The Breath of Water | Neteyam

29 • The Plan Pt. III

A/N: Hm, well I have been publishing more than I have been writing, and I want to stock up my chapters again. Thus after this update, it might be a while before I publish the next one. Sorry! 😅 Thank you guys for putting up with my inconsistency! 😊😄

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Neteyam was in his pod, thinking to himself and wondering if he would actually keep his feelings for Liyanin a secret. These past few weeks have been heavy on his heart, and he felt like his resolve was dissipating. Being within the same vicinity as Liyanin made him feel so unnerved that he had a few moments where he had caught himself slipping. Especially after that hug.

After Liyanin had stood up and their hands fell out of one another's, it was then that he realized that their fingers were interlocked. This shocked him, for he didn't even notice the feeling of her hand...which one could guess that for him, this made his heart skip a beat even more. Because he discovered the reason why. He never noticed because it felt right. As if it was just supposed to be that way. Liyanin and him, together. Happy.

Maybe...if I win this next phase...maybe...I will tell her...

...maybe...

Neteyam had later took Tuk out to help her get better at swimming after his internal dilemma. He asked his parents if that would be alright first, since he knows how protective they are of her. They obviously said yes, though, thinking that he didn't really need their permission for something so simple.

"Come on, Neteyam! You are so slow!" the little girl shouted, running into the water. He laughed, slowly catching up to her.

"Tuk, you are going to get swept by the waves, wait for me."

"Hee-hee!"

Tuk had started to slow down a little, saying that she would play in the shallows for a bit. Neteyam had said that was fine, she just needed to stay in his sight so he could make sure she was safe.

"Okay! I won't go far!"

He sat down on the shoreline, more towards being in the water than out, with his knees up to his chest. He sat his head down on his folded arms, letting himself go in his thoughts.

My chances of winning this next one are not that high...so maybe I could place this bet...but if I do win it then...we could be happy...happy...

"Neteyam!"

Hearing his sister's voice snapped him out of his daze, but when he came to, he didn't see her anywhere.

"Tuk? Tuk!!" he shouted, now rushing to get up. He ran into the water, frantically looking around for her, but she was so small. "Tuk where—"

"I'm over here!" she yelled back, waving her hand. He now could see her, and relief washed over him.

"I thought I told you to stay where I could see you?!" he stated sternly, frustrated with his sister's hardheadedness.

"I am sorry...but look! Over there! Isn't that Liyanin and Kiri?" she said, pointing. Neteyam's ears twitched upon hearing her name, and whipped his head in the direction Tuk pointed in. He indeed saw Liyanin and Kiri. But he also saw some others behind them, but he couldn't make out their faces. There were five big 'e'insey lined up on the edge of the platform, and Kiri was staring at the water with her legs hanging over the edge; it looked like she was going to go in the sea. Neteyam was confused as to what was going on because they both had serious faces, but as he was trying to figure out what they were doing, Tuk was already swimming towards them.

"Hey, Tuk, wait up!" he said, now swimming after her to catch up with her.

As they swam closer, the faces of the Na'vi behind Liyanin and Kiri became more clear, and Tuk recognized one of them as her brother.