But What If || Neteyam x reader

Lights Swim

"I wished I'd been there." Lo'ak had just finished telling everyone what had happened yesterday after Ao'nung who was only one person away from him, had left him. "The ocean blessed you with a gift, brother." You had been eyeing Ao'nung the entire morning as you sat between Tuk and Rotxo. "The Tulkun have not returned yet." Just hearing him speak annoyed you. "And anyway, no Tulkun is ever alone." He and Neteyam were the only ones standing, he had leaned downward to express his point, talking with his hand. "This one was." Hearing Lo'ak' a story was definitely intruding but you still were hung up on the fact that Ao'nung was a bitch. "He had uh, um a missing fin." It was hard to keep your eyes on Ao'nung but you didn't feel like letting him out of your sight. "Like a stump on the left side." You still listened but couldn't wait until you all separated, you would corner Ao'nung and get him to tell the truth. "Awe, poor Tulkun." Tuk was one of the only ones to get you to look away from him, you placed your hand on her back.

     "Payakan." However, hearing Tsireya's voice seeth drew your attention further. "It's Payakan." She looked to her fellow Metkayina Na'vi. "Who's Payakan?" You and Kiri both spoke, asking your questions in unison. "A young bull who went rouge." Great, more danger that Ao'nung had put Lo'ak in, you couldn't wait to get your hands on him. "He's outcast, alone, and has a missing fin." Your eyes were back on him, your nose couldn't help but give a little twitch. "They say he is a killer." Even worse, you had taken your eye off of Lo'ak yesterday for a few moments. How could he have gotten into so much trouble? "No." You let your hand slip off of Tuk's back, you had gotten yourself very worked up hearing everything and started to breathe in. "He killed Na'vi and other Tulkun." But hearing his voice again, your efforts were in vain, maybe you should just ignore him for now. "Not here, but far to the south." How could you though, he was the chief's son and one of your 'trusted' teachers.

     "No, he's no killer." Taking your eyes off him again and to Lo'ak who was clearly in denial. "Lo'ak." Hearing Tsireya say his name in a direct tone pulled you more into what was going on rather than thinking about what you would do to Ao'nung. "You're lucky to be alive." You grabbed a piece of hair that layer on your shoulder and began to fiddle with it. "I'm telling you guys, he saved my life." You wanted to believe Lo'ak but with how much everyone was against him you couldn't, they knew the sea better. "He is my friend." You looked over to Kiri who just gave you an uncertain face herself. "My baby bro...." It was the first time Neteyam had piped up, at first it started you but when you looked over there he was reaching out for his brother's shoulders. "The mighty warrior who faced the killer Tulkun and lived to tell about it." Lo'ak instantly got annoyed at his older brother, he did often whenever Neteyam made a jab at him. As he stood with an irritated face Neteyam was still smiling that cocky smile you knew all too well.

   "You guys aren't listening." Your brows furrowed. "What?" He seemed to be stepping away as Tuk then started to protest. "Lo'ak I'm listening." Her voice wasn't heard however as Lo'ak turned. "Lo'ak, come back." Neteyam's quip must've been the last straw for him. "You skxawng." You glanced at Kiri for a moment with a smirk before going to look back at Lo'ak only to see Neteyam's face filled with regret and a loss for words. Your heart ached, you often saw his smile as him being cocky or teasing but you preferred him smiling over this. "Leave him, he is just throwing a fit Neteyam." Kir had been the one to roll her eyes at Lo'ak as he left. Neteyam didn't respond to Kiri as he watched Lo'ak venture off. "He'll get over it right Tuk?" Tuk looked to you and shrugged, "Shall we go for a swim?" Tsireya stood and glanced at her brother before turning to the rest of the group.

     "Ooh, yea, we could go see the spirit tree later." The Sullys all perked up at the mention of a spirit tree. You had briefly been told about spirit trees, you were quite intrigued about the idea of finally going to one. "You guys should get permission from mother and father first." Ao'nung was still standing up and leaning against the same tree as before, he had barely moved an inch. "We will brother, would you like to come and plead our case?" He shook his head, "No way, I've got better things to do than incur mom's wrath again." Neteyam looked back to the group finally, his hair moving with him. Tuk was still wriggling in her spot from excitement. "Scarred Ao'nung?" You gave a light chuckle as you spoke, "Not at all."