#neyetam

He gave her a brief nod along with a faint smile, then his focus went right back to his boys.

Neteyam spun his spear and disarmed Lo’ak with a clean strike. Lo’ak stumbled.

“One more move,” Jake said. “Finish it, Neteyam.”

Neteyam stepped forward—

And saw (yn) watching.

Her front braids were loose from healer work, a faint smear of green salve on her cheek. She smiled when their eyes met.

It was that smile, adorable smile that allowed for his focus to shatter. His foot misplaced and his senses diverted for a second.

In that second, Lo’ak recovered and swept Neteyam’s legs, allowing him to hit the ground hard.

Jake sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“Neteyam. You basically had him.”

Lo’ak leapt to his feet, cheering. “YES! Did you see that?! I beat the mighty firstborn!”

(yn) giggled softly at her friend's enthusiasm. Lo'ak made his way over to her, both of them excited over his triumph. But as she looked past Lo'ak, she watched Neteyam groaned into the dirt. She chuckled quietly, making sure she kept her posture.

Lo’ak turned to his brother, spotting his state of embarrassment properly now. His grin turned dangerous.

“Well, well. Since I am clearly the superior warrior today…” He struck a heroic pose. “(yn), do you wish to challenge the champion?”

Neteyam lifted his head slowly.

Gave Lo’ak a look.

A very calm, very murderous look.

Lo’ak swallowed quickly and restated his offer.

“…Or, you could fight the loser.”

(yn) laughed. “I accept.”

Jake raised a brow. “(yn). Are you-"

"Yes, it'll be a good warm up."

Neteyam stood, brushing dirt from his arms. A soft smile curved his mouth, "I will go easy on you.”

She laughed again, bright and sweet.

“Don’t.”

The circle went quiet.

Jake folded his arms, skeptical.

“Begin.”

Neteyam advanced carefully, relaxed and controlled.

(yn) moved.

In a heartbeat, she ducked under his strike, swept his legs, twisted his arm, and used his own momentum to throw him face-first into the sand.

Gasps erupted around the circle.

Before Neteyam could recover, she planted a knee between his shoulder blades and pinned his wrists behind his back.

She was straddling him. She had him pinned, his face in the dirt. And she hadn't even broken a sweat.

Then Lo’ak exploded with laughter, nearly falling over. “OH. MY. EYWA.”

Jake stared.

Long. Hard. Almost embarrassed.

“…Neteyam.”

Neteyam, face burning into the dirt, groaned. (yn) leaned down, smiling sweetly while mocking him, “Were you saying something about going easy on me?”

Lo’ak was wheezing on the sides, as both Kiri and Tuk popped their heads in to see what the commotion was about.

Jake shook his head slowly. “I train you for years and the healer in training takes you down in five seconds.”

(yn) finally released him and stood, offering a hand. Neteyam took it, dazed, half proud, half humiliated.

"You did pretty good."

(yn) gives him this smirk. The type that said 'You mean I did amazing,' the type that made his heart flutter.

Lo’ak clapped him on the shoulder. “Congratulations, brother. You have been beaten twice in a day.”

Neteyam shot him a glare.

(yn) just smiled.

Very pleased with herself.

Neteyam was still staring at the ground like it had personally betrayed him.

Lo’ak slung an arm around his shoulders, barely holding in laughter.

“Hey,” he said, patting his back dramatically. “It is alright, brother. You were not defeated by a warrior. You were defeated by a menace.”

Neteyam groaned. “You are enjoying this too much.”

Lo’ak grinned. “You have spent our entire lives being perfect. Let me have this.”

(yn) stood nearby, trying very hard not to look more smug than she already did.

Jake cleared his throat.

Both boys straightened instantly.

Jake turned his attention to (yn), studying her with new eyes.

“You surprised me today.”

She dipped her head respectfully. “Thank you.”

“You move skillfully. You kept up with my son in combat,” Jake said flatly. “That alone qualifies you to join on our next recon mission."

He glanced at Neteyam.

“He will help train you until then. Teach you the routes, the signals, the air patterns.”

Neteyam straightened immediately. “Yes, sir.”

(yn) looked between them, surprised—but quietly conflicted.

“If I go,” she said carefully, “I go to protect life, and as a support system, not to seek battle in any form unless necessary.”

Jake nodded once. “Good. That is the kind of warrior we need.”

She smiled, looking at Neyetam.

“Then I will join.”

Lo’ak grinned, elbowing his brother. “Great. Now she can save your life after beating you unconscious.”

Neteyam groaned. “You are never letting this go.”

Jake clapped his hands gathering the kids' attention. "Now (yn), Neyetam. Again."

They fought again, repeating their previous dance. But now (yn) is sweeping his feet, allowing him to fall. Hard.

(yn) wipes of her hands and turns to Lo'ak and grins deviously, "Your turn?"

The boy could only chuckle nervously in return, but a groan stopped her in her tracks. Another low, pain-filled groan came from Neyetam.

That had her scrambling to his side, "Hey, are you alright? What hurts."

Kiri sighed knowingly, not surprised that all her training as a healer could not be undone with a single fight. Her caring instincts were still there. Meanwhile, Tuk sqealed and smiles at the sight of the two teens.

Neyetam didn't respond, making (yn) drop her stuff to help him get to the med-clinic. As she supported him weight, she tried to examine him, her palms looking over his body for any bruises or cuts.

As the rest of the family watches, they see Neyetam turn towards them and smirk. It was small and subtle, but there.

Lo'ak looked at his dad, back at his bother, realizing (yn) was getting played right now.

Kiri crosses her arms, "He does realize he's gonna get kicked when she realizes right?"

"Eh, I guess he's just happy to get attention from the girl of his dreams," Lo'ak said, earning a smack from Kiri. Jake just chuckled while shaking his head, muttering to himself, "Was I really like this when I was young?"

___

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.