Ma Neteyam

34

 
The journey back to Vareyas hut was silent. Neither of them spoke as they slowly made the long trip. Except with the conditions, it took them a bit longer than necessary.With both of them injured and exhausted, they leaned on each other as they limped and hobbled over to the water

Just making it out of the island was a hassle, Vareyas still bleeding stab wounds on her leg and stomach making her weak. Yet not once did Neteyam hear a groan, whine, nor see a wince contort her face. She stayed stoic, stayed quiet, stayed composed.

Neteyam did his best to do the same, yet he'd admit that when he saw the pile of bodies scattered throughout the landscape, all blooded and beaten, his stomach twisted with a mixture of astonishment, unease, and respect. Lengo and his group weren't the only ones who underestimated the warrior beside him, he did as well.

As much faith as he have in her, somewhere deep inside him he knew she wouldn't be able to take them all down on her own. Yet as their unmoving figures only became lumps of shadows in the distance, he promised himself to never make that mistake again. The girl beside him, the one who he set out to protect, had a side she had yet to show him.

Prior to them ever meeting, back when they themselves were mere children, there were only a few things they could relate to. Because where Neteyam had a family, she didn't. Where Neteyam had comfort, Vareya had pain. Where he experienced love she experienced immense loss and heartbreak.

Neteyam developed into the warrior he was by choice, he had time to do it properly and was of age when he earned respect from his people. Vareya didn't have the option, she was thrown into a brutal world all by herself from the moment she was born.

She was forced to become the warrior she was today, and with how adept she fights, he could only imagine the stuff she went through since a young age. Can only imagine the things that made her become as skilled as she was today. The things she witnessed, the things she's had to experience, and the things she had to sacrifice just to survive.

Each and every day it seems like Neteyam is learning more about who Vareya is, and every day he's finding himself more captivated by her. He never believed anyone to be below him, always made sure to treat everyone as an equal. Yet apart from his parents, he's also never believed many Na'vis were above him either. Except now, he's seeing Vareya as someone greater. Someone so powerful, someone so far beyond his reach, someone he could only dream of becoming.

By the time they made their way out of the island and onto a Ilu, the once relentlessly heavy rain became nothing more than a scatter, calming the waters for them. They still didn't speak as they rode slowly back, staying above the surface. Neteyam also did his best to focus on Vareyas warm steady breaths on his back instead of the fact that she was resting on his back. She had laid on him, arms wrapping around his torso, and he'd admit that he went a bit slower then necessary because of that.

Something has changed tonight, something big. He may have thought before, but this time its far more serious. He's felt it more now then all the nights they've made up, has felt it more then all those time he's taken care of her, has felt it more then that day on the beach earlier. Just today feels like a year long, and somehow it also feels like they've made a years worth of progress.

When they arrived to the island, still going at their own pace, the sun began to rise, peeking over the oceans water ever so slightly. And when they finally reached her hut, they both instantly felt their bodies relax. Somehow this space, that tiny hut Vareya called home now became a safe space for them both.

When they were inside, still silent, Neteyam instantly got to work as Vareya rested. She stayed unmoving in her hammock, and while Neteyam focused on his task, his eyes couldn't help from deterring and glancing at Vareyas wounds.