~~~Superstes~~~UNDERGOING MAJOR EDITING

The unlikely adventures of

"Really, Neteyam, thank you." She nodded solemnly at him. "Your friendship means the world to me." 

If it was anybody else, she would have dismissed the faded purple haze that flushed across Neteyam's cheeks, but in this case her heart swelled even more at receiving such a reaction from the teenage warrior. She shifted nervously on her feet as Neteyam smiled ear-to-ear and his ears perked forward happy as could be. He nodded back, stepping closer. "As it does to me as well, Sephora." 

Inhaling slowly, they both understood the signals and pressed their foreheads together, just taking each other in under the shade from the nearby mangrove branches. Maybe it would have been a kiss, and the term friendship would've disintegrated, but for now this was enough for Feya. Besides, there were too many people around for a real kiss. 

Then, Lo'ak bounded up to where they stood and interrupted the whole thing. He waved his hands in excitement, "Hey, let's play a game! What're you—"

Lo'ak froze and his waving hands fell down at his sides, his energetic expression slowly transforming into a knowing, sneaky look. He let out a childish cackle and crossed his arms, "Well, well, well. What's going on here?" 

Neteyam pulled his head back with an exasperated huff of annoyance and close his eyes briefly, before he opened them and stared directly at his younger brother. "I will go tell Tsireya about your big fat crush on her if you say another word. Go away, skxawng!" 

Neteyam glared at Lo'ak for a really long time, but the fourteen-year-old just remained in place and kept on snickering. He didn't seem worried at all that Neteyam had threatened to expose his liking for the infamous reef princess, so Feya suspected the two had already shared some romantic moment together and their feelings were mutual. Fey'atsi herself wasn't embarrassed that Lo'ak had caught them—he wasn't really someone she would be embarrassed by, considering she thought of him as a funny, loyal friend. She just smiled and waited for something to happen. 

"Go away!" Neteyam repeated, a little louder, but this time he was grinning a bit. 

"I asked if you guys wanted to play a game!" Lo'ak casted them an expectant look as if he didn't care what they were doing. He just wanted to have some fun, and when did he not? 

Fey'atsi nodded eagerly at the opportunity to play a game, considering it circled back to her thoughts from earlier. Plus, she assumed they would be playing a more human game—which excited her, because she did enjoy the games that the Sully children loved so much, even if they were rough and challenging. She adored the thrill of a difficult game, and although she wouldn't say this out loud, she liked winning. Besides, the traditional Omaticayan games were hard too—it all just depended on your skill level and determination. 

However, when she looked back to Neteyam, he only shook his head dismissively and took a step back. "I'm going to go inside, but you guys can go." He smiled softly, clearly not wanting to raise any suspicions. But no matter how calm and normal he acted, Lo'ak and Feya instantly glanced at each other. 

"You good, bro?" Lo'ak asked, now caring and attentive instead of teasing and joking. 

Neteyam nodded, "Yeah," before he gave a little kiss on Feya's forehead and sauntered into the entrance of the marui, his frame still visible from the outside where she and Lo'ak remained standing. They watched him clean up some dishes from last's night's family dinner, his demeanor quiet and focused. 

The idea that Neteyam might be in some sort of pain popped into Fey'atsi's brain and she chewed on the inside of her cheek. If his injuries were bothering him, it wasn't a surprise he didn't want to play a game that would increase his discomfort more. In some stupid part of her mind she hoped that he wasn't hurting because of his crusade with Viper—but she knew that was probably the biggest reason.