But What If || Neteyam x reader

Idyllic Ilus

    It was a rough morning for you to say the least. The other Sully kids watched as you were slow and clumsy, bumping into a few things before even eating breakfast. Your head hurt and you were tired, you wanted to just crawl back into bed and stay there. But you didn't get the chance as after breakfast you and the other Sully kids were brought out for lessons. You trudge along the best you could finally starting to wake up. The cold water hitting your feet was what brought your senses to life, "Keep up (Y/N)." Lo'ak gave you a little nudge. "I'm coming, I'm coming." You picked up your pace as everyone stopped in waist-deep water. Around you could see other Metkayina boys your age coming to watch. Didn't they have anything else to do? You already weren't in a good mood due to your rough morning and having a lesson with Ao'nung didn't help either.

You heard Ao'nung call for the Ilus, they quickly swam close. Ao'nung had his back faced away as he called them but turned around to speak. "These are Ilu." Feeling annoyed just b his voice you turned to see Tuk being carried by Neteyam. She gave you a small smile as her morning was starting off slowly as well. "If you want to live here, you have to ride." You were very nervous about riding an Ilu, even more so when they split your already small group in two. Lo'ak and Tuk were paired with Tisreya while you and Neteyam were with Ao'nung. As Neteyam set down Tuk you moved closer to him than Ao'nung. An Ilu was brought before you as one was with Neteyam as well. Ao'nung made his way over to Neteyam first, you gently touched the body of the creature. You weren't scared of the Ilu but you weren't looking forward to tsaheylu. You had seen Neteyam with his Ikran and other Metkayina with their Ilus but you had never bonded with an animal yourself, this would be your first time. "Hold on before you hop on." You turned to see Ao'nung barely paying attention to you. You looked over to see a few Metkayina boys gather by Lo'ak on the Ilu and Ao'nung going towards them. You then looked to Neteyam who was focused on his Ilu. You decided you would go over to him instead of just standing there.

"Are you going to watch him?" You pointed to Lo'ak your hand barely leaving the shoulder-high water. His head turned and soon so did his body. "Yea I'm watching." Tisreya held the harness for a moment before letting go. Lo'ak placed his hand where hers had just left. "Look at his legs." You had hoped the three Metkayina boys were there to help but upon hearing them start to mock Lo'ak you knew they weren't. "Hold on." Lo'ak lowered himself before setting off. Excitement filled you as well as an overwhelming amount of panic thinking about how you'd soon be next. You and Neteyam both watched from above water silently as the Metkayina watched from under. Ao'nung came up first laughing, he looked to his friends who had also given a few chuckles. They made you feel even more nervous as they laughed at Lo'ak's attempt to ride an Ilu. Then you saw Lo'ak pop out of the water, and there was his Ilu. It was there for a moment and then it splashed him. You heard more noise come from the boys when you saw Neteyam hop on his Ilu. "Mmm, someone's eager to try and show his brother how it's done." You smile at him gave away you being sarcastic, he smiled back at you before gripping the harness. "You alright forest boy?" Your ears motioned to the sound of one of the boys behind you but your gaze didn't break off from Neteyam for a second.

"Did Ao'nung give you any tips?" You didn't want him to go quite yet, if he went it would be your turn next and you wanted to stall. "Not really, just to hold here and start slow." You glanced at where he was holding the harness and tried to think of something else to ask him. "Ready to go?" There was Ao'nung next to you now checking on Neteyam before he tried. Neteyam nodded and Ao'nung gently grabbed your arm where he had last night. He had left a mark on your arm and his touching there again pulling you away from Neteyam stung, you gave a small gasp and he let go once you were far enough. Neteyam didn't waste any time as his normal austere face showed and he left. You stayed watching above water again as Lo'ak made his way back, Tuk was by Tisreya's side as Lo'ak looked frustrated at his failed attempt to ride an Ilu. You wanted to make your way over there but you felt a push in the other direction on your back. "Wha-" "Here you're next," Ao'nung called the Ilu over as you glanced over to find anyone to help you stall only to see no one paying attention to you except Ao'nung.