#neyetam

Every time (y/n) would look at him, he would smile throughout the entire night. He was, in Lo'ak's terms, totally, utterly whipped.

Unfortunately, the only one who couldn't see this was (y/n). As sweet, intelligent, and fearsome as she is, she couldn't pick up on Neteyam's small hints.

But in all fairness, neither would he whenever she gave hints as well. He was just as oblivious, and it was a pain to the entire Omatikaya clan when those two were in the vicinity. Jake had to restrain Neytiri from telling the two the truth, saying "It has to come from them."

But right now, Neteyam was anything but cool and collected. He looked at the small flower between his hands, remembering how earlier this morning (y/n) placed it in his hand and said "These are symbols of good luck! Stay safe while hunting, alright?"

Now, Lo'ak was aiming right next to Neteyam's head, the younger kids watching his posture and form. Lo'ak whispered to the kids as he pulled back the arrow.

The moment he let the arrow fly, he saw Neteyam step backwards, away from the arrow. All the kids groaned, as Lo'ak chuckled nervously, knowing he's going to have to face the consequences.

"Lo'ak. What was that?"

"It was their idea!" He pointed at all the kids who yelled back, defending themselves.

"Likely story, sxkwang." Neteyam gripped the arrow in his hand, and started to march over to Lo'ak ready to tackle his little brother to the ground but a light, cheery voice interrupted him in his path.

"LO'AK. I saw that!" (y/n) laughed, skipping through the small crowd of children, making it in between the brothers.

Lo'ak looked at Neteyam, who has entirely forgotten the issue at hand when (y/n) walked into his view. As he tried to scoot away from the training grounds, he also listened to the conversation between the two oblivious idiots.

"At least, you stepped back in time. Otherwise, I'd have to see you at the med clinic again."

"Okay, that was one time. And again that was Lo'ak's fault."

She laughed and looked back up at him as Neteyam stepped near her, tilting his head like his dad had told him to, "So, do you need my help with something? Do you need a dummy to test a new herb mixture?"

(y/n) giggled, "No, actually I came for Lo'ak."

That caught Neteyam of guard.

"L-lo'ak? Yea, um." He cleared his throat, "Yeah, I'd grab him before he fully runs away."

(y/n) turns and sees the younger brother trying to creep away and she giggles and grabs his wrist to drag him away from the small crowd.

Neteyam watched the two run off, his heart twisting as the arrow in his hand snapped in half.

----------

Recently, Neteyam has been keeping an eye on his little brother. And his (y/n) has been sticking with his brother more and more recently.

He had caught them hunched over a pile of flowers which (y/n) had gathered earlier that they. Neteyam's teeth gritted together as he watched the scene.

She used to ask me to help her with her herb collection.

---

"Lo'ak, pay attention, we need to figure out what flowers to use as decoration. I know Neteyam likes the purple ones, would that be good? There's a vast garden a bit behind the southern river."

"You know, the purple ones are his favorite for a certain reason."

(y/n) sighed fondly and bent down to clean up the rest of he flowers, placing them back into the pouch, "Oh? And what is this reason?"

"They're the same color as you."

That made her blush and look down at her own arm, she could see the similarity of her skin tone and the flower. She turned back to Lo'ak, "Shut up."

---

Neteyam was helping Tuk fix her hair, but it turned into some form of interrogation. "So, do you know why Lo'ak and (y/n) are hanging out more?"

Before Tuk could answer, Kiri walked in and answered for the young girl, "I mean they are both in the same hunting group, so they could be hanging out more because of that."

"I'm also a part of that group, Kiri."

"Yes, but you are in charge of that group. You're always ahead and answering and taking care of others," Kiri softly shoved her brother to side, starting to fix the mess Neteyam did to Tuk's hair, "So they were probably stuck together."

Tuk nodded, agreeing with her older sister. Neteyan paused, looking any Kiri, "That doesn't mean anything! She-(y/n) always came to me for everything! Recently, she's only been hanging out with that sxkwang Lo'ak."

"We our dear brother would never try to make a move on your future mate, Neteyam. He knows how much you like her, and he would never do that to you."

Neteyam hummed in response, agreeing with Kiri's words. But still, the sickening feeling in Neteyam's stomach didn't fade one bit. He looked out and saw (y/n) and his brother again.

She was holding up beads, vines, and flowers. It looked like she was about to start a new weaving project.

This little- Neteyam thought, thinking of every time (y/n) had came to him, with her pouch of waving materials, asking for input on everything she did on her projects.

And when she worked on her crafts, he'd lay next to her, talking about their lives. The small and the big. The past and the future. It was his time with her. With (y/n). With girl he loved.

---

"What do you think about this one? It would go great with his braids!" (y/n) asked Lo'ak, who yawned and turned away for a second.

"I don't know, (y/n). Ask Kiri, or Tuk even."

"Tuk's mouth is way too big to ask her about this. If she knew it was a gift for 'Teyam, she'd blab almost immediately."

"That's true. Anyways where should we set up the decorations? I was going to set them up tomorrow so we could take Neteyam there tomorrow."

"I was thinking the west river. I has this secluded field, with natural flora as well."

Lo'ak thought about it, leaning against the tree, "No, that's too close to the hunting trail, he might find it."

(y/n) groaned, realizing her mistake, "Oh, what about that pond near the herb garden? There's not many creatures, and it's off the hunting path!"

Lo'ak perked up, smiling at (y/n), "That's perfect. I'll tell my family to help me set up tomorrow. You need to keep his distracted."

(y/n) nodded, "That'll be easy! He's always interested when I talk about a new herb mixture for wounds, I can start taking to him about that."

"Um..." Lo'ak made a face, trying to figure out how to break the news the poor girl, "actually.."

"What? Will that not be long enough?"

Lo'ak just sighed, and looked back at the girl, "Neteyam actually isn't that interested, (y/n). He just likes being with you and hearing you talk."

"...what? And he hasn't told me?? Oh Eywa, I've probably bored him so many times!"

Lo'ak laughs, "It's fine, I highly doubt he cares. He just likes spending time with you."

That made (y/n) smile, and she turned back to the materials in her hands, trying to decide what to make for his gift.

----------

(y/n) had been spending the entire day with Neteyam. From breakfast to morning hunting to asking him to join her to go herb gathering.

Of course he said yes, although she asked right before the sun began to set. He'd be considered insane if he didn't, since he hadn't spent much time with her for the past few days. He also considered this a good time to ask her what was up with her and Lo'ak

He followed behind (y/n), watching her crouch and explain the certain properties of the ugly blue plants she was gathering.

"And these ones, they numb the area, making it easier to stitch wounds and cuts. But, as a bonus, they also can be used as a sleep medication if prepared properly."

Neteyam watched her, her smile lighting up the path as they continued on their search. He kept an eye on her as she marched through the forest. Even though she was strong and agile, her upbringing in another environment made her more vulnerable within the forest. This was once made clear when she had slipped and injured her foot due to a branch which, according to her, 'had magically popped out of the ground.'

But Neteyam was making sure that this wasn't gonna happen again. Mainly because the flower she chewed on to numb the pain also made her extremely intoxicated, which resulted in her singing to the entire Home Tree.

He chuckled at the memory, looking up at the pink and purple sky, seeing the suns beginning to set. He looked back down to (y/n), who was crouched down again, looking at a purple flower.

He crouched down beside her, looking at the same flower, realizing it was his favorite one. The purple sun lilies, the same ones that reminded him of (y/n). The shade of the lilies were extremely similar to her skin-tone, allowing Neteyam to see (y/n) even when he couldn't. He had at least a handful of them tucked away under his hammock.

And somehow, (y/n) always smelled like sun lilies. He wasn't sure how, but she did. Neteyam's eyes drifted to the girl next to him, seeing the curls of her hair, the dark golden-brown of her eyes, the purple skin which glimmered from the lite layer of sweat.

Everything about her was beautiful. She was smart, intelligent, and brave. Kind, sweet, and loving. Funny, adventurous, and stubborn.

Neteyam was almost about to tell her. How he felt.

He could feel the words almost spill from his mouth: I see you, (y/n). Do you see me?

But instead, his body asked a completely different question: "What is up with you and Lo'ak?"

(y/n)'s head snapped toward him, "What are you talking abou--?"

"You've been hanging out with Lo'ak a lot recently, and I just thought that you were, like-- that you and him. Um... Do you--?"

(y/n) started giggling, making Neteyam stand up, "You think I like Lo'ak?"

"Well, yeah. I mean you guys have been hanging out a lot. And I have barely spoken to you at all these past few days, so I was just... wondering. I guess."

"Oh my Eywa. You're jealous." That caused her to burst out laughing, almost toppling over. "BAHAHA! You thought-- HAHAH Me and Lo'ak? You're hilarious, 'Teyam."

Neteyam sighed, smiling down at her.

(y/n) finally caught her breath, wiping a stray tear from her cheek. "Neteyam. I've spent more time with you than anybody here. You're the one who found me in the forest three years ago. You saved me from the Sky People. And even after that, you helped me join your people, making me feel welcomed and happy." She grabbed his hands and intertwined them, making him looking down to their hands then back to her eyes, "If I was too fall for anybody, it would be you."

His breath stopped.

"You saw me during a time when I felt invisible. You see me." (y/n) stood on her tip toes, trying to reach his face. Neteyam felt this, instinctively leaning forward for her to reach.

(y/n) breathed in quickly, preparing herself for what she was about to say, "And I see.. you."

She kissed his cheek, only reaching thanks to his help. Neteyam froze, words unable to form. The shock ran through his body, filling his stomach with this warm, fluttery feeling.

"You..see me?"

"Yeah..please say you feel the same way. Lo'ak told me--"

Lo'ak's name snapped Neteyam out of his little love-stricken trace, and he held her shoulders, cutting her off. "So then why have you been hanging out so much with Lo'ak?"

(y/n) smiled, pulling back a bit and dragging Neteyam deeper into the forest. She turned back to look at him, "If you had waited for a little while longer you would have seen."

Now, they were stopped in front of a pond, which had purple flowers littering the ground around it, the trees had glowing vines hanging, and bioluminescent petals floated throughout the pond.

Neteyam just stared, nothin clicking yet. But the moment his family popped out, everything made sense.

"You...were planning this?"

"Yes! I wanted to celebrate your success in your uniltaron. It's the least I could have done after all you have done for me." (y/n) smiled, grabbing the leaf-wrapped package from Tuk, turning back to Neteyam. "And I know you hate surprises, but Lo'ak and I thought it would be better this way!"

She handed him the package, urging him to open it. He did, feeling his entire families' eyes on him, but he didn't care. Once he removed the leaf wrapping, he saw the beautiful purple and brown beaded necklace, handmade by (y/n).

"You..made this for me?"

"Mhm! I tried my best to match it to the purple sun lilies, and I added roots into the back to make it sturdier so it won't come of when flying!" (y/n) smiled at him, making his heart flutter even harder than before.

Jake smiled, interrupting the two's moment, "Let's get this party started! Kiri, Spider, get the fruit out!"

Neteyam smiled. At (y/n). At his family. At Lo'ak, who was currently making his way over to (y/n) and Neteyam.

(y/n) snorted, looking behind at Lo'ak, "You know what he said? He thought you and I liked one another."

"Ew! I have more dignity than that!"

She smacked his head, "Shut up, sxkwang. Go help your mom cut the fruit."

"Yeah, yeah alright." Lo'ak muttered, marching away the second he saw Neteyam's infamous 'goo-goo eyes.'

(y/n) turned back to look up at Neteyam. She smiled at him, tucking a lily behind his ear, giggling as she did. He smiled back at her, cupping her face with his hand.

He ran a thumb over her cheek, feeling her warmth underneath his fingers. He brushed a loose curl out of her face, allowing his index finger to trace along her jaw, tilting her face up towards his.

She looked up at him, eyes wide and warm. His gold eyes softened, recalling her words from earlier.

"(y/n)."

"Hm?" She wasn't paying attention, and was solely looking at Neteyam as if she was memorizing his face forever, primarily focusing on his eyes and lips.

He leaned down, placing his lips right next to hers. It was soft, swift, and sweet. The second he pulled back, he looked at her golden-brown eyes, with all the sincerity in the world, "I see you."

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sxkwang - idiot/moron

uniltaron - dream hunt

Growing up wasn’t easy. Your earliest memory beyond the smoke and ash was being hand-chosen by Varang. Your clan suffered a brutal attack from the Mangkwan clan. And amidst all the debris, you still stood. Something about a young Na'vi being able to rise from the ashes of war unscathed like a phoenix made something in her stomach burn. She saw fire, she saw you. Perhaps it was amusing to her to keep you alive around all the cut kurus of your clan strung up like trophies. Or maybe, deep down, she felt she needed someone to one day carry on her legacy, someone she could shape and mold into the fire as she once was. 

"Y/N, enough with your foolish mind-wandering," your mother spat at you. "Yes, sorry, sa'nok, I’m focused, I promised." Varang was showing you the types of herbs to mix. She figured out a paste to put on wounds that cause immense pain; it made her giggle, imagining the screams of her victims. And of course, the best person to show it to would be her shadow. "Soon we must find you a mate, y/n, someone strong to keep the fire burning," she said without much meaning, still occupied with the paste, "but sa'nok I don’t," you started, "do I sense defiance?" She stopped mixing, looking up at you. "No, sa'nok, I apologize. Soon, the clan will be my responsibility, and I need to lead with fire." You surrendered, “good," she went back to her mixing

Varang was tough. She raised you with a short leash. Even now, as you've hit adulthood, she still controls your life, and don't let her sense a hint of disobedience. You’ve never spoken back to her your too scared to find out the consequences. While most Na'vi were playing as children, you were being taught war. Even as a teen, that rebellious phase was forbidden. “Tsahik, there’s a visitor on clan territory, and he wishes to speak with you. He brings thunder," one of the warriors said from the other side of the yurts' drapes. He knew better than to enter without being summoned. "Stay," was all she said to you, getting up. Recently, Varang has been talking about a sky demon who wielded thunder; you knew better than to follow her out, especially when she told you not to, but she didn't say you couldn't listen. 

You got closer to the yurt entrance, but your efforts were useless because there wasn't much you could hear. until a loud bang came from outside, you almost left, concerned for your mother. She may have always been rough on you, but you still cared for her. You decided to follow the rules, knowing there was a fate much worse if Varang caught you outside the yurt when she told you not to. Only moments later, she re-entered, but not alone. "y/n go grab the pot. I’m going to see into this demon's soul." You handed her the drug she uses to keep her people under her control and took your leave. 

That night, while the clan was surrounded by the fire, she called you over, “y/n, come, there’s someone I want you to meet.” You walked over. “Quaritch, this is my daughter; she’s my little flame, soon to be mated so she can properly become our clan’s next leader.” She loved to show you off, the perfect daughter whom she’s trained from a young age. “Is that so well, aren’t we like one big happy family?” the sky man ‘Quaritch’ said with sarcasm. “Sa’nok, may I be dismissed?” you asked, “not yet, y/n, you must stay by my side while I introduce the clan”. 

And that was it, you were now truly her shadow, what used to be a somewhat complicated bond turned into you chasing behind her and the demon. The yurt you both once shared was now full of him, while you were sent to reside in a small corner out of the way. And then the clan had to pick up and move into the RDA base. Your mother was blinded by her greed for thunder; the clan didn’t have the order that it used to. You were miserable. But you never said anything, any sort of complaint would be defiance, and you knew your mother would not stand for it. 

“Y/N, come, we have much to discuss.” You heard your mother call out to you from the makeshift yurt you now call home. You walked over, expertly hiding the annoyance you felt. “You called sa’nok?” She had a smile on her face. “Yes, Y/N, we have plans to discuss. Quaritch, would you like to explain?” You were confused. “Jake Sully, that traitor we’re hunting has taken residence in the Metkayina clan. We need someone smart who they would never suspect to do some digging, your mother, and I think you would be the perfect fit,” he said. You were shocked and angry. How could your mother not at least ask your opinion? She made plans volunteering you up, knowing that if you get caught, you could be killed. There are so many other Na’vi just as capable, I mean, did she even care about-? “Yes, it would be an honor to go. I will make you proud, sa’nok,” you said, swallowing down your feelings; they don’t matter anyway. “I know you will, my little ember.”

The next day, you were off on your mission. Paint and ash clean off your body, something that felt weird to you. The plan was to wash up on the shore of the clan seeking help. Your clan was completely attacked, and you were the last survivor. Ironic really. Get close to the Sullys and learn their preparations for war, then report back, simple. Here you were trying to swim your way towards the shore, you were dropped as close as possible, but it still wasn’t close enough. You come from dry land, and swimming is not your strong suit. By the time you reach the clan your exhausted. It's not even an act at this point. You caught the attention of nearby Na’vi, maybe the exhaustion was too much to bear, you felt Na’vi all around you, but couldn’t hear a word they said. Suddenly, your vision blurred, and everything went black.

You woke up in a tent with a few Na’vi standing over you, one being Jake Sully. “Ah, so you’ve awoken,” said a woman who you could only assume is the clan’s tsahik. You stayed quite playing the role of the helpless Na’vi. “What do they call you?” a taller male Na’vi standing next to Jake Sully said, his demeanor was strong and assertive. ‘Must be the clans Olo’eyktan,’ you thought. “My name is y/n, my clan suffered an attack from the sky man. I’m the last survivor.” “Your forest Na’vi, that’s a long way from here. Not something you can just swim. What clan do you come from?” Jake Sully spoke; his instincts were sharp, and he could tell something was off. “I… I’m…” you start with the fake tears. “I’m sorry the memories are blurry, I’ve been out there a long time, my clan… my people… I've lost everything. Why couldn’t Eywa kill me, too?” You were hysterical in a way you truly felt it; you understood this character you were trying to play. “I will leave. Thank you for showing me mercy. I’m not sure how I will move forward, but I was kept alive for a reason, and I don’t want to burden you with that.”

You stood up and immediately dramatized a fall. The clan tsahik grabbed you. “You must rest to travel from forest to reef is dangerous, it truly is a miracle from Eywa you're alive. The tsahik spoke. “Thank you, I plan to go back to the forest and find a clan to accept me. I’m sorry for troubling you all.” You see the Olo’eyktan and Jake Sully having a low conversation, the clan tsahik joins in. “y/n” The Olo’eyktan turns to you. “The forest is a long way from here my mate says Eywa favors you for keeping you alive.  You can stay within the clan, but you must learn the ways of the reef people.” “I don’t know what to say.. thank you so much.” You start, “under one condition.” he interrupts, “One of the young warriors will chaperone you till we know you can be trusted.” Jake Sully continued for him. 

Almost on cue, the tent flaps are opened a male Na’vi walks in. You notice almost instantly that he is not native to the Metkayina clan. His skin was a deep blue, his aura strong and confident, with a tall stature, broad shoulders, and soft features. His body looks like it was handcrafted, whether it be by Eywa or the fire, it was hard not to stare. “Sir, the hunt was successful today. Lo’ak and I are prepared for tomorrow.” Said the Na’vi who’ve you figured was the offspring of Jake Sully. Just then, the Olo’eyktan and Jake Sully spared each other a look, the type of look that says a million words in a mere second, then the Olo’eyktan gave a small nod.

“Neteyam, there’s a task I need you to do,” Jake Sully said. The Na’vi, Neteyam, looked confused. “We have a stray who needs looking after. You went from forest to reef Na’vi, and I want you to teach y/n to do the same.” Neteyam looked at his father, then down at you. He made a face, and you quickly recognized that he was feeling the same way you felt when dealing with your mother. Wanting to do everything to please her, feeling the weight and pressure of letting her down. “Nice to meet you, y/n. I hope you learn well.” He covered his disappointment quickly and greeted you with a smile. Before you could say anything, he turned around and walked out. “Tomorrow at sunrise, he will be here to start your training for now, get rest,” said Jake Sully, leaving the tent. You know your mother would be pleased to hear one of the Sully sons are going to be accompanying you; it’ll be easy to get intel now.

The Metkayina start their day early. You emerged from the tent only to find Neteyam outside waiting for you. “sorry were you waiting long?” he just nodded his head no. You took a moment to grasp the environment that you're going to be staying in for the next three months. And Eywa, it was beautiful, young Na’vi running, smiling, playing. Weird but pretty trees that looked different from the trees in the forest, and of course, the sparkling, clear water that surrounded the clan, along with the soft white sand lined with shells and pearls. “Your home is beautiful. I’ve never seen anything like it.” You said more enthusiastically than you wanted to. If your mother could see you, she would be furious. “I suppose,” he responded.

You both reach a quieter part of the beach. “come” he said, guiding you towards the water. “It's best to start with your breathing, work with the water, not against it. It’s hard with arms and tails like us, but you’ll learn to make it work,” he dipped his head into the water, which encouraged you to follow. It wasn’t long before you rose back up, gasping for air. “You need to calm down,” he moved towards you, “breathe mawey,” he placed a hand on your stomach. He was warm, his eyes held a certain softness you’ve never felt before. It was unsettling. You quickly pulled away. “Yes, uh, we should break. I saw something that I wanted to check out.” You didn’t give him a chance to respond before you ran to the shore. You weren’t exactly lying; you wanted to see the different shells. You saw a few pretty ones you wanted to collect. He followed you out. He had orders to keep strict watch over you, even if it was a little awkward. 

He knelt beside you, reaching a hand out. You immediately backed up and hissed at him, “Mine!” You yell. Your clan was full of greed when something was yours; if you didn’t fight for it, you would lose it, and you weren't about to lose the pretty shells you had hand-picked. To say he looked shocked was an understatement. “Are you okay? I was trying to hand you this shell I found in the water, it looked like the ones you were picking out.” You looked down at his hand, it was gorgeous, the shell not hands though those were nice too. “Sorry… I didn’t have much growing up. A lot of what I had was taken; it was always a fight.” He untensed “I’m sorry,” he said, “it’s different here, though you won’t have to worry about anything of yours being taken, I'll make sure of it.” he said that last part puffing his chest out to look tough. You giggled a little, “Thank you, Neteyam.” he smiled back at you. 

You both walked back to the tent you were staying in. “I promised to meet my mother, Marui. She’s getting the space ready for you to move. Would you like to sit by each other at mealtime?” Neteyam asked quietly, sort of awkwardly. “I would love to, you’re the only one I know here anyway.” He smiled at you, then walked away. You turned around, walking to the sleeping mat, looking at the shells you collected before your eyes landed on the one Neteyam gave you. You know it was wrong; your mother would truly skin you. This couldn’t lead to anything; your mother picks your mate, and you know it wouldn’t be a sully. You sighed you heart feeling heavy. It was weird, you were homesick, you miss the ash, you miss the fire, you miss your mother; if she were here, she would call you weak.

Communal dinners were different here than back home; instead of fighting over the scraps, everyone shared. You took a breath before walking out of your tent and into the mix of Na’vi talking and having a good time. You felt their eyes on you, an upbeat, lively event, turn quiet and somber. You hated it, you hated being looked at like an animal. It took everything in you not to retaliate and strike first, like you were taught. You walked to a secluded part of the event and crouched down. You wanted to go home. “Hey, y/n, I was looking for you.” You look up and see Neteyam walking towards you. 

“Oh, hey,” you said lowly, “Is something wrong?” he crouched beside you, handing you a piece of today’s hunt. “Nothing, just homesick.” he looked at you with pity. “What was your home like, your family?” he sounded concerned. “It was different from most, a lot tougher. My people aren’t as friendly as yours are here, but that’s how we lived, and weirdly, it was nice; it feels familiar to me now. It was just my mother and me. She’s tough, lots of expectations, I fear I’ll let her down.”  He looked into your eyes, his features soft, making you feel unsettled. “Sorry, I don’t mean to vent.” You quickly look away, trying to distance yourself. He grabs your hand. “No, I… I understand you. My father is hard on me, too. I was supposed to be the next Olo’eyktan of my clan. So, from a young age, I was meant to live up to my father, the all-mighty Toruk Matko.”

You looked at him and saw something genuine. His mask dropped. It felt wrong to use him. You guys continued to talk through the night. His presence was so inviting, you’ve never had a friend before, and it felt nice. You had to push your feelings aside; you knew your mother would disapprove. Maybe if you begged hard enough, when it was time to raid this clan, maybe Neteyam could be spared. The thought was nice, but you knew better. 

“Hey y/n you listening?” Neteyam asked, “Huh, oh, sorry, I was uh looking at the water, it’s so beautiful.” You looked up, turning your attention back to him, “yeah I guess it is.” His eyes never leaving yours. “I uh should get back its kind of late.” You broke the ice. “Yeah, I’ll walk you back. Hopefully, tomorrow we can get you settled into my family’s Marui. The walk back was slow and quiet. It was awkward but comforting, the distant sounds of Na’vi still enjoying their night, and strong waves, the fresh smell of sea salt with the feeling of soft powdery sand under your feet. It was perfect, it made the hard feeling of missing home more tolerable.

You and Neteyam approached the tent. “Um, thank you, Neteyam. Tonight was fun,” you said, turning to face him. “Of course,” he said, but he didn’t move. In fact, neither of you did, staring into his eyes, it seemed like the word came to a pause. You always found him handsome, but the way the moon was shining down at him seemed to only amplify your thoughts. He moved closer, slow and deliberate, almost like he was giving you time to push him away, but you didn’t. He leaned in, cupping your face, and for a second, he left his lips slightly hovering over yours, again giving you time to push him away, but just like before, you didn’t. He pushed more, intertwining your lips, and you leaned in, deepening it. The kiss was gentle and soft, like his demeanor. The moment, intimate and thrilling, you know you would’ve never gotten away with this back home.

Thoughts of how disappointed your mother would be entered your mind. You immediately broke from the trance you were in, and you pushed Neteyam back, soft but hard enough that he got the memo. “Neteyam… im- we can’t… I’m sorry.” You looked down, embarrassed. You didn’t want to pull away, but 2 days away from home couldn’t erase the years of training. “No, I’m sorry, I don’t know what I was thinking. I took advantage of your situation, your vulnerable. It was way too soon for me to do something like that, my head wasn’t on straight-” “Neteyam, it’s okay, really, I should go in now,” you said, interrupting his rambling. “Yeah, sorry, good night y/n”. “Goodnight, Neteyam,” and with that, you turned to walk into the tent, collapsing onto your sleeping mat. “What the hell are you doing, y/n?” you whisper to yourself.