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I think they cut it! Some of them have shaved sides and I swear I’ve seen varying hair lengths amongst Na’vi that seem to be the same age? I do think they would be a bit confused as to why some humans don’t view hair with the same views they have, especially once they learn how much texture can vary amongst us. Reminds me of one time when I was a teen and my mom lost her shit cuz she woke up and I had buzzed it all off without mentioning it 😭 Nearly got hit with a frying pan cuz she thought I was an intruder. Do Not think I’d want to dodge whatever a Na’vi would be holding if I did that to them LMFAO

I am in love with this take 😂 can definitely see na'vi s/o mistaking you for someone rando and taking a swing at you with closest object. Especially if they're sleepy (just woken up or just going to bed) and you're in your shared hut.

#avatar #avatar twow

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speaking of tsutey tryin human things i really think hed like or at like not hate human music. but especially african music like afrobeats or amapiano

YESSS!

I'll be honest my head immediately jumped to that one spongebob x afrobeat mashup circling tiktok at the minute! Which is a vibe and Tsu'tey probably wouldn't understand the context behind but would definitely enjoy the vibes.

Side note: He'd hate headphones tho. Over head or in ears, doesn't matter, he wouldn't be able to comfortably enjoy his tunes whilst being unable to clearly hear his surroundings.

#tsu'tey #avatar #doing an uno reverse #what does everyone else think? #avatar twow

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Do you think na'vi cut their hair? Or do they just let it grow out and braid it back to keep it tamed?

Let's pretend the latter is the case and na'vi just never cut their hair. Do you think that they assume this is a universal social standard and it's considered wrong or weird to cut hair.

Maybe they assume that humans with short hair just don't grow their hair as fast, or at a different rate to humans of the same age with considerably longer hair?

Do you think it would freak them out if their s/o suddenly turned up with significantly shorter hair than they had yesterday?

Na'vi: WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU? WHO HURT YOU?

S/o: ???? Na'vi: YOU'RE MISSING LIKE HALF OF YOUR HEAD!

#avatar #avatar twow #na'vi and human differences #misunderstandings #I feel like this would be so fun to explore

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with his partner trying so hard to appreciate na’vi culture, how do you think tsu’tey would do trying human stuff? i could imagine some makeshift human day, where he eats human stuff (and insults if ofc), sleeps in a bed that is just way too fucking hot and small for him, tries a shower and genuinely tries his best to hide his grimace as he uses the scented products LMAO i do not think he would appreciate our ways too much. but! human dating? now that is something he’s interested in. watching some human movie? yeah, ok, but why is everyone so dramatic in them? learning slang he’s just gonna butcher, learning about different things from earth (you..you guys dye your hair? 😟), trying some of the avatar clothes & not being able to stop fidgeting because everything is just so constricting hehe ok i’ll stop

THIS! THIS IS BEAUTIFUL!

#tsu'tey #tsu'tey x reader #avatar

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I want to teach Tsu’tey to swim. That man would have the most intense eye contact as you guide him that I would be STRESSED

All I can think about is that Tsu'tey is stressed because he's in the water and his feet can't touch anymore, whereas his mate is stressed because he hasn't blinked in seven minutes and his gaze is hella intense and intimidating. Bonus points if he's scowling in concentration.

Reader once the swimming lesson is over: See, that wasn't so bad.

Tsu'tey visibly shivering:

#man is going to look like a wet cat when he comes out but at least he'll be alive #For those confused #Tsu'tey being unable to swim is implied in 'You wanna be one of them' #tsu'tey te rongloa ateyitan #tsu'tey #tsu'tey x reader #SOMEONE GOT IN MY DRAFTS AGAIN #the na'vi are cats

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Ok, I have a question on dad!Tsu'tey. Do you think that Tsu'tey would allow Spider to lock his hair? And I say allow because clearly locks are not exactly an Omaticaya staple look, and the only other person to have locks in the clan is Jake. He spent the first half of the movie pretty unkept until he began to rally the clans as Toruk Makto and he had a gorgeous set of well decorated braids. Im assuming he locked his hair out of convinience, whilst Spider locks his hair to look like Jake. But with Tsu'tey as his dad, Im almost sure the man is caring for his hair as if it was his own. And Tsu'tey has always been so elegant. Every part of how he presents is carefully curated from his braids, to his adornments. So a part of me believes that Tsu'tey would insist on doing braids on Spider and is always on top of them the moment he grows them out (some people like to leave them to grow out a little. But with the way that Tsu'tey is, I feel like he likes his braids to always be tight). Another part of me says that after years of wrangling Spider to do his hair he decides to give it up and just let the kid lock the hair (all whilst giving Jake dirty looks cause how dare he influence his baby?) Also, Spider might just be tender-headed which makes the braiding process even more of a pain than it already was. I dont know, what do you think? You think Spider might still lean towards locks or instead have the staple Omaticaya braids to look like his papa?

I honestly couldn't have said it better myself. :D

I feel like innitially, Spider would go with the traditional Omaticaya braids like all the other kids his age. And of course Tsu'tey would definitely be on top of keeping said braids immaculate and decorated in any beads Spider picks out from Mo'at's collection.

And when Tsu'tey takes out his own hair for a wash and a rebraid, he would definitely take some time to let Spider practice his braiding skills on him - even if it turns out a horrendous mess or one strand is thicker than the others. I feel like he'd encourage Spider to do one of his front braids, which he will either leave braided by Spider or let Spider choose what beads he'll wear in them until the next rebraid.

In those early years, I feel that Spider would definitely want to look just like Tsu'tey. I can see him refusing to let Max or Norm come at him with the scissors whilst he's still living in the compound before Tsu'tey officially adopts him, because he wants to look like the hunter so bad. Of course, they let him begin growing out his hair for eventual braids, but the scientists have to convince Tsu'tey to give him a trim to tidy him up and stop the ends of Spider's hair from splitting - Spider will only let Tsu'tey near his hair at that point.

But I can also see Spider admiring Jake as an uncle and getting it in his head that he wants to look like Toruk Makto - which of course feels like a personal blow to Tsu'tey even though Spider doesn't mean it like that. Admittedly, Tsu'tey can see the appeal of a legendary warrior in contrast to an Olo'eyktan, but he's still a little hurt that he and Spider won't match anymore. But what his boy wants he gets, so he sucks it up and lets Spider get locks to look like Jake.

#spider socorro #tsu'tey #avatar #father-son duo #father-son shenanigans #I am in love with this concept anon

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mo’at is ALWAYS planning something with those two, isn’t she? reading the baby miles fic on ao3 rn and i ADORE HER RELATIONSHIP WITH EVERYONE RAHHH 🦅🦅

Mo'at just knows what's going on fourteen steps before it even occurs to anyone else to think about it. You could argue it's her connection to Eywa, but really, she's just that good. :D

#avatar #grandmother Mo'at #clan gossip Mo'at

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Parent!Reader who already told Spider no to having cookies as it's almost dinner time, only to return to the compound after foraging to find Spider elbow deep in the cookie jar which Dad!Tsu'tey is holding out to him. (The jar was placed on the highest shelf at the very back where Spider CANNOT get it, but Tsu'tey obviously can).

For a moment, Parent!Reader just stands in the doorway feeling betrayed. Tsu'tey's ears fall comically, whilst Spider's expression is sickeningly guilty.

<"Unbelievable."> Reader chuckles aloud, finding it hard to stay mad at the pair who brighten at their light tone.

Cue Tsu'tey shoves the cookies at Spider and tells him to make a run for it, only to rapidly close the distance between him and Reader and scoops them up to 'distract' them.

The distraction is VERY effective (Tsu'tey holds then aloft so they physically couldn't retaliate if they tried).

Spider and Dad!Tsu'tey are definitely accomplices in cookie theft.

#tsu'tey #spider socorro #tsu'tey x reader #dad!tsu'tey #father-son duo #spider #father-son shenanigans #avatar scenarios

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SHU THE START OF THE SEQUAL FIC 🥹🥲 I AM SO READYYYY! Going to be rereading all the headcanon and dad tsu’tey and son spider fics 🦅🦅🦅

You think it will be angsty? 😭 let’s be real all your writings have a little sad, just a sprinkle

I'll be honest, the planning stages consisted 95% of soft fluffy, content. But now that I'm fleshing it out, the angst is steadily creeping in and I can't stop it :D

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i love you and your characters and your writing and your mind and your account and your everything

*offers gentle kiss to forehead before disintegrating into dust on a delicate breeze*

#Metro Man voice: And I love you random citizen

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Last one, I swear 😭😭 you can have a break from me after this one!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1waZvWtehD/?igsh=MTg2dHMxaDQyYzI0Mg==

The reader when the power goes out but they need to do their ‘video log’ and they have to get their thoughts out somehow and they have no choice but to crack open the good ol’ note book and do old fashion journaling 💀.

I can see totally see this being more and more possible after a visit from fuck ass Quaritch. Like imagine their Navi s/o coming to check up on them bc the reader seemed upset earlier that day and see them absolutely tearing up this notebook with just SCRAWL OF HOW MUCH THEY HATE THE RDA AND WISH FOR THE WHOLE COMPLEX TO BURN TO THE GROUND WITH EVER SINGLE TWAT INSIDE (special points if they have to save the generator power too by writing it all by candlelight)

The image this creates in my brain, is glorious! Just their na'vi s/o slowly backing away as Reader continues to be oblivious of their presence and gets everything out of their system with increasing volume and less and less pen to paper coordination. Bonus points if said s/o retreats to the kitchen until the yelling stops, and Reader emerges from the bunk room all refreshed as if nothing happened.

Also 'fuck ass Quaritch' is the best way I've ever heard him described :D

#avatar #avatar memes #gender neutral reader #human reader x na'vi s/o

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Do you have any fics you recommend off the top of your head? Sorry if you’ve answered this already

Hi! I have not answered this already, and I've ended up NOT answering this off the top of my head lol. I'm assuming you mean Avatar fics (although I am happy to give recs for any other type of fic I read, or just best ones I've read if that's what you meant?). I've made this stupidly extensive and long list sorted into categories of Spider fics (with some bonus Avatar fics unrelated to Spider that did rock). Here it is you are welcome.

A NOTE: These are fics I have bookmarked and I enjoyed enough to recommend. I have read a ton more obviously, and I can give more specific ones, but they might not be of the same quality :)))) Also I don't read anything Quaritch/Recom sympathetic so you won't find that here. And don't worry I will continue my what Spider fic am I thinking of series, because I am not giving any actual reviews here lol. It will be marked if it contains mature content, and linked if I have done a review/rec for it.

Spider Sully!!!: (my a03 collection for spider sully fics if you want to keep up with what I add to it)

-Foreign Body by TreeTrope @hes-a-tough-kid

-oel ngati kameie series by @mochalottie (bestie friend of the blog)

-Nísoaia by flaming_keys @dinas-bracelet (another iconic friend of the blog, mature content) review

-Found Family series by siren_songs

-Spider Sully series by @alexihollis

-No One Worried 'Cause They Knew Just Where I'd Be and This Home is Home (and All That I Need) by SmokeyBubble (I skimmed the other parts of this series, they were not for me but these parts are Very good)

-Kelku (Raising Spider AU) series by iammadeofmemories review

-Keeping up with the Sullys series by @platinumink

-In Another Life by transient_wavelet (I think this one is about to get slightly recom sympathetic tho so we will see if it turns me off enough I remove the bookmark, but I liked the first section!)

-Need to Come Down for Oxygen by dieformedove review

-Left Behind by Lookeri

-Half Alive by @eirianerisdar

-Family is Who You Fight For by virtualpapercuts

-Pinned down by Marnky (this is eating disorder focused which made me hesitant to rec it as that is not my fav, but I bookmarked it! so it's in here!)

-eywa provides by @mochalottie (we just rec every and all lottie fics)

-The boy in the cell by Lookeri review

-baby mine by @mochalottie

-Nature or Nurture by ENC95 review

-The Spider Chronicles series by @meenawrites (yet another icon bestie friend of the blog)

-A Spider's Life by ENC95

-Days Into Decades by ReadingStuffNow @lost-girl-2021

-I promise, I tried by Alia_JuneBug

-Reciprocity by moonewriting

-The Heat of the Moment by hempbug

-Recovery by Ivoryseia

-for the nights and days of life by @mochalottie

Locorro Shit:

-Restless Child series by ScovilleMilk @spicymiilk (I beta this one it's so good!!)

-Mine and His series by sweetmars03 @ review

-Bitter by Icandigelvis @oppa86oppa (this is THE locorro fic it began a revolution)

-Could This be Love by HufflepuffWolf_1991 review

-Recessive by JadedFalling @theoriginaljordge (aNOTHER friend of the blog)

Tonowari and Ronal Adopting Spider:

-I'm Still Here by @alexihollis review

-From Sky to Sea by @eirianerisdar

-our hearts beat in the womb of the world by @mochalottie review

Spider Introspectives:

-Human or More by virtualpapercuts

Rocorro Shit:

-quiet mornings by AstersandInk @asfateentertwines

Anyone Else Adopting Spider:

-You'll Be in My Heart by AnodyneTheAnimal @stupidlytiredstudent (our man Norm) review

-More Than My Body by @alexihollis (our man Tsu'tey)

-The Song of Healing by by dreamsoflovingness (our man Tommy)

Spiriiiiiii:

-Please be kind, please be gentle with me by cuipid (a lil mature content) review

-You Gave Me All You Had (And Now I Am Home) by Bellarkyy

Nocorro Shit:

-Like Seaglass in an Ocean (Like how a Single Word Can Make a Heart Open) by CherryApollo

Take a Bite of the Orange by CherryApollo (i see u bestie)

Fun Fic, Side Spider:

-A Son for a Son by @icequeenlila (dude Spider is lowkey a badass in the back of this and I'm very invested in the tragedy of it all)

-Soundtrack (Human AU) by subster (he did just get a MAJOR chapter all on his own tho)

-Sully's Stick Together- All Of Them by Jay42Leatherback666 review

-Head to Head (Heart to Heart) by TheGodWith5Yen review

(Here is my collection for all other Spider fics I enjoy if you want to keep up with what I add to that)

No Spider but a Banger:

-Happiness is Simple series by I_Would_Prefer_Not_To (Jeytiri, mature content)

-It started with a whisper (and that was when I kissed him) by soymilktea (aonunete, listen the lack of spider in this fic is criminal but I live and breathe dumb social media aus I have a collection just for them)

-My Beloved by Zinstrae (jeytiri, mature content)

-My brother's keeper (Tom Sully lives! AU) series by take your peace now (makeyourpeacenow) @makeyourpeacenow

-Two Halves (of the same soul) by femme_forte (jeytiri, I looove a daemon au)

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Right so my brain was being a brain for once and decided to come up with a crossover concept for the 'You wanna be one of them' universe and 'I wouldn't have given you to them':

So we've got ('You wanna be one of them')Spider fucking around in the forest with the Sully kids past curfew because despite the RDA being on planet, they're still teens doing stupid shit. At least this time, Lo'ak, Kiri and Neteyam were quiet enough not to wake Tuk on their way out of camp. Of course, Neteyam is anxious the entire time they're out, convinced his radio collar is going to go off with Jake sternly telling all four of them to return home pronto. But that never comes.

They're having a grand old time, splashing each other with bioluminescent water and disturbing the insects. That is until there's a shout from the canopy, freezing all four kids. They're immediately drawing in close to one another, hands on weapons, privately debating if it would be better to be found by an RDA patrol or their furious parents.

They don't have to wait long as overhead, what sounds suspiciously like a slinth hisses, closely followed by a terrified shriek and then the crash of a body tumbling down through the canopy.

The figure lands hard on their stomach, momentarily stunned. They lay there motionless long enough for Spider to notice the rifle strapped to their back, the metal glinting in the glow of the undergrowth. Then they suck in a rattled breath and push themselves to their elbows and then up on their knees.

Spider sucks in a breath at Zaza's split lip and unkempt hair, weirdly shorter and fresh out of its braids. Surely they hadn't had enough time to unbraid it all so quickly after he 'went to bed' only an hour ago. Weirder still, they're dressed in avatar sized RDA military attire, and not the old stuff Norm has stuffed in the compound. These clothes look freshly made, newly torn from the fall, but not worn like the other avatar clothing Spider had seen the other scientists wearing.

Rubbing their temple with a hiss, Zaza finally notices all four kids, and instead of scowling and immediately launching into a rant about them breaking curfew, the avatar instead startles and falls flat on its back. With wide eyes, it snatches for the gun its suddenly sitting on and continues to frantically shuffle away from the kids.

<"What's up with them?"> Lo'ak whispers out of the corner of his mouth without so much as moving a muscle. At his back, Kiri shakes her head. Neteyam looks ready to bolt, his hand half lifted to his radio collar.

As usual, Spider made the first move. <"Hi, um, Za, fancy catching you out here so late,"> he carefully tucks his knife away, unnerved by the avatar continuing to scramble away from him. <"Any chance we won't get grounded for this?"> He asks plainly.

The avatar pauses, knuckles tight around the gun they still haven't managed to pull from under them. <"Do I, do I know you?"> They ask carefully, their Na'vi stilted and poorly pronounced. It was Zaza's voice, Spider recognised, but not how they spoke.

Brows furrowed he glances back to his friends who mirror his confusion. <"What do you mean?"> He presses, eyes raking over the avatar, only to linger on the fresh gash at their temple. <"Shit, did you hit your head on the way down?">

Their eyes flickered from Spider to the Sully kids over his shoulder. <"Y-yes?">

Lo'ak groans loudly, and the tension abruptly snaps. <"Uncle Tsu'tey is going to kill us.">

<"Why? We didn't do anything!"> Kiri immediatly butted in.

<"Lets just,"> Neteyam interjects calmly, his concern outweighing his fear of being caught. <"lets get them back home. Spider, you get their other arm.">

Zaza stares at them in mistrustful confusion, as the pair help them to their feet. Spider fusses over their tattered uniform.

<"Where is your atokirina knife?">

<"My what?"> Zaza asks, brows furrowed. They slap along their thigh until their hand comes into contact with the utility knife strapped to their waist. <"I have my knife right here?">

Now in hindsight, Spider realised that that should have been a dead give away. But in the middle of the forest, late at night, hours past his curfew, having found his possibly concussed parent in the middle of nowhere, he didn't find it odd. Instead of pressing for any further information, he and the rest of the Sully kids carefully guided Zaza back to High Camp.

Only to return to said Camp, to find Jake waiting for them, arms crossed and his foot tapping, flanked by Spider's Zaza, outside of their avatar and very much uninjured.

Human!Reader starred up at the recom, and Recom!Reader starred down at the human.

#have you considered recom!Reader doing something completely idiotic and typical of avatar!Reader at that age that makes avatar!Reader cring #was I always like that #Only for Tsu'tey to turn away with this goofy and nostalgic look on his face telling them how cute they used to be #bonus points if recom!reader and spider become besties #another potential fic I'll write if you guys want it #I lie #might just write it regardless #Tsu'tey #tsu'tey avatar #tsu'tey x reader #tsu'tey te rongloa ateyitan #avatar the way of water #spider socorro #just me grabbing Recom!Reader and plonking them in the 'you wanna be one of them' universe #Uncle Tsu'tey

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Can you imagine how great of an uncle figure to the Sully kids Tsu'tey could have been? Like he would have made a great mentor to Neteyam and Lo'ak in my opinion. I can also imagine him telling the kids stories about how he trained their dad. He would make sure to tell all the embarrassing things Jake did and would for sure mention all the times he failed at the beginning. But then he'd share how his opinion of their dad changed the very moment he returned to the Omatikaya people as Toruk Makto. Just imagine the kids faces as he explains to them with Neytiri watching and then Jake listening from afar. And I can totally see him and Jake having a little conversation about Lo'ak. Tsu'tey would say that Lo'ak reminds him a lot of Jake or that he see a lot of Jake in Lo'ak. You know being stubborn, kind of reckless, and a smart ass but still very driven. I think Jake would respond in a rant explaining how that's exactly what he fears as a father. Lo'ak being like him. (Because of the situation they've been in ofc) It would've ended in a heart to heart talk with Tsu'tey reassuring Jake that things will be fine.

Also why do I see him and Tuk having a really strong bond. Like Tsu'tey would be Tuk's personal body guard 24/7. He'd carry her on his back everywhere they go and they'd have a code where she becomes his "tactical backpack" incase of emergencies, like getting revenge on her siblings when they're playing. (Tuk just pulls out a bunch of little rocks and throws them at the enemies aka Lo'ak and Spider while Tsu'tey chases after them) It would also be her idea of course and Tsu'tey would just never let her down or ever say no.

In short, Tsu'tey would've made a great supporting character if he had been kept alive in the first film.

#tsu'tey #avatar the way of water #Avatar #Dude would've been a fantastic uncle #would've loved to see his and Jake's relationship growing

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#avatar memes #Love how in character this feels for each of them :D

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Shell-Shocked

(Neteyam x Reader)

Previous Chapter <- Epilogue

If you prefer to read on Ao3, you can find the fic here!

Summary: Find us in the future.

Word Count: 3,649

Metkayina Reader uses they/them pronouns.

Initially, you had hoped that when the pink inevitably faded from your life, it wouldn’t hit you as hard because you had chosen to discard it before it could do so.

In hindsight, the plan had been a stupid one, because you hadn’t really known Neteyam Sully. You had assumed your advances would never be reciprocated and had instead withdrawn to protect yourself. Which just showed that although you'd taken the time to know him as an individual - and had found that he was fun and quick with retorts - it didn’t really prove that you knew him. 

You wouldn’t have gotten a chance to really. Not before the shells. Not before everything happened.

But now, you had unwillingly begun to learn his tells and preferences whilst helping him recover. 

In truth, you hadn’t realised you were doing it. Not until you’d realised you could decipher his displeasure from a simple twitch of his nose, particularly when it came time to take his medicine. And although he pulled on his politest and most convincing smile, you could still tell. 

And again, when you could tell he was excited, simply by the aborted flick of his right ear because he was focusing too hard on suppressing the tug of a smile at his lips to realise he was doing it. 

And again, when you could tell he was trying to suppress his wince as you changed his bandages, because of the way his tail would slap against the floor once, before he subtly pressed a hand down over it to keep it from jumping. 

You now knew - unwillingly - how he preferred his ilu saddle to be stored after being firmly told off when you’d done so incorrectly the first time. You now knew the name of his ikran (you’d had to feed her), as well as the exact year he’d crafted his first bow, and that it had been wood scavenged from his clan’s first HomeTree. You now knew that he preferred to sleep closest to the hut opening when sharing a hammock, and that Tuk often went to him instead of his parents when she had a nightmare. 

You now knew how easy it was to get him to smile. You knew when to hug him and when to back off because he was brooding. You knew that he preferred iridescent sea snails to the blue ones because he found them ‘sweeter’. You knew that he missed home, but had found a home beside the sea. You knew that he was brave, and reckless - although he hid it better than Lo’ak. 

You also knew the face he pulled when he was trying not to cry. An expression similar to your own, as the pair of you packed up his hammock in preparation for the move. 

In the end, despite their best efforts, the Sully children had been fruitless in changing their parents’ minds. And as Jake had warned, they made good on their promise to leave as soon as Neteyam was strong enough. 

Which led you to now, dutifully helping Neteyam pack his few belongings away in a sturdy pack, hours away from losing him for good. Which meant you were merely a few hours away from discovering just how badly it would hurt to have the pink shells disappearing too.

Beyond the empty hut, the air was thick with condensation and humidity as a storm rolled in from the sea. Overhead, thick, darkly bruised clouds shrouded the skies, forcing the villagers to light the torches before noon - not that they remained lit for long with the unforgiving winds. 

At dawn, the Sullys’ ikran had already landed on the beach with Jake to greet them. Throughout the day, the mounts had been tacked up and loaded with bags. Only Neteyam and Kiri still had things strewn around the hut. The former, because he’d been too weak to do it on his own, and the latter, in silent rebellion against her parents. It had taken Neytiri threatening to leave it all behind and only take Kiri, for the girl to finally begin packing. 

It took great effort to keep your body language loose and pleasant as you worked alongside Neteyam, listening to Kiri muttering to herself in the corner. When you weren’t actively thinking of them, your ears kept drooping down, forcing you to focus on both your hands and microexpressions.

Across from you, gingerly rolling up his hammock, Neteyam wasn’t looking as well put together. His expression was resigned, his eyes foggy with unshed moisture he couldn’t hope to blink away, unless he wanted it to roll down his cheeks. His bandages were off, the scar tissue beneath still angry and raw, looking much better than it had before.

<”It won’t be forever.”> Neteyam finally said, abruptly startling you out of your head. You inhaled shakily and sat back on your hunches as you looked up at him, your eyes greedily absorbing every detail of him whilst you still could. He looked gorgeous, his freckles glowing softly in the dim light, a couple braids pulled over one shoulder. <”I’ll come back.”> He promised, trying for a smile. His courting necklace bobbed as he tightly swallowed. 

You struggled to make your smile reassuring. You both knew there was a chance he wouldn’t, although neither of you acknowledged it. <Only when it’s safe.”> You said firmly, leaving no room for argument, and ensuring to use ‘when’ rather than ‘if’. <”I don’t want you travelling back here if you’re just going to get shot again.”> He winced around a sad smile. <”Okay.”> <”Promise?”>

Neteyam shook his head, but he was smiling the way he usually does when he thought you’re being overly cautious. <”Promise.”> Something in your chest loosened. <”Okay. I’ll be waiting.”>

His tail dropped from its tense coil at your quiet promise. <”You will?”> 

<”Of course I will.”> And you would. Even if he never came back. Even if he returned to the forest and ignored the shells to find a mate amongst his old People. Even if he returned but had changed his mind. You would wait, because you were fairly certain Neteyam was it for you. That Eywa had promised correctly when she’d sent that first, significant shell during that very first swimming lesson.

Neteyam was across the pod and dragging you into his arms before you could even register he’d moved. Over his shoulder, you briefly registered Kiri slipping out of the pod with her arms weighed down with bags, but you discarded the observation as quickly as it came. Neteyam had tucked his head down beneath your chin and was holding onto you tightly. Remembering you had arms, you wrapped them around him and held on, your cheek squished into his braids as you blinked back tears.

There were no more words of comfort to offer, so all you could do was stare blankly at the wall whilst Neteyam shook in your arms. Absently, you carded a hand through his braids, feeling his tense body loosen under your repetitive touch.

By the time Jake appeared in the doorway, uttering sadly that it was time to go, Neteyam had gone almost completely boneless in your hold.

From there, it only took minutes to take everything down to the beach between the three of you. The other kids were already readying their ikran, ears lowered and expressions grim as Neytiri tried to urge them along with soft words. 

A few members of the clan watched the sad procession, but mostly, the people were continuing on with their chores. Tonowari stood silently at the head of the sandbank, a stark contrast to the day the Sullys had first arrived.

All too soon, there was nothing left to do, and Neteyam had tied down the last of his belongings. Not too far from where you stood, you could already hear Tsireya sniffling, whilst Lo’ak quietly calmed her, his voice struggling to come out as reassuring. 

With a sigh, Neteyam turned to you, his expression as blank as your own. You stared right back as his wet eyes met yours. His golden eyes briefly flickered across your face, committing the sight of you to memory as his lower lip quivered. You smiled tightly, raising a hand in silent question. 

His composure threatened to break as he hugged you again. Wrapping you up so tightly that even his tail joined in. You clung back just as fiercely, hating that now that you finally had this, it was being taken away from you. Hating that you wasted those early months being childish instead of communicating. Hating the humans for having the audacity to set foot on Pandora, before being grateful they did or you would’ve never met him in the first place. Hating that there just wasn’t enough time for everything you wanted to say and do. 

<”Kids.”> Jake prompted, which was enough for Neteyam’s hold to loosen on you. Gently, he set you back down, before pulling back. Reluctantly, you let him go, unsure whether the wetness on your cheeks were tears or the rain that had begun to fall. 

<”I’ll see you.”> <”Yeah.”> He offered half-heartedly, <”I’ll see you.”>

Within hours of the ikran disappearing over the horizon, the pink shells disappeared from your life. 

>_<

In those first few days after they had left, you’d foolishly tricked yourself into believing they would return in no time. That if you kept yourself busy, Neteyam would come strutting back into your life like he never left. That he would appear out of nowhere, and declare how much he missed you, before sweeping you up into another hug. 

But of course, that didn’t happen. And couldn’t happen until the Sky People had retreated. No news came from the forest clans after the Sky People moved away from the seas, focusing their hunt inland. But no news was good news, you tried to convince yourself and instead buried yourself in clan life.

Years passed. 

You passed your iknimaya and made a name for yourself amongst the hunters, earning your first tattoos. Closely followed by Aonung and Tsireya when they were ready. You grew into an adult, weathered by time but strong and reliable. A formidable foe should the Sky People return their attention to the sea clans.

In the meantime, Tonowari retired from his position as Olo’eyktan, allowing Aonung to step up despite not having found his own fated yet. Whilst Ronal remained Tsahik in the meantime.

Tsireya became a well respected healer, under her mother’s watch, but never quite lost that longing look in her eye. A look you knew was evident in your own gaze if you stayed still for too long.

You filled your time between patrols with teaching the younger kids how to swim and connect to their ilus. It was long tedious hours and hard work, but it kept you occupied. Not to mention, the children were more unpredictable than the open, empty oceans you ventured into during your patrols. 

<”Almost Otok,”> you repeated for the fourth time that afternoon, the sun hot and unforgiving against your back as you readjusted the boy’s grasp on his ilu harness. <”But remember, you have to go with her, not against her.”>

Ever the good student, Otok nodded that he understood as he had the last time, so you stepped back and watched him urge the ilu on. And as before, the pair dove, only for Otok to lose his grip and for his mount to continue swimming away. You sighed quietly to yourself, already wading towards where the kid was kicking to the surface.

<”Very good.”> You encouraged, allowing him to grab onto your arm whilst he flicked his braids out of his face. <”You stayed on for much longer that time.”> He hadn’t, but you’d learnt that the younger kids responded to encouragement better than criticism.

Otok grinned up at you, all big fangs in his too small mouth. You smiled back. <”Go on, call her back.”> He let go of you to call for his ilu, before you moved onto the next kid. 

That was when your eyes fell on it. Caught in the gentle current of a nearby swell. 

A single, pink shell.  

You felt your mouth unlatch at the sight of it. At how brightly pink it was. Where the ones in your childhood had been varying shades of pastel pink, this one was boldly, unapologetically pink. 

You were lunging for it before you could properly think. Your fingers greedily snatching up from the waves before bringing it up to eye level. It was as gorgeous as all the others had been. 

Overhead, twin ikran calls startled you and your students. Your head snapped skywards just in time to watch the two beasts pass overhead on their way to the village. 

Your brow furrowed at the sight. How strange. Only the forest clans were brave enough to tame the ikran, and no forest na’vi came this far out to sea, not since…

Your heart was in your throat as you watched the ikran circle. One a deep blue, the other a familiar light teal. You could not recognise the riders aboard from this distance, but there was no mistaking Lo’ak’s joyous whoop as he mount circled before smoothly landing on the same sandbank the Sully’s had all those years ago. 

Hope flared violently to life in your chest. Enough so that you almost abandoned your class without ending the lesson.

<”Class dismissed.”> You quickly barked, to the bewildered expressions of your students, whilst hastily shoving the shell into the pouch at your hip for safe keeping. <”I will see you all tomorrow.”> 

The kids glanced at one another before the older ones shrugged and began guiding their ilus in the direction of the ikran. Curious, the younger ones followed their lead. 

Your heart was pounding as you yipped for your tsurak who had been circling nearby, as he often did whilst you taught. He had barely slowed at your side before you were clambering on and urging him forward. With powerful beats of his tail, the great beast leapt from the waves, soaring over the heads of your students and continuing on. <”CHEATER!”> Some of them yelled at your back, to which you turned in the saddle and called them all a pack of sea slugs. Their laughter was quickly drowned out by the sounds of the gathering crowd.

Aonung was already greeting the visitors by the time your tsurak slowed in the water. Dressed in his Olo’eyktan attire, he clasped forearms with an older Lo’ak whilst Ronal waited off to the side. 

The younger Sully son had finally grown into his long limbs. WIth waist length braids pulled back into a neat ponytail and a gorgeous blue cummerbund wrapped around his torso, marking his entrance into adulthood. After an exchange of biting greetings, the pair parted, and Lo’ak stepped aside to greet Ronal, whilst Aonung turned his attention to Neteyam.

You sat high in the saddle, obscured by the crowd as your fated stepped forth to greet the new Olo’eyktan. Even with his back to you, you knew he was smiling. He was all broad back muscles now, and tall, almost taller than Aonung who rivalled Tonowari in height since his last growth spurt. You saw the power in him as he firmly clasped forearms with Aonung, his resulting laugh ringing out across the bay, causing something raw and homesick to awaken in your chest. 

You wanted to go to him. Your hand subconsciously fiddling with your worn courting gift still secured at your throat, but something held you back. Something like fear kept you crouched in the saddle upon your tsurak, hidden by the gathering crowd with the water lightly lapping at your toes.

Had you changed too much since he’d last seen you? Would he even recognise you? You’d grown into yourself, sure. You had several tattoos now, marks you were proud of. Marks that symbolised your victories, as well as your failures. Were they impressive enough? Would he be proud? Or would he recognise you and have to force himself to keep smiling?

A joyous screech startled you into looking back to the sandbar. Tsireya had broken through the crowd, her cheeks glistening with tears as she raced across the sand towards Lo’ak, who’s ears wiggled in excitement. His arms swept wide as Tsireya threw herself at him. The young man barely managed to stay on his feet as his arms grasped her thighs and her arms locked around his neck. They laughed together as they swayed, Tsireya only pulling back enough to pepper his brow with relieved kisses.

<”Come on!”> One of your students complained, suddenly appearing at your side with an impatient tug on your tail, startling your attention away from the pair. 

The rest of the class were close to catching up, whilst the older ones tried and failed to drag you towards the sandbar. The quiet ones went no closer than where your tsurak drifted, but you could tell from their curious glances that they were just waiting for your go ahead to show that the visitors were safe to approach. 

Inhaling a calming breath, you patted your tsurak and dismounted. The kids were quick to fall into step as you waded towards the sandbar. Someone grabbed onto the end of your tail as a younger Tsireya had whilst wandering the village, whilst another grabbed for your fingers, causing you to smile as they squeezed lightly. Your class remained close to your side until you set foot on dry sand, which prompted them to disburse in search of their parents and family members, leaving you to watch Neteyam from the safety of the crowd.

It hurts to see him after so many years. To have him standing so close but so out of reach. 

The bullet scar adorning his chest had faded with time. Blending in better with the rest of his complexion, but you knew where to look for it. A blatant reminder of the warnings you had failed to correctly interpret. 

A hand unexpectedly grabbed your forearm, dragging you out of your mind. Your gaze snapped down, finding Tsireya grinning back at you. Your eyes narrow as her grin turned into a mischievous smirk. Over her shoulder, you could see Lo’ak shaking his head, whereas Neteyam had his back to you, his head on a swivel as he scanned the crowd.

<”Don’t-”> 

She yanked you from the depths of the crowd before the threat could fall from your tongue. The People parted for you easily. Those you had grown up with, and remembered what had happened, gave you reassuring pats on the shoulders. Whereas a few shoved at you, yelling inaudibly about courage. 

You tripped and staggered your way to the front. Eyes wide in bewilderment as Tireya kept a firm grip on you. Her smirk turned into bright laughter as her grip alone kept you moving. Kept you from turning tail in shame and diving back into the sea.  

Then she let go, and retreated back to Lo’ak who welcomed her back with soft eyes and open arms.

Leaving you to stand alone in the middle of the sandbar, feeling stupidly exposed and small. Left to gawk at Neteyam like some lovesick fool. 

There was no false bravado to hide behind this time. No resting bitch face that could suppress the look of awe on your open features. No lesson to teach, in which to distract yourself or turn the attention off of you. 

There was just Neteyam. 

Gorgeous, kind Neteyam, who’s eyes had blown wide at the sight of you and your sudden appearance. Whose tail had pricked in interest. His ears fanned wide, and his hands half raised as if unsure whether he was allowed to reach for you. 

He still wore the necklace, you abruptly realised. It jumped and wiggled against his throat as he swallowed dryly. More worn and badly woven than you remembered, but undoubtedly there. Still there where he had put it all those years ago. 

Rolling his eyes, Lo’ak shoved at his brother’s shoulder.

Neteyam visibly collected himself and took a step forward. Then another.

His surprise melted away and it was as if the tension shattered. You caught a glimpse of that bright smile aimed your way and feeling finally returned to your legs.

Your tail was wagging, ears pricking comically as you took off at a dead sprint along the sandbar. The People cheered, your friends throwing in their own two cents as you kicked up sand. 

Neteyam laughed at your eagerness. Arms sweeping wide as you closed in. He started speaking, probably some cheesy line about not seeing you in years, but it was too late to slow down. In a painful clash of jewellery and bones, you knocked him straight off his feet.

He landed hard on his back, the wind getting punched out of him as his head hit the sand. You landed gracelessly on his chest, arms slamming into the sand on either side of his head. Neteyam stared up at you in awe, whilst your cheeks heated.

<”Told you I’d come back.”> He murmured, his hand rising to cup your cheeks, before he promptly dragged you down and onto him. Without warning, he was peppering kisses all over your face, against each of your glowing freckles, up the slope of your nose and then back down your temple. You wiggled and squirmed, everything else melting away as you basked in his attention, in the weight of him under you. 

You knew your ears were wiggling uncontrollably under his attention, that your tail was wagging and you were probably purring loudly enough for everyone to hear, but you couldn’t find it in you to give a shit. He was back. He had come back. Just like he promised. 

~ Fin ~

Previous Chapter <- Epilogue

#Neteyam x Reader #Neteyam lives #neteyam sully #Angst with happy ending #soulmates #and even more shells #up on Ao3 too #avatar #avatar the way of water #right person right time #right person plenty of time left #can't believe I forgot to post this here #hope you enjoyed