I See You (N. Sully)

Chapter 13

Ahurewa was certain of two things. She was certain that she knew what it was like to fly. Masir had taught her many things. She was also certain that no feeling could ever bring her closer to Eywa than dying. Both were proved wrong. The moment Neteyam had pressed his lips against hers, she realised that even dying wouldn't have brought her that close. It felt like she had been reincarnated five times over. The waves of shock and adrenaline that pumped through her body couldn't contain the overwhelming sense of warmth that she felt. She had even considered it a dream. They had come close a few times, in moments of vulnerability, but neither of them had acted on it. Now, feeling the finality of it, made her question why she had never just taken the leap.

She was now certain of two new things. One, she had never felt such fear and relief at the same time. And, the biggest lesson she had learned was that Neteyam was the only person that existed that could make her feel that way. Every time their eyes met, that first time, when she had watched him from afar, the softness in his gaze as he approached her – it all led them to this moment. And the thought of them never meeting, filled her with fear. She couldn't lose him, not like everyone else.

When he pulled away, she couldn't quite come to terms with the loss. A cold emptiness now settled on her lips.

Resting his head against hers, she shut her eyes, he sees me.

"I'm taking you with me." Never had she felt such relief.

On the walk back to the camp, their hands never left each other. There was no telling how it would go, Jake and Neytiri finding out. But whatever they faced, they would face it together. Even with the uncertainty of where they stood with each other, Ahurewa nad Neteyam could at least be with one another whenever they needed, knowing they held each other in confidence.

It wasn't a silent walk. Instead, Neteyam had been reduced to reassuring Ahurewa that his parents wouldn't stop her from coming. Kissing him had sealed her fate – her worry. "How are you going to tell them?"

He lifted his head, leading her over rocks and through the trees, not glancing back at her as he spoke. "I'll just talk to them."

She knew it wouldn't be that simple, not with Jake and Neytiri. It couldn't be that simple. "Neteyam..."

Great mother, I love it when she says my name.

"What if they aren't okay with this?"

Squeezing her hand, he pulled her in, stopping just a few minutes away from home. "Trust me, okay?"

Being that close to him again, it took everything in her to even nod in response.

"You don't have to worry." He smiled, leaning down and kissing her on the corner of her mouth, only just missing her lips.

She thought she was going to die. Pass away. Drown herself.

"I'll deal with it all. Just make sure you have everything ready for tomorrow."

Ahurewa hummed in a daze. She still couldn't quite believe what they'd done. When they first met, she thought he was tired of her, another responsibility. And then she thought he hated her, for always messing up, and always getting in the way. But now, they were somewhere in between. A mutual ground of desire and understanding, but also frustration and a lack of control. Whether or not they were only doing it because they were the only two there at the time that could understand each other and be there for one another, was a different question.

Walking into camp, she kept her head down and walked straight towards the tent, fearing that if she looked at anyone, they would know. Losing that firm grip she had of his hand, the only part they had been joined, and her only source of comfort, was now gone. Neteyam had left her, with a quiet murmuring of instructions, while he sought out his parents who were probably busy organising for the ride tomorrow.