The River Tree (Neteyam x Metkayina OC)

Chapter 18: The Friend

Disclaimer: Play the music when the text tells you to

"Huh?"

I might have bad hearing. Maybe years in the water flooded my ear drums or something because there was no way I could be hearing this.

Could it...he couldn't possibly like me like that. Neteyam noticed by stunned expression and wide eyes.

"I...well I like you." Neteyam repeated "A lot."

I nodded my head and bit my lip slightly. He means...ew.

I thought "ew" but my heart felt like it echoed joyfully and my stomach in leaps. The idea excited me, even though I didn't quite understand it.

This seemed to be a pattern with me.

But I wasn't going to jump the gun, there was always the chance I could be completely wrong. Social interactions just aren't my forte, I could always be reading this incorrectly. Second best option?

Play dumb.

"Mm...well I guess I don't hate you...either so I guess that would mean I like you too?" I reasoned "Yeah...I like you too...I think...buddy." I awkwardly shifted, slumping my shoulders.

Neteyam chuckled and shook his head playfully.

"Hah...no not in the way you're thinking, brainiac." He assured, lightly shoving my shoulder.

"What other way can it be?" I questioned, honesty riddled in my expression.

I wasn't wrong. He meant it in that regard.

I was honestly still completely confused.

"Well in the way that...whenever I see you...I feel really really happy and excited. Because you make me happy." He gushed "Really happy."

I pursed my lips as I felt my face grow hot.

"Oh...oh" I breathed "I make you happy?" I bashfully asked.

"Yes, very happy...I think you're beautiful and smart and cute and...everything about you since I met you...it makes me like you even more." Neteyam continued, as he leaned in slightly.

I still couldn't understand.

"Even after all I did?" I questioned "I mean I snapped at you for saving my life and I shoved you a bunch of times and and...called you names and such." I listed as I reclined my embarrassingly childish behavior."

"How could you tolerate such behavior, much less....look past it?" I was truly baffled "I mean...I don't even know how I could make for that..."

Neteyam smiled and suddenly gave my arm a brisk punch.

"Ow!" I cried and winced "What the hell?!"

"For everything you did." He giggled, playfully holding up his fists "Consider it even, now I can like you properly."

I raised a brow and rubbed my arm. Neteyam's face then grew slightly serious.

"Sure, it wasn't easy...it made me sad that someone I respected so much seemed to hate me so...but I knew that couldn't be who you are." He fondly recalled "but then you proved me wrong... look at you now...I was right." Neteyam crooned, giving me a proud smile.

"You...you mean you saw...more?" I asked, my heart stopping for moment.

The blue teen, much closer to me nodded his head slowly.

"You're so much more than you let on...more than you even know." Neteyam continued "I'm glad I didn't give up on it."

My eyes grew wide.