Find your tribe in a Sea of Creativity
Neteyam is gay. Like, no doubts about it, man is a homosexual.
That takes him a long time to admit though; his entire identity surrounded being the oldest and a warrior, it wasn't until he reached the Metkayina that he finally had a moment to breath and realize why Ao'nung was so distracting to him
It's like he can finally breathe, not even for the sake of questioning his sexuality and more so cause he finally feels like a piece of the puzzle clicked together
Homie has identity issues galore
It takes Jake back a bit to realize Neteyam is gay though, in part due to internalized earth stuff but also just because he has to admit that Neteyam is a teenager and still feels teenager things in a war
It's him realizing Neteyam only grew up in war, that its already been his childhood
Spider is demiromantic, bisexual, and trans. He has almost zero preference towards gender romantically or physically but feelings take a minute for him to develop. However, when they do, he falls hard
I love trans!Spider but don't use it all the time cause it's a process to work in canon
However, FTM Spider was sort of a clumsy coming out
Na'vi are intersex, it's very fluid, even if some still believe there should be some version of a binary
So no one quite understand why the humans are so strict on their genders or why it's such a big deal for Spider than he is a he and not a she.
He just sort of breaks down with Lo'ak and Kiri who panic and try to fix things. He thinks it's a big thing and no one really gives a shit, he's still the little stray human, but some of the older teens and stuff realize how much he cares and make an effort to make him feel good about it
He worries it'll make him more of a freak but he has a gaggle of siblings, and later friends, who reassure him that they couldn't particularly care less
His coming out is what triggers Kiri's
Kiri is an asexual lesbian who uses she/they pronouns
Unlike the romantic preferences, being asexual is a little bigger of a deal but Neytiri specifically will shut down anyone who gives her baby any shit
Being ace is a bigger thing because there is so much emphasis on intimacy and seeing one another, however, Kiri very passionately proves to anyone that she doesn't need sex to connect with anyone.
Lo'ak has actively gotten into fights to help when people start shit with them
Kiri didn't really have a sexuality crisis though
They just kind of knew, something her brothers are endlessly jealous of
Tsireya is her first crush though
Lo'ak is the one who gets it bad but Kiri admittedly fell hard for her
She was gorgeous and sweet, cared about the environment around them in a way no one their age ever seems to
Plus she stands up for her and Kiri wanted to show her what she sees so bad it made her stomach curl
But she stepped back for Lo'ak, as bittersweet as it was, she felt so good just enjoying the innocent feeling
It just felt good to have normal teenage feelings in the midst of a war
Lo'ak is bisexual, however, he would tell you he is Tsireyasexual
He is one track minded
The most loyal partner ever tho
Like, if you're his person, he is honed in
Being bi was never really a huge thing for him but he was the last one of all the teenagers to come out
He just forgot
He was sitting with Tsireya while everyone hung out and Tsireya pointed out a cute guy to him and they took in the view together while everyone kind of just ??? this is new?
It wasn't, homie really just forgot to tell people
It was a given to him
Funnily enough, he has the same taste as Kiri
Tsireya is not the first girl they both liked
While he is bi, he does lean mostly towards girls
He's a sucker for pretty
It's bad, Tsireya flutters her lashes at him and he'll do damn near anything
A simp (TM)
Tuk is too young rn to really care but when she's older, I think she's pan
People her age are much fewer and she just likes friends
Her first crush is Rotxo's little sister cause she keeps following him to hang out when Tuk is a preteen
She's hella obvious and all of the older ones think it's hilarious to tease her, she's worse than Lo'ak when he first saw Tsireya
She's bringing her shells and little flowers, trying to show off in games and dress pretty
Tsireya and Neteyam take mercy and help her get her act together but nothing comes of it
Once it starts tho she's a hopeless romantic
She has a new crush every other week of her early teen years but never gets to be a better flirt
She's a mini Lo'ak that way
He tries to coach her and says she didn't get it from him but it's obvious
Ao'nung is demi. He leans towards men physically but he is almost as bad as Neteyam in terms of thinking himself responsible for everyone
Tonowari tries desperately to break him of that mindset and Ronal is constantly trying to take pressure off of him but it's just in his nature
So he, like Neteyam, doesn't think about relationships much
He has, however, been a hopeless romantic with a laundry list of brief crushes over the years
He falls hard for Neteyam though when he arrives
Mainly because he finally feels seen, he's a big one on emotional connections
No one at home understands the pressure on him so when Neteyam shows up, shepherding siblings and standing as his fathers right hand, he doesn't know what to do
He tries to cover it up, worried still for the safety of his clan, and scare them off
A little selfish part of him was afraid of the feelings and wanted them gone
Clearly that doesn't work but, once they realize they both like one another, it doesn't take him long to latch on
He and Neteyam become close rapidly and fall into a relationship fast once things are started (a genuine surprise to literally everyone)
A very devoted partner; he learned from his Dad and takes being a good partner seriously
it took him a really long time to feel confident in himself so once he and Neteyam are together, he's devoted to becoming a strong partner to demonstrate a strong relationship to his partner
Metkayina are extremely family based and he will not let them down
Tsireya is pan
She has so much love in her she doesn't know what to do with it
Falls hard and fast, Ao'nung has spent years trying to keep her from falling for everyone who she connects just a little bit with
Actually did have a crush on Kiri too, though she had one on Lo'ak at the same time
Might by poly but she never investigates it
She's very spiritual and spends a lot of time with the ancestors so her partner needs to care too
Like she makes Lo'ak ask the ancestors for their blessing when she accepts his courting
He was scared shitless and got teasingly (?) threatened by her deceased uncle
She cares deeply about helping others to the point of being naive - she has gotten hurt before because of it so she needs some reassurances in relationships
Lo'ak is not her first relationship but he is the first really healthy one
She's prone to trying to fix people honestly, she doesn't get what she puts in a lot
However, when she does, she's a little angel
Gifts, cooking, help; whatever she can do to show her love she'll do
Wants to be Tsahik so she's terrified Neteyam will take the job
He lets her happily, preferring to be a line of defense for his people regardless
Rotxo has no clue what he is
He just knows he likes Spider
He's a giant softie
Like gentle giant himbo vibes but fiercely protective of his family
Very proud of his home and his heritage
He has two moms so sexuality wasn't really a big deal growing up, however, he just didn't really care
He just likes who he likes
He had a bigass crush on Ao'nung for a bit but later realized it was just a deep platonic love
Unlike most of the crew, he doesn't fall easily
Like he has had maybe 2 crushes his entire life
So falling for Spider is a shock
But he's just happy to find his feelings returned
He's a big provider type, likes giving gifts and taking care of his friends
He has a lot of issues about feeling useful and needed; he grew up in Ao'nungs shadow and so feels like he needs to fight to be seen
Hence part of how he and Spider bonded
While very gentle, he's very passionate about being a warrior once he finally feels like he has a reason to be
Does a lot of soul searching after the Sullys come
He still has a lot to learn about himself but feels much more at peace now that he doesn't feel like just Ao'nungs best friend
Tuk was the one who realized that Spider didn't have a songcord
He had been around for a while at this point, having become a constant around the time Kiri learned to walk. She doesn't understand why her Mama hates him and says to stay away - Lo'ak and Kiri like him a lot and they have more fun chasing him then Neteyam! Neteyam is too fast and Spider is her size.
He's nice and lets her climb him and carries her even though her big siblings say she's getting too big - which, if Spider can carry her she is most certainly not too big - and plays her games while the others go to their training or apprenticeships
Sometimes he even brings her feathers and pretty things for her hair!
So yeah, when she gets to have her ceremony and holds her songcord for the first time, she's beyond concerned to find out that Spider doesn't have one
While they’re little, the cords hang in their hut until they're old enough to decide what to do with them. As it is, Lo'ak wants to braid his in his hair and Neteyam wants to put it on his bow like his mother. But there's a gap, one thats probably accidental, and she knows Spider should have his there
So she makes it her mission to be the best little sister ever and make one for him
After-all, if no one else is gonna do it then she, a craft master, is most certainly qualified
Grandmother makes most of the cords in the early stages so she inconspicuously asks for the twine to start it and how to make a bead. She asks why she needs it and Tuk tells her it's for her mother. Grandmother looks hopeful at that and gives it to her easily so Tuk knows she agrees with her. It's not till years later that she'll realize that Grandmother thought her mother had a realization...or another pregnancy. But she likes to think the first.
But...making beads is harder than she thought
She uses bone she found near the cooking fires - which, gross, Spider better like it - but whittling it is hard with only sharp pieces of the bone and rocks she found
The bead she makes is jagged and not very round and she almost cut herself a dozen times cause it's sharper than it looks but finally she has something that resembles the first beads on her cord. The knots are easier and she adds it to the start with pride. She adds a little of his blue paint cause it's his and that way it starts with him and her. Right as it should.
But even her cord has more than one bead.
Making this one was hard but Spider is her big brother and she can do it - besides, the look on her siblings faces when she presents his gift will be worth it.
So she starts wandering the outskirts of high camp with the cord on her belt. While she searches, she hums the first chords she can add. A happy little tune with a dramatic flourish; perfect so he remembers her when he sings it.
However, finding anything of use near the camp is proving futile. Nothing she finds is strong enough for a bead and the feathers are muddy and gross.
With her fathers determination, she sneaks past the bushes lining camp and into the forest
She makes it approximately 5 feet before Neteyam scoops her up.
Neteyam groans and Tuk finds herself propped up on chest, legs locked around his hips. She whines and squirms but unfortunately Neteyam is a seasoned big brother and there's no success in her attempted escape.
"Tuktuk, what do you think you're doing? You know you're not allowed outside of camp." The look on his face is disappointed and her tummy twists at the sight, but she has a good reason!
"I needed better bead stuff, the stuff in camp is yucky or is too hard." She whines but it isn't until he responds that she realizes her mistake.
"Bead supplies? Tuk what do you need bead supplies for?"
And so the surprise is busted
But...maybe she could get help
"..Spider doesn't have a songcord. I have one, you have one, Lo' has one, and Kiri has one...but he doesn't...so I'm making it. But I only have one bead."
And Neteyam doesn't know how to respond to that
Spider has been around since he could walk, they were together while Jake and Neytiri visited Kiri in her incubator, he realistically should have several beads by now. His chord should have his birth, his family, his first bow, the feather of his first kill...but Spider isn't Na'vi. He's not of the People...but it's Spider
Mom really wouldn't like it
But...it's Spider
And so he finds himself snatching Kiri's arm while she leaves her lessons. Covering her mouth when she shrieks and Tuk grabs her leg. Which, he doesn't really know why she did that, but it's Tuk. He pulls her between the huts while the other kids move on and mumbles his apology.
"Tuk, 'Teyam, what in Ewya's name are you doing?" She hisses, ears bent back, and eyes narrow. Her tail swishes angrily behind her and Neteyam realizes belatedly he could have done this better.
"We need your help. It-It's for Spider, we're making him a songcord. Tuk made him a bead but...we need help making more. You work with Grandmother, can you help us?"
And if Neteyam knows anything, its his sisters weakness for their oldest friend.
It's a long pause while she processes but soon, she relaxes, and he feels the tension leave his shoulders. Her tail slows and she takes a deep breath before she replies; "..fine. But if we do this, we all do this. Get Lo'ak and meet me behind Grandmothers. Quietly. She's out with Mother but I don't want to explain this before its done...you know Mom will be pissed, right?"
And Neteyam does...damn he does, but he nods.
With determination, they're off.
And so that is how he finds himself in a clumsy circle with his siblings surrounding him. Bone and wood are in the center of their circle, small paints with them, and a jumble of small blades. Kiri has seen Grandmother do this before and so she leads them through making their beads with a different ease than Tuk found by herself
Tuk spends the time weaving feathers into the bottom of the chord and adding bits of paint to the finished beads. They make a bags worth, albeit a small bag, for Spider too. He'll need more. Their beads by no means look to par with their own but they try their best. Each painting and carving with as much patience as they can muster.
It takes them the rest of the day but soon they have a small pile ready. Kiri takes the pieces and spends the next day tying the knots and attaching them as secure as a 10 year old can.
It's time consuming but in a few days of work between apprenticeships, meals, and whatever else may keep them within sight of the adults, they have a songcord
Its messier than theirs and small, the knots aren't as tight and the symbolism in it is meager. They wanted to keep it happy but without parents to record his beginnings, its small knots of Spider growing up in basecamp with the first beads being the familial bead they each made of themselves. They added feathers from some of their favorite varieties to the bottom and, in place of training memories, added times he won a game or did something cool. It's different but so is their brother.
They decide to present it to him together, since it was something they all made. Normally he would have a ceremony for it but they decide that his could be them.
They steal him away in the evening, right before it's time for him to head back to camp. They want him alone so the adults can ruin the moment; while some of the younger adults have accepted Spider into their ranks, they don't know how the older warriors would respond.
Tuk is the one who catches him and pulls him into the treeline. They settle into the clearing where they usually play and, anxiously, they give Tuk the cord. She walks forward and nervously holds it out. The older trio sit in nervous silence as they wait for Spider to respond.
"I...guys what is this?" Spiders face is bright red and they'd worry if it weren't for the smile trying to win over his face.
"It..its your cord, Bro. Tuk said you don't have one so...we made it." Lo'ak responds first and scoots closer, Tuk at his side. "I-I made the first one and then I got the feathers and the pretty rocks on the bottom. Kiri and 'teyam and Lo' made most of the beads but I helped paint 'em. The bag has more for later cause Kiri knows how to knot 'em in. And...And we made the song too.." Tuk grins, nervous but clearly excited. She turns and runs to her sister who begins to hum
Kiri closes her eyes, humming softly the little song her siblings made for him. Spiders grinning at this point, 12 years old and teary eyed. He scoots closer and pulls the siblings into a hug as she finishes.
"Thank you, thank you-" He cuts himself off laughing, the others joining in. There they stay until eclipse is waning over their heads and time is up.
Spider braids the cord into his hair and it's with him when Quaritch catches him. They don't know its significance to take if from him but he clings to it in his cell, humming the song to himself as he waits for help thats not coming.
I've seen this before but he did his hair in the dreads to try and mimic Jake; no one ever really taught him how to maintain or care for his hair. After getting taken, his hair is in such bad condition they shave it to his scalp.
It grows back curly and darker than he expected. It takes a while to thicken but Kiri rubs salves and oils into his hair to help. When its finally back in decent shape she and Tsireya go to town braiding an styling it.
He ends up with longer hair eventually that is in Viking braids to the back of his head, then it's a messy bunch of curls down to his shoulders.
Once he is accepted into the family, Neytiri helps him braid in family beads to remind him that he's theirs now. It's small but she needs him to know she's there.
Tuk likes to collect shells and pretty stones to make jewelry and she ends up using some to braid into his hair - her other siblings don't let her but Spider can seriously not say no to her
He and Tsireya get along a lot better than anyone expected
After getting tortured and having to deal with so much so fast, her calming presence does really well for him. Plus, he has all the blackmail she could want on Lo'ak
They also are both secret gossips and will sneak away for "lessons" where they ride her ilu and talk shit
Rotxo takes a special liking to Spider and it freaks Ao'nung and Lo'ak the fuck out
Netyam (cause he's alive here bitch) is hovering constantly trying to make sure he's not getting bullied but they just genuinely vibe together
Rotxo has a crush on Spider and Kiri. They both know about him liking the other but not themselves.
Spider is demi/bi, Kiri is demi/ace, Lo'ak is bi, Neteyam is gay, Tisreya has no damn clue, Ao'nung is bi but closeted, and Rotxo is pan.
About half the younger na'vi love Spider cause funny little monkey boy and y'know, life is already weird and the other half woul lowkey drown him if left alone
That goes for Lo'ak too but that's just cause he's a little shit
AVATAR : WAY OF WATER with a Moth from Sky Children of the light Pt. One.2
Prologue - Part One.1
Inspired by : @dizzythediasy
Characters included : The Sully family, Spider and Norm Spellman. Mention of Grace and Eywa.
Pronouns used : They / Them
Note(s) : Writers block is hitting hard, if there's any inconsistencies please tell me so I can correct them. Na'vi language in bold.
The Sully family stood by the child sleeping soundly in Kiri's lap, given they seemed to have an iron grip and refused to let go of her, they all chose to sit and wait for the young one to wake up. When the scientists had tried removing their small wooden mask on the outside of the lab, they thrashed and seemed to be uncomfterable with the thought, constantly slapping and hitting the oxygen mask that would drift their way. Norm let them have their mask, as long as he got to make sure they could properly breathe.
"They aren't a human." Norm said, who looked at confusion at the snoring one. At first most in the room had believed they were just a strange looking sky person, but Jake and Norm confirmed that to not be the case.
"Then what could they be? Another creation, like dreamwalkers?" Neytiri looked between Norm and Jake in fear for her clans safety, while she wasn't opposed to leaving them behind if they proved to be difficult, she has compassion. Jake hmm'd.
"No, I do not think so. They do not seem human at all, science can only be based on existing DNA, neither me or Norm have seen anything like this before." He insisted, sighing and gently holding Neytiri's hand. "We should teach them our ways, they don't seem to have relation to sky people." Neytiri was reminded of her and Jake's time, still unsure, she sighed and gently wrapped an arm around him.
"We shall see, ma jake. We shall see."
Kiri moved to sit atop her mothers tank, carefully placing you in her lap and gently playing with your hair. Speaking to Lo'ak, Neteyam, Tuk and Spider while their parents spoke with Norm about you on the other side of the lab. Unconsciously, you began moving your head from side to side, slowly opening your eyes. They trailed up at your comfterable pillow to see brilliant blue skin and shining yellow eyes, shyly, your finger moved upwards and gently poked her cheek. Kiri smiled and laughed, and so you done it again.
"They seem to like you." Lo'ak laughed at your actions, leaning against Grace's Avatar's tank and grinning at your curious eyes that bore into him as he spoke.
Tuktirey noticed the new attention on you and ran over to her sisters side, her sharp fangs showing as she smiled brightly. You tilted your head and gently put your hands on her cheek, squishing them. All the siblings melted at the adorable interaction, her hands moving to your cheeks and squishing them yourself. The boys laughing as you tugged on Kiri's tail when it entered your point of view.
Three pairs of footsteps and a masculine cough quieted the laughter, only Tuk and you still curiously poking each other. Too enraptured in childhood innocence to understand your enigma of an appearance.
Your eyes drifted to see two very large Na'vi and an Avatar, though to you, the differences weren't too noticeable. Neytiri picked up the youngest Sully and moved her off Grace's tank to the ground, now Jake was right in front you and Kiri.
"Hello." He whispered, assuming you'd understand him if you were related to humans given English was the most widespread language humans used on Pandora. From what Kiri had told him, she wasn't sure if it was English or her careful and slow actions that'd earned their trust.
Tilting your head, instead of responding you reached a hand out and pinched his nose. Neytiri held a hand over her mouth to silence a laugh. Lo'ak and Neteyam looked at each other and tried to silence their own laughs like their mother, however, the young Tuk didn't have that thought and pointed at her dads wince, loudly laughing. Kiri grinned and tried prying the young ones hand off, who just pinched harder as a result.
"I'm not sure they know English." He quietly spoke, voice nasaly from their pinching of his noise, Neytiri's eyes softened at the adorable sight, hardening when she had a sudden thought.
"Maybe another sky person will be of comfort." Looking down on Spider, motioning for him to go forward. He awkwardly shuffled forward and smiled, trying to appear unthreatening as he moved next to Jake.
"Hello? Uh, the name's Spider." Lo'ak snickered and muttered a 'bro', proceeding to get slapped in the back of the head by Neteyam. You still didn't seem to know what was going on. Grabbing his nose like you did with Jake's, reaching your other hand to said Na'vi, leaning your head to study them and their differences.
"I don't think this is working." Spider's voice, now nasaly, spoke. Kiri laughed and pet your head which tipped up to look at her. Even if you didn't have a mouth, your bright eyes could show a thousand smiles if only for a moment.
While Neytiri had a sudden soft spot for you, she gently held her hand on Jake's shoulder. Words unspoken yet understood perfectly, not only through the couple, but through the entire family. Kiri tapped your hand, making you let go of the poor guys noses.
"We need to talk about this." Neytiri looked between the family, eyes studying your figure with an almost regretful suspicion. Kiri jumped down from the tank, gently trying to pry you off holding onto her torso, but you whined and gripped hard onto her, afraid of being left alone.
"Norm will take care of you, okay?" Kiri freed one of her arms and pointed to the very awkward Avatar, huffing but seemingly satisfied with at least not being left alone, you let go of her and she let you stand on the ground. You held out your hand for Norm to hold, but they could all see your eyes locked into Kiri as she left.
Nobody understood the connection you had with her, you felt like a piece of her and she felt the same way, unsure of what you were but all she knew was that she needed to protect you. Kiri heard Eywas mighty heartbeat thump louder than it ever had when you were with her. Your own heartbeat making you feel as if she was your only home.
Taglist :
@eywas-daughter
@sparklyphantom
@littleshybunbun
@evanswife1918