Home// Neteyam x Metkayina!Reader

V

Neteyam had arrived at the conclusion that he'd finally lost it.

The boy had a very simple morning routine that never quite changed over the years. He'd wake up, grab whatever choker his fingers clasped around, maybe put on an armband or a bracelet if he felt like it and then leave without a second thought. He knew he wasn't lacking in good looks, so he never really fussed over putting much effort into how he accessorised.

Until today.

He had changed the random coloured beads in his hair to ones shaded with different hues of blue and had tried on at least four different chokers before he was satisfied with one that had pretty lilac beads weaved into it.

He didn't understand why all of a sudden he developed the urge to put in that extra bit of effort into his attire, even if it was as subtle as everyday jewellery.

Neytiri had noticed the shift in his behaviour but decided against commenting on it. It was far too obvious to her even though her son was utterly clueless as to what drove him to turn his quick morning routine into a full blown crisis.

When he reached a point at which he knew he was indefinitely late for his lesson, something that never happened, he seized his little game of dress up and left the pod.

'Tardiness' and 'Neteyam' were two words you'd never put together in a sentence, so it was just as surprising to the others as it was to him when he arrived at the beach a good amount of time after the lesson had already begun.

"You're late" Y/N announced and it sounded more like a question than a statement, as if she was making sure that she said was something that was actually happening.

"Sorry" was all Neteyam managed as he awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck, not wanting to go on a tangent about how he couldn't pick between the green and the blue arm band.

For the entire duration of the lesson, Neteyam kept glancing at Y/N. Every time he did something right or even remotely close to 'good', he'd look at her in hopes of receiving some form of praise or encouragement. Even when he'd fumble over something, he'd instinctively look toward her instead of Tsireya, Rotxo or Aonung, as if it was her critique he valued most out of the others. And to some extent, it was true.

The lesson ended within the same timeframe that had been decided but to Neteyam it felt as if it was cut short. He all of a sudden wanted more time to learn what was being taught, as long as it meant that he'd get to hang around Y/N for a bit longer.

"Oh you've got new beads braided in" Y/N pointed out as she walked beside the boy along the shoreline, admiring his new adornments. She reached out to touch them, her fingers barely grazing his nech as she did "they look nice"

"Uh yea yea" Neteyam shrugged, not wanting it to seem like he'd bothered to put in some effort. He never had to do so before and he didn't want to admit that he'd started doing it now. Still, his ears pointed upward in response to the compliment, betraying his placid demeanour; Not to mention his heart picking up pace when he felt her fingers brush against his skin.

He didn't want to admit it, not even to himself that he was greedy for more blandishments from her, perhaps even borderline desperate for more skin-to-skin contact. The attention he received seemed to leaving him thirsting for even more, but he only cared if it was her gracing him with it.

He tapped his fingers against the skin of his thigh, trying to think of some way to keep the conversation going. Again, he did not know why he was having trouble with this. Back at home, he'd always been an outgoing person, effortlessly making conversations with both kids and the elders in the clan. So why was he overthinking every single thing when it involved Y/N in someway? She was sweet and just as easy to talk to as his other friends but Neteyam made it difficult for himself by overanalysing what her response could be to whatever he might do or say.