But What If || Neteyam x reader

A New Perspective

     "We are uncertain about anything, right now we are just happy you are up." I could hear my mother's words but as my gaze shifted over (Y/N) all I could do was watch in silence as she sat there quietly. I stayed there as Elder Ku'uu started his long treatment of my wounds, some of the material stung but most of it was actually cooling. The bandages were a nice compression too. My father came in when Edler Ku'uu was tending to my lower torso, he came and cradle my face. "Dad?" He was smiling and kept his hand on my head. "Why are you crying?" A tear was falling down his face slowly as he inched closer. "I'm just happy to see you, boy." My lips curved upward, letting my hand grab his. "I'm happy to see you too."

    When Elder Ku'uu finished my father hugged me, I couldn't remember the last time he'd given me a hug so I cherished it. After that, the rest of the day was filled with visits from Kiri, Lo'ak, Rotxo, Tsireya, Ao'nung, Tsahik Ronal, and Olo'eyktan Tonowari. And as much as it was nice to see them and get a hug and a long talk with Lo'ak it was still hard to do all of this and have (Y/N) right next to me, not moving at all except for her chest rising and falling. "Alright, alright, everybody out. It is time for bed, he needs his rest." Tsireya, Rotxo, and Ao'nung were the first ones to heed to Elder Ku'uu's orders. I could see why as they had told me Elder Ku'uu only allowed one person visit rights at a time. Even Tuk had to be alone when visiting just so that we could rest and wake up on our own time.

         "But he just woke up, can't we just stay a little longer." Lo'ak and I were given some one-on-one time earlier. It was a long talk, it took up most of the day as he had felt guilty he had put (Y/N) and myself into so much trouble. I had told him had this happened either in the past or if it had just happened to me I would've done what I'd always done. Not condoned him for his actions and kept covering for him, but this wasn't in the past and I wasn't the only one affected. "No, he must rest and you've had enough time with him today. You can see him again tomorrow." Though it wasn't just Lo'ak's fault and I had to let him know that, I took some accountability too, I caved when he asked to go save Spider and (Y/N) knew the risks too. I hadn't seen Spider all day though, my father said it was due to needing to sort some living placements for him.

     "But-" "No, out, go, shoo, go on." Elder Ku'uu basically shoved Lo'ak out of the room, Kiri as with Tuk rolling her eyes at the display but still walking Tuk out. "Bye, guys. Love you." Tuk and Kiri smiled as they left waving. "Good night Neteyam, we love you too." With that, they left with my father who was just outside ready to escort them away. My mother kneeled next to me and cradled my face again, "Have a good night's rest Neteyam." She kissed me on my forehead before leaving with Elder Ku'uu. "Good night Mother." The lights were blown out as they left leaving me with only the ocean's bioluminescent waves to bring me any light. I couldn't toss and turn due to my wounds but I could be left sleepless. For a while, I just looked up at the top of the Marui. Trying to think back to the last time I was awake which led to thinking about what might happen to my family next. There were so many things unresolved and up in the air I didn't know what I could help with.

       My head fell to the side to look at my betrothed. She was just lying there, not moving. I reached my hand out to her hoping maybe she would just grab my hand and wake up. But she didn't and instead, I had to wrap my hand around hers. Her hand was cold, her hands were normally cold. But right now they were colder than usual, almost like she was on death's door. I moved myself slightly to be able to wrap both my hands around hers, maybe I could help her keep her hands warm. I fell asleep like that and for every other night that followed. It took a while but I was allowed to roam around during the day, of course, I had to have someone with me as a crutch. It was hard to leave the room while she just stayed there sleeping. Most of my time was spent warming up her hands and sitting next to her.

     Every Time I was left alone with her I reminisced about our time together. I remembered how when I'd first met her I had my arrow nocked and ready to shoot. Though the second time I saw her it was more of a humorous scenario. She'd fallen out of her hammock and landed uncomfortably on the stone floor. I had to admit seeing her that out of it and being nervous made me more open to her. Although hearing her broken story was interesting. She had spilled everything and still looked untrustworthy. It was going to take more than that for me to accept her and so for the next week and a half I kept my guard up and watched what she did. For the most part, she stayed with my family, trailing them like she was some lost creature trying to find their way. When it came time to leave home my father had me move some of my gear onto Lo'ak's Ikran. He didn't ever tell me what for but I got to figure it out when she approach me checking my gear one last time.