But What If || Neteyam x reader

Mending Mourning

     "Here, let me help." There was a reflection of the flame coming from the corner of the Marui in his eyes. "Oh no, I couldn't let you do that." He looked back down trying to scrape away the items. "I really don't mind, Sir." He didn't say anything, he just continued to try and gather everything and put it away hastily. You did your best to figure out what items went where. You felt you had pretty good guesses considering the hut was very close to the structure of your own. You were putting away a leaf platter when you saw enough for a family tucked away. Your fingers lingered on the rest of them, your gaze settling back on the two hammocks and then to the male. Where was his wife? "I'm guessing you've taken notice of the extra supplies." You hadn't noticed the entrance of the Marui had closed. "The village has been asking for me to help and let others use their belongings." You watched as he put away the last of the items, he moved slowly towards you. "But..." There was a droplet that fell as he moved to one of the fallen hammocks. "I can't."

   He knelt down and crawled closer as his arm reached out. "I can't without knowing who will get what they had." He then moved his hand into a satchel. He kept his hand there. It laid still, "(Y/N), I have seen you and the Sullys." Taken aback by your name being said. You had almost forgotten he knew you were there. "And I've seen how similar you are to her, and yet still very much different." You understood where his wife was. She was with the great mother, Eywa. "I think you two would have been friends, you and my daughter." He looked up to you, his tears streaming down effortlessly. You knelt down with him, putting your hand on his shoulder. "She made this while awaiting for her sister to return." He pulled his hand out of the bag and revealed a dazzling piece of artwork. The piece of clothing glittered in the light of the flame. "Would you be so kind as to wear this to the celebration?" You could tell giving this to you was breaking him. He wasn't ready to let go yet, but how could you refuse now? "If it is what you want Ku'uu." He forced a smile. "Please." You gave a pitiful smile as you let him place the clothing in your hands.

    "Okay." You took the items with care, he was still crying but he seemed calmer than anything. "I will leave for a moment to give you some privacy." He gathered himself and lifted his body up. "Thank you Ku'uu." He smiled back at you, patting your head before he left. when the door closed to take a better look at the outfit. Letting the piece take in the light as it shined, you could tell Ku'uu's daughter had made the piece with excellent care. It reminded you more of Neteyam when you saw the details of it. Always so put together, shining brightly for everyone to see.

    You quickly got into the garments and liked how it felt. They covered more skin than usual na'vi clothes which was nice. They were definitely celebratory clothing too, glimmering from the pearl-like ornaments. You had to admit it was the best thing you had ever worn. "I am finished Ku'uu." He had been waiting patiently outside, and when he brushed the entrance cloth away he stood stunned. "You look lovely." You smiled walking over to him, his eyes were puffy from previously crying. "Thank you," You noticed he had a few bowls of paint in his hands. "Is that for me as well?" He looked down to the paint. "Yes, if you will let me." Putting your hand on his shoulder again you ushered him further into the home. "Of course."

    You let him adorn your face and arms with paint, when you looked into a reflective rock it was a simple design but nonetheless, it accented your face. "Do you like it?" "I do, thank you." He had been silent the whole time he had been painting, you could tell this was hard on him. "Would you like me to paint you as well?" For the first time in a while, he had on a small smile. "No, the celebration is about to begin." He started to put the paint away. "You should go, your friends will be wondering where you are." Realizing you hadn't told anyone where you were your eyes widened. But you didn't want to leave Ku'uu just yet. You crouched down and dipped your fingers in the last bowl of paint he hadn't put away yet. "I'll leave... but I would like to give you a little bit of paint before I go." His lip quivered up, he let his eyes close and his body relax as he spoke. "Okay, then paint." You smiled as he brought up his hand pointing to where he desired the paint to go. It was a quick job, you did only have one color. When he opened his eyes he didn't look anywhere but your eyes. The paint suited him nicely. You didn't feel you did too bad. "Thank you (Y/N)."

    "Anytime..." He chuckled as he stood up giving his hand to you. "Now, you should go, your friends are waiting!" He was acting the same way he had when you met. Full of that youthful energy. You giggled as he pressed you out the doorway. You wondered how old he really was. "Ku'uu..." He has successfully gotten you to exit his home and he was about to close the door as you had always remembered it. "May I come back to visit you?" He was visibly shaken, surprised you would want to come back. "To hear about them. I would love to know more about them." His face softened and broke out in a stunning smile. "You are welcome back anytime." With that you both stood smiling at the other, a silent goodbye was said as he closed the door. And as soon as he was gone you were eager for the next time you would meet, perhaps tomorrow?

   "(Y/N)?" Whipping your head back you saw a certain Metkayina boy. "Rotxo, hey!" You strutted over to him, proud of your appearance. Ku'uu had been so gracious, you weren't going to stay to teh side and not show it off. His daughter had worked to hard for you to not flaunt it off. "Where did you just come from?" You pointed over your shoulder to his Marui. "Ku'uu's." Rotxo looked over you to his now closed and secluded home. "Really?" You nodded and showed him your garments. "He gave me this, he told me it was his daughters." Rotxo looked gloomy but still had on a smile. You kept looking at Rotxo, waiting for him to say something else. Maybe he had known her. "Good,"You head tilted to the side confused. "He has been having a hard time moving on. I'm glad he is trying." You looked back, the home was one you passed often, always closed off. Now, it felt welcoming to you. You were allowed back at anytime.

   "Come, we don't want to be late for the celebration." Rotxo took your hand, he hadn't moved waiting for you to turn back to him. When you did you nodded and let him take the lead. "Alright, let us go." Ready for the festival you had a tight grip on Rotxo's hand. You could hear it before you could see it. Smell it too, you could smell a fire, then you could see the glow of it, shadows dancing around already too. Eclipse was almost here, you were told the festivities would begin then. "Wow," Everyone was in their best garments, adorned with bedazzled acessories like yourself, some where more done up than others. You began to notice this when there were a few Metkayina dress in more modestly than yourself. You were beginning to wonder where Ku'uu stood within the heirarchy. As Rotxo lead you further into the celebration he turned back to see you. analizing your garments. "Ku'uu is one of the younger elders, his daughter was a friend of Ronal's." Your lips pressed together nervously. What did he just say? A close friend of Ronal's? You were beginning to regret agreeing to wear the piece. "I'm sure she'll want to see you. If Ku'uu selected you to give her celebratoy wear to then she will be pleased." Rotxo didn't calm you down at all. "What if she kills me?" He laughed at you, but you were serious. Ronal was stunning but she was just as frightening. "She wont, she will be happy if anything. She has been trying to help elder Ku'uu move on." Feeling a little better by those words you let Rotxo keep leading you into the gorgeous chaos.