“Ma’teyam” — Neteyam x Metkayina!OC
Y/N wasn’t part of Tonawari and Ronal’s family, no just a close friend. Ao’nung and Tsireya were the children of the clan leaders, Rotxo one of their best friends. And Y/N was the slightly older one, her parents taken from her far too soon.
She didn’t have family to call her own, but the Metkayina people were enough for her. And her connection to Eywa and the ocean.
What she didn’t expect was the warning of newcomers. She came out of the water beside Tsireya, immediately feeling eyes on her. It was a small group of Na’vi. They were a darker blue and their bodies different than hers. Six of them, most with an animal behind them… an ikran? If she remembered correctly.
“Who are they?” Y/N whispered to Tsireya, the two of them moving through the crowd to stand adjacent to Tonowari and Ronal.
Tsireya shrugged, eyes locked on one of the younger Na’vi. Y/N followed the younger girl’s gaze to the unknown Na’vi boy who just so happened to be staring back. She couldn’t help but smile a bit, holding her hand up to cover her mouth. That’s when she saw him, the older Na’vi boy standing just ahead of the other, just with a harsher look on his face.
Her eyes widened. He intrigued her.
She was tuning out what all the adults were speaking about. She’d caught part of it, the father, Jake Sully, was begging for refuge. A simple glance toward Tonowari and Y/N could tell he was considering it.
But Y/N? Her eyes never strayed from the eldest of the new Na’vi children.
“And these are my children — Ao’nung and Tsireya.” Tonorwari announced. “They’ll be teaching your children our ways, accompanied by Y/N.”
She didn’t expect Tonowari to introduce her. But she took a step forward anyway, giving a slight wave.
“These are mine.” Jake Sully motioned to his four. “Tuk, Kiri, Lo’ak, and Neteyam.”
Neteyam.
She liked that name.
•••••
“Okay, Neteyam.” Y/N smirked, walking in a slow circle around him.
He eyed her every move. They were both skeptical of each other.
“Your tail is small.” She hummed, reaching down to pick it up. He quickly swiped it away, turning to face her instead. “How will you use it to swim?”
“I’ll try my best, like I always have.”
Y/N nodded, crossing her arms over her chest. “Show me,” She nodded toward where Tsireya, Ao’nung, and Rotxo were with Neteyam’s siblings. “With the others.”
Neteyam silently agreed, running aside Y/N as they dove into the water. She swam circles around him. At one point, he even started laughing at her theatrics. They got on well.
•••••
“When will you show me how to ride?” Neteyam gestured to Sa’eya, Y/N’s ilu that the two were standing beside.
The Sully family had be there for nearly two weeks now. Neteyam and Y/N had grown closer, often separating themselves, just barely, from the others.
“Soon.” She hummed, making tsaheylu with Sa’eya, “You’ve barely mastered your breathing.”
She was referring to Neteyam’s ability to hold his breath under water, a necessity if he wanted to bond with an ilu. Ilu’s were water animals, one’s that did the majority of their traveling beneath the surface, requiring its rider to be able to hold their breath for an extended period of time.
Neteyam caught Y/N’s hand as he pulled himself onto Sa’eya behind her. “I’ve been practicing.”
“Is that so?” Y/N smirked at the Sully boy.
He pinched her side and she smacked his thigh. Sa’eya swam in the direction of Y/N’s favorite nearby cove, one Y/N rarely took anyone to. She thought it was time for Neteyam to enjoy it with her. Sure, they hadn’t known each other long, but there was a connection there. Y/N didn’t know how to feel about it or if Neteyam would want an orphaned mate, but still.
“This is… beautiful.” Neteyam breathed out from behind her, sitting up straight after the journey there. His hand rested lightly on her thigh, wanting to keep hold, but wanting to enjoy the scenery around them.
Y/N leaned back against Neteyam’s chest, just slightly. “My mother… she brought me here all of the time when I was young.”
“I’d love to meet her.”
His comment stung, even though he didn’t know. “Not on this side of eternity, ma’teyam.”
She felt him tense behind her.
“I apologize—”
“No need.” She slid off of Sa’eya, wading in the water. “I was young. Tonorwari and Ronal took me in.”
Neteyam followed her into the water, reaching for her hand as they climbed onto the shore of the nearby beach. Y/N let him hold her hand.
“Oel ngati kameie. Oel ngati tsun tivìng fì’u… slä oel ngaru prrte’.” (I see you. I see what you carry… and I care for you.) Neteyam breathed.
Y/N breathe stuttered for a moment.
Then she pulled him to sit next to her, their feet digging in the sand. And she rest her head on his shoulder. “Oel ngati kameie.” (I see you.)
Neteyam didn’t need to say all of that. But he did. And it meant he felt the connection that Y/N felt from the day his family stepped foot on their shores.
He hooked his arm around her shoulders, holding her as close as can be. They sat in silence for a while. Neteyam turned his head, pressing a kiss to the top of Y/N’s. Y/N’s eyes fluttered shut, soaking in the feeling of being loved, chosen, seen.
“We must head back soon, Ma’teyam.” The silence was broken after who knows how long.
Neteyam sighed, standing up before offering her a hand. “You call me ‘ma’teyam’… why?”
Y/N called for Sa’eya before answering. “I’ve heard your mother call your father ‘ma’jake’ and it felt right… for why I feel for you.”
Sa’eya arrived in the shallows as Y/N noticed the smile on Neteyam’s face. She held her hand out for him as they waded out to the Ilu. Silence filling the air, the waves lapping the sand the only sound to be heard.
“I like it.” Neteyam hummed, leaning forward and kissing Y/N’s cheek from his spot behind her.
Y/N was quick to turn her torso, fingers gripping the back of Neteyam’s neck to bring his face to her’s. Their lips connected. A soft, sweet kiss shared.
They just stared at each other for a moment, Sa’eya eager to begin the journey back home. Y/N’s fingers running over her Ilu’s skin in a way to calm it, but her eyes locked with the Sully boy’s.
“Say it again.” Neteyam hummed, a hint of a smile on his lips.
Y/N let her smile shine, “Ma’teyam.”
