Name Day
warnings: aged characters, fluff, smut words: 4k
Masterlist AO3
Today was my birthday. My greatest wish was Neteyam. Not just that I would see him today. My biggest dream was that he would replay my feelings. But I would probably have to wait a long time for that. Yet what he showed me then, exceeded all my expectations.
...
Today was my birthday. My first birthday on Pandora. I came here half a year ago and had immediately fallen in love with this world. I started training as a medic and had been researching the healthcare of the Na'vi ever since. It was the best job ever! I got my own Avatar body and could now join the village people. Together with Dr. Norm Spellman, my instructor, we healed sick natives and researched them. One family in the Omatikaya clan had particularly captivated me: the Sullys. Jake Sully was the Olo'eyktan of the clan and Norm's best friend. He had led the battle against the RDA back then.
I loved his family. Neytiri was a fearless warrior, just like her husband. I quickly became friends with Jake since he worked closely with Norm. His four children, Neteyam, Lo'ak, Kiri, and Tuk, were nice to me from the beginning, and we soon became close friends. The two Sully boys were good at getting into trouble, and so we often had to patch them up again. Kiri came to our lab more often, as she was visiting her human friend Spider.
The longer I was on Pandora, the better our friendship became. They integrated me into their family, and so it happened that I also went into the forest more often in my free time. Kiri and I became best friends, and I got along with the others too. Especially with Neteyam. He was almost my age, only two years older than me. Although he was often away, training with his father, we saw each other more and more frequently. He was supposed to become the new Olo'eyktan next year. Even though we had a small age difference, we got along well. Our friendship grew, we became best friends and were soon inseparable. Some folks in the clan joked that they would soon not only get a new Olo'eyktan but also a new clan leader. They jokingly called me Ma'aw (wife). Neteyam dismissed it all with a mischievous laugh, but it didn't leave me as unaffected.
Because I was secretly in love with him. I had noticed it weeks ago, and since then, those jokes felt weird. That Neteyam dismissed them with a wave of his hand hurt a bit. As if I wasn't important enough to him for that. I knew that Na'vi and Avatars didn't become partners. That had only happened once and will never again since then. But I wished for it. I caught myself secretly watching Neteyam. I asked him about his training. And if he already had someone in mind for his Munxta (partner). He just said no and then changed the subject.
Neteyam had completed his rite of passage into the clan years ago. According to custom, it was common for young Na'vi warriors to choose a wife afterwards. But Neteyam hadn't done that yet. Jake left him alone with it, but Kiri and Lo'ak sometimes teased him. I stayed out of the whole thing. It would only confuse my feelings even more.
This morning, however, no confusing feelings for young Na'vi warriors were going to confuse me. It was my birthday. I didn't hope, however, that the Sullys would mention it, the Na'vi didn't celebrate birthdays. I had the day off today, so after breakfast, I went into the forest. I often went together with Spider, but he had already disappeared in the early dawn. Sometimes he did that. The village of the Omatikaya was not far from our base, so I only had to walk for twenty minutes. It was beautiful every time, but I also didn't underestimate the dangers lurking in the forest. The animals, however, didn't see me as a threat because of my Avatar, so I reached my friends without any interruptions.
Spider was the first I saw. With his human body, he stood out from the green of the forest from afar. When he saw me, he waved excitedly. I smiled and waved back. We were in the clearing where the Sullys had their home. A tightly woven nest hung many feet above us in the branches of the trees. It always reminded me of a treehouse, and from the inside, it looked a bit like one too. Jake had added some human influences, small shelves and tables adorned the large room. He had reinforced the floor with wooden planks, and individual compartments were separated by curtains. Like small rooms. Decorations made of crystals, small bones, and weavings hung everywhere. Kiri was not entirely innocent of that. She loved handicrafts. Even today, she wore an artfully woven top.
When I stepped onto the clearing towards them, she ran to me. Her gentle embrace greeted me like sunshine on a rainy day. "Kaltxì Y/N!" She let me go and looked at me mysteriously. I was slowly getting quite good at the Na'vi language, but there were still words I didn't understand. Quickly spoken sentences, certainly not. Kiri's mischievous smile confused me, as the others came to me too. Tuk shot towards me and hugged my waist. "Tuk," I laughed. "What's going on with you all?" I wanted to know. Spider gave me a knowing smile. "Morning, sleepyhead. Happy Birthday!" I blinked, he was holding something small in his outstretched hands. It was wrapped in leaves. Kiri also gave me something wrapped now. "Happy Birthday!" "What?"
"We don't celebrate birthdays like humans do." explained Lo'ak, who was standing behind his sister. He hugged me briefly. "But Spider said it's something like a name day, and we thought that was really nice." My gaze fell on the human boy. He was grinning from ear to ear and winked at me. I smiled back and formed a silent 'thank you' with my lips. Spider grinned. "Name day! Name day! Happy Name Day!" sang Tuk and hopped happily around me. We had to laugh. "Don't you want to open your presents?" asked Kiri. I had completely forgotten about that in all the surprise. We sat down on the soft moss of the clearing. Tuk snuggled up close to me, and Kiri handed me her gift. Lo'ak and Spider exchanged meaningful looks as I unwrapped it. What dear friends I had! I hadn't expected that at all. It could’ve been perfect - only Neteyam wasn't there. I knew he had a lot to do. So it shouldn't have bothered me, but his absence still gave me a small sting.
Kiri's present was a beautiful necklace made of sparkling gemstones. I held it up to the light. "Oh Kiri!" I said. "It's beautiful!" Kiri looked a bit embarrassed. "It's made with the water stones near the Telluride Falls." "Thank you!" I hugged her joyfully, and Kiri helped me put the necklace on. Tuk's gift was really cute. She had carved a small wooden Ikran for me. Since I didn't have one myself, but admired these awesome animals every time. Spider and Lo'ak's present was made by them together. It was a notebook made of soft leather. Along with a colorful writing quill. "Dad helped us with it," said Lo'ak. I looked at the two in astonishment. "You made this yourselves?" The two boys nodded proudly.
"Wow," I said. "Thanks, guys!" "Now only Neteyam's present is missing," said Tuk, speaking my mind. He was very busy, and he didn't even know it was my birthday today, but it would still have been nice to see him today. Spider looked around. "Does anyone know what he's giving?" "Don't tell!" Tuk interrupted. "No idea." Lo'ak shrugged. Kiri also looked clueless. Despite the nice presents and my friends, my heart grew heavy. My greatest birthday wish was Neteyam. Not just that I would see him today. My biggest dream was that he would reciprocate my feelings. But I would probably have to wait forever for that.
We sat in the moss for a long time. Through the dense canopy, I saw the sky slowly turning pink. I would have to go back soon. Dreamily, I looked up, the small carved Ikran in my hand. Lo'ak was just telling some story about what his friends had been up to recently when I saw a shadow. I flinched as the last bit of the sun was darkened. Then a loud screech sounded, and the leaves above us trembled. Turquoise-green wings made their way down to us on the clearing. Powerful and majestic, the Ikran landed on the meadow. Some leaves fell to the ground as it shook its mighty neck. A growl escaped its throat.
"Neteyam!" Tuk jumped up happily and ran to her brother. He dismounted from his flying creature and released the bond Tsaheylu. He took the visor from over his eyes and fastened it to his belt. He whispered something to his Ikran in Na'vi, and it rose back into the air. Tuk hugged him, and Neteyam laughed. "Hello Tsmuke (Sister)!" He looked up towards us, and his face lit up when he saw me. The others had also stood up, I did the same.
"You were gone for a long time today," said Kiri. Neteyam sighed and patted Lo'ak on the shoulder. "Dad made me repeat every exercise twice today. He says you learn best through dull repetition." He rolled his eyes. Spider snorted contemptuously. Neteyam's gaze wandered to me. I smiled at him, my heart felt warm. He looked good today. His braids were still a bit tousled from the wind and he wore leather leg guards for the flight. Around his hips hung a belt with the flight visor and a knife.
"Happy Birthday," he said and hugged me tightly. I melted. For a moment, I could smell his intoxicating scent, feel his arm muscles around me. But then the hug ended just as abruptly again. As if he had burned himself on me. Or as if it was unbecoming for the future Olo'eyktan to hug a dreamwalker longer than necessary. "Nice necklace," he winked at me. I had to grin. "Thanks! Kiri made it." Neteyam smirked and gave his sister a proud look. "I thought so." He looked up at the Sullys' house. "Are you guys as hungry too?" he asked the group, and only now did I realize how empty my stomach was.
"I'm starving," Spider held his stomach. Here in Pandora's wilderness, there were only a few fruits he could tolerate. But the Sullys always had a small supply on hand. "Let's go up," said Lo'ak. "We'll make a super name day feast for Y/N!" "Wait!" I stopped them. "It's getting dark, I have to go back soon," I replied. Spider didn't follow such rules anyway, but I really had to go home soon. I had to work again tomorrow. "Ah, come on," said Nete. "You still have time for ten more minutes." I really couldn't say no to him. And when Kiri then suggested making her incredibly delicious Mauti salad, I was defeated. "Oh," Neteyam said just before we went up and briefly took my arm. My heart began to hammer, as always when he touched me. He leaned towards me. "My present comes later." I looked at him in astonishment. I hadn't even thought about presents anymore. His smile widened, as if he was hiding something from me. Then he nodded towards the treehouse, and we followed the others up the ladder.
The food was delicious. Neteyam suggested flying me home later with his Ikran. I had only flown with him once before and loved it. I would have loved to have my own Ikran. Meanwhile, it had gotten dark, and the gas planet glowed among the stars in the sky. Neytiri and Jake had come home half an hour ago. Jake had congratulated me and hugged me warmly. Neytiri knew from Jake about the custom of birthdays among us sky people and hugged me just as tightly. Then Neteyam and I said goodbye. I thanked my friends for this beautiful day. Spider was sleeping at the Sullys' tonight, he had done that more often, and by now I didn't even wonder about it anymore. Neteyam called his Ikran and helped me onto the saddle behind him. I put my arms around his waist and was glad he couldn't see the blush on my face. Then the Ikran rose into the air, the canopy rustled past us. My stomach did a flip, similar to when we flew in the helicopter. Shortly after, we were high above the treetops. The stars sparkled down on us, and I couldn't get enough of the beautiful night sky. It was cool up here, especially now in the dark, but Neteyam's back warmed me. I would have loved to snuggle my cheek against his skin. After a while, I noticed that we weren't flying towards the base at all. For that, we would have had to go west, but we were flying south. I knew that because Neteyam had taught me how to determine the directions.
"Wait!" I called against the wind. "I thought we were flying home!" Neteyam turned his head slightly towards me. "Not yet. I have to show you something." With that, the Ikran went into a dive. I screamed in fright and wrapped my arms tighter around Neteyam's torso. He just laughed. When we landed, he helped me off the saddle. Then he put his hands over my eyes from behind. "What are you doing?" I laughed and tried to swipe them away, but he didn't let go. "Do you trust me?" I could hear the laughter in his voice. "Yes, but—" "No buts! Come with me." He gently pushed me forward. "Just walk straight ahead." "I can't see, what if I fall?" I asked, placing my hands on his arms. "You won't," he replied. "I'll make sure of it." I felt the moss under my feet, heard insects softly buzzing. "Can I look now?" I asked impatiently. "No."
"Now?" I tried to push Neteyam's hands away. With covered eyes, I made my way through the tall grass. Neteyam walked closely behind me, making sure I didn't fall. "Wait... Now!" We stopped, and he took his hands from my eyes. I blinked in the sudden brightness. Before me unfolded the most beautiful scenery I had ever seen. We stood in a clearing, the grass reaching up to our calves. All around us were bioluminescent plants, and small glowing beetles flew around. They illuminated the night so that I could see the small lake in front of us. The colorful night sky was gently reflected in it. High rocks towered behind the body of water, and a waterfall plunged down its cliffs to merge with the lake. It was breathtakingly beautiful. Above the cliff, I could make out the floating rocks of the Hallelujah Mountains. I was breathless from the beauty. "Oh Neteyam!" I marveled and hugged him briefly. "It's so beautiful here!" "Happy Birthday," he grinned. "One of my favorite places."
I couldn't get enough of the colorful lights and hues. Enthusiastically, I ran to the lake. The grass receded here, forming a small sandy beach. I knelt down and dipped my hand into the water. It was lukewarm and crystal clear. When my fingers entered the water, it began to glow faintly around them. I splashed some water around, and the shimmer spread like waves. Astonished, I looked back at Neteyam, who was slowly approaching. "Why have you never shown me this before?" The bright spots on his face danced as he smiled. "I wanted to. I just wanted it to be something special." I had to laugh. "Believe me, you succeeded." Neteyam knelt down and began to take off his combat belt. I looked at him in surprise. "What are you doing?"
He lovingly placed the piece of armor to the side in the soft grass. I knew how important this belt was to him. It was awarded to young warriors after the Ikran ceremony. Nete had passed it many years before we met, but he still honored it. It wasn't a given to be a Na'vi warrior, as he himself said. When he also took off the leg guards, I stood up. Confused, I tilted my head. "What arer you doing?" But instead of an answer, Neteyam just took my hand. "Come on," he smirked and pulled me towards the lake. Laughing, I followed him.
The warm water enveloped us, and I sighed happily. Neteyam lay on his back floating and looked up at the sky. "It's so incredibly beautiful here," I murmured and submerged up to my shoulders in the water. We swam a few strokes and enjoyed the silence of nature. Neteyam took a deep breath and began to dive. I turned onto my back. Around me floated water lilies and other aquatic plants. Every time they touched a small wave, the water there began to glow. How could this planet be so beautiful? I closed my eyes. I would have loved to stop time. Neteyam's present was so beautiful. Just being here with him was incredible. As if dreams had come true.
I was suddenly startled, when something burst out of the water right next to me. Neteyam was soaking wet and shook the water out of his hair. Droplets fell on my face, and I had to laugh. "You Skxawng! You scared me!" He grinned broadly. "Wasn't intentional at all." he teased me. I splashed water at him with the flat of my hand. He pretended to be offended and gasped. "Oh wait!" Swiftly, Neteyam jumped forward and tried to grab me. I screamed laughing and swam away. But I didn't get far, Nete had grabbed my ankle and pulled me towards him. "Let me go!" I giggled and squirmed. But he held me tight, began to tickle me. "Ah, no!" I sputtered and couldn't catch my breath from laughing. Neteyam joined in my laughter and pinched me. My own attempts to fight back he successfully fended off. "Stop!" Laughing, I grabbed his hands and pulled them towards me.
Neteyam chuckled softly and finally stopped tickling me. My chest hurt from laughing. I breathed out and looked at him. I was about to say that he was a mean Skxawng, but his gaze made me pause. He looked at me intensely, his eyes shimmering in the illuminated night. I let go of his hands and slightly opened my mouth. But nothing came out. Carefully, Neteyam reached out his hand towards me. His still wet fingers touched my chin. My heart began to race. The touch was soft and hesitant, yet decisive. It slowly wandered up to my lips. I held my breath as he lightly stroked my lower lip. "Nga lu sìltsan nìtxan (You are so beautiful)," he murmured. My cheeks burned at the words. I wanted to say something, but he stopped me by mmoving even closer.
All my thoughts fled my mind. The world seemed to stand still, and I only heard my own heartbeat and our breathing. His scent overwhelmed me. He smelled of the water, the trees of the forest, and that unique scent that only he possessed. It almost made me dizzy. His gaze drilled into me. I didn't know how long we stood like that, but I could have stood there forever just looking at him. Small water droplets ran down his patterned skin onto his chest. My gaze shot up to his face. To his lips. They were only inches away from mine. Neteyam's gaze also darted between my lips and eyes.
"May I?" His voice was deep and rough, which only made me more unsteady on my feet. Instead of an answer, I could only nod. Gently and honey-sweet, he placed his lips on mine. I could taste the water from the lake. Felt his hand still on my chin. And I wished this would never end. But slowly, he pulled away from me. Still completely overwhelmed, I just looked at him. Then a wide grin spread across my face. Neteyam, who had looked somewhat worried, smiled back in relief. "I didn't know if you wanted it," he admitted. "Oh, yes!" I gasped, full of emotion. "You have no idea how long." "I didn't want to ruin anything between us," he admitted. His other hand took mine. "Y/N, I've wanted to do this since the first time we met."
"Nete," I sighed. I was in seventh heaven. My biggest dream had come true. Smiling, he stroked my cheek. "Shh," he said. His fingers slowly wandered lower, down my neck. My heart fluttered in my chest. His gaze was so intense that I thought I would melt. And I did, as our lips met again. More boldly this time. I returned his kiss and sighed softly. His hands explored my skin, making their way downward. I flinched in surprise when his tongue parted my lips. But I let him in without hindrance. They played with each other, exploring one another.
I felt his hands wandering curiously along my body. One of his hands rested on my hip. I sighed into the kiss as he became more demanding. Neteyam led me with a gentle pressure of his hands out of the water towards the shore. There, he released me. "I want to see you," he whispered. Breathless, I nodded, unsure how to respond. We settled down on the fine sand. It stuck to our wet skin, but neither of us minded. Neteyam took me in his arms and kissed me again. I became hungry. A warmth spread inside me, and I wanted to be even closer to him. When his teeth gently bit my lip, I could no longer suppress a moan. I felt Neteyam smile into the kiss.
Then he lifted his lips from mine, only to place them on my neck. I gasped. He had found the most sensitive spot. My legs and arms became weak. Slowly but surely, Neteyam leaned over me and gently pressed me to the ground. His hands stroked up my waist. Sighing, I arched my back to be even closer to him. I needed this closeness. When his hands touched my top, the first moan escaped him. He pressed his hip against mine, and I could feel his hardness. I felt dizzy.
His exploring hands tried to undo it. But I had tied it in a knot at the back of my neck, so he couldn't manage. "Wait," I sat up a bit and took it off. Slightly nervous, I looked at him. But his gaze softened. "Ma Eywa," he murmured. Hesitantly, waiting for my reaction, he stroked the underside of my breasts. I sighed with pleasure and leaned into his touch. Emboldened, Neteyam took them fully in his hands and kneaded them. I suppressed a moan. Neteyam kissed me hard, and I felt myself getting wet.
"Let it out," he pressed me back onto the sand. His left hand remained on my chest while his other traveled down my belly. He rubbed gently over the loincloth, making his way between my legs. Now I could no longer suppress a moan. I lifted my hips and pressed against him. Neteyam let out a sound of desire. His fingers slipped under the fabric, and he moaned when he felt my wetness. Resignedly, he lowered his head. He stroked my entrance, massaged my most sensitive spot until his fingers were wet enough. Then he slid one finger into me. I gasped and moaned at the same time. It was heavenly, as if all birthdays had come at once. His finger moved inside me, driving me insane. "Oh Neteyam," I sighed. I felt myself becoming ready as he inserted a second finger. Breathing heavily, I stretched beneath him. His large body shielded me from the rest of the world. "Neteyam" "Shh"
"I can't wait any longer," I gasped. Neteyam's grip on my breast tightened. Without a word, he withdrew his fingers, leaving an emptiness. My brain was so foggy that I didn't even register him taking off his own clothes. But I saw how big he was. Nete also took the rest of my clothes off my body. He growled with desire when he saw between my legs. His head moved down there, and I whimpered as his tongue licked my entrance. I felt dizzy. Nete emerged again and leaned over me. He lovingly stroked my lower abdomen. "Do you want this?" I nodded firmly. "And you?" He smiled and, in response, brought forth his Kuru. I did the same. Slowly, we connected with Tsaheylu.
I gasped. It was as if I was looking into his innermost self. He was full of love for me. And his desire burned so strongly it was almost maddening. His feelings became my feelings. We became one through the bond. And also physically, as he positioned himself between my legs and carefully entered me. I threw my head back. "Does it hurt?" Neteyam wanted to know, but instead of an answer, I moaned. I pressed myself against him to take more of him inside me. Neteyam complied and penetrated me completely. We gasped simultaneously as we began to find a rhythm. His hands gripped my hips. The fire inside me intensified until it was almost unbearable. His thrusts began to become harder, and the rhythm rocked me to the edge of my existence. "Neteyam, I..."
A firework exploded inside me, and I held onto his broad shoulders so as not to lose control. Neteyam gasped, and I felt him twitching above me. He clung to me. Then he let his head fall onto my chest. Breathless, we separated from each other. I smelled the sharp scent of his masculinity and felt drunk.
We lay on the shore of the lake, the stars sparkling above us. The warm water stroked our feet, washing away our innocence. My heartbeat calmed down. It threatened to burst with affection. Neteyam's fingers lovingly ran through my hair. "I want this to last forever. What we have." he whispered. I smiled. Never in my life had I been so happy. "Oel ngati kameie. I see you," he whispered. "Happy Name Day."