly touched it with his thumb and flashed me a smirk, his golden eyes meeting mine, before breaking and turning on his heel toward the forest. 

I just stood there for a beat, trying to contain my lewd thoughts. 

Several feet ahead of me he yelled, “Still can't keep up huh!” Tail flicking. 

“Oh—screw you! I'm coming!” I joked, trying to shield my awkward energy. I took a deep breath and began to trail behind him. 

—————————————————————————

The hunt started off promising. We were making steady movement, tracking through populated areas, but then halfway through the sky darkened suddenly, and heavy rain began drumming over us. 

“y/n there's a cave across the stream, we can take shelter there until the storm passes—are you even listening?!” Neteyam yelled over the loud thundering. His sight shifting toward me struggling to wrestle a plant twice my size, attempting to break off one of the leaves to turn it into makeshift umbrella.

“What are you doing you mad woman!” He huffed as he pried my hands off the plant.

I shot him a cold miserable look.

He strapped his bow across his chest. “We’re going to that cave across the stream and waiting this out.” He concluded as he pressed on.

I was freezing and drenched. “Wait it out?! Let’s just go back to the village—we’re soaked, and my hair is already ruined anyway!" I whined. My fresh braids freeing themselves loose from the downpour. Neteyam’s jaw tightened, and he stomped back toward me, clearly not amused by my outburst.

“The storm is going to get worse before it gets better. Look at the clouds.” He said, voice strict. I looked up and groaned. He wiped a strand of wet hair out of my face, “We're waiting it out. Or, you can stay here throwing a tantrum.” 

I scoffed, then shoved him aside, proceeding across the stream in the cave's direction when a sharp twig whipped through the windy air and clipped my ribs.

“Ah—” I yelped.

Neteyam stiffened, his eyes falling to the faint line of blood dripping down my waist. “You’re hurt—”

“I’m fine,” I snapped, cutting him off. My nerves were frayed, the pelting rain giving me a headache, and I didn’t slow as I resumed pushing on toward the cave.

He followed a few steps back, giving me space. Muttering intelligible words under his breath. 

Once we approached the entrance, I set my bow against the edge and stepped inside. The rain and wind still howling behind me as I entered. 

Neteyam moved ahead, water droplets glistening on his back that caught my eyes for a little too long. He turned to face me. “This should work until the winds subside.”

I plopped down on the wet floor, irritatingly wringing water from my hair. 

The cave walls were glistening in condensation, making the air thick and sticky. “Of all the caves, you pick the damp one.” I muttered. 

Neteyam laughed in half-amusement half-annoyance. “You are very hard to please, you know that?” 

I gave him a fake satirical laugh, but a sharp pain in my ribs made me immediately wince. Neteyam came to my side, holding his palm on my stomach as I flinched. Glancing down, I saw that it was bleeding less—but it still hurt like hell.

“Tey I said I was fine—” 

“You’re in pain. Stop being so stubborn; I’ll be right back.” Neteyam left the cave and returned, clutching a pile of soil and a leaf.

I was already shaking my head in refusal, “No. No! There's no way you're actually rubbing dirt into my wound.” Neteyam ignored me, crouching down at my side. “This will feel weird, but it won’t hurt, okay? So if you cry out in pain, I’ll know it’s just you being dramatic.” I scowled at him, then tilted my gaze to the cave ceiling, lifting my arms over my head; a silent signal that he could do what he must.

He began packing the soil against my cut—and he was right—it did not hurt, just felt grainy against my skin. He lowered his head, his mouth becoming achingly close to my rib, and I froze, unsure what he was doing. His breath ghosted over my sensitive skin, then he opened his mouth just above the cut. As if he were going to… bite me? 

I jerked back fearfully, gawking at him. “What the fuck Neteyam! We're stuck in a cave for five minutes and you're already trying to cannibalize me!” 

He shook his head trying not to laugh, then placed his hand on my thigh, holding me in place. 

“Im not trying to eat you—” He emphasized, slight rasp behind his voice. “I need to wet the surrounding area, saliva is the best adhesive for skin.” 

Neteyam’s eyes widened at me, as if this was the most obvious piece of information in the world. “By Eywa… you've got a lot to learn.” He murmured, shaking his head and holding back a laugh as he turned his attention back to my wound. 

I relaxed, though doubt still reeled through my brain. 

He began to decline his head again, his soft tongue delicately skimming the skin around the gash. I shivered at the sudden coldness, though it was oddly soothing, and I could feel the pain fading almost immediately.

He continued licking and I was practically quivering at this point. 

He was just helping me heal… I cautioned myself. But the intimacy of his actions, the way every single one of my senses heightened… I felt as though I was going to burst.

His palm still rested on my midsection, and there was no hiding how fast my heart was pounding. Of course, he noticed. 

He whispered into my skin, “y/n. You're too tense. Relax your body.” 

His tail swayed bluntly as I felt him lightly blow into my side, the heat of his breath sending a shiver straight to place I definitely didn’t need it.

Stop it. Don’t make this weird.

I tried focusing on anything else. The rocky walls to my right, the storm outside to my left—but the deepening warmth between my legs intensified, growing hotter with every lick and every breath he graced upon me.

And as if he could sense my growing lust, he immediately stopped. 

Neteyam pulled back, his ears twitching as his eyes locked on mine. His expression was unreadable, a mix of agitation and something else I couldn’t place. Slowly, he reached for the leaf and pressed it against my wound, his face still flashing emotions of distress. 

“You alright?” I asked and sat up. His change in behavior putting me on edge. 

Neteyam rose to his feet, this time no longer hiding his apprehension. He turned away from me, running his hands through the sides of his hair and muttering to himself in frustration. 

What the hell? 

I stood and stepped toward him, reaching out to rest my hand on his shoulder. “Neteyam?” I said softly. 

At my touch, he flinched, then out of nowhere flashed me a small mean hiss, shrugging my hand off of him.

I was taken aback, deeply offended. 

Did this asshole just hiss at me? 

I now had no courtesy in me to de-escalate this exchange and nearly barked at him, “What the fuck is your problem!?” My chest rising and falling with rage. This made him turn around. 

His eyes were dark and unblinking, and he was about to speak, but I didn’t let up. “You’re over here having some mysterious fucking pity party, and when I politely ask what’s wrong, you hiss at me? Seriously?” 

He just stood there, taking it, his tail whipping aimlessly. 

“What the fuck is wrong! Did I do something?” I said, my words coming out more scratchy and desperate this time. His big eyes met mine when he finally spoke up,

“Yes… I mean no, not really—fuck I don’t—”

“So what the fuck is it then?! Because I don’t recall doing anything to warrant that reaction.” I interjected, my anger not allowing him to finish.

He didn’t move or speak, remaining rooted in place. His eyes shifted to the ground, shoulders tight and fist flexed at his sides.

My impatience hit it’s peak and I let out a sharp breath, “I don’t know what the fuck is going on with you, Neteyam. I’m over this—I’m going.” I snatched up my bow and stomped toward the cave entrance, fuming, when suddenly he broke the silence. 

“I can smell you.”  Was all he said. 

I grew irritated, what the hell was he talking about?

“Yeah, I can smell you too, and you stink. What’s your point?” I snapped, still fixing to leave before he chimed again, more urgently time.

“No y/n. Do you not get it? I can smell you.” 

I stopped dead in my tracks, the blood rushing from my face. 

Oh god.

My bow fell from my hand, the dull cluck of wood against stone filling the space.

“What.” I sneered. Turning around and standing before him.

He looked away, but I nudged his face back toward mine, firm and unyielding, forcing him to meet my gaze. “Talk.” I demanded. 

“I-“ his jaw tightened, my eyes glaring at him as he was bracing himself. He stood straighter, and his voice sank as he began to explain,

“I can smell you. When you are in heat. When you're aroused. Even when you were human. I could smell you—It. Every time…Even right now.” He paused before uttering those last three words.

Fuck.

Humiliation soared over me. I know the expression on my face was nowhere near civil. I could feel the warmth creeping up my cheeks, exposing that I was not taking this information in any way close to nonchalantly. My tail flicked in panic— Neteyam observing my behavior before cutting in quickly—

“It's out of my control.” Sharp unease behind his poise. 

 “I—I try to ignore it but sometimes I can't." He clarified, “so before you freak out on me, it’s a Na’vi pheromone thing… And only I can smell it—and I cant fucking help it, okay.”

Now his cheeks were deep violet, whether in frustration or embarrassment, I couldn’t decipher.

“What do you mean only you?” I insisted quietly. 

He was breathing heavily at this point. His face as dark as ever, brow bone furrowing as he kept his gaze on me. He defeatedly raised his shoulders, knowing there was no need to elaborate.  

He was right, he didn’t need to speak. I knew. I already understood how pheromone connections worked in Navi biology, how male Na’vi mentally imprint on a female, only smelling their pheromones, their desired mate. Though my will to fully grasp how he quite literally just confessed his primal attraction towards me was overtaken by my horrifying shame. 

I attempted to form a coherent reply, “so you mean to tell me…oh my god.” He tried looking away again but I nudged his head. Harder this time. So he was forced to keep his eyes on mine. “you’re telling me that you can fucking smell when I— Every time?! You’re a… You’re a pervert!” 

That last line I shot out before I could stop it, my mortification taking over my words. I was breathing heavy now too.

Neteyam’s eyes grew wide at my low blow, “oh–I’m the pervert!?” He shot out cunningly. 

He paced closer to me, his torso nearly touching mine. 

This time I looked away, dreading what he was about to say as well as intimately aware of the way my breast lightly skimmed his chest every time he inhaled. 

His hand met the side of my face inching towards the back of my neck, pressing gently to guide my head in his direction, so that now I was forced to look at him. 

his jaw tightened, “I’m the pervert huh…” A snicker slipping out. 

“Y/n… You get wet when I barely touch you…” Those words almost knocked me flat on the ground.

“And I can smell it. Every. Single. Time.” 

I tried stepping away, to escape his grilling and his towering frame looming over me. But he grabbed my wrist, holding me in place, forcing me to listen. “It’s strong—and you're not very good at composing yourself either.” He gave me a smug look. “When you were human, the moisture would cling to your undercloth… and it lasted all day…” 

I didn’t know what to say. I was breathless, and embarrassed, and— “You’re still a… perv…” was all I could manage to choke out. Though he could sense my body, the way his words were making me wetter by the second. 

Heat started emitting from between my thighs, and as if on que, Neteyam looked down. A smirk gracing his lips. He closed his eyes, inhaling my pheromones, hissing faintly. 

I knew my face was beaming violet.

“Is this funny to you Tey?” I huffed out. Appalled by his forwardness. 

I tried forcing my legs together, to hide myself—to  shield my embarrassment but before I could act Neteyam nudged his muscular leg in between mine, commanding them to stay open. 

I couldn’t fight the gasp that escaped my mouth, “Neteyam! what are you— ” I whispered desperately. My voice coming out more hoarse than expected.

His pupils dilated as he tilted his head, “Please y/n,” he whined, his dominant demeanor dropping slightly. “Just let your body feel it… It’s just me”. 

It’s just me. 

He bit his bottom lip, canines shining. My breasts were pushed flat against his torso now, our tails lashing fiercely as we both became more flushed. His hands felt like fire against my skin, igniting everything I had been restraining. I’ve never seen this side of him, so wretched, so primal, though I could feel his unsteady breath, see the way his ears twitched at the slightest noise I emitted.

He was nervous, holding back…  And it made me carnal. 

Without comprehending what I was doing, I moved my hips forward, closing in the final space between us. His large thigh pressing firmly on my cunt. I bucked my hips slowly, feeling him grow stiff against my pelvis. Neteyam hissed at the impact, sending a shiver that curled deep in my core.

He tilted my head as he began to trail wild kisses down the side of my neck, occasionally stopping to catch his breath—his teeth caressing my flesh in the process. I relieved my hips again, the friction of his thigh causing me to let out a small moan. He groaned in reaction, pulling me closer, kissing my jawline repeatedly. I used this opportunity to wrap my arms around his upper body, fully embracing him before pulling back in a breathy daze.

I put my hand on his chest to keep distance. Safe distance. His chest was trembling beneath my palms. 

I rested my forehead against his, our heavy breathing falling into the same rhythm. “What's happening Neteyam…” I said barely above a whisper. His eyes were closed, our lips mere inches apart.

Neteyam scrunched his nose, his expression growing in penitence. “I–I apologize y/n. I–” He quickly inhaled, “I don't know what came over me, I'm sorry, im so sorry”. His hold on me loosened though his stance halted. He was still close, so close. If I leaned in just a hair, my lips would’ve met his.

But then suddenly, he stepped away, and my chest tightened.

He was already turning his back when I grabbed his arm, stopping him.

“Neteyam…” I called softly. He looked at me, and for a heartbeat, the storm, the noise, everything outside faded. There was only him, here, in front of me.

I had ached for this closeness, craved it–and now that it was here, there was no way in hell I was letting it go.

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a/n: if you've made it this far thank you ;) steamy pt. 3 is in the works as we speak!

@svo2003 @ezminiqqqqq

[stxrgirlfcs]

Chivalry ☾ ⋆*･ﾟ

aged up!neteyam x fem!human turned na’vi reader

wc: 4.6k // part one, part two

“Neteyam approached me, lifting up my arm for his own personal analysis and grazing it before taking a piece of my hair in his other hand. He continued his observation, eyeing me with such focus and admiration— studying my entire being. Kiri and Lo’ak hovered nearby, also absorbing my new appearance. At this moment I came to terms with something terrifying– and exhilarating. I was not human, not anymore.”

Warnings: angst, jealousy, fluff, cursing, touching, aged up! neteyam + reader, reader turns into na’vi, nudity, grief, fire and ash prior knowledge, alternate timeline, suffocation, friends to lovers, eventual smut!

a/n: This chapter makes better sense with knowledge of Kiri’s eywa gift in fire and ash!! & a quick note for clarity, whenever the reader is interacting with Neteyam or other members of the Omatikaya clan (including the Sully kids), it’s implied they’re speaking Na’vi. The dialogue is written in English, but imagine it taking place in their native tongue :) Not proofread so I apologize for any typos!! Also stay tuned for eventual smut ;) Thank you and Enjoy!!

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PROLOGUE 

Growing up being one of only two human kids on the lab grounds meant that everyone felt like a parent. Humans and Omatikaya alike, we were under constant watch, coddled, scolded, and occasionally spoiled. 

My brother Spider made it impossible to stay out of trouble. Big-hearted, fearless, and endlessly confident. He had a talent for turning even the simplest day into chaos, usually involving Lo’ak as well as a headache from every adult on site. And yet… Everyone secretly adored him. 

And then there was me. Quiet. Observant. A shadow on the edges of the chaos Spider seemed to attract. I kept to myself, careful not to step on any toes, human or Na’vi. Mostly, I stayed in the lab, letting the world of Pandora flourish outside my window unless Kiri or the other Sully kids dragged me into the forest with them.

Sully’s kids were my only sense of normalcy in this place. They were my best friends, my family. Kiri was basically my sister and even though we were starkly different, she never treated me like an alien, like an outcast. Lo’ak was also one of my best friends, though in the “asshole younger brother way”. I think him and spider got off to the bright idea of making my life a living hell, always teasing me, stealing my books, not letting me and Kiri play when they were out doing “man boy stuff”. 

As opposed to me and Kiri's girlhood bond, I had an especially strong connection with Neteyam. We were closest in age, and growing up he mainly taught me the ways of the Omatikaya. He taught me how to hunt, and how to move throughout the forest. 

I remember one night when we were both adolescent teens, we snuck out past the village borders and he took me to a tree top overlooking the beautiful Pandora domain, the bioluminescence lighting up the entire forest floor. He then led me to a cove within the canopy where we talked for hours. I talked about how I sometimes mourn the life I never had, and while I know earth has gone to shit and I’m lucky as hell to be here, there was still an ache in my heart that I couldn’t shake. And he listened—really listened.

In turn, Neteyam confided in me about the weight he carried as the firstborn son. The expectations of his parents, the pressure of living up to their vision for him. It felt intimate, the way we shared ourselves so openly in that moment. And it was then, right there in the treetops, that I realized I was seeing him in a different light—a light I couldn't bear to face, because of how vastly different we were. 

However, I knew I wasn’t crazy. We had always gravitated toward one another, ever since we were children. And I saw the way he looked at me, the way he spoke to me as if I were different, as if our mindsets have always been on the same wavelength compared to everyone else. 

It wasn’t until we were both of age that I truly dwelled on the fact that I had unbearable feelings for Neteyam. But I had to boil them down, never letting them reach the surface, because I knew nothing could come of it—and I also knew he had options within the clan.

 He was highly sought after by other Na’vi women. I mean, who could blame them? He was Toruk Makto’s son, a warrior, a hunter, polite, sweet, and—according to “Na’vi beauty standards”—outrageously handsome.

I remember observing from afar. I was with Kiri at a night festival in the village, and I told her I wanted to stay on the outskirts, still feeling very out of place. She completely understood and agreed.

 I’d never seen the Omatikaya truly let themselves free like this. It was beautiful watching them relish in their culture, singing and dancing, and I felt honored to have witnessed it. Kiri explained their mannerisms to me, what the songs meant, and the significance of their interactions. That’s when I noticed Neteyam and Lo’ak on the other side of the fire, interacting with another group of Na’vi,

a group of women.

There it was again, that unbearable feeling.

Neteyam was laughing, doing that charming movement where he brushed his hand through the root of his braids. One of the Na’vi girls was giggling with him. She was beautiful. Her hair braided and styled to frame her features perfectly, and from her traditional clothing, it was evident that she came from a higher-ranking family in the tribe.

The fire was burning higher and brighter and I couldn’t break my gaze. I was staring drearily now, and it felt as if I was watching everything in slow motion. I had to tilt my head, peering over the fire to get a clearer view. 

The woman laughed hard at whatever Neteyam said and touched his forearm. He looked at her but didn’t pull away. Instead, he laughed with her. Placing his hand over hers. 

Kiri looked at me, confused as to what I was so focused on and followed my line of sight till she got to Neteyam and the girl, she then looked back at me, I turned to face her.

 She was quiet, and gave me a look of empathy. We shared a wordless exchange, I tried to fight back the tears, but I couldn’t. Everything collided into me all at once. 

I had been so stupid—so naïve, for letting myself get this worked up. 

Of course Neteyam was going to live his life. Of course he was going to laugh and flirt and exist among the beautiful women of the village, the women who looked like him, who belonged here, who weren’t aliens. He deserved that, he deserved to find a companion. 

I was alone on Pandora.

And while I called this place my home, I knew I would never fully experience what it meant to truly live here. I would never find love, never start a family. I would never know Neteyam’s love—his touch, his closeness, the tenderness I had only ever imagined and dreamed of.

I started to get frustrated. Frustrated that I allowed myself to get so upset because I already knew. I fully knew and dealt with all of this emotional turmoil internally throughout my entire life. 

I accepted it, I thought. 

 Even so, I couldn’t stop the tears from falling. 

Kiri tried to ease the gloomy energy I so blindly created, by pointing to a group of ikran flying in the sky. “Look y/n.” 

I looked up, my eyes fuzzy from crying. God, I felt even more awful, ashamed for bringing a sad energy to her fun night at the festival. 

So I pulled myself together, swallowing my embarrassment. I looked back down at her, racking my brain for something to say—anything to escape this feeling and just leave.

“Kiri, go have fun, okay? It’s getting late anyway, so I should probably head back,” I said, forcing a gut-wrenching smile, though I knew she saw right through me.

She pulled me into a hug. “Okay, Y/n. I love you, sister. Get some sleep, alright?”

I tried to lighten the mood, I hated when she pitied me. “Love you too. We’re still good for tomorrow, yes? fishing?” I asked, still flashing my pathetic smile.

“Yep. Neteyam and Lo’ak have already prepared the spears. See you tomorrow—don’t be late!”

I nodded, then turned around and headed in the opposite direction, back toward the lab.

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I fought the urge to weep the entire walk home. Once I reached my room, I pulled off my exopack and finally let out a sob, collapsing onto my bed. I cried for another hour, not realizing how loud I was being until Spider barged into my room unannounced.

“What the fuck is going on?” he exclaimed, rubbing his tired eyes as he looked at me and saw my current state.

He grimaced. “God, you look awful.”

I threw a pillow at his torso watching him awkwardly kick his leg up to dodge it. “Jesus Christ, Spider—get out! You don’t barge into a woman’s room without knocking, you skxawng!”

He put his hands up in surrender and walked over to the foot of my bed, climbing in like he owned the place.

I kicked him with my feet. “Get out, please. I need to be alone, asswipe.”

“Well, I wouldn’t be interrupting your wallowing if you weren’t sobbing so goddamn loud. I mean, shit—I could hear you all the way across the hall. What the hell happened?”

I made eye contact with him, trying to come up with an insult, but I was too enveloped in my grief. More tears spilled down my cheeks, and I covered my face with my hands.

“Oh, for Christ’s sake, Y/n. Come here.” Spider pulled me into a hug, awkwardly patting my head as if that might fix my miserable life. 

“You need a shower,” he muttered into my hair.

I shoved him away and rolled my eyes, unable to stop a small laugh from slipping out.

He slid off my bed and sat on the floor, leaning his back against it. “What happened,” he asked again, more sternly this time. I looked at him with my puffy eyes, he made a sad face at me—jutting his lip out and mouthed, ‘talk’ as he waited for my reply. 

I exhaled, “I just feel alone. Here. And I’m frustrated. That’s all. Now get out.”

He didn’t move, just nodded. No matter how much Spider got on my nerves, he was the only person who truly understood what I was going through. He handled it better, painting himself blue and wearing Na’vi attire like it didn’t bother him, but we both carried an unspoken heaviness no one else could understand.

Spider finally stood and looked at me. “There’s nothing we can do about it, Y/n, so stop crying, okay? We’ve got a big day of fishing tomorrow. Don’t bring the mood down.”

Asshole.

 It took him all of five seconds to piss me off again. But that was just Spider. I could see it in his face though—he felt it too. The same hopelessness that so eagerly ruined my night. 

He tossed me the pillow I pelted at him previously and waved goodnight before leaving my room, closing the door behind him.

By then, I was exhausted. No more tears left to give. I’d always known that one day, the weight of my situation would finally break me. These thoughts had been brewing for years, growing heavier with time.

 My head continued to swarm with the agony of knowing I’d have to face Neteyam tomorrow and pretend everything was fine. 

I lied down, wiping my irritated eyes and finally, I drifted off to sleep. My mind washing away the thoughts I couldn't escape while being awake, unaware of how much my life would change when tomorrow came. 

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CHAPTER 1

“Are you fucking serious Spider GET UP—you giant baby!”

He was completely out, groaning every time I shook his limp body, his hand swatted at me like I was some irritating fly. 

“Ughhhh!” He protested, “I’m going hunting with Mr. Sully later mmtoday anyway—just let me sleephmhmhm.” he smacked his head back down into his pillow. Snores filling the room. 

“You’re a piece of shit you know that right.” 

He didn’t answer, already fully returned to his slumber. Lo’ak was going to kill him for ditching. 

“Have fun dealing with Lo’ak after this!” I yelled while storming off and leaving his room, slamming the door behind me. 

I met up with Kiri, Lo’ak, and Neteyam on the south side of the lab grounds. Lo’ak shot me a strange look as I approached, probably because Spider wasn’t trailing behind me like usual.

I lifted my hands in defeat. “I tried,” I huffed.

Lo’ak’s jaw tightened as he sucked in a breath, gearing up for a full-blown rant. “That’s it! He’s a dead man. That little baby human has slept through three fishing trips now! Why is he like this, Y/n?!”

“We go without him,” Neteyam cut in calmly, already ushering us toward the trail leading into the trees. “Come on—we’re running out of daybreak.”

As we started walking, he handed me a spear he modified just for me—smaller than the others, of course. It was sweet, and yet the careful accommodation only served as a reminder of everything that set me apart, of the thoughts and feelings I’d wanted to leave rotting in my tear-soaked bed the night before. I swallowed them down. I just wanted today to be… okay.

I walked beside Neteyam, with Kiri and Lo’ak trailing behind us, Kiri half-listening as Lo’ak continued his rant about Spider’s flaky ass.

Soon, we reached a steep dip in the path, massive roots twisting through the ground and making the terrain uneven. Neteyam went first, then turned back and held his hands out, motioning for me to come closer so he could lift me across.

It was nothing new. I was used to him needing to manhandle me during excursions like this. I was nowhere near as nimble or agile as my non-human peers, and in situations like this, I definitely required the assistance.

“I didn’t see you at the festival last night, Y/n. I thought you were going with Kiri?” Neteyam said, sliding his hands beneath my arms and resting them against my ribcage as he lifted me with ease, setting me down on more even ground.

I held onto his forearms as I regained my balance, looking up at him—into those big yellow eyes watching me so intently.

For a moment, I nearly forgot he’d asked a question. Then I quickly looked away, gathering my thoughts, and gently released his hold so I was standing on my own.

“I did go with Kiri,” I said quickly, suddenly fascinated with the ground beneath my feet as we continued on the path. “We um, mostly stayed on the outskirts. It was still fun, though. Did you—did you have fun?”

“Yeah,” he said after a beat, his voice lower now. “It was good.”

I already hated this conversation. It was hard enough pretending everything was normal with me, and if this pointless small talk took a turn—if he mentioned one of the Na’vi girls from last night—I’d either have to run for the hills or throw up right there on the forest floor.

“You okay?” he asked suddenly, his demeanor casual—yet the expression on his face read something different. Something bothersome. 

My stomach churned. 

I looked back up at him, caught off guard by his question. How did he always seem to sense when something was off?

“I…” I started, but before I could form a proper response, the light on the upper right side of my oxygen mask began blinking. Red.

“Shit. My mask.” I glanced down at the exopack’s power source clipped to my belt, fumbling to reset the system. I pressed the button—but nothing. No usual click, no hum, just the relentless red blinking still displayed on the glass.

What?

Neteyam crouched to his knees, eye-level with the pack, and tried pressing the buttons himself. Still nothing.

A flicker of panic started crawling up my spine. I hadn’t brought a spare mask. I’d never had an exopack malfunction before. And I’d only been using this one for a few days. it should have lasted at least two weeks!

“I—I’m sure it’s fine. Let’s just keep walking, okay?” I said, trying to pull Neteyam back up. I forced myself to start moving, but he held me in place.

“No, Y/n. This isn’t good. Just wait.”

“What’s going on?” Kiri called as she and Lo’ak approached.

“Nothing! Everything’s fine, my mask is just being stupid… it’s probably jus—”

The exopack let out a loud shrill alarm, blinking faster and faster.

“Shut the fuck up!” I yelled at the pack, slamming the button over and over. Nothing worked.

“Okay so I’ve never heard one make that noise before this is definitely not fine!” Kiri exclaimed.

“It was just at 82%. Is it dying? I swear– I should have at least another week and a half. I don't—”

My mask fully shut down. The red light dissipating completely. The Carbon Dioxide and Hydrogen Sulfate air filling up the inside, giving me no means of escape.

To my right I saw Lo’ak’s eyes grow wide, Neteyam just staring at me with pure terror in his expression.

It was quiet for a moment— each of us trying to understand what was happening. And then, as if instinctively, I let out a small involuntary gasp.

At that moment, it was like a switch had flipped and everyone was rushing towards me. I looked up with fear as Kiri faced me, grabbing hold of my arms sternly.

“Y/n, do not breathe! Shit, hold it for as long as possible! Neteyam, help!” The desperation in her voice was growing.

But it was too late. The minute my exopack shut down—it was so unexpected—I unintentionally inhaled the lethal, toxic air, the impact making my lungs palpably shrivel in and out.

“No, no no no,” Neteyam whispered disparagingly, his big hand approaching the side of my face, methodically fidgeting with the buttons on the side, trying to turn it back on.

“Work, you piece of shit!” he huffed.

I was suffocating. Dying.

I lifted my hands over his, Neteyam still trying to miraculously make my mask work again. I looked at him, tears pooling beneath his eyes. I squeezed his trembling fingers, insinuating for him to just admit defeat and stop.

I was going to violently die in front of the people I loved most.

Neteyam still had his hands on my face as my breathing became more erratic. My vision swayed and blurred as the chaos persisted in front of me. I couldn't stand; my legs were giving out as I was choking to find any oxygen.

I broke from Neteyam's grasp, falling to my hands and knees. Tearing the useless exopack off my face, trying to catch my breath, I was only met with what felt like broken glass propelling into my airway, every muscle in my body tense and on the verge of convulsing, hearing incoherent shouting all around me as my sight became more and more fuzzy.

Lo’ak grabbed my shoulder, “Y/n, stay with us, please!”

I heard Kiri crying beside me as Lo’ak tried to get me to sit up.

“Goddammit!” Neteyam gritted through his teeth. He bent down, firmly placing his hands on my waist and throwing my weak body over his shoulder, my torso gently resting on his warm back as he started to move. I caught a glimpse of the dim Pandora floor flying beneath his feet, my vision going in and out as he trekked onward.

He was sprinting now, across the forest. Everyone trailed behind him, trying to keep up.

“Neteyam, stop!” was all I heard before he halted, lowering me to the ground.

I was lying on my back with everyone peering over me, concerned, the sun backlighting their silhouettes, making them look so beautiful. I didn't know what was happening anymore. I was still heaving, light hiccups escaping my windpipe. I tried opening my eyes wider to get a better image, but then suddenly, my vision went completely black.

The last thing I could feel was everyone's hands on my body and the forest floor stirring beneath me. It felt as though I was being cradled by something, like the ground itself was embracing me.

“Kiri please…” someone yelled. I still heard panicked shouting all around me, and then, as though my soul fled from my body, I felt nothing. My mind inevitably vanished into darkness.

---------------------------------------------------------

My eyes shot open.

“Holy shit, HOLY SHIT!”

“Kiri… how?!”—

“Everyone just step back! Give her space!”

My head was pounding, my senses and neurons firing at a million miles an hour.

I heard voices. Neteyam? And Kiri?

What the hell was happening?

It was so bright, I squinted, trying to figure out what the fuck was going on, where I was.

I sat up, regulating my breathing, the environment around me spinning in my muddled daze.

“Y/n, oh my god, you’ll never fucking believe”—

Neteyam's voice cut him off, “Shut the fuck up, Lo’ak, give her a minute!” 

I couldn’t make out any of the moving shapes in front of me; my vision kept going in and out of focus.

Why was it so fucking bright?!

I blinked my eyes hard one more time, and I could finally see them clearly: Kiri, Neteyam, and Lo’ak, all gawking at me as if I died and came back to life.

I tried to bring myself to my feet.

“What’s happening?” I exclaimed, my equilibrium throwing me back down right on my ass.

Neteyam rushed to my side.

“Hey, hey, just sit down. We will take this slow, okay?”

“Someone tell me what the fuck is going on—”

Out of my peripheral vision, I saw something shiny lying against a tree. I abruptly turned and looked, still squinting through my hazy view.

What was that?

It looked like my… exopack?

MY EXOPACK?!

I shoved Neteyam and rose to my feet, demanding my body to obey. I stood fully straight and felt so… large?

And I could breathe.

I was staring down at the mask in front of me as I filled my lungs with air, in and out. I did this several times, my breath shaky and my mind still rampant with confusion.

“Why can I breathe?” I demanded.

I looked at Kiri, then glanced over at Neteyam. And he was… smirking?

“Y/n, I think that’s the least of our worries—” Lo’ak started before Kiri put her hand up in front of him, interjecting.

“Do you remember what happened before you woke up, y/n?”

“No, I can’t recall anything. I’m so fucking confus—”

Then it hit me.

I was suffocating.

I remembered now: my mask malfunctioned and died, and then I was choking, and now I’m here. I’m okay again? I’m alive? And literally breathing without a fucking mask?

It was all coming together. The events that led to this moment. I remembered them shouting and trying to help me, Neteyam carrying me and running at full speed.

“You guys saved me…”

Tears started to form in my eyes as the recollections came back to me. Kiri pulled me into a hug, my head fitting perfectly into the crook of her neck.

“I’m not dead, am I?” I muttered.

Kiri laughed, then reassured me, “No, y/n, you're not dead.”

“Then how…? How am I breathing? How am I… wait a minute.”

I pulled back from the hug and focused my attention on the Na’vi in front of me. I realized I didn’t have to crane my neck to see her; I was staring at her head-on. I was at her level.

I became intensely aware of my arms still embracing her and finally looked down.

Oh…

Neteyam saw the way my eyes dilated, understanding my revelation and said, “Y/n, before you freak out, just remember that you’re okay and alive.”

“Oh my god! Oh my god!” I whispered repeatedly, slowly walking back and gaping at my giant striped blue hands—my blue hands? MY hands, where human flesh used to be!?

I quickly examined my entire body and surroundings, peering my head all the way back, looking at the back of my legs and… a tail?? “Oh my fucking god!” It was whipping around like it had a mind of its own.

I trailed my eyes up to see that my favorite pair of baggy shorts were now three sizes too small on me, clinging awkwardly to my now half-way exposed ass. I put my hand over my chest, only to feel that I had no top on, my new long black hair being the only source of coverage for my breasts.

I panicked and saw it on the ground, torn into shreds. I cringed.

Neteyam noticed me eyeing my ruined shirt in horror and blurted, “Y/n, I’m sorry. The neckline was going to suffocate you. I had to get it off as quickly as possible.”

I didn’t even register what he was saying. All I could comprehend was that I was no longer human in any way, shape, or form. How was this possible?

I looked back up at my Na’vi friends who were enduring my internal panic. All I could manage to spit out was:

“Tell me what the fuck is going on! Now!”

Kiri grabbed my face.

“Listen, y/n. I don’t know. All I know is that you were dying, and I saw the Atokarina and knew what I had to do. It was Ewya. I know it. She answered my prayers and saved you. You're one of us. you're a Na’vi now.”

You're a Na'vi now. How was this possible?

A tear ran down her cheek as she continued, “I wish I could fucking explain it, but I’m just as confused as you are.”

She was truly dumbfounded; I could read it on her face.

“There’s no way…” I said.

I examined my hands again, first my palms, then flipped them around to the backs of my hands, amazed by every tiny blue hair, every mark on my skin. It felt so… foreign, yet somehow mine. I started to touch my face, tracing the tapered ridge of my nose, my eyelashes, then my cheekbones. I proceeded to poke and prod till I got to my ears.

“Holy shit!” I yelled, letting out a chuckle, grabbing my ears in my whole hand. They were huge and pointy, and I got startled when I realized I could move them in so many ways.

Neteyam approached me, lifting up my arm for his own personal analysis and grazing it before taking a piece of my hair in his other hand. He continued his observation, eyeing me with such focus and admiration— studying my entire being. Kiri and Lo’ak hovered nearby, also absorbing my new appearance.

At this moment I came to terms with something terrifying– and exhilarating. I was not human, not anymore. 

“C’mon, we have to show the village,” Neteyam exclaimed, grabbing my hand in his.

I froze, the village? Now? My head was still spinning. 

“Wait! I… I need—can I… cover up?”

Neteyam looked back at me, taking in my current state, then buried his head in his palm, chuckling.

“Yes, of course—um. Kiri! Could you, could you… uh—help her, please?”

Kiri nodded and quickly walked towards a large green plant, ripping off a leaf and making a makeshift tube top.

Neteyam turned around, giving me privacy, then in turn slapped the back of Lo’ak's neck, forcing him to turn around.

“Ay, I was going to! Damn!” Lo’ak protested.

Kiri helped me put on the leafy top, tying the back so that it fit snug against my chest. 

She turned me back around to face her, fixing my hair in the process, bringing some strands to the front and smoothing out the back. 

“I can't believe this,” I said, taking in a sharp breath. She smiled at me, still fighting tears– then adjusted my top before calling out to the boys that it was safe to turn around. 

They approached us, both Lo’ak and Neteyam still gawking. 

“Are you uh– ready to head back?” Neteyam said, his eyes lingering on me. 

I brushed some of the hair from my face and looked at him, his ears twitching slightly before scratching the back of his heady—quickly looking away. 

“Yes” I exhaled, “I think so.” 

Neteyam returned his gaze to me, took my hand, then led me through the forest. 

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