The Breath of Water | Neteyam

66 • Post-Game Jitters and Pre-Game Flitters

"It's been too long since I've seen these." Neteyam sighed, plopping down on Liyanin's lap. She laughed, rubbing his head.

"You saw me during the kxamtìsyor." She mentioned.

"It has been forever since then." He insisted, snuggling more onto her. "...Aw man...those last hours were intense. Heltay would not get off my tail."

"...you certainly succeeded."

"Not yet. The real game finishes two days from now."

He breathed slowly, his eyes closed. He felt himself drifting off into sleep, then recalled the music he heard mid-game.

"...that was you, Liya. Wasn't it." he let out, tracing her thigh, eyes still closed. She smirked bashfully, knowing what he was referring to.

"What was me..." she teased, pretending not to understand what he was talking about. He grinned, then lifted his face to look up at her, resting his head on his arms on her lap. She looked down at him, tucking some braids behind his right ear.

"...thank you, Yawne." he said softly, his gaze ever so lovingly as he gave her hand a soft kiss.

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"It has been over a decade since the last yora'tuke! Can you believe it?!" Wekyu shouted, grabbing one of his teammates in a headlock. Eri was not as enthusiastic; they were so close to victory and they got hit with a blasted stalemate.

"Forest boy's team is more formidable than our Eyktan assumed, eh—?"

"—I fail to understand why you are so chipper, Wekyu?" Eri shot out, her arms folded. Wekyu grabbed a bowl of juice they were drinking and chugged it before setting it back down.

"Why can't you see it, Eri? Neteyam's potential is blooming! He flourishing in our environment and making his name known in this Hunt. I admire good strength and heart."

"We could have won, you idiot!" she shouted, getting up to storm off. Wekyu shook his head, eating a fruit. Duräley scooted closer to him, picking at the fish.

"She doesn't mean it. You being an idiot." She said, looking between the food and the side of his face. He didn't say anything, his face devoid of any of his usual smiles. He then inhaled, forming a grin as he turned to look at her.

"Obviously, I am the brains of the team." He chuckled. Duräley shook her head, silently laughing at his antics. She then caught a glimpse of his backside, seeing its tensity. She got on her knees, going behind him. She placed her hands on his back, massaging the areas she saw needed to be relaxed. Wekyu closed his eyes, breathing heavily. He then threw his head back, her hands making him feel more at ease.

"Duräley, what are ya doin'?" he sighed out, laughing a little.

"Your back was tight. I am fixing it."

"...ha, and here I thought you hated me."

She paused her hands, a thought overtaking her mind. Wekyu noticed, and turned his body to look at her. "Why'd ya stop?"

"...can I kiss you?" she blurted, staring right into his eyes. The question caught him off guard, entirely, really. But...he didn't mind.

Instead of answering her question, he put a hand behind her head, pushing her lips onto his. This lasted for a few minutes before they separated, chests heaving. Wekyu pushed a hair strand behind her ear, laughing.

"Is this how ya felt the whole time?"

"...more or less..." she replied, smirking and leaning in for another one. However, before they could close the distance, Kaysitxi came back over to the area, making them scramble away from one another. Kaysitxi stared at the fish, then grabbed a piece holding it up to Wekyu's mouth. His ears sprung upwards, eyes widening. He chuckled nervously, grabbing Duräley and holding her into his chest. Kaysitxi's mouth fell, dropping the fish.