training with the healer <3 neteyam x reader
The training circle rang with the grunts and panting of effort.
Neteyam and Lo’ak moved in a blur of blue and muscle, sparring sticks cracking together as Jake Sully watched with arms crossed, sharp-eyed and stern.
“Lo’ak, stop overextending,” Jake barked. “Neteyam, press him.”
Neteyam did exactly that, driving Lo’ak back step by step. Jake continued watching the two, making sure neither were holding back.
From the edge of the clearing, (yn) emerged from the healer’s hut with a basket of fresh bandages and healing herbs balanced on her hip. She slowed when she saw the fight, eyes lighting with interest. She walks past the circle, paying attention to every move and every step that was made by the boys.
Jake noticed her immediately.
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?"
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sorry if this is bad, this is my first one so lmk if you liked it! and pls feel free to leave comments or suggestions, i always love to hear what u guys think!!
