warning(s): body descriptions (not really a warning but yeah), reader is a daddy's girl, small hiss near the beginning.
notes: oh my god you guys this is my first post on here... help. bro im so happy to finally be posting! uhm please be nice bc i'm new at this but yeah hope you enjoyyy
You exhale deeply as your father welcomes the forest people into your home. Scanning the crowd, you can only imagine the responsibilities you now held. As if you didn't have enough already.
"My children will guide yours, Jake Te'Sully." Your father spoke, silence flowing throughout the clan.
"But father-" Started Ao'nung, stepping forward to complain. You hush him, stopping his movement with your arm.
"Ao'nung." You hiss at your younger brother, eyes piercing into his as a warning. Ao’nung shut his mouth the second you had opened yours, not daring to speak again.
"Toruk Makto and his family will stay with us." Your father announces to the clan, "We will treat them with respect. We will treat them as our brothers and sisters."
Your father glances at Ao'nung as he says the last part. Jake smiles at Tonowari as your mother closes her eyes, clearly annoyed.
Subconsciously, you step forward, now standing in front of your father. "Who is the eldest?" You ask, scanning each of the brightly colored children.
A boy, much larger and taller than you, steps out from the family. You had not noticed him before and now you cannot even begin to figure out why. He seemed impossible to not notice.
"I am the eldest. My name is Neteyam."
Your ears perked up at the sound of his voice. It was like liquid gold, beautiful and soft, yet mighty and firm. You held eye contact, studying his warm eyes.
He was... handsome, no doubt about it. His strength could be seen just by looking at him. Scars littered his body and his muscles were very defined.
You could feel a dark shade of blue growing on your cheeks as he looked you up and down, his eyes lingering on the tattoos which you had received a year ago.
As the eldest daughter of Tonowari, who held the title for Olo'eyktan of the Metkayina clan, you could never be anything but perfect. The kindness and nurturing spirt of your father along with the elegance and seriousness of your mother had printed onto you the second you were born. With both of their powerful qualities you had always walked with grace and spoke with immense sophistication.
Growing up the way you did made distractions, such as the males of your clan, completely unrealistic. You had never once felt a burden on your title. You were the clan's pride and joy. The best at anything and everything you did, the most adored member of Awa'atlu.
Your father and mother were always supportive, even if they didn’t show it as much in public. And your father made sure to let you know who you were, never allowing you to feel ashamed or embarrassed of yourself. He wanted you to know your worth.
Although he had done his job, the feeling that consumed your body from the young boys stare was something not even your father could prepare you for. When Neteyam looked at you, you felt strange. Your body seemed to wish for him to look away only to let him keep staring anyway. Allowing him to analyze your tattoos and hair and body felt like some sort of honor.
This feeling was far different from when Ao'nung's stupid friends made even stupider comments about you and your title. It was far from that, for sure. You felt... well, flustered. It felt strange. Flustered was not a word you had considered yourself familiar with.
As the boy looks to your eyes again, you blink softly attempting to rid the warmth on your face. You gracefully brought your fingers to your forehead, bowing out of respect.
"Oel ngati kameie." You say softly, voice polished with beauty.
You could feel your father’s stare from behind you. If you did not approve of the newcomers, there was a strong chance he would not either.
Neteyam bowed back, "Oel ngati kameie." He spoke as his eyes followed your movements. Looking back at him, he seemed to be completely mesmerized.
Mesmerized by you.
You smile at the look on his face, a blush forming back onto your cheeks once again.
"My name is Y/n." You say, maturity showing through your voice as you speak. He glances to your eyes as you speak to him. "It is nice to meet you, Neteyam."
The blue boy smiles back at you gently, simply admiring your voice. You blink, tucking your silky long hair behind your ear. Your younger sister, Tsireya, takes a step forward next to you, beaming at the Sully family.
"Come, I will show you our village." Your sister smiles, her voice just as velvety and soft as her. It was not everyday that outsiders came into your village so you understood her joy.
Regardless, you tried your hardest to keep your calm. You already felt exposed from the way you had reacted to Neteyam looking at you, whether someone saw your coverup or not. You could only imagine what a mess you would be while spending time with him.
Following your siblings as they began to lead the Sully family around Awa'atlu, your eyes flickered back to the eldest. Neteyam was quiet and refined, well-educated and seemed to be just unbelievably perfect.
You didn’t even notice that your staring until Neteyam's eyes meet yours. At the sight of him catching you, you can only shy away. You silently curse to yourself as you catch a charming smile spread across his lips once more.
