Surface| Neteyam

17.

With Neteyam

He wrapped his hand tightly around the ilu's reins, sure that he could get it this time.

"Remember, you must dive down as if you are one, that is the only way" Aonung instructed him, for the first time his advice was somewhat noteworthy.

Neteyam took a deep breath, pushing the air back out through his teeth,

"Let's get this done."

He imagined himself diving into the water and just like that the ilu did as he commanded, rather, what he thought. It was an understatement to say he was a good banshee rider, one of the youngest to be bonded with one. Though, riding these slippery flippered worms was much different.

Neteyam always felt the need to accel as the oldest siblings, maybe that's why all the spotlights were torn from Lo'ak and pointed towards him.

He tried to flush away all of his thoughts and focus on the now, bracing the ilu's reins firmly gave him a sense of relief. Neteyam could hardly believe it as he continued forward faster and faster, all of his failed attempts had finally paid off.

He slowly turned the ilu and came to a complete halt, not very elegant but it was the best he had gotten yet. All the times he had ridden the sea creature before it was simple and above the surface, even when he took Kiri back in a hurry when she was having a seizure it was out of pure panic and out of control.

"Impressive, forest boy"

He turned around, not immediately recognizing the voice until he saw her face,

"Riuwe"

She gave him a teasing bow, it had been a few days since the fight, he hadn't seen her since. All though over time Neteyam had taken a side it wasn't fair to be mad at something that had nothing to do with him. I mean, it didn't, right?

"Have you seen Sira around?" Neteyam asked, noticing how she tried to hide the disappointment in her eyes.

"No, but I can help you" She waded through the water till she reached him. Placing a hand on his to try and show him where to hold onto the reins.

"Tight like this" Riuwe folded her hand over his, making sure he had a good grip on it. Neteyam remade the bond and swiftly climbed back onto the Ilu, waiting a few seconds for the sensation from the tsaheylu to fade. His pupils were dilated to the point you could barely see the yellow in  his eyes.

It felt different from the creatures in the forest, it made him wonder what it would be like to bond with another na'vi.

"Now you should have no troubles" Riuwe smiled, finally letting go of his hand. She stroked the ilu under its neck, knowing Neteyam would feel it as well.

"I didn't have any troubles" He responded, mimicking the clicking sound Aonung taught him before diving into the water.

Neteyam tried not to look back, worried he had been too harsh on her. It was clear the two girls had some kind of tension that went way back.

He also was flooded with the thought of the kiss, he didn't expect it, but he didn't necessarily dislike it.

*:･ﾟ✧*  :･ﾟ

I watched from afar as the Sully family trained with Tonowari's kids and Rotxo. I still wasn't over the kiss, I mean he kissed me back but everything just felt wrong.

Now that the deal with Riuwe was over I had to get back to work, which meant less time with him. Maybe it was a good thing, I needed to clear my head, I needed to stay strong.

I swam out into the wide ocean until I found a nice spot. A school of fish circled me but they were far too small. Taking a deep breath I dove down, keeping a tight grip on the spear.

I studied the current, the way the fishes moved was a perfect indication on where the predators were hiding.

I broke off a branch of coral and wrapped a piece of kelp around it before tossing it onto the ocean floor.

The fish in the area grew curious and swam to see what the strange creation was. I ducked behind a column of reeds and waited.

As the skxawng sea creatures poked at the kelp, unaware of their surroundings a large fish about the size of Tuk charged at them.

Aha!

I launched my spear with as much power as I could straight into the heart of the fish, I only had one shot, if the other fish in the area saw they wouldn't be as stupid to come out of hiding. I anxiously watched as the sand cleared and the large fish twitched with the spear piercing through its scaly body.

I did a little victory backflip before bringing my prize up to the surface.

The sun was still high, maybe I had time to visit Neteyam still. I urgently needed to talk to him, the way we left each other was just killing me.

I swam hastily, luckily the waves were helping with my momentum. They weren't at the training grounds so assumed they returned home.

Once I dropped the large fish off at my pod I pulled Neteyam's waistband from underneath the fishnet. I ran my fingers across the detailed pattern, it was hard not to appreciate it, I didn't want to give it back.

Reluctantly I got up, it was important I didn't stay for much longer since my dad would soon return. Tucking the waistband under my arm I hurried through the village.
I found the Sullys gathered together outside their home eating. Aonung and Rotxo had briefly joined them and we're talking to the adults. Tsireya cuddled closely to Lo'ak as his face was stained in a bright red. I would have to question her about this later.

"Tira dear" Neytiri called as I walked by them, she brushed my hair back as I gazed at her warm eyes, Neteyam definitely got them from her.
Tuk made some space between her and Neteyam where I could sit.

"I hope you don't mind," I said, taking a seat. Jake Sully nodded at me before glancing at his eldest son then back at me.

"It's been some time Sira, Neteyam can't stop talking about yo-"

"Alright I think I'm full, does anyone want to go practice diving?" Neteyam interrupted as he quickly finished the last bits of food on his plate.
Neytiri gave me a quick side eye before patting Jake's shoulder giving him a 'let's go' look.

I awkwardly laughed as the pair got up,
"We have some stuff to catch up on anyways, Neteyam your in charge"

"Yes sir" he muttered, everyone sat in silence for a few seconds .

"Oh um Teyam" I remembered the waistband and subtly handed it to him, he nodded a thanks before slipping it on.
Right when I thought I had gotten away with it, I turned to face everyone just for them to all be staring back at us.

Shit...

A/N
A million apologies for taking so long, I finished writing the ending and like the "backbone" of the story now I just need to write for another decade. Be ready for more Neteyam and Seytira moments because that will be my main focus once I get the plot a across.