But What If || Neteyam x reader

Fervent Ardor

You didn't know, you had no recollection of dancing. Much less like that, you looked back as Faoare was scowling at you. "I-uh." You were so caught up in Faoare's frown that you couldn't find the words, why was she displeased? Wasn't your performance due to her great instructions? "(Y/N)?" You faintly heard your name but when you looked back to Rotxo he wasn't looking at you, you went back to look at Faoare but found Ao'nung in your way. "(Y/N!)" This time you clearly heard your name, turning around you saw the Sully kids. They had adornments of celebration and paint coloring their skin. "Hey, guys!" Tuk ran up to you first. "Is that really you!" You didn't know what she meant by that. "You look so pretty!" She stood in front of you reaching her hand out to one of the dangling lines of thread. It gleamed in the firelight, shimmering in a different place with every motion.

"Wow, isn't she pretty?" She looked back to her family who were closer now, Kiri was the next to hold a part of your ensemble. "Wow, (Y/N) this is marvelous." But, you weren't minding them, instead, you were looking at Neteyam who wasn't moving much closer. He was just looking at you with widened eyes. "You really do clean up nice (Y/N)." You were trying to see if maybe Neteyam thought you were pretty but nothing was coming out of his mouth. "I think you look lovely." Coming in front of you was Ao'nung, he hadn't said anything before. "Oh, thank you Ao'nung." He was also holding onto part of your clothing. "Your dancing was something else too," Your face moved, wondering if he meant that as a compliment or an insult. You would soon have your answer, regardless. "I would be honored if you would grace me with a partner dance." You thought everyone was shocked by the way Ao'nung spoke much less by what he was asking. His hand had let go of your garment and laid out in front of you ready for your hand. Sensing everyone's eyes on the two of you and feeling nonchalant about accepting you did so. "I'd be delighted."

You let him take your hand and lead you off, upon hearing Tuk's voice you gave a glance back. "I want to dance too!" She hastily turned to grab Neteyam's arm, pulling it to your path. "Come on!" Tuk successfully pulled her brother as she yelled. "You guys too, come on!" You saw Kiri and Rotxo give each other an awkward glance as Lo'ak ran off. Most likely to find Tsireya and ask her to dance. "Move your butts!" You felt Tuk push your back, her excitement was getting the best of her, reminding you she was still very much younger than you. "We're going, don't worry Tuk." You giggled at her antics, still letting her keep pushing you. "Ao'nung, do you even know what the next partner dance steps are?" Rotxo started catching up with the group, and Kiri didn't seem as enthralled as her siblings. "I know what partner dance is next! We'll just have to watch Faoare first." You weren't too keen on learning from Faoare again considering she didn't seem like your biggest fan. But, if she taught you as she had before you weren't going to argue. "Her?" Tuk pointed over to where Faorae was teaching the next dance, which was not yet a partner dance. "Yep, that's Faoare." Even though you got the feeling Faoare didn't like you she did dance beautifully you gave her that.

"Huh." Tuk sounded unimpressed which caused your face to contort as you whipped your head. "Tuk." Neteyam sounded stern. "Sorry." Tuk wasn't looking at Neteyam but it was clear from her face she knew she made a mistake. When you finished walking over you felt Tuk tugging on you, she then motioned her hand for you to come close. When you bent down she whispered in your ear. "I think your way prettier than she is." At first, you were flattered, but then you thought Tuk was better than that. "Come on Tuk, she is about to teach us to dance." Tuk's shoulders slumped. "And she is a good teacher, you will do well to listen to her." She sighed, looking over her shoulder to watch Faoare start to dance the steps she had been previously instructing. You wanted to be doing what she was... But better. She was incredible with her skill, definitely living up to being one of the best dancers. You wanted to dance too, something about watching her made you feel anxious to join. All you could do though was wait. Wait for her to teach you the next dance, everything fell into her hands.

When she began spinning you saw her smile, she must've been having fun. Your nose twitched, and you were confused as to why. Bringing your hand up to your face by your nose your eyes had drifted off of Faoare and to your right. Your nose twitched again seeing Neteyam's eye stuck ahead of him. You could guess where he was looking, your hands tightened reminding you Ao'nung still had hold of your hand. Sparing a glance back at him, you were reminded he was not Neteyam. He was who you really wanted to dance with but there was nothing you could do. So you just looked to the ground sighing. You stared the ground down until you heard the drums come to a close, ending that song. "Ready guys? Faoare should be ready to teach us now." Ao'nung pulled you closer as he started to set off.

Faorae caught sight of your group and quickly approached cheerfully. "Are you all here to learn the partner dance?" In unison, everyone but you replied with a yes. "Great, oh, Tsireya! Would you be willing to help me teach everyone?" Tsireya was drawing near with Lo'ak. "Sure, want me to be your partner?" Foarae shook her head and giggled lightly. "No, no there's no need, I shall pick someone from the group." As she looked over she didn't let her eyes wander from one person. Your nose twitched uncontrollably, she was only looking at Neteyam. "Neteyam, be my partner won't you?" She extended her hand out gracefully waiting for his. You clenched your jaw in an effort to stop your nose from twitching. "Sure." You had no right to be envious of the two dancing but a fire was rising in you. "What about me!" As Neteyam took Faoare's hand he had let go of Tuk's who had been the most eager to dance. "You can pair up with one of the boys your age, Tuk." The way she spoke upset you, there was nothing different in her tone than how she spoke to any other child so why? "Eew, no thanks." Tuk crossed her arms and turned to go sit and watch. "Then let us begin." Faoare dragged Neteyam away before he had any chance to comfort Tuk and you were pulled along by Ao'nung so you didn't get to either.

Faoare began showing the moves immediately, with every move that got her close to Neteyam you tried not looking hoping it would help. Your heart was about to burst just thinking of those two, it didn't help whenever Faoare let people adjust to the move and started talking just to Neteyam. Your nose was twitching rapidly, you were trying your best not to be jealous. So instead of watching them, you tried focusing on Lo'ak and Tsireya who were also teaching the dance. You were thanking Eywa that Ao'nung had been paying more heed to his sister and Lo'ak rather than your face. You adjusted your body with Ao'nung's to the next move, "Ow." Ao'nung and you had been stepping on each other's toes the entire time. "Sorry (Y/N)... again." You were starting to get used to it, as well as the moves. "You're fine." You chuckled under your breath, both of you trying to focus again on the dance.

When you had all finished learning the dance many songs had passed, it took much longer to learn this dance. Which meant Faoare spent that much more time with Neteyam. "I think we're ready." Trying to look away from the sight of Faoare giggling at something Neteyam said you began small chatter with Ao'nung. "Me too, that is if we can keep off of each other." It was a good distraction. "That might prove to be difficult." Both of your feet had been stepped on so much they were starting to turn a tint of purple. "You're telling me." You chuckled with him, everyone was waiting for the current song to end and then it was show time. "So tell me (Y/N), do you like it here?" Trying to think of living anywhere else was hard, you realized for there was no other place. You smiled sincerely, your body and soul peacefully in love with the land and sea. "I do, I love it here." As you looked over to him you realized he had been watching you stare at the fire and spirited people the entire time. "I can show you around more tomorrow with my spirit brother." You didn't have any plans, since your knife lessons and regular lessons had become more infrequent. "Okay, sound goo-"

The drums ended, horns blew and more people rose to dance. Certainly more than how many Foarae and Tsireya taught. They surged to circle around the fire. The enthusiasm from earlier in the day returned in the couples getting up to dance. Ao'nung took your hand gently leading you into the middle of the rush. You were beginning to feel how you did before. Your body becomes faster than your mind, as though there was a surge of exhilaration spreading through your body with every breath. The feeling became stronger the more air you took, it was igniting the sensation. It was feeding a fire, and when you looked to Faoare and Neteyam you were still upset but you figured if he wouldn't look at you before now you would make it so he had no other option. Turning back to Ao'nung you were ready to perform, not simply dance but to put on a show. Another breath lifted your shoulders, they weren't tense rather you were being filled with confidence so much your posture was changing. "(Y/N)?" You gave an arrogant grin. "Ready to put on a show?" You spoke in a low tone nearing closer to him. You saw his chest pick up before responding. "With you?" Both your eyes broke, his to the opposite side of the fire, where Faoare and Neteyam were, yours to the drummer who started to raise his arm to begin. It was now show time.