I have this theory that Neytiri (stubborn as this woman is) took the risk and bonded with sa‘ata in the early stages of her pregnancy with Neteyam, which is why sa‘ata could feel him in her tummy whenever they bonded and grew protective of not only her rider but also her son. So when Neteyam died and Neytiri instantly bonded with her, her pain and grief hit sa’atan so much harder than it would normally, which is why her ikran is an absolute BEAST when fighting the RDA/Mangkwan. Sa‘ata is the physical embodiment of Neytiris rage 🙌🏻
The forest was quiet at that hour. Mist clung to the giant roots of the trees and the air smelled of damp moss and fresh leaves. You walked slowly along the path, your bow resting against your shoulder, alert to every sound of the forest world around you. Neteyam was supposed to meet you for training, but as usual he was late. Special Neteyam behavior.
You sighed softly, lifting your eyes toward the towering canopy. “If you think I didn’t hear you arriving, you’re wrong.”
Behind you, silence… then a quiet laugh.
When you turned around, Neteyam was already stepping out from behind a massive trunk, arms crossed, a relaxed smile on his face. “I thought I was being discreet,” he said, clearly amused.
“You’re late.”
“By a few minutes.” he grins as he reaches me.
“Ten.” you said a bit annoyed.
He shrugged like the detail meant nothing. “Details dear. No big deal”
You rolled your eyes, though a smile already betrayed your fake irritation. With him, it was always like this. You tried to stay serious and he always found a way to make things lighter. That's what you learned about Neteyam since all this time passed together in the forest doing trainings.
He walked closer and glanced at your bow with interest. “So? Today you will finally admit I’m better than you?”
You let out an incredulous laugh. “In your dreams skxawng.” (idiot)
He tilted his head slightly, his golden eyes shining with amusement. “You remember the last time you said that?”
You sighed already eyes widening. “Neteyam don't—”
“No, wait,” he interrupted dramatically, lifting a hand as a peace movement. But nothing is peaceful with him. “It is important to remember historical events.”
“Don’t start.” You sighs brushing my hand on my forehead knowing exactly what he's going to talk about. But it was obviously too late. His grin widened. “We were near the river. You told me I wasn’t capable of hitting a moving target.”
“And you missed,” you immediately started frowning annoyed.
“The first time,” he corrected.
You crossed your arms. “And the second.”
“The wind changed.”
“And the third…” You stopped, already knowing where this was going.
He leaned slightly toward you like he was sharing a secret. “You fell into the water.” he smirks like it was the proof of him being stronger than you.
You closed your eyes briefly. "Eywa… this is so embarrassing. You really are a pain in the ass Neteyam"
Neteyam burst out laughing. “You tried to grab a branch,” he continued.
“It broke.” You respond giggling quickly, ashamed.
“Yes.” he grins.
He gestured with his hand to mimic your fall. “And you disappeared into the river with your bow calling NETEYAM COME SAVE ME.”
You punched his arm hardly. "It wasn’t funny I never fallen like this before"
“It was very funny.” He's laughing as he'll.
“You laughed for ten minutes.” You admit ashamed.
“Fifteen.” He corrects taking his breath.
You glared at him, but your smile was already returning. “And then,” he continued more softly, “you tried to climb out of the water alone…”
“Don’t say it.”
“And you slipped again.”
This time you burst out laughing too. “Fine… maybe it was a little funny.”
“Only a little?”
“Just a little.”
Silence followed, comfortable and warm. The sounds of the forest returned around you: insects humming, leaves shifting in the wind, a distant cry echoing through the sky where an ikran flew somewhere above the canopy.
Neteyam was still looking at you, but something in his expression had changed. The amusement had softened into something quieter. Something more attentive.
You noticed his stare and frowned slightly. “What?”
“Nothing.”
But he kept looking at you.
“You’re doing that thing again.”
“What thing?”
“The one where you think too much.”
He smiled faintly. “Maybe I’m just looking at you.”
Your heart skipped. “Why?”
He stepped closer. Then another step.
Now he was close enough that you could feel the warmth of his skin despite the cool morning air.
“Because I like it,” he said simply.
Your gaze slipped without meaning to toward his shoulders… then his arms.
Before you even realized it, your hand had landed on his bicep.
Just for a second.
But Neteyam noticed immediately.
His eyes dropped to your hand, then slowly lifted back to your face. “Are you checking my strength?” he asked softly.
You pulled your hand away too quickly. “No.”
“Too bad.”
Before you could step back, he gently caught your wrist.
The contact sent a small shiver up your arm.
“Neteyam…”
His voice was lower now. “You know you do that often.”
“Do what?”
“Touch me… and pretend it means nothing.”
Your heart was beating far too fast. “Because it doesn’t.”
He raised an eyebrow slightly. “Really?”
He leaned closer.
His eyes flickered briefly toward your lips before returning to your gaze.
There was almost no distance left between you.
“Then why is your heart beating like that?” he murmured.
You held your breath. “You imagine things.”
“Maybe.”
His hand slowly moved from your wrist to your arm, resting there as if giving you the chance to move away.
But you didn’t.
A small smile appeared on his lips. “I think you’re lying a little,” he whispered.
“I think you talk too much,” you replied.
He let out a quiet laugh… then leaned in.
The first kiss was brief. Soft. Almost hesitant.
When he pulled back, your foreheads stayed close together.
“You see,” he whispered gently, “that wasn’t so terrible.”
You grabbed the cord of the necklace around his neck and tugged him slightly closer.
“You talk way too much.”
This time the kiss lasted longer.
When you finally separated, Neteyam was still smiling.
“We were supposed to train,” he said.
You shrugged lightly. “We can train later skxawng” (idiot)
He looked at you for a few seconds as if seriously considering it… then nodded.
“Yes. Later.”
His thumb brushed softly against your cheek while the forest of Pandora whispered around you.
And for once, neither of you seemed in any hurry to start training again.
