You had been ignoring the boy for two full days now. What started as a petty argument over something so trivial you could barely remember had spiraled into a silent war of stubbornness. Neteyam, predictably, had given you the silent treatment first. So, as any self-respecting partner would, you decided to up the ante, doubling down on the cold shoulder.
You knew he would break first—he wasn't the type to stay mad for long, and this was no different. You caught him lingering by your tent, clearly waiting for you to fold. You weren't mad at him anymore; that had passed long ago. But watching him grow frustrated at your indifference? That was too entertaining to give up.
You spent your time in your tent, organizing things you had no real need to touch, or hunting with Neytiri, anything to avoid the inevitable confrontation. The others noticed, too. Supper had become awkward - where you and Neteyam used to talk non-stop, teasing each other and laughing, now there was an uncomfortable silence, the air thick with tension. Everyone could feel it.
Then, one evening, as you were absently sorting through your things, you heard the familiar sound of someone entering your tent. Neteyam. You didn't even need to look up to know it was him. He always asked before he came in, but today, there was no question in his approach. His footsteps were too sure, his frustration palpable.
"Y/N," he called out, his voice thick with impatience.
You bit your tongue, doing your best to keep a straight face, and muttered a dismissive hum.
He sighed deeply, frustration evident. "I'm sorry, okay? I said it. Now can you please stop being so—" He huffed, clearly at his wit's end.
You rolled your eyes, continuing to arrange the items on your desk as if he wasn't standing right behind you, as if his words weren't enough to make you smile.
A beat of silence passed, and just when you thought he might give up, you felt him. A familiar warmth pressed against your back, and two strong arms wrapped around your waist, pulling you flush against his chest. Your breath caught in your throat, and despite your best efforts to remain indifferent, your heart rate spiked.
Neteyam's hands were warm and sure, resting lightly on your stomach as he tugged you closer, his body against yours like it belonged there. His breath was hot against your ear as he whispered, "You're so stubborn. Why are you making me beg?"
You fought the urge to smile, biting your lip as the rise and fall of your chest betrayed you.
"Stop ignoring me," he murmured, his voice low. His right hand slid down your back, sending a shiver down your spine, until it found the end of your braid. You froze, feeling his fingers curl around the strands of your queue, his touch gentle but insistent.
You hadn't bonded yet, wanting to save that for a more meaningful moment, but his touch was awakening something in you you weren't quite ready to acknowledge. Your queue responded almost involuntarily, the bioluminescent tendrils curling slightly as he tugged it closer to his lips.
Neteyam smiled- amused at the reaction- you felt it against your neck. His lips brushed lightly over your skin, just enough to make your pulse race. He knew exactly what he was doing.
"Feels good huh? " he whispered, a playful glint in his eyes as he lifted your braid to his lips, pressing a soft, teasing kiss to the delicate strands. The contact sent a shock of warmth through your entire body, your breath catching in your throat as you involuntarily leaned into him. The sensation was electric—his lips, so gentle, yet the connection sparking between you was undeniable, leaving you breathless and slightly dizzy.
You bit your lip to suppress a smile, forcing yourself to hold on to the little bit of composure you had left. But it wasn't easy. Your heart was thundering in your chest, racing uncontrollably, and your mind was clouded with every thought of him—the way his fingers were still lightly brushing your skin, the warmth radiating off him like a fire you couldn't escape.
When you finally met his eyes, you couldn't help but give in to the flicker of amusement tugging at your lips. He saw it. Of course, he did.
"You feel that?" he murmured, voice low and almost dangerously soft, as his hands began to roam again, fingertips grazing down your sides like a slow-burning trail of fire. The contact was light, but the heat from his touch seemed to sink straight into your skin, leaving a tingling warmth in its wake. As his hands moved lower, tracing the curves of your waist, his touch became more insistent, possessive.
His palms slid over the flat of your stomach, fingers brushing just under the edge of your ribs. Every movement of his hands seemed to set your pulse racing, your breath hitching as you fought to keep some sort of control over your own body.
"Y/N-" he groaned, the sound of your name dripping from his lips like honey, soft and pleading, almost like a child whining for attention. He let out a small, frustrated sigh. "You won't even look at me."
You could feel the heat from his body so close to yours, his chest rising and falling against your back as his fingertips continued to explore every inch of you. His hands tracing your sides with purpose, pulling you deeper into his space. You could feel the warmth from his breath on your neck, feel the way his lips hovered close, as if waiting for permission to touch again.
Without thinking, your shoulders tensed, and you tried to turn your face away, but his hand slid effortlessly down your arm to your wrist, capturing it in his grip. Slowly, his fingers moved upward, trailing the curve of your neck with the lightest touch. You couldn't hide your reaction—your skin prickled under his fingers, your breath catching again as he closed the distance, his lips grazing just under your ear, barely there, teasing.
"You're impossible to ignore," he murmured, voice thick with something darker now, his lips curling against your skin as he pulled you even closer. You could feel the heat radiating from him, almost like you were drowning in it.
His hands moved once more, sliding lower, lingering on your waist, his fingers digging slightly into your sides as if trying to pull you into him completely. The pressure, the heat—it was so overwhelming, so consuming, you could barely focus.
"Neteyam," you breathed, your voice barely a whisper, but the way his name left your lips only seemed to provoke him further.
"Look at me, Y/N," he demanded, voice rough with an edge of impatience now.
You couldn't help it. You let a small, playful smile break through. You were enjoying this—perhaps a little too much. But the way he was holding you, the way he seemed to devour every inch of your attention, it was hard to resist.
You plopped down onto the cot, meeting his gaze head-on, trying to act unaffected. He stood over you, arms crossed, visibly irritated by your lack of care. His eyes darkened slightly, that familiar smolder in them returning as he leaned over you, his face inches from yours.
"You're impossible," he muttered.
"Only because you make me this way," you shot back, your voice soft but teasing.
His gaze flickered over your face, his hands trail down below your stomach, fingers lightly pressing into your skin and you gasp. "I'll make you stop pretending soon enough." His lips ghosted over your ear, sending a wave of warmth straight through you. "Just wait. You won't be able to ignore me for much longer."
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chapter's a little boring ahem sorry but touchy neteyam>>
ALSO SHAMELESS SELF PROMO cause i usually dont talk ab my other works but I'm really excited for this story i'm working on
/myworks/339732121-the-forsaken
THE FORSAKEN ON MY ACCOUNT wld love if you gave it a shot, its a forbidden romance, enemies to lovers, inhuman x human ITS GOT ALL OF IT
anyway thanks bye mwah
