𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐢𝐦 - a neteyam x oc story

𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐡𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐦

All the Sully kids, Luana and her siblings sat in a circle. They were sitting on a rock, the sound of gentle waves crashing against it.

"And breathe out"

"Imagine a flickering flame" Tsireya was teaching everyone how to hold their breath for longer. "Breathe from here" Tsireya placed her hand on Lo'ak's abdomen, the other on his heart. Lo'ak tried to be calm with his breathing, but he was visibly on edge.

"Your heartbeat is fast" Tsireya said, oblivious. "Sorry" Lo'ak said under his breath.

Luana and Neteyam looked to eachother, trying to contain their laughter.

Tsireya saw this, and gave Luana a death glare. She then nudged her head towards Neteyam, instructing Luana to do the same. Luana rolled her eyes, and placed her hands on Neteyam.

"Okay Neteyam, try to slow your heart" Luana said.

Neteyam was not prepared. Luana's hands felt hot on his skin, and he was thinking of everything except slowing his heart.

"Neteyam, you're heart is beating fast" Luana said, tilting her head up to him with a slight smirk on her face.

Oh shit, Neteyam thought.

"Yeah sorry, I um, went on a run this morning" Neteyam said, clearing his throat.

"Really?" Luana asked. "Yep" Neteyam answered, trying his hardest to sound genuine.

"That's okay, we will try again tomorrow" Luana said, taking her hands off him.

Neteyam wasn't sure why Luana was making him nervous. I mean he's never had a girl touch him like that before, so it's only fair.

"Lulu can you help me with my breathing?" Tuk said from next to Luana. Tuk was completely oblivious to the awkward atmosphere.

"Sure Tuk" Lulu smiled, helping her.

Neteyam made eye contact with Lo'ak, who was across him, a knowing look on his face.

-

It was later that night when Neteyam and Luana sat together, watching the way the plants had started to glow as it was getting darker. They were supposed to be gathering sticks for a fire, but they got distracted.

"Can I ask you something?" Neteyam asked, turning towards Luana. "Yeah sure" Luana said, turning towards him too.

"Does anyone else in your family have powers, or is it just you?"

Luana sighed. "No it's just me"

"Oh. Why do you have them then?" Neteyam asked. He didn't mean to seem nosy or anything, he was just genuinely interested. Luana didn't mind.

"I'm not sure, actually" Luana said, picking at her nails. "Every time I try to ask my parents they just kind of shrug it off"

Neteyam didn't know what to say. He felt like this might've been a sensitive topic, maybe he shouldn't have brought it up.

Luana wasn't saying anything either.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable or anything"

Luana smiled; "no its okay, i'm not uncomfortable"

Neteyam smiled too. "Okay good"

They sat for a minute, watching the way the water rippled.

Neteyam looked at Luana. He had never really looked at her this close up. He watched the way her eyelashes looked when she would blink, and the way she traced her fingers on the sand, and then struggled trying to get the sand out of her nails.

Neteyam laughed to himself. "Luana, you've got something in your hair"

Luana looked at him, instinctively putting her hand to her head.

"Its okay, its just a leaf" Neteyam said, taking it out, being careful not to pull her hair. He got the leaf and showed it to her in the palm of his hand

"See" He said.

Luana laughed, taking the leaf and putting it behind Neteyam's ear.

He just laughed, and threw it at her face.

"Lulu!" Someone was calling her name.

"Shit, the sticks!" Luan said, standing up.

"Shit" Neteyam scrambled, looking for sticks. Luana laughed at him, and started looking for some too.

-

It was the morning, and they had just finished breakfast. Tsireya and Aonung had already left the tent when Ronal stopped Lulu.

"Luana, I need to talk to you" Ronal said. She never used her actual name.

"Yes mother?" Luana said, clasping her hands together.

"I really want to see you making a conscious effort with these Sully's. That way they can actually be of some use"

"Mother I am" Luana said. "I've been teaching them"

"Do not talk back! All I have seen is you mucking around!" Ronal yelled.

"I'm not-"

"That's enough from you" Ronal seethed. "What happened to you? I haven't seen you putting in the work you're supposed to as the next leader"

Lulu was so confused. What did she want from her? She didn't understand what she needed to do.

"Well what do you-"

"I said no talking back!" Ronal yelled.

Luana flinched, tears welling behind her eyes.

She looked to her father, waiting for him to say something.

All he did was stare at the ground.

Luana scoffed, and stormed out of the tent.

Luana walked towards the sand. Her initial sadness was filled with rage. How come her mother hadn't said this to her siblings? What more did she want from her? She is already being relied upon for so much, what else did she need to do?

As Luana was pacing around, she bumped into someone - Neteyam.

"Luana, are you okay?" Neteyam asked, seeing Luana's enraged expression.

Luana needed to stop, she looked like an idiot. She was not about to have to explain herself to Neteyam. Luana swallowed the feelings, her throat hurt and dry.

Luana put on a smile. "Yep" She said, and kept walking. Neteyam followed behind her.

"Are you sure?" He asked. Luana turned around to face him and stopped. "I'm fine. Lets practice your breathing again"

Neteyam had no choice but to sit down when Luana dragged his arm down.

They took a couple deep breaths together.

She put her hand on Neteyams heart. "Try it again - slow down your heart beat"

Neteyam had been practicing. He closed his eyes and relaxed.

His heartbeat got slower in Luana's hands. She closed her eyes too, focusing on the steady rhythm.

For some reason, it really calmed her down. She felt much more at ease.

Luana opened her eyes to see Neteyam still had his closed.

"Good. That was really good" Luana said, and Neteyam opened his eyes. He sighed, feeling a sense of relief for being able to control himself better.

-

this chapter is lowkey kind of boring, mainly just a filler

Ugh I just want them to get married but gotta slow things down yk