??? ?????? ?? ? ????? | neteyam

･ﾟﾟ･｡ Dom and Kiri sat on the sand, dipping their toes in water. They had been sharing their favorite memories of Spider when Kiri's parents rushed past them.

"They don't look happy." Dom commented, watching them follow Lo'ak and Neteyam into the chief's hut.

"I wonder what happened." Kiri added. They kept their eyes on the hut for a few moments, waiting to see if anything would happen. Dom's eyes widened, seeing Jake drag Lo'ak out of the hut. Neytiri and Neteyam followed closely behind, the boy stopping to sit with Kiri and Dom.

"What happened?" Dom asked, resting her hand on top of Neteyam's.

"Lo'ak bonded with Payakan. They are spirit brothers now." He explained.

"The killer tulkun?" Kiri questioned. Neteyam nodded.

Dom turned her head to look at their hut, nervous for Lo'ak. "How much trouble is he in?"

"Probably a lot." Neteyam spoke, taking her small hand in his.

"I should go find Tuk. It's almost time for dinner." Kiri said, standing up. Spotting Tuk in the water with her friends, Kiri began walking away.

"How are you?" Dom asked, turning to face Neteyam.

He gently brought her bruised knuckles up to his lips, kissing them softly. "I am alright. How are you?"

"I'm good." She smiled, brushing a loose braid behind his ear. Neteyam smiled at her, gently rubbing his thumb over her knuckles.

"I'm sorry about this morning." He spoke, keeping eye contact.

"Neteyam it's okay. I forgave you awhile ago."

"I feel bad."

Dom smiled sadly at him, cupping his cheek. She rubbed her thumb along his cheekbone. Before she took her hand off his face, she gently brushed her fingers against his lips.

"Can I try something?" She asked. Neteyam nodded, looking down at their hands when she took hers back. He watched curiously as she took her mask off. Before he could panic and put it back on, she leaned closer and gently pecked his lips.

As Dom started to lean back, Neteyam leaned towards her and pressed his lips to hers again. He kissed her softly, as if she were glass. For Dom, she felt as though the world was spinning. She grasped onto his arms, mentally threatening to punch another rock if this was a dream. Neteyam hadn't expected her to kiss him in the first place, not that he was complaining. It was his dream come true.

He slowly pulled away, helping Dom put her mask back on.

"Hi." He whispered as she caught her breath.

"Hi." She smiled, a light pink dusting sketched onto her cheeks.

"I kind of want to try and talk my dad into letting us go back to the labs for a bit, just so I can do that more."

Dom's smile turned shy; she looked to the ground as she felt her face flush even more.

"Look at me." Neteyam spoke softly, putting his finger underneath her chin to tilt her face upwards. "I like looking at your pretty face."

"Stop." Dom groaned, her face growing more red. Neteyam laughed, wrapping his arms around her. Happily, she accepted the hug.

With him, Dom felt complete. He was the one for her, the one who brought out the best in her. Neteyam returned those feelings, knowing he wouldn't be happy with anyone else. He gently kissed the top of her head, hugging her a little tighter.

— ✧ —

That morning, many adults from the clan had left the village for a moment as the rain began to fall from the sky. Wanting to make herself useful, Dom stayed in the hut and cooked. She could've stayed inside all day, just listening to the pitter patter of the raindrops.

Shouting from outside was the only reason she left the hut.

Dom walked over to the docks, where the Sully's kept the saddles for their ilu. Lo'ak pushed Neteyam away from him, jumping into the water.

"Lo'ak!" Neteyam shouted.

"Neteyam? What's going on?" Dom asked as she got closer. He turned around and grabbed her hand as Tsireya, Ao'nung, and Rotxo rode their ilus over.

"Come on! He's going to Payakan!" Neteyam called for his ilu as the Metkayina natives began to freak out.

"What's going on?" Dom looked up to her love for an explaination.

"I have to go stop him. I need you to stay here where I know you're safe." Neteyam spoke gently, leaning down to press a quick kiss to her head before joining the others in the water. Dom stood on the docks, confused as she watched them all race after Lo'ak.

She stood still for a moment, unsure on what to do. One thing was clear though. Lo'ak was in danger and the others were trying to stop him. Turning on her heels, Dom ran off the docks and onto the bridge.

She ran back to the hut, disappointed to not find Jake or Neytiri there.

"Jake! Neytiri!" She shouted, running past the na'vi on the bridge.

"They are over there." One spoke, pointing over by the chief's hut.

"Thank you." Dom quickly replied, running towards them. "Jake! Neytiri!"

Their heads turned quickly at the sound of their names being called. Jake walked up to Dom, putting his hands on her shoulders as she took a deep breath.

"Lo'ak went to Payakan, I'm not sure why. The others followed him, Neteyam wanted me to stay here so he would know I would be safe." Dom spoke fast, breathing just as fast. Tonowari and Ronal peered out of their hut, overhearing Dom.

"Our children too?" Tonowari asked.

Dom nodded. "And Rotxo. I think Kiri and Tuk followed Neteyam."

Tonowari began shouting orders to his people, Jake and Neytiri leading Dom back to their hut. Neytiri grasped her bow as Jake searched for his gun.

"Stay here." Neytiri ordered Dom. She called for her ikran, which worried Dom even more.

"No. No she can't stay here. Quaritch is looking for her and me. If she stays back, she'll put all the children in danger."

Dom's blood ran cold at the mention of her father. He was here? What did that mean for Spider?

"What are we supposed to do with her then?" Neytiri hissed as her ikran landed on a fishing boat outside the hut. Jake gave her a look, but the female na'vi was quick to shake her head. "I will not."

"We can't put innocent children in danger. She'll be safe with you and all those kids and babies will be out of harm's reach." Jake reasoned, taking his wife's hand in his. Neytiri glanced over at Dom, shaking her head more. The human girl stood still as tears clouded her vision. She was terrified.

So much was happening and she had no idea what was going on.

"She's innocent. She loves everything here just as much as we do. You accepted me and now I need you to accept her."

"Fine." Neytiri spoke, turning to Dom. She grabbed her wrist, dragging her over to the ikran. Dom quickly climbed on, giving Neytiri room to sit in front. "Hold here." Neytiri pointed to a part of the saddle. Dom quickly did as she was told, not wanting to anger her anymore.