Life of the Party - Neteyam Sully x Omatikaya!Fem! Reader
Mornings with the Omatikaya moved slowly, like the forest itself was still stretching out in a relaxing, paradise-like infinity.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves in golden ribbons, dappling the woven floor of the Sully family platform. The air smelled like damp wood, fruit, and the faint smoke of breakfast fires starting up across the clan.
(y/n) sat cross legged near the edge, tongue peeking out in concentration as she worked colorful beads into a braided bracelet. Tiny beads and polished stones clicked softly together as her fingers moved quick and careful, stringing them together on a piece of string.
Neteyam, who had absolutely meant to start his morning training already, had somehow ended up sitting across from her instead. Elbows on his knees. Chin in his hands. Watching. Handing her specific beads as she places her hand our as a silent request.
He told himself he was being subtle. But Lo'ak had already passed by and told him he's not.
She held the bracelet up, squinting at it. “There is too much blue, right?”
“I think it’s perfect,” he said immediately. She snorted, at his response, adding in brown and green beads to help even out the piece. He smiled, eyes soft from her adorable laugh. “Anyways, who’s it for?”
“Oh! It's for Kiri,” she said brightly. “She meant to make it last night but she fell asleep at my place." She paused, fixing a small mistake by removing a stone and retying the end, "And she doesn't have time to make it today. Too many chores that she has too complete, and it would not be ready for tonight, so I offer-.”
The second her words left her mouth, she froze entirely. Her fingers stopped mid braid, as her eyes widened and her ears dipped down.
Neteyam's tail stopped swaying for a second as he tilted his head slowly to the left. “What’s tonight?”
(y/n)'s infamous fibbing smile snapped into place. Too wide. Too fast. Too obvious. “Oh! Oh nothing! Haha… hehe…”
He stared at her, narrowing his gold eyes. They bored into her soul as he sensed something was off. She gave him an awkward, but sweet, little shoulder wiggle like that might somehow distract from the obvious panic radiating off her.
“…(y/n).”
“..yes?”
“…What. Is. Tonight.”
She tried to dodge the question, asking him if a bead was off center. But that was obviously just (y/n) trying to avoid his question, her beading was always perfect and precise. “Okay, okay! There’s a celebration tonight!”
Neteyam blinked. “There is no occasion.”
“It’s a celebration for only the…” She looked away almost guilty. “…youth.”
He raised one brow, understanding the situation. “So it’s a party.”
She continued her beading as she nodded slowly.
He leaned back. “And I’m only hearing about this now because…?”
She picked very hard at a certain bead. “Because…”
“Hmm?”
She mumbled something while continuing to weave beads into the piece in her hand, silently praying to Eywa that he'd just get swooped away by a banshee and this conversation would end.
“(y/n).”
She sighed dramatically. “They asked me not to tell you.”
His jaw dropped internally, trying to keep a cool and calm front. Even though parties and celebrations were not his favorite pastime, the fact he--the future olo'ekytan--was not invited was offensive, “Why not?”
She winced. “They think you’re like… Mr. Perfect.”
He squinted. “That is not a reason.”
“They think you would be, as Lo'ak would called you, a 'buzzy kill'?.”
Neteyam rolled his eyes so hard it was a miracle they didn’t get stuck. “I am not a buzzkill. Also why is he teaching you English?”
“You have very strong ‘responsible older brother’ duties,” she said apologetically. "And everyone thought it might affect the party."
“I hate that for me.”
She scooted closer, nudging his knee with hers. “It’s just music and dancing and snacks and maybe some harmless chaos.”
“Harmless,” he repeated. “Defined how.”
“No weapons. No hunting dares. No jumping off cliffs. I made rules.”
“You made rules?”
“I helped plan most of it!” she said proudly, pushing the finished beaded piece to the side. “Lo’ak built the platform, Kiri handled decorations, I organized food, and Spider is in charge of lookouts.”
Neteyam ran a hand across his face. “Lo’ak constructed a secret youth party.”
“Yes. With help from me.” she said, beaming.
“That is the worst sentence I have ever heard," Neteyam sighed through his nose.
She grabbed his arm. “Come with me!”
He peeked at her through his fingers. “They specifically said not to tell me.”
“Yes, but if you come then you can’t tell on it because you’re part of it,” she said, logic flawless in her mind.
“That is not how morality works," the boy sighed as he appreciated his friend's endearing efforts to include him.
She leaned closer, lowering her voice. “If you promise to come, I can convince Lo’ak to add you to the list.”
“There is a list?”
“Yes.”
“Lo’ak made a list?”
“Yes!”
He stared at the sky like he was asking Eywa for patience. But, she bumped her shoulder into his and his attention snapped from the deity to the one in front of him. “Please? It’ll be fun. And I’ll stay with you the whole night.”
That made him glance back at her. “The whole night?”
She nodded eagerly. “I won’t leave your side. You can supervise the chaos.”
“…You’re manipulating me.”
She gasped. “I would never.”
“You absolutely are.”
“…but is it working?”
He sighed, defeated in the most affectionate way possible. “I’ll go. But only if you’re with me the entire time.”
She lit up like someone had just invented happiness. “YES!”
“And we leave if it gets out of hand.”
“Define out of hand.”
“(y/n).”
“Okay, okay. Reasonably out of hand." She stands up and dusts herself off, bending down swiftly to pick up Kiri's piece, "Also, do not tell Tuk. She leaks secrets like a cracked gourd.”
He chuckled. “Understood.”
She jumped to her feet, nearly dropping the bracelet. “I have to go tell Lo’ak you’re coming before he gives your spot to someone else on the waiting list.”
“He better not have been planning to,” Neteyam muttered, but he already knew his younger brother had already planned to.
She leaned down quickly and kissed his cheek in her excitement, then smiled at herself like she’d just remembered something hilarious. “BYE!”
And she bolted across the branches, hair flying behind her gracefully. Neteyam watched her go, smiling as he thought to himself.
Secret youth party.
Organized by Lo’ak.
Eywa help them all.
But (y/n) was going with him... Eywa help him.
--
The forest at night felt different. Not quieter, just… expectant. Like it was holding a secret and daring someone to come find it. (y/n) walked ahead of Neteyam on the narrow root path, her steps light, practically bouncing, as she pushed vines and leaves out of her way. Fireflies drifted between branches like wandering stars as she shifted through the gorgeous forest.
Behind her, Neteyam pushed aside a curtain of hanging moss for the fifth time in two minutes.
“How much farther?” he asked.
She glanced back, grinning, and lifted a massive glowing leaf out of the way. “Not too far. We planned it this deep so the rest of the clan couldn’t hear—”
A distant boom boom—boom boom boom rolled through the trees.
Rhythmic. Loud. Definitely not part of Eywa's nature. (y/n) gasped like she’d just been called to dessert and darted forward.
“(y/n)—” Neteyam groaned, tossing his head back before jogging after her. “You said this would be subtle, not— whatever that is.”
He pushed through one last cluster of vines and stopped one he saw what (y/n) was so eager to show him. The clearing ahead looked like Eywa herself had decided to throw a festival. Bioluminescent vines were draped from tree to tree in glowing curtains of blue and violet. Mushrooms pulsed softly along the ground like breathing lanterns. Someone had hung bead strands that chimed gently every time dancers brushed past them.
Na’vi teens filled the space in front of him. Some danced in a circle around a group of drummers pounding out an infectious rhythm, while others lounged on woven mats, laughing with drinks in hand. A few splashed and shrieked in a nearby hot spring that glowed faintly turquoise in the dark. Someone was playing a reed flute badly but enthusiastically to where it sounded impressive.
It was chaotic, loud, kind of amazing. But definitely impressive, considering only (y/n), Lo'ak, and Kiri were the ones planning this. (y/n) bolted ahead for a second, weaving in and out of the crowd to find Kiri and Lo'ak. Neteyam stood at the entrance, muttering to himself, “…This is not a ‘small youth gathering.’”
From across the clearing, Lo’ak was handing a glowing cup to someone, patting them on the back to tell them to enjoy the party, when he looked up.
“BRO?!” he hissed, speed-walking over to his older brother. “What are you doing here?!”
Neteyam crossed his arms, eyebrow raised. “Enjoying the party. Now I know why half your chores have not been completed for a while.”
“This is a restricted event!”
(y/n) suddenly appeared, grabbing Lo’ak by the shoulders and steering him sideways. “It’s fine! He’s here with me!”
"(y/n)! But we agreed-"
Neteyam looked at her, cutting Lo'ak off, “I thought you were going to tell him.”
She laughed nervously. “Yeeeaah I was, but then I got distracted.”
“By what?” Lo’ak asked suspiciously, freeing himself from (y/n)'s terrifyingly strong grip. Kiri slid up beside them, leaning casually on (y/n)'s shoulder and sipping from her cup. “She was trying to pick an outfit. She wanted to look--what was it, (y/n)?--sexy for dear Netey—”
“HEY!” (y/n) yelped, clapping a hand over Kiri’s mouth. “Neteyam! Let’s get you a refreshing drink!”
She grabbed his wrist and hauled him into the crowd while shooting a deadly glare over her shoulder. Lo’ak chuckled under his breath and Kiri laughed into her drink.
"How long did she take to do her hair?"
"She had me sitting there to pick out her clothes as she had Tsu'rei do her hair."
"You think that outfit will remain on?"
"Depends on our dear older brother." Kiri takes a sip of her drink.
As (y/n) pulled him through the party, Neteyam watched as she greeted everyone.
“Hi!” “You made it!” “I love your beads!”
They all lit up when they saw her, touching her arm, bumping shoulders, smiling wide.
But then they noticed him, being tugged behind her.
Their postures straightened, smiles turned more polite than genuine, and a few dipped their heads respectfully. Neteyam sighed quietly, knowing how much his position and reputation means in this situation. (y/n) stopped at a long table made of woven branches where a girl was pouring glowing fruit drinks into carved cups.
“Two please!” (y/n) chirped.
The girl handed them over, eyes flicking nervously to Neteyam before she bowed slightly and scurried off. (y/n) noticed but didn't mention it and turned to hand him a cup. “What do you think?”
He leaned closer to her, making her freeze a bit. “I think people are not welcoming me.”
She took a long sip, watching him over the rim. “Well yeah.”
“Thank you, (y/n).”
“You’re standing like that,” she said, nudging his rigid arm, “with a face like that.”
“What face?”
“That one. The ‘I am making sure no one dies’ face.”
He sighs, taking another sip of his sweet drink, "They treat me like I'm some rando. I have trained with these people since we were children."
She giggled. “Relax, mighty warrior. That's what this is for, just dancing and drinking fruit drinks while making friends! You need to learn to calm down and not act like you're in charge of a recon squad.”
He glanced around at the flashing lights, shrieking teens, and Lo’ak attempting to start a drum solo with zero rhythm.
“…I don’t like not being in control.”
(y/n)'s smile softened, reaching up and gently smoothed the crease between his brows with her thumb. She feels him relax underneath her touch.
“You don’t have to be in control tonight,” she said. “You’re allowed to just be Neteyam. Not future leader. Not big brother. Just you.”
He looked at her for a long moment, the glow from the decorations reflecting on her blue skin, making her seem even more ethereal than she usually does. The flowers tucked behind her ears complimented her everything as they glowed a faint pink hue. She nodded her head to the rhythm of the drums as the flowers and beads which were weaved into her hair shifted a bit, but remained within her hair, allowing her to look like a daughter of the great goddess. The drums started to pick up speed. Someone whooped loudly, cheering the drummer on, and group of girls dragged Kiri into the dance circle. y/n) bumped her hip against his, chugging her drink down. “Come on. Let us dance.”
“I don’t dance.”
“You are very graceful, I have seen it. You literally do ceremonial dance training every year for the Moon Hunt.”
“That’s different.”
"Not really." She grabbed his free hand. “Come. I will teach you, warrior boy.”
He hesitated. She gave him that hopeful, glowing look that had ruined his ability to say no months ago.
“…One,” he muttered.
Her victory grin could have powered the entire clearing. She pulled him into the edge of the circle. At first he moved stiffly, clearly aware of every limb. (y/n) just laughed and swayed, the glowing beads and flowers in her braids catching the light.
“Loosen up!” she said, spinning under his arm.
“I am loose!”
“You move like a tree.”
“Trees are very graceful!”
“Not when they’re nervous!”
He huffed, but then she bumped her shoulder into his again, laughing, and something in him gave way.
His movements softened, shoulders dropped, and when she spun back into him, breathless and smiling, he realized something. No one was staring at him anymore. They were just… dancing. They did not care who he was, or why he was here. They were just dancing.
(y/n) leaned close, voice warm by his ear. “See? Not so scary.”
He looked down at her, glowing under moonlight and bioluminescence, eyes bright, joy written all over her.
“…Okay,” he admitted quietly. “Maybe not.”
She beamed. “Told you, soldier boy”
He groaned. “Do not start calling me that.”
From across the clearing, Lo’ak cupped his hands around his mouth,“HEY EVERYONE! SOLDIER BOY MADE IT!”
Neteyam turned his head down, embarrassment spiking immediately as the moment of bliss was rudely disrupted. He could feel eyes looking at him, hearing cheering coming from all sides. (y/n) laughed so hard she nearly spilled her drink on him. But that’s when she heard some yelling coming from somewhere from the food area. (y/n) sighed seeing Kiri approaching the area, while looking back to her for back up.
She let go of Neteyam for a second and patted his chest quickly, muttering that she'd be back in a bit. He pouted slightly at she left, but (y/n) didn't turn back in time to see him holding out his hand, as if he was waiting for her to step back for a second, grab him and take him with her on her little side mission.
As his hand dropped, he sighed deeply. Feeling a light throb in his heart, he wandered over to the closest drink station, and of course, his mind was entirely occupied by (y/n). Her outfit, the flowers in her hair, the soft smell of earth and fruit, the way her eyes scrunch when she smiles a bit too hard, or her soft snort-giggles whenever he's unintentionally funny.
Neteyam's finger gently traced the edge of the cup, looking in the direction (y/n) left. He saw the back of her figure, her hair draping across her shoulders as she settled the commotion.
She always knows what to do, Neteyam thought, sipping on his drink.
He took another, absentmindedly, She is so sweet.
Another sip.
Sometimes too sweet. He recalled all the times she's stayed up late completing Lo'ak's duties because she couldn't say 'no.' Or how she's so oblivious of how other guys watch her as she passes by.
The jealousy tugged at his heart, his brain fogging up bit by bit. He bit the inside of his cheek, Why is even spending time with Ko'tay? He's not even that good of a hunter.
He placed his empty cup on the log, the girl already passing him another one. His eyes only watched the back of (y/n)'s figure, sipping furiously at his drink. In his attempt to keep an eye on her and ignore the soft pain in his chest, he overlooked to subtle bitterness of the drink.
--
After (y/n) left Kiri with Ko'tay and Riatay to figure out their little squabble, she sighed slipped through the crowd, trying to make her way back to her date.
No, it's not a date. It's just me trying to get Neteyam to live a bit.
(y/n) had only stepped away for a few minutes. A few minutes.
But, Neteyam was gone.
She spun in a slow circle, scanning the clearing. Dancers. Drummers. Splashing from the hot spring. No tall, responsible, slightly-too-serious warrior in sight.
Her stomach dropped, thoughts starting to race. “Oh, Eywa.”
Neteyam in this crowd could lead to several things. There were so many possible scenarios that could take place. Neteyam shuts the party down and Lo'ak kills her, Neteyam went back to Hometree and tells the adults, Neteyam leaves because she left him for a bit and now he hates her, Neteyam found another girl to dance with. She hurried through the crowd and spotted Lo’ak and Kiri near the drinks table.
“Have you seen Neteyam?” she asked, breathless.
Both of them froze.
“…No,” Lo’ak said slowly.
(y/n) groaned, hands going to her head. “I left him for one minute!"
"You left him? Alone? In this crowd?!"
"Yes, Lo'ak! One minute and now he’s missing! I was with Kiri dealing with Ko'tay and Riatay! Also, you said you'd be in charge of handling conflicts.”
Lo’ak immediately straightened, waving his arms to change the subject. “Okay. Okay. Back to Neteyam. This is bad. We need to find him before he ruins this.”
Kiri nodded gravely. “If he starts enforcing rules, this party is over.”
(y/n) made a face at them, turning to looking for him within the crowd. She looked for his taller figure, his specific hairstyle, that chest wrap she forced him to wear (which was suspiciously matching with her as well). Nothing.
Kiri suddenly blinked and tapped their shoulders, “Uh. Guys.”
She pointed toward a makeshift stage area built from broad roots and woven branches. A crowd had gathered, cheering.
And in the center—
Neteyam.
On the drums.
Lo’ak’s jaw dropped. “THOSE ARE MY DRUMS."
Neteyam’s braids were slightly looser, his posture relaxed in a way (y/n) had never seen before. He was grinning, wide and bright, as his hands moved confidently over the drum skins, perfectly matching the rhythm. Someone next to him played a flute, and Neteyam whooped, hyping them up like he’d been born for this.
“HEY!” he shouted to the crowd. “LOUDER!”
The crowd roared back. (y/n) stared. “…he's actually pretty good?”
Kiri nodded slowly. “Unfortunately… yes.”
Lo’ak looked deeply offended. “Since when does he have hidden talents?! That’s MY thing!”
(y/n) swatted Lo'ak's arm to shut him up, watching his older brother party hard on the stage above.
Neteyam threw his head back laughing as the beat sped up, shoulders moving with the rhythm. (y/n) blinked, then pushed through the crowd toward the stage. “I have to get him before he breaks his neck.”
She climbed up onto the roots just as he finished a dramatic drum roll that made everyone cheer.
“THAT’S WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT!” he yelled.
She grabbed his shoulder, and he turned in response. And the moment his eyes met hers he absolutely lit up. The goofiest, brightest, most un-Neteyam grin spread across his face. His eyes were warm and unfocused in a way that made everything click.
“Oh my Eywa…You got to the fermented drinks...” she muttered, covering her mouth with her hands to cover her cursing under breath. (y/n) rolled her eyes at her own stupidity for allowing Da'rya to handle the drink station. She always caused trouble.
“I MISSED YOU,” Neteyam proudly declared, abandoning the drums entirely. He tossed the drums somewhere behind him, probably hitting someone in the crowd, and wrapped an arm around her waist to pull her in.
Before she could react, he kissed her.
Right there.
In front of everyone.
The crowd went wild, cheering him on. That only motivated him to pull (y/n) in deeper, pushing his lips against her's. (y/n)'s brain just shut off, the fluttering feeling settling in her bones.
Everything in the background was muffled, all she could hear was her heart, his heart, and the millions of thoughts which bolting through her brain.
But when Neteyam, moved his hand a bit lower on her back is when she snapped back to the reality. Her tail whipped back sharply, her senses all coming back to reality.
Lo’ak screamed like someone had chopped off his ear, and the crowd's cheering increased. (y/n)'s eyes widened as she tasted fermented fruit on his lips, the smell making her gag slightly. Her brain was on overdrive as his hands skimmed lower again.
What is he doing? Neteyam's unusual display of affection made (y/n)'s heart flutter but also drop to her stomach.
She pushed him back by the chest, forcefully. “Neteyam!”
He blinked at her, still smiling dreamily. “Hi.”
“How many drinks did you have?”
He thought very hard. “The one you gave me… and the one after that. Then one more.”
She stared. Then sighed. “You are such a lightweight.”
He beamed proudly, like this was a compliment.
She dragged him off the stage as he waved to the crowd, but they kept cheering him on and (y/n) continued to drag him until they neared the edge of the dance circle. The music shifted into a deep, rhythmic beat that vibrated through the ground.
Neteyam’s face lit up again.
“Ooooh this is a good one,” he said, nodding very seriously.
Before she could protest, he pulled her closer and started dancing.
Except now his usual controlled grace was gone. He was loose, laughing, spinning her badly but enthusiastically. At one point he dipped her too early and almost dropped her, catching her at the last second.
“Still got it,” he muttered.
“You never had it!” she laughed.
He leaned close, swaying with her. “You’re really pretty, you know that?”
She blinked. “I'm sorry?”
“Yeah. I always think it but, right now I’m saying it with… emphasis.” He gestured vaguely at her outfit. “Also. This is excellent. Very sexy.”
She subtly covered her raging blush with her hair and her beaming smile with her hand. “Thank you.”
He rested his forehead against hers for a second, still moving with the music. “Best party ever. You’re the best. Your friends are loud. I like it.”
“You were nervous an hour ago.”
“I was wrong,” he said confidently. “I admit it. Write it down.”
She laughed again, and he pulled her into another spin, cheering when she followed the rhythm with him.
From the edge of the circle, Lo’ak watched, absolutely delighted. “Oh this is blackmail material for life.”
Kiri sipped her drink, nudging his shoulder. “Let him have fun.”
In the center of the glowing clearing, under pulsing lights and pounding drums, Neteyam danced like the future leader of the clan had taken the night off.
And (y/n) stayed right there with him, laughing every time he tried to look smooth and failed spectacularly.
--
The forest was quieter now.
The drums were only a memory, the glowing plants dimmed to their usual gentle shimmer, and the path home felt ten times longer than before.
Mostly because Neteyam could not walk in a straight line.
(y/n) had one of his arms slung over her shoulders, her arm wrapped around his waist as she half-carried, half-dragged him through the trees.
“I am,” he announced very seriously, pointing at absolutely nothing, “an excellent dancer.”
“You almost tripped over your own tail twice” she said, breathless but laughing, "Otherwise you are excellent."
He squinted at a tree like it had personally offended him. “Why is the forest moving.”
“It’s not, 'Teyem. You are.”
He nodded like that made perfect sense, then leaned more of his weight onto her. “You smell nice.”
She rolled her eyes, smiling. “You smell like fermented fruit.”
He gasped softly. “Delicious.”
A few steps later he stopped walking entirely.
“Neteyam. No. We're almost-,” she started.
“My legs,” he said, deeply betrayed, “have resigned.”
She sighed, easing him down onto a mossy log. “Fine. We rest for one minute. But only a minute.”
He immediately slumped toward her, head dropping onto her shoulder like it belonged there. She adjusted to keep him from sliding off, brushing his braids back from his face.
He looked up at her with heavy, soft eyes.
“You know,” he said quietly, voice stripped of its usual confidence, “I love you. Like. A lot a lot.”
Her expression melted. She leaned in and kissed his cheek gently. “I know.”
He blinked at her, then frowned slightly. “That was… my cheek.”
She giggles at his dazed, pouty face, "Yes it was."
Before she could react, his hands came up to her shoulders and he pulled her closer, pressing a slow, clumsy kiss to her lips.
She smiled into it, steadying him when he leaned too far forward. A million thoughts raced through her head, but they all disappeared when he mumbled her name against her lips. (y/n) sighed, feeling satisfaction and butterflies in her stomach.
When they parted, he rested his forehead against her collarbone, arms still loosely around her, his hands gripping the small of her back and her waist.
(y/n) smiled, the warmth of his skin against hers. She listened to every shift in the forest. The trees. The distant animals. The sounds of a stream to their left. A soft snore.
Her eyes widened. “Neteyam!”
She gently patted his cheek. “Hey, hey! Don’t sleep, we need to get you home!”
He mumbled something that sounded like “five more minutes” and tried to burrow closer.
She laughed despite herself. “Nope. Warrior up. You are too heavy to carry.”
It took effort, but she got him standing again, his arm back around her shoulders as they continued the slow journey home under the moonlight.
The next morning was not kind to Neteyam.
He was face-down on his mat, one arm thrown over his head like the sun had personally insulted him.
(y/n) sat nearby with a bowl of cool water and a cloth, watching with poorly hidden amusement.
He groaned. “How many drinks did I have?”
She dipped the cloth and wrung it out. “The one I gave you… and the one after that. Then one more.”
He made a wounded noise, seeing her enjoying his plight. “That’s not enough to justify this suffering.”
“For you, it is. Eywa, you are such a ligthweight.”
She placed the cool compress on the back of his neck and he sighed like she’d just saved his life.
“You are the worst,” he muttered into the mat.
She smiled sweetly. “Correct.”
He rolled onto his side, turning his back to her dramatically. “I cannot face the clan ever again.”
She crawled around so she was in front of him again, lying on her side to meet his eyes. “But you were amazing.”
“I was embarrassing.”
“You were confident,” she countered. “You played drums. You hyped up the crowd. You kissed me in front of everyone.”
His eyes widened in horror. “I what.”
She grinned. “Twice, actually.”
He covered his face with both hands. “I’m moving clans.”
She gently tugged one of his braids. “Life of the party, ’Teyem.”
“Do not refer to me as that.”
“You’re definitely getting invited to the next one.”
“I’m not drinking at that one,” he mumbled firmly.
She hummed, pretending to think. “We’ll see.”
He squinted at her suspiciously, then groaned again and buried his face in his arm.
She laughed softly, brushing her fingers through his braids and moving the compress higher on his neck.
“For what it’s worth,” she said gently, “you had fun.”
He peeked at her through one eye. “…Did I at least dance well?”
She smiled. “You danced like someone who didn’t care what anyone thought.”
He considered that.
“…Okay that’s not terrible.”
She leaned in and kissed his forehead. “Rest, party warrior.”
He closed his eyes again, grumbling something about never trusting fermented drinks, while she stayed beside him, amused, fond, and already replaying the memory of his bright, fearless smile under the glowing lights.
