But What If || Neteyam x reader

Shot Descendant

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Ku'uu and you had stayed that way for some time, him letting out tears that had been tearing him apart and you there to give him support and hear his cries. Now he was calmer and tired. "I'm sorry (Y/N)." While you had taken his drink away earlier he'd already had enough to induce a tipsy walk. "You are fine Ku'uu," You were helping him over to his hammock as it had gotten late and he was ready for bed. You made your way over with a few wobbles, when you did get him properly in bed his eyes were already listening to his body. "Thank you (Y/N)." His voice was hoarse and restful, his body slumped into the hammock peacefully. "You're welcome Ku'uu." You spoke softly, blowing out the only lit candle as the other two had gone out on their own. You left the Marui and closed the entrance tightly and set off to the campfire.

You could see the light and it led the way. When you arrived it was different than yesterday, instead of dancing and people spread far and thin it looked more like communal meals. Everyone was gathered close and sharing stories and laughter. "(Y/N)!" You looked to your right to see familiar faces gathered close, you smiled and approached. "Hey guys," Your eyes noticed Neteyam first, sitting with his back away from you first but quickly facing back upon hearing your voice. "Damn, what took so long?" Kiri was the one to bombard with questions with the others quickly following. "Yeah, where were you?" You noticed the Sully kids were also with the Metkayina trio. "Do you even know anyone else here?" Rotxo chuckled at Ao'nung's jab. "Chill out, I was just with elder Ku'uu." You sat your butt next to Neteyam who was staring at you affectionately.

"When did you become buddy, buddy with Elder Ku'uu?" You just smiled nonchalantly and answered. "Yesterday." Tuk moved from her spot next to Kiri and brought you a plate of food. "Here (Y/N), Ao'nung and Tsireya caught enough for extras." You gladly took the plate, after waking up late and not eating you were hungry. "Thanks, Tuk, and you two, thank you." Tsireya smiled brightly. "You're welcome," You started to eat and the flavor tasted familiar, but not in the best way. It was good but the feeling of it came with an emotion of petty sadness. "Yes (Y/N), we are eating your favorite tonight." Had it come from Neteyam you wouldn't have worried but no, it came from Lo'ak who you still needed to get back at. "You had to tell her Lo'ak?" Kiri questioned him and you took a second look at the fish. "What? She was going to figure it out, did you see her face?" You looked at its skin and regret hit, nothing too serious but it indeed was your favorite fish. Not to eat, however, but your favorite to look at, it was that pretty purple fish you loved.

"Awe," Neteyam gave a pitiful laugh next to you. You loved that damn laugh, if you had been standing you would've melted down. "What's so bad about it?" Rotxo was confused and you were so hungry that you decided to suck it up and eat the damn fish. "It's her favorite fish, just not to eat." Tsireya started to laugh at the ridiculousness of it. "Honestly, me too (Y/N), just with a different fish." You lightly giggled at Rotxo's sympathizing words. "Oh no, you were way worse than she is." Ao'nung smacked rotxo on the arm and had a wide grin. "No, I wasn't." Ao'nung scoffed at him and turned to the rest of the group. "When we were little Rotxo used to throw these big fits if we were eating his favorite fish." Tsireya looked like she remembered something and threw her hand out to her mouth to stop smiling.

"Oh yeah, well what about you and messing with your mom's medicine?" And Rotxo was not holding back. "Which made quite a few members of our clan sick for weeks." You could hear Tsireya's stifled laugh and you were chuckling seeing Ao'nung try and defend himself. "It was an accident and they are just fine." Kiri and Tuk were laughing too, Tuk wasn't holding back her laughing as much as everyone else. "I'm glad you aren't Tsahik." Ao'nung looked to Lo'ak annoyed and scoffed again. "Oh please, I'm sure you've done worse than anything I've done." Kiri looked ready for this one. "Oh, you don't even know what you're getting into Ao'nung." You were laughing in fits as Kiri went on to explain how Lo'ak had set a toy on fire and almost set their home ablaze with it.

You were enjoying your time and the warmth from Neteyam's closeness. You didn't know how you'd both gotten closer but his family knew and they were cool with it, a few more ecstatic than chill. You liked being next to him and when you finished eating two helpings your hand was taken by his. It was a nonchalant hold and yet it was still very intimate as you both couldn't stop catching glances from the other for the rest of the night. It was like a little game to the both of you. Seeing how long one could stare endlessly into the other without being caught.

"Okay, lovebirds I'm getting sick now and it's time to go home." It was late, not as late as you had been out yesterday but still late. "Right, did Neytiri give us a curfew?" Kiri shook her head and pointed behind her. "No, they are just signally it's time for bed, mostly for Tuk though." Tuk was holding her hand and rubbing one eye cutely. "Hey, I'm not that tired." She yawned after and everyone chuckled. "Well, I think you are and Mom and Dad are calling bedtime so bed we go." Kiri lightly Tugged at Tuk's arm and like a zombie Tuk followed. She was definitely feeling the effects of staying up late two nights in a row. "We should go too, we want to be well rested for gathering tomorrow." Lo'ak groaned at his brother's remark.

"Come on, Lo'ak." Neteyam still had your hand as his brother rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I'll be right there." It was obvious he was stalling to say good night to Tsireya, you chuckled under your breath as she looked hopeful he would say goodnight to her. "I'll see you guys tomorrow then?" You looked back to Roxto and Ao'nung. "Yeah, we'll be there, don't worry." Rotxo grinned and said goodbye. "Great, see ya," Ao'nung stayed, however, and looked confused. "You good Ao'nung?" Neteyam's broad shoulders were blocking most of your view so you had to step forward to see him. "Hm? Oh yeah fine, I'm wondering about something though." You knew you guys had been obvious during dinner, you weren't really one for Pda but it was more of a flirtatious game than anything. "Are you guys courting?"

"Yeah," Neteyam held your hand tighter and his shoulder was in your way again. "We are." You couldn't see Ao'nung past your betrothed but you could hear him. "Oh, well congrats." You hadn't given Ao'nung any thoughts in any romantic sense but Kiri and others had. You hadn't noticed until now when you heard a disappointed tone come from Ao'nung, did he like you? "And I'll see you guys tomorrow." As he left you sighed, letting whatever that interaction was go.

Once back at home and everyone was asleep you thought back on the night, staying put in your hammock for once. You let out a slight chuckle as you recalled the moment Ao'nung and Lo'ak were fooling around and Lo'ak got his tail a little too close to the fire. It hadn't been set on fire but rather he'd gotten singed. It was funnier seeing how Lo'ak Immediately went for the closest container of water and dunked his tail in it. Which sadly had been your cup, needless to say, you didn't drink out of the cup for the rest of the night. You kept thinking back further and when you remembered your time with Elder Ku'uu you decided to reflect on his story.

Whilst you had been listening, you'd also been paying more attention to Ku'uu and his emotions than what exactly happened. As you reflected on the tale you looked over to Neteyam sleeping peacefully. She had a mate who was forever alone now, all from what you pinpointed down as a bullet wound. Your mind let a thought run across, what would happen if he died? You shuddered and dreaded just the thought of it. You turned over in your hammock thinking about how if the time came you would do anything for him. Even if it meant taking a bullet to the heart.