hectateovrhere

[hectateovrhere]

Eclipse

Pairings: Neteyam x male Omaticaya reader

Summary: Neteyam tells you that his family is leaving the Omaticaya.

Warnings: angst.

👴🏾 I put my blood sweat and tears into this idk if I like it yet but my youth has been evaporated. Enjoy!

You soared through the sky on the back of your Ikran. Embracing the wind with closed eyes and open arms as it rushed past you and through you with mighty force. You loved flying as much as you loved hunting. Neteyam flew beside you chanting out in excitement his voice echoing through out the hallelujah mountains.

You liked how carefree he was right now. Especially after what happened with the sky people and his younger siblings; he’s been on edge ever since Spider was taken. You tried to reassure him. You would tell him that you would get Spider back, that this time everyone was prepared, this time they would be more careful but he still worried it was in his nature. You knew his hesitation; you understood what it was like to be the eldest son- to be the keeper of your siblings. The instinct to protect and care for them overtakes you.

You took whatever you could get; this was the happiest you’ve seen him in a while. Not overthinking and just enjoying the time you two spent together. You could tell that something has been bothering him for the past few days though. Something more than the event with the sky people. You could see it in his eyes- the way he avoided looking at you, the way he would subtly flinch at the sound of your voice, or how he hasn’t slept peacefully in two days. Every time you tried to bring it up he would avoid the question. Find something else to do or quickly run to his fathers call.

“Wooo!” Neteyam cheered you smiled at his smile.

“Aye Ye Ye!” You chanted following Neteyam as he nose dived down closer to the ground riding in between the trees.you both weaved through the branches testing each others speed and agility.

“Race you back to the top!” You challenged Neteyam nodded with a playful glint in his eye as he zoomed up with his Ikran before you could even blink.

“Cheater!” You shouted attempting to catch up; your ikran screeched as you directed her up. She was just as competitive as you were craving the win. You could feel her pushing every muscle in her body to speed up. She easily whipped through the forest dodging all obstacles you faced on your descent like she knew every detail and what came next.

“Come on girl.” You mumbled with encouragement earning a hum in response you could see Neteyam on his way to the top almost at the finish line you laughed as you blasted past him in the last stretch to the top of one of the floating mountains.

You dismounted breaking the bond between you and your Ikran in a matter seconds Neteyam appeared behind you with a gust of wind.

“You cheat and still lose.” You tease watching him dismount walking towards you. Neteyam rolled his eyes

“I let you win.”

“You keep telling yourself that.” Neteyam sat a few feet from the edge of the cliff he watched as you made your way over to him but your eyes were else where.

“Wow..” you trailed captivated by the view in front of you. Your face bright with delight ; even though you have lived here all your life the scenery never ceased to amaze you. Everytime you could only stop in your tracks and stare.

“Sit. Watch the eclipse with me.” Neteyam spoke softly tapping the space next to him; you sat with no hesitation arms brushing against eachother. You rested your head on his shoulder you liked the sensation of his skin on yours, his warmth melding with your own.

Watching the eclipse was a thing you two did often- a way to get away from everyone and spend time alone. Of course you loved hanging out with Kiri, Lo’ak, Spider, and Tuk but sometimes you wanted it to be just you and him. The first time you planned this Lo’ak and Kiri were flying with you but Neteyam caught your mischievous eye with a simple nod as if he understood, both of you raced off. Once he found this spot it’s been where you would meet each other for months. Perfectly secluded and quiet, to the both of you it was special- sacred almost. You would never tell a soul about it and neither would he. A home away from home where you and Neteyam could be yourselves.

You took his hand in yours playing with his fingers the quiet overtaking you both. Even your Ikrans had a special bond they rested atop eachother behind you two. maybe it was fate all along.

“Even after so long nothing can distract from her beauty.” You admired in a mumble.

“Not even me?” Neteyam joked as if offended you snickered.

“I have plenty of years to admire your beauty.” Neteyam squeezed your hand he fidgeted his eyes drowning in guilt when you looked up at him.

“Ma Neteyam..” you called for his attention crawling into his lap and straddling his hips; blocking his view as the darkness started to overtake the sky. “Tell me what is wrong.” You pushed his braids back behind his ears while staring directly into his eyes, your hands placed on his cheeks he had no where to turn it was now or never.

“My family is leaving.” He spat out like poison but still you could see the burden slowly release from his shoulders. The burden of finding the right way to tell you he held his breath- waiting for your reaction but you were caught off guard.

“Leaving?” You repeated in confusion. “Leaving where?

“Our home, our clan.”

“What?” You pulled away Neteyam could clearly see dread forming in your eyes. This is the face he was afraid of seeing the one that made him want to defy everything he believed in just for you. He didn’t want to hurt you. The image of your exact expression stained his mind for nights as he wrecked his brain trying to figure out how to tell you; he’s been avoiding you for this reason. He knew he couldn’t handle it.

“Don’t you see? The sky people are after us. They already got Spider. You will be in danger if we stay.” He tried to reason.

“I’m a warrior. I can defend myself and I will fight with you.” You argued “Your father is Olo’eyktan his duty is to our clan.”

“Listen to me.” He pleaded reaching out for you “I have no choice.” You dodged his hands increasing the distance from him. Your heart was pounding against your chest you two have already- what will happen now. Everything that could go wrong drowned your brain, tears swelled in your eyes just the thought of being away from Neteyam was enough. You didn’t want him to see you like this.

“I’ll go with you.” You stated with a shaken tone you failed to conceal. You tried to put on a mask of strength but Neteyam saw right through it in a second. He shook his head refusing your offer, he prepared for this exact moment over and over but nothing could have prepared him for the real thing. Your face, your reaction, your tears. Each drop like a knife tearing through his heart; he wanted to hold you, to kiss you but you wouldn’t let him. Every move he made you mirrored it.

“Your family-”

“You are my family.” You interrupted. “Tell your Father and Mother that we have already made the bond.”

“They’ll kill me if they found out about us.”

“I can’t sit here while your fighting for your lif-”

“I don’t want you to get hurt!” Neteyam burst your eyes widened like he was stupid.

“And do you think I want you to risk your life?!” You shouted back. “You’re mine Neteyam. I will die a thousand deaths before I let you leave while I do nothing.” he growled frustrated at your stubbornness; your will to throw your life away just to save his.

“What about your brothers huh? You’re the only one who can teach them.”

“Thats not fair.”

“Your father trusted you to teach them, to take care of them.” Neteyam finally got a hold of your hand slowly pulling as if coaxing you towards him. “Like you, I do this for my family. If we leave we will be safe and you will be safe.” Your ears lowered in submission you were back in his lap; forehead pressed against his, the dark sky lighting you up like the stars.

“When this is over I will come back for you.” His voice low and gentle but firm. A flare in his eye with an abundance of determination this was his promise to you. To himself.

“When I am worthy I will tell my family what you mean to me.”

“You promise?”

Neteyam nodded kissing you softly. Slowly. Lingering and holding on to every last drop of your essence. His grip around your waist tightened and yours around his neck. This will be the last kiss for a long while. The last time you can feel his warmth. The last time he will hold you until his return. Unsure of when that will be you savoured this moment as much as you could. Kissing him over and over, memorizing his features, his voice, his breath on your skin. You shared each others touch. your lips danced until you lost track of time.

You were scared for him and his family; you loved them as your own. Your relationship with the Sully family was deep you also knew how strong willed they were. Together they were an army of their own.

“Goodbye Kiri, Lo’ak and Tuk” you hugged them all Kiri cried into your shoulder “I don’t wanna leave.” She confessed you struggled to hold in your tears. You hugged her tighter before letting go. You could see Lo’ak shaking- fighting against his bodies will to cry.

“I’ll miss you.” Lo’ak admitted

“I’ll miss you too.”

“Thank you for taking care of them.” Jake spoke firmly Neytiri agreed with an approving nod they saw you as their own but you weren’t theirs to take. Neytiri gazed down at you lingering for a moment, her hand reaching for your face before she pulled it back turning away suddenly soon they saddled up on their Ikrans.

Neteyam was the last to appear slowly as he dragged along, neither you could get any words out in fear of breaking down right then and there.

“I’ll see you again.” He declared to you in a solemn whisper you nodded. A bittersweet smile pulled at your lips you knew nothing would keep him away from you.

“Neteyam.” Jake called Neteyam obeyed getting on his Ikran and off they went. Just like that. It was painful to watch them fly off into the distance it was like an incomprehensible portion of your heart was ripped out with them. They played a huge role in your life and you in theirs. You watched as they flew away, when the crowd dispersed you stayed as long as you could. Neteyam looked back. You caught it from so far away, a turn of his body it was almost like you could feel his emotions. A longing gaze as the distance between you and him grew larger. A silent goodbye. One last look and he was gone. Far beyond where your eye could see.

You went to your secret spot everyday. You kept your promise to him,you taught your brothers every shred of wisdom you had in your brain. They were naturals just like you; born to fight and excelled at it. You were confident they would make fine warriors one day. It was the same routine everyday train and wait, train, wait. An endless cycle that you couldn’t wait to be over

There was news that the sky people were dealt with for now. Blown up. Sunken. Killed. So why hasn’t he returned yet. You grew restless with each eclipse that had passed. Did he like where ever he went so much that he forgot about you? He must have found someone else. Someone better. You still returned to that spot each day like clockwork . You lost track of time; watching hundreds of eclipses over and over days seemed to blend together. You pushed everyone away. Even the relationship you had with your brothers was wearing thin. Everything became difficult after a while and eventually you stopped trying.

You waited and waited rain or shine; staring at the same sky for hours. You’ve grown to hate Eywa’s beauty. You hated her empty skies it was the same everyday, no matter how much you begged, pleaded, and prayed it all seemed to fall to a deaf ear. You could never give up though your heart wouldn’t let you. The looming desire to be in his arms once more hung over you like a dark cloud. Your heart would never let go it wasn’t built that way. no matter what anyone tried to say or do it would never be enough.

You accepted the fact that he forgot about you; it was better than the other thought you had in your mind. The dark thought that plagued you. It was easier to hate him than to mourn him. So you let your hatred grow and fester with each passing day the worse it would get. Your relationship with Neteyam went unknown to everyone, no one would ever know how much he meant to you or how much it hurt when he left and you never dared to utter a word. You were alone, it was your fault anyway. You accepted it. Maybe even liked it that way.

It all meant nothing anyway. The day he left you was the day everything went dull.

[hectateovrhere]

Soul, Body, and all

Pairing: Neteyam x male Metkayina reader, eldest son of Tonowari ( the chief)

Summary: you, the aloof eldest son to the chief, do ( your unexpected friend) Neteyam’s ceremonial paint and things get intimate.

A/N: idk how to write summarys but hopeful the story makes up for it this is more first time posting so hope y’all enjoy :) also I added “lore” just to make it more meaningful. Idk-

There was a comfortable silence that hung over you two. Neteyam sat infront of you his eyes catching every detail of your face. You didn’t know what to say and neither did he. An unspoken bond between you two. You were evasive and slippery you were loved but no one really knew you. The chiefs son was what you were and a great warrior; that’s all the reason your tribe needed to love you. You were adamant on keeping everyone at arms length; you weren’t interested in relationships, even with your siblings. No connections meant no feelings getting in the way of what you believed in. no one could have gotten this close to you but somehow he did.

You traced the structure of his face with white paint sharp and delicate at the same time; he stared as you focused. You place your hand on his shoulder as you got closer you grabbed the yellow paint and outlined his eyes with dots.

“What is the ceremony for?” Neteyam broke the silence

“It’s very spiritual… it allows you to be placed under eywas protection and our protection.” You fingers glided down his neck Neteyam gulped at your touch. “The paint is very important each style is different- they have a unique meaning each of us learn a different technique.”

“What does mine mean?” You pause for a moment coating your hand in pale green paint.

“Kind-hearted. A protector and protected.” You place your hand on his chest you feel his heart beating. “A special soul.” Your painted hand print was left on his chest Neteyam refused to utter a word as if they were jammed in his throat. The wind rushed past you with a whistle and the waves crashed to the shore in a musical pattern.

“Turn around.” You ordered softly now it was your turn to break the silence. He obeyed silently his strong back faced you. Coating your hands once again you place them on his shoulders pushing inward to his shoulder blades replicating that of wings. Your hands halted at his braid.

“Can I?

Neteyam nodded slowly you moved it to the side he shivered as you dotted the outline of his spine.

“The back represents freedom and your choice to look after those around you. A leader. People will follow you anywhere.”

“Will you?” The words slipped through Neteyam’s lips. He cringed at the way it came out like his body reacted on its own ignoring the brain and following his heart. It yearned for you. He failed to figure out how to express it to you and the looming possibility that you didn’t feel the same way terrified him. He couldn’t bare the thought of you slipping through his fingers.

Neteyam’s ears twitched at the way your hands paused. He prepared for the worst. What could you possibly think of an outcast?

“You want me to follow you forever?” You reiterated with a light chuckle; Neteyam flushed he knew it came out wrong. Of course he knew you had your duties you were the chiefs son; you made a promise to your people. He knew all about that; it was him once upon a time. It sounded like he wanted you to run away with him to drop everything and leave.

“I didn’t mean it like that.” Neteyam whipped around catching you by surprise you took notice to the distance between you. The short distance you watch his pleading eyes you could tell he was struggling to find the right words to say.

“I want you by my side and I want to stay by yours.” He explained “you’re the only person that makes me feel okay with never going back home. I want to stay with you.”

“What are you saying?”

In that moment time stopped all you could feel were his soft lips on yours. you weren’t sure what to do you’ve never kissed anyone before- you’ve never been this close to someone before. Neteyam was struggling as well both of you unsure about what to do and how to continue but doing it anyway; eventually you got the hang of it syncing with his movements. You could feel his energy enter you, careful not to touch him with your painted hands you attempted to deepen the kiss you wanted to be closer.

Neteyam understood what you wanted and did it for you basically grabbing your head and pulling you towards him. An unfamiliar feeling erupted in your stomach is this what it felt like? To be kissed? You never thought you would experience it. You seen your parents kiss and other people your age do it;but it never interested you. Now you could see why everyone liked to do it; it was nice you felt connected to him like you could feel what he felt, his senses were yours and the world seemed to melt away.

When you both pulled away everything felt cold by the way Neteyam was looking at you he felt the same way.

“Do you understand what I mean now?” He questioned his voice was gentle. you placed your forehead on his; your eyesight being filled with his deep yellow eyes only. You saw him for who he was and all he could be; you saw his heart and mind, his internal battles and his responsibilities. You unraveled before him he saw you, he knew you and you felt free knowing someone finally understood you.

“Neteyam..” you trailed “I see you.”

His eyes widened at your confession “I see you too.”

Your lips met again you held each other delicately disregarding the paint on your hands. this time there was less of a struggle both of you had somewhat of an idea on how to do it; all that mattered was the way it made both of you feel. He caressed every inch of your skin like he had been waiting an eternity to do so. Every inch he followed as if to memorize your body; your skin burned where ever Neteyams wandering fingertips grazed; every touch felt like fire and you savoured every second of it.

Neteyam embraced your warmth accepting it into his body, he could feel your soul. He silently thanked Eywa for guiding him to you this was her plan all along.

He was the only one for you. There was no one else. He was worth losing everything over and you would die before you gave your heart to another. Though you were young; in your heart you knew Neteyam was yours. Soul, body, and all.

[hectateovrhere]

ᴘᴀɪʀɪɴɢ: neteyam x metkayina male reader

ꜱᴜᴍᴍᴀʀʏ: As Neteyam settles in with the Metkayina, he too falls for their golden boy and finds that they have a lot in common.

ʀᴇ𝐐: no ~ ᴡᴏʀᴅ ᴄᴏᴜɴᴛ: 6677

ᴡᴀʀɴɪɴɢꜱ: little angsty and existential

ᴍᴀʏʙ'ꜱ ɴᴏᴛᴇ: there's a part 2 coming up, pretty different from part 1, in fact i came up with part 2 before part 1. also been working on this since the tsireya fic, 3 days ago.

☾⋆☆⋆☽

His name was (y/n). Or at least, that's what Neteyam had heard, and he had heard about him a lot in his short time in Awa'atlu. He, however, hadn't gotten the chance to speak with him.

The Metkayina liked him. Even Ronal, the bitter Tsahik that so very hated Neteyam's family, and Tonowari treated him like one of their own. Though he supposes that in Ronal's eyes, all except for the Sully's were "her own" (Neteyam was a respectful kid, raised to be, but even Ronal drew some bitter thoughts he'd never disclose).

It wasn't exactly hard to tell that he was a special person to the clan, like any part of him could be weaved into anybody's songcord.

Neteyam watched from afar as he dismounted from his ilu. As he dug his toes into the sand of the shore, several people greeted him at once. He met each one with their name and a heartfelt grin.

Neteyam once knew what it was like to be loved by everyone in his clan, once knew each of their names, once knew how long it took to greet every single one as each just had to greet him. Once, he had greeted each one just as graciously. As time flew by, it felt like another one of his duties. Now, he no longer did at all. He missed it, strangely.

Then, as you finally turn to him, your smile falls. It wasn't like most others when they saw his dark blue skin and leaner physique; your lips didn't form a scowl. Instead, you flashed him a small smile before turning away.

Somehow, it looked kinder. Neteyam didn't know how.

He didn't really need to, anyway. All he needed was to keep up the formality, greet you with a smile just like the rest, because this would be the farthest your interactions would go.

After all, as far as the Metkayina were concerned, he was a demon and you were their golden child.

☾⋆☆⋆☽

Whilst Ronal and Tonowari treated you like one of their children, your relationship with their actual children was unknown to Neteyam.

And certainly to Lo'ak.

The Sully brothers watched on as the golden child and the Tsahik-to-be bantered.

Tsireya was to be giving them lessons on Metkayina life, but it seems she was too distracted for that. She laughed at your joke, her grin wide and mouth uncovered, and you laughed along with her. Truly, it was a sight to be hold, the gold of the Metkayina shining brightly. It was almost blinding.

As you continued down the beach, still so far from the Sully's but close enough for prying eyes, Lo'ak scoffed. Neteyam turned to his brother with confusion and began to speak, but Lo'ak beats him to it. "Do you think they're like siblings or something else?"

"Why would you care?" In truth, Neteyam knew exactly why Lo'ak cared. As the older brother he was, he just wanted to him admit it. On his end, there was a curiosity digging at his chest, but he was too polite to go digging for the truth.

Sensing his brother's underlying intentions, Lo'ak comes up with another reason. "If we're going to be living here for the rest of our lives, I think I have a reason to care."

For the rest our lives. Right. Neteyam wasn't going back. He clears his throat, a new mischief in his tone, "If you want to know so badly, ask them yourself."

"What?" Lo'ak exclaims rather loudly, catching the attention of those around him. It seems he doesn't care, though. "No way, bro!"

It catches Tsireya's attention as well and Lo'ak doesn't notice. She looks towards the two of them, her–no, Lo'ak specifically, Neteyam can tell. Her big eyes seem somewhat worried. She turns towards you, suddenly nervous, and the two of you exchange a few more words before you make your way towards them with quicker strides whilst Tsireya tags along more calmly.

Neteyam sort of knows then that Lo'ak and Tsireya will be alright.

When the two of you are close enough, Tsireya's first focus is on his brother. When he moves his gaze more towards the two of you, he finds your eyes to be on him.

You meet him with that small smile again and he feels the need to return it with his own.

"This is (y/n)." Tsireya introduces you. You give a small wave. "He has graciously offered himself today to be my assistant."

"Hold on, assistant?" You pause, putting a hand on her shoulder and veering her towards you.

"Remember, you're not supposed to be here." She replies with a kind of sass Neteyam hadn't really expected, considering the previous breathing lessons he'd gotten from her.

"But I can be," You bite back, "and I am."

She shakes her head at you and pushes your hand away from her shoulder. "Co-teacher."

"yay!"

Tsireya rolls her eyes but otherwise ignores you. "Trust me, he's a very good rider and teacher. I think you'll do well under his guidance. Follow me."

When the family makes it into the water, even the generally displeasing Ao'nung and Rotxo greet you kindly, an action that makes Lo'ak's hairy eyebrows raise with shock. Neteyam simply brushes it off as one of the things you sort of do to people.

The class starts off first with a demonstration on the positioning, done by you of course. Tsireya said that since you'd so kindly offered yourself once, you could do it again.

Afterwards, you broke off into separate one on ones.

Neteyam watched Lo'ak obviously be paired up with Tsireya, then he made sure Tuk was safely away from Ao'nung and his friends. Lastly, he wondered which one of them would teach him; although, it didn't seem like he'd have to wonder for long.

"Hello." You greet him. It's the first time you greet him verbally, let alone the first ever word you direct towards him.

He gulps, his words suddenly stuck in his throat. "Hey."

Your following interaction isn't so awkward because he doesn't have to say anything.

Neteyam follows as per your teachings. At first, it doesn't seem very different from riding his ikran, aside from the lack of death risk. Even after seeing his brother fail rather miserably, he retains some confidence.

However, all of it comes crashing down after his first try… and then his second and third. Frustration begins to build within him and you can sense it.

"Ma Neteyam," You snap your fingers and finally gain his attention, "it's alright. Nobody gets it on their first try."

He nods to himself and rolls his shoulders, preparing for another try; but you place a hand atop his where it holds the ilu. Instead of saying anything, you simply offer him a look. Your eyes are a deep blue, he notices, expressive in the way that he can tell silently that you believe in him. He looks away before he gets too lost.

He grips onto the Ilu and lowers himself over its body. He feels its breath and imitates its strength to hold onto its body tighter.

This time, he won't fail. This time, he'll impress you.

Neteyam takes a deep breath and leads the ilu into a dive.

The rush of speed feels exhilarating, it reminds him of flying on his ikran for the first time. The water surrounding him rushes past his body refreshingly like the air when he flies; but water is denser, and just like air, it tries to push him off. He grips onto the ilu tighter with both his hands and calves. Knowing that he is resisting something so strong, and well at that, feeds into his excitement. 

He feels the ilu's strength like it is his own and grips tighter, but slowly, he feels his resistance to the current slipping.

Suddenly, he thinks: he can't make a fool of himself.

So, he holds onto the grip and pulls. Despite him and Neteyam not being familiar with each other, the ilu understands and comes to a sharp stop that nearly has Neteyam falling over backwards, but he holds on.

Far away from you, Neteyam emerges with the widest grin he's worn in a long time. He raises his fist and can't help but to let out one of his cries from home. "Ìley!"

"Ìley!" His joy grows as you mimic the foreign cry in celebration with him, "Neteyam!"

☾⋆☆⋆☽

Neteyam initially thought you would leave your interactions curt and only speak with him when necessary. He did try to keep up a positive outlook, that the Metkayina would eventually come to see him and his family as part of the clan, but it seemed far off.

Whilst Tsireya stayed with them to explore the ocean, you had other duties to attend to. Eventually, you had to bid him farewell. It wasn't with an excuse, nor with a "goodbye", it was with a "see you later".

Maybe he was digging too far into simple farewells, but those words felt like a promise.

The promise, however, wouldn't be fulfilled soon; and it isn't until the day after that you finally get to talk again. Even then, the next day gave way to the eclipse, and after that, he couldn't find you.

Just as he gave up and began the walk back to his family, he encountered you accidentally.

Though he sought you out for the better half of the day, he didn't know what to do now that he had you alone. So, too awkward to say anything, he sat down on the knitted pathway above you and watched.

As expected, you notice his presence but do not turn to him yet, too preoccupied with feeding your companion.

"I'm sorry I haven't talked to you in a while, Neteyam."

"It's alright," He empathizes with the shake of his head, "you're a popular guy."

"Am I now?" You snicker.

"I haven't been here for long, but I can tell."

"I'd rather call myself busy. But truly, I'm sorry. First it was Ao'nung today wanting to explore the ocean with me, then it was Tsanten wanting to test my hunting skills again." You sigh, clearly exhausted after everything that's happened today. "You know, sometimes I think it's just an excuse to hunt with me."

Neteyam was simply content in hearing you talk, you did something that just made simple sentences so entertaining, but you turn to him and hand the conversation over. "I didn't get to talk much about it with you yesterday, so how was riding your ilu?"

"It's strangely like flying an ikran," He zones out while he collects his thoughts, "which is something I miss. I think I like it so much because it feels like I'm defying something that wants so badly the opposite. It feels like I'm fighting gravity and succeeding. You know, I found and trained my ikran. No offense, but it doesn't really feel the same when you didn't find your companion, like my ilu."

With that said, he looks to you again. You watch him with attentive eyes that made him feel so seen... It kind of makes him nervous. He looks away, embarrassed, "Sorry, I'm ranting."

"No, it's alright."

"Okay, well, um, I like the rush too. Going so fast is really fun—sorry, I'm," He shakes his head at himself, for he was being impolite. "talking too much."

"Neteyam, it's alright, really." You reassure him, wading over and placing a hand next to his. "I like listening to you."

"Oh."

It was meant to be encouragement so that he'd continue speaking without shame, but now he quiets down. Heat begins to pool in his cheeks and Neteyam wants to drench them in water, but not only would he have to get in the water with you, it would also be akin to splashing water over magma.

"Sorry, that was–Su, I'll get to you later."

"Su?" Neteyam's curiosity overpowers his awkwardness and he turns to look.

"Short for Syulang." Seeing as he was more interested in you now, you allow your ilu to get the attention she wants. She digs her mouth into your palms, vigorously searching. "Su, you already got your dinner. I don't have anything else for you."

You raise your hands in the air, showing her that they're empty. When she sees them, she almost seems to roll her eyes at you. Instead, she huffs and leaves like a toddler having a tantrum.

Out of the corner of his eye, Neteyam catches a tsurak. It looks ominous and angry, only showing its eyes above the surface. He has half the mind to point it out until you say something that catches the tsurak's attention. "Zìk, I know you're around here somewhere."

The tsurak swims over sort of begrudgingly and passively accepts your pets.

"Zìk? Like tìngäzìk?" Neteyam asks.

"Yeah, actually." You snicker, "Tìngäzìk is quite the problem. He was pretty hard to tame. Most of them are, anyway, so maybe I'm a little too on the nose. Nowadays, though," After you feed Zìk, he actually seems to be enjoying your touch; or maybe the fish is still in his mouth and he's enjoying that. "he does seem to like me. Not that I really know."

Something else interests him. "I thought only those that completed their iknimaya could tame one."

"You'd be right."

"So you have completed it? But you're so–" He cuts himself off with a cough, as he hadn't realized just how rude it'd be to say that.

"Young? Yeah, I know. Everybody loves to tell me." You brush it off with the shake of your head; it's a relief. "How about you? Have you completed it?"

"No, I've yet to complete my Uniltaron." Something in the back of his mind vaguely reminds him that the Metkayina don't have a Uniltaron. "My mom is afraid of me doing it because of how badly my father was hurt while he did it."

"Ough," You wince, "what is it?"

"Singing." Neteyam chuckles, "I don't know how my dad got hurt during that."

"The great Jake Sully, huh?" You ignore Zìk's idle gnawing at your hand and hop up to sit next to Neteyam. "Anyway, the Metkayina have a different iknimaya. When I completed the trials, I got this."

When you pull your necklace up to show him the tattoo on your chest, Neteyam gasps softly. His eyes seem glued to the sight. It's rather cute.

"It's so cool..." He subconsciously traces a finger over the ink, not realizing just how intrusive he was being. He doesn't, however, miss how soft your skin feels. The tattoo looks like a heart to him, the kind his father had taught him to be the symbol of love for the sky people. "What does it mean?"

"It means "loved by the people", it more than displays a characteristic of mine, it's also a wish for it to stay that way forever."

He purses his lips, "And "the people" are?"

"The Metkayina, of course." As if Neteyam needed another reminder that the Metkayina didn't like him. He frowns, only with enough conscience to make it small so that you may not see.

"...but I'm open to anyone's love."

If that was targeted, Neteyam chooses not to believe it.

☾⋆☆⋆☽

Neteyam never thought he'd miss home. He thought he'd always be with the Omatikaya.

Maybe this is how Kiri feels, like an outcast. He had listened to her multiple times over their life together, listened to how different she felt, and had never understood. After all, the two of them were surrounded by their people, the Omatikaya. Where their shelter in the mountains was, they were, and they were truly what home was.

But now that he lived within the Metkayina, he feels so out of place. It feels just like what Kiri described: being surrounded by her people but still feeling so different from them. The Metkayina and him were of the same species, they were all Na'vi, but at the same time, they were different. It wasn't just that either. All those people knew each other, thought themselves family, while he watched from the sidelines.

He missed home.

He's suddenly interrupted by you sitting next to him, although you don't seem intent on sitting idle for long. "Kxì, Neteyam."

"Kaltxì." He greets simply.

"Do you want to explore the ocean today?"

"Fpvìl..." He trails off, just to seem as though he was considering it. He really didn't want to do much in the ocean today, or on the shores. He felt rather dispirited. "Not really."

"Oh, well." You don't let the rejection last long. "How about the jungle, then?"

The jungle? Neteyam suddenly perks up, eyes wide and hopeful. "Can we?"

Ever since he caught a glimpse of a possible pathway within the dense tree line, he's wanted to go inside. Still, he wasn't so sure if he was really allowed to. His father would probably call it a distraction in the path of discipline, as Jake wanted to make sure his children fit in so their differences could be overlooked.

He thought you were just an excuse to go against his father's word and explore the jungle; except, you were more than that.

"Of course."

The island's jungle was nothing like that of the mainland. The trees, for one, were much more sparse; the shrubbery crowding the ground was short and the humidity was much harsher. It reminded him of home, though, and it was the closest thing he would have here.

However, the jungle was still beautiful. It was home to a variety of plants Neteyam had never seen before, and each had their own charm. There was a particular plant that resembled a giant fern, he couldn't really name it. Their stems were intertwined at the base and spread outward at the top, fading from blue to orange. Their leaves were ginormous, growing like feathers, and blue at the end. The plant's blue reminded him of the moonlight at home. Other plants, like fan-like flowers, deserved their own admiration too.

It didn't take long to reach the heart of the jungle. Even though the ocean was far, just like the people inhabiting it, the island embraced water. Wide waterfalls from the mountains and cascades all flowed into a center lake, their humidity forming rainbows anywhere he looked.

Finally, Neteyam took a seat and simply admired. You sat next to him. "I'll never get tired of this."

"You've been here before?" He asked.

"Mhm." You nodded, "Many times, actually. It's a good escape, this place, away from the people."

"I thought they loved you."

"They do, just.." You sigh, slouching slightly. "they're a bit overwhelming at times, you know?"

"Oh, yeah." He chuckles at the thought. He hadn't experienced it in what felt like a long time now; it was only a couple weeks in reality. He missed it, as annoying as it was at times.

"You do?" You ask, somewhat shocked.

"My father is Jake Sully." He said, as if it explained it all. It didn't, though, so he continued. "Everybody wanted to know what he was doing; and then, he was Olo'eyktan and I was, in turn, "prince". Everybody wanted to know what I was doing. Everybody wanted to talk to me and everybody had something to say."

"It's the same for me." You stretch your toes in the water and lean further back along the lake's shore. Neteyam hears a couple joints crack. "Ah, it's nice being on your own sometimes."

"But it doesn't feel the same once you've been alone for too long."

"How do you mean?" You ask, confusion spread throughout your face.

"You're not content." He fiddles with his fingers absentmindedly, picking at the lines on his hands. "People have filled every minute of your life, so when they're gone, you feel as though something is missing."

He wasn't really making sense to you. "But you're not alone."

"I'm not." He affirms, "But I'm not with friends or family, either. The Metkayina don't like me."

"Hey, I like you." Butterflies spread throughout his chest, prod at his nerves like they want to escape. He tries his best to ignore them.

"I know." He doesn't–well, hadn't–but he says it anyway. "So then, what about the others?" They think I have demon blood.

"You're right." You purse your lips.

Great, he was making you sad.

"You know what?" You suddenly stand with a renewed vigor. "Let's just forget about it all. Let's forget about other people and just explore, huh, 'Teyam?"

You wear the widest grin–that he thinks looks real pretty on your face–and offer him a hand which he takes immediately. With his hand in yours, you pull him to his feet with such strength he almost tips forward. Instead of making fun of him for it, you laugh and he can't help but join in.

"Come on, let me show you my favorite place."

Before you could show him many more of your other "favorite" places, the eclipse came down and you had to come home. That night, at the pods, you leave him with another promise, that you'll show him the rest.

☾⋆☆⋆☽

You step off your ilu, greeting several people. Neteyam learned the other day it was sort of a routine for you.

As you walk from waist-deep in the ocean back to the shore, you swing your wet hair from behind your shoulder. You gather it in your hands and ring it out. Like a small waterfall, salt water spills from your hair and returns to the ocean. You swing your hair back over your shoulder and run a hand through your hair to push back the stray hairs from your face.

Neteyam finds himself a little mesmerized, but he snaps out of it when his brother speaks up.

"Look at him." Lo'ak grumbles, his chin resting boredly on his palm. "The Metkayina's perfect "little" boy."

Neteyam laughs inwardly. Right, his brother still wasn't sure whether you and Tsireya were promised to one another or not. He would've told him, but it was a bit funny seeing him be so jealous. "So you are admitting he's perfect?"

"If everyone's saying it, does it matter if I say it too?" Lo'ak argues.

"Eh," Neteyam shrugs, shaking his head side to side in a "more or less" motion. "I do think so. That means that you think he's prefect too."

"Well, he isn't." He huffs.

"Mhm." After beating his brother in the argument, Neteyam turns back to you. You're much closer now, but still a few ways off, and you're still saying hello to people. Just seeing you do it feels tiring. At least it gives him more time to admire you.

Your necklace hangs low below your neck, its bead arrangement falling tragically over your tattoo and covering the main attraction. Still, the image of it is ingrained in his mind. The symbol of a heart really suited you.

When, finally, you're close enough, you give him a wave. Lo'ak thinks it's more directed towards the two of you, so he begrudgingly waves too. In that moment, his brother reminds him of your tsurak Zìk, but his thoughts are interrupted when you call to him.

"Ma Neteyam, you ready yet?!"

He only shoots you a thumbs up, for many people were already staring at the two of you and he didn't want to attract more attention, even though they'd begun to be more indifferent towards him.

"What does he mean ready?" Lo'ak's eyebrows furrow. He turns to his brother like he's a traitor.

"Sorry, bro, can't say." Neteyam simply replies, though he really can, he just loved to confuse his brother and see his hairy brows knitted together. He stands from his spot next to Lo'ak, readying to leave with you.

"I'm your brother, what could there possibly be that you can't say to me?"

"A lot of things." Neteyam finally turns away from Lo'ak entirely, leaving him to gape and catch bugs in his mouth.

"Let's go." You grin at Neteyam. In contrast, even though you see Lo'ak's weird expression, you only regard him with a small wave. "See ya, Lo'ak."

Far from his brother, Neteyam finally turns his head to give him a little shit-eating grin. Lo'ak only mouths to him words so rushed he can barely read them, You're falling for the golden boy??

And to that, and his brother, he proudly says yes. To himself, however, he doesn't quite know.

☾⋆☆⋆☽

"Have you ever been up there?" Neteyam points, ambitiously, to the top of the highest mountain. It was merely the size of his thumb from here, but he knew that meant it would be so much bigger once he got close to it.

Honestly, what did he expect you to say? "No. That is at least a 3 day journey."

"I can make it an hour." He replies confidently. Oh, he was absolutely counting on you saying no.

"How?" You ask, falling into his plan.

Neteyam simply smirks and calls for his ikran. The call is nothing like you've ever heard before. Within a matter of minutes, she stands before you, posed majestically atop her claws. She was larger than most ilu and her skin was a beautiful green.

You'd only seen banshees during the Sully family's arrival to Awa'atlu. Needless to say, you were amazed.

"Hey girl." He takes her head in both his hands, petting her cheeks with his thumbs. She screeches positively. "I missed you too."

"Woah." You approach slowly.

In comparison to ilu, banshees seemed very intimidating; and ilu, harmless. Perhaps, in that way, banshees were more similar to skimwings. Though, skimwings tended to keep their antagonistic behavior against those that they weren't bonded with. If the same held up with banshees, you were about to find out.

Neteyam senses your hesitance and extends a hand towards you. "Don't worry. She won't bite."

You gulp, "Y'sure?"

"Loved by the people but not by animals?" He tries to rile you up. He understood why you were apprehensive, but he didn't think someone like you–talented in just about anything–would have doubts about approaching an ikran.

"Animals and Na'vi are different, Neteyam." Still, you push on and offer the ikran a hand. She sniffs it first before turning back to Neteyam. Seems she's more interested in catching up with him than you, which is a relief because now you don't have to worry about dying.

Neteyam hops onto her neck, forming the bond. He beckons for you to follow. "Just sit down behind me and make sure to hold on, tight."

You follow his command and wrap your hands around his waist. Suddenly, he freezes, even though this is what he'd instructed you to do. To pass his misspeak off, he hooks one of your wrists above the other to tighten the hold, although it takes a toll on his nerves.

He clears his throat and declares, "Alright, we're off."

His ikran was new at carrying two people at once, not counting Tuk's little weight, but he knew she had the power to hold strong; and that, she did. She handled the two of you just like normal, and for that he'd make sure to thank her with treats.

"This is so cool."

Neteyam thinks it's a crime that you're not screaming yet, so he pats his ikran at the base of her wing and tells her to go faster.

He, of course, remains passive. This kind of speed, this environment, it's something he loves; but mostly, it was something he was used to.

You, on the other hand, "Wooo! This exactly like you described! I've never been so high before!"

He chuckles at your enthusiasm, "How does the wind feel?"

"Like it bites!" You laugh excitedly, daring to even stick a hand up and feel the air push it back. "Feels so refreshing, though!"

Having your affirmation, Neteyam decides to dive. "Alright, get ready."

"For?"

He doesn't reply, as your surprise would be spoiled and that was the fun of it. Instead, he leans forward, leaving you to do the same in anticipation. It's only a matter of seconds before the ikran dives.

"PELA'ANG NETEYAM!"

Your arms around his waist squeeze around him tighter, and he only thinks about it for a second. Your reaction, he finds more entertaining, even if you do scream in his ear.

The dive feels like you're riding on the back of a throwing spear, cutting through the air towards its destination. The air screams into your ears like a warning, its fight against your body like a constant geyser.

"Teyam–" You call. He doesn't respond. "Neteyam! Pull up!"

At the rate you were going at, you were going to crash into the lake, and today was not the day you wanted to return to Eywa.

"Scared?"

"'Course I am!"

Perhaps it was your sudden fear of heights or his experience, but he still felt as though there was plenty of time left. Neteyam laughs at your nerves, but to your benefit, he pulls up before he usually would.

"Phew." Your head falls onto his back. You're exhausted of his antics.

"How was it?" Neteyam asks innocently, like he wasn't just about to possibly cause your death.

"I thought we were going up to the mountain." You grumble.

"Oh, we are, just..." He doesn't actually have an excuse, not that he feels like needs one. "I mean, that was funny, wasn't it?"

"To you."

☾⋆☆⋆☽

Neteyam made good on his promise and you arrived at the mountain within the hour. But, because of your many duties–communal breakfast, hunting, meaningless conversations–it was going to be night soon.

You only had so much time, but you sat not doing much of anything anyway. The peak of the mountain was hardly anything worth exploring. It wasn't so big and only inhabited plants that dared to grow high. What the peak really offered was a view.

"Can hardly see the pods from here." You remark, sitting on a fallen log behind him.

"Yep." Neteyam sits on the cliff, boldly swinging his legs over the edge. He was less looking at Awa'atlu and more at the jungle. "This place is very blue."

The tips of the giant ferns were blue, and they faced up towards the sky. The heart of the jungle was a large lake, and Neteyam learned up here that the tree line surrounding it wasn't so long. Apart from the vague blob of a shape the large clearing drew, there wasn't much else worth admiring. So he turns his gaze up, towards the other islands.

"Does every island have a village?" Neteyam asks, gesturing towards the many islands he could see. There were enough to fill from Awa'atlu to the horizon.

"There's only so many major villages on the larger islands, but yes. There's at least one Na'vi on every single one of those islands... mmph, well," You chuckle, "maybe not that one." You point towards one barely the size of one of your necklace's beads.

Neteyam doesn't reply, so the conversation naturally stops there. He turns his gaze towards something else, the empty space without islands. The ocean was blue, and so was the sky, and it felt like a monotony; but also, the ocean was a deep blue, like him, and the sky lighter, like you. Maybe that meant something.

"How do you handle being so perfect?"

"What?"

"I mean," Neteyam turns to you and holds your gaze, "you're the youngest hunter yet still very competent."

You shake your head with a sigh, "I'm not perfect, Neteyam."

"But the people think otherwise." He stands only to sit next to you. "They love you."

"They don't love me because I do all these great things. They don't love me for being a good warrior or a good hunter, not for taming a tsurak or for being able to throw spears well." You scoot closer to him. He hates seeing that frown on your face. "They love me because of who I am."

In other words, "They see you."

"Yes."

That's how the Omatikaya saw him. Not for being the son of his father or his mother, and not for the duties he fought hard to uphold; they saw him, and ironically, he only realizes after leaving them. Would the Metkayina ever see him the same way?

As the sun and the moon lined up for the eclipse signifying night time, the conversation comes to a stop. It was something that happened daily, and to you, something you'd grown used to. Neteyam, too, had grown used to it, but he was sure that if it stopped, he'd miss it.

"We should head down."

"Yeah."

Neither of you move.

When the last of the daylight leaves, and the moons take over, Neteyam looks down again becomes something catches his attention. "Woah."

Many things glowed purple under the moonlight: the tips of the ferns, specks in the lake, and specks in the village. They were a wonderful sight, flickering vividly under the moonlight like another set of stars. His gaze found the moving lights of the village, likely large groups of Na'vi coming together for dinner. They come from the bright seawall terraces, blend in with the long lines of luminescent fish within the water, then emerge again at the beach; because as important as whatever they were doing was, being with their people for something as simple as eating was more important.

The Metkayina would never be Omatikaya, they would never be the people he grew up with, but he could find solace in them still; for they were all Na'vi.

He would just have to prove it to them first.

☾⋆☆⋆☽

Neteyam dips his hand in the water. The salt stings a little against his bruised knuckles, but he ignores it. He cups a good amount of water and brings it to his lips. The wound on those sting too, but it's nothing compared to the pain he felt when he actually received the injury. 'Sides, he's felt worse pains from covering up for Lo'ak plenty of times before. This was nothing.

He pulls his hand away from his lips and observes it. Blood runs down his fingers. It's crimson and thick, much the same as his bond with Lo'ak. He'd done it several times before, and he'd do it again, to stand with his brother; because if not him, who else did he have?

"Neteyam!" Back from a hunt, like always.

Wiya, he didn't want you to seem like this, but if he hid himself from you, you'd be even more suspicious.

He cups a larger amount of water and wipes his face again, hoping to get rid of all the blood staining his skin. He rubs with his hands, but when they part from his face, you're squat next to him curiously.

Neteyam suddenly stands, forcing you to stand too.

Though he had made it up in his mind that he couldn't hide his injuries from you, he's nervous of the outcome. You'd be curious, you'd ask, he'd tell you, and you'd come in defense of your brothers.

So, he looks away from you, though unfortunately you're on his right, the side of his lips that got split.

"What happened to you?"

He purses his lips, his hands balling up into fists at his sides. So much for this friendship, he thinks.

When Neteyam doesn't respond, you take the other side of his jaw between your thumb and forefinger, gently pulling him to look at you.

Before he turned his head to you, his gaze had been downcast, and that translated to when you moved it. He catches a glimpse of your tattoo, loved by the people. It only solidifies the outcome in his head.

"Neteyam." You say, your voice stern with him for the first time. "Who did this to you?"

It's not something he likes, that tone, especially coming from you, but he obeys your silent pleads to explain. "Ao'nung.. and his friends called Kiri a freak. They mocked Lo'ak. Called us all "not real Na'vi". Lo'ak picked a fight with them and I had to back him up."

You're silent for a long time, instead of spewing your anger at him. Anticipation builds up in his chest as he awaits your response, but it doesn't come. Curiously, he allows himself to look up at you and catch your eyes.

Angry. You were angry. But you don't look, not at him, you look towards the ocean.

"(y/n)?"

"Ao'nung just left for a hunt." Your hand leaves his jaw as you part from him, "I can catch up, teach him a lesson."

You only take a few steps, each laced with a heavy intent, before he stops you. He's quick to step in front of you, taking one of your hands in his as another precaution. "You really don't have to. I already taught him a lesson when I punched him, and Lo'ak went to go apologize already."

"Apologize?" You ask. He can hear the absolute shock in your voice. "For standing up against his insults?"

Neteyam nods slowly, knowing that it's not fair either. "Yes."

"Who told him to apologize? Because if there's anything I know about Lo'ak, it's that–"

"My father." He says before you can waste your breath. He knows that, after hearing that it's Jake that commanded his son to "make peace" with his own bullies, you won't stand against him. Because the mighty Jake Sully knew better.

But some things, he doesn't know for sure. "Even your father doesn't defend you?" A nasty scowl grows on your lips. That knowledge provokes you even more. You begin your furious march again, unbothered by his hand.

"(y/n)." He gives a harsh tug.

"Neteyam." Your sudden stop causes you to stomp on the sand. Its grains kick up explosively in the air like a reflection of your anger. "I have to defend you."

"If you do that, your tattoo's wish won't be fulfilled!" He protests, throwing his free hand up into the air. "(y/n), if they see you coming in defense of a demon, they're going to be pissed."

"A demon?" You step closer to him, shaking your head solemnly. "You're not a demon."

"They think otherwise..." He mutters, looking away.

"I have to show them what I see." You put a warm hand on his cheek and Neteyam feels as though it dwarfs his face; it doesn't help the spreading warmth on his cheeks either. "Neteyam, I see you."

His heart hammers within his chest like it'll burst. He doesn't know what to say. "I–"

"Physically, you may be different, but you and me, we are the same. We are Na'vi. You don't deserve the way they're treating you." Everything you said, it's all he wanted to hear. "Oel ngati kameie, ma Neteyam."

He dared, because he couldn't help it, to place a kiss on your lips. It's only a peck, but it brings joy to your eyes.

"You see me, so you know that I am capable of showing the Metkayina that my family and I are not different. I can come in defense of myself, as I did against Ao'nung. Oel ngati kameie, ma (y/n), " He saw you. A boy so kind, a boy that loved him so much, that he was willing to sacrifice what everybody thought of him just to love him. But it wasn't something that he wanted. "but I don't need your help. You don't need to give away everything just for me."

"But nothing's stopping me from doing so."

"That is precisely why I need you to trust me." He pushes your necklace away and places his hand above your tattoo. "Because you may know what I deserve, but I know too that you don't deserve to lose everything. Okay?"

And though it pains you so, you will do what he asks. You bring his hand up and press a kiss to his aching knuckles. "Okay."