Chapter 1 - Tirea Kame
A/N: Hiii!! I'm Rayna and I'm a new writer, I don't know much about how to get around tumblr (whoops) so sorry if this isn't visually pleasing yet! This is my first fic I've ever posted (yay me!!) PLEASE do give feedback as long as its kind and I hope you enjoy! <3 Warnings: Reader does have a name, kind of an OC but her looks aren't explicitly mentioned so imagine her how you like, Neteyam hates humans (kind of), I'm really bad at warnings and tagging, might be cringe? No seriously I need to learn to give warnings Contains: Childhood friends to lovers, reader kinda thinks her life revolves around her crush but she gets better, Bestfriend Lo'ak, reader is spider's twin sister Word Count - 2.2k
Chapter 2, Chapter 3
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After the war against the Na’vi and the humans. Only a few humans stayed behind, ones loyal to the Na’vi. You were also left on Pandora but what choice did you have? You and your brother Spider were still so young, too young for a Cryo Capsule. So you stayed behind with your brother living at the old RDA post with Norm, Max and all the other scientists.
You and Spider would go out and frolic in the forests along with Sully’s kids. You were particularly fond of Kiri because you two shared the same love for the forest and all the beauty it had to offer. Unlike Spider you weren’t one to go around causing trouble but Lo’ak and him would get scolded one to many times. You laughed when they got in trouble, Jake yelling at them telling them to be more responsible. Of course you too would also slip up running away with Lo’ak into the forest to go and chase each other, of course Lo’ak always won with the advantage of his climbing and hearing abilities you still enjoyed each other's company nonetheless.
Neytiri wasn’t very happy having Sky People playing around her kids. You’d always hear her whispering to Jake
“They must stay with their own kind!”
But you definitely knew she felt more comfortable with you rather than Spider because unlike your brother you were not one to go around causing trouble. You preferred sitting quietly with Kiri as you talked about the flora and fauna of Pandora or helping Mo’at with collecting herbs for healing the injured warriors' wounds. You were also quite fond of Jake’s eldest son and as you grew older and slowly you started to admire Neteyam’s sense of responsibility, of course he had to be responsible if he was going to be the future Olo'eyktan.
At the age of 14 you realized it was much more than simple admiration. You began to realize you seemed to develop a sort of crush on him much like all of the girls within the Omaticaya clan. You weren't quite fond of girls clinging to his arms and complimenting him, as much as you would love to go stand up to them you know not too. A puny tawute trying to stand up for a boy who rarely interacts with her outside of close gatherings. You’d try and show your affections by using gifts of appreciation, bringing him back stuff you had found in the forest or some new beads for his braids. Small insolent gestures that he took with as much kindness as he would if it was coming from a stranger. That’s what you were to him, just a stranger. But you were determined. You would also offer to help him when he passed by the Lab base for weapons or medicine for his dad. You loved seeing him run these errands and it showed how responsible he was.
You heard a knock on your window to find the very person you were just thinking about almost as if it was timed.
“Hey Yol 'aw, dad needs some more Silvadene, those RDA idiots are back burning the trees..” He spoke of them like they left a bad taste in his mouth.
Neteyam was like his mother in the sense that he was never a fan of humans; the only ones he really accepted consisted of you, your brother and Norm. His father was undeniably part of that list as well but he never really considered his father human seeing as though he took his Inknimaya to become an Omaticaya and was accepted by Ewya to continue living in his Na’vi body. You never looked at him cross for his silent hatred towards humans he didn’t trust, because you could understand why someone would be so opposed to a species that has caused your kind so much suffering. But you’d be lying if you said the thought didn’t sting.
“So we’ve got like 7 people in the healing tent with Grandmother” He said hanging from the tree near the window of your room.
You put your mask on and opened the window
“Oh. Hey Teyam, How much do you need I can go get some from Max” You said looking at him hanging upside down from the branch
He pulled himself back up and perched himself so that he was sitting of the edge of the branch
“Just like 3 or 4 containers should be enough for now thanks”
“So did you wanna come and get them with me? I’ve been working on this serum you inject into yourself to make it capable of breathing Pandoran air and-”
You were rambling. A common trait you’ve adapted around him hoping that he’d be interested in your latest project and just maybe ask for you to explain it to him.
“Sorry Ira’na it’s kinda just a quick thing, not for anything you know” He said lowering himself closer to the window to see you.
“Oh. Okay no- no it’s- that's fine I’ll go get it for you” You fumbled with your words.
Maybe the fact that you were talking his ear off had to do with him not wanting to accompany you but you didn’t bicker, because you understood Neteyam was the eldest so he has lots of responsibilities, he’s just busy. Taking on a bigger role doing what he can to help his father, and thats exactly what you loved about him. You come back holding 4 containers of the Silvadene ointment
“Here you go, Neteyam.” You speak, handing him the containers, you hesitate to continue. But you work up the courage then speak again.
“Uhm so.. Are you busy later or do you want to pass by and hang out? We can go down to the stream and pick the flowers. Remember how we used to?”
You said trying to hide the longing in your eyes to hang out with him.
It had been ages since you and Neteyam ever hung out just the two of you, and if he ever did hangout it was to supervise Lo’ak and make sure he doesn’t get into any trouble. You’d try to get him to
“Thanks Ira’na, but.. uhm. I’m pretty busy now you know with all the stuff going on since the Sky People returned I need to help my dad and you know it's just one big mess of stuff. Maybe another time?”
And there it was that moment when your eyes felt like they were gonna start trickling with tears and you’d start letting out small whimpers. You couldn’t not infront of Neteyam what would he think seeing you in a teary mess. You took a breath as you held back your tears. You wanted to burst, just let everything out. But no not now. Not in front of Neteyam you had to stay strong.
“Yeah that's fine, maybe I'll pass by later this week..”
You said without looking at him and instead directing your attention to the wall of your room closest to you.
“Thanks for understanding. See ya Yol 'aw” He said as he carried the containers and snickered
“Whatever skxawng”
You said playfully punching his arm as he made his way down from the tree. You closed your window and stood there unmoving as you closed your window and allowed the oxygen in your room to re-equalize. How stupid of you no matter how many times you thought you’d made it through to him it felt like everything just restarted sending you back to first base. You tried to preoccupy yourself by sitting down and trying to think about how you’d try and confess to Neteyam. You snickered to yourself, a pathetic one that
“Confess to him?” You thought “The perfect golden boy? What would he want with me of all people not to mention a human no less.”
What could you even offer him? You cannot sing as beautifully as Nira, dance as gracefully as Rian’a, You could never even compare to Tsi’at’s beauty. She, much like you had her eyes locked on Neteyam. Every chance she could she’d hook her dainty arms around him, offer praise and speak so highly of him it made Lo’ak nauseous when she was around. You were nothing but a weak human girl who talks too much, two left feet and not enough beauty to ever outshine someone like Tsi’at.
Much to your dismay you tried, tried and tried again over and over like a broken record to show your affection and it never worked. He was to blind to notice but you could never blame Neteyam. That was your weakness. You perceived him too highly to ever believe he could be ignoring your advances on purpose. So you brushed it off as him just sticking to his responsibilities blaming yourself instead. Maybe it was truly you who was blind.
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The following few months you had overheard Jake and Norm talking about Jake leaving to go seek a new home among the Metakayina People. A clan far from the forest located at the heart of the sea where many islands could be found. You stood where you were frozen in shock. A wave of sadness had hit you like a knife to the heart. They were leaving.. Kiri, Lo’ak and Tuk. But soon you realized he too would be leaving. Would he even remember you when they returned? If they ever returned. What if something happened to him? You’d never see him again, would he find a beautiful Metkayina girl and choose her. You ran to your room where you found
Lo’ak sitting on Spider's bed
“Oh hey Ira’na Spider just invited me over for a bit and we- Hey are you okay?” He said as he saw you wipe your glossy eyes.
“Hmm? Oh yeah- No I'm okay I just hurt myself coming up the stairs.” You said walking towards your bed.
Lo’ak wasn’t always the best at reading a room but he could tell if one of his best friends was upset.
“Hey.. You know., Something funny happened. Spider was climbing a tree when a syaksyuk jumped out on him, man it was so funny he fell down like 10 feet!” He said enthusiastically.
Of course you laughed, Lo'ak always found a way to make you laugh, plus it was your brother's misery who wouldn’t enjoy their twin's misfortune.
"I’m gonna remind him about that all the time now” You said while chuckling and wiping your still slightly watery eyes.
“Hey y’know I’m not a good talker like Kiri but you know.. if you ever need anything i'm here” He said, shrugging his arms.
Lo’ak was not used to acting all sentimental but if his best friend needed it he’d be happy too.
The day the Sully’s left you didn’t cry well at least not in front of Neteyam. He was leaving you the only boy you’d ever cared for gone, but it wasn’t just Neteyam’s leave you were sad about of course you also were sad about the fact that your best friend was leaving the only person you could confide in was going to leave.
You hugged Kiri as tight as possible, gave Tuk an ikran you’d expertly weaved of twigs and long grass for her to keep which rewarded you with a tight squeeze and several ‘don’t forget me’s’ to which you responded you could never forget her and made a bet with Lo’ak that if he finds himself a Metkayina girl he’d have to take care of your herb collecting duties for 3 weeks when he gets back to which he laughed. Then it was his turn on your way.
You said goodbye to Jake, who told you to keep Spider on his toes, to which you snickered. Neytiri didn’t really offer a goodbye but you still gave her a nod to which she looked at you with less disdain than usual. Then it was his turn. You slowly walked up to him packing up his stuff. The closer you walked the more you dread the final goodbye. You tried to distract yourself and wondered if he’d grow taller when he’s gone.
“So I guess this is goodbye” You said standing in front of Neteyam as he packed up the last of his stuff on his ikran
“I guess so.. Just so you know i’m gonna miss you Yol 'aw” He said chuckling while playfully punching your shoulder
“Ugh. I really hope you forget that nickname when you come back”
“We both know I won’t Yol 'aw” He said chuckling down at you
“Well, I’m.. It’s..” You took a breath. Be strong “I’ll miss you Neteyam” You final let out.
“Same here Ira’na, don’t forget me okay?”
“Of course not” You chuckled but it was a bitter one knowing he’d be gone. Besides, how could you ever forget him?
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How long has it been since they left? 5 years? It felt more like 5 decades. You were now 19. It had been so long since you had been in contact with the Sully’s. Norm would give you the occasional update when he went over for supply drops; you never joined because you were afraid. Afraid of seeing you old childhood friends changed, you being just a memory of the past, something old, forgotten, you could barely handle the thought but now they were coming back. You didn't know how to feel it was like having butterflies and nausea all at once. You couldn’t wait to see Tuk all grown up now, Kiri to talk about everything you missed, Lo’ak your best friend asking him what troubles he caused since you last saw him, and Neteyam.
Oh right, the last time you saw Neteyam.
You still liked him.
