pathway., neteyam x reader

chapter three

Your eyes open, Tsireya leaned over to put her hands onto the chest and stomach of Lo'ak. Neteyam smiling, trying to cover up his laughs, he shook his head very subtly. Roxto wouldn't be left out of this. Kiri scoffed, rolling her eyes. She's mature, you realize you might not be as much as you thought since you almost wanted to do the same. It was quite obvious why Lo'ak was struggling to 'slow down his heartbeat.'

But, you couldn't get off track. You were their teacher also. You looked at Kiri, she was more focused on Rotxo's hand movements. Seemingly being more concentrated than Neteyam.

You did as Tsireya did. Leaning over and placing your hands on his chest and stomach. "You must not get distracted, breathe." You spoke quietly to him.

Conveniently, his snickering disappeared. He immediately sat straight, refusing to look down at you and your hands. He nodded. "Breathe." He repeated, doing slow inhales and exhales.

Rotxo continued fighting against his laugh. Kiri just closed her eyes and hoped it would be over with.

—

"Hello." You spoke into the marui of Neteyams family. Calling over the attention of everyone in it. "We begin dinner soon. I have gathered food for you." You pulled it in a net bag, made of elastic-like plants your clan had crafted for all kinds of fishing and collecting.

"You don't have to worry about us. We can learn to gather our own food. Right?" The father spoke. Everyone agrees in sync. You wondered if he preferred to be called 'Toruk Makto' or 'Jake.' Or if Neytiri too wanted to be referred to differently.

In any case, it was probably too informal for you to call them either. You called him sir and her ma'am. 

"I understand. I don't doubt you or families abilities," You began, "I am just looking out for you."

Neytiri looked at her husband. She smiled, then looked at you again. "You are kind, thank you."

"Just as before, there is no need to thank."

"We appreciate your hospitality." Jake nodded to you. You hoped they'd have some knowledge of how to cook and eat the new foods in the village. You assume their food back at their own clan is much different.

"Your children are doing well. Spending the day with them was very nice. We will continue tomorrow morning, please rest."

Your walk back to your marui felt long. Not that you minded, you watched all the children run past you and the adults carry their portions of dinner into the huts. As well as the ones sitting out and laughing together. The sun was setting, the luminescence of the water and what lies beneath it much more obvious now. You hoped the new family would see it and feel at ease just like you did.

—

"How are they? Are they doing good?" Tonowari, your father spoke. "They are learning, father. They are doing good." Tsireya replied. You nod, "They are also appreciative of the water, and our ways." You then added.

Ronal scoffed a bit, "Demon children. They must learn fast. They will be a disturbance to our people."

You didn't say anything, even though you felt like you should've. You knew your mother wouldn't like Neteyam's family saying such things about her children. But you couldn't speak up because you weren't one to cause scenes or trouble. And in a way, you could understand where she is coming from. No one has gotten near the sky people, they destroy and hurt everything, they harm the Great Mother.

But, you also wondered if all of the sky people were horrible. Evil and merciless. Neteyam's father had mentioned he was once one of the sky people, but he adapted.
So they can adapt.

After all, the family seemed nice and friendly. You hoped they wouldn't have to hear such words from your family. It would probably make them feel as if you are making a fool out of them— being so hospitable while you speak nonsense about them in your own time. Especially Neteyam. He has made you smile and laugh, even if it was just a little.

"Y/N?" Tsireya leaned into your shoulder, you forgot you were there. Too much thinking. "Yes, sister? I am sorry. I am thinking." You apologized, continuing your meal.

"Thinking? Of the new family?" Tsireya must've been doing that too since she guessed it too quickly.

"Yes. They are friendly, aren't they?" You turned your head to look at hers resting on your shoulder. "Lo'ak is friendly." You whispered to her, a little ring to it, and laughing quietly as she sat up quickly and nudged your shoulder.

"They all are. I assume you realized that already with Neteyam, sister. I see everything," She replied to your teasing remark. Leaving you with your eyebrows furrowed and a confused expression as you watched her giggle to herself.

"What is so funny? I want to laugh." Ao'nung interrupted.

"The new family, they are kind, they are funny."
"Yes, yes, funny looking—"

"Ao'nung! You shouldn't say such things. They are not from here." Tsireya protested, and you finally bursted out into small laughter. Your laughter angered your brother and he rolled his eyes at you.

You relaxed, "They are not funny looking, we must look different to them too." You said; maturely. To make up for laughing at your brother.
—

Dinner was over. You helped clean up your Marui, and as you did, you found the pile of decorative items you left from earlier.

You remembered the ones you wanted to go back for. Your curfew was close but you were fast. You could easily retrace where they were and still have time to begin your craft. It was better to do it by the water, farther off your marui.