Curate, connect, and discover
with näytle's birthday arriving soon, neteyam rushes to get her a gift, consulting his youngest sister for some help.
– pairings: neteyam x oc
– warning: fluff, canon divergent, cross-posted on wattpad, not edited!
– author's note: as requested by @xoxobabe , this oneshot is part 2 to this oneshot! i recommend reading it first before this one!
“Neteyam! Neteyam!”
The said older brother turned around with a confused glance before his eyes landed on the youngest of his sisters. Tuktirey ran towards her brother with the widest of grins, a small, unknown beaded item in her hands.
“Tuk? What’s wrong? Are you hurt?” Neteyam rushed to the thirteen-year-old’s side, kneeling down to her height as he lifted her arms to check for wounds.
Despite the six years the Sully family had returned to the rest of the Omaticaya clan, Tuk’s spirit remained young, almost as though she was still seven. And she explored the Pandoran forests with just as much vigour and wonder.
“No, I’m okay, Nete!” Tuk grinned. “But look what Näytle made me! I saw her by the river picking up some pebbles, and I told her how pretty they were, and she gathered some string and made an anklet for me! Isn’t it beautiful?”
Neteyam gently dropped Tuk’s arm, glancing at the anklet that Tuk raised up at him in excitement. Little blue pebbles glimmered in the light, surrounded by brown streaks of leather. The young man wondered if she had been planning to weave something in the first place, and it was just luck that his youngest sibling had stumbled upon his match.
He hummed in thought. Her birthday would be approaching soon, and he couldn’t find a gift that could match her radiant personality, her enchanting grin, and her wonder-struck eyes. He needed to think of a gift fast… and maybe this was his chance.
Gently taking the woven accessory, Neteyam rubbed his thumb against the shiny stones before looking at Tuk inquisitively.
“Tuk-Tuk, do you know… could– could you teach me how to weave?” Neteyam looked over at Tuk hesitantly, almost as though embarrassed that he didn’t know much about how to weave.
Now, Neteyam was a master of many things; tracking, making the perfect, clean kill, and being the bravest warrior in his home clan. He even adopted the culture of the Metkayina clan and was the diplomat between his siblings and the Metkayina Olo’eyktan’s children.
But one thing Neteyam could not grasp the concept of… was weaving.
When Kiri and Lo’ak had decided to make Tuk a reef loincloth as a welcoming gift to warm her up to their temporary new home by the sea, he had only gathered the dried seeds. He was embarrassed to say that he had messed up the braiding of the leather strands so badly, that Kiri had taken over weaving the cloth pieces together.
Ever since then, Neteyam had never touched the topic of weaving, living in fear of being ridiculed for his lack of knowledge or skill in it.
Tuk raised her browline at her brother’s sudden interest to learn, remembering how reluctant he was to relearn her hobby. A smile grew on her grin as she came to a realisation, scooching closer towards her eldest brother.
“If I help teach you how to weave a pretty bracelet for Näytle, what’s in it for me?” She smirked slyly.
“I never said that I wanted to weave her anything!” Neteyam protested, but the warmth in his cheeks was what gave him away as Tuk nodded her head with her sneakiest grin.
“No, but you sure implied it when you asked me to teach you what you hate to do.”
Neteyam stuttered, wondering where his sister had learned to be so cunning.
He finally let out a huff of annoyance, realising that if he didn’t ask her, he would never learn how to weave, as Kiri would be too hands-on, taking over if he made the slightest mistake. And Lo’ak would be quite useless, laughing at his every error until he would feel like giving up. Tuk was the nicest and most forgiving person to teach him if anything.
“Fine,” Neteyam scowled, sitting down beside his sister. “I’ll let you join us on our weekly tracking sessions.”
“Then it’s a deal!” Tuk grinned from ear to ear. “Now all you gotta do is be patient, and watch carefully…”
“Tuktirey are you sure you are teaching me the right method? Because this looks terrible!”
“Nete, you’re being too impatient,” Tuk groaned, untangling the mess her brother had made of the leather strands.
Two days had passed, and the bracelet was almost done. But unfortunately, Neteyam’s impatience had begun to drag him down.
The youngest Sully gently pulled the beads and pebbles that her brother had carefully selected for his beloved, placing them on the ground as she used her demonstrating leather strings to show him the right way to weave the band once again.
“Watch carefully. And take it in slowly,” Tuk eyed her brother. “You still have time to give the gift to her. It is not like her birthday is tomorrow.”
Neteyam frowned, his browline furrowed before he let out a sigh. He remained silent, letting his thoughts consume him as he slowly followed Tuk’s actions, the brown strings overlapping one another as he added one bead to the ribbon.
What if it looked messy? What if she didn’t like it? What if he disappointed her so terribly?
“Neteyam.”
What if after knowing him better she thought that he was just an average member of the clan? Would she leave him for someone better?
“Neteyam!”
Tuk’s voice cut the thoughts short, the eldest son turning his head around to look at her as the beads in his hair softly knocked against one another. Tuk knew that he was lost in his thoughts, and as much as she loved her brother, his only downfall was how scared he was of failure.
Tuk let out a soft sigh, placing her hand on Neteyam’s shoulder, the future Olo’eyktan watching her movement in confusion.
“Don’t worry so much about how it looks,” Tuk smiled gently. “You’re making a great effort and I know that she’s going to love it, whether it’s messy or not.”
Neteyam’s expression softened, a small smile growing as Tuk continued to weave, her brother watching as he copied, adding more glittering beads and small stones. He smiled to himself, glad to have his sister help him try. He was glad that his growing affection for Näytle gave him a reason to try.
“Tuk-Tuk?”
“Hmm?”
“Thank you. For your patience,” Neteyam smiled softly.
“I’m always happy to help you, Nete,” Tuk smiled, completing the demonstrative bracelet. “But I’m glad you put in the effort.”
Neteyam looked down, discovering that he had finished the bracelet sooner than he expected. He lifted the string, passing the accessory to Tuk, who secured it all together tightly so that the beads wouldn’t fall out.
“Now don’t forget the promise you made me,” Tuk grinned cheekily, Neteyam chuckling as he ruffled her braided hair.
“Never, Tuktirey. Even if I did, you’d never let me forget it!”
Tuk giggled along with her brother, the two smiling as the youngest sibling handed the now-completed bracelet back to her brother.
“Good! Now go and think about how you’re gonna give her the gift,” Tuk pat her brother’s back proudly. “We can’t have two days of effort go to waste if you’re going to be a bumbling mess.”
“Really Tuk-Tuk?” Neteyam deadpanned, huffing playfully with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
The young man’s sly grin grew, lunging towards his sister as his fingers ran all over his younger sister’s torso. Her howls of laughter filled the air as she struggled to push her brother off.
“I was joking! I swear!”
Näytle’s birthday had finally rolled around and Neteyam watched from afar the woman he had grown fond of, sitting by the same river Tuk had found her by previously. His breath was slightly shaky as he fiddled with her gift nervously.
As weeks passed from the day they had met, he had grown to see her as a trusted friend, and his affection for her surely grew with every passing day. He began to see the world around her through her eyes, just like his father had done with his mother, and he loved every bit of it.
He took in a deep breath, internally praying to the Great Mother that he wouldn’t look like a fool as he heard her voice humming a little melody. Slowly, Neteyam approached his partner, a soft smile gracing his face as he saw the way she turned to face him.
“Teyam!”
His heart fluttered at the way her smile grew. The way she was so eager to see him, to be with him. He watched the way she stood up as she walked towards him, the young man taking a few steps towards her as well.
“Oel ngati kameie,” Neteyam grinned as she hugged him tight.
He buried himself in her presence, hugging her just as tightly back. When they pulled away, he missed her warmth, but calmly brought his hand up to her cheek, resting his larger palm on it.
“I missed you,” Näytle placed her hand atop of his, leaning into his touch. “When you didn’t show up I was concerned.”
“I apologise, my love,” He pecked her forehead as she flushed. “But I heard from a little bird that it was your birthday, and I simply had to get you a gift.”
“Teyam,” Her eyes widened and a small smile appeared. “You didn’t have to get me a gift. Your presence is simply enough.”
“Well, I couldn’t help myself. So I…” Neteyam took in a sharp inhale. “I made you this.”
Neteyam’s grip on the bracelet loosened as he held the item out before her. He heard her gasp, watching as awe and adoration growing clear on her visage while she gently held the item.
He saw the way she smiled, a smile of his own creeping onto his face. He tilted his head, finding her expressions adorable as her tail gave away her excitement.
“Do you like it?” He hummed, watching the way she nodded.
“Yes, yes! I love it, Teyam! It’s beautiful,” She placed her hand on his cheek before pecking him briefly on his lips.
Neteyam’s eyes widened and his pupils dilated as he felt his heart pump harder. His smile grew wider as he gently took the bracelet in his hands again. It was that moment when he let all his doubts fade away.
It was the moment that he saw how genuinely happy he made her. How her glowing smile and love-filled eyes were caused by him.
“Would you like me to put it on for you?”
“Of course,” She hummed as he held her wrist gently, almost as though she were made of glass.
Neteyam gently tied the string around her wrist, admiring the way her smile shone so brightly. He tugged at the string softly, just as how she had tugged at his heartstrings. Finally, it was around her wrist, and he had never felt more pride swell in his chest than he did at that moment.
He was definitely going to thank Tuk for her help with a lot more tracking sessions later.
“I love it, so so much,” Näytle whispered in awe, looking up at him as she held the bracelet. “I’m never going to take it off.”
With the way she had said it so seriously, Neteyam let out a boisterous laugh, genuinely happy that she had adored his gift so much so that she would never let it go. He hoped that she’d do the same with his heart.
“Ma Näytle,” He cooed, pushing some stray strands of hair behind her pointed blue ear. “I see you. And I’m glad that we were matched.”
She smiled up at him, tip-toeing as she placed a soft kiss on his forehead before she cupped both his cheeks. She hummed, placing another kiss on his lips as he wrapped his arms around her waist, trying to hold her closer than he possibly could.
The two lovers then pulled away, Näytle’s hands still gently cupping Neteyam’s cheeks as she rested her forehead on his, trying her best to steady her rapid heartbeat.
“Ma Teyam,” He still adored the way his name rolled off her tongue.
“I couldn’t have agreed more.”
theme inspired by @aokoaoi !
gif by @peace--n--love
taglist: @mooncleaver @moonie-writings @peacelovepandora @neteyams-tsahik
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age-old traditions were to be continued for generations, but when it finally comes down to the toruk makto's son, he's not so willing to comply...
– pairings: neteyam x oc
– warning: fluff, canon divergent, cross-posted on wattpad
– author's note: this oneshot takes place after the events of avatar 2 because i refuse to believe that neteyam is gone.
translations:
– ma tìrol [my son] – zamunge fko [strong one]
Being given an arranged mate was something like a toss of a coin. It was sheer luck if you ended up loving the one you were destined to be with.
Despite the arrangements of suitors being highly disliked, Neytiri turned back to the tradition of her forefathers, a part of her following the custom in memory of the late Olo’eyktan, Eytukan. As much as he didn’t like it, Jake followed his wife’s wishes, knowing how much her culture and her father meant to her.
And so, with the consultation of the current tsahik, Neytiri and Mo’at had decided who her firstborn would be promised to, both looking at the candidates for the next tsahik. It was decided that the matched pair would be introduced when Neytiri’s son, Neteyam, the next in line for Olo’eyktan, was of age to be part of the People.
Unfortunately, the young man hated it. Neteyam hated the notion of not being able to experience falling in love, and he had hoped that he would be able to understand the look his parents shared when they looked at one another, and share it with someone who would be his equal.
Sure, he would try his best to get along with whoever was planned to be by his side as his mate. But for all he could know, they would’ve already been in love with someone else, and it was just another unlucky draw.
He dreaded the way his parents spoke of his arranged mate. His mother passed him a slightly pitiful look, and his father only gave his wife a guilty one, knowing what happened previously between her and her chosen mate.
So far, he had turned down nine of the women his mother and grandmother had introduced to him, and he had turned them all down. They just didn't click to him, especially after most of them had passed him thoughtless grins with wandering eyes.
His mother was at the end of her rope, praying to the Great Mother that this time, her son would consider her current option to be the next tsahik. Besides, all she wanted was for her son to be happy and loved, just as she was. And she was starting to lose hope.
“Nete,” Neytiri frowned, trying to convince her son. “If you’re lucky, she would love you, and you could grow to love her.”
“But mother, I want to be a mate to someone I’m already in love with!” The firstborn protested, his frown deepening at his mother’s suggestion.
“And are you already in love with someone?”
Neteyam looked away, knowing that he indeed hadn’t found that special someone. Yet. He grumbled with crossed arms, Neytiri sighing as she hugged her son’s head close to her.
“Ay… Ma tìrol…” Neytiri muttered as Neteyam hugged his mother slightly tighter. “Give her a chance. She could be the one, only Eywa knows.”
Neteyam closed his eyes slowly, knowing that he couldn’t argue with his mother anymore. He let out a slow breath as he pulled away, nodding slowly. Seeing this, Neytiri’s smile returned, and the mother placed her palm lovingly on her son’s cheek, the boy leaning into her touch.
“But if I feel like things won’t turn out right for us, I want to choose who I am mated with,” Neteyam spoke up again, looking his mother in the eye, determination set in his features.
Neytiri pursed her lips, her turn to nod slowly as the two came to an agreement. If he agreed to follow her terms, she would agree to follow his.
The day of the meeting had eventually crawled by, Neteyam inwardly groaning before keeping his mind open to the one he was supposed to meet.
He did his best to realise that whoever he was meant to meet was promised to him as he was to her, so they were both stuck in the same boat.
Neteyam watched the way his mother smiled, and from it he knew that she was confident that things would work out. He was partially ready to prove her wrong.
"Nete, remember to keep an open mind," Neytiri smiled, pushing her closer to the little healing hut where Mo'at usually worked.
"Mother, why are we at grandmother's healing hut?" Neteyam raised his browline in confusion.
"She works under the tsahik to learn to heal. Her name is Näytle te Ìviu Oa'ite. Find out more about her, maybe you could both share common interests," Neytiri grinned, nudging her son closer.
But just as Neteyam was within the radius of the hut, Neytiri grabbed her firstborn son's shoulder, whispering in his ear as the young man listened to her every word.
"Her mother has decided that the two of you shall meet each other first. She does not know that you will be arriving to meet her," Neytiri nodded. "I will not be following you in, but I can only trust you to make a good impression."
"Mother!" Neteyam frowned back as he glanced at Neytiri in annoyance at her meddling.
"Ma tìrol, she's keeping an open mind you must do the same," Neytiri gently kissed her son's cheek before pushing him towards the hut.
"Now go!"
Neteyam muttered curses under his breath, walking towards the hut with his browline furrowed.
Neytiri watched from afar as her son stormed off, placing her hand gently on her chest as she glanced up at the sky.
"May Eywa guide them towards a path of happiness."
“Hello?” Neteyam called out to the fairly empty hut.
He walked around, trying to find the woman he was meant to meet. He peered around the pillars of the hut as he decided to try calling her out by her name, walking deeper into the wooden-built structure.
“Näytle?”
He called the woman's name out as he passed by other Omaticayan healers who simply pointed him in the direction of where the mentioned healer would be.
From within a far corner of the shelter, Mo’at’s ears perked up at her student’s name, recognising her grandson’s voice. A small grin grew on her face as the tsahik gently tapped her protégés back.
“Näytle,” She turned to the young woman who was tending to a small Omaticayan boy’s minor wounds.
“Yes, tsahik?” The doe-eyed Na'vi woman turned to face her with a small smile.
Her eyes were filled with eagerness to learn from her mentor, her soft smile showing glimpses of kindness and hospitality that was very much needed in the medicinal part of the Omaticaya.
"My child," Mo'at placed her hand on the young woman's shoulder tenderly. "I am going to go gather with Olo'eyktan Sully and his wife. I need you and the other healers to make sure that whoever needs healing gets it as soon as possible."
"Of course," Näytle nodded eagerly. "I'm glad you have entrusted me with this, tsahik."
The younger female turned her attention back to the child before her, wiping her hands free of the healing salve before wrapping his wounds up with some long leaves.
"Of course, my child," Mo'at smiled before stepping towards the back exit. "Oh, and I think you should be expecting a visit from someone."
"Who should I be expecting?" Näytle asked the older woman, but as she turned around, the tsahik was gone.
Näytle frowned in confusion as she gently turned to the young boy in front of her, patting his head as she softly spoke to him. She saw the way the boy grew a frown at the sight of his tended wound.
"Don't worry, zamunge fko," Näytle ruffled the boy's hair. "The pain will pass with time, as all things do."
She turned around, kneeling while holding a small piece of traditional candy, or something similar to it, the boy's frown disappearing.
"For your bravery."
The boy took the sweet, running off as the healer smiled warmly at child's burst of energy, unaware of the figure that watched her actions from afar.
"Näytle?"
The girl turned around, now face to face with a taller Na'vi. He appeared to be her height. She was surprised, especially when she couldn't hear the person's footsteps. Perhaps he was a hunter in aid of wounds he gained from the hunting group earlier.
"Yes, that would be me," The healer responded, standing up from her kneeled position.
Näytle watched the young man in front of her, taking in his appearance as she glanced him up and down for any wounds that needed tending.
He was attractive, she wouldn't deny that. The energy and wonder in his eyes about the world around him wasn't easy to miss. They hid in specks of ocre and gold that flickered brightly in the light of the hut.
His stature was built, one of a proud warrior. His beaded hair moved with the slightest movement of his head, little clinking noises of the beads knocking against one another caught her attention as she thought the braids framed his face perfectly.
If she could say, she would tell him that he looked as though Eywa herself handcrafted him to fit her image of perfection.
"Oel ngati kameie."
I see you.
Näytle nodded respectfully, repeating his action, without realising how his heart jumped in his throat when he said the phrase.
He couldn't tell if it was the way she interacted with the child, the way that she was filled with so much love and kindness for the life around her, but there was something special about her. Something just beautiful. Something that the other women lacked when he met them.
Her physical beauty in his eyes just emphasised that something special. He didn't know what it was, but there was something about her eyes that just made him want to discover more about her.
"Do I know you?" The woman before him, Näytle, spoke.
Her gentle voice bounced around in his head, and he treasured the way it sounded for a few minutes longer.
"Neteyam," He placed his hand on his chest. "My name's Neteyam te Suli Tsyeyk'itan."
He watched the way her eyes widened in realisation, embarrassment flooding through her cheeks as they flushed.
He adored the way she looked so cute and flustered.
"My apologies!" She nervously tucked a strand of braided hair behind her ear. "I hadn't realised that you were coming to visit!"
The guilt of not recognising the Toruk Makto's son had lingered in her stomach, but it vanished when she heard him chuckle.
"No, it's alright! You have never seen me before?" Neteyam tilted his head slightly, amusement filling him.
"Ah, unfortunately not. From where I stand in the crowd, it's always too far to get a good look."
The young woman picked up the bowl of salve, walking towards a nearby table to keep the balm away. Her tail flicked mischievously as she formed her next words jokingly
"I have heard stories that he is undeniably handsome, though."
"Have you now?" Neteyam perked up, a small grin unknowingly growing on his face.
"Yes," The woman smiled, taking some leaves from nearby and taking them towards another table where a Na'vi equivalent of motar and pestle lay.
"What else might you have heard?"
Neteyam prodded on, leaning on the counter next to the female Na'vi.
"I heard that he was a skilled hunter, a hunter that was much sought after by other women."
"Well, that's a pity," Neteyam shrugged. "They would have to do without me."
"And why would they have to?" Näytle gave him a questioning glance, tilting her head towards him slightly, as the circular motion of her hands slowed.
Neteyam's eyes glanced down at the wooden counter beneath his hands, feeling suddenly nervous.
Because perhaps, he was falling in love.
"Because I have been matched. And I wouldn't mind getting to know the woman I have been matched with."
Näytle smiled softly, her smile growing. She placed the pestle on the table.
The young woman held her hand out to the young hunter before her.
"Let's get to know each other then. It was nice to meet you, Neteyam te Suli Tsyeyk'itan."
"Please," The Olo'eyktan's son took her softer, smaller hand into his, holding it gently.
"Neteyam is just fine."
He bent down, gently kissing the back of her hand, something he had seen his father do as a sign of affection towards his mother.
He saw the way her cheeks flushed, his smile growing wider at her suddenly shy state.
"And it's a pleasure to meet you too, Näytle."
His mother had proved him wrong, and for once, he didn't mind. Maybe this time, being arranged together didn't sound too bad.
theme inspired by @aokoaoi !
gif by @world-of-pandora
taglist: @mooncleaver @moonie-writings @peacelovepandora @neteyams-tsahik
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neteyam sully had always been the responsible older brother, and part of that was looking after his rogue younger brother. And maybe becoming a regular patient at the local healers...
– pairings: neteyam x oc
– warning: fluff, canon divergent, cross-posted on wattpad
– author's note: this oneshot takes place about a year or so before the main events of avatar 2 (the evacuation of the sullys, etc.)
Neteyam Sully, respectfully, was the golden child. The one who could do no wrong.
Lo’ak Sully, on the other hand, was on the opposite end of that table. He was chaotic, rogue, and off-leash. Everything about him was to uproot his brother, to make his father notice him, albeit for the wrong reasons. And this often led to Neteyam taking the blame for his younger brother’s actions.
It became a habit. Lo’ak finds trouble, Neteyam is dragged along and the two of them end up with injuries. Well, that was the reason for the current situation that they were in.
Neteyam stood beside his brother, Lo’ak looking shamefully down at the ground as Jake had his arms crossed. The Toruk Makto let out a frustrated sigh at both his sons’ antics, gazing over their wounds.
Thankfully, it was nothing too serious, mainly scratches that bled a little along with bruises that could easily be healed with some salves.
Jake let out another huff as he pointed a finger at his younger son, Lo’ak’s gaze snapping up to meet his dad’s while Neteyam watched in silence.
“You are both grounded, no more flying off on your ikran without my permission for a week,” Jake huffed. “Neteyam, take Lo’ak to Mo’at so that she can heal the both of you. Have I made myself clear?”
“Yes, sir,” Neteyam responded clearly enough for his father to understand.
Lo’ak muttered under his breath and Neteyam elbowed his brother in a way that told him to keep his mouth shut. Jake’s eyes widened at his son’s defiance.
“I said, have I made myself clear?” Jake gave Lo'ak a stern look and Neteyam bit the inside of his cheek nervously.
"Yes, sir," Lo'ak strained out.
"Good. Now get yourselves patched up."
With that, Lo'ak stormed out with Neteyam trailing behind him. But before the eldest son could leave, Jake placed his hand on his shoulder.
"Keep an eye out so that your brother doesn't cause more trouble," Jake sighed. "And I think you might want to get familiar with the other healers. Just in case, for future purposes."
"Yes sir."
“Grandmother!”
Neteyam called out to Mo’at as he entered the hut, a grumbling Lo’ak following behind.
“Grandmother, we might need some help with our injuries!” The eldest child frowned at the absence of his grandmother’s visage.
“Grandmother?” Neteyam called out again before hearing a thud behind him.
The boy whipped around to find that another figure had hopped down from a nearby branch, their face covered by curly locks.
“The tsahik has left to collect more herbs.” Her soft voice spoke as she approached the two brothers.
The girl put on a soft smile as she greeted the Olo’ekytan’s sons with their traditional greeting. From there, the boys took in her appearance, noting that she couldn’t be much younger than Neteyam.
Feathers dangled from her necklace, the upper layer a mint green, the lower a crimson red while another choker-like necklace was settled higher up on her neck, semi-precious stones attached to it.
“Oel ngati kameie,” She smiled, and for a minute, Neteyam thought he felt his heartbeat stutter.
Lo’ak returned the gesture, nodding at the girl before glancing over at his brother. The younger son stared at the elder one in confusion as he elbowed his brother from his frozen state.
Neteyam blinked, pushing Lo’ak’s elbow away before hurriedly repeating the hand gesture of their greeting, his eyes never leaving hers.
“Oel ngati kameie,” He muttered, snapping out of his daze. “Are you… Are you a healer?”
“In training,” the girl replied with a kind smile. ”The tsahik entrusted me to take care of her healing place and to help in case anything were to happen. She predicted correctly, as per usual.”
Neteyam chuckled with a bright smile, something that didn’t pass Lo’ak’s suspicious stare.
“Well, grandmother is always right about most things,” he grinned. “So if you’re in charge, could you help tend to our wounds then?”
“Of course,” she beamed with a joking twinkle in her eye. “It is a healer’s job to heal, isn’t it?”
Lo’ak noticed how his brother didn’t reply at all, only smiling as though he were in a trance as the girl sat him down on a nearby cot. The younger brother followed, a small mischievous smile growing on his face as he realized his brother’s giddy grin.
Neyetam himself hadn't realized it, but he was enamored by her grace and poise as she walked around the hut, gathering the salves. He smiled gently at the way her hair framed her face perfectly.
He felt as though whenever her kind eyes met his, he was being pulled into something dangerous but calming at the same time. And unknowingly, his heart beat a little bit harder when she placed her hand gently against the wound on his arm, the healing balms cooling on her finger tips.
Her hands were immaculately soft, and he felt his cheeks warm at the sensation. Neteyam quickly glanced away from the healer as soon as he saw how dangerously close her face was to his. He spotted her ochre eyes focused on treating his injury through her lashes, but he didn’t feel the sting of the salve meeting his skin.
“So, uh,” Lo’ak began, clearing his throat as the girl looked up at his brother’s direction.
“What’s your name?”
Neteyam’s face heated up in embarrassment at the thought of staring at her for so long without even knowing the girl’s name. He was internally thankful that Lo’ak spoke up.
“Näytle,” The girl smiled at the boys. “Näytle Te Ìviu Oa’ite.”
Neteyam repeated her name in her head, committing it to memory as he loved the way her voice so smoothly rang in his mind.
Suddenly, she called his name and he felt like he was stuck in a daze again. His name rolling off of her tongue sounded so… right.
“Yes?” He blinked in response.
“I said your name correctly, yes?”
The way her head tilted ever so slightly had his heart melting in his chest.
“Yes, yeah,” he nodded quickly. “Y-You said it perfectly.”
“Oh, thank Eywa I did.” She chuckled lightly as she released his arm. “I would’ve been so embarrassed if I had gotten either of your names wrong.”
“Well it’s hard to get it wrong,” Lo’ak shrugged. “Our names are really popular around the village–”
Lo’ak was interrupted with a silent hiss as he felt his brother lightly slap the back of his head. Näytle giggled at the brothers’ antics, watching the way a dumb grin returned to Neteyam’s face while Lo’ak grumbled, frowning at the gesture.
“No, no,” Näytle shook her head. “Your brother does have a point. You two have both built a reputation as the Olo’eyktan’s sons.”
“Is it anything good?” Neteyam queried with eager eyes, wondering if her thoughts on him were positive. He prayed to Eywa that they were only good things.
“Oh, it is perfectly fine,” the healer hummed with a grin. “I don’t think I would let what I hear from gossipers determine what I should think of you.”
“Well, I think you should expect our visits more often.” Neteyam glanced up at the girl shyly.
“Why? Are both of you troublemakers?” Näytle gave him a questioning look and the older boy shook his head vehemently.
“Only Lo’ak. I’m just keeping an eye out for him.”
“Hey!”
“But that doesn’t mean I’m not getting any injuries.”
Lo’ak huffed at his older brother for throwing him under the bus in such a fashion, especially for a girl.
“Well try not to be injured too much,” Näytle lifted her fingers from Lo’ak’s scraped knee, the salve applying smoothly on his rigid skin as she pulled away to return the lotions used.
“We can’t have the future Olo’eyktan be in bad condition before his rule.”
The girl finished off, tossing him a wink and Neteyam laughed stupidly at the joke.
Lo’ak stood up from the cot, rolling his eyes in mock disgust as he grabbed his brother’s uninjured arm, dragging Neteyam away from his love-stricken stupor.
“Yeah, okay! No promises though!” Neteyam called out from the hut’s doorway to where Näytle stood.
“Come on, skxawng,” Lo’ak grumbled, dragging his older brother away. “Your ogling eyes make me sick.”
“Maybe if you didn’t get us in trouble so much you wouldn’t be suffering now.” Neteyam ruffled his younger brother’s hair.
“Besides, I don’t get what’s making you so sick. She’s a great healer.”
“Oh brother,” Lo’ak smiled at his brother in disbelief, his confident stride halting. “You’re seriously not this dense, are you?”
Neteyam’s confused smile was all the proof that Lo’ak needed to know that his brother was utterly clueless about his feelings towards the beautiful healer who homed the hut not too far from where they stood.
“Maybe it was by Eywa’s will that you met her.” Lo’ak scoffed. “This is the worst punishment for my actions ever.”
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