#omatikaya reader

txe’lan’itan (n.) - heart (bonded) brother

kelku (n.) home, house

kuru (n.) neural queue

tsaheylu (n.) bond; neural connection

Pt 2, Lo’ak’s pov

‧₊˚.ೃ ࿐

©nyctophicbtch 2026 — do not copy, repost, or translate

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It was no secret that you were close to the Sully family. The whole clan knew and they never batted an eye when you’d spend your days with Kiri in the forest, or help Tuk braid her hair. It was almost daily practice for you to join them for meals whenever Lo’ak invited you, often bringing your own share of food to contribute. The kids got along with you, treating you as another one of their siblings, and you’d enjoy the way they welcomed you. They’d all gotten used to having you around. All except for one.

From the moment he met you, Neteyam kept a respectable distance, keeping his words to a minimum and only responding when necessary. He wasn’t sure why the idea of a sibling bond with you was so revolting, but after a couple of late night talks and long afternoon walks, he’d come to realize that he couldn’t picture you as his sister because he’d grown to appreciate you as something else entirely, and Neteyam had never felt as conflicted as he did on the night he started secretly pursuing you, behind closed walls and unknown to the rest of his family. They hadn’t suspected a thing and he would like to keep it that way until he figured out how to deal with the predicament he’d created for himself.

It was… easier said than done.

“Here, help me with these,” Neteyam heard Lo’ak say to you. The older Sully purposefully avoided eye contact, busying himself with his own weapons instead of including himself in your conversation. The three of you sat on the outskirts of the village, grass beneath your legs as you polished and mended a few tools before eclipse, just as his father had told them to.

“Hey, Neteyam, can you hold these for a second?” He pretended not to notice that you were addressing him instead of his brother, not even bothering to spare you a glance.

“Bro?” Lo’ak called out, scoffing in annoyance.

“Huh? Oh, yeah,” Neteyam replied, wordlessly taking the load off your hands. He watched you put some materials away before taking your stuff back, muttering a quick thanks to him, and he turned back to his own work, catching the way Lo’ak’s tail lashed impatiently. He could feel his brother’s stare burning through the back of his skull from all the unspoken words he wanted to say, and as soon as you went out to get something from across the village, Lo’ak was on him.

“Bro, are you sure nothing’s wrong? I mean, you don’t just avoid someone because nothing happened,” Lo’ak pestered. He had never commented on Neteyam’s reserved demeanor towards you, respecting that his brother was just probably not as close to you as the rest of them were. Until recently. Lo’ak’s overly nosy self was beginning to agitate Neteyam, driving him near the brink of strangling his brother.

“No. Go away, Lo’ak, I’m trying to fix this.” Neteyam adjusted the string on his bow, arms flexing as he bent it over the nock.

“C’mon, bro. There’s gotta be something you’re not telling us,” Lo’ak trailed off, eyes caught as you walked by just a few feet from them.

“If you’re so curious why don’t you ask her?” He was actually tempted to strangle his brother. Doing it here, in the outskirts of the village would be a good spot.

“Because she doesn’t tell me a thing. She actually cares about what people think of you. She’s nice like that, unlike you to her, you know,” Lo’ak baited, ridiculously attentive to any reaction he might find on his brother’s face. A twitch of his eyes, or his posture stiffening, but Neteyam gave him nothing. All Lo’ak got was a look that said ‘go away’. Again.

And as soon as his younger brother turned his head away grumbling, ‘you’re no fun’, Neteyam’s eyes found yours in the crowd. You gave him a little smile that made his insides light up and he shook his head, unable to hide his own grin. Your stolen moments never lasted long enough to enjoy though, because a second later, you were already looking at something else, attention fully diverted as if it was never on him.

It was always like this for the two of you. Tiny glances, small touches, quick enough that no one noticed, and Neteyam wondered if he’d made a mistake hiding your relationship in the first place. He wished he could openly give you gifts, or settle in your arms after a long hunt. He wanted to properly court you, not hide you away from the world.

But what would his father say? What would his mother think?

Would his siblings hate him for it? For taking you away from them? It wasn’t that he didn’t want to tell his family, it was just that the two of you sort of happened all of a sudden, and Neteyam had no time to figure out how he could explain the situation you’d placed yourselves in. But he had to admit, the secrecy made him treasure moments with you more than ever now. They were always so rare to come by, and that was why they were always so special.

“Was my brother bothering you again?” Neteyam asked, tipping his head back as he took a sip from the yovo fruit in his hands, leaning back against the grass. You sat beside him, legs tucked to the side.

“No, Lo’ak was just asking me about weaving stuff. Weird, I thought he was gonna ask me about you the moment I saw him walk up to me.”

“Maybe he gave up trying to ask you.” You let out a quiet laugh at that, leaning against Neteyam’s side. His arms came around you almost instinctively, protecting you from the cool chill of the air.

The quiet night served as perfect cover for the two of you to meet up somewhere in the mountains, away from the clan. It was nice to finally appreciate each other’s company without prying eyes for a change, and you absolutely loved the view from up here. It was a little romantic of him to set this up for you.

“That doesn’t mean he isn’t suspicious,” Neteyam continued, tracing the patterns on your arm with his thumb. You could tell his mind was elsewhere, his eyes lost in the distance as it always was when he was thinking.

You peered up through your lashes, getting a glimpse of his expression, the way his gaze focused on the faraway sky, and how his eyes reflected the moon’s light, making him all the more captivating. The bioluminescent freckles on his face gave a slight glow in the dark, creating beautiful patterns that covered his skin. He was beautiful in the most endearing way possible and you couldn’t look away.

“You’re staring.” You saw his mouth move before the words reached your ears. His eyes were still fixed on the sky, but this time, he didn’t hide the way his lips curved up into a soft smile.

“What’s on your mind?” you asked, breaking into a smile of your own as you traced the dots on his cheek.

“Nothing you should worry about,” he replied all too easily. Your finger paused at the edge of his lips, and Neteyam took it upon himself to place a little kiss on it, the contact leaving tingles in its wake.

“You don’t need to do that with me,” you said, your hand fully retreating from his face. “Anything that worries you, worries me.”

Neteyam stayed unmoving, lost in thought, and for a second you thought he was going to pull away and tell you to forget about it, but then he heaved a sigh, shifting so that his whole body faced you. Silence stretched through the empty space between you. His stare was starting to make you feel nervous.

“Do you think this is a mistake?” he asked carefully, not letting your eyes wander from his.

“What?” You held your breath. “Us?”

“No! No, not that.” His eyes widened and he cleared his throat, not expecting the rough way his voice betrayed him. “I mean, all the hiding.”

You knew it had to be brought up at some point. You couldn’t spend your lives keeping your relationship a secret from everyone, but telling them was not something you would like doing either. Telling his family would… complicate things.

Neteyam’s ears pressed flat against his head as he anxiously waited for your response. He noticed your hesitation and took your hands in his, comfortingly rubbing them together.

“We don’t have to tell them now. We can do it tomorrow, or the day after. We can just think about it first,” he said like the perfect gentleman he was, always mindful of your feelings.

“Neteyam, what will they think?”

“They will accept it. In time,” he assured. The boy kept your hands clasped in his, rested on your lap as you absentmindedly pondered in thought. You did want to properly court him instead of whatever this was. A gentle boy like him deserved that much. But truthfully, you were scared, scared of what his family would think.

Your knees dug onto the grass beneath you, nerves easing at the soft comfort of his touch. You were about to give him a reply, just as you heard your ikran screech in the distance, making both your heads turn to her in concern.

She was moving away from Neteyam’s ikran, who was nipping at her uh… affectionately? Or annoyingly, you couldn’t really tell, but she looked like she wanted to bite his head off, so you turned to your boyfriend, giving him a glare that he was all but used to from the common occurrence.

“Tell him to stop pecking at ma yawne’ite,” you said, frowning a little when she actually bit the air in an attempt to threaten the male banshee.

Neteyam released your hands, and despite his efforts to contain himself, let out a hearty laugh. “Hey, he likes her.”

“She might peck his eyes out if he doesn’t stop,” you complained, pushing yourself off the ground to approach your disgruntled girl. Her eyes flooded with familiarity, rigid posture slowly calming when she felt your hand on the side of her face, gently soothing the ruffled expression away. Neteyam was right behind you, watching the scene unfold as he moved to pet his own ikran.

“Mawey, oeyä txurul yawne,” you whispered quietly, shooting a look at Neteyam’s banshee. “Don’t mind this one. He can be irritating like his txe’lan’itan.”

The look your boyfriend gave you was downright perturbed, a little in disbelief as he slightly leaned his weight to one side. “I will let that one slide because you look scarily good right now.”

Your ikran chirpped, and Neteyam couldn’t tell if you laughed from that or from his comment, but his eyes lit up all the same at his favorite sound.

“I suppose I’m gonna have to take you back,” he said, reaching out to hover his hand over your wrist, not quite touching, but near enough.

“Yeah, it’s late,” you trailed off, “Wouldn’t want anyone to think we were sneaking out.”

“Early, actually,” Neteyam pointed out. Eclipse was almost over and you hadn’t even noticed. You were enjoying your time with him a little too much.

“Oh.” The thoughts formed in your head as quickly as the expression did on your face, and before Neteyam could try to guess what you were plotting, you surged forward to give him a kiss, gone before he could blink. It all happened so quickly. He didn’t even have time to enjoy the feel of your lips on his before you were already flying away from him on your ikran, shouting, “Race you back home!”

A grin spread through his face, so wide that it started to hurt his cheeks. Eywa, did he love you, he thought as he chased you only seconds after. Of course, it didn’t take him long to catch up, playfully bumping you along the way just to see your face scrunch up, and to see the little smile you tried so hard to hide from him.

Neteyam loved nights like this, carefree and unrestrained. He longed to have them every night, where he could just hold you, and laugh with you. But in the morning, all this would go away. He would go back to pretend like he hated you, and you would pretend like you hadn’t kissed him the night before. In the morning, you’d be strangers all over again, and a part of him couldn’t help but resent that.

Was he selfish for wanting more, for despising what he had now? He loved his family for taking you in as their own, but he also wished they hadn’t. He wondered if that made him a terrible person.

“Where have you been?” The voice that greeted him startled the poor boy, making him jump before he could even step foot in his home.

“Uh, out.”

“Until this hour? The sun is up, Neteyam,” his father scoffed, “What could you possibly be doing?”

“I couldn’t sleep. I went out flying and got carried away. Sorry, dad.” Well, it didn’t look like his father was going to question him anymore, thank Eywa, but in all honesty, Neteyam wasn’t sure if his dad had been pretending not to know all this time or if he just got lucky.

“Just, make sure you and whoever you’re hanging out with gets home safe. And not so late next time.” Neteyam froze. He had a creeping suspicion that his dad was on to him. But he was too tired to think about that right now. He did not want to have to come up with more excuses in his head, and decided to switch his brain off for the night- well, morning.

✧.*

Some time during the day, when Neteyam had forced himself out of bed to do his duties, he saw you running through the village; you with all the trinkets and items that barely fit your hands. It was a wonder how you were busying yourself this early when you’d barely slept the night before. The boy took a few minutes to shake the sleep from his face, leaning against a wooden post. He was definitely not taking advantage of the clear view he had of you from the entrance of his kelku.

“Finally,” Neteyam heard an exasperated sigh. “I was starting to think you’ll never wake up.”

Lo’ak lightly punched his brother’s arm, tipping him off balance for a bit as his attention snapped away from you.

“I had to start training without you!” Lo’ak complained, going on and on about how he had to fill in for Neteyam, taking his brother’s responsibilities as his own because he was nice like that. If Lo’ak had noticed him eyeing you, he certainly didn’t say anything about it. But then again, Neteyam did not take his baby brother as observant.

“I left your stuff near the river. I’m done for the day,” Lo’ak told, slouching for extra emphasis. Then his eyes lit up like a star, as if he’d just remembered something important. “Oh, and I’m totally going to kick ass learning to weave with our dearest sister after this. You should really be a lot nicer to her, you know. You’d know she’s actually good at a lot of stuff if you’d just give her a chance. Who knows? You might learn a thing or two, and she’s also really good with-” Neteyam was absolutely having a headache.

His hand reached for his head, rubbing the spot just above the bridge of his nose. He did not want to hear about half the things he already knew about you, and he absolutely did not want to hear details of how dear a sister you were coming out of his brother’s mouth.

“-No, but really. I don’t even know how she cooks and entertains Tuk at the same time. Tuk is always in the way! It’s annoying.”

“Alright, I get it, Lo’ak. She’s nice,” Neteyam snapped, actually rethinking about strangling his brother.

“C’mon. Just give her a chance, bro,” Lo’ak pleaded. His tail swung in anticipation, like a kid waiting for his parent to say yes to a treat.

Neteyam sighed, wishing he’d stayed in bed longer to avoid all this. “If I talk to her will you leave me alone?”

“No way!” Lo’ak hit his chest. “You gotta do more than just talk. You have to bond.” Neteyam's face wrinkled at the suggestion. He wanted nothing more than to leave the uncomfortable conversation, his arms awkwardly limp at his sides.

“Lo’ak. Leave your brother alone,” his mother interjected, hands busy with cooking leaves as she walked past. Their mother sat in the middle of the room, placing ingredients in the open space around her before quipping, “Clearly he doesn’t want to bond.”

As if he wasn’t already humiliated enough, Neteyam felt exposed now, as if his mother knew something he didn’t. A second later, Tuk came running past them with a little skip in her step, herbs in her hand. She glanced at Neteyam before handing her mother the herbs.

“Neteyam,” she called out, casually approaching her eldest brother. Now, when Tuk used that voice it either meant she was complaining, or she wanted something.

His little sister gave him the friendliest smile she could muster, and Neteyam prepared himself for whatever request she was going to send his way. “I want to find shells in the forest tomorrow. Kiri’s busy and Lo’ak won’t go with me.” Her wide, yellow eyes sparkled as they intentionally stared into his eyes. “Please.”

“Okay, Tuk,” he answered with ease. “I’ll take you.”

Tuk’s grin widened, her little teeth out, lighting up her whole face. Her head whipped to Lo’ak, and the mocking gleam in her expression taunted him as she stuck her tongue out at her other brother.

“Yeah, yeah. Whatever,” Lo’ak said with a roll of his eyes, waving his baby sister off. She chased him, clinging onto her brother like an annoying insect when he walked away.

“Ow, Tuk. Stop!” Lo’ak cried, the sounds of their protest fading further away into the distance with each passing second.

Neteyam stood where he’d been when he first saw you in broad daylight. Now you were nowhere to be seen, having already slipped away from his observing gaze while he’d been busy with his siblings. The boy sighed. Maybe he should stop staring at you at random times of the day. Surely anyone who saw him would think he was a creep, not that he was careless enough to get caught.

“Come, Neteyam. Help me with these,” his mother called from inside. Neteyam was like an obedient cub, surveying his surroundings when he went in. He nearly stepped on some ingredients in his path that he had missed, but his mother was too busy chopping vegetables to so much as look his way. The distraught thoughts of his relationship with you were getting to him. It had been clouding his head for weeks, and the longer he dragged them on, the more frustrating it got when he became less focused at everything he did.

“Here. Cut this,” his mother said, placing some raw spices in front of him.

Neteyam obeyed, slicing in silence. He did all his family asked of him without any complaint. He always did. But the one time he truly wanted something, it seemed so out of reach; like he would be violating the worst kind of rule his family had set for him. He wasn’t sure how a relationship with you could’ve come to be so difficult, but he wished things were different.

“So what is the true reason you’ve been so distant?” his mother asked carefully. She didn’t call you his sister like everyone else did, and Neteyam was extremely thankful for that.

“I just don’t see her like Lo’ak, Kiri and Tuk do,” he answered after some time of calculated thinking, fingers absentmindedly working his knife.

“Then how do you see her?” The question hit him like a brick. His chest tightened, and he felt like the whole room was suffocating him, his movements becoming a little too stiff not to notice. Neteyam wanted to tell his mother, he really did, her out of all people, but he just couldn’t bring himself to. It felt too much like breaking a rule, or disobeying orders. He couldn’t shake the thought that he was admitting he liked doing something wrong.

But his mother didn’t force him. She didn’t prod at him like his siblings did. She just waited, until he was ready to open up the deepest parts of his thoughts to her.

He thought of you then. How you first came stumbling into his life when you were barely taller than Tuk. He remembered the long nights trying to make out what he thought about you; why he pictured you so differently from the way his siblings did. He didn’t mean to think of you that way. He wasn’t supposed to, but he did anyway.

And for a long time, he avoided admitting it.

“As something else,” Neteyam muttered after a long while, so quietly he wasn’t sure if his mother had heard him answer.

✧.*

“Please?” Tuk whined, as she did for the past fifteen minutes on the walk back home.

“You have your shells, now you have to go home.”

“But it’s so rare! I can’t miss it. Come on, Neteyam.” The youngest Sully tugged on her brother’s hand, pulling him the opposite direction he was bringing her. Tuk had been whining non-stop because Neteyam wouldn’t accompany her to see migrating moonfish after their search in the forest. He’d been accompanying her, hunting for shells all day and now he would like nothing more than to take her home.

“Sorry, Tuk. And it’s late. I don’t want mom and dad worrying about you.” It was partially correct, but also because he couldn’t stop shifting his feet in nervous anticipation of meeting you tonight.

“What do you have to do anyway?”

“Nothing. I’m just tired,” the excuse came easily from his lips. He extended his arms towards her, bending forward a little to encourage her to come close. “Come on, let’s go home.”

With a few pouts and some defeated huffs, his little sister stepped into his arms, latching onto his neck as he lifted her off her feet.

“You know, I’m going to have to stop carrying you at some point. You’re growing too fast,” Neteyam said with a chuckle as an attempt to cheer his moping sister. She exhaled a particularly long exhale against his shoulder, resting her chin there as she let him carry her through the village.

Maybe it was the terrible amount of sleep he got, or the food he ate for dinner, but Neteyam had never felt his stomach churn so much before meeting you. Or maybe, it was simply the dread for what he knew you were going to discuss.

Either way, his face betrayed nothing to his baby sister as he set her down in front of their home, waving her a quick goodbye before slipping into the night.

Finding you was easy. Neteyam knew you like the back of his hand. You’d often tell him to meet you, leaving out the whereabouts of where to actually meet as if this was all a hunting game for him, and he’d enjoy every second of it. Of course, it never really lasted long because he always knew where to find you.

“Hi,” he breathed, tail swaying at the sight of you. You were perched on the edge of a lake with your back to him, feet dangling above the water. Your hair was loose, apart from a few braids, falling over your shoulders so delicately he could almost feel how smooth it was.

But what was most breathtaking was the way the bioluminescence of the water illuminated your figure, making your skin glow in a shade he swore was way more alluring than he’d ever seen it in. He couldn’t even see your face and he thought you were the most beautiful thing his eyes had ever laid upon. You couldn’t have chosen a more enticing spot.

“Hi.” You turned around and Neteyam felt like he could die right where he stood. The boy visibly gulped.

“Um, come here,” you mumbled, patting the space beside you. His feet moved before his brain could tell them to, taking feather-light steps towards you. He sat on the grass where your hand had been, legs lightly bumping into yours from how close he was sitting.

He was nervous, and he wasn’t sure why. He’d done this a thousand times before, and it wasn’t like he never talked to you.

“So, how was your day?” he asked and you looked at him like he asked if you ate water for breakfast.

“It was nice,” you answered anyway, facing him until your knees touched. “I taught your brother to weave, by the way.”

“Mhm. He can’t stop talking about it.” Neteyam was distracted. He wanted to touch your hair, your face, the accessories adorning your head. You didn't often wear most of your hair down, but when you did, it looked like you were sent by The Great Mother herself to take his breath away.

“Teyam? You okay?” He blinked a couple of times, softening when your fingers touched his cheek.

“Yeah, I’m good.”

“Hmm,” you hummed, gaze falling. “We should probably talk about how we’re going to tell your family.”

Neteyam sighed, leaning back against his arms. His tail flicked once before settling on the grass beside your own, little hairs at the end faintly grazing the length of your striped tail.

“Where do we even start?” he hesitated, “Mom, dad, the reason why I’ve been so distant is because I have feelings for her, and we just happened at some point. But it’s not like that- I… never saw her as a sister. No, that’s not it.”

His head dropped and your bright eyes searched for his face, encouraging him to go on. He was grateful for your constant support, never laughing at his stupid mistakes like he was sure any other girl would.

“Maybe start with how you felt when we first met. It doesn’t have to be perfect, just be honest with them,” you murmured, giving him that small, pretty smile he loved so much. Your hands softly rubbed at his jaw and his eyes nearly fluttered closed from the comfort it brought, head leaning towards your palm. “Don’t think too much.”

Neteyam’s eyes finally met yours and he couldn’t help but swoon at your mesmerizing features. This spot really did wonders for you.

“Yeah, that’s probably best. We’ll figure it out,” he whispered, face inches away from yours, barely nuzzling your hand. His eyes glowed a darker shade of yellow than usual and you couldn’t look away from his deep gaze. There was no mistaking the silent want on both your faces.

“We’ll figure it out,” you hushedly repeated, guiding his face closer to yours by his jaw. His eyes fluttered once, then closed completely when you gave him what he’d been waiting for since he first saw you tonight, pressing your lips to his in a slow, gentle kiss that melted the thoughts from his head. Your lips were so soft.

Everything about you was soft. The curve of your waist, the hair that tickled his cheek; his whole body involuntarily moved forward, seeking the warmth he found from your closeness. 

Neteyam had always appreciated your gentleness and your delicate features, but right now he didn’t want soft. His hand found the back of your neck, fingers threading through your hair to pull you in and deepen the kiss. Your legs shifted to face him, clumsily bumping his. The moment his tongue darted to taste you, you immediately gave in, a soft sigh leaving your lips as he slipped past the border of your mouths. His other hand was snaking its way around your waist, and he could feel you shiver when he stroked the smooth skin there.

“I’m sure they won’t mind. They already like you,” Neteyam pulled away to murmur against your lips, then he kissed you again, harder, the hand in your hair trailing down your spine to rest at your hip.

“And once all of this is out of the way-“ He tugged you onto his lap, relishing the tiny gasp he heard when he rolled his hips forward so you could feel the outline of him. His lips grazed your ear, nipping at the soft flesh there as he whispered, “-I can finally properly mate with you.”

You let out a soft moan then and it got to his head. He made a low sound in his throat, teeth scraping your jawline, moving all the way down to your throat. He didn’t know when your hand had made its way to his kuru, but he felt when you brought it forward to reveal the pink tendrils on the end of it, itching towards your direction.

“And tsaheylu,” you uttered, a quiet promise. The boy nodded, rubbing his cheek against yours affectionately as his tail curled against your leg.

Neteyam heard a loud gasp coming from the forest a second later and he froze, movements paused against your face. You immediately pulled away, jumping to your feet as your ears turned to the source of the sound before your eyes did. You spot a little Tuk coming out from the bushes, wide eyed at the display she’d witnessed.

“Tuk,” you breathed, still breathless from the rush of exhilaration your boyfriend had given you. 

“Tuk,” Neteyam scolded, coming up from behind you. The little girl still had her hand over her mouth, ears pinned to her skull in guilt.

“You’re together?” Her question was so innocent it almost made your expression soften. But then, her face lit up in her usual mischief, staring at her brother for a particularly long time before she grinned. “You’re taking me to the river or I’m telling mom!”

Neteyam sighed, casting his head down as he told her, “Tuk, I’m not taking you.”

“Then I’m telling mom.” The girl was already well on her way, turning around so fast that you were almost impressed by her swiftness.

“No, no! Wait!” Neteyam panicked, hands reaching for his sister. He grumbled under his breath at the prospect of getting caught, by his baby sister no less, but he promised to take her to the river another day nonetheless.

“Who taught you to sneak up on people like that?” Neteyam retaliated as he dragged her through the path back towards the village. You tailed the two siblings, keeping to yourself while they constantly argued along the way, thankfully making the walk back less awkward than you’d thought it would be. You were going to tell the family soon, but it seemed, thanks to Tuk, they were probably going to find out a lot sooner than planned, that was, if she failed to keep her mouth closed.

“Glad to see you’re finally spending time together. Can’t believe you’re really giving her a chance, bro,” Lo’ak immediately pounced on his brother when he and Kiri spotted the three of you outside their home. You stood behind your boyfriend, looking unusually shy.

“No, Lo’ak. They’re together! I saw them kiss. They’ve been dating this entire time!” Tuk blurted out, and after realizing what she’d just said, she covered her mouth, eyes darting to Neteyam. Lo’ak’s eyes were blown as wide as the moon above them. His tail dropped and his brows furrowed, looking at his baby sister like she’d just spit on his face. He looked to his brother, then to you, frowning, and you could see when the thought formed in his head.

“You, what?!” Lo’ak exclaimed, loud enough for the whole forest to hear. Kiri’s giggles made his ears twitch. “You’ve been what? this entire time?!”

Pt 2

‧₊˚. ೃ ࿐

©nyctophicbtch 2026 — do not copy, repost, or translate

Your breath hitched that you had been caught staring, but your focus was skewed from him anyway as your friend, Siyka, grabbed your hand. “Come! I am thirsty!” she said and pulled you away from the circle. 

You stumbled away from the center of the room, heaving in deep breaths as you smiled in elation at the adrenaline coursing through you. You loved to dance at festivals like these.

“He looks more like a fkio than a Ikran,” Siyka giggled, pointing to your other friend’s little brother who was still out dancing and you nodded in agreement.

“His wings are much too little,” you laughed, making lighthearted fun of him since he had outgrown his costume for the festival.

Out of the corner of your eye, you saw someone moving towards you, but it did not register until Jake Sully stopped right in front of your path. “Oh!” you skidded to a halt as your body nearly collided with his. Your hands came up to stop yourself and they landed on his chest.

He smiled goofily down at you. “Hey,” he muttered, looking both relaxed and alert simultaneously, his eyes shifting around your face.

“Hello,” you greeted and attempted to respectfully withdraw your hands, but he grabbed your wrists and kept them there. His gaze was intense, loving even, and you stared back, astonished. 

It was not as if you and Jake were not good friends. You spent hours flying together, sharing stories over meals, and showing him the Omatikaya way when Neytiri deferred her duties over to you. You were comfortable around each other, but it had never been overtly romantic, at least, not until recently.

You had noticed his lingering stares and his touches that lasted a moment too long. He found you quickly in a crowd, choosing to be close to you even when Neytiri or the other avatars were there. His attention made you giddy, and you had hoped his feelings were what you had perceived them to be.

“What are you doing?” you asked, a laugh ran through your words as his fingers brushed the soft skin on the underside of your wrist.

“I have no idea,” he admitted and his grin widened as he said it. You blinked back at him as Siyka snorted from behind you.

“I’m going to go…” she trailed off, but neither one of you looked at her, too engrossed in the other’s gaze.

As soon as she walked away, Jake moved his hands up to your face, briefly pressing a palm against each of your cheeks. Your nose scrunched in confusion.

“Jake, what is going on?” you laughed as he sighed.

“You’re just…” he stopped, getting distracted as he dragged his thumbs under each of your eyes. 

He moved suddenly, wrapping his arms around your shoulders and pulling you in tightly for an embrace. Your arms were pinned between both of your chests as he gently squeezed. “You’re beautiful,” Jake exclaimed over the loud drums.

“Thank you,” you answered, cheeks heating at the compliment, glad he could not see your eyes widen and look to Eywa for strength.

You pushed him away after he lingered a moment too long. “You have had too much to drink,” you told him but he shook his head fervently.

“No! Just enough to tell you that I love you!” he said loudly. “I probably shouldn't be telling you this yet,” he chuckled conspiratorily like he was sharing a secret.

You gaped at him, furiously scrambling to make sense of words you could say in return, but he continued.

“What is it you guys say? Ugh,” he tapped his forehead with his hand as he laughed. “Yeah, um nga yawne lu oer!” he came up with, saying the words loudly. Several people turned to look over at you and you pursed your lips. 

“Come,” you grumbled, taking his hand and dragging him to the far corner of the room. His steps shuffled and stumbled without his usual sure and steady gait. You found a spot that was tucked against the wall away from the action and out of prying eyes.

“If I had known that confessing my feelings was all it took for you to drag me away, I might have-”

“Jake!” you hissed, stopping him before he went too far down that path.

“What?” he bit back playfully.

Your ears fell lower. “You cannot say such things!” you told him, ignoring his snide comment.

He frowned, “about dragging me away?”

“No! About… about loving me!” you stuttered, embarrassed to even be having this conversation.

“You don’t love me?” he deflated and you felt bad for the skxawng.

“You cannot tell me these things when you have had enough drink to knock out a Palulukan!” you argued and his brows furrowed. 

“Why would a palu- pa-” he shook his head, eyes narrowed in concentration. “Paloola…” He giggled at the sound he made and you sighed.

“Palu-lukan,” you said slowly. “Palu-” you said and he copied you. “Lukan,” you finished the word again and he finally said it without help.

“Palulukan,” he repeated slowly in his languid human accent. “You guys have some real weird words. What were we talking about?” he asked, eyebrows scrunched together. 

“You were asking why a-”

He shook his head, “Right! I was saying that I love you!” he exclaimed and you groaned, dropping your head in your hands.

“Okay, so you really don’t like me back, huh?” he said, his momentary triumph giving way to a pout. His tail wrapped around his leg as if to self-sooth.

You lifted your head and leveled a gaze at him. “It is not that, Ma’ Jake, it is that you are very, very drunk. We should not have this conversation right now,” you explained.

He crossed his arms over his chest. “It sounds like you want me, you just don't want to want me,” Jake pointed out as if had cracked a secret hidden meaning underneath your words. 

You stared back in disbelief. “That is not what I said,” you argued. 

“But it's what you meant, right?” he asked, looking at you intently, leaning in close enough to your face that you could smell the kava on his breath.

“No. I do want you, but I want you to want me when you are not addled by drink,” you insisted, pushing him away from you slightly. He leaned back, head resting against the wall as he stared at you like you hung Pandora. 

“You want me?” he asked in excited disbelief.

You sighed, not even realizing you had let the words slip. “Yes, Skxawng. But you cannot return my feelings until you have become of sober mind,” you explained.

“But I do want you! All the time I do,” he exclaimed, sounding the slightest bit whiney.

“Then you will want me just the same tomorrow. Tell me then,” you suggested, patting his chest and walking away.

You thought you would get away clean when you felt a firm tug on your tail. You whipped around, looking at Jake who looked very pleased with himself as he still leaned against the wall. 

You reached around and pulled his tail right back, his reaction time much slower than normal. His jaw fell open at your action and it was your turn to be pleased.

“That’s what I thought,” you muttered, walking away fully this time without interruption.

-

The next morning was quiet. Many people slept in, too exhausted or hungover to pull themselves together before the sun was already high in the sky.

You walked down the spiral of hometree, not surprised to find a sparse population of those who were ready for the day.

You were surprised however to find Jake sitting by the fire staring into the flames as he ran a cord of jewelry between his fingers.

“Jake,” you called gently, getting his attention and surprising him. He jerked up to his feet, staring at you blankly before you smiled and he relaxed.

“Hey,” he said. “I’m sorry, you know, about last night. I- that’s not how I wanted it to go,” he sighed, rubbing at his eyes.

You nodded slowly, mulling over his words. “And how did you want it to go?” you asked and he huffed out a laugh.

“Anything would have been better than how it happened, but... I was gonna wait until after I passed my dream hunt to tell you, when I will hopefully have a place amongst the people, but I told on myself last night,” he huffed out a sardonic laugh.

You looked down at the floor, suddenly feeling shy, “So, you did mean what you said?” you asked and his face fell.

“Yes! Geez, yeah. I’m a Skxawng,” he muttered, stepping closer to you and taking your hand. 

He looked deeply into your eyes so you knew he meant it. “Nga yawne lu oer, I love you,” he said with conviction. His pronunciation was nearly perfect, as if he had been practicing.

You smiled, “Nga yawne lu oer, Ma’ Jake,” you answered and he beamed. 

“Good, good,” he breathed out a sigh of relief before holding up what he had in his hands.

“I asked Neytiri what to do when you know, want to court someone, she said you should always start with a gift. I was gonna wait to give you this, but well, after last night…” he shrugged

“You were very persistent,” you nodded, feeling a little sorry for him, but also finding all of this a little funny and very in Jake's way of doing things.

“I know, I’m sorry,” he shook his head, “But since you already know, then I won’t make you wait to ask. I did my best, but… it’s not anything special,” he pressed something into your hand and you opened your fingers to reveal a bracelet. It was brown corded fibers with blue, green, and purple beads running sporadically throughout. “If you would allow me to, I’d like to court you, y/n.”

You looked up to him, “Jake… I love it," you nodded. "I would like that,” you replied.

He smiled at your answer, his tail flicking around behind him, and said, “I know it's not anything near as nice as you deserve, but I’m pretty terrible at this stuff. I swear I’ll work on getting better,” he chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck as you examined the bracelet. 

You shook your head, “It is perfect as it is. Put it on me?” you asked, holding your wrist out and he obliged, wrapping it around your wrist twice and tying it off snuggly. 

“I got something for you too. A courting gift,” you said, digging around in the bag slung over your shoulder and pulling out the arm guard you had made him. It would protect his skin when he used his bow.

“Woah, really?” he asked as you handed it over to him.

You nodded, “It is leather, so it will protect your arm much better than the one you have now,” you explained.

“I love it. Truly, baby, I do. Can you help me put it on?” he asked, holding out his arm and the guard.

“Of course,” you agreed, taking it from him and trying it around his wrist. Your fingers brushed his warm skin as you wrangled the leather string into the right place. 

“This is way too nice,” he protested as you finished securing it. “You didn’t have to do all this for me. Just hearing you return my feelings was more than enough.”

“Well, it is a courting gift, it is supposed to be nice. Like what you made me,” you said, fingers ghosting over the bracelet on your arm.

“I would hardly call that this level of nice,” he scoffed, looking closely at the etched details in the leather.

“Did you spend a lot of time on it and do your best work?” you asked pointedly.

His eyes flew to you before he nodded, “Well, yeah… but-” 

“Then it is a nice gift,” you insisted, “Besides, do not insult my bracelet. My intended gave it to me and I love it very much,” you teased and he smiled.

“On Earth, you would be my girlfriend now,” he told you and you blinked.

“But I have been your girl friend for many months already, have I not? I am both an ‘evenge and your friend. ” you asked, confused at his human words.

He shook his head and chuckled. “There can be a girl who is a friend, but if you’re dating- uh, courting, then that becomes a girlfriend,” he explained.

“That makes no sense, Ma’ Jake. You said the same thing two times,” you shook your head at the nonsense and he smiled at your adorable, confused face.

“Well there’s a space between the words. You see, a girl-space-friend is a friend who is a girl… but a girlfriend, one word, is a girl that you’re courting.”

You blinked, “Last night, you said that Na’vi have funny words, but it is the human language that makes no sense,” you said and he smiled widely, cocking his head in agreement.

“Maybe so… what would you call me in Na’vi now that we’re together?” He asked, genuinely curious for your response.

You smiled shyly, biting your lip, “You are my Yawnetu now. My beloved,” you said proudly, grabbing his hand and holding it tightly.

He squeezed your hand back. “I like that way better,” he smiled.

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Neteyam blinks slowly to regain focus on his vision. He stands up and looks around at the nighttime forest of Pandora.

How did he end up here?

He could have sworn he fell asleep at home.

A young Navi appears from among the bushes. "Come on, don't fall behind, we're almost there!" she says before taking Neteyam's hand in hers. She pulls him slightly, but he remains static. Who is she?

"Ma Neteyam?" she asks, confused.

Ma? Neteyam was about to ask when suddenly several atokirinas filled the air. He watches with wide eyes. One of them moves closer to them, landing where their hands are connected.

Neteyam's focus was on the atokirina perched on his hand. Eywa, what did this mean? A laugh makes him look up, and he watches as an atokirina tries to land on the girl's nose and she giggles with ticklish delight. Where did she come from? He could swear he would never forget such a beautiful face if he ever saw her before.

---

Neteyam woke up suddenly with his heart racing and the morning light hitting his eyes. He looked around to realize he was at home. Exactly where he remembered falling asleep last night. So why— Had it been a dream? Was she not real?

___

Neteyam couldn't get the dream out of his head; he hadn't forgotten it. He didn't want to forget it, but he also didn't know if he could even if he wanted to. The way her eyes looked at him and her voice when she called him Ma Neteyam. The more he remembered it, the more her voice sounded like a melody, a melody he had always known but had never really heard. Familiar, warm, perfect. And the atokirinas... he knew what they turned his dream into. A message from Eywa. He should tell his grandmother, Tsahìk, but the dream seemed so intimate. As if that moment belonged only to the two of them, which made him put it off, put it off for too long.

He sighs as he enters the tent where he knows his grandmother is. He had delayed telling her about the dream for a week. Every night he hoped that somehow the dream would return so that he could find her again, but it never did, and the longing to see her again began to consume him.

"Tsahìk," he greets her.

"Neteyam, how can I help you?" His grandmother smiles and asks.

"I had a dream. I think it's a message from Eywa."

Mo'at's expression becomes more serious and she gestures for Neteyam to sit with her.

"Tell me."

Neteyam nods and begins to describe his dream, the young Navi he saw in it, and before he realizes it, he is rambling about her eyes, her freckles, her stripes, her hair, and...

Mo'at smiles when his grandson falls silent and blushes. "Do you think it's a message from Eywa?"

"Yes," he says, licking his lips. "In the dream, she holds my hand and several atokirinas dance around us. One of them lands on our hands and—"

"And?" Mo'at encourages him when he seems to be struggling for words.

"She calls me 'Ma Neteyam,'" he says, lowering his ears and gaze to hide the deep blush that spreads across his cheeks with his shyness.

Tsahìk smiles gently and takes Neteyam's hand, making him look at her again. "Eywa sent you a message about your mate, we must find this girl."

___

Y/n stretches as she wakes up, surrounded by fresh herbs, and realizes she has fallen asleep away from home again. Not that it was a problem; her parents weren't worried. In fact, they preferred her away from home, far from the village, where there was no risk of anyone seeing her.

An ikran nudges her gently, and she laughs as she strokes the animal. She looks around at the ikrans surrounding her as two young ones roll around playfully. Maybe she should try to form a bond with one. No, if her parents found out, they would be upset. Besides, she knew that when an ikran chooses its rider, it tries to kill them, and to be honest, none of the ikrans she had encountered so far had ever tried to kill her... none had ever chosen her. Y/n's chest tightens, but she ignores the pain and tries not to think about how Ila, her sister, had told her that when she went to tame her ikran, several had tried to kill her.

Y/n sighed. Even though they weren't worried, she should probably go back. As much as she would have liked to stay in the ikran's nest, she would soon have to prepare food for her family, and they didn't like it when she was late.

The ikran from before stands up when she sees her getting up, and Y/n laughs. She had nicknamed her Katir (rainbow) because the female had the most beautiful colors of any ikran she had ever seen. Katir had this habit; she may not have chosen her, but she followed her constantly, perhaps because Y/n spent so many nights in the ikrans' nest that she adopted her. Y/n laughs at the idea of having an ikran mother, especially one so protective.

-

“You're late,” Y/n's mother declares simply when she enters with a tone of annoyance.

“I'm sorry,” Y/n replies with her ears down, without looking up from the floor.

“I don't want your apologies, Ila and your father should be here soon and you don't have the food ready yet.”

This time Y/n doesn't reply, she just goes to the ingredients and starts preparing the meal.

The food was almost ready, and Y/n felt proud of herself for managing to make it in such a short time. The smell was mouthwatering.

“I'm so excited, Dad- What is she doing here?” Ila asks, pointing at Y/n with a frown.

“She was late, so she's still finishing the food. But don't let her presence bother you, my dear Ila. What was all that excitement about earlier?” Their mother asks.

Y/n ignores the scene and focuses on finishing the food so she can leave as quickly as possible.

“Tsahìk announced that Neteyam is looking for a mate! She says he received a sign from Ewya and is looking for her! I'm sure it's me, who else could be so perfect for him if not me?” Ila says, vibrating with enthusiasm.

Y/n's heart races when she hears Neteyam's name. Of course, even though she wasn't really part of the clan, she knew who he was. She had met him a few times in the forest with her brothers, but of course, being the freak that she was, she had never really approached him or even let him see her. Her parents would kill her if they found out she had let anyone see her.

“That's fantastic! Of course it has to be you, my daughter!” Their mother says, wrapping her in a hug.

“Y/n,” their father called, making her look up from the food she had just finished. “Tsahìk and Olo'eyktan want Neteyam to see all the young women of the clan.”

Y/n's eyes widened. That included her, right?

"So I want you to leave and, to be on the safe side, don't come back for the next week. Don't worry about food, your mother can prepare our meals while you're away. The most important thing is to avoid anyone seeing you. It would be a shame if the clan saw you."

She swallows hard, trying to push away the pain growing in her chest. “Yes, dad.”

“Father” he corrects her.

“Yes, father.” 

“What are you waiting for?” Ila asks impatiently. “Go away! I don't want to risk Neteyam coming here, finding you, and discovering that I have a freak like you as a sister.”

Y/n doesn't answer, she just nods and quickly leaves her family's hut. How could she be so stupid as to believe that, with the clan leaders' order, her parents would show her to him? That she would have a chance to meet Neteyam face to face?

Idiot that she was, she had managed to develop a huge crush on the future Olo'eyktan, a crush she knew could never be seen, never be heard, and never be reciprocated.

Still, she couldn't help the warmth that filled her chest whenever she saw him. His gentle nature and sense of responsibility were so noticeable that she had noticed it even after only a few encounters. And at the same time, he seemed to carry a heavy burden, as if he wanted to please everyone... just like her.

The sound of an ikran makes Y/n look up, and she smiles when she sees Katir perched on a wide branch. It seemed as if she had guessed that Y/n was ready to leave and had come to keep her company on her return, or perhaps the female had never really left, remaining there waiting for her. The thought warmed Y/n's heart to think that someone would wait for her. 

-

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Since the day you burst into Sully's home at the age of seven, with your mother trailing behind to prevent you from disturbing Toruk Makto's family, it was clear that you and Lo'ak were two pieces of the same soul. It was always trouble when it came down to the two of you, sneaking out, and stealing everything that could be turned into a game, coming home covered in dirt and debris. Your parents often joked that you were like a mirror held up to Lo’ak: he was the instigator, and you were the tail. It was mostly Lo’ak initiating the trouble, but you were always right there with him, egging him on. You couldn’t help it, you loved the way his eyes sparkled with mischief, and the way he held you in his embrace, chest vibrating with the sounds of deep laughter, when you got yourselves into sticky situations.

Soon enough, the whole clan could see that a strong bond was starting to form between two souls so alike, it was almost uncanny. The two of you felt it too. Every angry scolding from his father was yours to take as well, every injury and scar on his body was mimicked on yours, every loving gaze and touch of his mother was shared with you. The Sully’s became like a second family to you, and it was only a matter of time before you would officially be one of them. So, when they made the difficult decision to leave the clan and seek refuge in a foreign land, your parents reluctantly had to let you go with them, knowing that you were meant to be with Toruk Makto's son.

But now, whenever he looked at you, Lo’ak felt guilty. His heart filled with sorrow for the days when all that mattered to him was you - the smile that was plastered on your face when you greeted him, the warm gaze you casted upon him when he needed reassurance, the gentle touch of your fingers intertwined with his when words failed to express how he felt. It was no longer the same, his mind distracted by a thought more exciting. Unintentionally, really, if anything he tried his best to fight the pull towards the Metkayina tsakarem. He couldn’t explain it to soothe the pain, he just felt it. Like he had been guided to her by Eywa herself.

The doubts were suffocating you from the inside out at first, but you tried to ignore it. Lo’ak would never hurt you, he was only friendly to learn from Tsireya, so that he wouldn’t be a disappointment in his father’s eyes. When the clan had started to point out their friendship, and you heard gossip about the tsakarem finding her mate, you swallowed your pride and carried on, pretending that it didn’t bother you. 

But when you watched them, you could see it clearly. They fit like two pieces of the same puzzle. Lo’ak brought in the thrill, in return, she grounded him. Bonds can be broken sometimes, you knew it. Tsireya seemed to know that too.

You had noticed the signs, but when he finally confirmed your worst fears, it felt like the wind was knocked out of you. It hurt your throat when you accused him, simultaneously feeling cruel for pointing out things you were hoping he could explain. But he didn’t deny it, the day he sat you down in a clearing, too similar to the one back home, and told you it wasn’t anyone’s fault. It was the law of Eywa.

"I still care about you, I always will," he tried cupping your cheek with the same caress he used to preserve for you only, eyes glistening with tears.

"You promised," you hissed angrily, pushing him away, “You promised, and I believed you."

︵‿︵‿︵‿︵

Lo’ak dragged himself through the sand, his feet stumbling over stones, as he replayed the bits of your argument in his head. He couldn’t shake off the image of your face, the way you looked at him with so much anger and pain, it was almost like you were a different person. He never thought that there would be a day in his life when you would look at him with such disdain. If he could only change the way he felt but he was torn between his promise to you and his feelings for Tsireya, and he didn’t know what to do. 

He had been walking aimlessly around the island for hours after you had demanded that he left you alone, and with the night growing darker, he dreaded going back home to avoid running into you. He took a deep sigh, approaching the family marui, the hopes of having his family already asleep immediately crashing, when a faint light glowed from within. Lo’ak really wasn’t in the mood for getting scolded.

“Where were you, boy?” Jake asked harshly, but there was a hint of concern evident in his face, as he began to quickly examine his son for signs of injury. 

“Just…out, I got carried away,” Lo’ak mumbled, fumbling out of Jake’s grasp. 

“Lo’ak, where is Y/N?” Neytiri’s voice followed, her worry barely concealed.

Lo’ak’s eyes darted around the pod - his siblings were there, but you weren’t. He swallowed nervously, under the weight of his family's scrutinizing stares.

“She didn’t come home?” he asked.

“She was with you, what do you mean?” Neteyam spoke up, confused.

Lo’ak’s stomach churned with anxiety; you were still out there, on an unfamiliar island, all alone. Alone because he had left you there. 

“She was but we… we had a fight, and she didn’t want to see me,” Lo’ak admitted, his voice barely above a whisper, “I thought she’d be home by now, that’s why I stayed out so late.”

“What am I supposed to do with you?” Jake hissed, “You do not leave your mate alone in an unknown setting when it’s dark out. It’s not too hard to figure out.”

Lo’ak hung his head in shame, deciding against defending himself, as there was no point in doing so. He stood there, weighed down by his own guilt, when Neytiri's gentle touch on his shoulder brought him back to reality. He looked up at her, seeing the concern etched on her face. You were like a daughter to Neytiri, and she couldn't wait for the day you were going to be one of hers, so the growing distance between you and Lo’ak worried her. 

Jake leapt into action, grabbing his flying gear, with Neteyam following closely behind. The older brother couldn’t help but feel bad for not bringing up your absence earlier. He should have trusted his gut that something was wrong and had gone after you hours ago. Should have known that Lo’ak would find a way to mess it up. 

“I’ll come with you, dad,” Lo’ak stated but Jake’s face hardened at the mere suggestion. 

“You have done enough.”

︵‿︵‿︵‿︵

Now every time when Neteyam went to sleep, he often thought back to the night he found you. His eyes would linger on the corner of the marui, half-expecting to find you there, deep in your sleep, only to be met with the image of your empty mat.

He was flying over the island on his ikran then, when he spotted a small figure, hidden in the thick greenery of Awa'atlu. He mumbled something to his father through the wired necklace, before diving down. 

You were lost in a sea of tears, so consumed by your own grief that you didn't even notice when Neteyam landed next to you with a gust of wind. It was only when he pulled you into an embrace that you felt yourself melting into him, a deeper pain forming in your chest and suffocating you from within. Your whole body shook with the force of your sobs, and you clung to Neteyam desperately, imagining that it was Lo’ak, who had returned to tell you it was just a stupid joke. 

“Let’s go home, okay?” he asked gently, but you shook your head desperately at that, forgetting to breathe in between your whimpers, “Y/N, you need to breathe.”

Neteyam pursed his lips together, raising his fingers to his necklace, when he heard his father’s voice on the other end.

“No, sir, she is not injured. But she doesn’t want to come home,” he fell silent for a moment before continuing, “I will make sure she is okay, you can trust me.”

As you started to feel more and more exhausted and began dozing off, Neteyam lifted you gently into his arms and flew you back home. He was grateful that you were asleep and spared from having to face the worried looks on his family's faces. He was especially relieved that you didn't have to see Lo'ak.

︵‿︵‿︵‿︵

Lo'ak did not miss the way his chest tightened with ache, when you passed by him and lowered yourself on the other side of the circle, your eyes fixed on the ground, barely holding yourself composed during the shared lessons. His lingering gazes were miserable taunts because they meant nothing when you saw him struggle to breathe with Tsireya's palms resting on his chest. His questions to you hung unanswered in the air, as purposefully ignored him.

"Hey, would you like to practice with me? I think I'm losing my focus easily," Neteyam nudged your shoulder.

"Sure," you mumbled with a mixture of irritation and gratitude.

Neteyam was older than you, exuding maturity and confidence in everything he did and everywhere he went. It was no different in Awa’atlu, even when the weight of his responsibilities shifted drastically, he was still prioritizing others. Unlike Lo’ak, who usually cared for you only, Neteyam's range of care extended far beyond that. So you saw right through him trying to take you under his wing, when you no longer had someone to pair up with. He wanted to be the helping shoulder for you. 

It was complicated. You had left your whole life behind with only one certainty, and now that you had lost it, you were entirely alone among people who saw you as a weakling and pitied you for your broken heart. You would be lying if you said you didn’t contemplate sneaking out on your ikran one night and returning home, pretending as though you didn't like your new life and that you were no longer in love with Lo'ak. But the idea of your clan looking down at you too made your chest swell even more. You were stuck. Lo'ak left you stuck all by yourself, and he was no longer there to reach out his hand to you and pull you out of the trap. Because this time he himself had set the trap for you.

︵‿︵‿︵‿︵

"I just feel silly sometimes... I knew it was possible but I didn't think it could happen to us," you confessed with a deep sigh, avoiding the amber eyes fixed on you, "I always relied on him for everything, but now I feel alone. Completely alone."

Neteyam watched you with curiosity, discovering a side of you that was previously closed off to him. Perceiving him as an older brother sometimes put a boundary between you and him, blurring Neteyam into the background. He was like an extension to Lo’ak, never granted the same privilege of knowing you until now. Neteyam’s eyes lingered on your quivering lips, recognizing the same brave face his brother often put on to avoid showing vulnerability. He felt cruel and selfish for savoring this moment of you opening up to him. Not to Lo’ak, to him.

"He is a skxawng," he growled, trying to offer some support in the form of anger.

"Yeah, he is," you agreed with a small chuckle, despite both of you knowing that it wasn't really Lo'ak's fault.

You fell quiet again, your back leaning against the tree, fingers wandering in the fresh grass underneath you. Neteyam watched you intently, wondering about what was going on in your mind. He grew tense, struggling to guess, but you were difficult to read, your countenance rarely altering. His patience ran out, and his reserve crumbled as he blurted out with a pleading voice.

"What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing," you replied, looking up at him hesitantly before revealing your secret, "Just… when it gets too difficult, I like to imagine flying far away from here.”

"W-what?" he stuttered, "You want to leave?"

"I like to imagine that I can," you clarified, “I’m not really considering it, ‘s just a comforting thought, you know? Makes me feel free… like I have all the power over myself."

You could have sworn at that moment that Neteyam let out a relieved breath. It was strange to open up to him, someone whom you had never trusted with your thoughts before. But his usually annoying calmness was suddenly all you needed. He didn't judge you, didn't pity you, like the others. 

His family was suffocating you with love to overcompensate for Lo'ak’s inability to give it to you anymore, and for some reason, it made you resentful. So you asked for a separate marui where you could stay by yourself for the time being. You often avoided them in public and stayed close to Rotxo during your lessons, ignoring the conversations Kiri tried to pursue with you. Eventually, the Sully’s started to give you space, everyone except for Neteyam. He was persistent, asking you to pair up with him during the lessons under the excuse that he was failing, and you were ‘so quick to learn.’ Challenged you to accompany him on walks because he needed a trained warrior to look out for him. You saw right through his acts of kindness but your heart longed for company, and he was always there, basically pleading you to join him. So you did.

Short and harsh replies eventually grew into longer chats into deep conversations, with him mostly doing all the listening and agreeing, as you complained. You tried to avoid talking about Lo'ak, but sometimes you would let slip a small detail or two, throwing a piece of your soul at Neteyam and quickly closing off. He didn't mind it though, because every time you pushed him away, you opened up a little more the next time.

︵‿︵‿︵‿︵

“Stop staring. I get it, you’re mad at me,” Lo'ak rolled his eyes at his brother before hanging his head again.

“I am not mad at you,” Neteyam replied, watching with a keen eye as Lo'ak proceeded to clean the fish.

“Sure, just like everybody else isn’t,” Lo’ak huffed under his breath with slight annoyance.

Lo'ak found it increasingly difficult to face the reality when spending time with his family. Your absence had disrupted the usual balance, leaving him to endure their gnawing, judgmental stares by himself. They refrained from commenting, knowing that it wasn't a matter of discipline, it was a matter of the heart. But the silence was worse - Lo’ak would have preferred hours of lectures from his parents and bickering with his siblings instead. He especially dreaded spending time with his brother, who always stood next to him like a figure of justice, so proper and goody-two-shoes. It drove Lo'ak insane.

“I think you should talk to Y/N.”

“Talk to Y/N?” Lo’ak’s eyes snapped back at Neteyam in bewilderment. 

Lo’ak wasn’t naive. Of course he had noticed the way his older brother tried to fix the situation, coax you out of your shell and bring you back into the world. He felt agonized that once again Neteyam had to stand in for him, clean up his mess. But he couldn’t be angry this time because he knew he was helpless.

“No way, she hates me right now,” Lo’ak shook his head, “She will probably despise me for the rest of my life. Not that I don’t deserve it…” 

“You underestimate her,” Neteyam spoke calmly, “But she can’t move on until she gets her closure.”

“Closure?”

“You owe her that much,” Neteyam patted his brother’s shoulder, standing up.

Lo’ak sighed heavily as his brother’s words sank in. He knew that Neteyam was right; he did owe you that much. And he couldn’t just pretend like you never existed and move on with another girl without at least trying to make amends with you first. You deserved to know that he didn’t lie to you, it just happened. Lo’ak continued to clean the fish in silence, already trying to come up with a way to approach you.

“I’m going to check on her,” Neteyam said, grabbing his spear, “When you’re ready, you know where to find us.”

Lo’ak nodded absentmindedly, still lost in his own turmoil.

︵‿︵‿︵‿︵

“See? I’m telling you, it is like the water here is way slippier than back home,” Neteyam joked, as his spear poked through nothing, the fish he had been preying on swimming away.

You laughed at his attempt, knowing well that he was only pretending to struggle. Back home, Neteyam was known for being great with weapons, especially spears, even though your clan rarely used them, having preferred bows and arrows. You gripped your spear, fixing your stance and focusing on catching a fish; the anger you felt towards Lo’ak in the past weeks had driven you towards excelling in your lessons and improving your skills. With a quick thrust of your weapon, you successfully pierced through a fish and brought it close to examine. Fighting for its life, the fish flopped around on the tip of your spear, splashing water onto Neteyam. You laughed as he squeezed his eyes shut, trying to avoid the burning of the salty water, and shoved the spear towards you instead. 

“Stop, Neteyam!” you yelled out, trying to push it away from you, “I’m going to smell of fish!”

“You already smell like one,” he laughed.

Your fingers reached for the fish, pulling it off the tip gently and tossing it into the bucket next to you. Neteyam stood leaning on his spear, watching you with a small smile.

“What?” you grumbled.

“Nothing,” he shrugged.

“Stop staring, you look like a freak.”

"Tell me something I don't know," he rolled his eyes, and you felt a twinge of guilt.

Freak. It slipped out of you without much thought, but it was one of the silly nicknames that Neteyam and his siblings were called since their arrival to Awa’atlu. You felt bad, as you had it easier than them in those moments, seeming to be the most ‘normal’ to the Metkayina. But Neteyam didn’t even bat an eye at your words, like he was already used to it.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to call you that,” you reached out to touch his arm.

“It’s okay,” his eyes lingered on your hand before meeting your gaze with a softened expression, “You’ll have to try harder to offend me next time.” “Oh, you’re such a skxawng,” you playfully shoved him. 

You laughed, as Neteyam stumbled back, losing his grip on his spear and falling onto his bottom with a splash. He started splashing you in retaliation, squeals and laughter filling out the air, as you let yourself get distracted from the usual gloominess that hung above you. That is until you heard him call out your name. Lo’ak.

You could feel the hairs on your back stand up, your spine straightening instinctively at the sound of his voice. Neteyam threw you a sympathetic look, as you turned around to catch the sight of Lo’ak, standing not too far from you. 

“Can we please talk?” he asked.

For the first time in weeks, you let yourself meet Lo’ak head-on, feeling as if something stirred within you. His face twisted under your stare, the apple in his throat wobbling, waiting for you to respond. Instead of granting him a verbal response, you shook your head and reached for the bucket handle to get away from there as fast as you could. 

“He means well,” Neteyam covered your hand with his.

“It was your idea, wasn’t it?” you gritted through your teeth.

“I’m sorry, I just think you should talk,” Neteyam pleaded with you, “Please.”

You exhaled sharply through your nose, letting him take the bucket out of your grip.

“Just trust me on this.” 

You felt the anger vanish when you looked at him, his sincerity seeping through your defenses. It wasn’t hard to trust Neteyam, after all, he never made promises he couldn’t keep. You bit your lip, hesitating for a moment before slowly turning to face Lo'ak. Neteyam let his palm linger on the small of your back before brushing past you to leave you two alone.

︵‿︵‿︵‿︵

“Well, are you going to thank me or kill me?” Neteyam asked playfully but there was obvious tension in his stance.

“Neither,” you rolled your eyes at him, ignoring that small fleeting feeling of gratitude you felt.

He didn’t see you for almost a day after your conversation with Lo’ak, and frankly, he had been going a little insane over it. It seemed like Lo’ak and you were gone for ages, since he only caught a glimpse of his brother right before he went to bed. After leaving you to talk, Neteyam struggled to distract himself with a swimming practice, but quickly grew tired of it and trailed back to the place where he left you. He kicked the sand around in annoyance when he didn’t find you there, assuming that you moved to a more private place instead. He wondered if he had unwittingly pushed you back into Lo’ak's arms, and the thought made him feel sick to his stomach. It was probably wrong to secretly root for his brother and Tsireya to make it, but he couldn't help himself. 

A small crush on you had started to grow in Neteyam's chest a long time ago, though he wasn't exactly sure when. Then suddenly, it had bloomed into a feeling so intense that it filled his lungs and made it hard to breathe. Whenever he saw the warmth in your eyes that was reserved only for Lo’ak, he would quickly look away, shaking his head to force himself to focus on something else. He often wondered if he had misunderstood his own feelings and was just happy that his brother had someone like you to rely on. It was too embarrassing to admit to his crush anyway, since he had been suppressing it for far too long now. Neteyam decided it was best to simply ignore it.

“I still kind of hate him but I don’t want to kill him anymore,” you tried to joke but it came out rather lame. 

Neteyam winced at your words, but his expression softened into a grin soon after. You weren't one to joke around him often, but when you did, he found you amusing. It was nice to know that you could make the-always-serious Neteyam laugh.

︵‿︵‿︵‿︵

Neteyam was the connecting link between you and his family, frankly, he considered you a part of his family for some time now. So when he begged you to join them for the evening, you couldn't bring yourself to refuse. It had been over a month since you distanced yourself from the Sully’s and moved out, and they were still having a hard time getting used to it. Neytiri and Jake, who tried talking to you during this time, felt particularly guilty for uprooting you and failing to keep you happy after promising to your parents that they would take care of you. You still saw the siblings more often, during your lessons, but it wasn't the same as it used to be. You weren't as close as you once were.

"Lo'ak won't even be home to make it awkward," Neteyam repeated, almost dragging you back home with him. "I'll take care of you."

It will be like the old times, he promised, except no one would mention your relationship with Lo'ak. But even without his warnings, his family knew better than to bring it up, as they didn't want to scare you away. Besides, he was getting irritated with his sisters' constant chatter about you. Or at least, that’s what he told you. You rolled your eyes, and you whined, and you almost broke your fingers trying to pull away from his grip, when you neared the family pod. Then it all came rushing back.

Neteyam's family couldn't help but feel a surge of love for him when they saw him bring you into their home. It had been a while since you had been there, and Neytiri was thrilled to see you opening up again. As they greeted you, Jake made a mental note to question his son later and find out how he managed to convince you to come. His sisters also couldn't hide their excitement as they beamed at you, though it felt just a little uncomfortable. His parents were visibly relieved to finally see you around, as, during all this time, they had been relying on Neteyam to check on you and make sure you were taking care of yourself.

You fidgeted in your seat, the tension in the room suffocating you. The breakup had taken a toll on you, and everyone knew it. But just as your anxiety was about to consume you, you felt Neteyam's hand sneak behind your back and touch your hand. Your fingers intertwined with his instantly, bringing you a piece of mind. It felt like everything was falling back into its place with him next to you.

Neytiri and Jake exchanged knowing glances, watching you chat with their kids animatedly, as the evening went on. Neteyam couldn’t peel his eyes off you, and it was so clear to them that their older son was more than smitten with you. Over the years, they had seen Neteyam grow into a mature and responsible young man, and they knew that he would make a wonderful partner for someone someday. So, while they felt a little strange about the change from Lo'ak and you to Neteyam and you, for some reason, it worked. Neteyam and you just seemed to fit better together, balance each other out, and they couldn’t help but think that maybe, just maybe, you and Lo’ak weren’t meant to be from the start.

︵‿︵‿︵‿︵

“You’re good for her,” Jake concluded, once the dinner was over, reaching forward to pat his son’s shoulder.

“Yeah, well, she doesn’t need that right now. She needs a friend,” Neteyam mumbled under his breath, hesitant to agree.

“You’ll have to tell her some day, you know?”

“No,” he shook his head, “She will think it is wrong.”

“What is so wrong about falling for someone?” Jake questioned, and Neteyam lowered his ears in defeat.

“It is wrong by the laws of Eywa. Her and I are not meant to be…”

“Neteyam,” his father’s tone softened, “You know that sometimes Eywa can change one's path, don’t you? What may have seemed like the wrong choice yesterday could end up being the only solution tomorrow. Just look at your mom and I. Do you think we're wrong together?”

“No, of course not. You’re perfect, actually…” he frowned under the weight of Jake’s words, “But Y/N, she’s… she doesn’t see me like that.”

“She might if you give it a chance. You need to follow your heart, Neteyam. It’s pure.”

︵‿︵‿︵‿︵

You laid on your stomach, chin resting on your hands as you watched Neteyam ponder his next move. The worn-out chess set, with its faded wooden pieces, had been a prized family possession since you and Lo'ak had stolen it from the science lab as children. It was one of the only things that you brought with you from back home to the island - a reminder of your childhood. Recently, Neteyam and you were especially fond of playing chess together.

Jake was proud to teach all of his kids to play the human game, and he enjoyed how much you seemed to like it. It was a small nod to where he came from, and while Neytiri never showed interest in learning it, as it was too foreign to her, she did appreciate the quiet it brought to her home. Sometimes, when the kids would get too tiresome, she would pull out the game and sit them down to play to keep them occupied and silent.

But Neteyam was too silent, almost distracted. He was making moves without his usual careful consideration, his focus absent, like there was something bothering him. It was unlike him to be losing, he rarely lost to anyone. 

“Neteyam?” you propped yourself up, feeling the gentle sea breeze blowing through your hair as you addressed him.

“Hm?” he looked up at you, a little startled, as if he had forgotten you were there. "Oh, is it my turn to play?”

“Yeah,” you nodded, “But are you okay? You seem distracted.”

"I am okay," he shook his head, shifting to sit up in a crossed-leg position. "I was just thinking."

You mimicked his movements, sensing that he was abandoning the game, ready to talk.

“What is it?” you reached to take his hand in yours.

Neteyam's gaze shifted to your fingers intertwined with his, feeling a warm sensation spreading through his chest. He had started holding your hand whenever he sensed you struggling to open up to him. But now, as you reciprocated the gesture, it warmed his heart, easing him into confessing about the dilemma he was having.

“I… there is something I feel like I need to do but I’m too scared,” he confessed, carefully avoiding any details that might reveal his intentions regarding you, “My dad thinks I should just do it and trust my instincts.”

“Well, what is it? Like hunting underwater or something?” you frowned, slightly confused at his words.

“No, not like that. It’s more about courage…I guess,” he mumbled, already regretting saying that, “‘s hard to decide if I should do it or not.”

“I don’t understand.”

Neteyam's eyes flicked up to meet yours, then quickly looked away again.

"It's nothing, forget I said anything.”

“No, please explain,” you squeezed his hand in yours, pleading, “I want to help.”

Neteyam hesitantly reached out and took his king, twirling it between his fingers as he looked back at the board. You observed alongside him, noticing that both of you only had a few pieces left, indicating that the game was coming to a close.

“It’s kind of like chess. I like to think long before making decisions, I plan it out. But this is not a matter of logic, quite honestly… It’s like, I don’t know if I should take the risk and move my king out in the open field, or if I should hold him back and keep him protected. What if I can’t back out and I’m cornered and I lose?” 

You watched curiously, as Neteyam put his king back to its usual spot. He glanced up at you again, with uncertainty written all over his face. 

"It's a tough decision, you know?” he continued tentatively, “Sometimes I feel like I'm stuck in the middle of the board, unable to move forward because I don't want to make a mistake. Do you ever feel that way?”

“Yeah, I think I do,” you nodded slowly, meeting his searching gaze, “But sometimes you just have to take the risk. Things don’t always work out in your favor, no matter how much you plan it.”

“But what if you lose?”

“You can’t avoid it. Sometimes you just do,” you said, your voice faltering as you recalled your recent loss of Lo'ak, “But hey, if the worst does happen, at least you will know that it's over and you won't have to go through it again. In a weird way, it's like a relief."

Neteyam nodded with a small smile, his fingers trembling slightly as he lifted his king from its spot.

"I think I'm going to take that risk," he said softly, moving his king.

“Good,” you smiled encouragingly.

"I’m... I'm in love with you," Neteyam admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

“What?” you felt your breath catch in your throat. Was he joking?

"I have been in love with you for a long time,” he continued, words spilling out of his mouth uncontrollably, “I always thought it was wrong because you were with Lo’ak, and I obviously never stood a chance. So I tried to push those feelings away and pretend they didn't exist. But they only grow stronger with each passing day, and I can't hold it in any longer."

You froze, your mind unable to process his words. You never even considered the possibility of Neteyam seeing you that way, he was always like a brother to you.

“I don’t understand,” you murmured, shaking your head slightly, as if trying to shake off a bad dream. “So...all this time...?”

Neteyam nodded silently, his gaze fixed on you. He could sense that the answer he dreaded for so long was beginning to form on your lips, as your consciousness slowly began to return. 

“Neteyam, I-I… I don’t know what to say.”

His heart sank at your words, and he looked away, struggling to keep his composure. He had expected this outcome, but it still hurt like a knife in his chest. You didn’t want to hurt him but nothing worthy came to your mind to comfort him, except for an apology. You weren’t even sure why you were apologizing to him, but it felt like a primal urge.

“I’m so sorry…”

“No, it’s okay,” he spoke softly, as if you were the one who needed comfort, “I understand, you don’t have to explain anything to me.”

“I just… I had no idea…” you stammered, “I value our friendship so much. Neteyam, you have been my rock, you know that.”

He nodded with a forced smile, his heart sinking deeper and deeper in his chest. It was slowly and painfully killing him that you weren’t harsh with him, almost like the pity you took on him stung worse than the actual rejection.

"I hope I didn't lead you on.”

“’s not your fault,” he shook his head, “If you want, things don’t have to change between us. I’ll always be there for you regardless, I just needed to get it off my chest.”

You nodded, both relieved and confused by his suggestion. But the words lingered in the air between you two, leaving a heavy silence in their wake. Deep down, something started to shift within you. All this time. Neteyam was no longer just a friend or Lo’ak’s brother. He was someone who had feelings for you, and that changed everything.

︵‿︵‿︵‿︵

And despite the promise you made to each other to maintain your friendship, it was difficult to keep it intact. Days passed, and the aftertaste of his confession wouldn't go away, hanging in the silence that had often replaced your usual easy banter. Every interaction felt weighed down by an unspoken tension, every walk you took together, every lesson where you paired up was now filled with underlying discomfort. Neteyam tried his best to ignore the pain consuming all of his being, though he was taunted by your mere presence. But he made a promise to be there for you, and he was determined to keep it.

You were flustered too. Small touches and looks seemed to hold a different meaning now, making you question the way you behaved around each other. Was it an accident how his hand lingered on the small of your back or the nervous swish of his tail when you approached him. Were you leading him on? Forcing to spend time with you only because you needed him for emotional support.

The thoughts in your head started to outgrow you at times, when you lost sleep recalling Neteyam’s words. He was always like that, his strong and persistent nature showing through everything he did and said. But he was also humble, never getting too cocky and not afraid to ask for help when he needed it. You grew up seeing how Neteyam always put others above him, even though it could hurt him at times. And you felt selfish for taking advantage of that and holding onto his friendship when he desired something more. What if the roles were reversed, and it was you who had confessed your feelings only to be rejected? Would you be able to handle it with the same level of composure that Neteyam had shown? Probably not. You couldn’t do that for Lo’ak. 

Your room was filled with the gentle clinking of beads, a soft glow of the last rays of sunset casting a golden hue over the man next to you. Your own hands were holding a string with beads, pretending to work, but it was only a show. Neteyam, who sat in front of you, had been lost in his work, brow furrowed in frustration as the thin thread kept slipping from his fingers. The beads glimmered under the sun, as he added another one, determined to finish the bracelet he promised to give to Tuk before the eclipse. Your eyes darted between his fingers that were deftly working the thread under his skilled touch, and his face, illuminated under the light. His jaw tightened, as he struggled to work with a smaller bead, and you couldn’t help but trace the sharp line with your eyes. 

Of course you had known that Neteyam was a beautiful person, it wasn’t like you had a sudden revelation at how attractive he was. Back home, he was winning hearts left and right due to not only his looks, which he took after his mother, but also for possessing the inborn strength of a leader and generally having a great personality. You just never paid attention to him like this before, always considering him to be your friend, a family. But as you stole another glance at him and he caught it with a shy smile, your stomach twisted in a swirl of emotions.

“I think I need to get my eyes checked by Tsahik,” he said with a nervous chuckle, pointing at the bead that had been irritating him for the past minute or so, “I can’t thread this to save my life.”

“Maybe it’s just a tricky one,” you forced a chuckle too to cover up the awkward aftermath of being caught staring at him, “Here, let me help.”

He gratefully accepted your offer, trying not to read too much into the way your hands touched when he passed you the bead. Not that you weren’t nervous under his observing gaze, but you were at least less flustered than he was. So, with a bit of effort, you pushed away all of the thoughts and steadied your hand, managing to lace the thread through the small. 

“There you go,” you mumbled, passing the bracelet back to him.

“Thank you,” he nodded with that same shy smile, then pointed at the one you made, laying in your lap, “Do you need help with yours?”

“No, it is done,” you held up your handiwork to him with a grin.

Despite your distraction, you somehow managed to finish your necklace earlier than Neteyam. But considering the size of his fingers and the beads, it wasn’t really a surprise that he was slower than you when it came to crafts. The necklace swayed around in your hand, as Neteyam observed it with attention, trying to understand to whom it was meant to belong. Did you make it for yourself? He hoped you did, as he wouldn’t be able to bear it if you gave it to another man. The colors you used were so familiar though, and Neteyam shook his head to force the thoughts out of his mind; there was no way that you would match the necklace to the beads in his braids. No way, he convinced himself. You watched his face in anticipation, stiffening slightly at the lack of response.

“Well, do you like it?” you scrunched up your nose, feeling a little embarrassed to ask him that. If he liked it enough he would have said so.

“I do, it’s beautiful,” he cleared his throat, eyes snapping back at you, “Is it for anyone in particular or just yourself?”

“Um… I don’t really know, I guess I just made it?" you shrugged, "But if you like it, I can give it to you.”

A contented hum escaped from Neteyam's lips as he admired the necklace, a small glimmer of hope flickering in his heart. The longer he gazed at the brownish and green beads, the more he realized how perfectly it would complement his hair.

As you caught sight of his thoughts, your heart skipped a beat. Had you been so preoccupied with Neteyam that you unconsciously incorporated a piece of him into your creation? The idea of giving it to him warmed your heart, but the thought of others seeing him wear something you made crossed your mind right after. What if they thought it was strange or inappropriate, a necklace crafted by you to match Neteyam's hair?

Just the idea of others assuming anything past friendship between you and Neteyam was scary. You would look pathetic, maybe even revengeful, if you went for the brother of the man who broke your heart. And what would Lo’ak think? Probably that you were only unable to move on from him and hang onto things you could have, like his family. You shook your head in irritation at that. Why should you even care about Lo’ak’s feelings, when he broke off things with you? Frankly, it was silly to even think about it because the possibility of you and Neteyam being together was nonexistent. Or at least, you thought so.

︵‿︵‿︵‿︵

Neteyam laid on his mat, staring up at the thatched ceiling of his pod. It was already late, close to the afternoon, and he knew that his family had gone out to begin their chores, but he couldn’t bring himself to move. His mind was consumed with thoughts of you instead, the change in your demeanor when he was around. You were nicer to him, more than you usually showed, and he couldn’t figure out if it was because you pitied him or because you were starting to see something else in him. Maybe he was reading into it too much and it was stupid. Really. After all, you had already rejected him once before. He would know if you changed your mind, right?

It took Lo’ak to clear his throat twice to get his brother’s attention. Startled, Neteyam finally looked up to meet his concerned gaze. It was strange to see Neteyam in the bed still, and Lo’ak made a guess that he was feeling ill.

“Are you okay, bro?”

“Yeah…” Neteyam sighed.

Lo’ak hesitated for a moment before walking closer and sitting down on the verge of his mat. 

“Do you want to talk or something?” 

Neteyam sighed again and sat up, running a hand through his hair. He knew that he would have to tell Lo’ak eventually, and there was no point in beating around the bush. Still, the fear of putting a crack in their relationship made him reluctant to share. 

“I just want to be honest with you,” he started, noticing a slight curiosity in Lo’ak’s gaze, “Um… it’s about Y/N.”

“What about her?” Lo’ak physically felt his heart skip a beat, his mind already flooded with endless concerns: were you hurt? Did something happen to you?

“I am… in love with her. Have been for some time now… long before we even moved here,” Neteyam admitted with a shaky voice. 

He was embarrassed, so much that his ears were burning up like he was on fire. How could he have fallen for his brother's destined mate, his best friend? Out of all people in the world, it had to be you. Eywa worked in mysterious ways sometimes.

Lo’ak’s face fell as the words sank in. The room was silent, as both brothers struggled to find a way to recover from this revelation. The thought of you being with Neteyam made Lo'ak sick to his stomach. His brother. The one who always stood by your side, even when you were with Lo’ak. 

“I don’t even know how to react,” Lo’ak admitted, “D-does she know?”

Neteyam nodded silently, watching Lo’ak’s expression change. There was a mixture of emotions rushing to Lo’ak’s head, from guilt to jealousy to confusion. How could Neteyam have fallen for his former mate, take away the only thing that was reserved for Lo’ak only? The lump in his throat grew bigger, suffocating him from within.

“Lo’ak,” Neteyam's voice was stern, forcing him back into the conversation, “I didn’t mean to, you out of all people should know that. I would never intentionally do something to upset you.”

It was unfair to be mad at Neteyam. To be mad at you for moving on. Lo’ak took a moment to recompose himself, knowing well he had no right to be upset with either of you. You deserved someone who could give you everything, and Neteyam was just that - perfect. He could give you his whole life, whole heart served on a platter. But then, why did it sting so badly to picture you together?

“Okay, I understand,” Lo’ak finally spoke, the apple in his throat bobbing, “I have no claim over Y/N. She is a free woman now, so she can do whatever she wishes to do… I mean, as long as you make her happy -”

“No, Lo’ak, she rejected me,” Neteyam interrupted, feeling the sudden urge to stop assumptions from escalating, “She said she only saw me as a friend. I just wanted to let you know about how I felt.”

“Oh,” Lo’ak let out. He failed to deliver a humorous joke to ease the tension, “For once in my life, you want something that I have… rather, used to have.”

Neteyam’s expression softened, and he forced a breath out in an attempt to chuckle at that.

︵‿︵‿︵‿︵

The joy of the Tulkun returning sent the whole village into a long night of celebration; the clan members dressed up in their traditional garb, air was filled with rhythmic tunes, and the smell of mouth-watering food. You had never felt more uneasy to be at a celebration, suddenly regretting that you had made no other friends since your arrival to Awa’atlu. And you stood there awkwardly, looking around, when Neteyam had insisted on sitting with him and his family.

But Lo’ak was there, forced by his father to stay close. When he saw you being led by Neteyam’s hand, he felt something bubble in his chest. His family perked at the sight of you, greeting you with their usual smiles, and you shoot Lo’ak a shy look.

“Hey,” he mumbled awkwardly, so low, that his voice was barely registered by his family.

You mouthed it back with a softened gaze, and Lo’ak couldn’t help but smile. It was awkward but it didn’t hang heavily as it usually did when you and he were in a close proximity. Lo’ak felt a slight relief at the fact that you even acknowledged him, though he was convinced a part of it was because of his family being right there. Still, he decided to take it as a win.

Neteyam's tail swished with contentment as he sat close to you, occasionally grazing your back for comfort. You couldn't tell if it was intentional, but with Neteyam, it was hard to gauge how much thought he put into things. Regardless, you felt giddy by his touch.

The conversation between his family slowly started to flow, and you found yourself chuckling at their jokes, feeling as if you belonged again. And when Lo’ak attempted to add to a story about his father's first ride on tsurak, you couldn't help but snort in amusement. He shot you a grateful look for that. Of course, you’d laugh at Lo’ak’s jokes, you had been laughing at them your whole life. You guess, some things never change.

As the night wore on, you were pulled out of the conversation at a distinct melody that filled the space. You took notice of how couples began to shift in their seats, rising to their feet to join the dance. Lo'ak stood up too, clearing his throat awkwardly before he made a way to where the Olo'eyktan and his family sat. The realization hit you like a punch to the gut when you saw Tonowari nod approvingly, and Tsireya rushing to take Lo’ak’s hand and pull him into the dance. You did not miss the way the air left your lungs, as people suddenly started watching you, as if waiting for a reaction. You scooched closer to Neteyam, hanging your head, to hide yourself with your hair.

“You okay?” he asked, staring back angrily at those who looked at you. He stiffened at the thought of you having to go through something like that.

“No, actually,” you chuckled nervously, looking up at him, “It’s like everyone expects me to throw a fit or something.”

Neteyam scrunched up his face at the comment. He looked around one more time before opening up his palm to you. 

“Would you like to dance with me? Maybe that will shut them up," he said.

You felt his mother’s eyes on you, as you pondered on the offer. You really weren’t in the mood to dance now, and besides, everyone out there was coupled up. 

“I’m not sure it is a good idea,” you mumbled.

Neytiri stood to her feet, pulling Jake with her. She shot you an encouraging smile.

“Come, Y/N, let’s go dance,” she gestured for you to stand up too.

“Yeah, come on girls, you too. Tuk, Kiri,” Jake pitched with a grin, “Sully’s stick together.”

You watched with a smile as the whole family decided to join in on the dancing despite the melody being intended to be just romantic. Neteyam stood too, pulling you by the hand, and really, you had no other option but to give in. His gaze softened, sending your heart into a race, and you followed shyly after him to join the other dancing Na'vi.

As you watched Tsireya and Lo’ak together, memories of your own time with him invaded your mind, but strangely you weren't upset by that, just nostalgic. Neteyam didn't let you dwell on these thoughts for long, as he gently pressed his hands against your waist and led you through the dance. When you looked into his kind eyes, it felt like all of the pain from before had dissipated into thin air. You danced for what felt like hours, surrounded by his family's laughter, and lost in the rhythm. Finally, it felt like things were back to normal, and you could relax, until the night was ruined.

You were taking a break from the dancing, watching the Sully kids goofing around with a fond smile. You had missed seeing them this happy. While back home it was a usual sight, in Awa’atlu, they were rarely this carefree. Ao’nung, in his eagerness to entertain himself, slipped in to stand next to you with a wicked smirk on his lips. It didn’t take him long to reveal his intention of approaching you, as he made a comment vile enough to send shivers down your spine. You wanted to punch him, crawl his eyes out, but all you managed was to scurry away.

Ao’nung’s sweet moment of satisfaction was interrupted abruptly by an aggressive shove. He stumbled backward, eyes widening at the sight of Neteyam.

“What the hell?”

“What did you say to Y/N?” Neteyam exposed his canines, ignoring the looks they were now getting.

“Woah,” Ao’nung smirked knowingly, “Nothing but the truth -”

“Tell me what you told her,” Neteyam shoved him again, this time harder, “Now.”

“Fine, you wanna know?” Ao’nung sneered, “I pointed out how pathetic she is, truly unworthy to live amongst my clan. It’s honestly embarrassing that she couldn’t keep one brother, so she’s now feeding into the pity of the other, in hopes to lock him up.”

“From now on,keep your mouth shut and stay away from Y/N,” Neteyam warned, taking a step closer, his voice dripping with venom, “Or you’ll have me to deal with.”

︵‿︵‿︵‿︵

Neteyam's heart felt heavy as he caught sight of you. You were in the exact same spot where he found you on that fateful night when Lo'ak shattered your heart into a million pieces. It was all too familiar - the darkness, the quiet sobs that filled the air. His mind flashed back to that night, the memory still fresh in his mind. 

As he approached you, Neteyam couldn't help but notice the gentle glow of dozens of atokirinas that surrounded you, like tiny stars grazing your skin in comfort. With a long, heavy sigh, he sat down next to you, forcing you to meet his eyes with your red, puffy ones. The deep sadness started to cloud him, and Neteyam wanted nothing more than to take away your pain, to shield you from the cruel words that had been spoken by Ao'nung.

"Ugh, this is pathetic," you chuckled weakly, gesturing at yourself, "How are you going to rescue me every time?"

“I’ll be there as many times as you need me to,” Neteyam replied softly,

Neteyam's heart ached as he watched you avert your gaze and fight back tears. His mind raced, struggling to think of something to say that could ease your pain, so he pulled you into an embrace instead. His hands gently rubbed your back and head, trying to offer comfort as you buried your face into his chest. And the tears came harder than before, louder.

"He told me that no one else would look at me after Lo'ak, because I was pathetic," you sniffled, your voice breaking. "And he is right. Maybe I should just listen to him and leave.”

“Ao’nung is the biggest skxawng on this whole island, don’t you ever believe a single word that comes out of his mouth,” Neteyam said firmly, pulling away slightly to look into your eyes, “I see you, Y/N. You have a big heart, you’re brave and strong-willed, and there is absolutely nothing shameful about being loyal. You hear me?”

Your chest tightened with a flutter at the proximity of Neteyam, and your heart began to race as you found yourself lost in his deep amber eyes. It was getting harder to deny the pull you have felt towards him and have been feeling for the past many weeks, since the confession.

“I just want you to be happy,” he added.

“Being with you makes me happy,” you whispered.

He gulped down nervously, scared that it was yet another thing he’d misinterpret. That you were probably referring to his friendship with you, nothing more. But his cheeks flushed regardless, feeling a soft touch of the atokirinas settling on his shoulders. And as they surrounded the two of you, like a sign from Eywa, you brushed your hand against his chest.

“Neteyam,” you said, your voice dripping like honey to his ears, “There was one thing Ao’nung was right about… I like you,” you admitted. 

Your eyes darted between his widened pupils and parted lips, mind clouded with his scent and the warmth of his touch, with the spell of the atokirinas swirling around you, as if they were blessing you. You could feel the way his breath hitched, when you leaned forward, and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. Without hesitation, he pulled you closer, his heart pounding so hard in his chest, he was afraid it would jump out. You were much more intoxicating than he had imagined, making him want to scream at the top of his lungs. His thumb rubbed gentle circles to the back of your neck, as you relaxed into him more, and fit perfectly into the curve of his body. Like you were made for him.

“I was too blind before,” you pulled away slightly, your lips curling up into a gentle smile.

Neteyam chuckled bitterly, the sound filled with disbelief and self-doubt. His hands found their way to your waist, bringing your body to his lap. He wanted to be sure that you really wanted this, that he didn’t just catch you in the heat of the moment. But his hesitance melted away, when you kissed him again.

“I see you too, Neteyam…”

He had never felt so alive, so happy, so loved.

︵‿︵‿︵‿︵

But by Eywa’s Will he is granted sanctuary amongst the clan. And much to your dismay, your mother, the Tsahik, puts you in charge of training this would be warrior.

Many moon cycles you spend together. It became excruciatingly clear how difficult the path ahead would be. But you persevered, powered by sheer determination and spite; Tsu’tey’s constant dismissal and antagonizing being the driving force.

Though he was future Olo'eyktan, and you future Tsahik, the two of you were not to be a mated pair. It was an unusual situation, but not entirely unheard of. Your parents knew all too well how much the two of you butted heads, always getting on each other’s nerves one way or another.

A compromise then; he would be mated to your younger sister Neytiri. She accepted, noting that he was a great warrior and a promising future leader; Sylwanin always spoke so highly of him.

You put him to the back of your mind, your only focus being Jake and his lessons. Slow at first, especially with the language, he eventually finds his rhythm.

And when he passed his Iknimaya, you were overjoyed beyond words. It filled you with such pride watching him fly his ikran as though he was a natural born Na’vi. Eywa must have truly blessed this man. The two of you giggled like fools as you flew side by side, teasing each other with fake collisions.

Neytiri laughed at your antics, while Tsu’tey merely rolled his eyes, deeming you two a bunch of children.

You couldn’t stop smiling as you painted him in white intricate swirls. And when father declared him one of the people, you smiled brighter than you thought possible. Watching everyone gather around to join hands upon hands, excepting him, you weren’t ashamed of the tears in your eyes. Your gaze briefly met Graces’, the two of you letting out soft laughs noticing each other’s tears.

The day was filled with merriment and celebration. Every artisan of the clan wanted his attention now, showing him their workings, honed by years of trade. Then day bled to evening, filled with feast, song and drink. And when evening bled into night, you stealthily pulled Jake away from the clan, wanting some alone time.

---

Hurriedly you pull him along, your footsteps leaving light trails in the earth. This was your most favourite time, the night, when Eywa was at her most beautiful. Even when the sun eclipsed, She never left her people in the dark; lighting the world in a brilliance of colour.

You giggle when you feel Jake playfully tug on your tail as you arrive at your destination; the Tree of Voices. The grove is awash in soft violet and pink hues, almost romantic in a way.

“This is a place for prayers to be heard, and sometimes answered.” You explain as you grab some of the tree. You connect your kuru and smile softly.

“We call these trees, Utral Aymokriyä, The Tree of Voices. The voices of our ancestors.” You watch as Jake connects to the tree, his pupils dilating for a brief moment.

“I can hear them…” He looks shocked, almost like a babe connecting to Eywa for the first time. You suppose that perhaps that was true in his case.

“When our energy is returned, we live on within Eywa.” He nods and disconnects himself. You touch your hands to his broad chest.

“You are Omatikaya now. You may make your bow from the wood of Hometree…” You hesitate for but a moment, turning from him you hold your hand out to an atokirina.

“…And you may choose a woman. Or man.” You smirk over your shoulder at him. You giggled at the disgruntled face he makes.

“Woman. Definitely woman…You’re unmated too, right? Can I ask, how come you never chose anyone? You must’ve completed your iknimaya long before I came around…”

He is of course right. There is a pang in your chest as you think on it. Once upon a time you would have been mated to Tsu’tey; but your clashing personalities made such a pairing disastrous. So by your own hand, you sabotaged your own future.

You could have chosen another man, but the fallout with Tsu’tey left you with such a strong impression, you couldn’t bare the thought of Eywa rejecting another union; least of all if it were to be your fault.

You curse yourself then, for the feelings burning inside you. As you stare into Jake’s golden eyes, you know with utter certainty, that you desire him. Your heart yearns for him, aches for his touch. He makes you feel comfortable, safe. Like you can express yourself in ways you wouldn’t to others, and he wouldn’t judge you for it.

You explain to him then, the falling out you had with Tsu’tey, and how it made you feel thereafter. Your heart beats fast in your chest, anxiously you search his gaze for anything close to disgust, almost waiting for an upturned sneer.

But it never comes. He simply smiles down at you, something akin to adoration in those eyes. It fills you with renewed confidence.

“And now…I think I am ready to choose a mate once again…But, he must also choose me.” You grab a hold of his hand, holding it to your face as you stare up at him once more. You watch as realisation slowly takes over, his eyes widening in shock.

“Me?”

You nod, leaning into his hand with closed eyes.

“Yes you…” You whisper into his palm. When you open your eyes once more, you don’t expect to see his face drenched in conflict.

“Jake…?”

“[Y/N]…Of course I choose you, but…”

Oh Eywa no, here comes the rejection. You curse yourself once more, you should have known better, should have kept quiet.

But he doesn’t say anything more. You notice he is looking at his own hands, once pinching the palm of the other. He’s grimacing, lost in his own thoughts.

“The people accepted me, and I’m grateful, really I mean that, I couldn’t be happier…But a part of me still feels, because of my demon blood, can I really be true Na’vi? And, what if something happens to this body? Or, or what if something happens to the link bed I’m lying in? Are you sure you wanna risk being with someone who could drop dead at any second?”

You heart breaks. You had no idea he had been harbouring such thoughts, such insecurities. You grab his face in both your hands, pulling him to meet your eyes once more.

“You are more Na’vi than you give yourself credit for. Eywa saved you in that forest from my sister, and it is by Her Will, that you stand before me. Do not ever doubt yourself like this, you hear me? The man I see before me is not his past, but the future he needs only to reach out and grab with both hands.”

Jake’s lips quiver slightly, but he swallows his would be tears and instead smiles down at you. It feels like the sun kissing your skin. He hands move to grab your face in turn. He says nothing, but slowly leans forward. You tilt your head as you lean closer to him. He stops just shy of touching you, as if to give you one last chance to back away.

Not a fucking chance.

You close the gap without a moment of hesitation.

When your lips meet, you can’t help but inhale sharply. The feeling of his soft lips on yours, it is as though something burst inside you; flooding you with a calming warmth. It seeps into your very bones, bringing an unexpected relief, and a sense of Home.

Tentatively, he moves his mouth against yours. Each move slow and meaningful. His thumbs gently caressing your cheekbones. You press yourself harder, deepening the kiss. He moans into your mouth when you do, and he feels you smirk against him.

Cheeky.

He licks your bottom lip, and when you squeak in surprise, he wastes no time invading you with his long thick wet tongue. Your legs feel weak as he explores every part of your mouth, from the tips of your fangs, to the slick of your own tongue. The two of you tangle in each other, tasting, lapping up each other, until the need to breath becomes too much.

Slowly you pull away, laboured breath mixing with one another. He rests his forehead against you, his eyes search yours, though you know not for what. You kiss him lightly on the nose, giving him the reassurance he so desperately seeks.

You take a step back, grabbing his hand in yours as you lower yourself to the ground. When the two of you are knelt before one another, you hold his hand up to yours.

“When Na’vi mate…It is a life long bond. We connect our kuru, our queues together. Through it, you will feel what I feel, and I you…Na’vi are taught from a very young age, how sacred this bond is. It is the most spiritual way you will connect with someone, other than Eywa herself. So it cannot happen, until you find your one true mate…It is also, very, very erotic…Or so I’m told,” you can’t help the blush that adorns your face.

You notice though, that Jake doesn’t seem to be shy at all. He looks at you with such reverence. But there is also something behind his gaze, you dare say, almost predatory. As you he would devour you given the chance. The thought alone excites you, a spark igniting a warmth deep within your loins.

“So you tellin’ me young Na’vi teenagers don’t fool around?” You let out a short laugh at his question.

“Some do. But not always. The urges of the body can take over, but tsaheylu will always be sacred. And for some, they would rather share their first time with their mate.” He nods at your explanation.

“So have you ever…?” You shake your head in response.

“Have…you?”

“…In my Sky People body, yeah…” You nod in understanding; the revelation doesn’t surprise you. His people had different cultures from yours, and you mostly chose to remain untouched due to your own fear of rejection.

“Are you nervous?” He asks and you nod.

“But…It’s something I’ve thought about for a very long time…” Your fingers graze his palm, before you slide your fingers between his and gently hold his hand.

“I believe, mating, having sex, the better you understand the other person, the better it feels…I often wondered what my mate would look like…How long, would his fingers be?” Up and down your lithe fingers stroke the space between his own.

“Would his palm be warm, or cold?” You gently grasp his hand, bringing it to cup your face.

“How would it feel, to have him caress my ears?” You press his fingers around the tip of your ear. You bring his other hand to your mouth, gently taking his thumb between your teeth.

“How would it feel, to have him in my mouth? Taste him on my tongue?” Slowly, you let your tongue glide over his digit, sucking him into your mouth. Jake audibly gasps as you, you hear his tail swish behind him excitedly.

You remove his thumb slowly, pressing a kiss to the tip before you move his hand back down. He gulps audibly.

“You, sure you haven’t done this before?” His voice is anxious, and you revel in that fact.

“I am sure…Now, come. Let us mate before Eywa, ma Jake.” You move your queue to the space between you to, and he mirrors your actions.

You watch with baited breath as the pink tendrils seek each other, slowly entwining in brilliant white.

The feeling that floods you is near indescribable; a euphoria done little to know justice from words alone. It is as though you have lived your life as but a portion of a whole being, suddenly made whole through the bond. You feel his heart beating fast in his own chest, but also reverence he holds for you; as though you were the one to paint the stars in the sky, or hold moonlight in your hands.

He pulls you to him, burying his face into the crook of your neck. He bites and licks at the sensitive flesh, eliciting soft moans from you. The unexpected pleasure he feels through the bond pulls a low moan from the back of his throat.

His hands are on you, exploring you, every inch of skin set alight as his fingers glide over you. His mouth trails kisses down to your chest. He gives your nipple a teasing lick, before taking the bud into his mouth. He sucks and licks until it perks, then moves to do the same to the other. Your fingers thread through his hair as he does, short gasps leaving you as he does.

The pleasure travels down into your loins, the warmth slicking your walls.

Once he’s satisfied, he sits up to press his mouth to yours in a bruising kiss. He is far less gentle this time, mouth dominating your own for control, tongue lapping and invading your mouth without warning.

His hand travels down to your sex, gently cupping you through your loin cloth. You moan shamelessly into his mouth as you feel him gently stroke you.

The pleasure is soft and gentle, with a promise of something grand in the distance. But this friction is not enough. You whine when he grazes your clothed clit, and it’s all the indication he needs. He tugs at the hem and you hurriedly undo the seams.

His hand his on you again, fingers gently prying into your aching core. When he feels the wetness of you, he moans and breaks the kiss.

“This all for me baby? You’re so wet already and I’ve barely touched you,” he nips at your lip. You gasp as he coats himself in your juices, then gently start stroking your clit.

“J-Jake…” His name feels like a prayer from your lips.

Slowly he moves into you, pressing one finger into your throbbing pussy. He moves his thumb to rub your clit, all the while he pumps that singular long digit in and out of you.

Your cunt sings with a pleasure you never thought possible, your walls becoming wetter with each deft stroke. The pleasure spreads to every inch of you, ecstasy dancing on every nerve. The pleasure only grows when he inserts a second finger. The coil inside you tightening, the promise of orgasm growing ever closer.

Your hands wrap around his shoulders, pulling him as close to you as possible. You can’t help but grind yourself against his hand, your body demanding more friction.

“Yes, yes, yes ma Jake!” Your voice sings his praises and he quickens his pace.

“That’s is baby, you’re so close I can feel it. Cum on your mate’s fingers,” He moves his mouth to your ear and bites down gently. With one final pump of his fingers you cry out loud as your orgasm hits you. Your walls clentch tightly to his fingers, all the while his thumb gently strokes you as you ride out your pleasure.

When the sensation becomes overwhelming, you whine and tap in on the shoulder. Thankfully he relents, and slowly removes himself from your core.

But the night’s not over yet, and you feel as though that was but a taste of the whole meal.

You can feel his hardened cock aching through the bond.

Instinctively you lay on your back, pulling him with you. You spread your legs as wide as you can, and he nestles between. He removes himself from the constraints of his clothes.

Slowly he rubs his member up and down your slit, lubricating himself as he pumps his hand up and down.

His eyes find yours. Your hand rests beside your face, and he threads his fingers with yours. He squeezes and you squeeze back, nodding your head.

Slowly he starts pushing himself inside you. The feeling is strange and unfamiliar, perhaps even a little uncomfortable. He takes his time though, and you feel the strain of his willpower to move at such a pace. Once he is buried to the hilt, he lets out a shaky breath, resting his head beside you. His laboured breath tickles your ear.

He’s waiting for you to get used to the feeling, giving your body a moment to adjust to the stretch. The uncomfortable feeling from before doesn’t take long to subside, and is instead replaced with a soft pleasant feeling.

You kiss his check, and gently grind yourself against him, encouraging him to move. He groans into your ear, the deep guttural sound of his voice tickling your stomach.

He slowly removes himself, just before the tip, before slamming right back into you. The pleasure that hits you is so sudden you can’t help the loud moan it rips from your throat. He doesn’t wait this time.

With reckless abandon he’s pounding into you, his cock moulding itself into your throbbing walls of your needy pussy. Each thrust makes the most lewd squelch of wetness and flesh you have ever heard. It arouses you even more.

Faster he fucks you, the coil of pleasure tightening once again, threatening to snap at a moments notice. His moans are low and breathless, curse words sprinkled in between as he rides his pleasure within your centre.

Your legs wrap around his waist, allowing his dick to hit a place even deeper than before. Your eyes shut tight as the pleasure nearly overwhelms you. You feel his other hand cup your face, the other still holding your hand tight.

“Open your eyes, [Y/N], please. I wanna see you when you cum.”

With some effort, you open your eyes to lock your gaze with his. The feeling in your heart explodes a million times over as you feel his love for you through the bond, and the joining of your sex. It brings tears to your eyes.

“I love you Jake—my mate—my Jake—forever! I’m so close! Please! Don’t stop!”

He presses a kiss to your forehead.

“I love you too [Y/N]…Cum for me again baby, let me feel you one more time.”

The cord snaps and your orgasm hits you hard. The moan from your lips burgeoning on a scream. Your cunt squeezes his cock for all it’s worth. The pleasure burns pleasantly from your clit to the tip of your kuru.

Jake continues his brutal pace while you ride out your orgasm. The sensations that flood him through the bond are enough to bring him to his own release.

“[Y/N]!” With your name on his lips, it only takes a few more thrusts before his burying himself as deep as he can, your pelvis bone aching, as he paints your walls with his seed.

He gives you a few more hard thrusts as he rides out his orgasm.

Finally he collapses on top of you, both of you well spent.

He rolls himself onto his back, pulling you with him. He doesn’t remove himself from you, nor does the bond release.

You lay on top of him then, head reasting on his chest. You listen to the rapid beating of his heart; it fills you again with the feeling of home.

Your hand idly traces the glowing stars on his chest. You are both warm and sweaty. Sticky from your exertions. The air is thick with the scent of mating. But neither of you mind.

One arm wraps around you, securing you to him. He brings his other hand to yours, entwining your fingers in a tight embrace.

“I love you, [Y/N]…”

“I love you too, ma Jake. Hold my hand, and never let go.”