pathway., neteyam x reader

chapter sixteen

     After a few minutes of Neteyam allowing you to rest, he brought you to a secluded island. Although it was located far from your home village, it was still visible on the horizon, appearing much smaller from this distance.

The island was small, but it's beauty was captivating, and he thought it would be a perfect spot to bring you to. He had discovered it while venturing out on his Ilu, even though he wasn't supposed to be going out alone. But, unlike his brother he felt confident in his abilities.

The island was home to several papa mantis trees, their leaves hanging low and providing a natural canopy over the sand. The bark of the trees shimmered in the bioluminescent light that enveloped the island, illuminating everything around. No additional lighting was needed as the island's natural glow was more than enough. Even as you walked, the sand sparkled, illuminating with each step.

As you walked from the shallow water to the shore, Neteyam led you by your hand.

He'd drop it gently to let you take in the view.
Your eyes roamed around, it had amazed you that this was your home, and that you got to see things like this all the time.
"You found this?"

"Yeah, it's cool," He clasped your hand again, guiding you around the small island. The sand was cool beneath your feet, the bright planet casting onto the waves of the water. "It's beautiful..do you like it because it has many trees?" You glanced down at the sand, watching as it glimmered with each step you took.

"I do, I guess it is like the closest thing I have to my home," He rubbed his thumb over the back of your hand, while he observed the planet just right above you both.

"But it's not just the trees. The feeling of peace that I got when I found it."

You loved the way his voice sounded, but also how he was much more vulnerable around you. Neteyam takes on a more dominant role when it comes to decision making and problem solving. Hearing him say such things came as a surprise to you, but it also made you feel at ease.

"Is something troubling you?" You asked, your voice filled with concern as you gently squeezed his hand. "I just can't shake off this feeling," He shook his head, lowering it.

"What kind of feeling?"

"It's like..I'm not truly at ease." He lifted his head, his eyes locking with yours.

"I understand," You replied, giving his hand a reassuring squeeze. "But remember, you are not alone. I am here with you."

Neteyam replied with a small smile, your eyes stayed locked, your ears fluttering to it.

"I have something to show you." He nodded his head, walking off still hand in hand with you. Neteyam led you to a secluded area on the island, where he had set up a small clearing surrounded by tall papa mantis trees. The leaves of the trees hung low, creating a natural canopy overhead.
As you continued your journey, you stumbled upon a small stream that flowed through the island, the water was crystal clear and the fish that swam in it added to the bioluminescent effect of the island.

Your eyes were glistening with all the lights, your dots glowing as bright as everything around you. Your voice trailing off as you knelt down to run your fingers through the stream, the fish coming to nibble on your finger tips.

Neteyam stood by you, holding a hand out for you to take. "Come,"

-

As you took his hand, he led you to that small clearing surrounded by the trees. The sand below you was different than the one you walked on before, it was warm. Which was strange.
The two of you sitting side by side, his tail immediately curling around you.

"When did you find this, Neteyam?"

"The day after Kiri woke up," He played with one of the hanging leaves. "I don't know, I wanted to go somewhere, I was scared and I shouldn't be scared." He let go of a leaf, it moving back to it's original state.

Your head turned to him, eyebrows furrowed.

"I felt like I needed to be strong for her and my siblings, I didn't want to show any weakness."

"That's not you being weak. It is okay to feel scared." You spoke with your hands, even though he had been saying things that were less than positive, he had said it with trust in you.

"It is okay."

"This is beautiful, thank you for sharing it with me." You then rested one hand on his knee, leaning in, and smiling.
One of his favorite things about you and your smile, were your dimples. How they framed your smile perfectly, he liked how they appeared when you spoke also.

He didn't say anything in response, his gaze fixed on your smile. When you leaned in closer, he couldn't look away. "Do you trust me?" He asked, his voice low and filled with emotion. Just the way he spoke had given you those butterflies, your back going slightly cold and your tail curling as it moved on the sand.

"I think I do," You noticed how he watched your smile, your eyes dropping to his.

The two of looking at each others lips. "Do you?"

"Yes. I trust you," You firmly, yet quietly responded.

His hand reached up to gently cup your face, the proximity between you both making your heart race. More than it already had been.

He leaned in closer, his breath mingling with yours, your ears lowering themselves. He pressed his lips gently against yours in a tender, loving kiss.

His excitement was shown through his tail, which had flicked away from you and swayed around in the air.

Your eyes closed as the gap between you both was shut. You slowly raised your hand and mirrored his gesture, cupping his face tenderly. He moved his hand from holding your face to the side of your neck, pulling you closer, and then to your lower back, which deepened the kiss.

It was a new and exciting feeling, something you had not experienced before. As excited as it was though, your back had gotten extremely cold and your stomach hot.

The kiss came to an end, your breaths coming out in short gasps.

Neteyam moved his other hand to cup your face again, his thumb gently tracing the outline of your lips, still tingling from the kiss.

You smiled, feeling a sense of contentment and warmth.

You moved your hand to trace along his braids, down to his shoulder.

You felt a sudden rush of embarrassment, gently nudging him away with a playful grin.
He had caught on and chuckled, moving you closer to him, to rest on his side peacefully.
"You are something else, Neteyam." You grumbled, touching the sand between your legs while your grin stayed on your face.

As you looked at the sand, he adjusted himself from your side to laying down with his head on your lap. His eyes meeting yours, he let out a content sigh. He looked peace and happy, and you couldn't help but feel the same way. You ran your fingers through his braids.

"I value your trust." He spoke, which you nodded your head to. "I value yours, Neteyam."