But What If || Neteyam x reader

Alining Posture

   You had ventured off from the boys when you saw Tisreya, Tuk, and Kiri on their Ilu's. You swam with them for a long time coming out of the water much later than the boys. Tisreya was a wonderful teacher, studying under her and swimming with her were experiences you treasured. Tuk was also fun to swim around with, doing just fine on her own. She seemed to have the hang of swimming on her Ilu swiftly. Of course, the pace Tisreya took was much slower than what you had been going before but it was a smooth pace, and a learning pace. This just made you appreciate Tisreya more. Although Kiri as always just fit right into the world around her, Neteyam told you the story of Kiri taming her Ikran at a young age just by asking it to be her friend. So you weren't surprised when she told you her Ilu just approached her and let her ride.

Thinking about the day you gave a long sigh, it was eventful and exhilarating. You were ready to lie down and have a break on the beach as you knelt to grab a small item. Feeling the sand under you and the waves crash against your feet as you walked, the sun was setting and the communal evening meal had been as lively as ever. You had left earlier than usual for some alone time walking along the beach Neteyam had shown you. You wanted to show him today you could be focused, you wouldn't zone out not once. Determined to show him you would give him your full attention today, you would be so concentrated on him, you would eagerly listen to every sentence he said. Cold hit your feet again, you had been in the family Marui with Tuk a moment ago drying off before the evening meal. She had made some progress on your top, starting its second half. You were excited, the Sullys had given so much to you. You thought about how Neteyam had given you a knife, Tuk was making you a top, and the week you arrived Neytiri had helped you with your long hair. You weren't as anxious to spend time with her that time around as she was smitten with doing your hair.

~{°○・＊☆＊・○°}~

You heard mumbling behind you as she lifted up your mess of a head. Your ears flopped back and your tail wandered close to your body, you hadn't taken care of your hair since you arrived. You tried unraveling it that first day but gave up due to the length, thickness, and how badly tangled it was. You hadn't tried again for a few days and when Neytiri saw you trying she told you that she would help you later. Later was now, she started to process in her mind how she would tackle the mess as you two were in the family Marui. You sat in front of her as she started to untangle the chaotic hair. "(Y/N), how do you want your hair?" You honestly preferred to keep your hair down, you liked how Tisreya's hair was braided at the top and how it laid lightly on her shoulders. "I think I'll just keep it how it is but untangled." The other truth was it was a habit to fiddle with your hair when you were uneasy. You liked running your hands through your hair to just put your mind at ease. "Is that alright?" She didn't say anything as you felt a small yank at the side of your head. It stung only for a moment but it still hurt, you didn't make a noise as she continued this time with more care. She placed one hand on your roots while the other brushed through.

She had started on the left side of your head and worked her way over, it was a long process of combing out each section and sitting still. Neytiri was calm and talked to you making light small talk about how you were doing. "Tisreya is a wonderful teacher." Neytiri had asked you about how you and her children were learning, "I think Lo'ak would say the same." She had an affectionate gaze as you spoke more, you hoped she liked you because she was someone you had started to look up to. You had heard stories of her and Mr. Sully defeating the sky people when they were about your age, you could only listen intensely as Neteyam told you everything his parents had. "You have been learning well. Do you like it here?" You kept bringing up her children, in the back of your mind, you believed this would soften her up. "It's beautiful here, Kiri keeps taking me out further into the coral every day." You let out an exhale that resembles a chuckle as Neytiri was getting closer to finishing your hair. You couldn't help but reach your hand up to the finished side and run your hands through, you missed that feeling. "I could give you braids like Neteyam, or a few mixed in like Kiri." You loved the way Neteyam's braids looked, you thought that braids looked good on everyone in the family who had them but you knew you would miss running your hair through your undone hair. "I don't uh- maybe?" When you spoke you made the mistake of looking at Neytiri. She had such a gentle face that you didn't know if you could resist her. "Could we braid my hair halfway and leave it loose near the end?" Meekly speaking you came up with a compromise.