Lo'ak and you had become close over the last few weeks. High tree like Lo'ak called it, had become a place you both would go often together. It wasn't a secret spot, though. Even though you had become closer, there were no love like feelings between the two of you. You hoped this would work out as your parents intended, but stay away from Neteyam was hard. You had tried staying away from him, but being with Lo'ak made it difficult.
You walked with Spider to his home. But you couldn't get Neteyam's face out of your head. He had seemed so happily every time you saw him with Inani, his arranged mate. Maybe he had changed his mind about his arrangement. He seemed different ever since the day you and Lo'ak got arranged. "You know, everyone has seen that there's something going between you two." Spider said as you snapped back to reality. Your eyes widened, and you could feel the heat raising to your cheeks. He knew how I felt about Neteyam?! "Lo'ak told me you guys go to high tree a lot. That does explain why Kiri and I can't find you two lately." You slowed your pace as he continued. You nodded, not knowing how to respond. Spider looked at you as you didn't give him the response he expected. He studied your face, trying to figure out how you felt.
"I know how you both feel, but it could've been worse. At least you have someone to spend your life with! Come on, look at me! I don't even have any peers my age. Sometimes, that makes me wish I was born like you. But that doesn't mean I don't get to enjoy spending time with you!" With a small smile, he nudged you. It made you laugh because you knew he wasn't wrong. Not that you would ever admit that. "You always know what to say to male me feel better." He smiled, felling proud of this accomplishment. "There is nothing wrong with Lo'ak or the arrangement. It's just... I wished it would've been..." You couldn't finish your sentence, afraid you would say too much. A worried face took over spiders' proud look. "You wished it would've been someone else?" He questioned, making you nod. "He uhm... It just isn't meant to be." You tried your best explaining. "You could go against the arrangement when you're old enough. But it isn't that easy, is it?" You shook your head as you stopped at the end of the forest. Spider gave you a reassuring smile as he patted your back before walking the rest of the way alone.
You wanted to be alone before going home. So you decided to go to your secret place. The wind was blowing just hard enough to move all the plants and leaves. It made an opening through the trees, making the sky visible. You walked around making all the plants glow up, which gave your body a purple shine. You stood still taking everything around you in. The breeze was blowing your hair backward as you got shivers. You weren't cold at all. On the contrary, it was comforting. You closed your eyes as you listened to all the plants moving around you. Because of this, you couldn't hear the bushes behind you rustling. Neteyam saw you standing surrounded by the purple glowing plants. 'Beautiful' He thought as he saw your blue skin now shining more like violet. He couldn't just stand there. He had to be next to you in this exact moment.
"Y/n.." Your ears pinned back as you hear your name being called. You look slowly over your shoulder before turning around fully. It was Neteyam standing at the edge of the now colorful plants. He walks closer in silence as you watch his every move. "We haven't talked alone in a while." He stared as he now was in front of you. "I'll leave so you can be alone." You said as you walked past him. "I didn't say I wanted to be alone." He stated as he watched you almost leave. "Why can't we be here together and talk?" You stopped at these words. "Why? You are arranged, and so am I." You started as you turned around and walked closer again. "There's no reason why this is still our secret spot. So why do we still need to do this?" You continued almost whispering as you were now in front of Neteyam. He swallowed visible, taking in what you just said. You slowly shook your head as he didn't say a word. "For old time sake?" He pleaded, looking in your eyes. "Just this once." You sighed.
You looked at the sky as you sat down against a tree. Neteyam sat down next to you. It was silent for a while, nether one of you knowing how to start. You felt a bit uncomfortable sitting shoulder to shoulder with him. It also brought your warmth, which you didn't want to admit you liked. Neteyam looked at you before following your gaze to the night sky. Neteyam started talking about the stars. His father had learned him a lot about them. "And earth should be over there." You shook your head as you looked at Neteyam. "I can't really see which one you're pointing at." Neteyam held onto your waist, making you look at his hand. He pulled you closer to him by your waist, your head now resting between his collar and jaw. You slightly looked at his smiling face.
"Over there!" He pointed into the sky. The glowing plants had grown dark once more, making the stars more visible then before. You could now tell which shining star he was pointing at. He continued talking about all the planets out there. You could feel his body warmth against part of your back, which was laying against his chest. If someone were to catch you like this, they wouldn't think you were just friends. You felt your heartbeat starting to raise. You shifted in Neteyam's arms, hoping he wouldn't notice. But he did notice you shifting around, making him think you weren't comfortable. He didn't want to let go of you. He was enjoying this, and so were you. It was something unspoken, just like the feeling you two had for each other. Yet you both knew you were more than friends. Friends didn't have a secret spot or would lay like this. You two were practically cuddling under the night stars. It was becoming very romantically the longer you stayed like this.
You slowly sat more upright. You felt Neteyam's grip lossen on your waist before fully letting go. Making the warm spot on your waist now getting cold. Neteyam looked at you with a somber expression. He knew what was coming. You would leave, and everything would go on tomorrow as if nothing happened. He couldn't hold back anymore as you stood up in silence. He jumped on his feet before placing his hand on your cheek. "I see you." He announced proudly as your eyes widened at his sudden movements. Deep inside, he was terrified. He was the future olo'eyktan after all, but at this moment, he didn't care. He wanted to be yours and wouldn't let anyone tell him what to do. He was wrong for not going against his parents both times. He should have said no to his arrangement, and he shouldn't have let them get you and Lo'ak arranged.
"This was a mistake." You whispered, not daring to look him in the eyes. He slowly dropped his hand, looking at you confused. Neteyam thought you liked him too! Why else would you have been mad at his arrangement? Or why would you have been sad the day you got arranged to Lo'ak? "I don't understand..." He started. "We shouldn't have been here together. " You trailed off as you started walking away. 'Did you like Lo'ak?' Neteyam started questioning everything he thought he knew. He knew you two had gotten close, but not this close right? It couldn't be, could it?
Neteyam grabbed your arm. You stood still with your back towards Neteyam. "Do you like Lo'ak?" You didn't answer that question. You didn't want to give him the answer. Even if you said yes, you knew he would question it or rather he wouldn't believe you anyways. "Look at me! Do you like him?!" He questioned loudly before clench his jaw. You could feel his grip tightening around your arm. You quickly turned around. "Not yet!" You answered him at the same volume. He looked shocked and confused for a second. You didn't lie, you liked Lo'ak as a friend, but maybe by the time you would mate it would me different. "I don't believe it." He stated softer as he stared into your eyes. He was hoping to find the real answer.
"Lo'ak or me?" Neteyam whispered under his breath. You looked at him confused as you didn't hear him. He slit his hand down your arm holding onto your hand. You looked at your hands together. It made you close your eyes before opening them again and looking into Neteyam's eyes. "If you could choose, who would you pick to be your mate? Lo'ak or me?" You tried letting go of his hand, but he wasn't letting you. "We can't be together. Neteyam we are.." You started before Neteyam interrupted you. "That's bullshit and you know it! Tell me the truth!" He said harshly. You didn't recognize him like this. Where did the soft lovable Neteyam go? You hardly pulled your hand away from his. "You are arranged with Inani! I can't come between the future olo'eyktan and tsahik! Everything has been decided and that's it!" You gave him the truth he needed to hear, not the one you both wanted. It would ruin everything, the clan would be mad at you for interfering. Your parents would be disappointed. You were their only child, you couldn't make them regret trusting you. "There is no question for you to ask and there isn't one for me to answer." You finish slowly as you took a step back.
Neteyam couldn't believe this. He wanted to give you his all, and yet here you were leaving. He didn't care about being the future olo'eyktan. He just wanted to be happy, with you. If being the future olo'eyktan meant that he had to sacrifice his happiness, he didn't want it! You started to walk away. Neteyam was about to grab your arm again, but you stopped him. "Don't make this any harder than it already is." You could barely get it out. He looked at you with saddened eyes. He watched you leave him there alone, with the purple light trail you left behind. 'Make it harder than it already was.' He couldn't get those words out of his head. They had to mean something, didn't they?
