First of all, Neteyam was born to be a father,he spent his entire childhood helping raise his siblings, so he’s not clueless.
But because of the pressure Jake put on him, Neteyam is determined to be the gentle parent,he promised himself he would never make his kids feel like they are soldiers.
He is the softest, most patient father on Pandora,it’s actually ridiculous.
During your pregnancy this man is a nervous wreck, he treats you like you are made of glass.
He becomes obsessive about your food, he will hunt for the specific fruit you craved late at night, flying halfway across the islands just to get it because he wants you and the baby to be happy.
He spends hours talking to your bump, juat murmuring prayers, introducing himself, telling the baby how much he loves their mother.
When you give birth Neteyam cries. He tries to be the strong warrior holding your hand breathing with you, but the second he hears that first cry? He’s gone.
When he holds his firstborn for the first time he looks absolutely terrified and completely in love.
After that Neteyam is always literally wearing the baby, he weaves a carrier himself and straps the baby to his chest while he does chores, he loves the feeling of their heartbeat against his.
He wanted a big family, but he also wants to be able to protect them all, so you settle on three children. Two boys and a girl.
The oldest boys look just like him (it reminds him of him and Lo’ak and it stresses him out because he knows the trouble him and his brother caused).
The daughter has him wrapped around her finger, if she asked for the moon, Neteyam would figure out how to get his ikran up there to grab it.
He is not strict, so you end up having to being the “bad cop” because Neteyam cannot say no to those puppy eyes.
Lo’ak is the fun uncle who teaches them bad words, and Neteyam has to sigh and correct them, but he’s secretly laughing.
Time he gets serious is when he teaches them hunting or flying, he is terrified of them getting hurt,he checks their gear ten times,he flies right next to them hovering, his eyes scanning for any danger.
When they succeed (first catch, first bond) he is the loudest one cheering,he swells with so much pride.
Even with kids, he never forgets you,
His love language is touching you. After a long day of parenting and warrior duties, he just needs to be near you.
At night, when the kids are finally asleep, he collapses onto the mat next to you and buries his face in your neck breathing your scent.
“You are doing so well” he tells you constantly,he validates you,he worships the ground you walk on because you gave him this family.
He’s also very protective of your time, if he ever sees you’re overwhelmed, he scoops up the kids and says, "We are going fishing Mommy needs rest “And he takes them away for the whole afternoon so you can sleep or just exist in peace.
Family naps are must (when the kids are still little) a giant pile of limbs and tails in huge hammock ,Neteyam is always at the bottom of the pile, holding everyone, looking up at the sky with a soft smile like, Yeah,this is it,this is what i fought for, i’m happy.
Note: heyyy this is my first ever fan fic that i am publishing. it is not very good and im still just experimenting. Im nervy GULP. Pls give me suggestions 🩵
—
You start pulling away before anyone says anything.
It’s small things at first. Sitting a little further from the fire. Laughing a little quieter at Lo’ak’s teasing. Zoning out in the middle of Kiri speaking to you. Your hands resting over your stomach more often than you realize.
Neytiri notices immediately — she always does.
Lo’ak and Kiri just think you’re tired.
But mothers see everything.
It is late afternoon when Neytiri finds you alone near the reef, your fingers trembling slightly as they trace invisible patterns over your abdomen. She sits beside you without a word. After a moment, her hand rests lightly over yours.
“You carry new life,” she says simply.
It is not a question. She says it with certainty.
Your breath falters as you look down. You nod slowly, tears beginning to spill despite your efforts to contain them. You brace yourself for shock. For questions.
Instead, Neytiri cups your face in her hands as though you have just placed the most sacred treasure in all of Pandora.
“I have not told him,” you admit softly.
Her gaze remains steady. “Why?”
You swallow.
“He does not need this right now. He trains harder every day. He stands beside his father. He carries expectations.” Your fingers tighten slightly in your lap. “A child will… slow him. I do not want to become something that burdens him.”
Neytiri studies you carefully — not judging, only understanding. Her eyes soften.
“You are his mate. This child is not a burden. It is the will of Eywa,” she says firmly.
She places her palm gently over your stomach.
“A child does not weaken a warrior. It reminds him why he fights.”
Your chest loosens. You breathe deeper than you have all day.
“This is yours to hold,” she adds gently. “Tell him when your heart is ready.”
By the time the sun begins to set, you cling to her words.
—
Neteyam returns as the sky bleeds gold into violet and pink. The moment his eyes find you, something in him softens.
His hand finds your waist instinctively.
“There you are,” he murmurs.
Relief, not greeting.
He presses his forehead to yours. His nose brushes your cheek.
Your breath stutters.
“You did not watch my training today,” he teases lightly, but his eyes are studying you. He notices your quietness.
—
That night, when the world is quiet except for distant waves and wind, you lie in the hammock with your back against his chest. His thumb tracing patterns against your soft skin.
“You have been quiet today,” he murmurs against your hair.
Now, you think.
“I need to tell you something.”
He shifts immediately, sitting up so he can see your face. Concern flashes in his eyes.
“Are you hurt?”
“No,” you whisper quickly. “No, I—”
Your hands settle over your stomach.
His eyes follow.
Silence stretches.
“You carry our child?” he asks softly. Reverent.
Tears blur your vision.
“I was afraid to tell you,” you confess. “You have so much responsibility. I did not want to take anything from you...”
He shakes his head before you can say anything more.
“You are my strength,” he says firmly. “Everything I train for. Everything I fight for.” His throat tightens. “This is not weight added to my shoulders. This is purpose placed in my hands. A gift from Eywa herself.”
He smiles at you. His hand spreads gently over your stomach, protective and certain.
“You could never take anything from me,” he continues more softly. “You are my heart. And this—” his palm presses warm and gently against you “—this is my greatest honor.”
He lowers himself carefully, pressing his forehead to your belly before placing the softest kiss there.
It breaks you.
A shaky breath leaves your lips as he pulls you into his lap. His mouth finds yours — not rushed, not desperate — but deep . Like he is memorizing you. Like he is grateful.
His kisses trail along your jaw, down your neck, slow and gentle . Your fingers slip into his braids, holding him closer as warmth pools low in your stomach. he hums low in your mouth, a vibration that sends shivers down your spine.
All of him surrounds you.
He is yours. You are his.
“You will never face anything alone,” he whispers against your skin.
Eventually, the intensity softens. He settles you back into the hammock, pressing one last lingering kiss to your lips before brushing his nose gently against yours.
You curl into him.
His hand remains still over your stomach.
Guarding.
Claiming.
Protecting his mate and his child as sleep slowly pulls you under.
And long after your breathing evens out and you’re sleeping , Neteyam stays awake a little longer — palm resting over the life you carry, whispering a quiet thank you to Eywa for choosing him to protect you both.
‧₊˚ ⏾. ⋅ “I can’t lie, he has the prettiest eyes i’ve ever seen.”
navigation ‧₊˚ ⏾. ⋅
——•⏾•——
Neteyam who’s protective, not in a controlling way. more in the way that he’s always positions himself slightly closer to danger so you don’t have to be. Never lets you go into danger especially by yourself. He will always try and keep you back with his siblings but sometimes he’ll let you ONLY if he’s coming with.
Neteyam who isn’t big on long speeches. Sure he likes to compliment you but he’d rather use simple words. he also prefers gestures or acts of service to express his care. For example, checking your gear, walking you back to your family’s kelku (home), or making sure you’ve eaten.
Neteyam who loves to train with you. Even if you’re still learning, he’ll happily help you with patience and care. Will never make you feel bad for making a mistake or forgetting how to do something. (sweet boy 🥹🫰)
Neteyam who is so excited when he sees how much you’ve improved.
Neteyam who feels a lot of pressure as the oldest, and you’re one of the only people he opens up to about it.
Neteyam who hates to see you worrying about him so he downplays things to make you worry less. (even if you see right through his act)
Neteyam who loves to listen to you speak. As i said, he isn’t a person of words, he prefers to listen to you. He will keep small details in mind, like your favourite fruit or a fruit you mention that you want to try.
Neteyam who loves watching you from afar when you’re playing with tuk or letting her and kiri braid and add accessories to your hair. It makes him feel all warm inside.
warnings: themes of manipulation/possesivness, neteyam wanting reader to himself, reader is strong but a softie for neteyam, reader has codependency duh, mutual love…just different ways of expression,, slight nsfw cus neteyam is a perv lol ||
You started your mornings fresh, sitting yourself up on your hammock inside your marui, your partially completed garments scattered along your work area but never forgotten. You stood, peeking through the knot Neteyam showed you how to tie just as a “safety” precaution that held the flaps of your marui together. The base was bustling with Na’vi, some working, some playing, women desperately waiting for their mates to return from the strenuous week long war party Neteyam and Jake led. You were estatic to see them again, especially Neteyam.
“Yo, I brought you some fruit. Neteyam would kill me if I missed out on the day he comes back, don’t tell him I was late today.” Lo’ak popped into your view, scaring you half to death.
“Bro! Where’d you even come from?! Don’t scare me like that.” You hissed, baring your fangs and you began to undo the knot.
“Why do you even tie that? It’s safe from the sky people, they don’t know about the base here since we relocated.” Lo’ak said, helping you undo it before pushing the wooden bowl of assorted fruits into your hands.
“Nete showed me, he said it was just to keep me extra safe. Thank you for the fruit, I had just wakened so you don’t need to worry about being late.” You said, popping a berry into your mouth before welcoming him inside.
He shook his head, “I have to go help mother with preparation for tonight’s celebration. She’s been uptight since Neteyam and dad have been gone. Can’t miss out. You gonna be there tonight?” He asked, tail swishing with anticipation.
Lo’ak still stayed rebellious, but a bit more confident since his teenage years. His braids tied up in a low man bun with two pieces hanging down to frame his face. It was weird to think of his scrawny self years ago. Even crazier to imagine he was actually excited to help Neytiri with preparations. At least it gets Jake off his back.
“I will, I’ve completed a few pieces of flying gear for Jake’s team. The older gear has worn down anyways. I must tell Neteyam I’ll be attending too.” You said, picking at the fleshy parts of the fruit and devouring it, leaving the skins off to the side.
You licked your fingers, tossing some flying goggles towards Lo’ak and trusting him to catch it with ease, which he did. “Yours. Don’t lose these too!” You scowled, only to be met with him grinning before turning away on his heel.
“No promises!” He yelled out before skipping away.
“Skxawng.” You muttered, placing the empty bowl on the table Jake crafted for you. You stretched your arms, deciding it was time for your rinse.
Gathering your flying gear and a beaded chest piece with feathers and a matching loincloth to change into, you left your Marui. Walking through the base, you smiled and waved at the children playing and passing by you, your few friends who were gathered around a fire, adding their final accessories to their clothing pieces for tonight’s celebration. A lot of unmated Na’vi women used large celebrations to venture for a mate, using the social setting to introduce themselves without awkwardness or fear of being outwardly rejected as a lot of the warriors would drink as a reward.
Reaching to a deep part of the forest you knew well, you found your fresh spring. Warm water running through a miniature waterfall, and a small pond to bathe yourself in. You sighed, always looking forward to your alone time of silence in the spring. Slipping off your chest piece, you laid it down on the moss, followed by your loincloth and arm cuffs. You stepped into the pond, letting the water run through your hair from the waterfall, covering water in your pals to wash your face. The warmth gave you a sense of comfort, a tranquility you were denied the last few years due to the war.
Meanwhile, the war party had returned finally, a bit behind schedule. Jake landed first, jumping off his Ikran and catching Neytiri in his arms. Neteyam followed shortly after, his brother embracing him with a hard pat to the back. Tuk, following right behind after greeting her father.
“Teyam!” She cried out, relief washing over her as he picked her up. Tuk wiped her eyes, happy tears pooling after finally seeing her family after so long.
Neteyam smiled, turning his head to Lo’ak before his look turned serious. “She has been fed? Where is she?” He said, eyes scanning the base before looking back to his younger brother.
“Yea, bro. She already ate, but I don’t know where she wandered to.” Lo’ak said, grabbing Tuk’s hand once Neteyam put her down.
“I told you to keep an eye on her.” Neteyam scowled, but her let it go. He knew you knew better.
Walking to your Marui and opening it fully, he scanned. He saw the empty bowl, your weaving materials, but no you. That would only leave one other place. The hot springs. He huffed, setting his bow down on your desk before following the same path you took, the one he taught you. Deeper into the forest, his ears pricked up at the nearing sound of splashing water. You were close, he caught your scent. Sweet and soft.
He felt no shame, watching you bare, water droplets falling down your curves, over your chest and down to your most sacred area. If anything, he felt entitled to it. He sauntered closer, shaking his head as you didn’t even bother to pay attention to your surroundings. Your back remained turned to him, oblivious to the predator watching its prey.
“I thought you had far better sense, yawne.” He said, loud enough to spook you.
You jumped, turning your body to him before covering yourself and dipping down fully into the pond to shield him for your bare body. Your ears slicked back, eyes wide with embarrassment.
“Nete! You’re back-you scared me! How long have you been there?!” You blurted, your fingers gripping the edge of the pond, leaving soft imprints of your four fingers in the moss.
“Mawey, it’s nothing I haven’t seen before. Though it is more endearing seeing it from you.” He said, crouching down near the edge to run his hand through your wet hair.
Neteyam scanned the clothing you brought to change into, noticing the loincloth had far less fabric, and far more intricate beading. That wasn’t enough coverage for him. His eyes turned to you, softening as he noticed your soft purrs at his touch. He let his hand trail down to your cheek before fluttering off at your shoulders.
“You are wearing this to the celebration today? There is not much fabric. Eyes of drunken warriors will be all over you.” He sighed, taking your arm to pull your upper half from the spring.
Your ears perked to attention, not expecting his guidance out of the water. Using your arm, you covered your breasts, clenching your legs together to hide yourself as he brought you fully out. “I- Well it was something I made weeks ago. It has similar beads to our song cords, an homage. Is that alright, Ma Teyam?” You tried not to bring much attention to your bareness, other wise he would truly notice what he had done. Of course you didn’t clock that he did it on purpose, to see you exposed and vulnerable in front of him.
He seemed pleased with your response, either way he’d have you by his side as usual, so he couldn’t scold you too much. “I suppose it is alright, what is not, is that you didn’t greet me with your hug. It’s all I’ve been thinking of since I left.” Neteyam said, bringing you in by the shoulders and pressing you to him, his nose burying into the side of your neck.
He knew exactly what he was doing. Neteyam just wanted to feel you against him, your skin touching his and your heartbeats synchronizing. You melted into the hug, you missed his presence. You stayed with him for a few breaths, before realizing your current situation. You reached for your chest piece and loincloth, wanting to cover yourself. Neteyam caught on, handing them to you, his eyes quickly scanning your body that you were no longer shielding as you dressed yourself. As soon as you slipped the chest piece over your head you tried your back to him from how you two were sitting.
“May you please turn, I must dress myself.” You asked shyly, placing your hand down to your waist to cover yourself.
He cracked a smile before obliging. “Have you missed me? Has Lo’ak taken good care of you since my departure? I told that skxawng to make sure that you eat. You know how he is though.” He asked, before turning around back to you once her heart the clicks of the beads coming to a rest.
You both stood now, finally able to comfortable face Neteyam. You two have bathed together of course, but throughout childhood. Since you turned 18 you preferred to bathe alone, for obvious reasons. “I missed you so much, Neteyam.” You sighed, letting yourself hug him tightly, which he returned.
“Lo’ak has taken good care of me, have more faith!” You said, letting Neteyam lead you back to the base. His hand lingered on your lower back, playing with the beads that adorned your handmade loincloth.
“As you command, yawne.” Neteyam joked, pressing you closer to his side as you walked through the thick flora of the forest. “Shall you accompany me at the celebration? I must keep you out of harms way, you know how those drunken warrior behave once they return. Almost all of them cried to be mated once they return. Some even asked for you, but none of them are good enough. All are too weak for you, ma yawne.” He said, ears flicking side to side as he heard the Na’vi from the base once they got closer.
He always stayed alert with you around him. Neteyam didn’t even bother to move his hand from his position your back, not minding the side looks unmated warriors gave him when they finally stepped foot into base. “Neteyam, don’t be too harsh. They try to live up to you.” You said softly, resting your hand on his arm.
Once you reached your Marui, he stepped inside with you. “Do not defend them. Do you wish to be mated to one?” He asked defensively, tying a knot as he hurriedly shut the flaps of your marui. “Of course they live up to me, I am the only one who can protect you, who can treat you how you deserve to be treated.” He said, stepping closer to you now as he towered over your frame.
“N-no, Nete. I do not wish to be mated to any of them.” Except you. Of course you could never say that, he was soon to be with another woman. “I just speak out of kindness, they are young men who may not get to live another day. They have hopes and dreams of a normal life too. I know you are the only one to protect me, you have since we were little.” You said, your hands resting on his forearms while your tail tucked between your legs.
You hated disappointing him, you knew he would never treat you as a nuisance, but you wanted to be as agreeable as you could for him. He already had so much on his plate as future Olo’eyktan, and a strong warrior.
“I always will protect you. You are too kind to those who you do not know the true intentions of. You depend on only me, do you understand?” He said, his head lowering to yours so he could properly look you in the eye.
He held eye contact, until you caved and blinked, embracing him again. “I understand, Neteyam. Thank you.” You sighed, your cheek pressed to his chest as your body melted into his touch.
His hands rubbed soothing patterns into your back, a content smile on his face from your willing obedience. “Very good, yawne. You don’t need anyone else, only me.” Neteyam muttered.
You pulled back after a few minutes, staring up at him with wide and curious eyes as he had a soft hold on your arm. “I must go prepare for the celebration. Once it begins and you plan to arrive, find me immediately. Yes?” He said, turning to undo the knot he placed, so you two wouldn’t be interrupted.
“Yes, Nete. I will find you. I’ll be going with Kiri anyways.” You nodded, going to walk him out, respectfully.
gotta love the way you write dark neteyam. you really write him like no otherrrr fr. you are my go-to writer on this app now 🤩 so glad i found you!
’d love to see aged up neteyam where he’s lowkey highkey competitive with lo’ak. not that perfect brother mask everyone else sees but something more possessive and smug. like he wants lo’ak to know exactly who you belong to 🤤😮💨
so so so so glad to know that u enjoy reading them!!! because i looove writing dark/yandere if u cant already tell 🫢💙 this one’s also pretty mild since idk how dark dark u want it babes,,, bc im rlly toxic 🥹
tw coercion, jealousy, both brothers
Thinking about Neteyam and how much he likes leaving you a breathless, a shaking mess on his cock. It’s Neteyam who makes sure Lo’ak sees exactly where you belong, he’s definitely rubbing it in his younger brother's face that you sleep in his arms, will hold his hand, will sit down on his lap at the end of a long day.
Big, strong, disciplined Neteyam, who knows exactly how to use his strength. Who makes you push your thighs around his cock as he fucks into them from below. Whose larger frame dwarfs yours as he demands your attention.
Neteyam who slides his long fingers into your little pussy when he’s bathing with you in the river and almost making your knees give out.
Neteyam who teaches you how to kiss and how fun it is to slide his thick cock down your throat until you’re lightheaded and struggling.
Neteyam who teaches you how to breathe through it, how to stay focused on his cock even when your knees give out and his name is the only thing you know.
He’s wanted to be a husband ever since he understood Jake’s role in Neytiri’s life. And so he’s ecstatic to play the part of the perfect, protective, big and strong partner: pecking your temple and pulling you behind his body when other men look at you.
The same Neteyam who wants nothing more than to see your glossy lips: on him, around his girth, falling open with desperate whines when he fucks the raw head of his cock into you for hours until you can’t even stay conscious. The way your eyes are blown wide and unfocused or whether they are rolling to the back of your head; he loves them just as much. As long as you’re too exhausted to even think of another man.
Lo’ak, in all his rebellious glory, can keep his flings and his desperate attempts to be seen. Because Neteyam can see that his little bro is obviously jealous when you nuzzle into his neck. You can’t help but return to his strong arms and coos of his love, or when you call yourself Neteyam’s.
Neteyam has spent years guiding you, training you to accept that you are his girl. Your definition of love has been shapen and carved so deeply into your soul that the idea of being with anyone else feels like betraying Eywa herself.
˙⋆✮ Neteyam who likes you but deep down will always feel that he’s you’re not good enough
๑ Notes: first fic yikes. had an idea, scribbled it at 3am. barely proofread, sorry. i was inspired by ethel cain’s song. all involved characters are adults. canon timeline remains, except the Sullys never left for Awa’atlu. Jake is still Olo’eyktan.
.ᐟ.ᐟ Warnings: 18+ explicit, MDNI, angst, emotional abuse, mentions of baby-trapping, mentions of sex (this isn’t necessarily a smut fic), slight ooc, toxic dynamics
▶︎ •၊၊||၊|။||||| 0:10 Gibson Girl
──── .✦
Neteyam Sully x Fem Omatikaya Reader
Synopsis: During a festival in celebration of new mothers, you grapple with the complicated relationship you have with Neteyam. He always comes to find you, but never for the reasons you want.
w.c 3.6k
──── .✦
The moons were sewn high in the sky when he came to find you.
You were perched in a cloud pine tree, away from the rest of the clan who were celebrating the birthing season. As a result of last year's mating season, many women had been growing babies and would soon be giving birth. The moons had aligned according to cycle, and by the next month, the clan would welcome at least five prrnen. (newborns)
From your lookout point, you could still watch the clan and their dances and their feast. You had left early to prevent yourself from becoming bitter against women who had done you no wrong.
Instead, you watched Neteyam as he trekked the forest. He was headed in your direction with a restlessness that made you uneasy.
When he reached the base of the tree, he called up to you. You simply chirped back, and he began his climb.
When he reached your branch he exhaled and smiled, inviting himself to sit beside you. The branch was wide enough that the both of you could lie shoulder to shoulder and still have room, but you pictured pushing him off anyway and blaming it on lack of space.
“Hey,” Neteyam brushed your shoulder with his in some odd excuse to touch you.
You simply hummed in acknowledgment. Your relationship had long surpassed the small talk and polite hellos reserved for acquaintances. His presence was constant, familiar, though still uncomfortable when he gave you that look, low-lidded but with a reserve. It took you many moons to decide a name for it.
It manifested in his breath, fanning over your skin. In his voice too, rough when you looked at him. Even in his touch, always testing, pushing your boundaries to see how far he could go before you stopped him.
The feeling was want.
He wanted you.
He knew he could have you. Yet he hesitated.
“Where have you been?” He asked as he settled into the moss.
“Up here. I don’t like the big groups.”
“I know.” He snorted. “Everyone knows.”
“What does that mean?” You frowned, but you knew.
You were awkward and quiet, never knowing the right thing to say. Neteyam was your better counterpart. He was charming, sweet, caring. The People loved him for his perfected lies that seeped from behind his teeth like honey.
“You know,” he said. “That’s just how you are.”
You rolled your eyes.
“In my opinion, it’s better to be the way I am than to lie to everyone. Pretending like you care.” You uprooted a thin stalk of grass near your foot. “Pretending to be nice.”
Neteyam reached over to tuck your hair behind your ear. You had recently taken it out of the braids you normally wore it in. He hadn’t realized how long it had grown.
“I am nice.”
You said nothing. Neteyam was also great at deflecting. You would get nowhere trying to convince him of anything.
“When you want to be.” You said quietly.
Neteyam sighed, and probably rolled his eyes but you were watching the clan again.
“Do you wanna go to the lab?” He asked.
“For what?”
“Make a mess. Piss Norm off.”
“That’s something your brother would do.” You coiled your fingers around another stalk of grass and began pulling slowly so the roots would remain intact.
“You’re no fun anymore.” Neteyam said as he stretched his arms above his head, long and languid.
Your eyes raked over his body as they had countless times before. You loved looking at him, the lean muscle beneath his smooth, patterned skin and his human oddities that distinguished him from the other men of the clan.
Neteyam loved your attention. He held his stretch longer than necessary, and smiled when you finally turned away, evidently getting your fill.
“How about the pond?”
“No.”
“We can fly Ikrans?”
“Don’t want to.”
“Dammit, yawne.” Neteyam stretched out, propping his arms behind his back and leaning on his hands. “Seriously, what is up with you?”
“Does anything have to be up with me just because I don’t want to partake in your stupidities?” You uncrossed your legs and let them dangle over the edge.
“Yes, because you like my stupidities.” Neteyam replied. You heard the sounds of him slowly removing his accessories, starting first with his cummerbund, then his armband, and then his necklace.
“I came up here because I wanted some peace and quiet.” You turned to look at him. “So either shut up, or leave.”
Neteyam took his bottom lip between his teeth and nodded. You exhaled, grateful for a change of pace.
But then he grabbed your arm. He traced slow, lazy circles into your skin, pressing his thumb into your tricep just to watch your skin bounce up again.
Squeeze, release. Squeeze, release.
You narrowed your eyes at him, but didn’t pull away. He hadn’t touched you in a while. Even his annoying playfulness was comforting.
“There,” He murmured after he tied his armband around you.
You looked down at it, feeling the lingering warmth from when it had been tied around him.
Next came the cummerbund, and you couldn’t suppress your smile when he finished knotting it behind your back. He had moved your hair and kuru over one of your shoulders, and you played with the ends as he fastened his necklace around your smaller neck.
“How do I look?” You peeked at him over your shoulder.
“Pretty,” He pressed his lips to the side of your neck. A shudder ran down your spine and you gasped when his hands found your hips.
“This is what you were after?” You whispered, tilting your head to the side so he could have better access to your neck. His tongue flicked across your pulse point and heat was ignited between your legs.
“I’m always after you.” He said.
You played absentmindedly with your kuru as Neteyam continued to kiss you. Gentle pecks turned into licks, which turned into bites, until you were pressed against the tree trunk and Neteyam was on you, trying to pull off his tewng with one hand.
“Neteyam,” You gasped between his kisses. He had been playing with your tits for what felt like ages, and they had become red and irritated.
“Yeah?” He croaked, voice thick with want.
“Do you really want to do this tonight?” You asked.
He froze.
“What do you mean?” He pulled away and his hands fell to his sides. You immediately missed his warmth, but something uncertain had been stirring in your chest all night.
“I mean… We always do this.” You whispered. “And tonight…”
Neteyam’s jaw popped as he began to grind his teeth. You saw his irritation plainly, from the sharp swivel of his ears to the slow, purposeful flick of his tail.
You shied into yourself, bracing for a lecture on how you started it, even if that was furthest from the truth.
Instead, Neteyam exhaled, took one of your hands in his, and began to kiss your inner wrist.
Butterflies erupted in your stomach from such an intimate gesture. He wasn’t usually this soft with you. It tugged at your heart, that cavern that held all your secrets and all the things you ever wanted.
“C’mon, sevin,” Neteyam encouraged you. “I’ll make you feel good.”
You wanted to be mad. Truly, you did. The way he spoke to you made your palms hot with the urge to smack him. Always so patient, always so encouraging, always condescending. Like he knew he was better than you and just had to prove it with every interaction.
He spoke to you like he spoke to the children he taught to hunt and to fly, guiding them through every step under the guise of a caring tutor.
“Don’t I take care of you?” He pressed.
You sighed and leaned back, a sign of defeat. Your back met the soft, squishy moss underneath and it sent shivers down your spine. You relaxed, giving way to the routine that had quietly built itself in the background.
It always started like this.
Neteyam would say sweet things to you. He’d touch you with a lover's caress and your body would welcome him. He’d end up between your legs, making you feel good, kissing away your worries. Then when it came his turn, he’d use you like you were made just for him.
Sometimes he had you on your hands and knees so he could grab your hips and pull your hair. Other times, on the days that wore him to the bone, he’d push your face into the ground and slam into you like a wild animal. Or he’d sit back and watch as you rode him, and he’d pull on your sensitive nipples.
But his favorite was laying you on your back, spreading you open, watching your face for all the small signs that told him you loved it.
He liked to finish on your stomach, or maybe on your cunt if he timed his release wrong. He was careful to never cum inside.
You both knew the consequence was permanence.
But how you wished for it. You tried, once, to lock your ankles around his waist, digging your heels into his lower back. He hadn’t realized at first, until he was moaning and whining that he was cumming. You held tight, squeezing him as well as you could.
The result had been disastrous.
“Why the fuck would you do that?” He spat, the second he caught his breath. You avoided his eyes and instead reached for his tewng to wipe his cum off your sticky pussy. A little bit had gotten inside, but not enough nor deep enough to get you pregnant.
“I asked you a question.”
“... It felt good.” You whispered and closed your legs.
“Yeah? Will it feel good when you’re fucking pregnant? When I have to take care of you and a baby?” Neteyam pulled his loincloth from your hands when you had wiped yourself enough. He looked at the cloth in disdain. It was starting to stain and now he’d have to scrub the damn thing to get rid of all evidence.
“Don’t flatter yourself. You’d run the second I started showing.” You said back, still unable to look him in the eyes.
You were sore between your legs and usually you loved it. It proved that you had made him feel good, that pleasant ache he left behind. But this time it stung of shame.
“Don’t say that.” Neteyam reached over and roughly pinched your chin between his thumb and first finger. He forced you to look him in the eyes, and your shoulders caved.
Neteyam looked older. He had lost his mother’s tenderness and taken on his father’s exhaustion and anger. You didn’t like that look on him.
“Don’t ever say something like that again. I’m many things but I’m not a coward. I’m not weak.”
After that, he didn’t touch you for days. Nearly a month had passed when he finally returned. He mumbled apologies as he kissed your stomach and made quick work of your loincloth. He traced your tanhi and promised he wouldn’t be mean anymore.
You could’ve cried of relief that day. He made you cum harder than ever that night, when he said he loved you but then looked away like he regretted his words.
That night had been so long ago. Filling the gaps was your belief that he truly did love you, and was just waiting for the right time to mate. To connect. You dreamed of the day he’d offer his kuru and with tsaheylu made, you would be bound together forever.
That day never came.
Now, Neteyam was looking at you with another strong emotion. You pursed your lips and turned away when he tried to kiss you.
“… Do you like me?” You asked quietly.
Neteyam sat between your open legs, spreading them further apart so your thighs rested on his. He hid his offense at having been denied a kiss.
“Don’t ask such stupid questions.” He said.
“We haven’t mated.” You pressed further. “I don’t think this is what the Great Mother wants.”
“Eywa wants us to have fun. To enjoy ourselves.”
“You don’t want to be mated to me.” You said suddenly. You watched his face, praying he would react in any other way. Maybe he’d get upset. Maybe he’d scold you for saying such things, for questioning his love for you.
Instead, he just sighed.
“Do you really want to be mated to me?” He asked.
You swallowed hard and looked away as your eyes burned with tears that were threatening to spill.
“I don’t want to do this tonight. I’m not in the mood.”
Neteyam pressed his fingertips into your plush thighs but then pulled away. You closed your legs and curled into yourself, tail wrapping around your ankles tight.
“Fine. That’s okay. I won’t pressure you.” He said.
You hairless brows furrowed in anger. You hated it. You hated him. He offered it to you like it was his mercy. Like you had no right, no autonomy to your own body.
“Paskalin,” Neteyam tried again. He sighed deeply in that way of his when he was going to speak to the People, or the council, or his parents.
“It’s not that I don’t like you. However,” He began like he was reading from a page.
Your lower lip trembled and you put your hands flat on the tree trunk, ready to push yourself up and run before you had to listen to this nonsense.
A welcome interruption crackled through Neteyam’s neck comms instead.
“Come in, Pathfinder. This is Devil Dog.”
Like you, the forest held its breath.
“Fuck.” Neteyam spat. He pressed his knuckles to his eyes then slowly dragged them down his cheek bones and down to his chin like he was wiping away any trace of you.
You exhaled gratefully and squeezed your eyes shut, willing your heart to stay calm.
Mawey. He will not hurt you with his words tonight.
“Come in, Pathfinder.” Jake said again.
Neteyam inhaled, held his breath for three seconds, then exhaled.
“This is Pathfinder.”
Neteyam looked at you forlornly. You could practically see the annoyance on his face in response to you denying him that sweet, pleasurable sensation he only sought between your legs. It made you proud despite your hurting heart.
“What’s your POS?” Jake demanded.
Neteyam tilted his head and you bared your teeth, enough to show your fangs. He rolled his eyes and turned away from you.
“The hot springs.” He lied. “I went for a walk.”
“Get your ass out on patrol. South.” Jake said.
Neteyam tilted his head back and stared up into the canopy above. You watched with an odd fascination. Whenever his father talked to him, either face to face or through the comms, Neteyam got this look in his eyes. He looked distant, imagining himself anywhere other than where he was.
“Okay.” Was all he said.
There was a silence long enough that you thought Jake was gone.
“I want you in the air in ten.” He said.
“Yes, sir.”
You both waited for Jake to speak again, but this time he was silent for good.
“Yes, sir.” You mimicked, a high-pitched annoying sound.
Neteyam glared at you.
“Are you going to help?”
You shook your head, keeping your eyes on the ground. Neteyam stood up and offered you his hand, which you deliberately ignored.
“Don’t be like that.” He murmured. “I’m sorry about tonight.”
“Mm.” You hummed without care as you stood up on your own. “Go on. Be a good son.”
Neteyam looked at you like he wanted to argue, but you ignored him again.
“You’re keeping my things?” He called.
You paused, remembering that he had adorned you with his belongings like you were his doll.
“… You put them on me.” You said matter-of-factly. Your fingers itched to take them off, to shake yourself free of his confines.
“I like when you wear my things.” Neteyam said.
Your face got warm and your hands got angry. You whipped around and marched to him. Your tail was a warning, flicking wildly.
You placed both hands to his chest and pushed as hard as you could.
“Fuck you!” You spat.
As Neteyam barely caught himself from falling off the edge, you were digging your fingers into the knots he had created. You ripped off the armband, then the cummberbund.
“What are you doing?” Neteyam asked, but he kept a good distance.
“Get this shit off me!” You shouted as you desperately tried to yank the necklace off. The damned thing was too complicated, but despite your anger you couldn’t bring yourself to break it.
Neteyam was many things, most of which you hated. But he was also an artist, and you knew you couldn’t forgive yourself if you ruined his art.
“Get off!” You shouted as you finally unraveled the damn thing and threw it at his feet. Your skin crawled with disgust and the sinking feeling that he had branded you.
He doesn’t even care. You seethed. Today it mattered and he doesn’t fucking care.
“I’m…” Neteyam stared at you in shock, and made no effort to retrieve his things.
Your breaths came heavy as you stared at him with nothing short of hate. Fighting back the urge to cry, you brought an accusatory finger to his face.
“You are fucking mean, Neteyam.” Your tail curled tight so your lower lip wouldn’t tremble. “You are selfish. I can’t,”
Your voice broke and you turned away so he wouldn’t see you cry.
He made no move to comfort you. He said nothing, and you didn’t know if his silence was a blessing or a curse. Deep down, you wished he would wrap his arms around you. You wanted so badly for him to love you enough to care.
“I can’t do this. I won’t do it.” You finished.
With the back of your hand you wiped at your eyes. Your legs were already moving, carrying you away from the man who took pleasure in crushing your heart between his hands.
Neteyam watched you by your tanhi until it was swallowed by the forest. The air around him became stale, as sour as the taste left in his mouth.
“… Sorry.” He murmured.
He turned away and called for his Ikran as he picked up the belongings you had thrown. As he fastened them to his body, the bird arrived and when he was ready, both rider and Ikran took to the sky.
It was cold up in the Hallelujah Mountains. Some nights you would ride with Neteyam to keep him warm, your chest pressed to his back and your shouts of glee in his ear as he guided the Ikran through her practiced stunts.
Tonight, even the wind was quiet.
It wasn’t until the Ikran chirped at him that Neteyam realized he had been holding his body tense. He took a deep breath, and guided the bird above the outer edge of the forest canopy.
Your words rang true and abrasive in his mind. It seemed that increasingly often, you were occupying his mind. He had sensed your irritation and how it grew as the days passed. The nature of your relationship remained the same, but your patience was growing thin.
Something had to give.
Neteyam refused to acknowledge it. When he saw that glimmer in your eyes, he turned away. When he saw you touching your kuru, he pretended he hadn’t. When he caught your gaze across the campfire as young couples and mothers celebrated their future children, he left you alone with your loneliness and your empty womb.
It would drive him insane if he thought about it too long.
He focused instead on what he could give you. Fun. A night where you felt loved. It was awful and never enough, but Neteyam reasoned it protected you from the truth.
You made him forget his own failings. He didn’t deserve someone because he was too angry. He didn’t pray as often as he should, nor was he the great heir he was destined to be.
Kiri was the healer, training as Tsakarem. Lo’ak stood up for things, forced people to listen, and made a name for himself. Tuktirey was a warrior, completing her Iknimaya even younger than Neteyam did.
Even Olo’eyktan was a role no longer promised. Some thought Lo’ak would inherit it, or even Tuk when she was older.
Neteyam had been given the dirty work. What was too difficult or too boring fell into his hands and he obeyed, like always. Keep your head down, get it done. Listen to your dad. Toruk Makto knows best. Rinse and repeat. Rinse and repeat.
You gave him a break from that routine. When he spoke of running away, you agreed. You listened. Worse, you stayed when he got upset, when he started breaking and throwing things and cursing the All Mother.
You fixed him when he was injured. You kissed him when he cried. You held him when he broke.
He knew it hurt you, damaging you from the inside out. You had tricked yourself into believing you loved him, or you kept telling yourself that because why else would he find you every night?
He hated that look on your face, your gorgeous smile and your big eyes glassy with adoration. He couldn’t bear it when you stared at him like he put the stars in the sky or like he was someone worth caring for.
You were made of hope and purity and all sorts of sweet things. You were weak and everything he had trained himself not to be.
Neteyam couldn’t love you. He could never allow himself something so innocent. So, he would have you at a distance. Just enough so as to not lose you.
It was a cruel system, but you were its keeper. You would live and die for him, and you would labor in vain for your lonely heart.
As much as Neytiri grew to hate the humans—the demons—and the very inventions they made to kill her kind, there was always one invention that fascinated her, one which she grew to love over time.
The camera.
Where she spent hours of her time staring at countless pictures her children took throughout the years, taking in their youthful features, which they had long grown out of—all, except for him.
Neteyam.
His voice, which she once heard before her, and his carefree smile, which she saw in every waking hour and every setting of the sun, were now merely moments captured on a screen.
