But What If || Neteyam x reader

Lights Swim

   You gave a smirk as you raised your brow at him, it was quite possibly the first time you had ever smiled at him. "I think you are, catfish." He looked confused at your words, you figured they had no idea what a catfish even was. "What did you cal-" "So how 'bout that swim?"  Neteyam forged his way in between you and Ao'nung as he lifted himself off the tree behind him. Neteyam had looked at you and then to the rest of the group, trying to get them off their feet. "Yes! Come one, come on!" Successfully he got Tuk to rise and encourage his suggestion. Tuk quickly grabbed your arm pulling you up with her. You looked at Neteyam with that smirk still on your face. "Don't pull her arm off Tuk." Rotxo was standing now as well and gave a chuckle, Tuk's arm pulls were a constant for you ever since she had gotten comfortable. "She's fine," Ao'nung had moved from his spot and walked outside the group's circle. "If Tuk could've pulled (Y/N)'s arm off she would have done so already." Kiri was the last to rise from her spot.

    "You guys can head off, I'll be leaving." Ao'nung had made his way behind you as you had to turn to see him start to leave. "Oh, bye brother." Tsireya gave a small wave as she looked at her brother, "Wait where are you going? You can stay, we aren't going to your mom for a while." You looked between Rotxo and Ao'nung waiting for his response. "No, I'm going to go hang out with my other friends." Your nose twitches upon hearing about the other Metkayina boys you would gladly get into another fistfight with again. Especially the boy who resembled Rotxo, he you wouldn't mind punching in the face again. "Alright, but feel free to join us if you get bored." Ao'nung started to turn when you mumbled under your breath thinking you were out of earshot. "Or if he and his friends want to get their asses handed to them.... Again." Kiri gave you a light hit on the arm as you giggled. "I wouldn't be talking much as you still have a few bruises (Y/N)." Your cheeky grin was matched with Kiri's as she took a stab at you.

    "Come on, let's set off," Tsireya called for Ilu's as she led the group away from their current standing. You followed in suit, letting Tuk keep a hold of your arm. She let her hand release for a moment only to take your hand instead. "Want to ride with me Tuk?" She looked up and smiled at you. "Can I?" You gave her hand a squeeze. "Of course.'

    You all had spent the morning swimming with everyone, Tuk behind you. She had her regular star-struck face on the entire time, the ocean was full of new things, everything to stare at, and always something new to try. One of those newer things was passing Tuk onto Tsireya's Ilu under the water. It was one of the smoothest experiences you had ever tried, you let your Ilu swim alongside Tsireya's as you swam above and upside down. You had ahold of Tuk as you went above Tsireya, you had your hands on Tuk the entire time until Tsireya had a tight hold on her and she sat down. Tuk just couldn't stop smiling as you turned back upwards and swam off, circling around the coral.

   The water gave the fish in the sea a glare that would occasionally hit your eyes causing you to bring up your hand to block the light, that was when you noticed the rays of sunlight twinkling under the water. You watched as the ray you focused on disappeared and a new five came to life like they were dancing. Trying not to get caught by something, but they did, they caught your gaze. And so did he as he swam right where you were looking. Your eyes shifted at him looking as he had a wide smile on his face, he was looking at you like always. Yet, he looked so different, with those beams gleaming on his skin and his face. They gave him a glow like he was blessed in the sunlight, it loved to kiss him.

    As his head moved to signal you to follow him the beams kept twinkling along his face, you could feel your wandering eyes becoming steady on him as you observed. As soon as you gave way he picked up his pace, swimming behind the nearest coral around. If you could giggle at his antics you would've done so. As you went after him and turned where he had you couldn't find any trace of him. No bubbles left from his Ilu, no sky blue skin, nothing. You kept looking around trying to see if he had hidden or swam even further but still didn't find what you were looking for. Your ears turned back slightly as you kept searching, he was just there, where had he gone?

    You felt a hand in your hair, you quickly turned to see Neteyam admiring your free curls floating in the water. You looked up at him, the sun still giving him a glow that outlined his body ever so enticingly. Drawing you closer, and yet you wouldn't dare to move, moving would disturb the beautiful moment as his eyes moved to yours. And smiling that wide stricken grin as always, one that mirrored your own. You kept your eyes on him as he started signing to you. Neteyam as always had picked up what was taught to him fast, 'I think the others are going up for air.' His three-fingered hands moved slightly slower in the water. You just watched as he looked at you with a brow marking raised causing those wrinkles to form on his forehead. 'We should head up too.'

   Pulling yourself out of looking at him, blinking a couple of times. After gaining your focus back you nodded, turning back up to look at the surface. Making your way up, Neteyam's Ilu circled around yours. You smiled again trying to do the same before you broke the surface. "Nice try," You gave him a look of determination, you would catch him when you went back under. "You'll have to be faster than that." You rolled your eyes, trying to look for the others as well. Only to see you were the only two up for air. "Neteyam," You wanted to apologize since the morning but weren't given the chance to be alone with him, until now. "Yes?"

   "I'm sorry, I spoke with you too harshly last night." Neteyam looked confused as a part of his mouth lifted. "Don't try and say it's okay or it doesn't matter." You turned your head away from him as you talked. "I may have turned around but I still saw your face and I am sorry." You stared at the surface water, the ripples being caused by only the two of you. His ripples seemed to be getting more frequent, intriguingly you looked over to see him much closer than before. "Thanks." He gave no smile but a soft look in your direction. You nodded as the water was heard breaking. A sharp gasp followed suit. You looked to see Tsireya and Tuk breathing for air. "Oh,"

    Tsireya took notice of you. "You two are already up, good." Your face moved as you looked at her with interest. "I was just telling Tuk about how we should go ask my mother to see the spirit tree." You tilted your head back in understanding now. "Ah, then are we just waiting for Kiri and Rotxo then?" She smiled as Tuk moved behind her to stand up, grabbing both her shoulders to lift herself up. Again you heard the water splash about, speaking of Rotxo and Kiri, there they were. How convenient.