#i think this might be the only majestic bit I've ever written? | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

sunofpandora · 2 years ago

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I DON’T KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN?

I'll I'm OBSSESSED HELP

someone for needs to take this away from me 😭.

Can I just say thank you?

Like, seriously. Thank you, this is amazing and I loved every second of it. This trope with Neteyam is absolutely perfect and I don't think I've ever seen it written better.

I love him, but let's be honest y'all. My baby is a little awkward 😅. He a little shy. Ya know? Man's is majestic, no doubt. But he's a little heavy on the childhood crush.

But that's okay!

Bc reader is here to be the to be the chaotic, impulsive badass.

And like I said earlier, Neteyam and the reader have share the binding intimacy of understanding each other. And in my opinion, that’s one of the greatest forms of intimacy on the planet.

That’s what I love about Na’vi romance. They say, “I see you”.

I think it might have been norm (my husband) who explained in the first movie to Jake (I can’t find the exact movie quote but it when something like-)

“No, no. It’s not ‘I see you’ like I’m physically seeing you, it’s deeper than that. It’s I see you, I see your soul. I understand you. I see you for you, and only you”

What I love about this is that Neteyam would definitely fall for someone who’s his best friend. Someone he sees, and see him. Not for being “Son of Toruk Makto”

But for being Neteyam. Just pure, shy, kind, protective Neteyam. And loving him for that no matter what. Someone who sees beyond his title.

And I love that more that words can explain 🫡

Can we please discuss how the found family trope is 🔛 🔝

Back up y'all I analyzed this entire fix lemme grab my notes 🤭

Step back 😒🙏

Neytiri being a mom to the reader? ✅

Lo’ak being a brother and the hype man for Neteyam? (that honestly might be my fav, I definitely feel like of Neteyam had a love interest Lo’ak would be the captain of the ship and the wingman 😍) ✅

READER BEING PROTECTIVE OF KIRI? (Aka the sweetest baby on Pandora?) ✅

(Kiri protection squad we 🆙)

Please I love how you included that we are super protective of Kiri. I love that girl so much, I want to wrap her in a blanket and whisk her away where she can swim with her lil fishies and just be happy 😔.

Can we also talk about the dynamic before the confession of reader and Neteyam?

"You're just oblivious when it comes to recognizing social cues from the opposite sex."

“Says you! You're so—! Great Mother… I'm not in the mood to be lectured like one of your siblings right now."

That had me CACKLING.

LAST NOT BUT LEAST?

The secret ingredient.

Jealous Neteyam Sully 😩✨👏

And with that, the meal is perfected.

I’m making this a bit too long and I don’t want to bother anyone with reading my rant but I love this so, so much.

Please keep up the good work bc this was amazing. Thank you, author.

Pls keep it up 👏💙

The Fight [II]

Neteyam Sully x Fem!Omatikaya!Reader

Previously: Part I

The rundown: The day after the fight. Still Ft. jealous, possessive (and lowkey oblivious) Neteyam having a crisis over the reader, expect this time there’s a happy ending :)

Warnings: language, slight violence, Aonung has a mini-redemption arc, misunderstandings, tooth-rotting fluff, characters are aged up

WC: 8.5k

A/N: Thank you to anyone who left a kind comment on the first part of this fic! You single-handedly motivated me to actually finish this thing. Also, don’t let the first half of the chapter fool you lol this is nottt some enemies-to-lovers Aonung x Reader fic. I just wanted to give him a lil redemption and also show that Reader does, in fact, have a heart!

As you sat on the floor with Kiri's head nestled cozily in your lap, your gentle hands mindlessly played with her hair, braiding and unbraiding the stubborn strand that always made its way into her face.

Despite the exhaustion that still clung to your bones from the earlier events of the day (and a nagging pang of guilt for causing them), you felt completely at ease within the confines of the Sully family’s marui pod. Their unique family dynamic possessed an undeniable charm that never failed to lift your spirits, plunging you into a safe cocoon of lightheartedness and joy.

As you continued to bask in the warm embrace of tranquility and goodness, Lo'ak enthusiastically narrated the story of how he and Neteyam had, quote-on-quote, ‘made peace’ with Aonung that afternoon. He laid it on thick and made a whole show of recounting their meeting.

“He was all like,” Lo’ak crossed his arms, tilted his head, and smirked in what was admittedly a scarily good impression of Aonung’s default expression. “Trying to stare into our souls and shit through one eye.”

With a curious and somewhat mischievous expression gracing your features, you leaned in toward Lo'ak with a conspiratorial air. In a barely audible whisper, you asked the question that had admittedly been on your mind all day.

"So, was it really that bad? His face?" You couldn't keep the amusement out of your voice as you imagined the damage. Aonung fully deserved to have to walk around with at least one of his eyes swollen shut for the stunt that he tried to pull.

Despite the effort to not draw attention, your eyes cautiously darted back and forth between your conversation and the duo of Jake and Neytiri, who were preoccupied nearby. They seemed completely absorbed in their task of deboning fish, their fingers deftly removing spines and filets one by one. But their curiosity was equally piqued by Lo'ak's tale, and they listened keenly under the guise of their mundane chore.

Lo'ak's eyes sparkled with mischief, and a wide grin slowly crept across his face as he basked in the vivid recollection that played out in his mind's eye.

"So bad," he affirmed, making no effort to conceal the sheer enjoyment he derived from the memory. He gestured animatedly toward his face to provide a more descriptive picture of the incident. "His whole left cheekbone was all swollen. Looked like a little bitch," Lo'ak chuckled.

Kiri intervened by swiftly kicking her brother for his crude language. She tried her best to maintain a disciplined facade, but much to her own chagrin, an inescapable snicker slipped past her lips.

You smiled warmly at the girl nestled on your lap. Given the day's unpleasant encounter with Aonung and his band of friends, Kiri’s silence and subdued nature had been understandable. The whole day felt empty without the familiar sound of her laughter filling the air.

As Lo'ak continued to share his recollection of the day’s events, you noticed Kiri's expression gradually brightening as laughter returned to her eyes. It felt heartwarming to see her spirits begin to lift again.

Nestled on the opposite end of the hut, Neteyam found himself only half-absorbed in the conversation unfolding around him. He could just barely make out snippets of chatter between you and his siblings and the occasional glimpse of Lo’ak animatedly dodging invisible jabs and fake-punching the air in front of him.

Neteyam, however, was preoccupied with his own mission.

He had agreed to aid Tuk in crafting a new necklace, a tactic to ensure that she wouldn’t get all loose-lipped about the conversation she had inadvertently eavesdropped on earlier that day. They’d been sitting together, weaving little seashells along twine for the past two hours.

"You're really good at this, Tuk," Netteyam praised with a gentle smile, even though the twine of Tuk’s necklace slipped and he had just watched yet another seashell make its escape from her fingers for the fifth time in the past minute. Suppressing another snicker and shaking his head in amusement, Neteyam swiftly scooped up the shell from the ground. Gently placing it back into Tuk's eagerly awaiting hand, he used his other hand to point out where it had slipped from.

"Here, we can weave this back through that piece," he offered with an attempted seriousness that barely concealed his continued amusement.

"I know how to do it, Neteyam," Tuk grumbled in determination as she persisted in weaving her slightly uneven line. She clutched the necklace-in-progress unnecessarily tight and continued working on it, determined to prove her brother wrong.

Neteyam nodded as encouragingly as he could, putting all of his effort into maintaining the most enthusiastic demeanor he possibly could over a half-woven necklace. It wasn't exactly an easy task, given that his attention kept drifting towards the opposite side of the tent.

He kept sneaking sidelong glances at where you sat, nodding at his brother, who had an unexpectedly serious look on his face.

Intrigued, Neteyam's thoughts momentarily abandoned any attempts to aid Tuk with her fledgling necklace-making skills. Instead, he sat there with a puzzled gaze, unable to quench his curiosity as his eyes darted back and forth between the two of you.

As you sat there, nursing your sore hand, Lo'ak scooted a little closer to you to investigate the damage with his own set of scrutinizing eyes. Gently, he took your hand in his and brought your knuckles up to his face to inspect the damage. Without warning, he poked at what appeared to be an especially swollen spot, causing you to wince in pain before hastily swatting his hand away in annoyance.

"Damn!" Lo'ak exclaimed, his eyebrows shooting up to the ceiling in sheer amazement as he examined your battered knuckles even further. "It looks like you went three rounds with a boulder."

"I punch really, really hard." You replied sarcastically, rolling your eyes at Lo'ak's pointless observation and rubbing the swollen ridges on your hand as you did so.

The skin had turned an assortment of ugly shades of purple, and it hurt like hell. It was true that the pain was becoming increasingly difficult to ignore, but in your mind, it was all worth it. Aonung's stupid face now bore the imprints of that same pain. For you, it was like a true battle scar. Every throb only confirmed what you already knew: You'd definitely won that round.

Neytiri brought her keen gaze up from where she’d been meticulously skinning a new piece of fish for the evening meal. She paused momentarily, eyeing you with concern as you sat nonchalantly with Kiri's head resting gently in your lap. As thankful as she was for you standing up for her daughter, Neytiri knew that it was reckless of you to jump head-first into danger the way that you did. As she continued fileting the fish, a hint of exasperation was palpable in her voice.

"And you really, really need to go see the tsahìk for your wound, y/n," Neytiri chided sternly, making it known that arguing would be futile. And you weren’t stupid; you knew that much was true.

Though she wasn't related to you by blood, Neytiri had taken on the role of your de facto guardian angel, and she was fiercely devoted to her role. She was as stubborn as a rock when it came to her protective instincts toward you.

There was not a chance on Pandora that she would let you continue walking around with a mangled hand, no matter how proud you were of your battle scar.

So there you sat: awkwardly trying to avoid Neytiri's scolding yet somewhat affectionate glare, all the while hoping against hope that maybe—just maybe—she'd forget about it by morning. But, of course, Neytiri's decision was unequivocal, and you were left with no choice but to comply.

Thus, as the sun barely peeked over the horizon the following morning (far earlier than you would’ve liked), you exited the tsahìk’s marui pod with your previously injured hand meticulously cleaned and tended to.

Admittedly, a wave of terror initially washed over you at the prospect of facing Ronal, especially after what you had done to her son. Judging by the icy glare she shot your way when you stepped into the hut, it was evident that she was far from thrilled to see you either. Which, you couldn't really blame her for.

However, necessity dictated that someone help heal your wound, so Ronal motioned for Tsireya to carry out the task rather than do it herself.

To your immense relief, Tsireya had no shame in scolding her brother's unruly behavior. As she busied herself with tending to your hand, you recounted the tale of your skirmish with Aonung, much to her amusement. In fact, Tsireya spent more time erupting into giggles than actually focusing on healing you.

Given this scenario, it came as no surprise when Ronal let out an exasperated hiss and demanded that Tsireya switch healing with her in an attempt to expedite your recovery and have you gone from the pod as quickly as possible.

While under Ronal's care—which was noticeably less gentle than her daughter's—you found yourself recovering at a much swifter pace. The treatment may not have been ideal, but it yielded quick results.

Once fully healed and without any further consideration or well-wishes, you found yourself unceremoniously kicked out of the pod—albeit with a fully healed hand ready for whatever new adventures awaited you.

Which was how you ended up on the shore that afternoon.

As you stood by the water's edge, the rhythmic sound of the waves gently lapping against the shoreline combined with your focused efforts to create a fishing net from scratch. You were still learning, but your fingers moved with precision, weaving each knot and strand together into an intricate pattern. The sun's warmth radiated down on you, bathing everything in a golden light.

Suddenly, however, the peaceful ambiance was interrupted by the faint sound of footsteps gradually approaching from behind you. Your senses sharpened as your ears lifted in alertness, and instinctively, your tail curled protectively into a tight coil. A moment later, you heard your name uttered quietly.

"y/n?"

Feeling an unexpected and unfamiliar hand resting upon your shoulder, the voice finally registered, and in a split-second decision, you jerked your elbow backward with force, instinctively targeting the trespasser's solid ribcage.

A pained groan sounded from behind you, and satisfaction surged through you upon recognizing that it belonged to none other than Aonung himself. However, the gratification was short-lived as you came to terms with the fact that being in his presence was not a situation you desired. At all.

Memories of your previous encounter and powerful emotions threatened to overwhelm you, but Jake's resounding words echoed in your mind, reminding you of what truly mattered.

You couldn't afford to give in to your own selfish desires—not now.

It wasn’t about indulging in petty conflicts or satisfying personal vendettas. There was far more at stake than just your personal feelings toward Aonung. Recalling all that the Sullys had done for you, the sacrifices they'd made, and the risks they'd taken to secure a place within their new home, you clenched your teeth in determination.

Forcing yourself to lock eyes with Aonung, if only for an instant, the words escaped through gritted teeth, strained and laden with insincerity: "Sorry."

There it was, an apology reluctantly offered despite every ounce of your being craving to do otherwise.

Aonung chuckled at your unwavering persistence, absentmindedly rubbing the spot on his stomach where you had just landed a powerful blow. There was no doubt in your mind that it would leave a lasting bruise, one that would probably perfectly coordinate with the deep purple impression dominating the entire expanse of his cheekbone. A twisted sense of gratification coursed through you at the sight of his battered visage. Lo'ak's description of the damage hadn't done it justice. You were responsible for that. Hell yeah.

"You're stronger than you look, forest girl," Aonung conceded with genuine admiration, shaking his head in astonishment. How you managed to possess such incredible strength in such a small body was beyond even his understanding.

However, you had no intention of succumbing to his flattery anytime soon. You were not about to let him sweet-talk you into submission or change the course of your determined spirit.

With your jaw set in determination, you sucked your teeth and hastily reached for your weaving materials. The once serene atmosphere of the early evening had been entirely spoiled by Aonung's unwelcome arrival. It was all beginning to feel suffocating, and you needed to be somewhere else—anywhere else.

As you diligently collected your supplies and prepared to make your escape from this uncomfortable situation, you rose gracefully to your feet, preparing to push your way past Aonung's frame.

An almost imperceptible flash of worry painted Aonung's face as he saw your intent.

In an almost reflexive action, Aonung reached out with the intention of grasping onto your arm and preventing you from leaving. Yet, at the very last second, he thought better of it and swiftly pulled back his webbed hand before making contact with your skin.

Maybe he wasn’t as stupid as you thought he was.

Caught between your determination to be anywhere but near him and Aonung's momentary vulnerability, it occurred to you that maybe staying for just a few moments longer wouldn't be the end of the world.

And so, with a deep breath and a keen eye on Aonung's every move, you held your ground just long enough to see what would happen next.

Aonung cautiously raised his hands in the air, an unspoken sign of surrender. His eyes were wide, and for once, there was a genuine look in them that you hadn't seen before.

"Listen, I just wanted to apologize for what happened the other day," he stammered. "I was out of line and immature."

You took a moment to cast a scrutinizing gaze over Aonung's face as he seemed to shrink under the weight of your relentless stare. Although it was surprising to hear his admission and apology, you didn't feel the need to express outward gratitude or forgiveness towards him. After all, it wasn’t you who bore the brunt of his actions.

"You should be apologizing to Kiri, not me," you said pointedly.

The mere thought of Kiri made your heart twinge with pain. Her emotional state had been precarious ever since Aonung and his friends targeted her with their cruel words.

If Aonung lacked the courage to approach Kiri with the same admission and remorse for his actions, then you simply couldn't justify giving him any more of your time or energy. However, what he said next took you wholly by surprise.

"I already did," Aonung replied steadfastly, his previous nervousness replaced by a newfound resolve in his voice. "My friends knew they crossed a line as well. They won't be bothering Kiri anymore—I made sure of that."

Despite yourself and the walls you'd built up around this issue, a relieved sigh slipped past your lips at his words. Gratitude washed over you like an unexpected wave as you realized that Kiri would now have one less burden to carry in your new home.

However, Aonung was far from being in the clear.

There was a lingering suspicion in your mind that his apology was merely a result of Tonowari's command, rather than stemming from genuine regret. It was difficult to picture him being truly sincere in this situation.

"Yeah, I bet you're really good at following your father's orders," you mumbled, the sarcasm dripping from your words as you prepared to turn away and return to the Sully's marui pod. Exhaustion weighed heavily on you after such a long and eventful day. You were eager to put this entire ordeal behind you.

Aonung's next words, however, stopped you in your tracks and challenged the assumptions you'd made about his intentions.

"No—well, yes, my father told me to apologize to Jake and Neytiri," he admitted with an awkwardness that was almost pitiful. "But he never told me to apologize to you or Kiri. I do feel sorry; I meant it when I said that." His eyes widened as he attempted to express his sincerity, pleading for understanding. Glimmers of genuine regret danced in his eyes, and a part of you found it difficult to dismiss them out of hand.

With a rueful snort, Aonung continued, "And honestly? I didn’t want to get any more bruises. Not exactly the best look for the future olo'eyktan…" Grimacing in discomfort, he gingerly rubbed the spot on his body where your bony elbow had made its unforgiving impact just moments before.

Despite your best efforts to maintain a stoic facade, the corners of your mouth twitched with amusement at his candid admission. Pressing a clenched fist over your lips in a futile attempt to suppress the laughter bubbling up within you proved unsuccessful, but somehow, it didn't matter anymore.

Aonung's surprising admission of defeat was a welcome relief for you. At that moment, you realized that he acknowledged himself as the loser, and that humility was enough to grant him a certain level of respect in your eyes. That wasn't to say that you were suddenly going to be all chummy with him, but at least it allowed you to lower your defenses in his presence.

As you settled into a more relaxed state, Aonung seemed to take pleasure in your changed demeanor. Keen to engage further, he broached the subject of your recent altercation.

Curiously, he inquired, "So, what do you call it? That thing you did when you hit me the other day?"

He gestured towards his bruised cheek, which had taken on an interesting shade of purple as it healed.

A surge of pride washed over you as you realized there was something you knew that eluded Aonung's knowledge.

"It's called a punch," you replied smugly. "You can thank Jake for teaching me. He was nice enough to teach all of us—even Tuk––so…" Pausing for dramatic effect, you widened your eyes and added a cryptic, "Watch out, fish lips."

At your warning, Aonung's facial expression momentarily displayed a look of genuine fear. However, just as quickly as it appeared, the apprehension gave way to laughter as Aonung realized the humor in your statement.

He gave a slight nod and slowly extended his arm towards you, his hand open and inviting.

Although the gesture appeared friendly and he respected your boundaries by not grabbing you without permission, you couldn't help but study his outstretched palm cautiously. The memory of his bold actions from the other day was imprinted in your mind.

Taking a moment to observe him further, your gaze traveled up from his hand to his face. Instead of the usual mischievous grin that you had grown accustomed to, there was now an expression of genuine sincerity on his face. The unexpected change stirred a curiosity within you, making you wonder about the depth of emotions he was actually capable of.

His eyes locked with yours as he enunciated his words clearly: "To no more punches."

The phrase seemed to carry an unspoken understanding between the two of you—a promise of sorts.

His words lingered in the air, challenging you to accept this newfound truce. Though still cautious, you finally succumbed to the moment.

A smile tugged at the corners of your mouth as mirth danced within your own eyes. Nodding in response, your fingers reached for his forearm in a reciprocal gesture, grasping it firmly in mutual understanding and agreement.

Rooted in his spot by an overwhelming mixture of disbelief and despair, Neteyam couldn't help but continue observing the interaction between you and your supposed enemy-turned-ally.

As much as it pained him to do so, he needed to understand what had led to your unlikely alliance, especially given that none of it aligned with the reality tucked away in his mind.

While maintaining a discreet distance, Neteyam tried to piece together bits of your conversation from his limited perspective. He felt a tidal wave of emotions crashing within the depths of his stomach as he observed the unfolding scene. Each word and gesture felt like a dagger slicing through the fabric of your once-inseparable relationship.

A sea of weariness, anger, and envy churned inside him, swirling together into a furious storm as his eyes locked onto you and Aonung farther down the shore. Your hands met in what appeared to be a heartfelt handshake, and Neteyam's heart sank at the sight. Why would you allow Aonung to get so close to you—to even have physical contact with you—after everything he had done to you? He couldn't comprehend it.

As the encounter continued, Neteyam caught sight of Aonung gesturing animatedly towards the half-woven fishing net that you held carefully in your hands. The conversation seemed lighthearted and friendly, which only fueled Neteyam's mental turmoil. It was as if Aonung had somehow charmed you into believing that he was responsible for placing each and every one of the stars in the vast sky above.

A tinge of nausea washed over Neteyam as he witnessed Aonung break into a wide smile, genuine warmth emanating from his expression as he looked at you. The sight only heightened the flames of jealousy already licking away at his insides. It was a smile that belonged on his own lips—his admiration was too real and genuine when compared to Aonung's disingenuous front.

As Neteyam continued to watch the scene unfold, his heart thumped wildly in his chest, urging him to intervene—to do something.

Neteyam abruptly made his way towards you, his eyes locked on yours with unwavering determination. As he reached you, he swiftly wrapped an arm around your shoulder, instantly drawing you into his embrace.

You let out a quiet, surprised mutter of, "What the fuck?" under your breath.

Despite your confusion, you couldn't deny the underlying feeling of elation that washed over you at the physical contact. Your body felt at home, effortlessly melting into his side.

His hand came to rest on your waist with undeniable tenderness, his fingers gently playing with the twine of your woven top. The sensation of his thumb absentmindedly tracing circles directly onto your skin sent a wave of warmth flooding through your body, making it near impossible to hold onto any sort of mental clarity. Your thoughts became hazy and unfocused, leaving you at a loss for words.

Amid Neteyam’s literal spell on you, you barely registered the terse exchange of words taking place between him and Aonung—their conversation was nothing more than a blur of two resonating voices. Through it all, Neteyam's grip remained possessive yet comforting, and you eventually found yourself being guided further down the shore, distancing the two of you from Aonung and anyone else gathered near him.

Feeling as though the intimate bubble was about to burst, you managed to find your voice once more. "What the fuck?" The question held a more assertive tone this time around, desperate for an explanation from Neteyam that would justify both his actions and your reaction to them.

“Hmm?” Neteyam hummed in response to your query, adopting an air of nonchalance as though nothing out of the ordinary had transpired.

With a soft exhale and gradual release of tension in his arm around you, he created enough distance between the two of you so that you could walk side by side, void of any physical contact.

Side by side yet separated—an unfortunately looming metaphor that danced upon the sea breeze as you continued down the shore.

Your eyes narrowed as you observed the side of his face.

Neteyam's gaze seemed to flit around, taking in every aspect of the beach surrounding you and yet completely avoiding your face. You couldn't contain your curiosity any longer and decided to inquire further.

"Was there a reason for all that?" you asked, trying not to sound too probing.

It wasn't that you were upset with the situation—it had been a while since you’d spent some one-on-one time with Neteyam—but the suddenness and lack of warning with which he had whisked you away from Aonung had left you more than a bit startled.

As you continued to ponder over his actions, a tiny voice in the recesses of your mind came forth, suggesting the possibility that maybe Neteyam was acting out of jealousy due to your momentary closeness with Aonung. However, you swiftly dismissed that notion, reminding yourself that such an interpretation could not have been accurate. At all. He didn't view you in a romantic light; if anything, his actions could be attributed to a friendly sense of protectiveness. He would have displayed the same level of concern for any one of his friends.

With that conclusion in mind, you felt somewhat reassured and returned your attention to Neteyam. It was at that point that you realized his piercing gaze was now firmly locked onto yours, bearing down on you with an intensity that caught you off guard. The moment seemed to stretch out for an eternity as unspoken questions and emotions played silently between the two of you.

The expression in Neteyam's eyes gradually cleared, like a mist dissipating to reveal a hidden landscape. He turned away from you once more, shaking his head as if to banish the unsettling thoughts that hovered at the edge of his mind.

"No," he murmured hesitantly, though the words that followed seemed to directly contradict his denial. "I just didn't like the way he was looking at you."

Confusion pinched your features as you tried to parse his bewildering statement, a playful smile creeping onto your lips at the sheer absurdity of his claim.

"Nete, you were all the way on the other side of the shore," you gently chided, picking up on the gap in his argument. "Even your bug-eyes couldn't have picked up on that."

To punctuate your observation, you reached out and teasingly flicked your finger against his forehead—a gentle reminder of his endearingly overprotective nature.

A soft, exasperated laugh escaped Neteyam's lips as he tilted his head away from your touch, fully aware of how irrational his concerns appeared. Still, there was something tender about his display of protectiveness—an unspoken declaration of just how much he cared.

As the two of you continued your aimless amble along the shoreline, Neteyam's foot connected with a stray pebble that had found its way onto the sandy path. He kicked it forward in a series of small nudges, sending tiny plumes of sand flying up each time it met his foot.

"Okay," he finally relented, granting defeat with an accompanying sigh. "Then I didn't like how close he was standing to you." You could practically feel the wince that crinkled his expression at those words, an almost palpable acknowledgment of how difficult it was for him to make that confession.

You let yourself contemplate the possibility that maybe Neteyam could have harbored feelings of envy toward any friendship you might’ve developed with Aonung (though calling what you had managed to establish with Aonung in those last few minutes anything beyond a mere acquaintanceship was pushing it).

Neteyam was your best friend, and it was reasonable for him to feel unsettled at the thought of someone else potentially taking his place in your life.

Still, there was a persistent part of your mind that you often struggled to suppress—the part that craved something more profound than just pure friendship with Neteyam. It wouldn't fucking relent.

Did he mean what he said in a way that extended beyond platonic feelings? Was it possible that beneath his words, he wanted to be the only person capable of being close to you—both metaphorically and physically?

Gathering what confidence you could muster, you resolved to delve deeper into the matter. You sought some kind of validation—whether positive or negative—that would alleviate your restless thoughts.

"Am I not allowed to stand next to other guys or something?"

The half-serious jest served as both an attempt to dismantle tensions between the two of you and a method for gauging his true feelings on this subject, fostering hope within you for some kind of resolution.

As moments passed, your anticipation grew while waiting for Neteyam's response. Each second felt longer than the last as the situation took on more significance in your mind, knowing that his reply could either reaffirm the precious bond you already shared or potentially reshape it into something even more meaningful and intimate.

You stood there, observing as Neteyam's overall disposition seemed to crumble before your very eyes. His shoulders curled inward, as though attempting to protect himself from invisible harm, while his ears, once perky and attentive, flattened against the sides of his head in a clear sign of his escalating distress. The pebble he had been sending on a journey down the shoreline with his rhythmic kicks was quickly abandoned.

As shitty as you felt for pouring a bucket of ice-cold water on what had been an increasingly pleasant atmosphere between you two, you were admittedly captivated by the storm of emotions that brewed within Neteyam.

The mood, previously light-hearted and delightful, now hovered somewhere within the range of awkwardness and curiosity.

His whirlwind of feelings had drawn you in with the pulling force of a storm, and now you needed to know more. The air seemed thick enough to slice as you exchanged half-glances out of the corners of your eyes, each of you searching for some kind of explanation or the right words to say.

The seconds seemed to stretch into an eternity, so much so that you nearly embraced the belief that any kind of verbal response to your inquiry was nothing but a pipe dream. Yet somehow, against all odds, the universe eventually took pity on your increasingly impatient soul, and Neteyam caved in.

"Do you want to stand next to Aonung?" Neteyam uttered hesitantly, his voice thick with uncertainty.

It was a far cry from the Neteyam you knew—the humble yet self-assured Neteyam who never came across as arrogant but knew exactly who he was and where he belonged in life, especially when he was around you, his closest friend. It felt as though his words held a much deeper question than simply asking about physical proximity to some other guy.

You silently prayed to Eywa that he would just be straightforward and spit it out, that he’d stop shrouding his intentions behind a veil of annoyingly cryptic language. Desperately, you wrestled with interpreting everything from his intonation to his subtle body movements—anything that might provide insight as to what was going on in his stupid head.

You couldn't help but long for those times when your conversations flowed effortlessly and humor sparkled in every corner. Those times when the simplest exchange could send both of you into fits of laughter, leaving passersby wondering what on Pandora was wrong with you.

Clearly, though, today was not that day.

Struggling to make eye contact with him, you cautiously inquired, "You mean, do I like-like him?"

As the words left your lips, you couldn't help but feel childish, like a little kid discussing stupid crushes during playtime.

Neteyam offered an unceremonious shrug in response before uttering, "Something along those lines, I guess."

Your eyes widened in disbelief, and you stared at him, utterly baffled.

A surge of frustration coursed through you. You wanted to scream at his blatant obliviousness. How could the sequence of events between you and Aonung over the past twenty-four hours be even remotely misconstrued as romantic feelings? Neteyam had to be joking.

"Are you actually stupid?" You questioned with an intensity that took both yourself and Neteyam by surprise.

The question emerged from your lips, laced with a tinge of incredulity. Although you didn't mean for the inquiry to sound quite as harsh as it ended up being, at that very instant you couldn't truly bring yourself to sugarcoat or tiptoe around the matter.

Neteyam's quizzical expression only served to heighten the absurdity of it all. You tried in vain to imagine how he pieced everything together to come to such a far-fetched conclusion.

Neteyam, with furrowed brows and widened eyes, cautiously threw a sideways glance in your direction. He was evidently taken aback by the unexpected fervor in your voice and struggled to comprehend the sudden shift in the atmosphere. Hesitating for a brief moment, he stuttered out a hesitant, "No…"

Despite his disoriented demeanor, you were unyielding.

With an intensity that could only be described as bordering on hysteria, you barked back at him, "Do you usually beat the shit out of people you're in love with, Neteyam? Because I sure don’t! What the hell possessed you to think that there could ever be anything between Aonung and I?!"

Your frenetic gesticulations were likely painting the picture of a wholly deranged thing, as you vehemently pointed an indigent finger at your chest in sheer bewilderment as if it could somehow drive home the insanity of Neteyam's assumption. With eyebrows raised and nostrils flaring like a banshee getting ready to charge, you probably looked like a whirlwind of agitation incarnate.

But honestly, who could blame you? Neteyam was so dense, so astonishingly stupid that it felt as though his lack of understanding might actually fracture reality itself. It felt like your own sanity was hanging by a thread.

With his eyes still wide in disbelief, Neteyam carried on baffling you. "I just saw you two! Aonung was looking at you like you were the only girl on the island," he started, hastily extending an arm in the direction of the shore where both you and Aonung had previously been standing. "I’m serious, y/n! Aonung looks at you like that, all his friends look at you like that—even Lo’ak does!”

In a frenzied attempt to clarify the situation, you vigorously shook your head, utterly rejecting his claim because none of it resonated with any truth whatsoever. "No they—," you tried to interject but found yourself cut off by Neteyam's dogged insistence.

"Yes, they do! Every single one of them!" His voice took on an almost manic quality, as though he'd uncovered some hidden secret. "You're just oblivious when it comes to recognizing social cues from the opposite sex."

"Says you! You're so—! Great Mother… I'm not in the mood to be lectured like one of your siblings right now." You let out a derisive laugh, attempting to mask the frustration bubbling within you.

As you started to turn away, you couldn’t help but ruminate on the nature of your relationship with Neteyam.

It was obvious what the entire situation was about. Neteyam saw you in the same light as he did Kiri, Tuk, or Lo'ak—just another responsibility in his life, just someone who he was obligated to keep an eye out for.

No matter how much your heart wished it were different, you knew deep down that there had never been any other possibility between you and him. You chastised yourself for even entertaining the idea that there might have been something more between you two.

The cruel realization stung like a swarm of pesky insects on a hot day.

The realization made you feel foolish, and you sensed the tears threatening to rise in your throat, making their way up to your eyes. Desperately trying to stifle them, you blinked rapidly as you focused on the sand that blanketed the ground beneath your feet. Each blink became your last ditch effort to keep the traitorous tear ducts out of sight—but when it comes to heartache and denial, emotions don't tend to follow the rules.

Inevitably, the tan granules swirled into indistinguishable blurs through your watery vision. On top of that, your chest began to heave, betraying your emotional state.

You quickly realized that keeping your tears at bay was becoming increasingly difficult, and there was no way you were going to let Neteyam see you cry over what seemed like an embarrassingly insignificant crush on him. Refusing to let him have that satisfaction or—worse yet—pity you in any way, you emotionally gathered yourself as best as possible and turned around in the other direction.

Brainstorming some half-assed excuse to put some distance between yourself and Neteyam for the rest of the day, you struggled to ignore the clawing feeling in your chest.

Your plan was abruptly interrupted by a hand on your arm, and much to your surprise, this time it didn’t yank away like you were a blue-hot flame. The hand remained stubbornly in place, its grip on your bicep determined and resolute, presenting a striking contrast to the unexpectedly gentle manner in which his thumb tenderly caressed your skin. The sensation sent involuntary goosebumps rippling across the surface of your arm, as if touched by the chill of the night air.

It was too much; your limits were reached. You couldn’t play his little mind games anymore—games that left you overthinking the most minute touches and the most fleeting glances.

With an air of desperation, you mumbled, “Please don’t.”

You hated how small and frail your voice sounded, how audibly shaky it was due to his unwavering touch. Despite the plea of your voice and every ounce of willpower screaming at you, you couldn’t muster up the strength to extricate yourself from his grasp. You couldn’t yank your arm free and send an elbow right into his gut, just like you had done to Aonung.

You begrudgingly admitted to yourself that you didn't want to escape his grip at all. He wasn’t Aonung.

“You're not my sibling," Neteyam began, his intense eyes frantically scanning your face as if pleading with you to look at him. Despite his best efforts to catch your gaze, you stubbornly refused to meet his eyes. He sighed and continued in a hushed, low tone, "I don't see you like that."

His words were convincing enough, but your defenses remained strong, standing tall like an impenetrable fortress.

You felt like an animal on guard, fiercely protecting its territory. Every fiber of your being was taut, and your heart pounded furiously against your ribcage. You tried to steady yourself by taking a deep breath, hoping the embarrassing trembling in your voice would be tamed when you finally mustered the courage to reply.

Taking the plunge and uttering your next words cautiously, you asked on a shaky exhale, "And what's that supposed to mean?"

The thought of meeting his eyes sent tiny shivers of terror down your spine—it would be so obvious that yours were red-rimmed and puffy and pathetic.

You swallowed the fear bubbling in your throat and opted instead to settle for his chest. It was a good distraction from the emotional turmoil bubbling within you, and somehow, it made things a bit more bearable.

You stared at Neteyam's blue skin and the unique pattern of dark stripes that adorned him. They twisted and turned like vines from behind his back, dancing across his shoulders before cascading downward towards his chest. By now, those dark stripes had become so familiar to you that it almost felt like they formed part of an intricate map etched into your memory forever.

Subconsciously, you found yourself getting lost in those hypnotic patterns, as if trying to decipher some hidden message they held within their patterns and swirls. And for a brief moment, the gravity of the situation seemed to lessen, allowing a tiny, wistful smile to grace your lips.

With determination (and a dash of stubbornness), you forced yourself not to let your eyes wander further than necessary, lest they betrayed your feelings and caused yet another upheaval in your world.

Neteyam's unsteady exhale disrupted your intense focus on his chest, where your eyes had been locked in a determined gaze.

Much to your relief, he wasn't looking directly at you—or, more specifically, not at your eyes.

Instead, his attention was wholly devoted to the same spot on your arm that he was gently caressing with his thumb. His expression radiated deep concentration, as if a million thoughts were racing through his mind at breakneck speed. You wanted to understand each and every one of them.

In an almost magical moment, it seemed as though Neteyam heard your silent plea; still caressing your arm, he muttered, "It means it's complicated. I don’t know how to act around you sometimes."

The unexpected revelation piqued your curiosity further.

Mustering the courage to meet your gaze for just a fleeting moment, Neteyam appeared equally vulnerable and sentimental. However, upon locking eyes with you, he hastily retracted his gaze back to the captivating spot on your arm.

The silence between you both lengthened, but not uncomfortably so. It was the kind of silence that coaxed more words out of him, as though unraveling a spool of twine.

A touch of hesitance laced his words as he continued, "And it means I want to be the only one to touch you like this," he bravely confessed.

The hand that gently brushed your arm dared to leave its designated spot, venturing up your arm past its familiar territory. Neteyam’s touch left behind an army of goosebumps, marking the path he had taken. Your eyes were fixated on the escalating situation as Neteyam inched closer toward you, his hand never losing contact with your skin for even a second. It continued its journey, gliding past your shoulder, snaking up the side of your neck, and finally coming to rest on your jaw.

Neteyam’s eyes were dark and half-lidded, seemingly examining every inch of your face as if it were both the first and the last time he’d ever set eyes on you. As if he wanted to memorize every detail of your visage before it vanished from his memory forever.

You felt warm all over, as if you’d just contracted a sudden fever, spreading heat from the tips of your ears down to your toes.

You'd never been this close to Neteyam in your life—and not just in terms of physical proximity. You had known each other for practically your entire lives, but this was entirely new territory. It was uncharted land that even the most experienced warrior would struggle to navigate.

The warm puffs from his breath rhythmically brushed against your cheek, and your stomach did flips that perfectly synchronized with each exaltation from his lips.

And yet, amidst all the bewildering chaos of emotions swirling around you like delicate little woodsprites, his words echoed deep within your mind. He had you in a trance, and it was so, so dangerous for you.

Only Eywa knows what possessed you to lean in ever so slightly closer to Neteyam.

You found yourself inexplicably drawn to him, your heart pounding like a drum in your chest. You gently nuzzled your cheek into his welcoming palm, tipping your head upward just enough so that your eyes could lock onto his. Gathering every shred of courage that resided within you, you asked, “What else does it mean?”

Surprisingly, you couldn't detect even the slightest hint of embarrassment in your voice or on your face—even though, by all rights, you should have. Maybe it was because the sight of Neteyam's smile tugging playfully at the corner of his mouth completely disarmed any potential shame.

As Neteyam's eyes crinkled shut with amusement (or possibly bewilderment), he let out a hearty exhale that sounded almost like laughter. He shook his head in disbelief. It was evident that Neteyam hadn't expected your conversation to end up here so quickly.

In sync with his amusement, Neteyam's other hand reached around and gently cradled the opposite side of your jaw, providing a tender touch that sent shivers down your spine.

As if in a dream-like state, you felt a slight flush in your cheeks when his thumb grazed across them ever so tenderly. Entirely absorbed by the surreal essence of it all, you swore that with just one more touch from him, you'd crumble into the surrounding sand.

His thumb continuing to caress your cheek with tender affection, Neteyam lowered his face towards yours so that his lips brushed against yours ever so softly, and it felt as though you had stepped into another realm entirely.

In that fleeting instant, neither one of you possessed any semblance of proper technique or finesse. Instead, you were propelled forward by an intoxicating mix of adrenaline and pure need, the two of you navigating the uncharted territory together with hearts beating wildly in unison.

At that very moment, you felt an inexplicable urge to be closer to him, so close that it would seem like an impossibility for him to ever let go of you.

With what felt like an enormous amount of effort, you lifted your hands from their previously limp position at your sides. You tentatively reached out and grasped his sturdy arms, attempting to steady yourself against his frame.

As your fingers dug into the firmness of his muscles, it must have been close to crossing the line between a loving embrace and an entirely painful experience. But Neteyam didn't seem to mind at all. Instead of wincing or complaining, he seemed to find strength in your touch. In fact, Neteyam responded with such ardor that it almost took your breath away. Instinctively, his hand dropped down to your waist and pulled you even closer to his warm body, as if the two of you weren't already pressed impossibly close together.

All of the pent-up emotion toward Neteyam you had been desperately attempting to keep under control for years finally broke free from its prison within the deepest, darkest depths of your psyche. Like a volcano that could no longer contain its molten fury, the suppressed feelings burst forth and poured into the soul-searing intensity of your shared kiss.

At that moment, there was nothing else in existence but the two of you entwined together—by which point it hardly mattered if an unlucky passerby stumbled across your shared corner of the shore.

The intensity of the moment left you feeling so light-headed that you could have sworn you were floating. It was a sensation you begrudgingly had to pull away from, your lips reluctantly parting from Neteyam's warm embrace.

The raw fervor of the kiss still lingered, making it difficult to catch your breath in anything more than measly, shallow gasps. As you struggled to regain your normal breathing, your eyes locked on Neteyam’s.

You could have sworn that your heart did a somersault at the sight of pure elation dancing across his features, making it abundantly clear that the moment was just as significant for him as it was for you. With a hazy exhale, Neteyam took a step back, affording himself a better view of you.

As he gazed at you through affectionate eyes, an enamored grin spread across his face—the kind that makes your knees turn to jelly and your insides squirm with embarrassingly giddy excitement.

It was in that instant that you felt utterly exposed, like he had unraveled all your deepest secrets and was truly seeing you in a way he never had before—as more than just some girl he grew up with. He was seeing you in the way that you’d always wanted him to see you.

And so, enveloped by that rush of emotion and revelation, you finally allowed yourself to truly see Neteyam for all that he was and for everything that he meant to you—to look past the image of him simply being your best friend. Because the truth was undeniable: Neteyam had always been more than just a best friend to you. Even in moments when words failed to express how he made you feel, your heart carried the weight of emotions yet unspoken.

Neteyam was not just the eldest son of Toruk Makto or the once-upon-a-time olo’eyktan in waiting. He was so much more than that. He was Neteyam te Suli Tsyeyk'itan, an extraordinary individual in his own right.

Standing before you was someone who, while he may have had an impressive family title, was in reality an endearingly shy, genuinely caring, and fiercely passionate guy. And to top it all off, he was your first real friend. The connection you shared with Neteyam seemed to go beyond this world—a transcendental depth rooted within your very souls.

A flood of emotions washed over you as you stood before him, beholding the familiar features of that face that held such a cherished place in your heart. You didn't think twice before casting away any inhibitions, lunging forward, and capturing Neteyam into an unyielding embrace.

Your face pressed tightly into his chest, and you could feel his breath hitch in surprise at your unexpected display of affection. Your body shook with laughter at the notion that despite being so close just moments ago (face-sucking close), your embrace still managed to catch Neteyam off-guard.

Inhaling deeply, you savored his familiar and comforting scent that swirled around you like a mystical aura. It didn't take long for him to relax beneath your touch, surrendering control of himself and firmly circling his arms around your shoulders. It seemed that as much as you needed that moment of connection with him, he needed it just as much, if not even more so.

"I'm glad we figured that out," you whispered, your voice barely audible due to your face being buried in Neteyam's warm chest.

Even though your speech came out as just a hushed murmur, you knew deep down that Neteyam could discern every syllable. That certainty was confirmed by the gentle kiss he placed on the crown of your head, making you feel cherished like never before. It felt as if his lips carried a thousand unspoken words of love and understanding.

His embrace tightened ever so slightly as he pressed your head further into the comfort of his chest, as if trying to merge you both into one entity. His fingers found their way to the back of your skull, where they intertwined with your hair.

Neteyam's touch was so unimaginably tender that it was almost unbearable. Each stroke of his fingers seemed to unravel yet another layer of tension that you didn't even realize you were holding onto.

An involuntary sigh escaped your lips as your eyes shut tight, the giddy sensation surging through your body once again. You indulged in the pure delight brought by the intimate moment, letting every ounce of worry and doubt drift away into nothingness.

Although breathing became an interesting challenge with your face in Neteyam’s chest, you were thankful that he couldn't see the deep shade of purple that was definitely covering your face. It was funny how something as simple and peaceful as an embrace could hold such power to make breathing seem secondary.

Love—that overwhelming emotion—consumed you completely as you stood there, embraced within Neteyam's arms. You were so, so in love.

Time lost all meaning as you remained entwined, basking in the unrivaled closeness that enveloped you.

All your troubles, worries, and problems vanished from your mind like wisps of smoke blown away by a gentle breeze. In the gentle sways of your synchronized breaths, the world belonged exclusively to you and Neteyam. It was a wonderland of love, laughter, and endless possibilities, painting an ethereal backdrop against which your hearts proclaimed their unwavering love for one another in a language that transcended words.

Taglist <3:

@strawberryclouds22 @crazy4books1 @hlhl99 @bananafruityawne @igotmajordaddyissues @l3laze @thexplosivegirl @alexisvs-world

Previously: Part I

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