sullefx

[sullefx]

𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞~ 𝐦𝐲 𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐱! 𝐢’𝐦 𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢’𝐦 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐨 𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐟𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐬 𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐄𝐑 𝐨𝐨𝐜 😢 𝐞𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐲, 𝐢’𝐦 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐥𝐥!   

                                                       ✿  - fluff  

                                                      ✦ - angst  

                                                     ❖ - mature 

moonlight ❧ neytiri x fem!na’vi  ✿ ✦

[sullefx]

— 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘣𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘴

the deets — in which you, a quiet healer in the tribe, have the biggest crush on the upcoming leader. sometimes you think the feelings could be mutual. until one night in the glowing forest shatters that.

the who — neteyam x fem omaticaya!reader

the word count — like 7.6k (jesus h. christ)

the tags — idiots-to-lovers (it's teyam, he's the dummy), childhood friends-to-lovers, one-sided pining (reader is a softie).

the warnings — language, a lil kithy kithy, neteyam's emotionally constipated, but he redeems himself! reader's kind of a pushover, but it comes full circle!

the notes — first post for avatar & i'm really excited but a lil nervous bc like ??? i haven't written fanfic in SO long. i imagine neteyam & reader to be a few years older in this fic (eighteen or nineteen), but at the same time the circumstances could fit their current age as well. finally, this is written in a heinous blend of second / third. don't know how to explain, but i think it flows okay? if you like it please leave a request or let's have a chat! (also barely proofread oops).

YOU AND NETEYAM HAVE ALWAYS BEEN IN DISTANT ORBIT. Many would argue the two of you are cut from the same cloth; quiet, noble, mature, but you couldn't feel even more disconnected from the tribe's golden boy even if a chasm would crack the earth between you.

It's why you think it's silly that you'd develop such a yearning, your heart thudding like a war drum every time his amber eyes flit to yours. There's never any weight to his gaze, just fleeting glances among frequent observation, but you can't help but stare.

It doesn't help that his youngest siblings cling to you like a second and third skin, chattering excitedly about whatever piques their immediate interest. You just listen and hum your acknowledgements, a comfort to the two as you move through your studies.

Oftentimes he's sent to fetch his siblings, clearing his throat outside of the tent's flaps to announce himself, then wiggling a few fingers through the opening before peering in.

He's always in a hurry, never biting when you offer him opportunities to linger. You understand, how busy it can be when the whole clan begins to rely on you. So you bask in the short-lived moments in his space, skin scented with salt and the tang of the foliage.

But there are moments when you truly think he sees you. When you cross paths during clan meals, and the smallest of smiles twitches in his lips when you cut fruit and he's the first you offer to. When it's time to train to shoot your bows and he adjusts your form with a brief brush of his fingers on your elbow. When all of the older healers are unavailable and he shyly peeks his head into your tent for a quick patch up.

Nevermind the small tells stored in your short-term, but the little slivers of time when you were both growing into yourselves. When you were seven and he'd carried you to the elders when you hurt yourself. When some of the older kids in the clan would pick on you for keeping to yourself and he'd tell them that it was unbecoming and cowardly to pick on someone weaker than them. When he picked a flower during a group excursion into the deep depths of the forest and stuck the glowing stem in your satchel.

You had fallen so hard for Neteyam and your only hope is that he'd be at the end of the fall to catch you.

“You're not listening, ________!” Tuk whines and you look up from the scrolls you unfurled from the basket moments before she walked in.

“Sorry,” you murmur. “I have a lot on my mind.”

There's a small giggle from somewhere else in the tent and you peer from Tuk to Kiri who beads an anklet on her own.

“Yeah, like big brother,” Tuk teases, turning her attention back to her own beadwork.

Kiri's face splits into a grin.

“You've been lost in thought a lot more recently,” she observes. “Could Tuk be correct?”

You don't bother to deny it, the obvious flush in your cheeks a dead giveaway. Kiri's always been perceptive and the more you fight her on it, the longer she'll draw it out.

“I think it's worth a shot,” Kiri says. “Neteyam’s always had a soft spot for you.”

It's a million degrees hotter in the tent.

“You don't have to do that,” you say quietly, slouching in your seat.

“Do what?” Kiri challenges.

“Pretend I have a chance.”

Kiri makes a face.

“You do!” she argues. “Neteyam's just shy.”

You're silent for a moment, fingers twitching over a tear in the scroll. You want to believe her, tell her that you think it could be worth a shot, too. But you scent him before you hear him, and then you hear him before you see him.

Four blue fingers wiggle in the tent's opening before Neteyam is poking his head inside.

“Tuk? Kiri?” his voice rumbles. “Ready?”

Kiri glances at you as she stands to her feet and begins gathering her things. Her eyebrows do a little dance, eyes widening as she tilts her head discreetly to her brother.

“I'll see you,” you say quietly, patting Tuk on the back of her leg as she drops her finished anklet in your lap and giggles at you.

You follow their movements as they exit the tent through where Neteyam holds the flap open for them patiently.

He simply lifts a hand as a silent greeting and you wait until they're out of sight and earshot to expel the breath you'd been holding and slump down on your pillow.

In hindsight, you should have been more careful. Neteyam was a skillful hunter, the tribe's best warrior after his father. It's only normal that he'd be in the dense forest when you were plucking flowers and herbs for your salves, speaking quietly to Eywa about your concerns.

“Please, Great Mother,” you whisper, the woodsprites caressing the skin of your arms. "Please give me a sign, any form of motivation to be brave about my feelings."

The grass below your toes lights up and tickles the pads of your fingers as you pluck the glowing flowers.

There's a trail of them, purple and pink, and you pluck and pluck and pluck until you're led to the mouth of a clearing.

Something salty and tangy circles your figure and like usual, you scent him before you see him. When your gaze latches onto his lithe figure, you grin a little, lips parting to announce yourself. This must be your sign, of how vast and great the forests are surrounding your looming home tree, it must be fate that you stumble upon him at this hour.

But his name dies on your tongue when he shifts and you see the silhouette of another pressed to his side.

It's another Omaticaya girl, pretty and tall. You'd know her anywhere, the waves of her thick hair, the tinkle of her dainty laugh. But she is fierce all the same, far from perfect, but gritty enough that it doesn't matter.

Te'feyra draws a bow and one of Neteyam's hands come up to adjust her front grasp, fingers closing over hers and the arrow.

“Steady hands to make up for the recoil,” he says softly and your heart is in your throat.

He's engulfing her as she takes her aim and sends the arrow flying through the air.

Somewhere unknown to you, the arrow sticks its landing and Te'feyra jumps excitedly, pressing her lips to Neteyam's briefly.

You back away from the clearing, eyes burning as you fist the flowers so hard they wilt in your hands. A twig snaps underneath your weight and from your distance, you see the glow of Neteyam and Te'feyra's eyes through the brush.

You take off running without a single word, and despite your stomach tearing itself to ribbons, you thank Eywa for the clarity.

“Something's wrong,” Kiri says to you days later.

Instead of the tent, you two are sitting on opposing branches of a thick tree, observing the flora and fauna of your corner of the forest. You decide that you need some time away from the bustle of the clan's circle and venture off into the opposite side of the woods.

“Why do you say?” you wonder, scribbling onto one of your scrolls.

“You're naturally quiet, I get that, but the past few days, I feel like I've been in the presence of the dead,” she sighs, staring down at you from the branch above. “And Ewya's given me the feeling that all may not be well with you.”

You lick your teeth, then roll your lips nervously.

“I told you Neteyam didn't like me,” you admit.

Kiri's eyebrows furrow.

“What are you talking about?”

“I saw him,” you sigh, fiddling with your pen. “In the forest with Te'feyra. She kissed him.”

Kiri curses under her breath.

“This is stupid,” she huffs. “He's just being stupid. Neteyam likes you and I'm going to prove it.”

You open your mouth to protest, but Kiri's already jumping down from the branches of the tree and dragging you with her through the darkening forest.

“Kiri, this isn't necessary,” you finally pipe up. “It's okay if the feeling isn't mutual, I never expected it to be.”

Kiri stops in her tracks and her pinched face softens, braids swinging by the set of her jaw.

“________, we all grew up together,” she says softly. “I know my brother, and I know you. You two belong together, I feel it.”

You swallow around nothing, allowing her to drag you through the forest and back into the clan's main circle.

“Hey, Kiri! ________, where are you two headed off to in such a rush?” one of the elders calls from where they're working on tools.

Kiri smiles politely.

“Very important business,” she replies quickly, fingers tightening around your wrist to pull you across the grass.

You stop in front of their family's hometree and Kiri guides you through vines and steep inclines before pausing in front of their family's tent.

Lo'ak's voice sounds from within, whiny and irritated.

“Bro, are you being serious right now?” he squeaks and Neteyam grunts, obviously bored.

“Frankly, Lo'ak this has nothing to do with you,” he says.

“Dude, yes it does,” Lo'ak argues. “You've inadvertently involved everyone in this affair because you won't get your head out of your ass for three seconds and just admit that you like her.”

“I don't like, ________,” he says simply and Kiri freezes in front of you.

You chew the inside of your cheek, fingers twitching in Kiri's loosened hold.

“Who are you trying to convince?” Lo'ak moans. “You're really going to commit to Te'feyra even though you have no interest in her?”

“Te'feyra is a great huntress,” Neteyam says simply. “She's well-loved, a strong leader. What's there not to like?”

“________ is all of those things,” Lo'ak says. “She's a talented healer, always patches you up when you get yourself in trouble. The clan loves her, Tuk and Kiri love her, Mom and Dad love her.”

“The clan barely knows that ________ exists,” Neteyam says and you wince.

Kiri makes a move to infiltrate the heated conversation, but you put a hand on her shoulder and shake your head.

“Dude, that's low,” Lo'ak scoffs in disbelief.

“________ is a sweet girl, but she's weak. She's hollow and does what she's told. I wouldn't want to spend my life bonded to someone so passive,” Neteyam says plainly and Lo'ak lets out an exasperated hiss.

“You're kidding right? ________ is amazing,” Lo'ak challenges. “She's quiet, but she's caring. She's resilient and intelligent and anyone would be lucky to be bonded to someone like her, your stupid ass included.”

“Maybe you should focus more on training for your rite rather than trying to play matchmaker,” Neteyam says, showing the first signs of annoyance.

“You just won't admit that for the first time you're scared,” Lo'ak finally says.

Everything seems to still and Lo'ak presses on.

“Everyone loves you, you're the clan's golden child and you can do no wrong. You like ________ so much, but you're afraid that you'll let her down,” Lo'ak says fiercely. “But you don't realize that being a pussy about your feelings is the ultimate let down!”

“You'd know a lot about being a let down, wouldn't you,” Neteyam grumbles.

There's a split second of silence before Neteyam lets out a loud grunt of pain. The flap to their tent flies open and Lo'ak freezes before you and Kiri.

His eyes meet yours and his gaze softens before stalking past.

Neteyam stands stunned in the middle of the tent, lip bruised and bleeding. His gaze swings to the arch way, face falling when he finds you standing behind his younger sister.

“Wanna go swimming?” Tuk asks you the next evening, after dinner.

You smile down at her weakly, heart melting when she pets your hand. You can't deny her, nodding gently as you stand from where you're sitting on the outer circle of the scattered clan.

“Carry me?” she asks sweetly.

You heave her up with a grunt and she grins at you, playing with one of the braids in your hair. Her small fingers caress the skin of your cheek and you blink when she ghosts over your eyelid.

“Pretty,” she whispers, head nestling on your shoulder.

“I think you're prettier,” you tell her, readjusting her growing form as you walk through the brush, towards the rush of the waterfall.

You don't realize that there's a set of eyes on you, watching as you disappear through the trees with Tuk.

The cliff that houses the waterfall towers above you two in a semicircle, the water rippling gently as Tuk squirms from your grasp and splashes through the shallow pool.

“Stay close, Tuk,” you coo, toes wiggling through the pebbles washed up on the tiny shore.

“I've been practicing!” Tuk tells you. “Wanna see how long I can hold my breath under water?”

“Stay in shallow waters,” you advise her, wading into the pool until you're waist deep.

Tuk dramatically inhales and then sinks down under the surface. Something cracks in the distance and you glance around, met with the stillness of the forest and the chirp of bugs.

When you turn your attention back to Tuk, you smile fondly as you wait for her to emerge, counting the seconds diligently to report to her chubby cheeks.

Fifteen pass, then thirty. Your smile begins to fade as your arms feel around in the water around you.

“Tuk?” you call out, chest tightening when you're met with the subtle rush of the glittering cascade from the waterfall up above.

You push forward in the water until your chin touches the surface.

“Tuktirey!” you shout, thrashing around the pool, searching for her tiny frame through the illumination. “Tuk!”

Your toes lose purchase as the water deepens and you begin to panic without the youngest Sully in sight. You turn when you hear a splash, Tuk giggling on the shore.

Your stomach churns hard and Tuk's face falls when she sees your panicked expression.

“Tuk, I-I can't swim well!” you cry out, legs flailing as you splash through the water. You try to dig your toes in the earth below, but you're just shy of the mark.

Tuk looks scared on the shore, fidgeting as she looks around desperately.

“You're too deep, ________!” Tuk whines, voice laced with tears.

Your legs ache, head lolling under the water for a moment before you emerge with a splutter.

“Get– Go get help!” you instruct her, feeling your calves begin to burn as you try to keep yourself afloat. You don't know how long you'll be able to tread water. “I'll be okay, little one. Hurry!”

Tuk turns, picking up her satchel as she makes way for the path you took. When she's out of sight, you fall slack, chest heaving as you try to use your skinny arms to paddle at the water.

Meanwhile, Tuktirey runs through the forest, tears spilling down her rounded cheeks as she trips over sprawling roots and nudges low-hanging vines from the pathway.

She skids to a stop when Neteyam, who had finally worked up the nerve to excuse himself from dinner, comes into view.

He turns when he hears her wailing, face scrunching when he registers his youngest sibling's anguish.

“Tuk, wha—”

She grabs at his hands, tugging him towards the path to the waterfall.

“________ needs help!” she cries. “She can't swim!”

Neteyam's ears prick at the mention of your name, scooping up his youngest sibling in his arms before breaking into a sprint through the brush of the brightening forest. The woodsprites begin to emerge and he barrels into the clearing of the waterfall breathlessly.

It's still, like it's been untouched and his heart hammers nervously in his chest, eyes searching the pool for any sign of you.

He's setting Tuk down quickly before splash desperately into the water.

“_______!” he calls.

He ducks underneath the surface, eyes open wide as he searches for you. And there you are, body slack as you sink slowly to the bottom of the rocky pool.

He dives forward, lungs burning as he cuts through the waters with lean arms. His fingers circle one of your wrists, the other hand winding around your waist as he propels you two up above the water. He chokes on a breath, hand coming up to touch your face.

Your head lolls to the side, eyes shut as Neteyam holds you close.

“Neteyam!” Te'feyra calls from the shore, having followed him after being rebuffed during dinner.

Kiri and Lo'ak are close behind, eyes wide when they see their eldest brother wading quickly through the waters with your unconscious form in his arms.

“Neteyam,” Te'feyra repeats, hand coming to grasp his bicep.

“Not now,” he grunts, tugging his arm from her grasp to march through the brush of the forest.

Woodsprites surround you two as he takes you back to the village, a silent plea to the Great Mother not to take you away weighing heavy on his lips.

You awake to a shining sun and a wet towel on your head. You squint against the beaming light and sit up abruptly as the prior night dawns you like a swift strike to the gut.

“Whoa, wait, slow down,” a thick voice rumbles.

You scent him before you see him.

Neteyam's hands are on you, guiding you back to rest on the pile of pillows that had propped you up before.

You shoot up again anyways.

“Where's Tuk?” you ask anxiously.

“Tuk's fine,” Neteyam says. “She's eating breakfast with Kiri and Mom.”

You lean back in relief, eyes squeezing shut as you wheeze out a sigh.

His hands are on you again, gentle, warm as he takes the towel from your forehead and wipes your face to refresh you.

“Are you okay?” he asks quietly, hesitantly.

You pause a moment, but then nod.

“Yeah,” you affirm hoarsely. “M'fine.”

Neteyam just stares at you, yellow eyes unblinking and you know this isn't like one of those fleeting moments. He sees you and it makes your gut churn hard.

“I'll be okay here,” you say quietly. “You may have...someone, you know, waiting for you.”

Te'feyra's name is a silent implication and Neteyam doesn't look amused.

“I told them I would look after you until you're fully well,” he counters, wringing the towel into a bowl that sits next to the mound of blankets your rest on.

You fiddle with your fingers, fully disheartened because even in times like these, he remains the diligent leader-in-training that he is.

The air in the tent is think and you can't breathe.

“I'd like some air,” you whisper, crawling from the soft mat to climb to your feet shakily.

“You need to rest,” Neteyam says crossly, seemingly annoyed at your persistence to put as much distance as you can between the two of you.

You don't respond and finally he seems to burst.

“You can't swim and yet you still went after Tuk,” he calls after you like an accusation. “Why?”

You pause.

“Tuk is like a sister to me,” you say quietly. “I would never let anything happen to her.”

You make a move to exit the tent, but Neteyam's voice stops you in your tracks.

“You could have died,” he says quietly, and you can't place the emotion in his voice.

“I'd do it again,” you admit, craning your neck to face him. “I'm not that weak.”

Neteyam's face falls and you duck from the tent.

Neteyam becomes restless after that moment. He loses his focus, agility taking a hit as he hunts one on one with his father.

He goes to shoot another arrow, but Jake stops him with a gentle hand on his shoulder.

“Neteyam, I know I can be hard on you,” he starts. “But I’m always here.”

“Yes sir,” Neteyam nods.

“Something’s bothering you,” Jake observes. “You’re not yourself. You’re losing focus.”

Neteyam swallows.

“Sorry, sir,” he says, head hanging.

His braids form a curtain around his face and Jake gives his shoulder a squeeze.

“Son?”

Neteyam swallows again, head tilting up to look is dad in the face.

“I don’t want to be with Te’feyra,” he admits quietly.

Jake's lips twitch.

“Well I could have told you that,” Jake scoffs, the corner of his lips twitching into a soft smile. “You look about as dead as a washed up fish when she’s around.”

Neteyam recalls the kiss she’d given him nights ago and how he'd internally recoiled, body stiff under her touch.

“I’m sorry,” he repeats.

“Why are you sorry?” Jake prods.

“Because I know Te’feyra is who the clan wants me to be with, who is my most suitable match,” he says. “I just— I don't want to let you down.”

Jake gives him an impish grin.

“Neteyam, let me give you a word of advice. There are things in this world that are suited well for each other; you and Te'feyra are one of those things. But your heart and your mind are the two most powerful things about you,” he says. “You will not be punished for giving into your heart.”

Neteyam thinks of you. He thinks of your face, the lines of your timid smile, the idents that dimple your cheeks. He thinks of your touch when he's wounded, gentle and expert, warm against his skin. He thinks of your voice, airy, soft, a low rasp.

He thinks of when he'd called you weak. Of your face, wounded and hurt. He's stricken in this moment as he realizes that strength doesn't have to be audacious. It can be quiet, small acts that become mighty.

Tuk had told him about the waterfall, how she'd wanted to pull your leg a little. You'd accepted your fate if Ewya deemed it time, you'd even sent the youngest away in the chance you wouldn't surface.

You were far from weak. Your strength ran nearly as deep as the roots of Ewya herself, yet you'd taken the criticism in stride. Let Neteyam paint you as a coward, a pushover with no spine.

“I think there’s someone you need to clear the air with,” Jake says after a few moments of silence. “She should be in her tent.”

Neteyam's hands are clammy. It's been nearly a week since he'd last seen you. You'd reserved to spending time inside of your tent to brush up on your studies and refine your work. He'd catch glimpses of you, but you were used to blending in the background and Neteyam's used to overlooking you.

Was he being presumptuous? Maybe you only admired him as a warrior. Or perhaps it was a duty to the clan to revere him. He feels sick to his stomach thinking of confronting you. But Lo'ak wouldn't try to convince him of his own feelings if it wasn't mutual, would he?

And when had the feelings become mutual? He's recently began to think that perhaps he'd always liked you because you were the only one who didn't actively vie for his affection. Who only saw him as Neteyam, an equal, not Neteyam, the Olo’eyktan's son.

Maybe it was whenever he'd see you wandering in the forest during his hunting trips, murmuring to yourself as you picked herbs and flowers for you studies. Or maybe when he'd spot you still high on the branches of the lofty trees with a tablet of paper and ink. Maybe it was when you'd smile at him shyly when he'd adjust your form during archery and it'd melt his insides. Or when you two were little and he'd plucked flowers for everyone and you were the only one who'd smiled at it sticking out of your satchel.

If he recalls correctly, it's pressed to a scroll hanging in your tent and that alone makes his heart race.

Maybe you two are inevitable and he'd only prolonged it because of his own fears.

“Neteyam!”

Te’feyra steps in his line of sight, standing before him and the hometree that houses your tent. He glances away when she stops in front of him.

“Te’feyra,” he greets cordially.

“I haven't seen you since the incident with ________,” she says. “Are you alright?”

Neteyam nods.

“Never better,” he says simply.

“After dinner we should–”

He spots you, satchel thrown over your shoulder. You glance his way momentarily, but scurry in the direction of your tent when you lock eyes with him.

“If you will excuse me, please,” he says politely, extricating himself from Te’feyra to follow after you.

He catches up to you right outside of your tent.

“________!” he calls.

You freeze almost imperceptibly, but continue on your way, climbing the flattened incline spiraling around the center of the hometree.

“________,” he murmurs, fist closing around your skinny bicep.

You jolt to a stop, golden eyes razor sharp as you glance down at him. Your fist is wrapped tight around the strap of the satchel, knuckles stretched taut.

“Neteyam,” you reply softly. “Yes?”

He opens his mouth to say something, but finds that his tongue weighs heavy behind his lips.

“If you seek help, there are elders available for healing,” you inform him, making a move to remove your arm from his grasp.

He instinctively tightens his grasp and you shift uncomfortably.

“Sorry, sorry,” he says quietly, pulling away. “I just want to speak with you.”

A few beats pass as you blink at him.

“Well?”

“Oh,” he swallows. “Can I come in?”

You turn to face the flap of your tent before craning your long neck over your shoulder to nod.

“Sure,” you agree, holding the hide open to let him in.

You step in after him, table scattered with mixtures of finely-pounded dust, scrolls of research and bundles of materials.

You set your satchel down and begin unloading your finds from you excursion.

Meanwhile, Neteyam paces nervously, trailing the circumference of your tent, eyes flitting every which way to take in every piece of you.

A thick silence envelops you and you clear your throat when the satchel is empty.

“You wanted to talk?” you ask, watching as he stops in front of a scrolled tacked to one of the beams.

It's the pressed flower he'd given to you all that time ago as children. It's central in the room, catching the sun so beautifully and Neteyam uses this as the last bit of courage he needs to continue.

“You kept it,” he says, voice shaky.

“Of course,” you say simply, picking through your different finds. “You gave it to me.”

Neteyam turns, looks you head on and he feels his resolve crumbling.

“You like me,” he says bluntly, afraid that if he beats around the bush, he'll cop out.

“Everyone does,” you deflect.

Neteyam's jaw locks.

“No, ________, you like me,” he repeats.

You feel small, sorting the petals by color, fingers nimble against the soft grain of the wooden tabletop.

“Presumptuous,” you hum, unable to meet his piercing gaze.

“________,” he presses.

You bite your lip, tears clouding your vision as your fingers begin to trembling through the sorting. He's being so unfair and he doesn't even know it.

“Why?” you ask shakily.

“What do you mean why?” Neteyam counters, voice taking on the same edge he did with his brother days prior and he'd interrogated him about you.

“Why are you doing this?” you croak, and he hears the tears in your voice.

He's across the floor before you can blink.

“Are you crying?” he asks, shocked.

“Why do you want me to say it so badly?” you choke, poor petals strangled in your vibrating fist. “Is it not enough? To know that I yearn for you silently? That everyone pities me because my heart belongs to someone who's already spoken for?”

Neteyam is stunned.

“I like you, Neteyam. I always have,” you say, voice raw with emotion. “It's my biggest defeat to say I always will. Is that what you want to hear?”

Your eyes are tinged red and his throat feels stuffed with cotton.

“I've always admired you,” you say quietly, between hiccuping breaths. “But I didn’t know you could be so cruel.”

Neteyam winces, every word he’d practiced earlier, completely obliterated from his short term. He knows he should just tell you, tell you that his heart yearns for yours, too. That he'd been too blinded by his impending duty to feel the full effects of what a first love could be like.

“You should go,” you say when he's silent.

You brush your tears away and pat your cheeks dry with the back of your hands as you carefully set the wilted flowers the the edge of the table.

“I–”

“Neteyam, spare me, please.”

“I don’t want to,” he finally says.

Your eyebrows furrow, eyes swollen as you gaze at him unjaded. Who he believed to be so stoic and passive now baring every possible inch to him.

“You're–”

“I don't want to be with Te'feyra,” he finally spits, fists clenched. “I won't be with her.”

Your gaze softens, lips parting to ask what's gotten into him, but he cuts you off.

“You,” he answers firmly, before the question clings in the air. “It’s you. I want to be with you.”

"Stop," you whisper, shaking your head furiously. You take a step away from where he's quickly closing in on you. “Don't–”

He pauses mid-stride and the expression on his handsome face is absolutely devastating. His chest rises and falls shakily and you take a moment to meet his eyes.

“I’m sorry I didn’t notice it before,” he says desperately, “I was scared and didn't fully realize it, but I do now.”

“That’s unfair,” you hiccup. “This isn't just on your terms. You can’t— you can’t just tell me you like me and expect me to be with you.”

These passing moments are the most he’s ever heard you speak, and he’s afraid that he's severely underestimated you. It doesn’t taste so sweet now that he’s faced with the reality of things.

“You will be the future leader of this clan,” you continue. “That is a great responsibility that you've prepared for your entire life. Who you decide to be with is a permanent fixture that cannot be undone.”

“I know, I know,” he assures you.

“You find it in your heart pity me, Neteyam,” you breathe quietly. “But do you really want to be bonded to someone passive and weak?”

He opens his mouth to argue, but you've squared your shoulders, stomach caving and expanding with a deep breath. You turn to your prior task.

“You should go,” you repeat. “Duty calls.”

“What do you mean you need help?” Kiri asks incredulously, eyes widened at her older brother.

“________,” Neteyam says. “She's icing me out.”

Kiri's face melts in relief and she scoffs a laugh.

“Do you blame her?”

“Kiri!” he pleads.

Kiri stops her movements, falling back on her haunches to meet Neteyam's desperate gaze. It's so unlike him, being uncertain, nervous. He's picked up the habit of fiddling his fingers and Kiri snorts to herself.

“Actions,” she says simply.

“Huh?” he vocalizes.

“Words mean nothing to ________ if your actions don't support them,” she says. “This entire time you've acted so lukewarm towards her. Of course she won't believe you when you decide to acknowledge that you love her.”

Neteyam's throat bobs as he stares down at his sister.

“And how will I do that?” he presses.

Kiri shrugs.

“Not so mighty warrior now, are we?”

As the days progress, you begin to grasp at finally coming to terms with the tattered remains of what's left of you and Neteyam's frayed relationship. Your heart hasn't stonewalled him completely, but the yearning for him has dulled to a slight ache.

His eyes are piercing every moment you share the same vicinity. Kiri would even try to argue you that it's longing, but Neteyam's a slave to his honor and you aren't convinced.

“You should pity the poor boy,” an elder tells you as you cut up ingredients for the evening's dinner.

You pause, fingers tightening around the handle of the knife. You roll your lips together before briefly meeting her gaze, warm under firelight.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” you deflect, clearing your throat.

She laughs, peeling a purple fruit.

“Neteyam,” she says forwardly. “Hasn’t taken his eyes off you in who knows how long. Will you continue to let him suffer?”

You want to argue that it's you who's suffering. That the heart that beats inside the hollow of your ribcage feels like it'll tear in two every time you recall the venom in Neteyam's voice when he'd called you weak.

“I doubt his suffering has anything to do with me,” you say instead. “We are only acquaintances.”

The elder laughs again.

“Is that why he's been pestering the elders for input on how to sway your heart?”

Your head shoots up from where you've focused on the fine cuts of vegetables.

“What?”

“He’s been slacking on his duties, instead poking around the elders and villagers trying to pry information about you,” she says. “Heard him muttering about what kind of flowers you like.”

“It will take more than flowers to sway my heart,” you mumble.

“So you admit that there's something there, hmm?”

Your cheeks heat, caught like a fish in warm waters.

“I–”

“I'd argue that Neteyam’s liked you longer than you've liked him,” the elder says simply.

You bite.

“Why do you say that?”

“He's always asked Eywa for courage, and it seems like she gave you as an answer.”

The elder climbs to her feet, leaving you near the open flame. You open your mouth to call out to her, but the scent of salt and leaves envelops you before you can say anything.

You crane your neck and find Neteyam a few paces from you.

“Do you have a few moments?” he asks politely.

You want to say no, tell him that you'd offered him an infinite amount of moments that he'd spent building bridges between the two of you, but if he's a slave to his honor, you're bound by heart.

“Okay,” you say hesitantly, abandoning your task.

He holds his hand out for you to take and your fingers slide across his warm palm as he pulls you to your feet. Once he secures your hold in his, he tugs you along.

You don't know where he's taking you, or what he could possibly want with your time, but you feel a thousand times more nervous than ever now that the tangled web of your feelings drapes the both of you.

After a few moments of rugged silence, climbing through bushes and brush, he punctures the quiet.

“Are you well?” he asks.

“Yes,” you answer after a moment. “You?”

“Truthfully?” he responds, pausing to face you. You realize his hand still engulfs yours. “No.”

“No?” you parrot shakily.

“No,” he affirms. “I've been hurting actually.”

Your eyebrows furrow.

“You should seek help if you have an ongoing–”

“Here,” he says, the hand still caught in his being guided to lay flat against his chest. You can feel his heart hammering behind his ribcage. “It hurts here.”

You swallow, pulling away from his grasp when you realize his insinuation.

“Don’t,” you warn.

He breathes a shaky sigh before taking a step towards you. He's corded muscle and warmth as his palm comes to cradle your jaw. Your bottom lip twitches as you stare up at him.

“It’s always been you,” he says quietly, thumb brushing your chin as his eyes map every curve of your face. “I think I’ve always known it deep down, but...”

Your hand comes up to meet his, gently prying his touch away.

“Neteyam,” you sigh. “Had the last few days unfolded differently, I don't think you'd been saying this now.”

“Maybe not now,” he agrees. “But one day, I would. I know I would. Because when I recall every fond moment, you’re there. No matter how close to the background you get, you’re always there.”

You look skeptical, and Neteyam knows he's losing you. So he digs in the small knapsack he has slung over his broad shoulders and pulls out something thin.

When he holds it up with shaky fingers, your breath catches in your throat. Strung through the taut brown of tree vine is a line of beads identical to the one that he wears on a braid tucked behind his ear. Upon closer inspection, you notice the blue and purple beads formed to create your favorite flowers.

“Wha—”

“Until you decide you want to be mine,” he says, voice trembling nervously as he takes your arm and gently slides the band up until it fits snuggly around your bicep. “So that you remember I'm always yours.”

Your voice is caught in your throat as he brings your fingers up to his lips.

“I won’t push you,” he says when he realizes your words have evaded you. “But I’ll wait for you.”

“Neteyam–”

He simply smiles at you, golden eyes shy as he takes a step back to admire his handiwork. He seems satisfied, triumphant, when you eye the band but make no moves to remove it.

“I’ll wait for you,” he repeats, giving your fingers a squeeze before running off.

“He did what?” Lo’ak shrills a week later.

The younger three Sully's had hunted you down and brought you to the clearing dedicated to archery training.

Slender fingers wrap around your wrist and elbow to turn your arm to examine the band with wide eyes.

You can’t help but smile gently to yourself, watching the way the sun catches the reflection of the pearlescent beads and reflects them brightly.

“I knew that dummy was planning something,” Kiri grumbles. You bite your lip when she meets your gaze. “Well?”

“Well what?” you ask, arm still in Lo’ak’s grasp.

He twists playfully and your laugh glitters in the air.

"Are you going to put my knucklehead brother out of his misery or what?" Kiri hisses, arm drawing to shoot a arrow that stabs the target about a centimeter too left.

Tuk giggles as she runs up to the target to examine the damage.

“Yeah, please do, he's in love and it's disgusting,” Lo'ak grumbles, still eyeing the cuff.

Your heart skips at the mention of love, cheeks going warm when both Kiri and Lo'ak notice how you've gone quiet. They begin laughing, dealing you playful punches.

“Stop that,” you scold, swatting their hands away. “I haven’t given him an answer yet.”

“Oh, get real!” Kiri huffs. “You are so in love, you know you'll say yes.”

“Please put me out of my misery,” Lo'ak moans. “I'm tired of being his therapist because he's a little bitch.”

“Lo'ak,” you warn, eyes narrowing.

He giggles and Kiri stifles a laugh as you flounder, cheeks blooming under the siblings' teasing.

“You are both so awful,” you say petulantly, arms crossing one over the other. “How are you so sure I’ll return his feelings?”

It's Kiri's turn to groan, eyes rolling.

“Sure enough that I know if I let you in on a little secret, it'll light a fire under your ass,” she says seriously.

Your spine goes rigid, arms loosening as you wait with bated breath.

“Neteyam may choose you, but if you don’t choose him back quickly enough, someone could swoop in and claw that chance from you,” she shrugs.

Te'feyra's name is an ugly insinuation and something green coils its way into the pit of your stomach as you recall the chaste kiss she'd pressed to Neteyam's lips all those nights ago in the forest.

“Gears turning?” Lo'ak lilts.

They definitely are and suddenly you feel small, digging your big toe into the dirt to drag lines through the forest floor. You nod hesitantly, band suddenly tight around your bicep.

In your ruminating, Lo'ak and Kiri pass a knowing glance.

“Well?” Lo'ak prods.

You fidget, rattling with nerves.

“I suppose...”

Lo'ak sighs and his hands come down on your shoulders to steer you through the clearing.

“Where are we going?” you squeak.

“To put everyone out of their misery,” Lo'ak huffs.

The forest seems way more alive than usual, glowing so bright it almost overpowers the sun. Woodsprites gather around as Lo'ak nudges you through the thick foliage and you can't help but think about the sweet smile that curled on Neteyam's lips as he assured you that he was yours. All yours.

The fire crackles in the distance and you know that the morning meal is in the works when voices roar quietly meters away.

Neteyam sits near the center, surrounded by elders and the dreaded girl.

Te'feyra's obliterated every single centimeter of space available, nearly melded to his side as the elders talk animatedly over the two.

You want to turn back, uncertainty vice-like, but Lo'ak squeezes your shoulders as a silent plea. Not even a moment passes before Neteyam peels himself away and begins putting distance between them.

When Te'feyra gives him a curious glance, he gives her an uneasy smile.

“Be courageous, ________,” Lo'ak encourages. “You're one of the strongest people I know.”

With a final pat on the back, he pushes you towards the circle and the sudden movement catches everyone's gaze.

“________,” one of the elders calls fondly.

You smile and bow your head, fingers twitching at your sides.

“Hello,” you greet quietly, eyes swooping hesitantly to Neteyam who rises to his feet, already watching you intently.

That's when you notice it, the choker fastened around his throat. The vine is identical to yours, but it's strung with a line of beads that mirror the ones woven into a singular braid at the nape of your neck.

You hadn't realized that he'd noticed it all this time, but it's the ultimate confirmation that Neteyam sees you. And when he notices that you notice, he smiles softly.

The elders notice as well, drawing the link between your arm band and the necklace that Neteyam wears, now that you two stand opposite each other.

“May I borrow Neteyam for a moment?” you ask politely.

The same elder you prepared with the evening prior gleams a wide smile when Neteyam takes a step towards you, fingers brushing delicately with yours.

Te'feyra remains seated, lips twitching as her gaze flits between the two of you.

“By all means,” one of them says. “Take your time.”

You bow your head again, heart thudding when Neteyam's fingers twine with yours and he lets you drag him out of the circle and deeper into the forest.

When you deem that no prying eyes or ears surround you, you stop, Neteyam bumping softly into your back. The hair on the back of your neck bristle when he makes no moves to extricate himself from you, simply moving your braids from your face to reveal the string of beads tucked near the nape of your neck.

“You needed me?” he whispers, fingers still ghosting the skin of shoulder.

You swallow, squeezing your eyes shut as you relish the moment. Your fingers are still locked and for a fleeting second, you pretend that it's always been like this, the two of you.

“I am nothing extraordinary,” you start, and Neteyam's fingertips pause at your elbow.

“I'd argue differently,” he responds.

“I value time alone and I get overwhelmed often,” you continue.

“We all have our moments,” is his rebuttal as the hand covering yours squeezes gently.

You sigh.

“I could—”

Neteyam turns you and you're met with the the choker, beads glinting under the light. Your eyes drag up the column of his strong neck, flit past his soft lips and finally lock with his searing gaze.

“You can try all you want to run me off,” Neteyam laughs quietly, cupping your jaw. “But I'm not scared anymore.”

Your expression is skeptical and Neteyam decides to bite the bullet. He's closing in on you and your heart pounds violently in your chest.

“Neteyam,” you whisper weakly, hand coming up to his chest.

He traps your fingers against his heart, lips slotting between yours before you can protest some more.

It's like the forest comes alive around you, grass tickling between your toes as you melt under his touch and lean up into his mouth.

His hands are everywhere at once, branding your cerulean skin as he kisses you like it's your last moments. There's no hesitation, no feeling it out, just his warm breath and his soft lips as he pulls you impossibly closer.

“I'll take you as you are at any moment,” he says breathlessly between kisses. “You just have to say you want me back, ________. Please.”

You nod, nose brushing against his as one of his palms splay at the small of your back and the other grabs your chin, pulling you back to plant another burning kiss on your lips.

“Say it,” he begs.

Your eyes begin to mist as you nod again eagerly, parting for a moment to whisper the words.

“I'm yours,” you hoarse, hands on either side of his neck. “I'm yours if you'll be with me.”

Neteyam simply kisses you again, a satisfied hum rumbling from his built chest.

“Fucking finally,” a whisper sounds from the brush.

A LIL' BONUS

“You think they would have figured it out on their own?” Lo'ak asks, wolfing down his food.

Kiri shrugs, feeding Tuk a piece of fruit from her wooden plate.

“Maybe,” she says, unable to suppress her proud grin. “Maybe not. They're both stupid."

“I think so,” Te'feyra laughs watching you and Neteyam fondly from across the fire. “They were a long time coming.”

an – thank you SO much if you've made it this far! again, leave a request or let's chat hehehe. up next is lo'ak so stay tuned! :)

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neng © 2023

[sullefx]

✩. AVATAR — charm | neteyam, carnival pt.2

✩. neteyam x metkayina!fem!reader

✩. after the tulkun celebration, it’s time to admire the beauty of the bay…and other things.

✩. fluff, goofy ass lo’ak, musical vibes again, kiss, neteyam being the cutest ever, rizzy neteyam, even rizzer reader, best wingmen aonung and kiri, nothing else i think!

a/n since the part one was based of Real in Rio, this one will be based off Fly Love (and inspired by its scene in the Rio movie)! i hope you all enjoy😋

masterlist

the buzz of the day was still static in the air, even with the pinkish tone now painting the sky. it was peaceful; the calm talking of the tribe, soft breeze.

it was something (y/n) was happy to share with the new people who had joined the clan. even more so, the boy sat next to her.

after telling neteyam her name and sharing more details — such as how she became the main performer of the clan — she brought him to a tall part of the reef that looked over the whole bay. there they were able to relax more and truly take in the beauty of the island.

they had been sitting in silence for a while now, but it wasn’t something either complained about. especially neteyam, who was still reeling in after dancing with the girl. his brain kept replaying it over in his mind. such a sight was hard to forget.

and it was just as hard to stay away from, which was obvious in the way he kept looking at her from the side of his eyes. (y/n) noticed. she saw his head turn slightly, teeth nibble at his bottom lip as he seemed to be debating something.

this fact was also present to the three that stood towards the bottom of the rock they sat on. kiri, lo’ak, and aonung all looked on with unimpressed expressions.

“we can’t let this go on.” kiri spoke up first. the other boys agreed, of course. it was downright painful to watch neteyam struggle so badly. but they couldn’t deny the obvious entertainment factor of it.

“i mean…we can..” lo’ak grunted at the feeling of kiri slapping the back of his head. aonung barely held back his chuckle.

“with all neteyam does for you, i think you could stan to help him this once.” at kiris words, lo’ak scowled. there wasn’t a way for him to argue, which kiri knew.

“you’re an evil person, kiri.” he muttered. he clapped his hands together quickly, shocking both people beside him, as well as his older brother. neteyam looked down, immediately making eye contact with the younger boy, and frowned. lo’ak smiled.

what lo’ak didn’t realize, is that him throwing his hands in the air and pushing, meant nothing to neteyam. aonung looked at the shorter boy with a raised eyebrow. kiri quickly shoved his hands down.

“he doesn’t know what that means, you dumbass!” she scolded. lo’aks mouth formed an ‘o’.

“charm! use your sully charm!” this, neteyam understood.

(y/n) felt her ears twitch as she tried to hide her smile. they were too cute.

lo’ak looked over to aonung when he felt his hand hitting at his arm.

“we gotta set the mood.” lo’ak nodded in understanding— which made aonung feel very proud of himself. his prideful smile instantly dropped when lo’ak raised his hand to his mouth and attempted what aonung assumed was beatboxing. kiri and aonung visibly jumped away from him.

aonung cringed when he saw the spit flying from lo’aks mouth. “what the hell is that? quit it!” lo’ak shied away from the assaults of the two.

neteyam from his place on the rock swallowed his spit. the trio below him was not helping him in the slightest. they did provide him a small bit of distraction, which caused him to not realize how (y/n) had shifted closer to him..or when she hid her laughter.

“is dancing something you’ve ever enjoyed?” she spoke up first, instantly gaining the boys attention. she almost giggled at how fast he snapped his head to her. she was also impressed at how quickly he played it off, returning to his usual casual persona.

“back home we had dances of our own. different from here, though.” he commented. (y/n)s face changed into a more interested expression. she tilted her body slightly so she could be facing neteyam.

“i would love to see your homes dance one day. did you enjoy seeing ours?” her questioned almost had him scoffing. what kind of question was that? how could he not enjoy it? it was still had his heart pounding.

“of course i did. but i think you were my favorite part.”

kiri and lo’ak looked at each other with opened mouths. never, would they expect such words to exit his mouth. they were so shocked they didn’t notice aonung had slipped away. kiri happily slapped lo’aks arm.

“that’s my brother!” kiri said proudly.

“you remind me of the tulkun.”

“oh..” the sister and brother could feel their soul leave their bodies. he just did so well, and then he compared her to a whale? lo’ak laughed out loud.

“oh, yeah. that’s your brother.” he didn’t care about kiris glare. it was just too funny.

“neteyam! no!” kiri scolded her older brother. he glanced down at her before his eyes widened. neteyam obviously realized his mistake, stuttering over his words while (y/n) looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

“no, no! not like that! i meant in the way they’re, like, kind and peaceful and beautiful!” he eagerly tried to explain. it was extremely humerus to every party present.

“it’s okay, neteyam. i understand.” (y/n) laughed out, easing the stressed boy. this is when aonung reappeared.

lo’ak looked at him strangely, “where did you go?” aonung smirked at him, then raised his hand. music began to play. it was coming from the same place the drums had first come from. it was different than before when the tulkun had first came back.

this beat was soft, slow, romantic. it wasn’t like the rough beating of drums, but more like a strumming of strings.

both siblings jumped — in unison — when the sound of whistling started. they both looked to aonung like he was crazy.

kiri wanted to throw up when he started to sing, even though it wasn’t horrible. she, and definitely not lo’ak, would never admit it, but he actually sounded good. perfect. the exact thing they were looking for when wanting to set the mood.

“wasn’t really thinking

wasn’t looking

wasn’t searching

for an answer,”

his voice was soft as to not disturb the couple up high, but it echoed through out the bay. people could be seen pairing up. parents looking happily in to each other while children cringed. teenagers not showing an ounce of awkwardness as they joined together.

this wasn’t unusual. dancing was apart of their culture. they all took pride and enjoyment in it.

and far off, on the area of the beach closer to the huts, jake could be seen gently lifting neytiri from the sand. the happy look on his face was something the woman had rarely seen since the sky people returned, and she felt as though she was falling all over again as she swayed with him.

“in the moonlight

when i saw your face,”

neteyam glanced to the girl next to him. she had lifted her legs up, laying her chin on her arms which laid on her knees. she had a content smile as she watched the people dance. they were beautiful. and as much as neteyam agreed with this fact, there was something much more beautiful to him.

“would you like to—“ in that moment, it was decided the entire world was against him. i mean, what are the possibilities a tulkun splash its tail and cause water to fly at all angles, and the water only hit him as he finally found the courage to ask (y/n) to dance? they should be slim. zero to none.

but they weren’t.

(y/n) bursted out laughing, neteyams expression of disbelief egging her on. the boys below didn’t hide their laughter either, as kiri facepalmed.

“yeah, that is totally your brother!” lo’ak exclaimed through his laughter, hand grabbing his sister shoulders. she scowled at him.

“oh, neteyam,” (y/n) said from behind her hand as she giggled. she easily maneuvered herself to sit in her knees; then gently attempted to push neteyams wet braids from his face.

“saw you looking at me,

saw you peeking

out from under moon beams,”

he had his eyes closed, mouth shut in a firm straight line as he tried to process what happened. he felt his face heat up at the girls as laughter. he didn’t want to see her face.

“neteyam, are you okay?” her smile was audible. he wanted a tulkun to swallow him whole. they already splashed him, what’s more eating him?

“ ‘m fine,” he grumbled. he wasn’t angry at her, which she knew. she felt a sliver of pity for the boy. she hadn’t been oblivious to his struggling in the slightest. she decided to put an end to them now.

“through the palm trees,

swaying in the breeze,”

neteyams eyes opened slowly when he felt a soft hand grab his. his eyes looked at the girl before him who smiled softly.

“dance with me, neteyam.” a part of him wanted to say no. solely because of the hint of teasing in her smile. but how could he say no to her?

the two rose to their feet, hand in hand.

aonung closed both siblings mouth with his fingers. ”metkayina music is unresistable.”

he was ignored, for now, as they watched the couple begin to dance. neteyam watched their feet as he followed (y/n)s instructions.

“i know i’m feeling so much more

than ever before

and so i’m giving more to you

than i thought i could do,”

“you must trust yourself, neteyam.” he didn’t notice it before, but the way she said his name made his heart flutter. her accent he wasn’t completely used to, plus her soft tone; it was awe like. she said it with such kindness and intensity.

“i do,” he responded, “you just make it difficult.” he didn’t hear a response, which he didn’t complain about. he wanted to focus on making sure he didn’t step on her feet— or somehow cause them to roll off the rock. (y/n) rolled her eyes.

neteyams eyes widened at the feeling of a hand grip his chin, forcing his face up to meet her eyes. she still held the soft smile.

“trust.” she didn’t just mean himself anymore. she was asking him to trust her, to trust the song.

“don’t know how it happened

don’t know why but you don’t

really

need a reason.”

“okay,” was his response. her smile grew at his words, giving him a nod which he returned. he let out a breath, one it sounded like he was holding, and relaxed. relaxed into her, into the song, and into himself. trust.

“when the stars shine

just to fall in love,”

eclipse was upon the bay. the two had barely noticed, too entranced by the others eyes. it wasn’t until constilations started to glow on neteyams cheeks, and the ocean shown all within it, that the realisation dawned.

still, they stayed where they were. the song was not over, and nobody ends a good song early. especially not this tribe of metkayina people.

“made to love each other,

made to be together

for a lifetime,”

“as much as i miss my home, i think i’ve truly began to love it here.” neteyam spoke, his voice low. he wasn’t going to chance ruining this moment. a moment where a loud voice wasn’t required.

(y/n)s smiled brightened, her teeth peeking through. her smile was contagious, a sickness neteyam didn’t want to avoid.

“in the sunshine

flying in the sky,”

“really?” she asked. she sounded so adorable, excited and innocent. neteyam nodded with a chuckle.

“the ocean is amazing, the people are incredible.” ‘people’ wasn’t as general as it sounded. not when neteyam was looking into her eyes with such an obvious look. he didn’t want to hide it, she didn’t want to not understand. it was unspoken, but shared between them.

“i know i’m feeling so much

more

than ever before,”

“i would love to see your home. we don’t know much about omaticaya ways, but from what i’ve heard, the forest sounds wonderful.” (y/n) said. her eyes shined as she looked over neteyams face. it was if looking at the night sky, just in reach.

“it truly is. it is one of the most beautiful things you could ever see.” he spoke. his eyes shown that same glint as before. he knew he was looking at the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. he didn’t flinch when her palm came in contact with his cheek. so soft and warm.

“and so i’m giving more to you

than i thought i could do,”

“you must take me one day,” she said. their breath mixed together, their faces just a couple inches apart. neteyam nodded.

“i will show you ever inch of forest, and above.” his voice was just a whisper. to others, it would be drowned out by the waves. but not (y/n).

their lips came together. so soft, so gentle. it was sweet, innocent just as them, but filled with passion. (y/n) could feel the small drops of the ocean water hit her back, but it didn’t distract her in the slightest. the boy had taken over her entire mind.

“now i know love is real

so when sky high

as angels try to try

leaving you and i,”

below the trio left, giggles and whispers to quiet each other down.

“fly love…”

taglist: @yn-hamato @julesandro @hey-itsriin @softpia @roro277 @darkacademictrash @bobojojoba69 @hopemafoe @vmpgender @idfkbroski

those in bold unfortunately could not be tagged.

[sullefx]

❀ Heart To Heart

pairing: neteyam x fem!metkayina!reader

word count: 2.3k

summary: the sully’s arrive at the awa’atlu village

note: heavily inspired by this edit. all major characters are aged up. in this story you’re the eldest daughter of tonowari and ronal, and there’s no war!! everyone will be living in peace and harmony lol. no nsfw warnings since i want to build up the reader’s and neteyam’s relationship, smut will be in future chapters though :) leave me requests! i would love to write something for you 🤍 lowercase intended || backup account: @karayitri2

chapter index: one, two, three

taking a deep breath, your eyes fluttered shut as the wind calmly danced through your hair. sitting criss crossed on top of the highest rock of the village, you whispered praises and thanks to eywa. this was your daily ritual. not only was it the only time you could be by yourself, but it was the only time you felt you were allowed to be weak.

here on this rock, away from everyone else, you cried with no shame, your pride was nonexistent, and your rough exterior was broken. here on this rock you were just y/n, and not the future leader of your people.

the pressure to be the perfect daughter was always bestowed upon you. there’s no way out of your position, however, you wouldn’t give it up for anything. it was with great honor that you learned how to hunt, how to fight, and learned how to heal.

“tsnì, tsleng.” with your final words, you opened your eyes slowly. you knew you had to get back soon before everyone woke up, especially your father. he has not yet caught you outside of the pod. getting up from your sitting position, you dove into the sea below you, making your way back to shore.

light was still emitting from some pods, but none close enough to see you. tiptoeing on the marui, you quietly pushed aside the entrance covering, slipping into your usual sleeping spot next to tsireya. “you took long.” she whispered beside you. glancing at her briefly, you felt a twinge of guilt at the worried expression on her face.

“i’m okay.” you turned. tsireya always stayed awake until you came back home, not letting herself rest until she knew you were safe. there was only a couple hours left before it would be morning, and your mornings were always busy.

we have a long day tomorrow, you signed, not wanting to make any more noise. tsireya nodded. where do you always run off to? she asked. looking at her hesitantly, you brought your hands up to sign once again. it’s a secret, you smiled, placing a single finger over your lips. at this, tsireya giggled quietly, both of your smiles dropping when your mother stirred.

she’s just moving around, you waved off. with a small yawn, tsireya closed her eyes momentarily before signing one more thing. get some sleep, her hands moved lazily. sighing, you took one last look out at the water and drifted into a slumber.

-

“you’ll be staying behind with your mother today, yesterday you brought in a great catch, you’re free to do as you will.” tonowari had his hand on your shoulder, a reassuring smile on his face.

instead of smiling back and jumping in excitement the way you wanted to, you agreed silently, and bowed your head. “thank you father, may this catch be abundant.” you walked away, a string of war cries ringing in the air as tonowari began leading the men outside the reef.

usually on the days you were off duty you would sew and make new clothing pieces for you and tsireya since she liked your style so much. today, however, you decided to gather more ingredients for your mother since she’s constantly making medicine for the village.

grabbing your satchel, you were about to run out the pod until your mother stopped you. “where are you going?” she looked up, a bowl in her hands. “i was going to gather more coral.” you knelt down as ronal reached for your arm. there was a few beats of silence before she looked down at the medicated mixture. “how long have you been sneaking away?” she asked.

you felt your heart beat in your ears. “i don’t know what-” ronal cut you off quickly, “don’t lie to me, child.” she looked at you sternly. “a very long time.” you avoided her gaze. “and why is that?” your ears lowered at the soft tone of her voice. “i need to be by myself sometimes.” you explained.

“you’re not meeting anyone are you?” ronal lifted your chin up. “oh, mother,” you rolled your eyes, “no! i swear i’m by myself when i leave.” you felt your resolve breaking. ronal had a playful smile on her lips as she shook her head. “i’m just teasing, my child. i know you know better. zärutxe is your mate to be.” she got up, grabbing a near by cloth to clean her hands.

right, zärutxe…

you could pull your hair out just thinking about him. “zärutxe is so arrogant mother, have you heard the way he speaks?” you crossed your arms. “he is a great hunter, y/n, and his parents are very wise. he’s the perfect suitor.” she took a seat next to you once again. her words went in one ear and right out the other.

you knew there was so many other suitors, maybe someone you may actually grow to love, but zärutxe? that would be impossible. he was aonung’s best friend, and if that wasn’t weird enough already, he was far too competitive for your liking. not with other men of the clan, but with you. he always felt the need to prove you were ‘below’ him when there is no such thing.

“he’s very nice around me and your father.” ronal was obviously confused. “of course he is.” you scoffed. “do not slouch.” her tailed slapped against your skin as she walked by. before you could retaliate, the shell horn blared in the air, making you and your mother run outside the pod. “it can’t be tonowari, they just left.” ronal looked far in the distance.

eyes squinting, you made a beeline for the shore as you recognized the creatures in the sky to be ikrans, forest animals. “what’s going on?” aonung met you half way. “i don’t know.” you followed as a crowd began to form. you watched as the foreigners hopped off their ikran. the tallest one walked up with his hands in the air, with what looked like his family, following behind.

aonung and zärutxe walked out from the crowd, circling the two boys in the back. you watched the two boys sign oel ngati kameie. “look. what is that? is that supposed to be a tail?” zärutxe laughed, aonung joining in. diverting your eyes to the water, you saw tsireya walking up, flipping her hair over her shoulder.

“it’s too small. how are they supposed to swim?” zärutxe and aonung reached out to poke at the eldest. his head turned, eyes throwing daggers at the two of them. “stop.” you walked forward, drawing everyone’s attention. “sister.” tsireya stayed close to your side. you took your time looking at the newcomers, their build being strikingly different to your own.

scanning from the right to the left, you were almost surprised when the eldest already had his eyes on you. you locked gazes and held each others stare until you heard war cries ring out once again. blinking away, your father and the rest of the hunters swooped in, gliding across the water.

“where’s mom?” tsireya whispered. realizing your mother hadn’t followed you out to the crowd, you glanced back at the pod, her familiar figure walking over. “she’s coming.” you replied. “hey.” the boy next to the eldest nodded his head at tsireya. at this, tsireya looked down at her feet, shuffling nervously as she giggled.

oh, eywa.

tonowari stepped onto the sand, the crowd parting as he did so. “i see you, tonowari.” the tallest man bowed, laying out his fingers from his forehead. “jake sully.” your father followed his ministrations, the rest of the family greeting your father as well. you heard a few murmurs from the crowd as your mother stepped up next to your father.

“i see you, ronal, tsahik of the metkayinas.” jake sully bowed his head signing once again, the woman next to jake mimicking his actions. you watched your mother look at the sully family, knowing the look in her eyes all too well. “why have you come to us, jake sully.” your father opened his arms, referring to the people that surrounded him.

“we seek uturu.” at his words, your grip on your satchel tightened, tsireya, aonung, and zärutxe now visibly stiff. “uturu?” your mother spoke loudly, shooting a look at your father. “a sanctuary for my family.” jake sully looked desperate, a visible crease in his brow. now it was your mothers turn to circle the family. “we are reef people. you are forest people. your skills will mean nothing here.”

“so we will learn your ways, right?” jake sully turned towards his wife as she responded with a simple yes. you almost winced when your mother walked through the sully’s, grasping the woman’s tail as she passed. examining the arm of the smallest child, ronal shook her head. “their arms are thin,” her eyes shot over to the older girl in the back, pulling her tail, “their tails are weak. you will be slow in the water.” the older girl pulled away from your mother.

ronal grabbed the girls hands, eyes slightly widening as she noticed five fingers instead of four. flipping her palms over and holding them high so everyone can see, she spoke, “these children aren’t even real na’vi.”

you felt almost bad for the girl as distasteful eyes fell upon her. “yes we are!” jake and his wife looked at their daughter helplessly. grabbing the youngest son’s hand, your mother hissed. “they have demon blood!” the crowd broke out in gasps. you felt the need to stop this whole ordeal as you watched the boys head fall in shame, but you wouldn’t dare to in this very moment.

“look. look!” jake sully waved his hand, his five fingers on full display. “i was born of the sky people and now i am na’vi, alright, you can adapt.” jake explained. “we will adapt, okay?” you began weighing out the possibilities of forest people learning to live in water, it seemed highly unlikely. coming to his defense, his wife stepped up from behind him. “my husband was toruk makto.” she spoke in a tone that almost sounded like a whisper.

toruk makto. you’d heard about his war stories many times before. “he led the clans to victory against the sky people.” she turned towards your father, in which he nodded. “this you call victory? hiding amongst strangers?” ronal looked at her like she was pathetic. moving closer, your mother spoke.

“it seems eywa has turned her back on you, chosen one.” at this, jake sully’s wife hissed, eliciting a hiss from your mother herself. back straightening, you felt the instinct to protect your mother, but knew deep down she could handle this herself. tonowari’s gaze flickered, jake watching with intense eyes. “i apologize for my mate-” jake started.

“do not apologize for me.”

“…she has flown a long way and is exhausted.”

“jake.” his wife said sternly.

backing away, jake sully’s wife blew out a breath. “toruk makto is a great war leader. all na’vi people know his story. but, we metkayina, are not at war. we cannot let you bring your war here.” your father turned. “i’m done with war, okay?” jake rushed, now holding his youngest child, “i just want to keep my family safe.” he pleaded.

“uturu has been asked.” the woman looked up with fierce eyes. letting out a sigh, you watched as your mother and father agreed silently. taking in a breath, you father turned towards the people and stabbed his spear in the sand. “toruk makto and his family will stay with us.” at tonowari’s words, you heard a groan come from zärutxe. “treat them as our brothers and sisters. they do not know the sea, so they will be like babies taking their first breath. teach them our ways so they do not suffer the shame of being useless.” your father announced.

you watched the family’s shoulders fall with relief. “what do we say?” jake asked his family, each member saying their thanks. turning towards you and your siblings, your father pointed at aonung first. “my son aonung, and my daughters y/n and tsireya, will show your children what to do.” your head turned towards the eldest, ears perking up as he slightly bowed. “but dad-” aonung protested. “it has been decided.” your father placed his hand down.

“come. we will show you our village.” you hooked your arm with tsireya’s, both of you leading the way back. as you gave a tour of the pods, and explained to each member of the sully family the rules of the reef, you couldn’t help but feel a burning stare from a certain someone. that certain someone being the eldest son who followed in the far back. “this is for you. your new home.” tsireya allowed them to walk inside the vacant pod.

“this will work.” jake nodded, offering you and tsireya a small smile. “thank you.” the youngest child cheered. “of course.” you spoke. backing out as they filed in, you and the eldest brushed against each other, locking eyes once again. “neteyam, you can put that over here.” jake reached out for the belongings in the eldest son’s arms.

neteyam. that was his name.

“we’ll be seeing you soon.” you tore your gaze. tsireya and you walked back to your home in a comfortable silence. “did you catch any names?” tsireya asked, once you both took a seat by the cooking area. “no,” you lied, “did you?” you quirked a brow at her. she laughed softly. “no. but i hope to.” she twirled a piece of hair. it was refreshing seeing tsireya so smitten. “don’t get any ideas.” you teased.

“that goes for you too.” she spoke quietly. scoffing at her words, you nudged her with your elbow. “please, tsireya.” you shook your head. “whatever you say, neteyam.” at the name, your head shot up, tsireya laughing uncontrollably now. “see! i know you too well.” she shook you by your shoulders.

yeah, she did know you too well.

[sullefx]

moonlight

in which you go out and meet neytiri in the middle of the night when you can’t sleep and have an important conversation.

fluff, slight angst

2k word count

neytiri x fem!reader

this is like my first time actually writing anything avatar related so bare with me sdfgk

                               ﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌

The moon had always been a source of comfort. The cool light filtering through the tangled branches looming over the burrow as the rest of the clan slept while you lay awake, wondering what the next day would bring. It was never hard to let fatigue overtake her but it was more difficult than usual this night. It was what led you to rise from her nest to slip into the night where you prayed the answer for your restlessness awaited. Slender fingers lifting from your side to make sure your bolas were fastened to your waist, you golden gaze calmly swept the sleeping burrow as you took one step and then another to the entrance of the den. It was dark. It had always been dark but it was what the Nguway had grown accustomed to. While most Na’vi didn’t take easily to the lack of light, the Nguway clan embraced the darkness and so had you. You had light feet, knowing exactly where each pebble lay burrowed in the dirt and where the ground rose in the slightest by memory at this point. Many nights had been spent paying for the mistakes you’d made in your youth, tripping over another’s tail or something alike. Heart seemingly frozen in your chest, you finally took a breath once the warm night air was grazing over your skin and you could see the large orb lingering in the sky. Anyone could see the way your shoulders relaxed as you took in the forest, ears curving to pick up every little sound made whilst you dug your toes into the cool dirt. Slowly, your eyes fell shut and you released a long breath with it. At peace, finally.

“Finally.”

The single word was enough to make your eyes nearly fly open with alarm, more than ready to strike down whoever had been watching you in that moment. However, it only took but a moment for yoiu to recognize the voice before your shoulders were dropping once more and the corner of your full lips began to curve into the smallest of smirks. “Patience has never been something you succeed at, yawnetu.” Giving a faint tilt of your head, your attention rose from the land in front of you to the trees where your lover had seemingly been waiting for you. It wasn’t hard to see her matching smirk with how she laid, forearms resting against the thick branch and her head peeking over a few leaves. “I have missed you, Neytiri.” And you had. Time had stretched on for what felt like eons and yet none of it included spending time with the Omaticaya warrior. 

“Have you? I could not tell.” Neytiri’s voice rang out once more, a playful tone lingering somewhere within her words and you didn’t have to actually look to know that she was grinning. “You are starting to get too busy for me…” Listening to the faint rustling of the leaves with the woman sitting up, you resisted the urge to roll your eyes. Always so dramatic. No one really knew just how dramatic your lover could be at times purely because of the stoic front she always put up but you knew. It had come as a surprise to you when you’d first met but you grew to love her even more now because of it. Taking a few steps closer to the tree, you lifted a hand to rest against the smooth bark of the tree that your girlfriend had climbed all the while scrunching your nose in the slightest at the words being spoken.

“Training takes a lot of time but you have not left my mind..” Warm voice just a hair above a whisper, you study Neytiri where she sits. The pale moonlight highlighting her visage, the illuminating dots speckled across her face calling eyes to every feature that makes her an Omaticayan beauty. The bright yellow flower adoring her dark hair was an afterthought with all of your attention solely on the woman. Eyes meeting her equally golden ones, there were no words spoken for a couple beats. Just you two studying and admiring each other in the moonlight. For a short moment, you considered climbing up the tree just to fully bask in the other’s presence, however you both know that your a terrible climber even for a Na’vi. There would be no use in sneaking out in the middle of the night if you awoke your people with your screaming as you fall from the branches. “Are you going to come greet me officially or will we talk to each other like this for the rest of the night?” Head tilting once more, your lips grow into a full blown smirk now with the teasing tone in your voice. 

It was a bit..odd, your meeting, having been completely unintentional. It was many months before, when you were still training yourself to become a warrior having not yet had your iknimaya, and you had been struggling greatly. Mastering the art of the bolas had never been easy for any Nguway save for your father and only a handful of other warriors and it was more than frustrating that you hadn’t inherited her father’s grace with the weapon. After yet another unsuccessful training session, you’d wandered off to practice on your own. Ikinmaya was quickly approaching and bringing dishonor to her family was unacceptable. 

~

“Shit!” Crying out in clear distress, you stared heavily at the spot where the twine and stone weapon landed within the brush. Heaving a long and heavy sigh, you considered just giving up for a second. You could just not have an iknimaya and become a forager or something alike…right? A scoff was escaping your lips before you could even fully finish the thought. You needed to be a warrior. Protecting the Nguway clan had been a part of your family since the ancestors walked the lands. There was no way you could become anything else. Fists clenching, you stepped through the underbrush in the direction of where you’d carelessly thrown your only weapon before stooping down to pick it up. “Stupid balls.” Too far gone in your emotions, you hadn’t at all noticed the airy chuckle somewhere among the trees. While you hadn’t picked up on the presence of another at first, another careless toss of the twine and stones into the trees quickly alerted you of Neytiri. The yelp followed by a string of curses was enough to make you freeze where you stood. Had you indirectly caused a war? Amber eyes wide as saucers as you stared at the young girl tangled by the ankles on the ground, you couldn’t believe it. “I did it!” Rather than being ashamed of hurting another, you were much too happy about catching something. Or someone in this case.

“You are celebrating? Just wait until I free myself of these..things and I will give you something to celebrate about-” Cutting herself off with another string of curses, Neytiri turned her attention to untangling the twine wrapped tightly around her ankles with violence clear on her mind. The sharp words she spewed were quick to cut your celebration short before you were rushing forward to help all the while spewing sudden apologies yourself.

~

“Well?” Breaking the silence now with the single word, you couldn’t help growing somewhat impatient. While being attracted to someone was nothing new to you, it was completely different when it came to Neytiri. Everything was different. Bright eyes holding a glimmer of excitement and anticipation, it only took but a second before Neytiri was slipping off of the thicker branch she’d perched on to descend through the thinner ones and laid on her feet beside you all with a certain grace about her. There was something else on your mind to say - perhaps yet another tease or something just as dramatic - but you didn’t have the chance to get it out with Neytiri’s lips suddenly meeting yours. It took only half a second before you were reciprocating the gesture, hands lifting for your fingers to gently brush over her waist before finding their place on her hips. Leaning into her touch with her fingers sliding into your braided hair, an airy hum was leaving you involuntarily at her touch. Chest pressing into hers with the slight arch of your back, you were always just a little needy when it came to her. Catching Neytiri’s lower lip between your teeth to nip in the slightest, the sound of her faint gasp was amusing. A familiar warmth began to bloom in both your chest and between your thighs and you grabbed her lover’s hips to pull her closer, doing good not to smile and get distracted. However, feeling the small twitch of Neytiri’s lips, you couldn’t help doing the same. She’d been right. It had been a while. While you’d gotten used to feeling the warmth of Neytiri’s body so close too yours, in even the most heated of moments, you couldn’t help just feeling..giddy now. 

It went without saying but whatever heat had been starting to form at that moment collapsed into something softer and with the both of you pulling away from each other, albeit reluctantly, to just gaze at each other once more before the taller of one was taking your hand to lead you further into the forest. “Come.”

Now you weren’t sure where the hell Neytiri was leading you but you were obviously following. You’d follow her to the ends of the earth if you had to. Fingers intertwining with hers, the restlessness that you’d been experiencing before was nonexistent at this point. All you could feel now was excitement. You were with your lover now, for better or for worse. You both knew that Neytiri was to be mated with Tsu'tey after the tragic death of her older sister and yet…you didn’t care for it. The Omaticaya weren’t your people and Neytiri was her own woman. No matter the consequences, you’d chosen each other and you knew for a fact that Neytiri would stand by it just like you would. “Where are you taking me? Are we finally going to ride away on our ikrans? Has Tsu’tey finally gotten under your skin?” Only half-joking, it was hard to miss the warning glance in your direction.

“Don’t joke about that. You know my place is with my people.” It was something that you’d heard millions of times from Neytiri and yet it stung a little bit more every single time. Seeing the unshaken look in her eyes, you knew for a fact that she had to believe some part of what she was saying. Biting your lip, you stopped your walking altogether while still holding the other’s hand. 

“And what of us?” Eyes searching Neytiri’s face for some sort of falter or break in the neutral expression on her face, you continued, “Your place is with your people, yes, but what about me? When the time comes for you and Tsu’tey to take your roles, what will become of us? I care deeply for you, yawnetu.” 

She’d grown weary of this conversation. 

The way Neytiri averted her gaze was the biggest indicator of that and you felt as if you’d taken a blow to the chest. You should’ve known bringing it up would garner such a reaction. A reminder of how “well” it had gone over the last few times should’ve been a sign to let it go. Taking a deep breath through your nostrils, you couldn’t yet tear your gaze away. Grip on Neytiri’s hand tightening, you averted your gaze as well after the silence that followed. Staring at the smaller creatures skitting to and fro was much easier than seeing what you feared the most coming true. 

It was a constant thought in the back of your mind; the thought of what you and Neytiri had ending but you liked to believe that the two of you were stronger than that. “I-” Before you could add on anything else that would further your overthinking anymore, Neytiri’s soft hands were cupping your cheek and turning your head to look at her again.

“Come.” And with that, Neytiri was leading again. 

Blinking once and then twice, you didn’t know what to say or think. Had she not heard a single word you said? Your lover’s reaction only made you descend even further into your thoughts and you could feel your chest beginning to tighten with a sudden panic slowly washing over you. Was this a game to her? Were her feelings all fake? Was this how it was going to end? Just as you’d been about to stop their walking again, a bright light further ahead caught your attention.

It only took but a second for you to realize that she was leading you to the Tree of Voices. Confusion was quick to follow after the initial shock, your eyes widening as you looked to Neytiri who looked more than confident and smug to be doing such a thing. “I can not! I’m not Omaticaya...Neytiri!” Other hand raising to place on the woman’s chest as you maneuvered around to stand in front of her, the alarm must’ve been more than apparent given the way she softened in the slightest. 

“It does not matter. Not to me.”

Damn it. All it took were those seven words for you to follow Neytiri all the way up to the Tree of Voices, something that your clan very much didn’t stand for. If anyone were to learn of your presence here, there would be consequences. Even greater ones than the ones you would definitely suffer for courting the next Tsahik of the Omaticaya and yet...you didn’t care. At least not much seeing as you were much too focused on the sound of Neytiri’s laughter as she raced you up to the tree. It wasn’t long before your laughter was ringing out into the air right along with hers, blending harmoniously in the night air. Once you appeared to have reached your destination, Neytiri led you to sit beside her all the while reaching for one of the hanging strands with intention. Reaching back to take her braid, the woman connected to the strand with a soft breath and a slow flutter of her eyes before looking at you.

“I have been thinking a lot about what you say to me.”  She starts, “I..I care for you deeply, __. At first, I was sure I would be able to live my life freely but after...” With the pause that she takes, you immediately reach forward to take her hand and it appears to be just what she needed as she continues. “After, I was given a lot of responsibility and my freedom became limited. Even so, I want a life with you.” Wide eyes meeting yours with a seemingly doe-like expression on her face, it was enough to make you more than weak in the knees. It was like music to your ears and yet there was a small part of you that still doubted her words. 

“Are you sure? Perhaps we are being reckless. I know-” And once again, you’re being cut off with her lips meeting yours. Humming out, you reach forward to wrap your arms around her waist before pulling her up into your lap in the slightest. Hands rising and falling with your fingertips tracing every curve of her body, you leaned into her touch with her hands cupping your face once more. Leaning even further into Neytiri, a small whimper left you once you realized she was slowly pulling away. However, any doubt in your mind faded in an instant with the words she spoke.

“Of course I am sure, skxawng.”