Surface| Neteyam

25.

Neteyam's POV

We strolled across the beach, both eager to escape the madness that occurred at the beach. It was bizarre how someone could have so much hate for a person they barely knew. I wanted to hold Seytira's hand, hold it tight and never let go but there were too many eyes watching.

This wasn't living, pretending like she was this nobody, I just needed to hold her in my arms. I've sunken into this endless pit and the only stars in my sky were her.

It was still light out in the village, some scruffy kids sprang onto the trampoline-like floors, pausing when they saw me walking in their direction. They blankly stared; noisy children.

Of course I'm still unwelcome here, even these half brain fish kids know that; but maybe I can do something to change their minds.

I swing my arms back and gently take Seytira's hand, she was so quiet I could barely tell if she was still behind me.

I felt my heart settle once her warm palm lay on the center of my hand, but just like that it was gone again.

She pulled her arm back, her eyes wandered as she brushed her hair back aimlessly. I tried not to sigh loudly, I knew she only meant well but it still dug me into a deeper pit. She might have been two feet away from me but it felt no different from if she was standing on the other side of the sea.

So that's just what it is, don't talk, head down and let the waves bring you down. This isn't living.

One of the rowdy kids trailed behind us, taking no care when stepping on my tail. I raised my head as I tilted back to look at the skxawng; immediately when I glanced over the kid let out a small yelp and dove back into the water like I had a second head growing.

"Pay no attention to them" Sira cooed, she outlined the stripes on my back with her hand until she finally reached my tail.

As I felt my breathing stifle, she tugged hard on my tail making me stumble back in surprise,

"Baby tail" she giggled,

"Owh!" I pulled my tail away from her; I'll never understand what the metkayina clan's fascination with it.

"Hurry" she giggled, I felt myself trail behind her as her daunting laugh led the way.

We finally got to the other side of the beach; I made a familiar clicking sound to alert Vega while Seytira knelt down beside the water, stretching out her hand to touch the cool water.
She motioned with her eyes 'look' as small minos danced around her wrist in a perfect circle.

I chuckled a bit before kneeling down beside her, placing one hand on the ground and another over her shoulder. She tensed up and I heard her breath squeak as she tried to play it off; I loved how we still got nervous around each other, I never want this new love to go away.

*:･ﾟ✧* :･ﾟ

Neteyam's hand lay firmly on my shoulder, my confidence shriveled whenever I was around him. Oh Eywa I hope he knows i'm not this timid, I never am so why is this happening now?

Once Vega arrived we got up from the ground and walked over to her, I watched thoughtfully as Neteyam made the bond and swiftly got on the Ilu like an expert.

He beckoned me over with his eyes, that look, the one you can't say no to. Fighting back a flushed smile I climbed on and wrapped my arms around him.

"Ready?"

"Yeah" I nod,
He pivoted around, giving me a sarcastic up-down look,

"You've gotta be more enthusiastic"

I bit the inside of my cheek, checking if anyone was around before sliding my hands down to the straps of his loincloth. I place a gentle kiss on his neck,

"Im ready"

He made a small sound, kind of like a flustered gasp. It was really cute and I knew I'd be thinking about that for the rest of the day.

Once Neteyam snapped back he carefully dove into the water, placing a hand on my thigh to ensure my security.
Cheeky boy.

As we glided down into the water, the bubbles around us began to clear and I had the perfect view of Neteyam, well, his back. Our bodies were pressed against each other; I took the opportunity to rest my head on his back.

This sense of closeness could never be replaced, his hand on my leg and mine around his chest. I loved this, I loved him, I never wanted this feeling to go away.

As I swooned over him I didn't even realize how far from the shore we we're, Vega swam briskly towards the surface where we all took in a deep breath as the waves split around us.

"How much further?" He asked, his hand still firmly wrapped around my thigh, all though there wasn't really a need anymore since we weren't underwater.

"Just to that island, there's a clearing right in the center where you can get the best view of the stars." I pointed in the direction of a canopy of thick roots that sprouted large trees which cover the sky. Me and my mother used to visit it religiously, she told me stories of each star, of course I paid no attention to any of them and only wanted to hear the story of Vega.

I wish I didn't, I wish I didn't take her time with me for guaranteed, If I could reverse everything I would have memorized every one of her stories. When I was just a child she used to repeat the tales to me over and over till I finally fell asleep.

I haven't slept that well since then, well, not until these past couple of nights with Neteyam. He would wrap his strong arms around me and wouldn't let go till the morning, then we would hurry out his pod before anyone else woke up.

This was living; a daredevilish lifestyle with a daredevilish friend to experience it. Or should I say, daredevilish boyfriend?

Never mind, the question hadn't really been brought up yet, in fact it was perfect just as it was. I guess having an official title attached to whatever situationship we had going on wasn't the best idea right now.

My father and the whole clan expects me to mate with one of my people, who knows what they would do to me if they found out I was with Neteyam instead?

Bonding with one outside of your clan had never been done before, I couldn't possible think of the punishment both sides would get from our stupidity.

Star crossed lovers, I guess that is who we are.

So what will it be Seytira,

I caressed the outline of Neteyam's abs thoughtfully. How could I live in a world without him? But then, how could I live in a world without my people?

I tried not to think about it much but the closer I got with him the harder the decision became. I would never look at the stars the same without him, the ocean would be cold and empty, my life would be the same cycle everyday. Wake up, eat, swim, work, eat, sleep, repeat; that was not living, and I wasn't about to let it go, I had finally found it.

"We're here" he whispered.

I didn't take my hands off him, in fact I clung on even tighter. Nothing else mattered when I was with him.

So that was it, I had decided, I would betray the people who gifted me life for a boy who I had only met.

I mean,
wouldn't you do the same for love?