Mel

Being the middle child of the Chief meant the choices in your life would always be outshined by your siblings. Your oldest sister was remarked as the golden child, the future Tsahìk, who would bring the clan to great prosperity. You would have the opposite, as your job solely contained taking care of your younger sibling and trying to step away from the shadow that was your heavenly sister.

It came to no surprise to you then, when your father and its clan greeted the Toruk Makto and his family with open arms, as they sought refuge from war. In any other instance, in any other clan, they would have shunned them away in protection of their own. However, your Father knew of Toruk Makto and his abilities, and how eligible a match his son would be for his own daughter.

Which definitely wasn’t you.

Which is what shocked you to say the least, on that very night of the Sully's arrival, your father made a proposition.

“My children will teach your family our ways.” Your father spoke loudly, the entire clan had centered for dinner, but both families had sectioned out privately to discuss matters. “My eldest will teach your sons.”

“Shouldn’t y/n teach them? She knows the land the best. I am better in our traditions.” Your eldest sister spoke out, her voice the perfect tone disciplined by your mother. In any other circumstance it would’ve been considered rude, but your sister had long been known to be a soft spot in your fathers eyes.

“Shánti knows our traditions well, she will teach you all our clans' voices through Eywa.” Your mother’s voice rang out in the air, silencing your father from speaking who reflected on the words before nodding in agreeableness.

“That’s wonderful.” Jake Sully’s mate Neytiri, spoke out as she looked across her children with careful looks. “They will learn well.”

Jake mumbled something incoherently under his breath, before clearing his voice. “That’s  great, but my kids need a strong foundation. My eldest son here will help wherever he can.” Jake latched an arm over to Neteyam who had stood quietly.

You frowned by his unusual demeanor, and judging from his nonchalant attitude you would grow annoyed. The men in your clan were a lot different, and you weren’t sure if you could handle the challenge.

“Yes, I am sure you will find all the knowledge you seek Toruk Makto, y/n will guide him.” Your father spoke, glancing at you finally for the first time all night. You couldn’t help the outward huff, as your father clucked his tongue. “What do you say, y/n?”

“I say the lands are foreign to nomads. But it’s not something you can teach.” You narrowed your eyes. The last thing you wanted to do was babysit and help refugees who were escaping from a war.

“They Shouldn’t-“ you began to reply, but your mothers hiss stopped you.

“You will do it!” Your mother argued, swatting at your tail in warning as you groaned in frustration.

“You will start at sunrise.” Your father spoke, his words ringing with finality. That was something that made you frustrated above all else. His words rang truer than anyone else’s. 

You felt a creeping stare on the side of your face, as you glanced toward the culprit. Neteyam.

His stare wasn’t so much that you hated it, in fact you didn’t mind it at all. But it was the way he guarded his emotions so well, but seemed to unravel every one of yours. That was what made you dislike him.

Later in the evening, as everyone was beginning to go to sleep, you found that same exact feeling wash over you, and his face graced your visions. It was going to be a long night.

The first day of teaching him went semi smoothly. While you helped in between with his other siblings, you actually found you enjoyed his presence a lot more than you realized. 

“Neteyam.” You scolded as you watched him attempt to stealthily climb against the mountainous terrain searching for food to hunt. “You cannot move so carefully as you would in your forest, here we can not let our feet touch firmly or it will scare them away.”

He laid in a crouched position, his eyes scrunching in confusion, looking down at his feet. In any other situation you would find it almost adorable, but you knew this hunt meant a lot for both sides, and you could not let your parents down. 

“I’ll be fine.” He said, narrowing his eyes, his ears flicking upwards as he heard a sound. You let a resounding gasp as he pushed you closer to the floor, making it seem like he was the one teaching you. You pinched at his sides, both of your eyes holding a stare off.

His gaze softened and if it wasn’t for the crunch of the floor, from the nearby hunt, You would’ve stared at him all day.

He grinned, pushing up with all the grace of an antelope, as he pulled out his bow, aiming for the animal. You remained in your spot, letting him carry out his action until you heard the resounding thud of the deer, and you felt yourself get up from the floor.

You watch as his eyes narrowed, all the clumsy nature, and playful banter you once witnessed was masked into an expression of solitude. 

He was a natural. You thought.

You began to realize just how much Neteyam took his role seriously, and the admiration that was once non-existent was beginning to flow from you. He had all the qualities a man born to be Olo’eyktan had. It made your heart swell for not only the Na'vi people, but yourself.

He crouched down toward the animal, reciting a ritual practiced. Before you knew it, it was over, and his eyes tilted up towards yours for approval. You couldn’t help the small smile as you nodded, dropping down toward the hunt as you examined it.

“A clean kill. This is not the first time?” You asked. If before you asked yourself to possibly swell Neteyam’s pride at the slightest, you would have laughed at your own face. But now, you only felt honesty, and curiosity for the Na’vi boy, who you were starting to realize was so easily becoming a man.

“No.” Neteyam shook his head, no pride overtook him whatsoever. He grabbed onto the hunt, looking back up at you. “But none that matters now. We are refugees.” His eyes casted down, as the mood deepened with a tinge of sadness.

You frowned, feeling a sense of longing overtake you, feeling empathy wash over you. His family had to leave everything they had known. Including everything that made them who they are. For any Na’vi person, identity is one of the most valued assets. 

Before you knew it you put a hand faintly on his shoulder. “You are with us now. You will become one with the people.”

“Not until death.” He laughed sarcastically, pushing back as he began the trek back to the village. You rolled your eyes at his humor, the foreboding chill racking your spine.

Why did the mention of death make you so cold? Perhaps Neteyam was beginning to mean more than you realized.

Or Perhaps Ewya was preparing you for the inevitable part of all life.

It Didn’t take long for Neteyam and yourself to flourish in friendship. Once you both got to know each other, you realized how similar you are. When the days spent teaching Neteyam and the rest of his siblings ended, you found yourself sticking out until the later of the evening. 

Evenings such as now as you look over at Neteyam, both of you riding your Ikran’s through the mountain cliffs of your home. Neteyam, turned your way as he felt your stare, before laughing as he willed his Ikran to turn through the sky. He began to call out, as you laughed, following his lead.

There was nothing better, you thought to yourself, dipping down as you followed his Ikran near the crashing waves, feeling the spray of salty water hit your face as your Ikran squawked, turning in its wings to avoid being sprayed in the face. You both tilted upwards almost ninety degrees in the air, which made you feel the need to show off to Neteyam. You smiled, sensing him glance towards you as you pause midair, feeling the familiar rush in your head as you fell into a backward flip. 

You spun your Ikran upwards, laughing as you sped past Neteyam, startling him in the process. 

Everything about the past month had been a blur, so much so you couldn’t remember what had deterred you from Neteyam and his family in the first place. You had found such freedom in letting go, and you suppose you had Eywa to thank for that.

As the sun began to set you realized it was time to head back home, your mind still reeling in the newfound joy with Neteyam. You looked over to him as you both flew through the sky. Neteyam somehow felt your stare, looking back, his eyes scrunching in confusion. You motioned for him to follow you as you yipped. “We must get back. Both of our parents will have our heads otherwise.”

You felt him nod though you couldn’t help but notice the acute mischievousness grace his eyes as he followed you home. It just so happened your adventure led you past your Tree of souls, its cove unlocking brilliantly among the steep rocks into your most sacred place. 

“There’s one more stop before we get back!” Neteyam shouted as you watched his Ikran dip toward the tree, as your eyes widened. You knew he was going to get you both in trouble. You grumbled in annoyance but felt yourself follow him wholeheartedly.

You knew at that moment it did not matter where he went, you would always find yourself right behind him. The past few months had made you realize that.

You had chosen him.

You both landed just as the light faded to dusk, and the sights and sounds of the bioluminescence mixed with the sacred wood sprites created a heavenly hideaway for the both of you.

You got off your Ikran, as you laughed. “You know they were wrong about you.” Neteyam jumped off on his own, as he grinned, shaking his head in confusion.

“How so?”

“You are just as every bit as mischievous as your brother.” You smiled brightly as you neared him, watching as his cheeks reddened, shaking it off with a laugh.

“Now I’m not sure what you mean, y/n” he said, the corners of his eyes crinkling in amusement, nearing you as you felt your breath hold in anticipation. You hated the way he looked at you, you knew that every look could mean a bad decision for the both of you.

“Skxawng…” you flicked his sides, as he faked a wounded expression, before grabbing at your tail as you sidestepped in fake annoyance.

You began to notice your surroundings as you found yourself twirling around to face the tree, the wood sprites sensing your bright behavior as they neared you. You smiled, lifting a hand toward one of them, closing your eyes as you felt the gentle caress of its seeds drift across your face. It wasn’t till you felt something warm and gentle touch the same place, as your eyes opened in surprise.

Neteyam had approached you much closer now, his eyes mimicking what you thought were emotions similar to that of unbridled joy. You watched as he scanned your face, his fingers drifting across your cheek, up toward your eyes, and then down to your lips.

You realized once again that all of it was very wrong. You couldn’t get mixed up with Toruk Makto’s son. Not only was he an honored guest, but you were very sure your parents had plans for your sister with the eldest son.

The eldest son who was very much closing in to kiss you. You felt reality hit you, stopping his beautiful lips from touching yours. “Neteyam, we can’t.”

You felt him sigh as he frowned. “Why?”

“Shanti is the next Tsahìk.” You whispered, your voice growing quiet as you felt him entrap you once again. “She is a great singer, and spiritual leader.”

“I don’t want Shanti.” He backed up only a fraction, his eyes tilting in curiosity. “I’ve already chosen.”

“Neteyam…” You smiled softly shaking your head as you stepped, away from him and towards the scared tree’s leaves. You felt him grab your hand, pulling you towards him, the weight feeling like a magnetic force surrounding the both of you.

He held your hand close to him, pulling it past the hardness of his abdomen, and towards his chest, the beating of his heart heard loud enough you almost blushed. “But she must also choose me.”

You smiled, as you looked to the floor then back up. 

Perhaps there was no stopping this anyway. 

“She already has.” You felt your face close in, your nose grazing the top of his upper lip, before you both closed in on the kiss.

Soft. Was all you could think of, as you both shared a soft kiss, Neteyam’s lips felt like a plushy cloud, that was warm and inviting, yet strong and firm. You both stopped as both your eyes stared longingly into each other.

Neteyam smiled, as his finger touched your lips. You found yourself biting it gently in amusement, as his eyes shifted in both amusement and shock. “Forever?”

“Always.” You leaned in, grasping his face with your hand as you closed in unimaginably further. You felt the kiss turn passionate, the curiosity of soft love, turning into one of unbridled heat. You gasped, feeling Neteyam’s hands grab your sides and lifting you into his arms, as your hands found them interlocked in his hair.

Your mouths moved fervently against each other, each twist of your mouth paired coyly with your wandering hands as you felt something soft hit your back, and your gravity shift upwards. 

You watched as Neteyam skimmed the sides of your legs, his mouth moving from yours down the sides of your face and into your neck. You felt his mouth place playful nips as you gasped, your hands grasping onto his bicep and your lower end gravitating towards his own. Grinding fervently on him, you raised your leg so you could straddle him, bringing his lips back to your own.

For a few minutes you both battled for dominance until the tug at your bottoms, made you remember what was at stake if you continued further. Before you knew it, you pushed Neteyam around as you tumbled across the floor until you were on top of him. Out of breath you found yourself placing a gentle finger on his lips. “Wait.”

“Y-Yes...?” Neteyam laughed, looking up at you, his hands wandering towards your backside, as you realized he was still very much enveloped in the passion you two were sharing moments ago.

“Neteyam.” You grabbed his hand, pushing it toward your heart. “If you really want this. Then we must make the bond before Eywa.”

His eyes softened as he nodded his head. “Of course.” He grazed his hand across your heart. “It’s always been you y/n.”

You tried to hide your smile as you laughed feeling elated with happiness, as you looked up at the canopy of the tree enveloping you both. You pushed off of him, sitting with your knees bent to one side. 

You were very nervous. Nothing could’ve prepared you for this moment. Your mother spoke of it briefly and in clan tradition you were supposed to obtain acceptance from the chief leaders.

But everything was different with Neteyam. That was what made you the most nervous. Everything about him defied your very own logic.

Neteyam must’ve sensed your hesitance as he crouched next to you, grabbing your hands, his ears down casted. “Y/n, you made me realize everything about this world I knew was wrong. I thought the only goal in life for a Na’vi like me is to live up to my father’s expectations.”

“Oh, Neteyam.” You cupped his cheek, smiling when he leaned down to kiss it.

“But now I know.” Neteyam grinned leaning forward until your noses touched each other and You could feel his warm breath inches away from yours. “I’m more than my father’s son. I am everything I am…for you.”

You couldn’t believe such words would be emitting from a Na’vi you once disliked. You knew that this was the right choice, and perhaps it was meant to happen. Eywa had brought you both together for a reason.

You closed the space kissing him gently, as you reached for your queue, your eyes opening slightly to watch Neteyam. His eyes focused intently on you as you both broke away from each other for only a moment. Grabbing onto his, you watched as the familiar queue came close to yours. Looking up at him, you nodded your head before finally connecting queues.

At first the familiar sensation arose that you often felt when you connected to one of your creatures. That tingling sensation, the acute sense of awareness in both beings, but always in the back of your mind.

Then everything transformed as you gasped, the sensations causing your eyes to dilate. 

Love. 

That was the emotion you felt the most as you gazed into his eyes, his smile widening as he too felt the connection just as strongly. You felt as if a door had been opened and both of your souls were bare for the other to explore and bask in its sensation.

Your hands traveled to his shoulder as you gasped, the feelings heightened as you could almost sense his own awareness. Feeling more courageous, you pushed his broad shoulders to the floor as you sprawled on top of him. Neteyam laughed as you began to plant loving kisses on his face, before he grabbed yours.

“We are mated for life.” Neteyam sighed, kissing your lips deeply before moving onto to the next stages of the night.

He was right and for the first time, you didn’t have a care after that. You both gave each other the inexplicably joyous firsts, as you fell deeply in love.

Nothing could have been better, you thought. If only there was a way to tell your parents what you both had done.

Well, that was never going to be easy. 

With Neteyam you started to realize… it never was.

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