Say Her Name (Neteyam x OC)

❝𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝟸 - 𝚃𝚎𝚊𝚌𝚑𝚎𝚛❞ ✧ ೃ༄

It was still relatively early when I decided to go out and watch the sun rise by the shore. I sat down, dangling my feet in the water.
I yawned a few times, annoyed that I wasn't able to sleep despite my tiredness.

"Hey" I heard someone say behind me. It was Neteyam. He sat down beside me.
"Can't sleep?" He asked me, smiling.
His smile lightened up my mood a bit.
"Not really... What about you?" I asked him, returning his question.
"I thought I'd get a headstart since I was kind of being lazy yesterday" He paused, thinking.
"Maybe you can help me?"
He asked, somewhat shyly yet straightforward.

That's when I noticed how close our bodies and faces actually were. I could see the little yellow specs in his green eyes.
"You weren't being lazy, you were exhausted" I said, lowering my gaze into the water. I felt my face flush when I noticed he didn't do the same. Instead, he just kept looking at me.

"I think the most important part of learning the way of water is being very aware of your breathing. I can help you with that" I said, trying to hold eye contact this time.
He flashed me a bright smile.
"Sure"

We found a quiet spot where not many would find us, so we wouldn't be interrupted.
We sat opposite each other.
"Close your eyes" I told him, closing my eyes first.
Although I felt a little watched, I continued.

"Breathe in..."

"...and breathe out"

I instructed, while also doing so.
"You must slow your heartbeat."
I opened my eyes and watched Neteyam follow my instructions for a bit.
His chest and shoulders seemed to rise a lot so I touched the space right between his ribcage and stomach, confirming my suspicion that he was breathing through his chest.
I then moved down to his stomach.

"You have to breathe through here" I told him, while also feeling his heartbeat.
When I looked up, Neteyam looked right into my eyes.
I quickly looked down again.
"Close your eyes" I said, taken aback.
"Sorry."
"You have to breathe slower, your heartbeat is quick."
He nodded.
"Breathe in..." I said and paused.
"And out."

We continued so for about 15 minutes until I felt his breathing and heartbeat were perfectly aligned and slow.
"You got it, Neteyam" I smiled at him and he returned my smile warmly.
"Really?" He asked me, relieved.
"Yes. Now try to follow what I said before you dive, so you can hold your breath for longer."
I told him, distancing myself so he won't feel uncomfortable.
"Thank you, you're a good teacher" He said, I laughed at how cute he was.

"Let's go back, the others should be awake by now as well."
I thought about how we should teach the four to ride our ilus.
After all here it was as fundamental to be able to ride ilus as it was to ride ikrans or pa'lis in the forest.

When I saw Tsireya I went up to her. Before I could say anything, she took my hand and lead me to a corner.
"Yui'Ki, what were you two doing yesterday? You just left" She said, giggling.

"Neteyam wasn't feeling well, I went back with him to ensure he was safe" I said, rolling my eyes at Tsireya's excitement.
"You're so thoughtful, Yui'Ki" She said, smiling at me.
I smiled back at her.

"I thought, maybe we should teach them how to ride ilus today" I suggested.
"I thought about that yesterday aswell. Let me ask Aonung if he wil help us" Tsireya answered.

Later we all gathered by the ilus.
"If you want to live here, you have to ride" Aonung told them.
Tsireya took care of Lo'ak, while I helped Neteyam.
"Make the Tsaheylu" I told him, watching him carefully.

"Feel his heart beat..." I paused, stroking the ilus head.
"...his breathing." They both slowly breathed in sync.
I smiled at his concentration.
"Grab here" I pointed.
Before I could say anything else, they were already in the water. Neteyam flew off the ilu, as did Lo'ak.
Everyone laughed and even though I was startled, Tsireya and me couldn't suppress a giggle.

The boys and Tuk slowly got the hang of it, Kiri was a natural. In the afternoon, when the sun set we were all able to swim together riding the ilus.
It was surprisingly fun, especially watching the four be so excited and proud of themselves.
Neteyam smiled at me every now and then.

After some time the others started leaving.
I decided to stay and watch the sun set.
It wouldn't be long until it would get dark.
Once again, Neteyam sat beside me. I was happy to have some company.

"I just wanted to tell you that you really helped me today.
I learned a lot from you" He said, tilting his head with a look of appreciation on his face. His smile never felt forced or fake, it always seemed so genuine and bright.

I heard my heart beating so loudly.

"Thank you, I feel honored" I answered, laughing.

"I'm curious, though. You only ever seem to get along well with Tsireya. Why's that?" He asked me.

"It's my appearance. They don't accept me as one of their People.
Tsireya doesn't seem to mind."
I shrugged my shoulders.
He looked at me sympathetically.
"Neither do I.
I'm sure my brother and my sisters don't mind either.
You know, you should start standing up more for yourself and others. It's the only way you'll earn their respect." His facial expression was surprisingly serious.

"But I don't know how." I responded.
He paused before he turned to smirk at me.

"Let's make a deal.

You show me how this whole water thing works and I'll show you how you'll get right back at them in return.
Deal?"
I laughed back at him.
"Deal!" We shook hands.

It was already dark when we decided it was time to go back.
Tomorrow was going to be interesting, I just had a feeling.