admiration | neteyam & lo'ak x oc

? twelve

he slowly nodded, his movements rigid from her closeness to him. talia felt bold and decided to play a little game. she held a finger up to his stomach, lightly pressing on the area. she started to softly drag her finger upwards against his skin, sending chills down his spine.

she leaned in and whispered, "do i make you nervous, lo'ak?" his eyes snapped to hers, almost daring her to continue. talia's finger crept its way around his collarbone and up his neck, stopping at his jawline. still not able to form words from his newly dirty thoughts, she stepped back with a grin.

"maybe neteyam can answer that for me." she turned around and left a speechless lo'ak in her wake. neteyam had watched the whole thing, very turned on by talia's fiery self-confidence.

talia did the same thing with the older brother, but in reverse. she whispered, "hi, teyam." before taking both hands and trailing her fingers slowly from his neck down to his waistline. she kept her touch light enough to leave a lingering touch, wanting to see the effect she had on them.

and so she did. neteyam flit his eyes and softly purred, much to the girls amusement. she hummed, "how about you? do i make you nervous?"

meeting her gaze again, he breathed out, "yes." hearing the answer she wanted, talia smirked once again. she kept her fingers along his waist, twirling them around his loin cloth strings. but after getting the reaction she so desired, the avatar girl pulled away her touch.

talia turned her back to both boys and walked out of the lake, going to dry herself off on the grass. she heard them hesitate before following her— most likely watching her leave from behind.

she had laid down with her knees up as she took in the sky full of stars. then, not longer after, each brother appeared on either side of her.

"hey, what was that all about?" neteyam couldn't help but ask. he laid on his side, arm under his head, and watched the girl as she stared upwards.

lo'ak listened intently for her answer, wondering the same thing. neither boy minded, they definitely liked what just occurred, but wanted answer or explanation.

without looking at either boy, talia replied, "do you ever lay back and watch the stars?" her question throwing them for a loop but answered anyway, "not really."

"that's a shame. they're beautiful." she spoke, a hint of a smile appeared. neteyam stared at her goddess-like features, knowing she would be more beautiful than any star lighting the sky. but he didn't know how to tell her that, or even if he could.

lo'ak decided to interject, "tal, what's going on?" his body lying next to hers, in a similar position to his brother. they were both more interested in the avatar girl rather than anything else, her presence demanded to be felt.

she sighed and closed her eyes, as if she looked like peace itself. "i never had anyone growing up. sure, the scientists and spider were around. but i never actually had anyone, to lean on or even trust. but most of all, i never had anyone to love. being here, i'm experiencing it all. including what it's like to have people like that.

what i'm trying to say is.. you both are my people. the ones i lean on, trust and- admire."

neteyam and lo'ak were listening to every word she said, taking it in as if it was the holy grail itself. but they realized she wasn't done talking yet.

she laid up and turned to face the boys, now seated before them. they also sat up so they were more attentive, their brows pinched together as they waited her words.

talia took a deep breath before continuing, "i really don't know any better way to say this.."

knowing where this speech was going and wanting to admit it first, lo'ak suddenly rushed to speak up, "i like you!" he semi-shouted, then froze after his confession. both talia and neteyam turned to him with widened eyes, surprised etched in them.

"you do?" she whispered back, hoping this wasn't some figment of her imagination. but lo'ak just blushed and sent a small nod, "i do. i have for awhile, if i'm being honest."

before talia could even muster a form of reply, neteyam spoke up, "i like you too, talia." he sent a strong smile, feeling encouraged after his brother.

lo'ak rolled his eyes, "you just had to steal the spotlight, bro?" making talia laugh at their never ending bickering. what was she putting herself into? but neteyam just grinned at both people before him.

talia's face of endearment turned to one of ambiguity. noticing immediately, neteyam asked, "what's wrong, pretty girl?"

a small smile appeared for a split second at the nickname before disappearing again. "what do we do now? i mean, i like both of you too.. so how is this going to work exactly?"

neteyam and lo'ak looked to each other, seemingly having the same thought. must be a brother thing. lo'ak was the first to move and grab her left hand, "we'll figure it out."

neteyam followed suit, his hand grabbing onto talia's. "he's right. we can take it day by day, no need to complicate things now."

talia squeezed each of their hands. smiling to the both of them. finally, she sent a grateful nod of agreement. "okay."

the girl felt like she was on cloud nine. her mind no longer running with a million thoughts. instead it only held one— well, two.

and she was damn happy.

✩