⟢ Pairings: Lo'ak x reader
⟢ Summary: What if Lo’ak fell for his brother’s best friend, or was she more?
⟢ Warnings: Mention of blood, jealousy, siblings conflict, mostly fluff at the start and angst toward the end, probably a bit out of character
⟢ Author’s note: English isn’t my first language so forgive me for any mistakes🙏😔
Everyone, or almost everyone, knew that Lo'ak had took a liking to his brother's best friend. It was basic knowledge at this point.
Except for the girl herself, she seemed to be clueless about it or maybe she was really good at playing the clueless part.
Each time he looked at her, it was like his eyes sparkled, he had this soft smile reserved for her only and always tried to impress her, whenever she watched.
And of course he always ended up in the healer hut, nursing some mysterious injury, and he always begged his grandmother to let her tend to him.
"Lo'ak this is the third time this week, whatever you are doing should stop if it's hurting you"she scolded softly.
“I know sorry..”he muttered”I'm worried about you"she finished, going to grab something from the other side of the hut.
Lo'ak silently admired her as she worked, admired the way the sunlight hit her face, the way her eyes shined brighter and how her hands worked so carefully and gently on him.
The way she was so close made him hold his breath, in hoped she would not notice the frantic sound of his heart beat.
He hissed lightly as the cream like paste touched his injury. "I'm sorry it's gonna sting, just be patient”she winced, trying to apply it as quickly as possible.
She finished by bandaging his arm with a smile. "I really hope not to see you here again"she teased chuckling, although Lo'ak only smiled because the only thing he was focused on was her and the way the room seemed to lit up at her laughter.
But before he could open his mouth, someone entered the hut"you got into another fight?".
Don't get him wrong, Lo'ak loved his older brother but his timing was the worst.
Whenever Lo'ak managed to have time alone with her, his brother somehow managed to get there and steal her attention. Leaving Lo'ak standing there like a third wheel.
"No I..."Lo'ak hesitated, quickly trying to figure out an excuse, because he couldn't just say that he hit his arm against a tree just to have an excuse to see her"..I fell..really hard".
"How did you manage to almost break your arm by falling?"his older brother questioned, crossing his arms and Lo'ak looked like a fish out of sea with that misplaced look. "I don't know bro..i just fell on my arm"Neteyam blinked twice before deciding not to question him any further.
"As long as you are okay"he sighed"did you thank her? It is the third time this week that she had to heal your ass"Neteyam said playfully and she stiffed a laugh.
Lo'ak groaned embaressed'thank you”he said quickly, avoiding her gaze.
She only smiled"you are welcome, i just really wish you could try to be more careful"she scolded him lightly before turning to Neteyam.
"Are you finished with training?"she asked him"yes, thank the great mother”Neteyam groaned. ”We can visit that lake you wanted to go to"he added as they both made their way out of the healer’s Kelku, leaving Lo'ak standing there, alone.
"Your little plan didn't work again?"Kiri's voice rang in his ears as soon as he entered his family's Kelku. "she stood you up huh?"Kiri asked but it felt more like a statement as she crossed her arms and looked at her brother, who stayed silent preferring not to answer.
“Let me guess, Neteyam again?"as soon as she saw her brother wincing slightly she knew immediately that she was right.
He slumped down to the floor, throwing his head back in frustration"I know they are close friends but I wish he would actually get the hint and leave"Lo'ak started after a while.
Kiri tilted her head"you do know that he probably doesn't realize?"Lo'ak rolled his eyes at that"you said that it was impossible not to notice days ago"Kiri scooted closer to her brother. "That's the only plausible reason, that or..he doesn't want you to be with her"Kiri said thinking through.
"Why would he not want that?"Lo'ak questioned confused and frustrated. "Maybe because it's his best friend and you are his little brother, I mean it is a bit weird if you see it from his point of view"she tried to reason"I don't think so, I feel like there is another reason..". Lo'ak said interrupting himself, although it was pretty obvious to understand what he was implying.
"I don't think so Lo'ak, he would never do that to you"Kiri shook her head, even if a little part of herself did suspect that, but Neteyam would never do that.
"Yeah well it's the only plausible explanation"he said with a bitter tone, looking at the floor. “I'm certain there is another explanation.."Kiri said, trying to cheer her up her brother but before she could get another word in, both their ears perked up at the sound of two familiar voices, laughing happily together.
"You made me all wet I can't believe you"her voice echoed outside, accompanied by Neteyam's chuckles. “What did you go to the lake for, if not to swim?"he answered playfully, their voices were starting to get closer and both their laughter became louder.
"Oh, you guys are here"Neteyam said as soon as he spotted his siblings in the Kelku, while she was peeking from behind him, laughter dying down.
"What are you so upset about?"Neteyam asked his brother, who was looking at him with furrowed brows. "Is your bandage too tight?"he teased, smile faltering once Lo'ak didn't move an inch or acted annoyed by his comment, like usual.
"Have I really tightened it too much?"she asked walking up to Lo'ak, Neteyam following behind. “No, I'm okay..just thinking"he replied hastily before getting up and walking away.
"What is wrong with him?"Neteyam asked, turning to Kiri, who shrugged. "You know how Lo'ak is, he'll get better don't worry"she reassured, even if she was not fully convinced herself.
During dinner Lo'ak was silent the whole time, which put off his parents, who shared a worried look before Jake decided to speak. "What happened to you? Why are you so quite?"Neytiri glanced at her son who avoided their gazes, instead focusing on the meal.
“Answer your father Lo'ak"she added and Lo'ak finally looked at them. “Nothing happened, I'm good"he replied trying to stuff his mouth with food so they wouldn't ask him any more questions.
”What about that bandage you got on your arm? You got hurt again?"Jake asked, watching his son stuffing his mouth to avoid talking, before sighing and turning to his other children.
"What happened?"Kiri shrugged and Jake then glanced at Neteyam"all I know is that he hurt himself this morning and got patched up sir, I don't know anything else"Jake glanced at Tuk who shook her head.
"How did you get hurt?"jake asked Lo'ak again"I just fell, not a big deal"Lo'ak answered but refused to meet his father's gaze. Jake was about to question him again but Neytiri tapped his arm and when he turned to look at her, she shook her head. Sighing before he deciding to let it go for now.
"Just get yourself checked tomorrow too, okay?"Jake asked more softly"yes sir"Lo'ak nodded and the conversation ended, not the glances that Neytiri and Jake were sharing though.
The next morning Neytiri was cooking with Kiri and once Lo'ak left with Tuk to go see something she was pestering him about, she turned to kiri. “You know what happened"she stated but Kiri avoided her mother's gaze.
"I don't know what you are talking about"Neytiri tilted her head to meet her daughter's eyes, raising her brow.
Kiri sighed"it's about her"Kiri whispered even if no one else was there but her and her mother, Neytiri listened carefully and curiously.
Neytiri wasn't blind she knew about her son's crush on the young healer, who worked with her mother and she actually approved of the girl.
She was kind, disciplined and serious when needed and kept Lo'ak in check, which was perfect.
"What about her?"Neytiri nudged for her daughter to finish"well Lo'ak thinks that Neteyam might have took a liking to her too, because he always interrupts them"she said slowly, looking at her mother's face for a reaction but she only shook her head. “That’s absurd, Neteyam would never do that"Neytiri denied her daughter's words.
Yes, she was neteyam's best friend from childhood but between the two there was nothing more than platonic love. They basically grew up together and she thought for sure that Neteyam saw her as a sister figure not as a romantic partner, especially since Lo'ak took a liking to the girl and she knew her eldest son would never do such thing to his own brother.
"I said that too but.."Kiri trailed off, looking down. “They are always together and the way he smiles at her with such a softness…and sometimes I do notice that he always interrupts Lo'ak whenever he is with her".
Kiri tried to reason but Neytiri quickly shook her head not wanting to believe this crazy theory. Kiri sighed at her mother's stubbornness”i'm just saying that maybe Neteyam did took a liking to her, but way before Lo'ak did and as much as he loves Lo'ak he’s probably not willing to let go".
Neytiri turned to her daughter with a perplexed expression. Although the more she thought about it, the more it started to make sense and part of her was starting to believe it, even if against her better judgment.
"Why are you so gloomy?"Tuk asked, breaking Lo'ak out of his trance, turning his gaze toward her. "I'm not, I'm fine"he answered, his gaze turning back to her.
She was picking some herbs, probably on Mo'at's request, and she looked absolutely beautiful while doing it. But now everytime Lo'ak looked at her, he thought about how his brother might have the same thoughts.
Tuk frowned as he ignored her but before she could get a word in, Lo'ak shushed her, swiftly squatting down behind the bushes.
"Hey!" Tuk complained before Lo'ak quickly put his hand over her mouth, signaling her to stay silent.
He turned to look over the bush where she was, but now Neteyam was with her.
The interaction was simple and Lo'ak was starting to relax his posture, maybe he was really just overthinking, there was nothing between them.
However before he could get up and walk away with Tuk in his hand, it happened.
He froze and Tuk got worried"Lo'ak are you okay?"she whispered to him but since he wasn't answering she started to yell his name, attracting the attention of the pair making them pull away.
"Lo'ak"Neteyam said surprised to see his brother, but Lo'ak didn't answer as he stayed frozen, looking at his brother with an unreadable expression.
"I..i can explain.."Neteyam walked toward his younger brother, trying to explain himself but his face was soon met by Lo'ak's fist.
Both her and Tuk gasped before Lo'ak walked away leaving Neteyam with a bleeding nose.
(A/n: Should I do a part two??🙏)
