The Stars in Your Skin

CHAPTER 22

A.N.
More fluff!

She’s more of a goner than she thought. Neteyam is… Neteyam is radiant. He’s warm and loving down to his veins. When she’s with him she feels seen and not an older less desirable version of her sister. He was a safe haven where it’s okay to show her vulnerabilities. As long as he walked Eywa’eveng she believed light would  prevail. 

He lays on his side, the grass soft beneath watching as she puts the finishing touches on Kiri’s new sling bag. He’s been staring at her since she told him she was considering attempting her iknimaya. It was not mandatory for since her choice was weaving and she’d already completed her Uniltaron. But, she had explained her reasoning and it was sound so he said would support her.

He tells her about the new dagger his father made for Tuk and how  she had run off to show it to her friends, especially this one kid that she had a small feud with.  He also tells her with immense satisfaction: “Tsifanu fell in pali dung during training today.”

She stops and looks at him. “You didn’t push him did you?”

He pretends to be offended. “I would never do such a thing. I'm not that petty. Now if I were Lo’ak or Kiri the chances would be 100 percent.” She chuckles at the thought of Kiri blatantly tripping the larger Na’vi so he fell in pali dung.

“What happened?” She finished the last of her designs.

“Rayka shoved her fist in his face.”

She chortles. “Sorry I missed it.”

“Mm. It was glorious.” He sits up when she offers him the sling bag for inspection. She observes his inspects of it from the carefully braided leather straps to the bag part which is a light green and decorated with delicate beadwork along the trimming and compound shapes sewn into the front and back. 

Her brow creases slightly.  She doesn't tell him about it. She doesn't tell him about the footsteps that shadow her own when she's alone or how she's stopped solitary bathing because the sensation of hidden gaze traveling over her body. She can't tell him. Neteyam, being Neteyam would want to protect her and when he caught the culprit, well it'd more than likely end with fists.

She swallows, pushing the thoughts back. “What do you think?”

He trails his fingers over the shapes.  “It’s beautiful. I think she’s going to love it.”

She beams at him, gooey warmth oozing through her veins when he leans over and places a kiss on the corner of her mouth. “I didn’t know you were so good at beadwork though.”

She shrugs. “I’m not. Wiua did it for me.” She takes in a sharp breath. “And speaking of beads…” She retrieves something from her own sling bag enclosing her hand around it. She takes his larger hand in hers and places them in his open palm.

He looks down. It is beads hers and his colors meticulously stenciled with delicate designs. He looks at each bead, admiring the craftsmanship of her heart gift. 

“Sorry it took so long. I wanted them to be worthy of your gift."  Her hand subconsciously goes to the bracelet on her wrist caressing it.

He takes one of her hands in his and brings it to his mouth, kissing her knuckles. “You are my cherished gift yawne.”

 Her lips curl into an almost coy smile, heart both swelling and liquefying.

“But I do love them. Braid them in?” He smothers the impish grin that tugs at his mouth.

“Okay.” She squeaks when he suddenly tugs her into his lap, wrapping his arms around her waist. “Neteyam!” Looks like they were using florals to mask each other's scents again.

He only smiles against her skin, nuzzling her neck. She swallows, hearing him breathe in her personal scent. She wraps an arm around his neck, running the other hand through his braids. They remain that way for some time, silently strengthening their bond and basking in each other's scents. 

“Where do you want them?”  He thinks briefly before indicating the placement. “Are you sure? It’s in plain view.”

Neteyam was tired of hiding. She shouldn’t have to even think about saying such words. “I’m sure,” he answers with conviction. Naawri was not a secret to be hidden and neither was her heart gift. 

It only takes  a moment before she’s done. The happiness in her gaze as she stares at the beaded braid sends starlight through his veins.

“How do I look?”

She gives a dreamy sigh. “Even more gorgeous yawne.”

His only response is to draw her in for a kiss, devouring her plush lips.

After a long day they retreat to their secret haven, climbing high into one of the immense trees where they settle on one of its large branches. She sits between his legs, his chin on her shoulder, arms around her waist watching as she lovingly strokes the latest colorful stone to his songcord. “You picked a beautiful stone.” 

He presses a soft kiss to her shoulder and begins singing the memory softly, deep voice wrapping around the words like a caress. He can't help but smile as he sings thinking of their first kiss of the happiness that had not left him since that day, of the love that encircles his heart like a blanket. He presses a soft kiss to her cheek when she adds her voice to his humming the melody. When done they press their foreheads together, savoring the warmth of the moment.

He wants to spend the rest of his life with this woman. “I love you Nawri,” he says against the shell of her ear. The smile she gives, attaches wings to his heart. 

“I love you too, Neteyam.” She pecks his lips. So much.”

He's happy. They're both happy. Although their relationship is secret their feelings deepen no less than any other, nourished by loving hands.