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luvv4j4ybe11 · 9 months ago

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✧ Summary~ the boys show you how much trouble your attitude is gonna get you into

✧ Warnings~ Oral (m receiving), thigh fucking, lotts of degrading, praising, readers a smart ass but teyam shuts her down, dom! Teyam and So’lek, soft(ish)dom! lo’ak, choking, size kink, fingering, marking, mentions of punishment, cliffhanger, foursome, polyamorous relationships, and I think that’s it. Lmk if I missed anything, and enjoy <33

✧ Translations~ Yawntutsyìp- Darling, little loved one, Tìyawn-love,

Your mates were all too familiar with your little “bratty episodes”, as lo’ak liked to call them. So familiar that over time, they figured out how to deal with them. But whenever you pushed too far, they would just give you a look. A look that told you to run.

So you did.

Your lungs were burning, limbs growing fatigued and weak with every step. You don’t even know how long you’ve been running for, but obviously not long enough for them to lose sight of you. Even if they did give you a 20 second head start.

The ruffles and creaks that came from the trees above you told you that two of the three of your mates were above you. Your legs pushed you faster at the realization of the only two footsteps you picked up on. ‘Where is he?’ Your mind wandered, scanning the area around you before making a sharp turn towards a nearby tree that lead to a secret path that you thought no one knew about.

You thought no one knew about it.

But that’s when you were proven wrong because of the all too familiar chest you collided with as you turned that corner, a sharp hiss leaving you at the pain stinging at your nose. You turn your gaze up slowly to see who you hit, but apparently you didn’t have to, since the ikran claw necklace that was staring right back at you told you all that you needed to know.

“Hey,mamas” the most cocky grin covered his face.

Tears filled in your eyes, not because of fear, but because of frustration. Your attempts at trying to outsmart them failed,and you knew they were going to push you to your absolute limits until you realize why you’re wrong. “Let me go. That wasn’t a fair chase and you know that, Lo’ak. You-“

“Enough.” The thick, roughness of Neteyams heavy accent made you jump, his presence startling you slightly. Lo’ak turned you around quicker before you could protest, pressing your back snug against his chest so that you were facing the two men infront of you.

They had the same smirk on their faces, making a mixture of anger and heat bundle in your core. No matter how much they irritated you, they turned you on all the same. “You put up quite the chase, yawntutsyìp, too bad we caught you so fast though.” Solek taunts, walking closer to you so he can run his fingers over your heaving chest, pinching and squeezing your breast roughly.

You bite back a whimper at the feeling, instead settling for a witty little comment instead. “Awh, do you want a sticker? Or do you want me to make you guys some cookies for being such good hunters?” Lo’ak giggled quietly at your response,but So’lek and neteyam? Eywa. You swear you could see steam coming out of their ears.

You open you mouth to say something else but you’re stopped by neteyams hand on your neck. Your faces were inches apart, his braids fell effortlessly over his shoulders and there was a deep scowl that was embedded in his features. “I said that’s enough, did I not?” His question was rhetorical, but you nodded ‘yes’ anyway.

He yanks your face somehow closer to his, growling lowly. “Use your words, babygirl.”

“Yes, you did, teyam..” you whimper.

“Hm. That’s what I thought. On your knees, now.” You aren’t even given time to respond before lo’ak takes his hands off of your arms and pushes you down onto your knees, now standing infront of you and not behind you.

A mixture of nerves and arousal pooled in your belly at the sight of all three of their huge bulges infront of you. “Relax, mama. You’ll be fine.” Lo’ak coos as he places his hand on the top of your head, the other slowly untying his loincloth. Just the sight of them looking down at you has your loincloth a mess, the hunger in their eyes awakening something primal in you.

You felt neteyam snake his hand under your jaw before he turned it towards him, rubbing the tip of his now unclothed dick against your lips. “Open.” You followed his orders automatically, sticking your tongue out and opening your mouth as wide as you could so he could use you.

Every moan and whimper that came from you made him shudder, making his thrust get sloppier. “Mhm, still can’t keep quiet even when I’m using you like this? What a noisy slut.” He murmured, eyes never leaving your tear filled ones. You glance over to the other two to see they were slowly stroking themselves as neteyam used you, tips giving a never ending stream of precum the longer they touched.

You whine softly at the sight, wanting so badly to taste their bittersweetness on your tongue, but instead you opted for (barely) wrapping your hands around them and repeating their pace. A low moan came from the both of them when your soft hand closed around their leaking dicks, making the coil in their stomachs tighten.

“Such a pretty little whore for us, yawntutsìp. Just one cock isn’t enough for you, hon? Always need three to make you satisfied, hm?.” You heard So’lek whisper before he closed his hand around your own, using it how he wanted, lo’ak doing the same to your other hand.

A muffled, “mhm..” leaves your throat, but it turns into a broken sob when Neteyam pushes his whole length into the hot, tightness of your mouth sitting there for a moment to rest into the feeling before slowly continuing his thrusts on your sensitive mouth. The sensation of him trying to get as deep into your mouth as possible has your whole body going warm and pussy leak, causing you to tighten your grip on So’lek and Lo’ak.

Each of your ears were filled with the all the little soft gags and whimpers, squelching noises, that left the four of you. You could tell they were all close because of how rough they were getting with you, and how each of their bodies seemed to grow needier and needier.

“Fuck, mama..squeezin’ me so tight..this how you want me to fuck you, tìyawn? Hm?” Lo’ak questioned, making Neteyam pull out of you mouth reluctantly and turn your face towards his brother, all three of them groaning and speeding up their pace at the sight of the spit that flowed out of your mouth and connected you to neteyams cock.

You leave soft kisses all over Lo’aks weeping tip, sucking whatever else of his juices came out of it greedily. He damn near sobs when he feels the warmth of your mouth around his tip, threading his long fingers through your hair and tugging harshly so your lips had no choice but to leave his cock.

“I asked you a question, pretty girl..” he whispered, taking your hand and wrapping it around his girthy cock, fucking into your palm mercilessly. “..this how you want me to fuck you? Hm?” A lazy, ‘yes,sir’ leaves your lips, earring you a quiet ‘good girl’ from him before he lets go of your hair, giving you the chance to put your mouth back onto him.

“Then make all of us cum, and I will, mama. You’re already being such a good girl for us, you can do it.” He coos, encouraging you to take all of him into your mouth, setting a deep, steady pace before you feel his hot, thick cum shooting towards the back of your throat. The feeling makes you moan loudly(or as loud as you could get with Neteyam in your throat.) as you closed your thighs together only to be stopped by So’lek holding your hips up so he can fuck into your already closed thighs, sending you a few more thrust before covering your thighs and the ground beneath you in his cum. The same warmth sliding down your back as neteyam came with a broken moan.

All that could be heard was heavy pants and quiet curses/praises that left each of their lips as they came down from their highs. Once they fully relaxed, Lo’ak and So’lek pulled away from you as neteyam picked you up and place you on his lap. The warmth of his body was lulling you into sleep, feeling your body already giving out on you, and almost forgetting the throbbing that was coming from your legs. Almost.

Until lo’ak rubbed small circles on your clit, sliding one finger into you effortlessly as Neteyam bit down on the soft skin of your neck. Yelps and whimpers fell from your lips with every suck and nip they left on your body, causing So’lek to let out a pleased hum before cupping your face lovingly.

“Don’t fall asleep on us now, yawntutsyìp. You know we can’t let you fall asleep without knowing you’ve learned your lesson.”

A/N~ I’m so so soooo sorry this took so long, I didn’t mean to keep my babies waiting, I’ve js been spending time with all of my pookies. But it’s time to spend time with my pookies on here, so this is my lil im sorry gift for yall😚 I hope you guys enjoyed this!! Stay safe and hydrated babies, love you!!

Duces🫶🏽,

Luvv4j4ybe11

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mcverse · 2 years ago

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ꨄ︎ Paring: Neteyam x Avatar! F! Reader

ꨄ︎ Requested: Yes/No

ꨄ︎ Type: Part 2 out of 5 (Previous/Next)

ꨄ︎ Word count: 4.4K

ꨄ︎ Warnings: Mention of death, angst, mean Neytiri & Neteyam, Lo’ak may have a slight one sided crush on reader but this isn’t a Lo’ak x reader, injured Kiri, Tiptoeing feelings, not proof read or spell checked :) switches from present to past and vice versa cuz again it’s not proof read >.<

ꨄ︎ Side Bar: Long awaited. Enjoy! Finished this with a headache >£<

please keep in mind that all characters in my stories are always 18+

“Again.”

“No, your stance is wrong.”

“Have you even been paying attention?”

You huff in frustration, lowering your bow to hold in one hand as you exam the other hand littered with blisters. It’s been hours since you’ve been at, trying to learn how to shot an unmoving target but it hasn’t been going well.

Jake said that Neteyam was a great teacher, that you would learn fast with him. It’s been 3 months and you only just got off hand to hand combat two weeks ago. You’re starting to think Jake has too much fate in his son.

“I need a break,” you whine, looking at him standing there tall and devilishly handsome with his broad shoulders and chisel chest, hidden behind crossed arms. It wasn’t a lie, you really needed one, his comments were starting to annoy you again. For your sanity, a hour apart would be good. But he wasn’t giving in.

He shakes his head, uncrossing his arms and walks over to stand next to you, “We continue, you get done quicker.” He says it like it’s the most obvious thing—and it was but you were tired, “Again.” He gestures with his head towards the target.

Sighing deeply, you get back into position. Parting you legs, raising your bow and pulling back the string, ready to let the arrow fly free. You hear him before you feel him, smacking his teeth as he circles around you to stand behind you.

“Your feet need to be wider than your shoulders,” he grumbles, using his foot to push yours further apart. Your breath hitch when his palm touches your upper back, “And your back needs to be straight,” with light pressure, he glides it down your spine and rests briefly on your lower back, right above your tail, “Hips need to be centered,” he slides his hand to your hip, firmly gripping it and putting it in the right position.

His touch leaves your body for a moment, allowing you to breath correctly for a few inhales, then returns with his body closer than he’s ever been, well, if you don’t count that one spar moment... Both his hands are on you this time, one on your hip and the other on your bicep, raising it so the bow was chest level, “There.” He whispers, “This is the proper form.”

It was hard to hear him or was it hard to focus? Either way the sound of your heart beating wildly in your chest was making it difficult. It was uncomfortable, you’ll much rather welcome deafening silence than this. Anything would be more welcoming than clammy hands and a flushed heat spreading throughout your body.

His breath fans your neck, causing goosebumps to form and you couldn’t help but to slightly turn your head to peak at him. No surprise his face was as serious as he took this training. You wonder what he looked like when he smiled? Then that made you wonder if he ever smiled and if he didn’t, would it kill him to do it once?

Doesn’t have to be at you. Though, lately you wouldn’t mind… but in general, he was so uptight.

Neteyam could feel your eyes on him, with one small turn of his head, he could be staring into them. The thought alone makes him queasy, so actually doing it might make him feel worse, “Shoot the bow.” He forces himself to focus on the training, albeit he was probably a little ahead of himself when he touched you a little more intimate than necessary minutes ago.

“Okay.” You whisper, sweeping your eyes over his face one last second before looking at the target too. You suck in sharply, exhaling in a chuckle. You will never get used to be able to breath without coughing, never. Quickly, you let the string go and time slows between you both, his hands gripping you on impulse then releases.

A loud thud echos around the area, and you stare at the target in disbelief. It hit dead in the center, you had to be hallucinating. Dropping the bow, you turn abruptly, smiling so wide your cheeks start to hurt just a little already, “Did you see that?!” your hands find placement on his shoulders as you peer up at him.

There it was, a silver of a smile. It wasn’t much, but it was proof that he could be anything but mr. stick up his ass.

“Good job,” he praises, face free of any stress he’s been holding, “Now you may rest.” He steps back from you and head in the direction of Hometree.

You cheer at that, quickly picking up your bow and chasing after him. The soft ground against your feet and the soft wind grazing your skin was two of the things you loved about pandora. It filled you with joy, never really having the chance to experience it before.

Gazing at his broad back, an overwhelming desire consumed you—to have a conversation with him, not just about your training, but to truly get to know him. Despite having train with him over the months, he ensures a distance remain, intentionally keeping it that way.

Feeling a sense of detachment and longing to understand the ways of the Na'vi, it becomes challenging when your teacher and his mother consistently give you the cold shoulder. Perhaps that is why it feels even harder for you, knowing deep down they are silently judging you, assessing your worth, and viewing you primarily as one of the sky people, failing to see your true potential.

It kills you. These are the only two individuals within the Sully family, along with a few other Na'vi in the clan, who have not yet to warm up to you. You often find solace in seeking out Jake since he relates the most and when he is not available, Kiri, as she understood you first.

The most interesting fact wasn’t even that. It was that Mo'at has gradually grown closer to you. She finds you bearable and recognizes your potential in healing after discovering you engrossed in a sky person's book one day. When you explained its contents and significance, she actually encourages you to learn healing in the ways of the Na'vi—to become adept like her people.

Since that important moment, your excitement has been growing stronger. In addition to your regular training with Neteyam, you eagerly look forward to immersing yourself in the fascinating world of Na'vi healing techniques. Understanding how Na'vi bodies work is something that truly captivates you. Sometimes you turn to Norm for guidance, even though he doesn't know everything. It makes him feel good when you include him in your learning process.

He jokingly mentions that you could be an amazing doctor if you were back on Earth.

Just the thought of becoming a doctor fills you with immense happiness. It feels like a dream come true, something you can't quite believe is within your reach. People even started calling you "Doctor" as a playful nickname, and it always brings a blush to your cheeks and a smile to your face.

However, as you approach Hometree, your spirits momentarily dampen. You witness Neteyam walk away quickly, leaving behind a lingering sense of sadness. It hurts to think that he wants to distance himself from you immediately. You weren’t a disease, at least not anymore. And even if you were, you still had feelings.

Before you have the chance to dwell on these emotions, you jolt when someone playfully jumps on your back, nearly causing you to lose your balance. The familiar laughter that follows is contagious, and you instantly recognize the source: Kiri. You return her excitement, "Kiri, you nearly knocked me off my feet," you tease, gently shrugging her off to face her directly.

"Sorry, doc. I haven't seen you since this morning," she apologizes, linking her arms with yours in a comforting gesture. "I think you called it separation anxiety before."

You nod, a small smile playing on your lips as she gives you a playful shove before pulling you closer. "You're not supposed to agree!" she pouts, her eyes filled with mock disappointment. You can't help but laugh at her adorable expression. "But how was the training?"

Her question sparks excitement within you, and your face lights up with joy. "I actually think I've discovered a hidden talent for archery. It seems I'm more skilled with a bow than in hand-to-hand combat," you share enthusiastically. As she guides you towards her home, a mix of anticipation and unease settles in your stomach. You know that entering her family's hut means facing her mother, and your relationship has always been strained. "Wait, Kiri," you try to pull away, but her unexpected strength surprises you, despite her smaller frame.

"That was quick. So, does that means you will learn to hunt now?" she asks, holding the flap of the hut open and leading you inside. As you step in, your eyes meet Neytiri's, who sits at the center of the hut, skillfully folding meat into leaves. She acknowledges Kiri's presence with a nod, her gaze briefly shifting towards you, filled with curiosity and a hint of skepticism. Neytiri questions Kiri about the meaning behind her statement as she continues with her task.

"Doc over here has shown great skill with the bow. It looks like Neteyam and her will hunting next," Kiri proudly announces your progress, a sense of pride evident in her voice as if you were her own kin. "No surprise!" she adds, unable to contain her delight.

Neytiri lets out a dismissive scoff, her face revealing a lack of amusement. She averts her gaze, refusing to acknowledge your achievements. "She's no doctor. She's not Na'vi. Her skill is nothing more than luck," she grumbles, returning her focus to the meticulous task of folding meat, seemingly unimpressed.

You tighten your hold on Kiri, your eyes locking in a silent plea for her to leave, but she remains rooted in place, visibly displeased by her mother's words. "She is a doctor. She possesses knowledge and skill like one, and if you took the time to know her instead of judging her, you would see it too." Kiri's voice carries a rare heat, her glare burning with determination. "Why can't you learn to accept her, just like you did with Dad?"

After Kiri expresses her frustration, she pulls you away from the hut, leading you back in the direction of the lab. It before the transfer, you still spend your days at the lab, as your connection with the native Na'vi remains unchanged. The realization saddens you deeply. Eywa has granted you a remarkable opportunity—a chance to immerse yourself in the ways of the Na'vi.

However, their resistance and unwillingness to embrace you weigh heavily on your heart. It doesn't matter that Eywa herself played a role in your presence here; the history of conflict between the sky people and the Na'vi still lingers with animosity towards the sky people that taints their perception.

“I’m sorry bout her…” Kiri breaks the silence you didn’t know blanketed you both, apologizing again on her mother behalf, which she does more often unfortunately. She’s ahead of you by a few feet, back turnt so you can’t see her expression but her ears flat against her head told you want you needed. She felt bad, possibly for putting you in that position again or could be something else, “I—“

You interrupt her, firmly holding her hand in yours. "I understand, Kiri," you respond, the lab coming into view. However, what truly matters to you in this moment is acknowledging your best friend's feelings. "I hate to admit that I've grown accustomed to it, but I'm grateful to have you looking out for me."

She releases your hand and playfully pushes you. "As if that's even in question. Now come on, I want to say hi to Mom," she urges, hastening towards the lab door. You both wait for a moment as Norm and Max navigate their way inside before entering. Kiri goes straight to Grace, while you settle down at one of the large computers, clicking on a simulator application.

Throughout the years, Max had been kind enough to develop a simulator of sorts, primarily for medical purposes. It allows you to practice and train, given that you can't directly attend to humans or the Na'vi. Some individuals, especially pregnant Na'vi whose anxiety is heightened due to hormonal changes, still maintain a level of caution around you, even when you're in the presence of Mo'at.

You played through 3 simulations successfully and as you were on your 4th, a voice behind you spoke, “That’s gross.” Instantly you recognized the voice to be Spider, and where spider was, Lo’ak was too.

Shaking your head, you pause the pregnancy birth simulator to spin around, looking at him tauntingly, “Then you can relate.” smiling, you get up from the chair, “except birth is beautiful and you’re just gross, now that I think bout it.”

Spider blinks before opening his mouth, about to reply but Lo’ak stops him, patting his chest with smirk on his lips, “Take the L, bro. You won’t win.” Spider slumps his shoulders at his comment, frowning as he looks off with a defeated expression.

You humph at Spider, then look at Lo’ak, “What trouble are you getting into today?” You ask, already knowing how Lo’ak and Spider worked since before you got your avatar. The could definitely get into it by themselves but the more the merry was much more fun. Your hunch was correct when a wicked smile spreads across his face, looking at you with mischief.

“You haven’t had the chance to really explore pandora life yet,” he starts, only to be cut off by a laughing Spider, grin matching Lo’ak’s,

“You saw only a small portion of pandora when you transferred, we thought you might want to come along to watch some animals for the first time?” He adds, waiting for your reply, briefly looking off to the side when Kiri comes along.

She strides over to you, leaning back onti the table of the computer and frowns with a shake of her head, “That doesn’t sound like a good idea,” she explains to them, looking at you, “This is dangerous.”

And you considered her words. You did. But only shortly. Spider and Lo’ak were right. You’ve been so busy with training with both Mo’at and Neteyam that you neglected actually exploring pandora when you now could. So it may be dangerous, but it was a chance you needed to take before being thrown back into more teachings.

“Okay. I’ll be down.” You turn back to the computer to shut it off and jump happily from your seat. Giving Kiri a an amused smile, you decide to ease her concerns. A worried expression doesn’t look good on her, “You can come along, yknow? To look out for me.”

Kiri scoffs off to the side with an eye roll, pushing herself off the table, “As if I was going to let you go by yourself to begin with.” She gestures with her head to Lo’ak, “Go on, lead the way.”

The trek to where ever they were leading you was amazing. Being stuck inside almost all your life have been nothing compared to what was outside all this time. Pandora was beautiful, you kept giving distracted and sidetracked, wanting to play with the fauna on the way. Like a toddler getting to explore for the first time , you eyes blown wide in adoration. You wanted to see everything!

“Keep up, [Name],” Lo’ak reminds you, a good five meters away, “We’re almost there!”

“Okay! I’m coming.” You get up from your crouch position, jogging over to Kiri, who is waiting for you. Giving her a smile, you grab her outreached hand and let her drag you to where the others have finally stopped, “Are we there?” You ask, letting go of Kiri's hand and brushing past Lo’ak's large frame to enter a clearing.

“Not yet,” Lo’ak grumbles, walking over to you and pointing to a large tree, “We have to start climbing now. The animal we’re going to see is dangerous. High ground is safe.” He stalks towards the tree, Spider in tow.

You don’t budge from your spot as you eye the intimidating tree, chewing on the inside of your cheek. There is only one time you have had to climb a tree, and that was when you first transferred.

It’s safe to say it didn’t end well. You didn’t break anything, but the fall was deep and you’ve been dreading having to do it again. Especially with the knowledge that it is common among forest Na’vi, who do it almost daily.

Kiri sees your dazed expression and she can’t help but chuckle to herself before clapping in your face, successfully grabbing your attention, “Baby steps, you got this.” She walks away, easily climbing the tree.

You feel like you're going to regret this as you watch her move gracefully, but you had brace yourself mentally when you approach the tree. Looking up it at the others, even Spider as they all look down at you in wait.

Quickly you inhale sharply and exhale slowly more slowly to calm your nerves and soon start to climb, struggling due to the thick width of the tree. But by Eywa, you make it to where the others are, and they smile at you proudly. Your face flushes at the attention, "Would you guys cut it out!"

The trio says nothing, only rolling their eyes before jumping to another tree branch with such speed and grace that you momentarily forget you're now part of their world as you stumble to keep balance. You know better than to look down, as you're still getting used to your new body and don't want to experience the same vertigo you felt the last time.

To your surprise, you managed to keep pace with the agile trio, gradually finding your rhythm and becoming more at ease with your movements. It was an exhilarating experience to effortlessly match their steps and mimic their fluid motions.

Amazement washed over you as you reveled in your newfound abilities. The ease with which you moved and the unhindered breaths you took left you in awe. Moving through the environment felt natural and effortless, as if you were born to be part of this world. It was a sensation that surpassed any dream you could have imagined, a reality more enchanting than your wildest fantasies.

Again, you find yourself in a precarious situation as the three of them come to a sudden halt just as you hop onto the branch they're perched on. Before you can utter a word, Lo'ak silences you with a gentle press of his finger against his lips. He motions for you to draw nearer, and you cautiously comply.

As you stand beside him, he crouches down low, his hand pointing downwards. Your breath catches in your throat as you contemplate the daunting task of looking down. However, you muster up the courage, knowing that if you were to slip and fall, they would make an effort to catch you.

You gaze in awe at the majestic Hammerhead Titanothere, a name coined by the sky people to describe these magnificent creatures. Everything in Pandora seemed to be on a grand scale, and it fascinated you. While you had some understanding of this before your transfer, experiencing it firsthand as an avatar made it even more astonishing.

Eager to get a closer look, you inch your way along a slender branch, oblivious to its slight bend under your weight. "They're so adorable!" you exclaim, your voice filled with admiration as you watch the playful antics of the baby Titanothere.

Suddenly, Spider appears behind you, and a loud snap reverberates through the area, sending shivers down your spine. Within seconds, Spider is calling out your name, but it's Lo'ak who acts swiftly, grasping your arm and knocking Kiri off balance, forcing her to cling desperately to the branch for dear life.

"Kiri!" you cry out, realizing that the attention of the Titanothere has now shifted to the four of you. Their heads lower menacingly, ready to charge. "Pull me up! Pull me up!" you plead, reaching out to grab Lo'ak with your other arm. Your priority is to reach Kiri. Although Spider is helping, the weight difference between him and Kiri makes it impossible for him to lift her to safety alone.

Finally, with Lo'ak's assistance, you regain your balance on the branch. Without wasting a moment, all of you rush towards Kiri just as the Titanothere relentlessly ram into the tree. "Shit!" Spider curses, clutching your shirt with one hand while trying to support Kiri with the other.

Kiri winces in pain as she's yanked up, her leg scraping against the rough surface in the process. Holding onto her tightly, the three of you scramble down to the base of the tree, seeking shelter from the thunderous blows reverberating through the air.

Spider's face contorts with fear as he points out the deep gash on Kiri's calf. Panic surges within you as you realize the severity of her injury.

"Kiri's hurt!" Spider exclaims, his voice trembling with concern.

Your mind races, desperately searching for a solution. "We need to get back to highcamp," you say, your voice laced with urgency. "Maybe if we wait there, the Titanothere will lose interest in us." You glance at Lo'ak, seeking his agreement. He clings to the tree, his expression cautious.

"I've never been the target of a Titanothere before," Lo'ak whispers, his voice barely audible amidst the chaos. "Let try it…" Another resounding impact shakes the ground, emphasizing the imminent danger that surrounds you.

After what feels like an eternity, the relentless assault of the Titanothere subsides. The massive creatures gradually retreat, their thunderous footsteps fading into the distance. Exhausted and relieved, you and your companions make your way back to highcamp, treading carefully through the dense foliage.

Entering the familiar hut, a wave of unease washes over you as you find Neytiri, Jake, and Neteyam gathered inside. Their expressions reveal deep concern as they take in the sight of Kiri's injured leg.

Jake's voice carries a mix of worry and authority as he demands an explanation, his arms enveloping Kiri gently as he eases her down onto a comfortable mat. His eyes search for answers, and he turns to Lo'ak, his gaze filled with expectation. "Tell me what happened," he implores, his tone urgent.

Lo'ak takes a deep breath, feeling the weight of responsibility, and proceeds to recount the events. "We thought it would be a good idea to show [Name] a Titanothere from a safe distance," he explains, briefly glancing at Neteyam, who shoots him a disapproving look, "[Name] lost her footing, and I rushed to help. Then Kiri slipped and got her injury while we were trying to help her."

Neytiri, having heard enough, rises from attending to Kiri's wound. Her gaze locks onto you, her expression of anger as she confronts you with a sharp hiss, baring her teeth threateningly, "So, this is your doing?" she accuses, her voice filled with frustration.

"Neytiri!" Jake's feeble attempt to diffuse the tension only adds to the chaos, as her fury distorts her gestures into confused jabs.

"No! A demon like you has no place near our children! It was a mistake to trust you!" Neytiri inches closer, her piercing gaze penetrating your very being. Lo'ak steps forward, assuming a defensive stance, ready to shield you from the torrent of her wrath.

"But that's not true!" Lo'ak's voice rings out with defiance, his unwavering loyalty burning bright, while you stand there, your heart pounding in your chest, aching with a mixture of guilt and despair. It feels as if the fragile bond your tried to build is quickly crumbling into irreparable pieces, and the weight of it all threatens to consume you.

"What were you thinking?!" Neteyam's voice reverberates through the tense silence as he took a bold step forward, his eyes fixed on you. The usually calm and composed warrior now leaks of an intensity that caught everyone off guard.

Stunned and at a loss for words, you stood frozen in place, your heart sinking with each passing moment. How did the situation escalate to this point? It felt as if the entire weight of Pandora's disapproval was bearing down on you, even though you were not the originator of the ill-fated idea.

Neteyam's voice carried a hint of accusation as he continues, his words laced with a mixture of anger and concern, "You're untrained. Your recklessness could have gotten her killed—all of them killed!"

Lo'ak interjects, cutting off Neteyam before he could say more, “She could have been killed too! Be thankful that neither of them are.”

Neytiri scoffs dismissively, rolling her eyes at her son's defense, "She is not part of our family. Her life holds no significance to us."

Gasps are heard all around the room, faces morphing into expressions of anger and sadness, while yours is filled with mortification at the notion of your insignificance. You didn’t matter to them. The realization that you are deemed disposable by those you hoped to gain acceptance from sends a wave of terror coursing through your veins, shattering any remaining illusions of belonging.

Lo'ak and Kiri immediately protest against their mother's callous statement. Their impassioned words, however, fall on deaf ears thanks to Neytiri's indifference. The ringing in your ears grows louder, pulsating with the ache in your chest.

Spider's firm grasp anchors you, pulling you back from the tumultuous emotions swirling around the hut. His expression reflects the gravity of the situation, mirroring the somber atmosphere that hangs heavy in the air. In that moment, you find solace in his presence, yearning to seek refuge within his small, comforting frame, away from the chaos that surrounds you.

Jake's voice breaks through the tension, "Alright, that's enough. Spider, [Name], why don't you both head back to base? I'll come visit you later." His furrowed brow reflects his dissatisfaction with the current situation, yet he takes the lead in guiding you out of the hut, despite your weakened state.

As you slowly retreat, Kiri's voice pierces the air, carrying a palpable sense of worry and remorse, "[Name], Spider," she calls out, her eyes fixed upon your diminishing figures, her voice a whispered plea for understanding and reconciliation.

Lo'ak emits a low growl from deep within his chest, his gaze locked on your form. Frustration and anger course through him, fueling his resolve to challenge the injustice of the moment. He lets out a a resounding declaration when you both disappear behind the hut flap, "This is bullshit."

Part 3 sneak peek

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randommultifandomrants · 7 months ago

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Being a girl is: wanting to go to bed early but deciding to just get on tumblr/wattpad/Ao3 for a little bit and then end up finding a fic series that you really like and read until well past your usual bedtime then keeping on because it’s already past your bedtime. Then being mad when you wake up in the morning because you overslept your timer.

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l0velysmut · 8 months ago

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family: “why are you just sitting in ur room smiling at ur phone?”

me who’s been reading smut about fictional characters for the past 6 hours:

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itshelia · 11 months ago

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Taking anti-depressant pills?? Seeing a therapist??? Journaling???? No need babe, my fav writer just dropped another x reader fic.

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cruel-seduction · 19 days ago

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It’s like a full-blown addiction, but instead of drugs or booze, it’s this fictional guy who’s got her wrapped around his finger. She knows it’s fucked up—knows she’s out here daydreaming about someone who’s not even real—but who cares? This guy? He’s everything. He’s charming in the worst ways, flawed in every possible sense, but there’s just something about him that has her hooked. He doesn’t even know she exists, but she’s ready to fight anyone who says a word against him. Seriously, she’ll defend his honor like it’s a fucking life-or-death mission.

He’s a goddamn trainwreck, but he’s her trainwreck. She’ll put up with all his baggage, his emotional scars, his dark sides, because somehow, that brokenness makes him feel more real to her than any real guy could. He’s messed up, but she’ll fix him in her head every single time. Maybe it’s that thrill of knowing he’s dangerous and untouchable that makes him even more irresistible. He might break her heart in a hundred ways, but it’s the kind of heartbreak that makes her feel alive, even if it hurts like hell.

And it’s never gonna happen, right? She knows that. He’s not gonna waltz into her life and sweep her off her feet. But it doesn’t matter. Because she gets to have him on her terms—no messy reality, no awkward first dates, no risking her heart for real. He’s always there when she needs him, in that perfect little bubble of fantasy she’s built for herself. And maybe she’s a little crazy for it, but at least with him, she’s never disappointed. Every time she replays his scenes, reads the fanfics, imagines their future together—it's like a high she can never quite shake. She knows it's all just a mindfuck, but she’s never felt more alive.

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qcswrites · 1 year ago

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Okay, you've convinced me haha I'm writing a second part :) This will be set in Neteyam's POV. Might be slightly *spicy* but we'll see👀

Sowing the seeds of love

Synopsis: You have had feelings for Lo’ak for a long time and keep trying to gain his affection. However, Lo’ak is oblivious and takes no notice of your efforts. But someone else does….

Pairing: Neteyam x Fem!Omatikaya Reader (Aged 17/18)

Content: Romance, Fluff, Drama, Angst, Friends to Lovers

Warnings: Brief description of injury.

Word count: 7.1k

Author's note: It's been a WHILE but I'm back to writing :) Hope you enjoy it! Thanks @vivid-ink for sharing your wonderful work with us :)

Also on AO3: Sowing the seeds of love

It was calm, absorbing work, you thought, as you diligently wrapped the seeds in tìhawnuwll leaves, securing the ends with care so the wrap would not unravel easily. You had woken before dawn and spent the better part of the morning on all fours, gathering every last seed. Now, your limbs ached from your earlier efforts. But…pxorna seeds were his favourite.

“Leyna! Let’s go!” His voice startled you out of your reverie. Knowing what would happen next, you quickly swiped the wrap behind you, opening your arms to receive Txep just as he barrelled into you. He was a boy of only seven years but you still grunted at the force of the impact.

“Txep, careful!” You warned, glancing back at the food wrap you had spent the last hour carefully preparing. He only pouted, “Leyna, you promised!”

“Promised what—” you began, stopping yourself when you remembered that you were meant to be taking Txep out on your ikran today. He was right, you had promised him, you thought ruefully.

“Txep, I’m sorry, I’ll take you another time, okay?” Your mother, sensing the tantrum that was bound to begin at hearing your words, swooped in, “Come, ma’parultsyip, sa’nu has prepared some yovo fruit for you.” You did not miss the pointed look she shot you over Txep’s shoulder as she gently ushered him over to the pile of peeled yovo fruit.

Looking down guiltily, you resumed your work, carefully arranging the tìhawnuwll leaves around the seeds, sealing the ends of the wrap with some lanutral resin to secure its contents.

Rising from where you had spent the last hour diligently preparing and wrapping the seeds, you ran a hasty hand across your face, wiping away the beads of perspiration that had gathered there. Your hand stopped at the band holding your hair back, fiddling with the beads, hesitating for a moment before pulling the band in a swift motion, your braids spilling across your back and framing your face. That’s better, you thought with a small smile. Sa’nok had always said you looked prettier with your hair down.

You reached for the wrap then, bidding your parents a hurried goodbye before climbing gingerly out of your swaynivi.

Your feet nimbly padded across the boughs of kelutral, your body remembering the familiar path by heart.

Steadying your breaths and patting the wrap secured at your side, you entered the Sully family alcove, greeted immediately by Mo’at, preparing a paste, hands stilling on the pestle when she saw you standing at the archway.

“Oel ngati kameie, Tsahìk,” you greeted, gazing fondly at the older woman. You had once found the woman painfully unnerving, with her enigmatic smiles and piercing stares. However, having recently become one of Mo’at’s apprentices at her request and spending many moons under her tutelage, you now found comfort in her words and even looked forward to your one-on-one lessons.

“What brings you here, my child?” she asked. “Has the txumre’ venom caused you trouble?”

“No, Tsahìk, I—” You hesitated, gently removing the wrap from where you had secured it to your body. “I wanted to bring you the pxorna seeds I had gathered earlier.”

“Ah, how kind of you,” replied Mo’at, adding after a short pause, “My grandson is preparing to leave for morning patrol, so you may want to hurry.” She nodded at the food wrap.

How did she know? Fighting the urge to defend yourself and further incriminate yourself in the process, you hurried past the older woman, not missing the wry smile on her face as she resumed her work.

Stepping into the main alcove, you finally saw the man you had been waiting to see all morning, whose face had given you strength as you performed the strenuous task of gathering the seeds earlier that morning.

“Leyna,” Lo’ak greeted, smiling handsomely at you before spotting the wrap in her hand. “Oh, what have you brought with you?”

“Oh nothing, just some pxorna seeds.”

“Pxorna seeds?” For the second time that morning, you felt yourself being pushed back with the force of another’s body as Lo’ak embraced you gleefully. “Oh, Leyna, this is why I love you!”

Great Mother, he really ought not to say such things to people in delicate states. Fighting to steady your racing heart, you patted his back gently, laughing softly at his reaction. “You and your food,” you muttered, unable to stop the fondness from creeping into your voice.

Lo’ak pulled back then to accept the carefully prepared wrap from your hands and looked down at you. You paused, waiting with bated breath as his gaze stilled. Was this the moment you had been waiting for?

“Wiya, I’m going to be late for patrol and Dad’s going to have my head.” Lo’ak turned away sharply from you, breaking the spell. “Sorry, Leyna, we’ll catch up later, okay?”

Nodding mutely, you watched as he checked for the dagger at his side before rushing out of the main alcove without a second glance. Feeling a little like the wind had been knocked out of you, you turned to leave the same way you had come before a voice stopped you.

“I like pxorna seeds too, you know?” You turned to find Neteyam watching you, his expression inscrutable as always. “Not that you ever asked.”

“There’s enough here for everyone,” you managed, after a long pause. You had played together briefly as children, but it had been a long time since you had spoken at length. Neteyam had always seemed aloof, and the closeness of your families had nothing to ease the distance.

“You know,” he began. “I love my brother—I would fight a palulukan for him—but he’s a bit of a fool, isn’t he?”

Huh. You stared at him, unable to make sense of his words.

“Morning patrol? That’s what he was thinking of?” He continued. “It’s okay to be upset, Leyna,” he added rather unhelpfully.

You finally found your words. “What would I be upset about?”

He gave you a pointed look, waiting for you to say it first.

You bristled at the implication. “By Eywa, I don’t know what it is you speak of but I should be going anyway—”

“Don’t go.” You felt a cool hand clutch at your arm as you turned away. “Stay.”

“What are you—”

“You have feelings for my brother, yes?” He raised an eyebrow at you, adjusting your face gently to look at him properly.

“That’s not any of your concern!” You shot back in a terse whisper, glancing around anxiously, as if expecting a large crowd of onlookers.

“My brother, he doesn’t see it.”

“What?”

“I don’t want to hurt you,” he added, face morphing into one of, dare you say it, concern? “But I know him like the back of my hand.”

“I should go.”

Turning away from Neteyam abruptly, you found yourself mulling over what had been your longest exchange with him since you were children, as your feet traced the familiar path to your family alcove. Patting your cheeks self-consciously before stepping into your family alcove, you let out a small noise of frustration, knowing well that the heat on your cheeks had not waned in the slightest.

***~~***

“Morning patrol? That’s what he was thinking of? The skxawng!”

“Ka’ni!” You gasped, outrage colouring your voice at your friend’s language.

“What?”

“Lo’ak is not that,” you muttered.

“How many moons have you spent together? How many times have you brought him his favourite food, now?” Ka’ni shook her head. “By Eywa, he’s a blind man if he cannot see it.”

“Would you hush?” You glanced furtively around at the others sitting by the river, noting that none had heard your friend’s outburst.

Pausing for a moment, you added, “I haven’t even told you the rest.”

“There’s more?”

“Neteyam knows,” you began, lowering your voice, “He knows about Lo’ak.”

“Oh, Neteyam.” A lazy smile stretched across Ka’ni’s face. “We were on duty together the other day. By Eywa, the man is so handsome—even hanging upside down—that I almost forgot to catch the tumpasuk berries—” She broke off into an uncontrollable fit of giggles.

“Ka’ni, focus!”

“Sorry, sorry. So, he knows?”

“Mhmm.” Catching the tail with one hand, you ran the blade of your dagger carefully under the skin, removing the scales in a swift stroke of the hand, willing yourself to not drown in the mortification that threatened to engulf you in that very moment.

“What did he say?”

“Oh Ka’ni, I was so embarrassed. Don’t make me say it. He hardly ever speaks to me but this he chooses to say.”

Your friend nudged you again, eyes beseeching.

“He said that Lo’ak ‘didn’t see it’” You finally admitted, the flush returning to your cheeks. As if your heart did not already hurt with that knowledge.

“Kurkung!”

“Ka’ni!” You admonished.

“Well, he is one,” she defended.

“Weren’t you just telling me how handsome he was?” You shot back, waggling your eyebrows at her, finding some mirth in the situation.

“What? Fine, a handsome one then!”

Before they could finish, a voice interrupted them. “Who’s the handsome one? Are you done with the fish?” One of the older women, Nikira, nodded at the mess that lay in front of you.

Flushing with embarrassment, you muttered a quick apology and resumed removing the scales with renewed vigour, not quite meeting her eyes.

***~~***

You left kelutral, hand in hand with Txep, who bounced along happily. You glanced fondly at the boy as he swung your hands between you. His excitement was palpable, as it was the longest he had ever been silent.

Txep had wanted to tame an ikran of his own from the time that he could start speaking, begging endlessly for someone to take him flying. Sa’nok and sempul had been especially protective of little Txep, long after the tawtute had been banished. Finally, he would get to ride with you on Pänu.

Pushing past the leaves in front of you, you pulled Txep forward into the clearing. Letting go of his hand, you stepped forward and emitted a familiar call, the noise gurgling in your throat. You stood in the stillness of the clearing, waiting for the telltale sound of wind whipping as your ikran swooped down from the sky, landing with a soft thud on the shorn grass beneath your feet.

Smiling fondly at the creature, you reached out to run a gentle hand across his face, “Tam tam, Pänu.” He let out a squawk, nuzzling into the palm of your hand.

“Tewti!” Came a startled exclamation from Txep. “He’s so big!”

“He is, isn’t he, Txep?” You smiled. Reaching into the pouch strapped at your side, you pulled out a chunk of yerik meat, feeding it to Pänu.

Txep eagerly accepted the yerik meat, reaching up on his toes to feed Pänu, giggling sweetly when the creature licked his palm as it fed from his hand.

“Going out flying?”

Arranging your face carefully, you turned at the sound of the familiar voice, watching Txep carefully out of the corner of your eye as he continued feeding Pänu. “Yes, we are. What’s it to you?”

Neteyam smiled faintly at your words, unfazed by the hostility in your tone. “Mind if I join?”

Before you could reply, Txep turned from Pänu, catching sight of Neteyam, a smile breaking out on his face before he ran eagerly towards the man. Shaking your head, you watched as Neteyam bent down to catch Txep in his arms. “Neteyam!” He cried gleefully.

“So, can I join?” Neteyam asked, over Txep’s shoulder. “Txep, can I come flying with you and Leyna?” Txep eagerly nodded.

Sighing at the memory of your last conversation and faced with Txep’s pleading face, you nodded tiredly.

Fetching a cloth from the pouch at your side, you beckoned Txep forward. “I’m going to wrap you tightly, okay, Txep? You’ll hold on to me the whole time.”

As you lifted Txep onto Pänu’s back, you heard the familiar sound of an ikran landing, glancing briefly at the patches of green and brown spanning its large body. Tìxtur, you remembered.

“Leyna,” Neteyam called suddenly, his voice lowered.

Sensing that he wished to speak more privately with you, you backed away from Pänu, turning to face him, a questioning expression on your face.

He twisted his hands together as he spoke. “I’m sorry, for the other day. I shouldn’t have said it.”

Your face softened slightly. “It’s okay,” you began slowly. “You didn’t say anything I didn’t already know. It’s stupid, really.”

“No, it’s not stupid. He is.”

You giggled softly despite yourself. Of all the people to soothe your broken heart, Neteyam was the last one you expected. “I didn’t know you cared. I didn’t even realise you noticed my presence. This is the longest we’ve ever spoken, you know?”

Amusement coloured his face. “I pay you plenty of attention. Maybe you are the one who doesn’t notice.”

Narrowing your eyes at the cryptic remark, you opened your mouth to respond only for him to swiftly pull down his ionar, launching Tìxtur into the sky. “Neteyam, you—”

Growling in frustration, you approached Pänu with quick strides, wrapping an impatient, squirming Txep with careful hands before making tsahyelu and urging Pänu to follow Neteyam circling the clearing above you.

“Where are you taking us?” You shouted over the winds, as Neteyam flew away from kelutral in an unfamiliar direction. The man only smiled coyly at you before seemingly urging Tìxtur to fly faster.

Txep let out a joyful squeal as you urged Pänu faster, trailing Tìxtur. Wrapping your free arm around Txep as an extra measure, you puzzled over where Neteyam was taking you, trying to catch a glimpse of a familiar sight in the blurring landscape beneath you.

When Tìxtur eventually slowed, you followed in suit, bringing Pänu to land gently. Unwrapping the cloth that bound Txep to you and placing him on the ground, you took a moment to take in your surroundings for the first time, gasping at the sight.

“By Eywa,” you breathed, eyes travelling over the vast expanse of the land around you, perfectly ensconced between towering mountain ranges on either side. Running along the centre of the land, was a river. You stepped forward, mesmerised by the sight of the water, a vivid lilac, swirling and eddying as it pushed against the rocks that littered the length of the river. You smiled, catching sight of little darts of movement in the water. Txep came forward, similarly affected, pointing excitedly at the flashes of light moving in the water.

“It’s beautiful here, Neteyam,” you praised, turning to find him beaming at you. The unfamiliar sight caused your heart to race and that traitorous blush to return. Turning away self-consciously, you patted your cheeks insistently, willing your cheeks to cool.

Txep tugged on your hand, pulling you closer along the river bank. When his eyes turned up towards you, you saw his question even before he asked. “No swimming, Txep. Look at the water. It’s going too fast.”

Txep pouted. “But, Leyna—”

“Only your feet!”

“Fine!”

You laughed softly as Txep rushed forward, before plopping himself down on the edge clumsily and sticking his feet in the water.

You suddenly felt the heat of another’s body at your back, an involuntary shiver coming over you as Neteyam breath tickled the tips of your ears. “He’s the sweetest little one I’ve ever seen.”

“You should see him when sa’nok prepares teylu, pounces like a palulukan, that one.”

Neteyam laughed amiably. “I don’t doubt it. Tuk was much the same when she was younger.”

The two of you eventually found a comfortable place by the river, content to watch Txep wiggle his toes in the water in the distance and squeal excitedly as the fish swam past him.

“How did you find this place?” You asked, after a long while of silence.

“I like to fly by myself when I can find a spare moment. I usually circle kelutral for a bit and return but one day, I just didn’t stop,” he began. “And then I found this place.”

“So, this is where you disappear off to in the evenings, then?”

He looked surprised.

“I pay attention,” you offered, feigning nonchalance.

“So you do.” He smiled.

Txep called out for them then, beckoning them over to the water.

***~~***

“Don’t you have duties to attend to?” You teased, as Neteyam’s familiar face emerged from the surrounding vegetation. For moons now, he had sought you out, sometimes while you were tutoring Txep in archery or going out for a flight. Other evenings were spent in tranquil conversation in the woods surrounding kelutral, with the two of you even making trips to the valley every so often.

“I’m a quick worker.” He looked around. “Where’s Txep, shouldn’t he be here for his lesson?”

You laughed ruefully. “Oh, Txep. He has finally tired of me and gone to play with his friends.”

“Were you going somewhere?” He nodded at your ionar, which sat ready on your forehead.

“Vitrautral,” you replied. “I was overcome this morning with the urge to seek the Great Mother’s guidance. She has called for me.”

“I’ll come with you,” he said, adding quickly, “Unless you would rather be alone?”

You shook your head, placing some distance between the two of you before emitting the call for your ikran, watching as Neteyam did the same, quickly donning his own ionar. He was a handsome sight, you could not help but think in that moment, eyes lingering on his muscled forearms as he reached to caress Tìxtur’s face gently. Oh, if only Ka’ni could see you now.

Shaking your head as if to rid yourself of the sudden, sensual realisation, you turned to face Pänu, cooing at him as you fed him. It was absurd. Neteyam did not think of you that way. Foolish, foolish girl. Hadn’t you learned your lesson already?

Had you turned around then, you would have caught the way his eyes slowly trailed the soft curves of your chest down to the dip of your waist and lean legs. But you were engrossed in the task of adjusting the saddle on Pänu and his telling gaze went unnoticed.

Climbing on Pänu’s back, you urged him to take flight, Neteyam following closely behind. Slowly, you climbed higher into the sky, leaving kelutral behind you, weaving in and out through ayram alusìng. Turning mid flight to glance at Neteyam, who smiled when he felt your gaze on him before— you gasped, as Tìxtur sped right in Pänu’s direction, stopping only seconds before collison.

“You skxawng, what was that!” You cried out, heart racing, your own fear melding with Pänu’s.

You heard his jovial laughter over the sound of wind buzzing in your ears. Shaking your head, you returned the gesture, urging Pänu to bank gently before making an abrupt turn, pushing Tìxtur right into a cool stream of water, pouring down the edge of a cliff.

You giggled, watching as Neteyam emerged, drenched completely. Spluttering, he called out, “I deserved that!”

There it was, that feeling, again. Fondness.

***~~***

Landing at vitrautral, you felt an immediate sense of contentment fall over you, keenly aware of the Great Mother’s presence around you. Patting Pänu gently as you dismounted, you glanced over at Neteyam, as he did the same.

With his back turned, you could not help but gaze at the strong set of his body, eyes lingering on the muscles flexing in his back as he tugged at the saddle, breath catching in your throat as he turned slowly, eyes slipping lower down his frame—you were doing it again, foolish girl.

You smiled softly at Neteyam as he approached you, placing your smaller hand in his firm grasp; it was just something you did now. You couldn’t pinpoint when it had started but he always reached for your hand first, sometimes just in passing, absentmindedly caressing the palm of your hand. You felt a familiar frisson of excitement at the contact, heart racing as he wound his fingers through yours. No, not again.

Neteyam led you across the base of the tree, nimbly skipping over the dense network of roots that covered the forest floor. A comfortable silence settled between the two of you as you let your palm slip from his grasp, approaching a cluster of bioluminescent tendrils which swayed gently in the cool evening breeze.

Closing your eyes, you reached behind you for your neural queue, fingers brushing gently down the length of your braid until your fingertips felt the curling tendrils at the end. You brought it forward, eyes briefly opening to watch as the tendrils of your queue melded with that of the tree, both glowing brighter for a moment before settling. Tsaheylu. You took in slow, easy breaths as the familiar sensation settled over you.

You opened your eyes then, eyes adjusting to the changed surroundings, which took on a dreamlike quality, shimmering gently in the fading light of the evening, almost as if you were watching the scene unfolding before you from afar as if it were a—what was it that the olo’eyktan called it? A ‘movie’, that was it.

“Kaltxì, ma’evi. I was beginning to think you had forgotten me.”

You turned sharply, to find yourself faced with an older woman, eyes crinkling as a bright smile graced her face.

“Grandmother,” you cried softly, running into her waiting arms, slotting yourself in the comfort of her embrace. How was it possible that she still smelled the way she always had in life? You breathed in her scent, a comforting blend of spices and apxangrr flour flooding your nostrils. Memories of afternoons spent at her side as child, ‘helping’ her prepare an assortment of cakes for the family rushed to the surface. “I could never forget you. Ngaytxoa, I should have come sooner.”

“Mawey, I am not upset, child,” she said softly. “You are young and you have your own life to live. Let me look at you.” You felt her gently untangle your arms and step back, eyes raking over you not unkindly.

“You look well, child,” she said finally. “You have grown into a beautiful young woman.”

“Irayo,” you managed, squirming slightly under her scrutiny. “I have missed you, Grandmother.”

Reaching for your hands, she invited you to kneel on the ground, coming to sit by your side, brushing back your braids gently with a smile. “I have missed you too, my child.”

Clearing your throat, you began, “I felt the Great Mother’s call. In truth, I have felt her call for many moons now.”

“The Great Mother senses your reluctance, child,” said your grandmother. “There is nothing to fear, she has a path for you, as does she for all her children.”

Feeling slightly chided, you nodded. “I am not a warrior, Grandmother. I have always known that.”

“No, that you are not, child. But your training with the tsahìk has been going well, has it not?”

Eyebrows furrowing in confusion, you nodded slowly. “It has, so I am to be a healer, then?”

A wry smile came across your grandmother. “All things will be revealed in their own time, child. You must be patient and trust in the Great Mother.”

A comfortable silence settled over the pair of you, as you mulled over the implications of her words. You longed for clarity that you knew you would not receive, not yet. But, you trusted in the Great Mother, and had faith that she would not lead you astray. But another thought niggled at you, emerging from the deep recesses of your mind, taunting you once more.

Breathing slowly, you spoke, voice soft, almost inaudible, “And love? Will I have that?”

You could not meet her eyes as you asked the question, eyes trained firmly on your hands instead which twisted nervously in your lap.

Your grandmother’s tinkling laugh reached your ears then. “Am I to be alone then? U-unmated?” You joked, the stutter in your voice undercutting your attempt at nonchalance.

You felt a cool hand caressing your chin, tilting your head to the side. Eyes trained on you, your grandmother spoke again, “I can only tell you what Great Mother wishes for you to know. But your heart need not be so heavy, child. Know that you will not be alone.”

A hopeful glimmer shone in your eyes. “I will find love, then?”

She laughed softly in response, brushing her hand fondly across the curve of your cheek. “Oh child, there is so much yet that you do not understand.”

She stood then, hand slipping from your face as she moved to stand. A sudden panic enveloped you as you noticed the edges of her form flickering, the radiance of her image dullening. You jumped to your feet, reaching for her again, catching her fading hand in yours. “Grandmother—”

“I must go now, child.” She squeezed your hand gently. “But, to answer your question…you already have it.”

“Have what—” You never got to finish the question as her form slipped from your grasp, vanishing into thin air, your palm tingling where her warm hand had rested only seconds ago. You felt a sudden pull then, almost as if someone were dragging your body underwater, the ambient sounds of the forest growing muffled and your vision blurring, sending another surge of panic through you as you fought against the force.

Gasping for breath, you came to on the forest floor, chest heaving as you took in your surroundings. You were no longer knelt on the ground and as the rest of your senses returned, you felt a strong chest at your back and muscled arms holding you in a firm embrace. “Oh, Leyna,” you heard Neteyam say, his relief palpable. “You scared me.”

You froze as a warm pair of lips pressed against your forehead. “I’m okay,” you croaked, hands coming around to brush against his own where they gripped your waist. “What happened?”

Neteyam let out a shuddering breath, his disquiet evident. “I was praying, then I looked over at you. I knew something was wrong from the way you were shivering. And then, you starting shaking. You—” He broke off with a harsh intake of breath. “You should have seen yourself. Your eyes were open, but you were not seeing anything. I was so scared, I pulled you away.” He nodded at the cluster of bioluminescent tendrils where you had been connected to before, and the end of your braid which lay limply on the forest floor.

Heart clenching at the pain in his voice, you turned in his arms, nuzzling into the crook of his neck. “It’s okay, it’s okay,” you murmured. “I’m here.” You pressed yourself as close as possible to the warmth of his body, feeling his breaths tickle the tips of your ears as he melted into your embrace. Breathing in his familiar scent, you felt a calm wash over you, hoping he gleaned the same comfort in turn from the closeness of your bodies.

You already have it, a hallowed voice whispered.

***~~***

You stood at the gates leading to kelutral, body thrumming with anticipation, accompanied by the other apprentices and a throng of eager spectators awaiting the arrival of the hunting party.

*FLASHBACK*

A shawl wrapped firmly around your shoulders, you quickly descended the central staircase of kelutral. The sky was still dark, the path to the pa’li pen only dimly lit by flickering flames at regular posts. You were normally not an early riser, but today was different. Dawn marked the start of the Great Hunt, and the hunting party would ride out to the river beds encircling kelutral soon.

As second-in-command, Neteyam was due to lead the hunting party in preparation for his eventual assumption of the duties of the leader of the clan. Neteyam was an accomplished hunter with impeccable precision in his aim; you had no doubt that he would succeed in procuring a handsome volume of talioang meat for the clan. It was more so the general chaos that ensued during these hunts that filled your heart with fear. It was not uncommon for hunters to be knocked off their pa’li, or even trampled brutally to the death.

And so, you found yourself sneaking out in the darkness to meet him once more before dawn. Your plans for a clandestine meeting had almost been foiled by Txep; the boy had always been a light-sleeper. Your heart had caught in your throat as he shifted. By the Great Mother’s grace, he had stilled, the sound of his soft snores resuming.

You neared the pa’li pen now, the growing din of voices signalling their presence. Your eyes searched furtively for Neteyam, confusion growing as you failed to locate him.

A hand touched the small of your back then, and you did not need to turn to know who it was. “Neteyam,” you breathed, a smile breaking out on your face. The sight of his handsome face almost instantly assuaging the anxiety that had plagued you in the hours before, turning restlessly in your hammock.

“Leyna,” he greeted, reaching for your hand to lead you away from the rest of the group.

Secluded from prying eyes, you reached for him, arms winding around his broad chest, feeling irrationally annoyed at the firm material of his cummerbund which deprived you of fully feeling his skin against yours. You did not realise it, but your hands were quivering slightly where they gripped the skin of his back.

“Paskalin,” he crooned. “You are shaking.”

“I’m just worried,” you mumbled into the skin of his chest. “It’s dangerous.”

“I know, I know,” he murmured, tightening his hold on you. “But I always come back.”

You said nothing in response, too distracted by the glorious feeling of being in his arms. The affectionate names, embraces, kisses on foreheads and cheeks. Surely, you were not the only one who felt something shifting between the two of you? Your relationship had spent many weeks, many moons really, now teetering on the edge of friendship and something more.

His voice interrupted your stream of thoughts. “Paskalin,” he called again, urging you to look at him. “Do you trust me?”

“Of course.”

“Then, trust that I will come back—” Sensing your immediate objection, he added, “—in good health.”

*END OF FLASHBACK*

The hunting party was late. Dusk was falling rapidly and the air was bereft of the jubilant cries of the returning party, as they transported the day’s kills back to kelutral in preparation for the feast. With every minute that passed in silence, the sense of foreboding that had plagued you since the night before grew more heightened.

“Be calm, sister,” said Olin, one the other apprentices. “They will return soon.”

You, along with Mo’at’s other apprentices, had spent the better part of the last few weeks preparing healing salves, brews and other implements in preparation for this day. But still, it did not feel enough. Something terrible had happened.

Finally, the ground beneath your feet thrummed with vibrations from the pa’li and you heard the distant calls of the hunting party. A sigh of relief was shared by the group waiting at the gates.

But, when the returning party became visible, your eyes narrowed. Lo’ak was in the front, leading the party, a grim expression on his face. No, no, no, no.

You strode up to the group as they closed in on the gates. “Where is Neteyam?” You demanded, eyes flitting back and forth, scanning for his familiar face. The group parted in the middle slowly, revealing a lone pa’li with—you gasped—Neteyam’s prone body flung across its back. The rider shared Lo’ak’s pained expression as he slowly pulled Neteyam’s body down from the pa’li. You walked slowly towards him, an almost other-worldly experience, as the rest of the world blurred and grew muted in the wake of your horror.

“Neteyam,” you cried softly, kneeling down on the ground next to his form, caressing his face, willing him to wake at the sound of your voice. You felt a wetness drip onto your leg, looking down to see the red liquid drip from his side down to where your knees were pressed against him. A sudden rage flared low in your belly as you perceived the cause of his condition: an arrow lodged in his side.

Standing quickly, you rounded on the group, fury blazing your golden orbs as you addressed them. “Who did this?”

Slowly, with trepidation, one of the men stepped forward, Iren, his stricken expression as good as a confession. “You!” You cried, approaching him in quick strides, only to be obstructed by a solid chest as Lo’ak stopped you, his hands gentle but firm. “Leyna,” he warned. “It was a mistake. He did not mean—”

Snarling, you turned, gesturing for two of the hunters to come closer. “Carry him to the healer’s alcove. He is losing blood while we waste time.”

Iren stepped forward, a silent offer to help on his lips.

Shielding Neteyam’s body with your own, you shook your head furiously. “Kehe,” you hissed. “You have done enough.”

Not waiting to hear his response, you turned to follow the men carrying Neteyam, Olin and the other apprentices close on your heels. Anger was good. Better than the horror that threatened to swallow you whole.

***~~***

With trembling hands, you brushed the fletching of the arrow, knowing what had to be done but grimacing at the thought nonetheless. You wished more than ever that Mo’at was here to guide you but she lay prone on the other side of the wall, having been afflicted herself with a searing fever a few nights before the hunt, and still only in the early stages of recovery. You have trained for this. You can do this.

“Olin,” you guided. “Hold his chest steady as I remove the arrow. He will wake when I start to pull it out and he will shift as it comes out. Any movement could dislodge the arrow and cause more damage.”

Olin nodded slowly, settling her hands on either side of his neck and pressing down with enough force to keep him still. Taking in a deep breath, you began tugging the arrow out of where it had buried itself in Neteyam’s flesh.

He woke soon with a pained moan, hand coming to grip your side painfully as Olin held him down.

With a final pull, you removed the arrow in its entirety, flinging it to the side and reaching for the clean cloths you had laid out by his side. Within seconds, the cloth was soaked with this blood and your heart raced as you reached for more cloths. You sent a silent prayer to Eywa as you knelt by his side. Please save him, I can’t do this without him. I love him.

After what felt like an eternity, you felt the bleeding slow at the site of the wound, noting with relief that he was breathing more steadily than he had been before. Applying a cleansing salve to the site, you fetched your stitching implements. Fortunately, Neteyam had drifted off as the blood clotted at the wound site.

Olin resumed her spot at his side, prepared to restrain him if he woke while you began carefully stitching the wound closed. But, he did not stir, finally succumbing to the exhaustion of the day and his injury. After cleaning and applying a dressing, you slumped back against the alcove wall, feeling drained of almost everything you had.

Just as you closed your eyes, you were startled by the sound of clattering feet as a group of the younger girls burst into the alcove space where you had been treating Neteyam.

“By Eywa, he’s alive!”

“He’s still so handsome, even when he’s hurt!”

“—what a stupid thing to say, how could you—”

Having heard enough of their insipid bickering, you cleared your throat. When they did not hear, you raised your voice, anger flaring once more, “Have your sa’sem not raised you to know better? He is a person, not a piece of meat. Ogling at the man while he lays in his sickbed. Get out, GET OUT!”

Throat hoarse from shouting, you fell back against the alcove wall, body slipping down its surface until you reached the floor. The girls left the alcove, duly chastened, and you let out a sigh of relief. Neteyam appeared undisturbed, slumbering peacefully in the corner.

Crawling over to his form, you knelt by his side again, gently brushing back his braids, tears welling in your eyes as you took in the sight of his face, complexion pallid from blood loss.

Unable to stop yourself, you whispered the words that had rattled in your chest for moons, desperate for release. “Nga yawne lu oer.”

***~~***

You diligently gathered the cloths soiled from his blood which lay strewn haphazardly across the alcove floor. You gathered each one before placing it in the wash basket to be taken to the river the next morning.

The family had been to visit Neteyam in the hours since his injury. After catching the stricken expressions on their faces when Neteyam slept through the entire visit, you sent them away, promising that you would call for them when he woke. You had sent Olin away too, seeing no reason for the two of you to go hungry when there was an abundance of taliolang meat being prepared for the feast. In truth, you could not stomach anything if you tried.

To pass the time, you had begun chopping up roots to be added to your stores of healing salves. The roots were strangely-shaped, sharp thorns littering their sides, making it a task that required strict concentration which suited you just fine. Anything to distract yourself from the unconscious man in the corner of the alcove.

So engrossed in your work, that you did not catch the beginnings of the man stirring as he woke. Only when his pained moans reached your ears did you become aware of his state of wakefulness.

Abandoning the heap of roots on the chopping board, you sprung forward.

“Neteyam,” you cried, reaching his side. “No, don’t pull yourself up just yet. You’ll tear the stitches at your side!”

Backing down, he relaxed against the alcove floor. “What happened?” He croaked, voice gravelly from disuse.

Biting your lip, you hesitated. “You were shot.”

Confusion coloured his face, “I was shot?”

Willing yourself not to give into the blinding rage that had consumed you before, you continued, “You were shot by one of the other hunters.”

“By mistake,” you added, grimacing internally when it came out as a hiss.

“Can I guess?” He asked. “Was it Iren?”

You gasped, “How did you know?”

Sighing, he continued, “Iren is, well, not the best shot. I have worked with him for many moons now—” He coughed. “—but he is a slow learner.”

“Then why did you allow him to join the hunt?”

He shot you a pointed look. “He needs to learn, paskalin.”

“He almost killed you,” you hissed. “He deserves to have his bow snapped in half!”

Neteyam, paying no mind to your instructions, lifted himself up into a sitting position.

“What are you doing—”

“Leyna,” he sighed. “You’re being cruel. He’s a boy, still. He will make mistakes and he will learn.”

You felt a fresh surge of anger at his words. “I’m being cruel? He can go make his mistakes on someone else, then! Because, I can’t lose you—” You broke off with a hitching sob. “—there was so much blood. I thought you were gone and I can’t—” You felt strong arms pull you forward.

“Neteyam,” you protested, trying to shift away. “Your wound—”

“It can wait,” he said hotly. “Stay.”

You acquiesced, nuzzling into the crook of his neck, crying with abandon now.

“It’s okay, yawntu,” he murmured, rubbing your back in slow circles. “I’m here, I’m okay.”

Relishing the feel of his embrace, you breathed in his familiar scent. Thank you, Great Mother. You felt your eyelids grow heavy, at ease for the first time in many hours.

Moments before you slipped into a slumber, his voice stopped you. “I love you too.”

“What?” Your eyes blinked open, startled.

Pulling back to look at you, “I love you too, paskalin” he repeated, a smile growing on his face.

Comprehension dawned on you. “You heard me.”

“I did. Did you not mean for me to know? Or was it for someone else?” He teased.

“You—you’re unbelievable,” you laughed softly. “So, is that—I mean, are we—”

“Are we courting?” He waggled his eyebrows, wincing slightly from the pain as he shifted his body.

“Careful,” you chided. “And yes, that,” you added, squirming under the heat of his gaze, which was positively lascivious now.

He did not respond, choosing instead to press his lips against yours. You laughed softly against his lips, sighing as they moved to trail across your skin, moving slowly down the slender curve of your neck.

“Neteyam,” you sighed, flushed from the heat of his kisses.

“You really shouldn’t say my name like that,” he murmured against your skin. “It’ll give me ideas.”

Pulling his head back up, you fused your lips with his again in a searing kiss, feeling a pulsing want between your legs. A pleasurable heat coursed through your body, and you were consumed by the need to press yourself completely against his body, to remove the fabrics that lay between you, to be nake—Neteyam let out a pained gasp.

You pulled back sharply, hands running down his body, checking for further injury. “I’m so sorry,” you said softly. “I shouldn’t have—I got carried away.”

“You don’t ever apologise for that,” he laughed softly. “I’m okay, see?”

You were not convinced, backing away from his body, not trusting yourself to keep from hurting him.

“Don’t do that,” he pouted. “Come back.”

“No,” you said firmly. “Actually, no more kissing until you’ve recovered.”

That earned another round of complaints from him. You laughed, turning your back to him as you resumed restocking the medicinal stores. Neteyam loved you. You smiled quietly to yourself as you cleared the space, and arranged the medicinal packs carefully along the space in the wall.

“You know,” he said, after a brief silence. “I wouldn’t take offence if you felt the need to do some ogling.”

“What?”

“I’m just saying,” he continued, trying and failing to contain a smile. “Since kissing’s off the table and all that—”

“Y-you heard that?” You narrowed your eyes at him. “Just how long were you asleep for, then?”

“Can’t say.”

“Neteyam.”

“I could be your piece of meat,” he added in a lilting voice.

“Au, you’re ridiculous.”

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