Chapter 2: A Kiss Long-Awaited

Author's Note:
Kia ora folks! I am posting this chapter earlier than intended because I just couldn't wait for you all to finally see Neteyam and Naia interact. :) It may mean a slightly longer wait until Chapter 3, but I hope this is worth it. Enjoy!

I also could not wait to share about the amazing work of an artist I stumbled upon who does renders/digital art. Cinetrix on tumblr is the artist's name and they have done the most amazing renders of an adult Neteyam that I have ever seen! They look so real and they are absolutely how I imagine Neteyam as an adult!

Head to the artist's tumblr gallery to check them out: cinetrix/717326690875998208/adult-neteyam-gallery

Imagine that this is the Neteyam that returned to the Omatikaya clan. Be still my heart, and Naia's heart too! 3

As recognition dawned upon Naia at the intruder's identity, her fright quickly turned to annoyance at being startled out of her slumber. The delicate points of her ears, which had sprung upright in momentary surprise at Neteyam's presence, flattened again and she hissed, "You skxawng! Why would you sneak up on me like that? That's such a kurkung (asshole) move!"

Neteyam chuckled at her gutsy and impertinent reaction, "Still feisty, I see. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."

Straightening to full height now that she perceived she was in no danger, Naia's eyes ran over his form again. Shit, he had gotten big...

Neteyam had always been lean, even in his younger years, due to his natural athleticism and active lifestyle. However, the breadth of his chest and the strapping strength in his arms was a change and it triggered an involuntary flutter of feminine appreciation in her stomach. He was taller than she remembered too.

Neteyam cleared his throat quietly and Naia's eyes shot upward to his face. The youthful softness it had once possessed was gone now, his cheekbones high and his jawline more angular. A roguish smirk was playing across his features and Naia caught herself then, realising she had been staring.

"Are you going to put the pointy thing away?" Neteyam teased lightly, grinning widely when he saw Naia sheepishly re-sheathe the small dagger she was holding in its case at her hip.

He had noticed her staring, but Neteyam would be a hypocrite if he did not admit to doing the same. Naia looked very different. Her facial features were familiar, but her hair was longer now, braided neatly down to her shoulders and the rest of her had certainly filled out nicely. He made a conscious effort to check himself and ensure his gaze did not linger for more than a moment on the pleasing curves of her breasts and hips.

Now that the flare of her annoyance had died down, Naia found herself rather tongue-tied in Neteyam's presence. Eywa, she did not know what to say or do…

"You didn't come with the others to say hi earlier," Neteyam broached quietly.

Naia swallowed and her eyes met his again, "Sorry, I was busy with Entu. How'd you know I'd be here?"

Neteyam shook his head and shrugged casually, "I didn't actually. I just wanted to stretch my legs after flying for almost two days before going to bed. I wasn't really going anywhere in particular and I guess my feet naturally started retracing old paths."

Naia gave a barely audible gasp. He remembered this was their spot… Did he remember the bond they shared all those years ago too?

"Did I give you that much of a fright? You're very quiet." Neteyam's voice was sincere and gentle concern coloured his features.

The beads in Naia's hair rattled mildly as she gave a soft shake of her head. She gave an awkward laugh and apologised, "You did give me a scare, but it's alright. Sorry, I don't mean to be rude. I just-" Naia paused mid-sentence then, thinking of what she wanted to say and how to phrase it, "I just can't quite believe you're here. It's been so long. I don't really know what to say."

He grinned toothily at her, the pointed tips of his canines peeking out from behind his upper lip, "Smart-mouthed Naia, lost for words huh? That's unlike you. You called me a moron and an asshole only a few moments ago." Neteyam took a few steps towards her then, closing the distance between them, "How about a nice greeting?"

Naia's heartbeat sped up at his approach and the flutters erupted again in her tummy. A greeting? Her mind spun with what she should do. Should she shake his hand or-?

Thankfully Neteyam solved her dilemma for her. She saw him hold his arms out slightly from his sides, palms open in an unspoken request for a hug. Oh.

Self-conscious nerves fizzled through her and her limbs felt slightly numb. Her legs instinctively carried her forward nonetheless and she slotted herself against him, winding her arms around his slender waist. Neteyam's arms enveloped her smaller frame and Naia rose onto the balls of her feet so she could rest her chin over his shoulder.

Naia need not have awkward tension within her disappeared the moment her body met his and she melted into his embrace.

It was as if their skin remembered, their muscles and flesh moulding to each other like it was the most natural thing in the world. Neteyam's skin was a blissfully warm contrast to the chill of the night air and Naia turned her head inward to tuck her cheek against the flat of his collarbone where it met his shoulder, her nose skimming the skin of his neck. His scent was familiar and her eyes slid shut to the gentle thud of his heartbeat.

Something clicked into place in the depths of Neteyam's being and his heart whispered "home". The years he had spent through the Long War in the reefs of Awa'atlu suddenly felt like a distant memory and the recollections of his past in the forest, and with Naia, came flooding back to him. Like the rest of his family, he had been forced to adapt to life at sea and he had done so successfully, eventually becoming Metkayina. However, the voices of his Omatikaya ancestors had never stopped calling to his soul, nor had the sound of Naia's voice.

Holding Naia against him, he dipped his head to murmur by the pointed shell of her ear, "Oel ngati kameie, Naia. I'm happy to see you."

Naia's heart soared with joy and she could not suppress the wide smile that stretched across her lips. Still feeling somewhat shy, she uttered her own greeting into the crook of his neck, "I see you, Neteyam. I've missed you."

"I've missed you too."

The motion against her was soft, but the gentle press of Neteyam's lips against the crown of her head was unmistakeable for what it was. The buzzing flurry in Naia's stomach spread upward to her chest as her many emotions frolicked within her. He had not forgotten her. He was here… he was home now.

However, the part of Naia that looked after her self-preservation cautioned her not to get ahead of herself. Neteyam may have missed her, but it did not mean he felt the same depth of affection towards her that she did for him.

"You've shrunk. You're shorter than I remember." Neteyam joked.

With a huff of laughter, Naia stepped back a little to face him, "No I haven't! I'm taller than I used to be actually. You've just grown more exponentially than I have, both upward and outward." She unwound her arms from around him and planted her hands on his biceps, giving them an experimental squeeze, "By Eywa, what did they have you doing out there? Throwing massive chunks of coral reef around?"

Neteyam snorted, joining her in laughter, "No, but regular swimming against strong ocean currents will do this to you."

"Are you back for good?" Naia queried, keeping her tone carefully measured even though her heart was bursting at the seams with hope.

"Yeah, I am. The forest has always been my home." Neteyam breathed in response. He walked further into the grotto and cast his eyes around the space. It appeared exactly as he remembered it. He spotted the nest of blankets in the corner and the purple fabric of what looked like his old flying shawl. He smiled to himself before his gaze purposefully sought Naia's out again, "My heart has always been here."

Eclipse was coming to an end and the mellow light of morning was beginning to brighten Neteyam's surroundings. He skulked silently through the various cloth pavilions and tents of High Camp, making for the shelter of his own family's newfound lodging in the distance. Naia's family shelter was on the opposite end of the camp and they had parted ways at the grotto with the joyful relief of a 'see you later' rather than a 'goodbye'.

He and Naia had stayed up for a good portion of the night talking and filling each other in on the long years that had passed in-between. The comfortable amity they had shared in the past had returned with ease and they had fallen into their old ways of teasing and joking as if he had never left. It was just like old times; well, mostly.

Neteyam felt blood heat his face in mild embarrassment and he smiled wryly to himself. Perhaps the only difference were the moments of light tension that charged between them when they realised there were certain old habits they used to do that were different now, because of the resulting sensuality that came with being grown. Curling against each other to sleep was one such example.

Nevertheless, they had fallen asleep at some point, not quite touching but still lying alongside each other amongst the blankets. Neteyam had awoken later to a diffident smile from Naia as she had risen to stretch her limbs.

Reaching the cloth flap of his family's shelter, he carefully curled the fingers of one hand around an edge and parted it slowly. It was mostly dark still in the first section that expanded out from the entryway and he stepped inside as quietly as he could. To be fair, Neteyam did not know why he was sneaking in like a teenager not wanting to be found wandering after hours. He was an adult now; he could do as he pleased with his nights.

Rounding the corner of another section of the shelter, he was met with firelight and the perceptive eyes of his parents. It should not have surprised him. They were both early risers. Murmuring a muted greeting, Neteyam sat to join them as they partook in an early breakfast of savoury rolls.

"How's Manaia?" Neytiri asked coolly, her eyes never leaving her food as she gingerly peeled the leaf-wrapping back to take another bite, although a knowing smile was dancing on her lips.

Busted.

Neteyam did not feel too mortified, thankfully. His parents were aware after all of how he felt for Naia. He had missed her horribly for many, many moons when they had first moved to Awa'atlu. He had been reclusive and uncharacteristically short-tempered with his siblings, and it was not until the start of the Long War that he became distracted enough by the calamity of war to take his mind off her.

"Naia's good. She's not tsakarem anymore."

"Yes, your grandmother informed us. Apparently she refused to be betrothed to Tupou." Jake piped up.

Neytiri was very amused by the sentiment and she cackled softly, "Not surprising. If she is still as vivacious as I remember her to be, then a partnership between those two would be like adding oil to a bonfire in all the wrong ways. Leylani is a much better fit, she'll keep Tupou's arrogance in check without riling him."

Jake eyed Neteyam from across the small fire in the hearth. The revelation was a small win. It would certainly complicate matters for his son if Naia was affianced to another. Feeling meddlesome, he posed his question, "So, are you going to give Manaia your soul-gift?"

Neytiri spluttered at the indelicacy of the intimate question, chastising her mate, "Jake! You do not ask about such matters, even to family!"

"Hey, you started this conversation!" Jake retorted with a snicker, gently batting Neytiri's hands away as she reached out to try and twist one of his ears, "Besides, he was with her all night."

"Talking, Dad. We were just catching up." Neteyam smirked and shook his head, chuckling at his parents' playful antics. His father's question was indeed very personal, but he knew his father meant it rhetorically and was only stirring the pot to annoy his mother.

Neteyam thought of the elaborate necklet and pendant that lay tucked in its little pouch with the rest of his belongings. The Metkayina had a tradition where every individual would craft a gift for their intended mate; a soul-gift. It was intended as a proposal of sorts and a promise of the eternal bond they would share in Eywa. A soul-gift could be anything; a weapon, an article of clothing; an ornament; but it was often an intricate piece of hand-crafted jewellery.

An image of the necklet adorning Naia's neck with its twisting pendant nestled atop her breasts came to Neteyam, and it caused a wave of heat to bloom in his chest as well as elsewhere. His heart had rejoiced at being reunited with her last night and she certainly seemed as elated by his return. There was definitely physical attraction between them, but did her heart call to his like his did to hers?

Neteyam was sure Naia had loved him once, a long time ago. The memory of her kiss had besieged him ever since. It had taken him by surprise on their last night together before his departure, and the thought of leaving her love behind had been too painful for him to acknowledge it. Afterward, he wished he had kissed her back.

"Tarsem has not rostered us on any duties for the next few days to give us time to rest and acclimatise again." Jake's voice brought Neteyam back to the present, "I imagine it'll be the hunters and warriors that you want to re-join?"

Swallowing the last piece of his savoury roll, Neteyam nodded firmly, "Yes, definitely."

"I'll see to it that Tarsem is aware of that. He wants me back on the elders' council and there is a meeting at the week's end. Apparently he has much to discuss with me."

Neytiri raised a questioning brow, "Already? You just returned and the people are at peace now. I can't imagine what would be so pressing that he requires your immediate advice."

Cocking his head and blowing a long breath out from between his lips, Jake shrugged, "He said it was something to do with the clan hierarchy."

Neteyam was beginning to zone out as his parents continued their conversation. The fact that he was not expected to join in the clan's duties at current sounded wonderful to him. His scratchy eyes reminded him of his weariness. Two days of flying followed by a night of not much sleep meant that slumber was beckoning to him.

He would see Naia again later that evening and the warmth of anticipation tingled in his chest. Bidding his parents a good day, Neteyam moved farther into the shelter where the sleeping area was and promptly collapsed onto his sleeping mat. His last thought before sleep claimed him, as always, was Naia.

Leylani looked across the tsahìk's hut at Naia, observing as her friend continued peeling the batch of kllpxiwll (lionberry) fruit they had gathered earlier that morning without so much as a peep from her. The purple flesh of the lionberry fruit was incredibly sour and not good for eating, but the large seed that lay within its flesh could be boiled and the resulting broth made into a syrup that eased fever and aches in the body. Getting to the seed was an infuriating endeavour though due to the fruit's tough orange skin, which was waxy, spiny, and very difficult to remove.

Leylani knew this was one of Naia's least favourite things to do as a result, and there was usually an abundance of huffing complaints from her when she had to complete the task. However, today she appeared lost in her own world, and every now and again a shy smile would flit across her full lips at whatever her thoughts contained.

Naia had been similarly distracted every day this past week and judging by the timing of it, Leylani was willing to bet that her thoughts were centred around a certain someone. A certain young man who had recently returned to the clan and promptly set all the hearts of the young women aflutter with his strapping frame and fetching good-looks. Leylani knew Neteyam and Naia had been close companions in their youth though.

Finishing her own task of brewing a new batch of yanabark tincture, Leylani grinned impishly and left her station to join Naia where she sat. A bit of harmless teasing was in order.

Naia did not even look up when Leylani plopped down next to her. Tittering softly, Leylani nudged her friend by pressing the side of her thigh against hers, "You're in a good mood, sister."

"Am I? I'm not sure what you mean." Naia replied coyly, turning her attention away from her chore to acknowledge Leylani with narrowed eyes. Naia knew where the conversation was going and she did not want to be ribbed.

"You're so happy even battling with the kllpxiwll fruit has not spoiled your day!" Leylani continued with her good-natured pestering. Naia was usually brimming with quick-witted sarcasm, but Leylani had discovered in recent days that if there was one topic of conversation that made her squirm dumbstruck, it was Neteyam. It was a fun change to be able to give Naia a taste of her own medicine. "Has Neteyam gone from swimming in the reefs to swimming in your thoughts?"

Naia's head whipped upright, frazzled, with wide eyes and steadily flushing cheeks, "No!"

Leylani threw her head back with an unbridled peal of laughter at her friend's response, which she knew was a fib, "Oh mawey, it's alright! I'm only teasing you, but I don't blame you Manaia. Neteyam is charming and very handsome."

The last sentence had been delivered in a sing-song voice and Naia ground out her reply through gritted teeth, "He's a good friend."

"Mm hmm." Leylani's tone made it clear she was not convinced, but she put her poor friend out of her misery and pursued the topic no more.

There was a disturbance at the hut's entrance and the cloth flaps parted to admit three of the fisherfolk women, followed by a clucking and fussing Mo'at who hurried to get her healer's things. Two younger women were supporting an older woman between them, who was hobbling into the hut on one foot. The drops of crimson that she left behind her in a trail was evidence of her injury.

"Come Roha, sit! I need to stem the bleeding." Mo'at quickly ushered the older woman onto a soft mat, motioning for the woman to place her leg in her lap.

"Oh it looks so painful!" One of the younger women gasped, cringing at the sight.

"Don't worry yourself, daughter. It's only a cut foot." Roha reassured, "I was careless. I didn't see the jagged edge on that rock by the river."

Mo'at worked quickly, applying pressure using one hand with some clean cloth while the nimble fingers of her other hand uncapped a small pottle containing a strong-smelling salve, "It's a deep cut though. You'll be limping for a while and no more wading or swimming until the wound seals over. I'm sure there will still be plenty of fish and clams gathered for meals even with one fisherwoman down."

Roha chortled huskily and cast a pert grin at Mo'at, "Ah I'm not worried about our gathered stock being depleted, tsahìk. If your grandson wasn't a warrior, I'd have him working with us fisherfolk permanently! His breath holds are incredible. He gathered an entire satchel of riverweed and river clams in half the time it would take one of us to do it!"

Mo'at smiled, "Well, the reef clans live and breathe the ocean. I daresay holding your breath for extended periods is a life-or-death skill out there. Was Neteyam helping you today?"

"Yes, his warrior duties don't start until tomorrow and he was looking for something to occupy himself with this morning."

"We were wondering if he was alright at first. He was submerged for so long. If it wasn't for the fact that we could still see him swimming we would've gone down after him." Roha's daughter added blandly.

Roha let out a mischievous cackle then, her eyes crinkling in the corners, "He's quite the sight for sore eyes. I'm sure some of the women would not have minded giving him breath to resuscitate him if needed!"

Naia shook her head with a roll of her eyes and she made a renewed effort to block out the conversation. She did not need to be reminded that Neteyam was appealing enough that he could have his pick of all the women if he wished. Naia's curdling mood must have been obvious as Leylani giggled at her green-eyed expression.

Yet still it's you he spends his evenings with… Naia's brain supplied encouragingly. It was true. Neteyam had spent every evening in her company since his return. Naia pressed her lips tightly together to suppress another girlish grin that threatened to jaunt its way across her lips.

They passed the evenings together mostly talking and laughing, either in the grotto or walking amongst the lush woodlands below the mountains if they fancied a flight out on their ikran too. Neteyam told her stories of his family's time with the Metkayina; about how they had learned the way of water; about how Lo'ak had been the only one to bond with a tulkun and had chosen to stay with his mate Tsireya instead of returning to the forest; about the harrowing years fighting alongside the sea people on the oceanic side of the Long War.

In contrast, Naia did not feel like she had anything interesting to tell him. She had studied conscientiously under his grandmother when the role of tsakarem was still hers, learning to heal and commune with Eywa. The Long War had felt like a never-ending nightmare for Naia, where the tsahìk's hut was always full of the injured and dying, and a healer's job was never done.

Neteyam had enlisted her help the other evening with shearing and re-braiding his hair. He had shorn the sides off in the typical warriors' fashion, leaving only a thick cluster of braids running down the middle of his scalp and trailing around his queue. Naia's fingers had deftly woven a selection of beads into his hair as she had worked. Some of the beads were from her own personal collection of embellishments, a detail that made her stomach flutter with happiness at the thought.

Another nudge from Leylani broke Naia out of her contemplation and she realised it was the end of her work day.

Only last meal to go and then she would see him again.

Pumping her legs harder and willing her burning muscles to carry her faster, Naia cursed herself for this inane endeavour. In her spirited mood, after a refreshing evening flight on their ikran, she had challenged Neteyam to a race on foot from the mount where the ikran roosted back to the grotto. She had thought that perhaps the years of swimming and oceanic living might have dulled his dexterity at forest-life, but she was wrong.

The smaller mountain top where the ikran rookery was situated was not far from High Camp. However, one still had to scale down the precipice of it, traverse across the suspension of arching boughs that connected it to the base of High Camp, and then climb the myriad of vines to reach the flatter summit of the stronghold. From High Camp, they still needed to make their way towards the secluded collection of caves where their grotto was to 'win' the race.

Naia's eyes stung slightly from the rush of the night zephyr that blew past her. More than just a little ahead of her, Neteyam leapt, loped and climbed with the lithe grace and muscle memory of someone who had never left the forest. He was striking to behold as he moved, the power in his body apparent in the rippling strength of his physique. He was a warrior and male. She was a healer and female. Profession and biology alone should have told Naia that this was an uneven contest from the get-go.

By the time Naia caught up to Neteyam at the mouth of the grotto, he was not even panting anymore. A radiant smile spread across his face as she jogged up to him, her chest heaving as she fought to catch her breath.

"Damn you and your muscles, and your natural athleticism!" Naia sputtered, bending forward to rest her hands on her knees to ease the stitch just below her ribs.

Deep laughter echoed, the sound bouncing off the rocky walls and reverberating around in the collection of small cave systems. Neteyam made a show of flexing his muscles then, curling his biceps and twisting this way and that, posing haughtily. He snorted during his next breath, "Is this a good impression of Tupou?"

Naia coughed, choking on the hearty laugh that burst from her chest at the remark. Indeed, she could never tell if Tupou was stretching like he said he was during his warm ups, or if he was modelling instead for the females around him before he departed on his patrols or hunts. Clearly even Neteyam had picked up on Tupou's pretentious habit.

Though his hair now resembled Tupou's and the rest of the warriors, Naia silently observed that she found Neteyam much more physically appealing than she did Tupou. Both men were handsome with physiques that would make any woman fantasise of doing unchaste things, but where Tupou's face was hard with an air of superciliousness to it, Neteyam's expression was warm and his eyes gentle.

Watching as Neteyam turned to stroll into the grotto, Naia took the opportunity to appreciate his burly frame. Not that he had ever been skinny before, but his new muscular form made her hyperaware that the boy she remembered was gone, replaced now by a grown man who embodied the very essence of what she considered male. Desire unfurled low in her abdomen and her mouth turned dry, and a very feminine part of her clenched involuntarily in yearning. She bit her bottom lip sheepishly. Oh Great Mother, do not forsake me…

Following Neteyam into the grotto, Naia murmured her thanks when he held a waterskin out to her to drink from. The cool liquid quenched her thirst delightfully and moistened her parched throat. Letting her head loll backward, she gave a gratified moan before lifting the waterskin to her lips again to take another swig.

It was a completely natural and innocent response on Naia's part. However, Neteyam schooled his expression into one of composure when the sound of her moan shot an unbidden spear of lust through him. Her striped cobalt skin was dewy with a light sheen of perspiration and the sight of her with her head tipped back, her eyes hooded, brought to mind some of his very personal imaginings of her in very particular situations. Her scent was also incredibly enticing and it impelled him to take her in his arms and press his nose into the crook of her neck.

Six long years he had spent away from her; six long years of envisaging what she would look like if he ever saw her again and how she would feel in his arms. Now that his wish had been granted and Naia stood corporeal before him, his hands itched to touch her and his mouth watered with longing to kiss her.

Setting the waterskin down by the nest of soft blankets, Naia grinned puckishly and crouched down by the small make-shift hearth in the grotto. There was a small oil lamp burning in the corner, but the nights were getting chillier now as they moved into the cooler season and a small fire would provide both better illumination and warmth. Sitting down and crossing her legs, she piled pieces of kindling and dried greenery before her and grabbed two coarse stones, "You might still outrun and outstrip me physically, but I can still build a better fire than you can."

Neteyam chuckled and agreed without dispute, letting Naia go about the task. She certainly got his fire going…

Settling himself down against the blankets, he stretched out on his back with a bolster roll under his head. The grotto brightened considerably not long after when Naia succeeded in igniting the hearth. Sticking her tongue out at him, she twittered in triumph and moved to join him. Stepping over his reclined form, she eased herself down to sit against the grotto wall. She reached for the purple flying shawl and drew it over her knees.

"I can't believe you still have this." Neteyam said, catching one corner of the shawl between his fingers, "It's so old now it's almost threadbare."

"Just means the fabric isn't scratchy against my skin." Naia quickly countered, but she mustered up enough courage in the next moment to admit softly, too shy to meet his eyes, "And it reminded me of you." It also smelled of you once… She left that sentiment out though. She had cried the day the shawl stopped smelling of him, when she could no longer detect his scent in the soft fabric.

The air charged around them with a taut tension. It was not uncomfortable, it just held a silent sense of the unfinished, of something more that needed to occur. Neteyam wished he had brought a physical reminder of Naia with him when he had left. He had departed with empty hands and a hollow heart, with nothing but his memories of her and a tingling recollection of her soft lips against his.

Naia brought her eyes upward from her lap and found Neteyam's eyes squarely on her. His eyes of green-gold were framed by dark lashes and something sparked within their depths as he held her gaze. His eyes dropped just a fraction, looking at something a little lower on her face. Naia licked her lips nervously. She swore he was looking at her lips…

A bright flare of something arced overhead, visible through the fissure in the grotto's ceiling. Several more flashes followed, a shower of light blazing across the blue-black canvas of the night sky.

Naia gasped in surprise, her glee plain in her voice, "A star shower!"

Neteyam shuffled over to his left to make room for her. The best view through the crevice in the ceiling was where he was lying, "Come over here, quick!" He gestured with his right arm for Naia to lie beside him and, in her excitement, there was no hesitation as she stretched out alongside him. He adjusted his arm so it was cushioning her shoulders and Naia carefully rested her head against his shoulder while she gazed skyward.

Star showers were fleeting and did not last long. They were also rare occurrences. It was said that anyone lucky enough to witness the flitting of the stars through the sky would be granted their heart's utmost desire.

The stars burst their way in brilliant streams overhead and Naia was only dimly aware that she was smiling. The phenomenon was delightful and nestled against Neteyam, with the skin of his shoulder warming her cheek, Naia felt the happiest she had been in a long time.

Neteyam's eyes remained skyward, but he was distracted. Every one of his other senses was buzzing with keen attentiveness to the feel of Naia's body pressed to his own. Her even breaths prickled by his ear, her scent tantalised his nose, his skin tingled with aching heat where it met hers and his tongue wanted very much to taste her.

Star showers were supposed to bring good luck and the thought encouraged Neteyam. He and Naia were close, but it was time to test the waters of what more they could be to each other.

As quickly as it had come, the starry marvel ended and Naia turned her head slightly to look at Neteyam, "That was so beautiful." She gave a small intake of breath when she found him already watching her intently.

"You're so beautiful, Naia."

Flinching a little in surprise, Naia's wit was quick to bite back her growing awkwardness at his comment, "As beautiful as a star shower? Your eyesight is deteriorating, Neteyam. Careful, you might miss your target during tomorrow's hunt." There was no way he meant what he said, surely. His mother was beautiful; Leylani was beautiful. Naia had never felt anything more than plain.

Neteyam could see Naia mentally talking herself out of his compliment and he was not having it, "You're barely a hand's width from my face, I think I can see just fine. Why do you doubt my words?"

Squirming at his direct line of questioning, Naia turned her head and made to shift away from him and from his query, but Neteyam was quicker than her. Rolling onto his side towards her and propping himself up on one hand, he brought his other arm down on her other side in a loose cage. Stuck, Naia's back lowered softly to the ground again within the enclosure of his arms and she peered noiselessly up at him.

"Do you remember our last night here? The night before my family left?" The warm, rumbling timbre of Neteyam's voice washed over her.

"Yes," Naia whispered. How could she forget? She had replayed the memory of his lips over and over numerous times.

One corner of Neteyam's mouth lifted in a small smile as his eyes tracked over the delicate bridge of her nose, over her steadily flushing cheeks and over the gentle glittering of her phosphorescent freckles, "You gave me something that night."

Shivers ran across Naia's body, not from the cold, but from gradually rising anticipation as Neteyam's face continued its descent towards hers. Did he remember? Was he talking about what she thought he was? She had no words. She was entranced by the unfolding situation.

Neteyam lowered himself onto his elbow on one side, his torso aligning with and pressing flush against hers again. His lips were a soft caress against one of her ears, "I think it's time I returned it."

Naia's lips were parted and her breaths were coming in small pants. Neteyam's musky scent permeated her nostrils and it was alluring in its potent masculinity. Her next breath left her in a shudder when she felt him stroke his nose over the hot skin of her cheek and his lips brushed the corner of her mouth.

Neteyam felt as if they were suspended in time, just the two of them alone in the universe. He pulled back a little to regard Naia, giving her one last chance to stop him from crossing the line they had so carefully toed for the last week. There was no coming back from this. If she responded the way he hoped, he would never let her go again.

Naia had dreamt of this moment for years… Heart hammering in her chest, she shifted just a fraction towards him.

That was all the permission Neteyam needed. Leaning down, he sealed his lips over Naia's. The years of longing burst in their chests, thrill spearing outward from their hearts as they finally gave in to magnetism between them and let their ardour consume them.

A blazing but pleasurable heat besieged Naia as she dissolved into the kiss. Neteyam was everywhere around her and she felt like thick nectar liquifying as his lips and tongue continued to lead the carnal dance with hers. Great Mother, Naia had never been kissed like this before. She had never been kissed at all.

Naia knew that was by her own choice. She had never found any other man appealing enough to want to kiss him. She had seen other young couples kissing passionately, unashamed of the fact they could be seen, and she had often thought it gross. It did not look pleasant; it looked like they were trying to eat each other's faces and she did not understand it. She understood it now. She was drowning blissfully in the fervent heat of Neteyam's mouth.

Neteyam shifted again, moving his body so it almost entirely sheltered hers. It gave him better access to her face and neck this way and he gave a satisfied growl when he felt Naia's thighs part to cradle his heavy weight against her. Tucking his head into the crook of her neck, he proceeded to lavish open-mouthed kisses against her sensitive skin, delighting in the way she gasped and arched against him.

Naia wound her arms around his neck and desire coursed unrestrained through her veins. It pooled most heavily in the vee of her thighs and the most secret part of her pulsed in want. She knew she was not the only one aroused though. Naia might not have any practical experience in this field, but she was a healer and she was well-educated in how bodies worked.

Neteyam returned his attentions to her mouth, his lips resuming their dance with hers again and Naia instinctively squirmed, rocking herself against the hard ridge of his erection. He broke away from the kiss as her movement elicited a sharp hiss of enjoyment from him. Exhilarated by his passionate reaction, Naia continued to repeat the motion. She surprised even herself with her own brazenness. She relished in the feel of his arousal against her core and appreciated the way his expression contorted in pleasure.

This woman would be the death of him… With a firm hand on her hip, Neteyam stopped her with a hoarse chuckle, "Naia, stop." He pressed a chaste kiss to her lips then and rolled back onto his side.

Naia was in a happy daze. Perhaps she was dreaming. Maybe she would wake up soon and discover it had all been a wonderful dream. If it was then she did not want to wake up…

"You're not asleep."

Oh, had she spoken her thoughts aloud?

Another chuckle rumbled in Neteyam's chest and he delivered a playful nip to the point of Naia's ear that was closest to him, hard enough to hurt a little but not break the skin.

"Ow!" Naia squealed, pushing against his chest in mock anger.

"Can't feel pain if you're dreaming." Neteyam teased, leaning in to soothe the hurt he had inflicted with a kiss to the same affronted ear. His expression turned grave then as he held her gaze, "Why did you think you were dreaming?"

The awkwardness returned and Naia fidgeted nervously. By Eywa, he was full of deep questions today… She could be truthful with him though. She knew Neteyam would never judge her, but admitting her feelings for him had not waned in seven years was a vulnerable fact.

"I didn't think you felt that way about me." Naia confessed quietly, avoiding his eyes and choosing to stare instead at the darkened sky overhead, "You didn't kiss me back that night. Great Mother, I felt like a fool after. I thought I'd misjudged everything."

Neteyam's heart gave a distressing squeeze at the realisation that Naia had spent all these years thinking her feelings were unrequited. All because he had been too stunned and too selfish to respond the way he had wanted to. It had been too painful for him to acknowledge her feelings that night, and he had neglected to even consider how his inaction would affect her.

Shaking his head, his expression contrite, Neteyam cupped Naia's cheek and turned her face to him, "I'm sorry. I was an idiot. You surprised me when you kissed me. And then I was too scared to acknowledge it because having to leave you felt so much worse if I acknowledged that there was more between us."

A wet giggle left Naia and she mentally cursed the unbidden sting of tears in her eyes. She did not know whether to laugh or cry. The lump in her throat prevented her from talking.

Neteyam filled the silence instead, "I was miserable for a long time. Then the Long War happened and I was miserable for other reasons too, but there wasn't a day where I didn't think of you." He gently dragged the pad of his thumb over her lips and down her chin before daringly resting the flat of his hand over her heart, feeling the soft swell of her breast beneath his palm, "I feel deeply for you and I want to get to know you like this."

Naia's chest brimmed with happiness and relief. She had yearned for him for so long and he was here now, saying to her what she had only imagined him saying in the past. She rolled inwards, snuggling into the warmth of his neck and chest and she felt his arm come to press her to him.

I love you. The words were there, resounding in her heart and a breath away from leaving her lips, but Naia pressed her lips to his chest instead. She would keep those tender words to herself, lest she frighten him away with her ardour.

They had all the time in the world now to explore where this would go. What was the rush?

Muffled voices carried from within his family's shelter as Neteyam approached it. He heard another deep voice speaking, not his father's, which meant they had visitors.

He and Naia had kissed a little more afterward and when things had begun to grow heated again, he had stopped them with the lame but not untrue excuse of needing to get back. His warrior duties started tomorrow and it would be a strenuous day of hunting. He needed a good night's sleep to ensure he was rejuvenated and fresh for the task.

The very male parts of him had wanted to continue, but things were progressing too quickly and he did not want to scare Naia. Not she appeared to mind… The thought brought a salacious smirk to his face.

"Ah, if it isn't the man himself! Speak of him and he appears as if summoned!"

Neteyam was greeted with four pairs of eyes across the hearth as he parted the tent flaps and entered. Finally amidst them, he realised the booming voice that had just spoken was the olo'eyktan, Tarsem.

"Oel ngati kameie, olo'eyktan." Neteyam greeted automatically, bringing his fingers to his forehead before splaying them outward in their traditional greeting.

Tarsem gestured for Neteyam to join them in the circle, "I've just been debriefing with your parents and grandmother after tonight's council meeting. There is much to discuss." There was a meaningful gleam in Tarsem's eyes and while it was not malicious or lacking warmth in anyway, Neteyam found it slightly disconcerting. Judging by the clan chief's earlier comment, they had evidently been speaking of him before his return.

Glancing in turn at his father, mother and grandmother, Neteyam was disappointed to find no reassurance in their doubtful expressions.

Straightening her spine, Mo'at offered diplomatically, "Tarsem perhaps you should let my son and daughter speak to Neteyam of the proposition later in private?"

Tarsem was not convinced, "Why? It's a good proposal!"

Neteyam saw his father wince slightly and Jake stated, "Brother Tarsem, I've already told you that I will not reclaim my position as chief of the Omatikaya. That mantle is yours to keep and by tradition, your successor should be one of your own blood."

Spiny pinpricks of foreboding tingled in Neteyam's gut. The contrast in demeanour between Tarsem and his family at whatever proposal they spoke of did not bode well.

With a sigh and shake of his head, Tarsem clapped a heavy hand over Jake's shoulder, "I can't force you to resume your position if you so vehemently decline, brother, but I'm glad you have agreed to be my right hand. However, the matter of my son is more severe."

Getting increasingly uneasy as time went by, and annoyed at being spoken of as if he was not present, Neteyam asked, "What is this proposition about?"

Tarsem appeared pleased and he took a deep inhale, his lean chest and shoulders expanding with his breath. Eyes gleaming with approval, he regarded Neteyam, "The clan council has proposed for you to reclaim your birth right. You will succeed me as olo'eyktan of the Omatikaya clan. I'm sure Leylani will find this favourable. You've always had a far firmer head on your shoulders than Tupou has and you'll be a better partner for her overall."

Neteyam was speechless. What?... Reclaim his birth right and lead the Omatikaya with Leylani by his side?... No.

Author's Note:

Did this chapter make your heart go 'squeeeee'? It certainly made my heart do that as I was composing it. I swear Neteyam and Naia are too cute. But oh the clan dramas, we had to have some clan drama...

I wanted to explore a different kind of Neteyam in this story. Those familiar with my previous work will understand what I mean when I say that this version of Neteyam is much less dark/broody than in 'Violet Eyes'. He's also much less conflicted.

Pour your hearts and minds out to me, my dear readers! Tell me what you're thinking and feeling. 3