#avatar2oneshot

Ta’ney had been one of Ao’nung’s closest friends. Growing up together side by side, doing their iknimaya together. Every milestone Ao’nung experienced, Ta’ney was there with him.

Everyone suspected that the pair would eventually mate, that it almost seemed fated that they would be together. However, Ao’nung never felt that way. He always had his heart set on you. No one could make his heart flutter like you could. Every little thing you did still after many years together sent butterflies to his stomach.

Yet, Ta’ney had captured his attention on your morning. She was in hysterics, her songcord had broken, and the bead that her late mother had passed onto her was shattered into pieces.

Ta’ney begged for him to help fix it, which seemed odd. Ao’nung never had a knack for fixing things. Tsireya was much more inclined for a task like this. But when Ao’nung watched his best friend hold the broken cord in her hands, tears streaming down her face. He let out a sigh…of course he had to help her.

The day slipped out of his hands. He went back to her marui, helping her mend the broken beads. It was easier than he thought it would be. The breaks were so clean, almost as if they were done purposely. But the thought didn’t linger in his mind.

Ao’nung glanced outside of the opening of the marui, the light spilled across the woven floor, the sun had shifted more a sign of the day passing. The cool that lingered in the early mornings had transformed into a soft warmth that felt heavier trapped inside her marui.

You would be awake soon. He knew you would be sleeping late, having celebrated all night before.

The thought pressed against his ribcage uncomfortably, in a way he couldn’t quite name. His mind drifted to thoughts of you, snuggled tightly under your woven blankets, your hair splayed across the bedroll as your eyes were shut tightly locked in your deep slumber.

When you would inevitably wake you would expect him there. Next to you. Sea urchins split open on a board he had adorned with your favourite fruits. It was a tradition. One he had never broke.

“I should go.” He murmured.

She didn’t seem to hear him…or blatantly chose not to listen. Her fingers softly tracing the repaired beads, as if she was testing if they would break again. When she looked up Ao’nung’s stomach shifted, her expression not sitting well with him.

“I don’t know what I would have done without you Ao’nung.” The way she said his name rolled off her tongue with a sharp edge. It didn’t sound as sweet as it did when you sung his name.

Ao’nung shifted in his position as she leaned onto him, her head cradling into his woven chest piece.

The chest piece you had worked for weeks to make, weaving it so carefully that your fingers ached by the end. The memory made something pang inside his chest. Deep and sharp.

Outside the village began to get busy, the day passing on without him. Your day passing on without him.

Ao’nung let out a long steady breath, an awkward hand placed on the top of her back, soothing her sorrows.

Just a little longer he told himself.

Just until she calms down.

He let her cry, holding her in his arms as her tears soaked the woven kelp chest piece. He held her just a little too close, and a little too long than you would’ve liked.

The sobbing slowly transformed into talking about old memories, reminiscing of the days when they were young and reckless. Free of their duties, free of the grief that had overwhelmed them in their teen years.

He went to leave multiple times, foot halfway out of the door when she would start crying again. Claiming that her songcord would never be the same and that she was so stupid and naïve to break the precious item.

The day turned into night quickly as Ta’ney brought out a large bowl of kava. The strong earthy scent filling the room.

“I really shouldn’t Ta’ney, I have to go.” He said putting a handout refusing the drink.

But suddenly her eyes teared up again grabbing onto Ao’nung’s thick arm, her delicate fingers wrapping around his rough skin. “Just one…a celebration? For fixing my songcord…It’s barely the afternoon.”

Recklessly he sat back down, agreeing to her negotiation. Her breath steadying too quickly for someone on the verge of tears.

Just one drink.

Just one drink turned into two, then four. By the end he could barely remember what they were talking about anymore. His body buzzing, pupils shot as Ta’ney poured him countless drinks that were making him too drunk to refuse another.

By the time Ao’nung stumbled back into the marui he was barely able to keep himself standing. His hands fumbling with the tent flap, a drunk smile plastered on his face. As he tumbled in, he was ready to give you a warm hug, and ramble about the stupid day he had.

“Babe…you won’t believe the day I had.” He chuckled, his words slurring off his tongue. He brushes the sand off his body as he moved closer to you in the tent. Ready to flop next to you on the bedroll and turn in for the night.

“Ta’ney broke her songcord! She’s so clumsy that girl- Came sobbing to me this morning…what was I even doing up that early? I can’t remember.” He let out a drunken snort, the bright colours of the marui whirring together as he moved around the room. Trying to stabilize himself on a wooden shelf.

“Had to spend half the day fixing the stupid thing! Still don’t know why she asked me, I have never once been good at crafting things.” His mouth babbled on as he was headed to the bed, his eyes still not finding you in the blurred room.

Finally, he glances towards you. You were sitting in the corner of the marui, hands holding onto sea urchins, red and sore, the shells uncracked. You looked as if you had been crying, eyes red and puffy as your breath came out in fevered sighs.

The smile on his lips dropped as he wobbles closer to you, trying to get a better view of you. A flicker of doom impending in his chest.

“Baby why aren’t you asleep yet it’s late.” The smell of flowery herbs and alcohol invaded the space between them.

All of a sudden it clicked.

The day. Today. Your birthday.

A knot forms in his stomach, hands becoming clammy. His eyes dart past you to the room. There were no gifts, no special foods, nothing. The plans and promises he had made weeks ago crumbling in front of him. He felt his body go cold, his heart plunging down to his feet.

He was suddenly stone cold sober.

He turns back, staring at you. And for the first time today he sees you. He sees the day you spent alone. He sees the disappointment that lingered in the room. He sees the unopened urchins that were no longer fresh, only warm and disappointing. He sees what a perfect day with his mate could’ve been. The plans he had made, the trip to the cove of ancestors. He sees the small box in the corner of the room. Inside was a woven chest piece. He had spent weeks with Tsireya learning how to make it so you both could match. All of it going to waste.

Then as he closes his eyes he sees the day he actually had. Holding Ta’ney too close. Letting her cry onto him. Pouring countless drinks until the hours slipped away. Laughing at memories while forgetting the new ones he should’ve made with you.

Ta’ney who knew it was your birthday today. Who somehow appeared bright and early. Whose beads were broken with too much precision. Whose sobs seemed to die down too quickly. The pieces start to click in his mind. A move was made in a game he didn’t know he was playing. Yet he chose it. He forgot it. He forgot you. His mate. His wife. He chose her over you…on your day.

So now he stood there awkwardly, arms stuck to his sides, his ears flat against his head. Standing in front of you. Smelling like another woman, your birthday ruined all because of him. His words stuck in his throat like stones.

“Baby…” His voice was weak, slowly edging towards you. “It’s a misunderstanding I promise…”

He had to do something. Explain. Deflect, Apologize, Anything.

“Ta’ney, she needed me.” As soon as the words he knew what they sounded like. Weak and useless and he knew he was going to watch them break whatever was left.

Your eyes tilt up to him. Ao’nung felt his chest tighten as he gazed at you. There was nothing in your eyes, completely devoid of any emotion.

“Then go to her.” Your words are flat. Monotone and final.

Ao’nung feels like he is physically pushed back from the blow of your words. “Baby that isn’t what I meant-”

You cut him off abruptly, eyes sharper now, no longer devoid. “You chose her all day. Why stop now?”

Ao’nung shakes his head stepping closer, reaching out to grabs your hand. But you retract away, as if his touch would burn you. He looked down at the space you made between them. A physical manifestation of his mistakes.

“No, please baby let me explain.”

“Hm? What pretty words can you say to get yourself out of this huh?” You stood taller now, chest puffed out, eyes twitching as you stared daggers into him. “Did you have fun? Spending my birthday with her? Was it worth it?”

Ao’nung shook his head feverously. He had never seen you like this before. So mad…so livid. Yes, you have had arguments before but nothing that felt as drastic as the rift that was forming between you. “No! No it wasn’t. I messed up.”

But you weren’t hearing him. Anger clouded all of your thoughts, adrenaline rushing through your veins. You had to take a cautious step away from him, scared of the rage bubbling inside of you.

“And then you have the audacity to come into our home. Our home! And reek of that bitch!” Your tail lashed behind you knocking over the plate of sea urchins. A sick display of your shared traditions being broken because of his mistakes.

“Coming home drunk! You smell horrid! You can barely stand up! You spend my entire day celebrating and drinking away as I sit here…alone! I woke up with no one next to me and spent the day wondering when you would return!”

Ao’nung took in a deep breath his ears turning down as your voice proceeded to get louder and louder. With every word that came hurling towards him he doubted anything he could say would make up for the atrocity he had committed. “Baby I’m so sorry…I never meant for this to happen.”

“Or did you just not want me to find out.” You hiss, teeth baring in front of him. Ao’nung feels his body go numb, pins and needles snaking up through his limbs. What were you insinuating?

“What? Find out what?” Ao’nung was stunned, did you truly think that he would ever cheat on you. That he would commit such a sin against his beloved.

“No wonder you carry her pungent scent.” You scoff, head turning away as you put your hand out maintaining the distance between you two. “Was she good huh? Better than me? Better than all of this?!” Your hand pointed around the room.

Every bit of your lives was inside this marui. Your shared gifts, your hunts, your furniture, your memories.

“What? You think I fucking cheated on you?” Ao’nung stood taller now, the alcohol still flowing a warmth in his body. “You think after everything I’d do something like that?”

You scoffed again, an unnerving smile morphing onto your face. “Then what else does it look like huh? You come home drunk and reeking of other women. Spending the entire day with her? You must’ve kept busy somehow!”

Ao’nung freezes, the warmth of the alcohol curdling inside him. He felt it burning, twisting into something sour and sharp. He opens his mouth to say something, but the words falter in his throat.

“I didn’t.” His voice finally giving in to his will. “I swear baby, I didn’t touch her.”

You let out a hollow laugh, a sick smirk on your face. “That’s your defence?”

His shoulders drop, a shuddering breath escaping his mouth. “I should have never been there. I- I’m so sorry. I should’ve left the moment my mind went to you.” He drags a hand down his face, trying to stop his emotions from spilling out of his eyes. “I knew it was your birthday. I didn’t forget. And I stayed anyway.”

His words are a final blow. Hurting more than anything he had said.

An unnerving silence stretches between the both of you. It was thick and suffocating.

You take another step away from him, your body collapsing into the shelves behind you. Items clattering to the floor. Ao’nung leaped to you, scared you were hurt but you struck a handout making sure he stayed away.

“So, you chose to forget about me.” You whispered weakly.

Ao’nung shakes his head violently “No. No I didn’t- Please baby I’m sorry. I just- fuck. Please let me make this up to you.”

“You need to go. I’m sure she would happily take you in.”

“No baby I don’t want her. It’s you, I want you.”

“I don’t want you here. I need you to go.”

“Please baby.” Ao’nung was defeated, wet tears staining his cheeks as the consequences crashed down on him.

“Just fucking go away! Go!” You lunge forward pushing his chest weakly. Ao’nung stumbles back his hair falling in front of his face. He just wanted to hold you. Apologise profusely for what he had done. He would never betray you like you thought he did.

But his body failed him, he was frozen. Stuck in place unable to defend himself. To fight for his relationship.

“Why aren’t you going?!” You cry out a shaking hand coming up to cover your face.

“I can’t” he says hoarsely

You look up at him startled, seeing the tear streaks on his face, the devastation in his stature. A part of your heart clenches. You hadn’t seen him so distraught in a long time. The only time you’d seen him cry was at his mother’s funeral.

“I can’t- I can’t leave us. I can’t leave you.”

He takes a step closer, then another. His breath touching your face. His arms fall to your shoulders, resting his forehead on yours. Everything about him was stripped bare. There was no pride, no bravado. Just him.

“I fucked up.” He chokes out. “I know what this looks like and I know that I fucked up. But I’d never hurt you like that. I know I ruined your day; I ruined your trust.” His hands clutch at your shoulders, scared you would run away.

“Please don’t make me leave.” He sobs, his eyes glassy and sorrowful.

Your chest aches hearing the devastation in his voice. Were you too harsh on him? Did you anger cloud your judgement.

“I never touched her, baby I didn’t.” the words rush out of his mouth. “I swear on my life, on Eywa, on us. I was stupid and naïve. She poured me the drinks until I couldn’t refuse them, her beads were never truly broken…I was too fucking stupid to see it. It’s no excuse for what I did to you.”

His voice drops, his hand clasping around your chin tilting it up so he could stare into your eyes. “You’re my mate, my wife- I had so much planned and I just- fucked it. I don’t want you to forgive me…but I can’t let you think I’d betray you like that.” He pauses, his breath hitching as a broken sob escapes him.

“Please don’t send me away.” Silence stretches between you as he waits for you to answer him. Holding his breath as his heart bleeds out for you.

You don’t pull away from him. Sitting in the silence feeling the way his hands desperately clinged to you.

“I know you wouldn’t touch her- I was just…angry” You say quietly

Ao’nung feels a wave of relief crash over him.

“But this still hurts Ao’nung.” Your eyes flick up to him, hands trembling by your sides. “You still chose her” You whisper, the anger inside you slowly disappearing and transforming into disappointment. “You chose to stay with her; you chose to forget me.” Your voice cracks despite your best effort. “On my birthday.”

Ao’nung mouth opens to say something, but you lift a hand silencing him.

“I know it wasn’t intentional…to some degree.” Your eyes burn as you try to hold off the incoming tears. “But I sat here and waited and waited. Telling myself you must be planning something great, that I shouldn’t be doubting you. Just for you to come home stinking of another woman”

His face crumbles, his breaths becoming short and laboured.

“I love you Ao’nung.” You say, your voice bare audible “But it really fucking hurts.”

“I love you too.” He rushes out trying to say something, anything to try and save himself from his choices. “Baby I love you so much.”

You step back from his grasp, the space between your bodies is small but devasting.

“I just need some space.” You took a breath “Just for tonight.”

His hands fall from your shoulders slowly, as if he’s afraid letting you go may be permanent. “Okay.”

And deep inside you, as you watched him fumble with the tent flap, stepping outside of your home. You began to regret your request.

Ao’nung wakes before the sun. He slept in Tsireya and Lo’ak’s marui the night before. Though sleep is a strong word.

For a short moment he forgets where he is. The different surroundings, the dull ache in his skull. It comes rushing back quickly. The fight, the distance.

He pushes himself off the bedroll quick and determined.

He was knee deep in the ocean as the first spill of light filtered onto the shore. Hands moving on instinct as he fished for the freshest sea urchins he could find. He splits them carefully, laying them out on a wooden board with the specially chosen fruits he picked for you.

His hands work quickly, racing the rising sun. He wanted to be there when you woke. To do what he should’ve done yesterday. To try fixing this rift between the two of you.

He almost sprints back to the marui, his heart stuck in his throat as he slowly opens the tent flap.

His eyes flick over the room. It’s still messy, items still toppled over, gifts untouched. But then he notices something.

It’s empty.

There was no sign of your presence anywhere. Panic flashes hot through his veins. Had you left him? Could you simply not fathom being in a space you both shared? Was this rift beyond repair?

Suddenly a growing commotion near the village centre caught his attention.

Ta’ney laughed first, sharp and ugly stabbing right into you. “Did you wait like a good loyal mate all day while he was with me?”

Your ears flick back a growling hiss escapes out of your mouth. Then something snaps. You lunge forwards into her, body slamming into her hard enough to knock the wind from her lungs. She yelps as she stumbles back of a platform into the sand.

“Shut your fucking mouth.”

Ta’ney recovers quickly, letting out a loud hiss as her face twists in rage. She shoves her hands out as she stands pushing you down onto the sand. You hit the ground hard, groaning in pain as she sits on top of you pulling your hair tightly, making your scalp cry out.

“He came to me!” She spat, eyes wide as she held your head back tightly. “He stayed with me! He held me while you sat there like a pathetic bitch!”

Your vision goes red.

Your hand surges forward grabbing a fistful of her hair, yanking it with such force that she comes toppling off you, small bits of her hair ripping off her scalp. She claws at your arm as she rolls off, leaving bright red marks on your arm. You end up on top this time, pinning her arms below your knees as you sat on top of her.

“He’s my mate!” You hiss, fist raised. The crowd murmurs, circling as chaos unfolds around the two of you. “He’s mine! Not yours! And he never will be!”

Your fist landed on her face.

Once.

Twice,

Ta’ney shrieks in pain as she bucks you off her with surprising strength. You tumble off her crouching on the ground as you flick her blood off your knuckles.

Ta’ney stands as she wipes the blood from her split lip, her eyes crazy and wild.

“We were meant to be together!”

You scoff in her face. “Then why aren’t you?” You tilt your head up as she hisses at you. “Why did you have to break your own songcord hm? Pour him the strongest drink you could conjure just so he could put up with you?!”

Ta’ney stumbles back, her deceit coming to light.

That was the opening you needed.

From your crouching position you rushed into her tackling her onto the ground with a loud thud. She cries out as you land on top of her. You grab onto her kuru holding her head tightly so she couldn’t move.

“You wish you were me.” You lean down, a fury burning in your eyes as the words fall out of your mouth like venom.

She thrashes beneath you helplessly. “He chose me!”

“No.” You cut her off, voice shaking with rage. “You tricked him!”

Ta’ney hisses again head moving as she bite your arm hard, fangs piercing your skin. You let go of her kuru grasping onto your arm in burning pain. Ta’ney quickly tries to land a punch on your face. Your heart beating out of your chest you dodge it bringing your forehead to hers as you slam them together. Your head rings for a moment as Ta’ney cries out in pain, her nose starting to bleed.

You shove her away quickly, baring your teeth as you stand above her.

“He wouldn’t be so fucking miserable if he was with me!” She hisses, trying to stand but her legs give out making her collapse in the sand.

You scoff as you stalk around her, like an animal about to devour their prey. “He loves me.” You say calmly, head cocked to the side. “He chose me everyday until your little games got in the way.

You crouched down your blade out of its sheath. It’s sharp edge reflecting the morning sun as it pointed to her throat. “You don’t get to touch what’s mine.” Your voice was menacing, an imminent threat of what would happen next.

The village went silent as you bent over her.

“Baby!” Ao’nung voice cracks through the silence like lightening. He barrels through the crowd, his chest heaving. His eyes widen as he takes in the scene. Both of you bloodied and feral. A blade stuck against her throat as your eyes were wide with primal anger.

You turn to see him, your entire demeanour softening. You let out a long exhale. “I had to deal with something.” You say softly, a little chuckle in your voice.

“I can see that-”

“Ao’nung! She almost killed me-”

“Shut up.” He snarled, his voice snapping while not sparing a glance. He couldn’t take his eyes off you.

His hands go to the small of your back, the first time he had touched you since the fight. He felt like his body could melt into yours. “Come. There is breakfast at home.” You both slowly walked out of the crowd back to your marui.

“Is it my favourite?”

“Of course it is.”

It took awhile for Ao’nung to patch you up. He offered to get Tsireya but you refused. You just wanted him to be by your side.

You both sat in a comfortable silence as you ate your breakfast. The juices of the fruit slipping down your hands and fingers. A sign of a meal truly enjoyed.

“I’m sorry you got hurt.” Ao’nung says softly looking up at you.

You shrug nonchalantly. “Should’ve seen the other guy.” You snort at your own joke, still impressed by your own performance in the fight.

“No baby. I am sorry.” He moved closer towards you wiping some fruit juice off your cheek “You shouldn’t have had to prove to her that we are mates…I was naïve in thinking she had no ill intentions.”

You shrug again clasping his large hand in yours. “If I’m being honest. It was quite fun.” You let out a laugh as did Ao’nung, shaking his head at your antics.

“It was kind of hot” Ao’nung tilts his head gazing at you. “Being so territorial over me.” His voice became smoother, hands dropping from your cheek to your waist.

“Mhm, I don’t think anyone else is going to try anything with you anymore.” You grinned, your hands travelling to lay on top of his.

“They wouldn’t dare.” He whispered, his head tilting down to rest next to your ear.

 “I’m exactly where I want to be.”

a/n: thankyou so much for reading!!!! i got a lil carried away but i needed to make the girls fight LMAO plz leave a comment or a reblog i love to know what u guys think!! ilyyyyyyyyy

You weren’t overthinking, how could you? With the buzzing in your head. Nerves building up from your toes clawing up into your stomach and humming so high pitched inside your brain that you couldn’t form a single thought at all.

That’s why, you presume you made such a naïve mistake. You tripped.

A blistering root, right below your foot stinging your sole as you yelped loudly. Any prey that may have been close was long gone by now, they would’ve scurried off the moment the leaves below your feet rustled too loudly.  

You never hit the ground though. Even when you braced for impact, throwing your bow far as you were diving face first into the dirt.

But of course, he was right behind you. Waiting. Like he half-expected you would mess up. His hand was on you instantly, wrapping around your arm to protect you from the incoming impact. You barely had time to registered what was happening before you were tightly pulled into his warm chest, his other arm bracing around you as you catch your lost breath.

“I’m sorry” You whisper into his arms. Looking down, cheeks red hot with embarrassment. You have walked these forests for years. You know better.

Neteyam stays still, a comforting hand caressing the small of your back. Tracing the patterns on your skin that he has come to know well. It was quiet and intimate, a soft moment before he pulled away ever so slightly to look you in the eyes.

“It is okay” he murmurs. His voice soft and calm. “Is your foot alright?”

You pull back nodding “Mhm, just stings a bit. I will live” Neteyam chuckles slightly his eyes crinkling as his smile meets the rest of his face.

“How does someone not see a root that big?” He laughs his hand coming up to push a strand of hair out of your face. “You were not thinking.”

“No.” You pout looking up at him “Not at all.”

Neteyam lets out a snort. It was short and from the heart. “Come. Let’s go back.”

Back at high camp, you and all the Sully kids sat in the healer’s tent. Kiri crouched down grinding herbs together for the small wound on your foot. Lo’ak and Spider sat across from you.

“Bro how did you even manage that?” Lo’ak snickered pointing at the injury

You rolled your eyes “I may have stepped on a blistering root.” The words were barely coherent the way you mumbled them.

Lo’ak let out a loud boisterous laugh before Neteyam slapped him on the arm.

“Shut up bro.” Lo’ak recoils dramatically clutching his arm. “I’m just saying bro, first hunt and the ground took you out.”

“Kinda impressive.” Spider adds on with a mischievous grin

You let out a loud groan, your head dropping into your hands. “Eywa take mercy on me and swallow me whole.”

Kiri snorts a little. “You are dramatic. The forest has a mind of its own”

“Unlike her.” Lo’ak pointed at you again, a light-hearted joke that made himself crack up more than anyone else in the tent. Neteyam stares at the boisterous pair, scoffing at their antics.

“Get out of here skxwang go annoy Norm or something.” Neteyam shoos Spider and Lo’ak out of the tent.

He hovers closely as Kiri finishes wrapping your foot, his knee brushing yours ever so slightly as he crouches down beside you.

“You will be fine.” Kiri finally states, brushing off as she stands. “Just don’t step on another one please.”

“I will not. I’m sure he will make sure of it.” You pointed your head at Neteyam, meeting his gaze as he stared at you intently. Kiri laughs nodding as she makes her way out of the tent.

The tent flap falls shut and suddenly the noise is gone and its just the pair staring at each other.

Your eyes drop to the ground, your hand resting on his thigh, tracing patterns as the silence fills the room. “I really messed up the hunt.”

Neteyam chuckles. “You did not ruin it.” His hand laying on top of yours softly caressing your fingers. “You simply…had a different technique.”

Your jaw slacks open. “Neteyam! That is no better!”

He chuckles, his smile spreading across his face. “No harm in trying new things.”

You shake your head “You suck. You’re meant to be encouraging me.”

“I am.” He says with a grin growing on his face “I am encouraging you to look where you step.”

You huff, slumping against his body in protest of his rudeness. “You still did well.” He chimes in

“Oh yeah? Even with all the dramatics?”

“Especially with the dramatics.” He cheeses.

“I think you’re enjoying making fun of this a little too much.”

“Perhaps.”

“You’re lucky I like you.”

You both laugh, bodies easing together without thought or hesitation, your weight resting against his as the moment between you transforms into something quiet and grounding.

Later that night once the light dipped low into the horizon and the camp settled into their nightly routine, Neteyam and Lo’ak sat with each other around the warm fire. The wood crackling in the beats of silence.

“Seriously bro I have no idea how she managed it.” Lo’ak laughed again.

Neteyam shoved him lightly. “Yeah. She can be such an idiot sometimes.” A pause as a warm smile glowed onto his face “My idiot. But still.”

Ao’nung noticed the commotion that was emerging at the shores of his village, the sounds of horns blaring as the hunters started to come in from the sea. His curiosity bested him as his body moved unconsciously to investigate. Only to be met with the Toruk Makto and his family begging for refuge.

Their skin was a darker blue, figures lean and tails small and weak. What would they bring here that would benefit the clan at all? He thought to himself, they were weak, useless.

He focused on the intense conversation between the pairs of parents. Tension so strong it could have been pierced with a spear. But a spear didn’t break the tension surrounding Ao’nung. No. It was him catching sight of you.

It was like his body went into shock, a current running through him from head to toe. His brain felt as if it was buzzing, the only thought was of you. His father told him once about this feeling he got when he first saw his mother. Was this the feeling? Was the feeling meant to be towards a forest freak?

You were so different. Different to his people, different to your people. You were truly a sight to behold. Like a beautiful pearl, that was hiding amongst the depths of blue coral. He felt his world shatter as he saw you, your beauty was truly memorizing. It didn’t matter if your arms and tail were weak, he needed to get to know you.

You had been at the village for a month or so now. It was nothing like home, the sand felt weird on your feet, the water was never the same temperature, and the people never stopped staring. Something you missed so dearly from home is even if you were different, you were still Omaticaya. Here you weren’t Metkayina, you barely looked Na’vi to them. So all it ended in was occasion ridicule from the teenage boys when your younger brothers weren’t around to protect you.

Though in the time you had been here. You had grown closer to the chief’s son, Ao’nung. He made it a commitment to talk to you every day, whether it was small talk, or a late night walk. You couldn’t tell when you started to develop feelings for him. You assumed you only did because he was the first person who ever showed you the courtesy of manners, even if he was hostile to your brothers. He became someone who you could be with, to protect yourself from the teenage ridicule.  

In your month, you had found yourself a favourite spot to sit and look at the waves. Resting yourself against a tall tree, bark itchy against your soft back as you dig your toes into the sand below you. Still trying to get used to the odd texture. It was somewhat peaceful, the sound of the waves. Not as calming as the sounds of rain in the forest, pitter pattering on the leaves. But it was still peaceful.

However, it was short-lived. The sounds of waves being crushed by the sounds of quiet mutterings behind you.

“Is she sick? She isn’t even the same as her family of freaks?”

“She reflects in the sun dude! That’s so fucked up.”

“She’s barely Na’vi she’s basically a vvrtep” The statements were followed with a couple of quiet chuckles. You wondered if they knew you could hear them. They probably relished in it honestly.

Though you tried to not let the comments get to you, they pained you to hear. It hurt to hear such degradation. Pushing the tears back until the suffocated you, is what it felt like to act tough in front of them.

But the quiet mutters and chuckles suddenly turned into loud thumps and yells as commotion started to brew behind you.

“Y’know what’s fucked up? Your face after I beat you shitless.” Scurrying from your spot you watched the fight in front of you. There was Ao’nung, riled up and furious, beating his friends face in after he mocked you.

“Brother what is wrong with you?!” His friend hysterically questioned as he fought off Ao’nung’s fists, getting one punch straight to the Ao’nung’s nose.

“You do not speak of her like that.” Ao’nung was seething, his words coming out as a hiss spitting in his friend’s face. As he was now being held back by his other friend, fists drenched in the blood of his ‘friend.’

“Oh, fuck me! Bit hypocritical you skxwang! Did her skin blind you and make you go insane?!” Ao’nung hissed in his face, spitting blood at him.

You were watching in horror. The bloody mess of these men was almost nauseating to look at as you realised this was because of you. The feeling of dread overcame you as your clouded mind drowned out their boisterous yelling. You held onto the fabric of your shirt, fiddling with the beads as you stared towards the men, not focused on anything but a overwhelming feeling of guilt.

“If you like that freak so much, why don’t you go and talk to her. She must be so charmed by you beating the shit out of me Ao’nung.” Leaving Ao’nung in a huff his friends bashed shoulders as they walked past him back to the village to get help.

Ao’nung was now only focused on the way your body awkwardly swayed as you stared towards him. Truthfully, he came over to talk to you. He wanted to gift you this bracelet he had hand woven with a small pearl intertwined in the rope, so he could say it was beautiful and reminded him of you. Yet he feels as if he had messed up any chance he had of being flirtatious with you, after he is covered in the blood of a friend.

“Ao’nung.” It was a meek whisper, it scratched as it came out of your throat. Not able to create eye-contact with him. His stare still being too intimidating, the way it made your heart flutter.

“Yes.” He breathed it out, as if he had just exhaled a breath after being under water for hours. His voice begging for you to look up at him.

“Are you alright?” Gaining the courage to look up at his bruised face you wince. His nose was bleeding as his lip was slightly split. His friend can obviously punch.

“I’m fine Y/N.” He smiled down at you, looking at the way your eyes poured out concern the more you assessed his injuries.

“You are stupid. Let them talk. You talk just like them.” Tone harsh as if you were scolding a child. In response, he sulked like a child pouting his lips.

“They were being rude. I can’t let people talk about the one I admire like that. It’s not what a good mate would do.” As he let out his last sentence he fiddled with the bracelet he knotted around his loincloth, so he didn’t lose it.

You were puzzled. Good mate? Was he interested in you? Were his efforts romantic not just the obscure kindness?

“What do mean by that Ao’nung?” Your eyes followed his hand as he placed the bracelet in your hands. His fingertips were rough, they felt as if they were burning, setting your heart ablaze as he gazed at you.

“I’ve always thought pearls were beautiful, just like you.” He was never this nervous, the cocky smirk he usually adorned was wiped off his face as he nervously awaited your response.

“I’m not beautiful Ao’nung we both know that.” He shook his head as he continued to tie the bracelet around your wrist, making sure to linger his fingers on your skin as often as he could.

“You are the most beautiful woman I think I’ve ever seen, you are more gorgeous than any woman in this village.” He was holding onto your hands as if you’d fly away if he let go.

“No one’s ever said that to me before.” Ao’nung was bewildered, it was shocking to him. But he tried to not let his shock ruin the intense stare he was giving you, trying to convey the most sincerity as possible.

“Then I’ll happily be the first. And I’ll be the one calling you beautiful forever, if you accept my courting gift.” He waited eagerly for your response, it felt as if time was dragging along. His heart constricting the longer you were silent.

“Of course, I do. The bracelet is as stunning as you, how could I reject the man who stood up to be against his friends.”

“Yeah you’d have to be pretty stupid.” You scowled and gave him a playful pinch. “Ow! Y/N!”

“You ruined the moment!”

“I’ll ruin the moment more by kissing you with my bloody face!” You squealed in disgust as you shook your head.

“Absolutely not. Come with me, I’ll clean you up.” He followed you swiftly, making sure to intertwine his fingers in with yours.

“Yes ma’am.”

“Hey flower.” He said softly moving the curtain aside to enter the room you were in. You sat up smiling at your boyfriend who stood in front of you.

“Come.” You motioned him to lay in the hammock with you, scooting carefully to make enough space for the two of you to lay together.

Ao’nung followed and laid on the hammock, the course fabric digging into his skin as he laid on your chest as a pillow. His other hand snaked around your waist to bring you closer to him, almost so your skin could meld together.

“Was it a long day?” You questioned him, running your hand up and down his chest, tracing undetermined patterns with your fingers.

“Mhm.” He hummed caressing the spot where he held your waist with his thumb. “Was tiring.”

You nodded, listening to his breathing, watching his chest rise and fall as he stared at where his hands were. Leaving a tender kiss on his forehead as your fingers ran up and down his sternum.

“You should rest well tonight then.”

A tender kiss to your shoulder was made before he looked into your eyes. “I’m sure to rest well when you’re here with me.” A soft giggle was let out in response to his endearing words.

Ao’nung let himself listen to your heartbeat, it was slow a calming pounding that was lulling him to sleep. He let his hands run down to the space between your thigh and hip, laying soft touches onto the area as he caressed you.

“Those Sully kids really suck in the water.”

You chuckled giving a soft push on the shoulder.

“Be nicer to them, being cruel is a bad look.”

“Only cause you said so.”

You chuckled as he scrunched his face up at the thought of being kind to them.

“If you frown any more, your face will get stuck.” Now Ao’nung was the one giving you a light push, his scowl transforming into a bright smile.

“Y’know, Ao’nung you’re a lot cuter when you let your soft side show.”

“Well, it only exists because of you.” A blush formed on your face as Ao’nung begun to tease you about getting all flustered.

“Look my little flower is all flustered!” He poked your hot cheeks as you grabbed his hands to stop him.

“Stoppp” You whined, your face lighting up. “Do not tease me.”

“I’m not, just loving banter.”

“Oh, shut up”

Ao’nung chuckled before scooting upwards to meet you face to face. He admired your features, you were truly beautiful to him. You were his flower.

He brought the hand that rested on your hip up to your chin guiding it up to look at him. He felt your love radiate off you into him and you felt the same. Pupils wide and chests rising in anticipation, Ao’nung pulled you towards his lips.

He softly kissed you, lips meeting together, connecting like puzzle pieces. Your lips were soft against his as he used his other hand to caress the small of your back pushing you closer into him. Your hands travelled up and down his chest, eyes squished hard together as you enjoyed the feeling of Ao’nung’s lips on yours.

As the air between you ran out, Ao’nung broke from your kiss and stared into you. The air thick and soft pants exiting both of you.

“I love you my flower.”

──── ⑅*❀*⑅ ────

authors note: a short but sweet fic! might be a lil ooc but who cares coz i don't

“It will be, but what’s your threat if it isn’t my tough girl?” He looked back at you with a smirk as you glared at him.

“You don’t want to know. Way too hardcore for your pregnancy hormones.”

“You! You are the pregnant one!” Ao’nung groaned still pulling you along as he mumbled a number of profanities.

“Now show me the surprise! I am bored!”

“Ok close your eyes pretty girl.” He watched you close your eyes, double checking before he guided you to the inside of your marui, a hand securely resting on the small of your back and your stomach.

The light dimmed as you got inside, making your anticipation grow larger.  “Can I please open my eyes now?”

“Eywa, so impatient. But yes open!” You opened and immediately gasped, your hands covering your jaw that had dropped.

There in front of you was a newly decorated section part of your marui. Adorned with carved toys, new woven mats and most impressive was a ground cot that was woven so delicately in the yarn of your favourite colours. He had created small blankets to drape over the cot along with a mobile that hung above it, with little carved ilu’s twirling softly.

“Oh my Eywa. Ao’nung this is beautiful.” You felt yourself tearing up, turning to crash Ao’nung into a tight embrace. He chuckled and rubbed his hand along your back giving you a soft peck to the head.

“Do not cry flower. If you cry, I’ll cry and that won’t be fun for anyone. You know I’m not a pretty crier.” Ao’nung looked at his work proudly, a sense of pride growing his chest, just like his soon to be growing family. “Tsireya helped me with the weaving. But I started carving the toys as soon as I heard you were pregnant. I guess I got a tiny bit carried away.”

“Thankyou so much my love. I love this so much. I love you so much.” You hugged him tighter before looking up to give him a tender kiss. The happy tears brimming your eyes as Ao’nung caressed your face softly.

“Do you think our child will love it as much as you do?” You nodded quickly.

“Of course they would. How could they not? I can’t wait to see our child grow up with your love.”

“Our love flower. Our love.”

“I mean no harm! I am just lost!” You retracted your hand off your knife to surrender yourself to the man in front of you. “I am from the eastern seas, my ikran and I flew too far.” Pointing to your sleeping ikran in the treetops above the pair of you. The mans eyes softened immediately, you noticed a=how the bioluminescent glow of the forest made his features stand out like a flower in a desert.

“Are you alright?” The man asked coming closer, his hand now also abandoning his knife, knowing you were no longer a threat.

“Yes, just looking for food.”

“You cannot stay in the forest at night, you’ll die.” Panic rose throughout you as you realised you stood in such hostile foliage. Eyes immediately scanning around where you stood, conscious of the danger surrounding you. “Rest within my clan, you’ll leave in the morning.” He wasn’t asking you, more like a demand.

Nodding hesitantly, you clapped three times to wake Lifo up, watching her wide wings flap down to the ground to let you board her. “Please lead the way.”

He nodded, calling his ikran to fly high into the sky waiting for you to follow suit. “What is your name Ikran girl?” He shouted over the noise of the two of your ikran’s flying.

“It’s Y/N…what is yours forest boy?”

“Neteyam.” That’s a pretty name.

Upon arrival you watched as many people hustled to look at the newcomer. Two women rose to the front, the rest parting to make way for them. Assuming they were important, you greeted them with a bow. “oel ngati kameie”

The two repeated it before turning aggressively to the boy you knew as Neteyam.

“Who do you bring here?” An older woman asked, she looked wise. Maybe she was Tsa’hik?

“Her name is Y/N, flew over from the eastern seas and got lost in the forest, she is here to rest.” Neteyam’s voice was serious, his face stern, like a man of leadership. Who exactly had you run into in the middle of this forest?

“I see…” She replied, her eyes gliding over you. Frozen in the moment, her stare was intimidating but so was the hundreds of others that oogled at you. It made the hunger settling in your stomach turn into anxiety.

“Feed this poor girl!” A younger woman replied, coming up beside the Tsa’hik. She was thin, her braids similar to Neteyam’s, feathers adorning her hair, as a small child held tightly onto her hand.

“Yes mother.” Neteyam nodded, he looked at you and your frozen form. Laying a soft hand on your shoulder. “Come, your ikran will rest.” He started walking off even before you could process his words but seeing as he was the only person you knew in this place, it was first instinct to follow him around like a lost child.

He lead you into a tent, inside were fruit baskets and water stored in wooden jars. If you weren’t so shocked by the continuous new surrounding you would’ve rushed to the fruit.

“Hurry and eat, everyone can hear your stomach.” Neteyam said as he stood next to the fruit, picking one up to put into your hands. Picking the fruit out of his hands, your fingers brushed his palm slightly.

It shouldn’t have worked you up so much, but the static between the two of you evoked a small gasp out of you. Neteyam felt the touch too, he just decided to ignore it but seeing your overreaction brought a soft smirk to his face.

“Do not make fun of the guests Neteyam!” A girl pushed between the two of you, giving Neteyam a nudge. She was short, her hair messy and her voice deep.

“I was not sister!” Neteyam scoffed pushing his sister back. She let out an exaggerated gasp holding onto her arm dramatically.

Munching onto the fruit in your hands, you watched the pair of sibling’s bicker in front of you. You would’ve giggled at their antics if the anxiety of being in this new place wasn’t controlling every thought.

“Oh! I haven’t introduced myself!” The shorter girl turned to you curtly. “I am Kiri, Neteyam’s sister. What is your name?”

“It’s Y/N.” You said with you mouth full, face covered in a sticky sap excreting from the fruits skin.

“That’s quite pretty, your name.” You heated up, a compliment was rarely something you received.

“Thankyou very much.” You smiled at the girl, your gaze distracted by Neteyam who overlooked your conversation, a soft smile glistening over his face. It looked like was almost in awe watching the two women converse.

Neteyam shook his head, realising he left himself loose in his thoughts. Looking over at your messy face he was mesmerised, each of your features perfectly matched the other, you looked so soft yet sharp, so tough but so elegant.

He shouldn’t be thinking this, not as an Olo’eyktan, he had duties, responsibilities. He can’t develop a liking for another clan woman.

“Are the fruits…good?” He sounded so awkward, destroying the flow of the conversation between you and Kiri. Kiri snorted in response at her brother, she wasn’t dumb, she knew when a boy thought a girl was pretty, especially when its her brother making a fool of himself.  

You nodded enthusiastically. “They’re amazing, thankyou Neteyam.” You had finally finished the fruit, leaving your face and hands sticky. An uncomfortable feeling no doubt.

“I’m uh glad.” Neteyam responded, being slightly deterred as his sister left, poking him in the spine as she snuck out of the tent, leaving Neteyam alone, with this…girl.

“Why are you all the way in the forest by the way?” Neteyam asked suddenly, his eyes directly upon yours, looking into them, noticing the glint of sadness that washed over your pupils momentarily.

“I argued with my parents. Flew off in a rush and got distracted as to where I was flying. So now I am here.” You shrugged, taking a seat on the floor of the tent, your legs growing tired from your long journey. Neteyam followed your actions and sat down in front of you. Much closer to where he stood.

“Oh, I am sorry.”

“Do not be sorry, my parents should be the sorry ones, but you do not want to be burdened with the quarrels of my family.” A stifled chuckle escaped your throat as you looked up to see Neteyam listening to your ever word.

“I would not be burdened if you decided to talk about it.” His voice was calm, soft, a comforting feeling spreading through your chest as you heard his words.

“Thankyou.”

Neteyam nodded, as he patted just above your knee, a soft hand to comfort whatever grief was consuming your emotions. “Do you want to sleep, or would you like to continue to eat?”

“Uh, I don’t want to eat more than I am allowed to.”

“Well, are you still hungry?”

“…yes”

Neteyam shoved another piece of fruit in your hands. “Then you will eat.”

“Thankyou.” You smiled at him, biting into the fruit once again.

Neteyam was compelled by your presence, he had known you for merely an hour but the magnetic connection he felt as he was drawn to you was undeniable. Was he going crazy?

You noticed his heavy stare on you once more. It made you nervous, his eyes looking through you as you sat in front of him. His beauty was one you had never seen, he poise interested you. Were you attracted to this random man? You must be going crazy.

Chewing the food in a slightly rush you watched as Neteyam’s eyes awkwardly shuffled around the room to try and avoid making too much eye contact with you. With a small inhale you tried to gain the courage to break the awkward tension between you two.

“So Neteyam, you seem important around here, is there a reason why?” Your question surprised Neteyam. He had never met someone who knew nothing of his reputation within the clan.

“I am the future Olo’eyktan, my father is Toruk Makto.” You almost spat out the food in your mouth. You were speaking so casually with the son of Toruk Makto? Not even that, his firstborn son? He must have been staring because you were so informal!

“Oh! Son of Toruk Makto. I should have been more formal!” You rushed to stand up again to bow down to him. Scrambling to your feet with speed, you felt a soft grip on your wrist.

There Neteyam looked up at you, his eyes slightly…disappointed? Was he really that upset about your informalities?

“Sit back down Y/N, there is no need to be so formal.”

“Are you sure.” Your voice was quiet, eyes filled with confusion and hesitance as he nodded giving you the go ahead to sit once again.

“Yes I’m sure…just think of me as Neteyam.”

“Okay, I’ll do that…Neteyam.” He smiled at the sound of his name, the way you giggled as you said it, smile shining brightly in the soft moonlight that slipped through the tents curtains.

“What are you in your clan?” He asked, trying to keep the conversation flowing with you.

“I am the second daughter of the Olo’eyktan. Nothing special.” You shrugged, avoiding his hardening gaze. His hand returned once again to your thigh, an awkward attempt at comfort but still an attempt.

“You are a daughter of your clan’s leaders, that is important.” A stern statement filled with pride, his eyes softening while looking at you.

“Thankyou.” You said followed with a small yawn, eyes watering slightly. Your body was now feeling the fatigue of the long day that was now behind you.

“Oh, that reminds me, sleeping.” A soft chuckle left your lips in response to Neteyam, eyelids now starting to droop subtly. “This is my tent is where I usually sleep but if you would like you can sleep in here and I can sleep in my family’s tent?” He sounded so unsure, to suggest it as if there was another option as to where you could sleep safely.

“I do not want to kick you out of your bedroom.” You said shaking your head.

“But you are a guest you should sleep here safe.” A quick rebuttal

“Well, but this is your tent. This is where you sleep.”

“No, tonight it is where you sleep.” You sighed, pursing your lips together in response to Neteyams final remarks.

“But-”

“No” he stood up, now looking down at you. His figure looming over you intimidatingly. “You will sleep here tonight. If there is any trouble I am not far away.” He smiled at you, offering a hand to pull you up to his level.

“Are you completely sure?”

“Completely. Goodnight ikran girl.”

“Goodnight Neteyam.”

You both couldn’t deny the heat that rushed flowed to your cheeks. Neteyam stifled his smile as he exited the tent, as a smirking Kiri gave him a knowing look. This may have been the start of something terribly amazing.

It was now morning, a restless night filled with anxiety. The new sounds of the world around you, the mysterious moonlight shining into your eyes and to be alone in a brand new clan. It was terrifying.

Waking up for the last time as you decided it was an appropriate time to start off your day. Siting up you examined the tent around you, the small plants and flowers that littered the ground, and carved wooden pieces that were spread strategically around the tent. He must enjoy decorating you thought to yourself.

The curtain of your room slowly opened, a timid hand holding the edge, peeling it open to reveal Neteyam’s face. “Morning Y/N, did you sleep alright?” He asked closing the curtain again as he entered his tent. He looked down at your barely awake form, the sleep in your eyes and overall exhaustion on your face told him that you in fact did not sleep alright.

“It was fine, thankyou for letting me sleep here.”

“There was no way you weren’t going to, mum would have skinned me if I had not let a woman sleep in her own tent.” He chuckled at the thought, a hand being brought up behind his head.

“Either way, I appreciate it. I’ll have to go home soon though, my parents will send out a search party if I’m not back before todays eclipse.” Neteyam frowned, of course you had to leave. But why was there a tugging in his heart to ask you to stay just a couple hours longer, to talk to you longer, to be near you.

“Yes, but you should stay just a bit…longer.” Neteyam sounded so weary, cursing himself in his mind.

You stared up at him, you couldn’t deny that you wanted to be home, yet you had this growing urge to stay by this stranger. Why? Why did you crave his closeness?

“I guess I could…” His face brightened almost exclaiming in joy, but he choked down his urge to shout.

“Cool.” Cool? Oh, Neteyam you had to be kidding.

“Yeah…cool…” The awkward tension was once again returning as you looked away from the boy in front of you, fidgeting with his hands, rocking on his heels to pray something could meld the awkwardness in the room.

Getting off of your makeshift bed you stood close to Neteyam. Closer than any normal conversation would be. His breath was brushing past your ear as he looked down to see you mimicking his fidgeting.

“Would you like to explore the forest with me?” It was a fast, impulsive, brash decision to ask you that but seeing the way your eyes twinkled in response he felt no shame in being so forward.

“I’d love to.” Sharing smiles, you both enjoyed the now comfortable silence between you. A silence two would share in the pining plot point of a romance movie, one that asserts which two characters will be in love.

“Then let us go!”

That conversation led to you being alone in the forest with Neteyam. As he passionately explained all of the things around you, the plants, the animals. He knew you would have them in your clan, but he was enthralled in the spirit of teaching someone all about his life and culture. To have someone listen so intently to something he was passionate about.

“The forest is beautiful Neteyam.” You breathed out resting your back against a large tree trunk, one similar to the one you landed on the night before.

“I am extremely blessed for it to be my home.” His eyes were bright, smile across his face as his gratitude took over his emotions. He looked alluring to you, a sort of instinct drawing you closer to him, even though he was the one walking closer to you, a subconscious decision.

“Neteyam..” It was quiet but seeing him walk towards you unknowingly led him to stand very close to your front. His chest mere centimetres away from yours. “You are close…” Noticing your whisper he noticed how close he was, he was too busy focusing on the plants around him, he had walked right into you.

He froze when he saw your breath hitch, your eyes connecting as his broad chest momentarily brushed up against yours. “I am sorry, I shouldn’t be.” He looked down seeing your flushed cheeks and avoidant eyes. It intrigued him. Why were you so attractive? He shouldn’t think this.

“No, you shouldn’t.” Your eyes shot up to him, desire pooling in your amber orbs. The feeling was taking over your body, this longing for him. Why did you want this stranger so bad? You knew nothing of him other than the fact that your body was calling for him, begging for him.

Neteyam was now the frozen one, lost in your eyes. The desire you felt transferring to him as he felt his chest grow heavy from yearning. “Y/N…” Your name rolled off his tongue with ease, dripping in anxiousness.

Maybe it was to spite your parents, to find someone before you were mated. Maybe it was the overall intimacy of how Neteyam shyly loomed over you or maybe it was the fact that this man in front of you was the most attractive Na’vi you had ever came across and you were just a teenage girl…alone in the forest.

“Neteyam. Forgive me for this.” Crashing your lips against his your eyes shut tight as your hands travelled up his chest to rest behind his neck. He froze, eyes wide as he felt you upon him. Your touch burning as your hands travelled up and down his body.

Accepting your affections, he closed his eyes and continued to kiss you. Lips latching onto one another as he pulled your into his body, his hands wrapped around the small of your back, thumbs digging into the flesh of your hips.

Starting to lose your breath you broke away from Neteyam’s lips. Meeting his heavy breaths and intense stare. “Neteyam-” cut off as he smashed his lips into yours again. This time it was feverish, his body craving you, to taste you lips and feel every part of your body.

You let out small whimpers as Neteyam’s hands travelled down to grab your ass, his hand resting on the flesh. If he was in his right mind he would’ve been repulsed by his lewd actions but in this moment he craved you, and the sounds you made just drove him closer to insanity.

As hands roamed and kisses grew more desperate you and Neteyam separated, hands laying softly on each other as chests rose in sync, breathing loud and eye contact strong.

“Neteyam, I am sorry. I should not have done that.” The feeling of desire soon turned into shame, not being able to look him in the eye, too embarrassed about what you initiated. Neteyam was still, his face showing none of the feelings he was experiencing.

He longed to taste you again, but he knew it was wrong. He had duties to uphold as leader, he couldn’t kiss whomever he pleased. But you were just so intoxicating.

“No.”

“What?”

“Do not be sorry. I kissed you back. I wanted you so badly. No. I want you so badly.”

“Neteyam, I met you yesterday and I’m leaving today. I shouldn’t have been so impulsive.” He forgot that you had only known each other one eclipse. It felt like eternity. He also forgot that you were meant to leave, you weren’t here forever. This was a mere coincidence, meeting you in the forest was a coincidence.

“Come back then.”

“Huh” You stared up at him, you knew what he said. You just wanted him to repeat himself.

“Leave and come back. We can visit I just…I want to get to know you more Y/N. I don’t want to kiss a girl to never see her again.” Neteyam’s hands had rested against your cheek. It didn’t feel like you had known him for hours, more like years. An old couple reuniting, lost souls reconnecting. That is what it felt like.

“Neteyam…how do I explain that to my parents?”

“Don’t.”

“You are being a bit delusional.”

“I know I just… this is stupid. You just want to go.” His ears flattened against his skull, a prominent frown etched onto his face. You sighed holding onto the hand that laid against your own cheek.

“Neteyam. I want to get to know you as well.”

There it was. That was the start. It was the beginning. You both felt something click in your heads that day. That this is what is right, despite it feeling so wrong.

You and Neteyam had now been visiting each other twice a week. You would fly out on long ‘training hunts’ to understand new waters you have explored but in reality you were in the Pandorian rainforest, sat against a man’s chest as he played with your hair. It had become routine now. It was now habit to see each other.

It felt like true bliss. It let you escape from the impending doom that was meeting your future mate. It felt disgusting to think of living with someone other than Neteyam by your side. Thinking about it made you queasy but most of it made you feel lonely. Knowing one day you would have to say goodbye to Neteyam as your family had trapped you into misery for the benefits of clan’s over their own daughter. However, you didn’t think you would say goodbye to Neteyam this way.

You sat on the tree where you met Neteyam. You decided to pick that one as its large waterfall next to it made it easy for you to know where you were as you barely knew your way around the forest.

Early morning is when you would leave your clan meeting Neteyam as the sun starts to move towards peak. This morning however felt different. Neteyam who usually was there before you was nowhere to be seen. It worried you wondering where he was. He didn’t forget or something did he? No. That is stupid Y/N, you cursed yourself.

Being in the forest alone was scary, not knowing all that resides it made you sensitive to the smallest noise. That’s why when Neteyam emerged out of the heavy foliage you had your knife out ready to attack.

“Y/N? Why is your knife out?”

“You scared the crap out of me Neteyam.” Putting your knife back into the loop of your loincloth you pulled your hands down your face in embarrassment. Your heartbeat now starting to calm down as Neteyam gave you a soft embrace hoping to calm your anxiousness.

“Sorry…I was late talking to my family.” You didn’t realise before because of the adrenaline but Neteyam’s voice was sorrowful. The usual playful tone changing into a melancholy tune. But what alerted you the most was his tear-stricken face. Puffy eyes and dark cheeks.

“Neteyam…have you been crying?” you rested your thumb against his cheek, wiping the residue of tears off his face.

“It is nothing”

“It is definitely something…” your concern grew larger as he looked way from your gaze, obvious he was hiding the new set of tears welling in his eyes.

“No. It is not.”

“Neteyam please-”

“NO Y/N! I- I can’t talk about it. I just want, I want to stay next to you.” His voice cracked, in turn cracking your heart. It ached to see him hurt.

“That is okay baby, come here.” He crashed into your arms, falling onto his knees to smoosh his face into your torso. You could feel the wetness of his tears near your belly button but ignored it to continue soothing him, patting his head softly.

As you sat down to meet him on the ground you noticed his more recent tears. It pained you. What was troubling your boy?

“Nete you can tell me if something is troubling you…”

“I don’t want to lose you Y/N.” The sentence was unexpected, making you widen your eyes as Neteyam continued to let his tears fall out with a stone cold face.

“But I am right here.” A lie, you knew you would be taken away at some point, but you would tried to push it down. Enjoy the time you had with Neteyam, but for some reason he was the one cutting it short.

“No Y/N…I have been promised. I-” he paused to calm himself down, his hand gripping onto your thigh roughly. “I am to mate with someone for my clan. It is my duty.”

“What.”

“Y/N please, I had no say in this.” Your lip quivered, eyes starting to water as you gazed up to the already crying Neteyam. The pain in your body felt crippling, like your heart had been plunged out of you. Small sobs coming out of your mouth in a soft whisper as Neteyam muttered constant apologies to you.

Your chest felt heavy, your body felt heavy. You felt like you were tied down, stuck on the ground you sat on, stuck on Neteyam who hung onto you as you continued to cry in his embrace.

“Neteyam. Does this mean we never see each other again?” His heart shattered at the thought. He had fallen in love with you. Everything you did he wanted to be there with you. He craved you and you craved him. But now you were grieving him and grieving whatever could have been.

“I do not want it to be.”

“But is it.”

“Yes.”

The quiet sobs turned into loud ones as you clawed onto Neteyam. He whispered sweet nothings into your ear as he rocked you back and forth. He tried to have a little composure but hearing your pained voice broke him. He had broken you.

“I don’t want to let you go yet Nete. I was planning on never letting you go! Why did this happen!” you had this secret fantasy in your mind. That one day you and Neteyam would mate, that you would come to your home, denounce your parents promise over you and live happily with Neteyam.

But no. You were now both tied to loveless lives. Constantly yearning for each other while being with one whom you never craved like you craved each other.

“I am so sorry my love. I wish I could do something, but I am stuck.” You nodded, you were in his exact position. You couldn’t blame him. But you wanted to scream, cause a ruckus and demand for Neteyam to stay as yours. It drove you insane. Who was going to be the girl that kept you away from your Neteyam. You’ll skin her, kill her, slit her throat if it meant that Neteyam could still be yours.

“I know…let’s just enjoy our time together” it felt like a knife to the heart, like a final goodbye those last eight words. But Neteyam understood. He knew that this was a goodbye. That all good things had to come to an end but that didn’t make the thought of never having you in his arms again not the most painful thing he had ever thought about.

The ride home was the most painful thing you had ever done. You didn’t stop crying until you reached home, your throat itchy and head pounding. You wanted nothing more than to lay in your hammock and cry. To stay there until it was your time to mate and be miserable forever.

Flying into your home you would’ve thought your parents got the message that you were not to be talked to. But who were they to care about your feelings? So they barged into your room, gasping at the state of their sorrowful daughter.

“My child what has happened?”

“I don’t want to talk about it.” You grumbled facing the opposite direction to minimalize the embarrassment you felt of being caught crying.

“We should tell her.” Your fathers voice rung in your ears, making your body go cold. You couldn’t handle anymore bad news, not after this.

“Tell me what.”

“Your mate is to arrive here tomorrow.” Your body heated up, feeling as if your head was on fire with rage. You didn’t even get time to grieve your romance before you were shoved into the hands of a stranger?

“Are you fucking kidding me.”

“Do not speak to us that way.” Your father tried to discipline you, but your rage was nothing compared to him.

“ARE YOU KIDDING?! I DON’T WANT A MATE I WANT TO BE ALONE. FUCK!” You voice was raspy and loud, sure the entire clan could hear you screams.

“You do not get a choice in this. It is for the clan.” You looked into your parents eyes but all you could see is betrayal, how is this fair?

You didn’t have the energy to fight this any longer. Without Neteyam, your purpose was gone. How was anyone meant to fight for their love when their love had been stripped away from them.

“Fine.” Your mother looked at both her mate and daughter with concern. You had given up. “I don’t care anymore, because it is obvious you do not.”

“You brat-” Your mother coughed loudly to stop your father. Sharing glances, you all looked to each other.

“Thank you daughter for doing this.” Sneering you looked directly into your mothers eyes and then to your fathers.

“I am not your daughter.” Their faces had fallen, the same emotion Neteyam had when he first saw you earlier. They had no right to be upset. Not when they chose this.

As your parents left without a word, you curled into a ball, folding in on yourself trying to shy away from the burden of grief and love tugging on your heart. The pain was indescribable, like someone had taken your heart and diced it in front of you.

That morning your mother had put you in your best attire. A top adorned in red beads and yellow feathers that represented your ikran was placed on top of you. Your usually loincloth had been replaced with one of prettier colour and material, more delicate to look at. Lastly, your hair had been let out, reaching past your shoulder blades as a yellow flower was stuck behind your left ear.

“You look beautiful Y/N.” Your mother had her hands over her mouth adoringly. “Doesn’t she look wonderful?” she asked your father as he replied with a proud nod.

A horn was sounded. Here they come. Entitled pieces of shit, thinking that they could mate into your clan. This wasn’t fair, you just wanted to see Neteyam. You wanted to cry in his arms, yet here you were walking out into the crowd of people. Drums being beat as horns blew. You tried to look poised, to try and look like you weren’t writhing in anxiety of who this man would be.

There flew in three ikrans. Why did it look so familiar? Why was the flashing colours of these animals bringing you back to siting in the forest with your love. You must be going insane.

“Neteyam te Suli Tsyeyk’itan! Welcome! Toruk Makto! Welcome!”

What.

No.

This cannot be happening. But it was.

There he stood in front of you. Just as frozen as you. The quiver of your lips came back as you saw him stand in front of you in disbelief.

“Neteyam?” He walked towards you slowly, reaching his shaking hand out to you. You paced towards him, wrapping your hand around his and bringin it to your chest. “It’s! It’s you!” you felt as if you were to burst in relief

“My love, it is you?” Neteyam’s free hand came to caress your cheek, his heart was sparkling, he felt a weight being lift off his shoulders the minute you came into view.

“It is me.” Neteyam’s lip quivered as he sucked in a short breath, trying desperately to not look as if he was a madman. “Kiss me.”

“What?”

“Kiss me Neteyam.” He complied, lips melting together in a harmonious union. Love mixed with the salty tears on both your cheeks as he held you closely to him. You kissed him deeply, ignoring the stares and confusion around you. He was here right in front of you, you would never let him go again. Never.

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“Hi beautiful.” He whispered into your ear, his head resting in the crook of your neck. You giggled putting a hand over his on your stomach.

“Hi my love.” The warm feeling of Neteyam’s hands on your never went away, even as adults the lovestruck feelings you had for him never fizzled.

“Are you feeling better than this morning?” He queried with you, leaving soft peppered kisses on your shoulder.

“I’m feeling okay, don’t stress I think I may have eaten something bad, that is all.” Neteyam nodded as his mind pondered to the suspicions he had earlier, his hand rubbing your lower stomach.

“Have you ever thought of becoming parents Y/N?” His question was soft, like he was nervous to say something so bold. You squeezed his hand before responding.

“I think of it every day, I want nothing more than for us to become a family.” Neteyam felt his body heat up, a giddy feeling rising to his chest.

“What if the reason you’re sick is because… you’re pregnant.” The word was breathy, almost like it was too good to be true. Oh, how he prayed it to be true.

Your eyes widened, suddenly adjusting to be face to face with your mate. “Do you think I could be?” You beamed looking down at you stomach. Neteyam nodded as he put his hand back on your stomach.

“We should meet with grandmother. She can confirm our suspicions.” After agreeing with Neteyam, you both slowly drifted off to sleep. But only after you both dreamed and imagined what it would be like to have a family.

As morning came, you were both excited to see the Tsa’hik. Even in your dreams you thought about being with child, it made you feel nervous yet so excited, a smile plastered across your face whenever the thought crossed your mind.

“I’m nervous.” You turned to Neteyam both walking to where his grandmother resided. You didn’t want to get your hopes up but what if you were pregnant, what would that entail? Would you be good parents? Would your baby be healthy?

Neteyam sighed bringing a hand to your cheek, bringing you forward to kiss your forehead softly.

“You have nothing to be nervous of my love. I will be there right next to you, whatever answer we get changes nothing. I promise.” He looked into your eyes longingly as you looked right back into his.

“Thankyou Neteyam.” He pressed a soft kiss to your lips before directing you towards the Tsa’hik hut.

You both stood in front of the leather curtain, hands tightly melded together. “Open it.” You begged him as he shifted the curtain to the side.

“Grandmother” He whispered as she looked his way with a curious eye.

“What brings you here? I see no wounds?” Mo’at questioned, walking closer to the young pair.

“Can’t I just visit my grandmother?” Neteyam joked, laughing at himself as both of the women in the tent narrowed their eyes at him.

“That would be peculiar.” She stated blankly taking a seat on a mat in the middle of her tent, motioning for the couple to join her. The silence in the room started to grow uncomfortable, Y/N looking at Neteyam for him to break it.

“We think that Y/N is with child. She’s been sick lately, her temperature extremely hot.” Neteyam said to his grandmother, a soft hand on your thigh as you dwelled in your anxious thoughts.

“I see… Y/N would you stand for me?” She started to walk around Y/N’s body, gazing at her features, especially her stomach.

“Can you tell-” Neteyam was cut off abruptly.

“Silence.” Mo’at wound her hand around your tail and plucked a strand of hair out of your head.

“Ow…”

Mo’at smelt the hair and looked at your stomach again laying a hand on it. Her face changed from serious to joyed. “Y/N is pregnant.”

“What.” You breathed out looking down at you stomach. Neteyam jumped to his feet, his eyes wide in joy, smiling like a crazy man.

“She is? Oh Y/N!” He wrapped you up in a hug spinning you around in excitement. Kissing all over your face as he held your stomach. “Baby, we’re going to be a family!” You kissed him in response, emotions so strong you teared up.

“I am going to give you privacy.” Mo’at said calmly before exiting the tent, smiling to herself.

Neteyam dropped to his knees, resting his head on your stomach. Holding you tightly around the hips as he squished himself into your abdomen.

“We’re going to be parents ‘Teyam!” Crying like a baby now, you met Neteyam on the ground to give him another soft kiss. Neteyam was overjoyed as he looked at you in front of him.

“Thankyou Eywa, Thankyou Y/N.” He whispered as he held you into a tight embrace, tears rolling down his face in joy.

"I love you Neteyam."

"I love you too Y/N, so so much...thankyou for giving us a family."

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