summary: As the niece of Grace Augustine, responsibility has always shadowed your every step. But this time, you choose to chase it—journeying to Pandora to carry forward your aunt’s devotion to its people and ecosystem. Welcomed into the Omaticaya’s lush rainforest home, you expect purpose and legacy. What you don’t expect is to find yourself entangled in the arms of the future Olo’eyktan.
warnings neteyam x reader, this story canonically happens between the events of Way of The Water and the first movie but the characters ages have been adjusted to fit the story. So neteyam is in his 20s and so is the reader. Some characters are also brought back from the dead bcs I wanted to <3 love my man Tsu’tey .
your foot taps nervously on the metal flooring of the mothership.
that’s what you’ve been put upto.
As the neice of someone as well educated and respected as Grace, responsibilities and duties obviously followed— specifically considering that you decide to follow in the same discipline as her’s — ecology.
your interest in Na’vi ecology or Pandora didn’t shoot up like a sprout on a random Tuesday evening… it was built in, conditioned into you subconsciously. The stories that your mom told you under the bedlamp, about her sister’s adventures in a bioluminescent habitable moon, the people she met there, and the two blues who were so different yet alike, fascinated you. It was like the universe’s lil fucked up way of sewing you into this life without escape.
There were nights you’d imagine the blue light from your bed lamp was the one emitted by a sparkly pandoran stream. You’d imagine your bed as the leafy canopy in which tired Na’vi warriors laid for their share of daily rest. You’d imagined the planes flying overhead were colourful ikran, waiting to be tamed, to be directed.
It wouldn’t be a stretch if one said you’d been fascinated for the life that your aunt had had well before her passing in this beautiful, glowing wonderland. You’d hoped you could get there one day, the prospect of a life there seemed so close to your heart, but so far fetched in possibility.
Apart from the love for Pandora, a greater flaw Grace is directly responsible for injecting in you, is a pretty little fascination for Pandoran flora and fauna: you’d read her books, skimmed through her documents and rummaged through the photo albums she showed you… more than the lifestyle, more than the people…. You’d always wanted to experience and admire it’s ecosystem. You took up studies in ecology and began working with RDA for the same reason, to get as close you could to this starlit, bright-purple hued dream caged away by the RDA in it’s unpleasant metallic chokehold.
The folks at RDA never liked you, they thought you were a nepo baby, a spoiled little brat that touched a single leaf in her whole life, thought it exotic, and found herself doing what she did. As they got to know you, they realised how passionate and hardworking you are, and many of them took a slow but solid liking towards you.
A dream that seemed so distant and out of reach was rammed into your soft pink palms one evening.
You’d been cleared— to be sent to Pandora, to research and study their ecology, to document it and to reside with the clan for a period to learn and accumulate as much information as you could about Pandoran agora.
Best of all, THE Jake sully had approved your visit. seeing that the RDA was in negotiations for peace with the Na’vi after the previous revolution, You were the best option— gentle, harmless, and believed to have no effect on the people or the nature. Just there to observe, study, mingle and leave.
You did not know how to receive this news at first,
You’d never believed this would happen, you were never prepared for it to happen either. You jumped up and down, told your mom about it, and knew that Grace would have loved for you to have this.
And that, ladies and gentleman, brings the RDA nepo scientist, onto Hell’s Gate. RDA’s metal flooded, meta modern, invasion of a settlement and excuse of a base at Pandora.
You stopped tapping your feet and looked out the panelled glass window, the sky was a beautiful shade of purple, with a gas giant visible.
Alpha Centauri you thought to yourself
In front of you was a long metal incubator. You knew this was the NeuraLink , where you get linked to your Avatar, then step out, then become who you are going to be for the next few moons.
Sasha, the scientist there responsible for linking greets you with a smile
“Hope your journey was good, let’s get you in there yea?”
You nod your head nervously. This was all happening. It was all real.
“Don’t worry, it won’t hurt “ she reassures you, reading your weary expression and heaving chest.
You nod again, emptily floating towards the Neuralink. You lay in and a mesh cage is placed over you, you take a deep breath.
You feel a sharp light flood your eyes bashingly, your thoughts are suspended and you forget to feel
you flutter your eyes open. it’s a blur all over, but a brash white ray of light intrudes through the calming blur, pinching you awake.
You sit up gently; you feel foreign.
You glance down at yourself, below the white gown, you see long blue legs stretched out, your fingers are now three… no, four, you are blue all over.
A different woman— not Sasha— now stands beside you, smiling with kind eyes.
“Congrats” she says “you’ve made it”
You smile, you really did make it
After all those years of childish pining and secretly wishing you could have the life of these marine skinned aliens, you have now gotten about three steps closer to ever having their life…
and having the same love for their environment as they do.
After a few basic excercises, and training, the lady from before hands you your new Navi sized clothing — a simple pink T-shirt, grey pants and white coat over it.
They hand you a backpack full of the stuff you packed from home. Notes, test tubes, big books and a hair comb. You giggled at the thought.
Your little act of rebellion, your little flaunt of nepotistic advantage: during the design phase, you had specifically asked them to give your Avatar your own hairstyle. The exact same one your human form had. Everyone would already know you’re not Na’vi, then why pretend? Why not be you in a world where you aren’t…. You?
You take your backpack and advance towards a room, you’re met with a tall imposing male figure, burly and hardened. You despise him a little
“Evening sweetheart” oh how you hated men who called you sweetheart
“Beyond that fence there” he says, looking outside the panelled window. “We are looking at 10ft tall, humanoid, indegenous species, the Na’vi” he says, then pauses as though to create suspense
“I know sir” you cut the silence, Something about this man made you feel a sort of unexplained hatred, one you never felt before.
“Of course you do, Ms. Augustine.” emphasising your last name a little more, as though he was reminding you of who you were, and how he thinks you got here. nothing but Grace’s spoiled little neice. You try to hide your irritation with a smile.
“We have Jake sully, i know you know who he is” he says pausing, as though mockingly correcting himself “outside here” he continues
“Protocol, I have to explain” he says
“He’s going to lead you towards the tribe” he says, so emotionally detached from all of this.
“He’s their Oloeyktan, leader of sorts, he was once with us” he says
You nod. ugh! Mansplaining
Once you spent a few more unbearable minutes listening to the man speak, you’re up and escorted towards the exterior. Your led by Sasha— now wearing a gas mask—towards a tall, blue haired man, hair in unkept braids flung backwards, a soft and mature smile on his face. Next to him, a man with no hair, a more skeletal and angry face, yet with no expression displayed stands.
You immediately knew who the first man was…. Jake Sully.
“Jake, Tsu’tey, “ she repeats their names to you, then she says yours to them, they nod and fling their forearms from their foreheads to reach out before you.
“Oel ngati kamae “ they say
“Oel ngati kamae “ you manage, they smile at you.
“we’ve managed a lab for you, though it’s a tent, I’m sure you could manage” he explains softly
“Oh you did? Thank you so much” you tell him
“You can live with us these few days, we’ll arrange someone to stick with you” he says
“You can’t be touchin’ this and that on your own” he says, as though he was speaking from experience.
a story grace mentioned of Jake and his saga with an unintentionally provoked thanator flashes your mind, you hide a smile. You nod
“We’re getting there by foot, if you don’t mind” he asks you politely.
“Oh no I don’t” you smile politely. Heaving your backpack and other things with you as you walk along the forest path.
The walk to the Home Tree is calm and easy. Jake asks questions, so does Tsu’tey. both men are welcoming and gentle. It feels like home, very very comforting to you, they feel like home.
“Your hair” Tsu’tey points out “is not like other Na’vi, ya?”
He asks you, with a smile
“oh, i had that done on purpose” you smile goofily. “I’m not trying to deceive anyone, I’m human, gotta remind everyone…. And myself” you say.
Both the men chuckle, Tsu’tey shakes his head in amusement.
After sometime, the three of you find yourself in front of a large tree, with many blue figures bustling inside it.
“Come with me” Jake motions to you, as they lead you to the clearing in the middle.
You hear gushing and murmurs from the navi surrounding you, most gentle, most curious, none hurtful.
Everything feels out of place, you are overwhelmed, these are people you’ve only ever dreamed of, never even expecting anything of them but pictures or sketches… this was unexpected, new, inviting.
You scoot behind Jake. A little nervous.
He takes notice, but begins speaking anyway.
All the Na’vi turn towards him
He speaks to the people in a commanding and loud tone, as though he wants everyone to hear him and be very clear about his message.
You don’t know much Na’vi, but you pick up words that mean guest, friend, nature, Grace, study.
You peek over his shoulder, and see a beautiful woman standing opposite to him, Bright beautiful golden eyes, and next to her a girl with long braided hair, another one, younger and more happy, then another, a boy with a curious expression, you see one more, but before you can fully drift your eyes towards him, jake’s voice interupts.
“My family” Jake motions towards them with a smile.
“Neytiri, my munxtate” you nod and motion a greeting towards her.
She steps forward with a smile, a hand curiously grasping your hair
“like kiri’s” she smiles, you smile wider.
“my aunt spoke a lot of you, although, her stories could never do justice to your beauty” you speak genuinely, neytiri bursts into her most natural, happy smile
“You are quite a beauty yourself” she says to you, You look down and blush at the comment
“We welcome you here, make your home among us, and may Eywa’s grace guide you through your stay here” she says ernestly.
“Aaaand” Jake interupts your sacred moment, you both are shaken awake,
“my kids, kiri” Kiri waves you,
“Tuktirey” he says pointing at the younger, more jumpier one, she waves with a huge smile, you return her childish wave with your very own, you see Neytiri smile.
“Lo’ak, he’s quite the trouble” he motions towards the younger boy, with a more oval face and his mother’s gorgeous, golden eyes.
He motions a greeting to you, you return it.
“And my oldest” he points to the one on lo’ak’s left, your eyes drift curiously, a little too fast.
His eyes have already met yours, his mouth a little open, he’s staring
He doesn’t realise it but he is.To him, you’re the most beautiful thing he’s ever laid his eyes on. Your eyes don’t leave his, locked onto the golden orbs of the boy before you.
“Neteyam” Jake says, almost interrupting, the boy is shaken awake.
He nervously flings the greeting at you, a bit clumsy. Neytiri eyes him from the side, a knowing smile forming on her face.
your mind however; is hooked onto the last boy, Neteyam. His name rings in your ears.
It’s like your brain subconsciously wanted to keep that suspense, the way Jake interrupted you before you could look at him yourself, as though your meeting was something so sacred and special, it couldn’t begin with just a simple glance
It had to begin with an introduction, a secret promise, an Oel Ngati Kamae
“Tomorrow, I’ll breif you on everything you have to do, who’s there to help, yada yada” Jake speaks.
“For now, rest.” he says.
“Kiri will lead you to your tent” he motions her.
She obliges happily. Tuk blobs along behind her, the three of you move away from the crowd, further away, into a branch that hangs above dark blue and green hued forest, leading to a tent below.
En route, kiri is brimming with questions and enthusiasm, which you return.
“Oooh so were cousins” she says
“ooo i guess we areee” you say, she smiles at you, asks you about earth, what got you here and everything else.
“This is where you’ll rest” she shows you the place. It’s a comfortable abode.
Later that moon, You lay your things, change into more comfortable clothing given to you by Neytiri, and lay down at the canopy to rest. your canopy swings left and right in the cool forest wind. Your mind however, is hooked onto Neteyam. His name refusing the pretense of unfamiliarity in your mind.
Neteyam. Neteyam. Neteyam.
His broad muscular shoulders, his sharp golden gaze, he’s long fingers and his beautiful braided hair were tattooed to your eyelids. His nervous stare running through your veins. you felt butterflies in your stomach as you revisited that moment of awe, that innocent, almost boyish glance of his.
“ Ma Jake” neytiri calls out with concern over the crackling fire in the tent. Over at her husband seated at the far corner, sharpening his spear.
“Yes baby?” Jake looks up in response, eyes filled concern.
“Our son” Neytiri begins “did you notice him today?”
Jake looks up confused, he knew which son she was talking about.
“My dutiful boy, his attention never spared from the orders You, Or I, give him. Always listening”
neytiri pauses for a breath, her ears angled upwards.
“he was lost in her, detached from everything else”
“ah neyte” he calls out lovingly “curious boy, if he loves her as you think, let him take her as a mate”
“She isn’t here for long ma Jake”
“Then Let them make good of the time they have together”
“Jake.” Neytiri’s voice is more serious now
“Do you forget? He is Promised”
It’s been an hour, you find yourself unable to fall asleep, the thoughts of neteyam stuck in your mind like honey on a honeycomb.
You’re engaged, promised. Not soemthing you wanted. Just a mother’s friend’s son. A sweet guy at that. you agreed because it was convenient, not because you felt anything. It didn’t take much out of your life, so you’d agreed.
You’re not here for this . Collect your damn plants, and get out of here. You’re an alien. Why would he want you?
The staring? He’s probably tired, zoned out, thinking of something or someone else.
The way he looked at you, it was you he was taking in. Nothing and no one else. The voice inside you contradicts.
This stupid fucking voice, still alive in Pandoran air. How great.
You toss and turn for a while, then the cold wind runs a comforting hand through you, pushing you gently into feather light slumber.
“Bro” Lo’ak calls out to his brother from across the tent. His expression scheming, a smirk forming as Lo’ak tries his best to hide it.
Neteyam. His older brother and future oloeyktan, sprawled in the mat opposite his. Turned to the other side.
Nete never did this. He always spoke and teased at Lo’ak before he let the pleasure of sleep take him.
He was rarely quiet, days where Jake scolded him a bit too much, days when he was sick, days when he felt his impending duties too heavy upon him. But today was unlike any of those days, Lo’ak was curious.
“Bro, why so quiet?” He asks
“Idk skxwang, you don’t scream yourself to sleep”
“Isn’t that what you usually do though?” Lo’ak asks in pretentious curiousity “pull my hair and tease at me? Not letting me drift off to sleep”
Neteyam let’s out a sigh. Kiri voices from nearby
“It’s the scientist” she declares with a smile, Lo’ak shoots up in excitement, he expected neteyam to not react as he usually does when Kiri brings up No’ang, his promised mate from the Windtrader clan.
“N-no” he mutters, the two of them are shocked at the response. Neteyam never gets defensive. Never says anything. Not when they tease the way village girls stare at him as he hunts or trains, not when they remind him where No’ang’s lashy eyes fly to when he’s not looking at her, not even when they tease at his future marriage.
Before Lo’ak can take a jab at his brother, he continues speaking. “Why would I care” he says.
Kiri glances at Lo’ak before speaking
“She is really pretty, especially her hair, and her eyes and her gentleness” she describes theatrically, targeting those adjectives directly at Neteyam.
“I’ll give her that, pretty eyes” Lo’ak adds in. He swears he saw Nete twitch a bit at that comment.
“Pretty eyes” Tuk, cuddled next to neteyam, repeats after Lo’ak.
“who knows? I might have a chance with her” Lo’ak says loudly, targeting his brother as always.
“Keep dreaming Loak” kiri says “she’s engaged”
Now everyone notices Neteyam and Lo’ak get uneasy
“Promised, Lo’ak “ she explains
“i know you don’t actually want to try anything with her but… she’s actually promised, they seem very in love “
Neteyam shifts in his mat again. The tent falls quiet after that, everyone too tired to inquire more or banter.
The new eclipse begins soon anyways, there are many days left to ask her about herself, befriend her and get to know her.
“Nete” Tuk’s voice breaks the silence in a soft whisper “Why are your cheeks red? Why aren’t u asleep?”
“Sleep, Tuk” Neteyam commands. “I’m sleeping, alright?”
Everyone hears that, pretends not to anyways.
a/n : the writing is a lil messy I’m so sorry about that, English isn’t rly my first language so do bear with me, watch for part 2 coming super soon. Love you all <3
