๐ฃฒ ๐๐จ๐ฎ ๐ง๐๐๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ฌ๐๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ฒ๐๐ฆ ๐๐ฏ๐๐ง ๐ข๐ ๐ก๐โ๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐
This was the only place left where he still felt real.
Even months after the battle, after the sky peopleโs weapons tore through him, you came here every night. The Metkayina village had learned to stop asking.ย
They saw the way your eyes stayed hollow, the way your hands trembled when you tried to weave or hunt. You were a ghost haunting the living.
And here, in the spirit world, he waited for you.
His form shimmered into viewโtall, strong, those golden eyes warm and sad as they found yours.ย
He looked exactly as you remembered him before the end: broad shoulders, gentle smile, the faint glow of his freckles like stars across his skin. You reached for him instantly, fingers passing through his chest before he solidified enough for you to feel the warmth of him.
โYou came again,โ he murmured, voice low and rough with his familiar accent. His large hands cupped your face, thumbs brushing your cheeks even though the touch felt distant.
โI canโt stop,โ you whispered, pressing closer. Your forehead rested against his, tears already slipping free. โEvery time I try to sleep without you, it hurts too much. The village feels empty. The ocean feels empty. I feel empty, Teyam.โ
He pulled you into his arms, holding you against his chest the way he used toโyour smaller body fitting perfectly into his. You could almost smell the forest on his skin, almost feel the steady rumble of his breathing. For a moment it was perfect. For a moment he was yours again.
โI know, yawne,โ he breathed into your hair, one hand stroking down your back in slow, soothing passes. โI feel it too. Every time you come here, I feel how much youโre hurting. It tears at me.โ
You clung tighter, nails digging into his shoulders like you could anchor him here forever. โThen donโt make me leave. Stay with me. Let me keep coming. I donโt want anyone else. I only want you.โ
Neteyam was quiet for a long time. His tail curled behind him gentle and familiar, but when he finally spoke his voice cracked.
The words landed like a spear to the chest. You jerked back, staring up at him with wide, wet eyes. โWhat?โ
His expression was shattered, golden eyes glistening, jaw tight because it hurt him more to say it. โYou have to move onโฆFind someone alive. Someone who can hold you properly, laugh with you, give you the life I canโt anymore.โ
โNo.โ The word tore out of you, desperate. You grabbed his face, pulling him down until your lips almost brushed. โI donโt want alive. I want you. I visit every night because this is the only place I still feel alive. Without you everything .... Please, Neteyamโฆ donโt make me do this alone.โ
He leaned in anyway, pressing his forehead to yours, eyes squeezed shut as tears slipped down his own cheeks. โI would give anything to stay with you. Anything. But Iโm gone, my love. Iโm part of Eywa now. And every time you come here, youโre killing yourself a little more. I see it. I feel it. Your spirit is breaking.โ
You sobbed openly now, clutching at him as his form hugged you tighter . โI love you. I love you so much it hurts to breathe without you.โ
โI know,โ he whispered, voice thick and breaking. โI love you too. More than the forest, more than the sky. Thatโs why I have to say this. You deserve sun on your skin and strong arms around you at night. You deserve a mate who can give you children and grow old with you. Notโฆ not this. Not chasing my ghost until it destroys you.โ
His hands slid down to rest over your heart, warm and trembling. โLet me go, yawne. Please. Itโs killing me to watch you suffer like this.โ
You shook your head, crying harder, pressing frantic kisses to his jaw, his neck, anywhere you could reach. โI canโt. I donโt know how.โ
โYou do,โ he said softly, pulling back just enough to look at you. His thumbs wiped your tears, even as his own fell. โYouโre the strongest person Iโve ever known. My fierce girl. Youโll find your way. And when you doโฆ Iโll be watching. Smiling. Waiting until itโs your time to join me properly.โ
The connection started to fade. The glow of the Tree dimmed around you as he pressed one last, lingering kiss to your lips, soft, deep, full of every unsaid promise and every broken future.
โI love you,โ he whispered against your mouth, one final time.ย
You woke gasping on the roots of the Tree, tears streaming down your face, the ocean lapping coldly at your legs. The ache in your chest felt bigger than the reef itself. Empty. Gutted.
But somewhere deep inside, beneath the pain, his words echoed.
You stayed there until dawn, curled small and shaking, whispering his name into the wind like a prayer. Moving on felt impossible. But for himโฆ maybe one day you could try.
But you knew that you would never remate.ย
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