Chapter Text
Neteyam didn't know how long he'd been out, but the first sense to return was his hearing. The soft sound of waves washing up on the sand greeted him, a sound he'd grown to find comfort in. There were no other sounds, however, the bustle of the Metkayina going about their days outside the marui noticeably absent. He couldn't hear Tuk playing in the shallows just outside. He couldn't hear the Ilu swimming under the marui, chasing down fish to eat. He couldn't hear his mother and Kiri starting food on the fire or his father scolding Lo'ak about who-knows-what. There was only the waves.
Slowly, his sense of touch returned, and Neteyam found he wasn't inside the family marui at all, but laid out on the warm sand. He could feel sunlight on his skin, the heat soaking into his bones yet not uncomfortable. It was soothing, almost like a gentle embrace.
Taking a breath, Neteyam's sense of smell had begun to pick up on the salt in the air. The smell of warm sand and the ocean breeze was welcome, but it wasn’t quite right. It wasn’t the scent of the Metkayina. This was something foreign yet vaguely familiar. There was a hint of something amid all the scents, beyond the beach and saltwater and open air.
Daring to open his eyes, Neteyam was momentarily blinded by the glaring sun. With a groan, he lifted his hand to shield his eyes, squinting at his surroundings.
Nothing made sense.
Firstly, there was no horizon. Everything just seemed to fade out into nothingness, into the blank, white distance. Even the sky was white, no clouds, no sun, just a vast, empty white. The sand he had felt beneath him was very much there, however, a vibrant pink color that radiated warmth as if it had been soaking up the non-existent sun's rays all day. The water was there too, little waves breaking and running up onto the sand, making the pink turn an even more saturated shade. The water itself was the blue that Neteyam expected, at least, but it glowed against the sand. Wherever it swirled or churned, it shined a bright aqua blue, a familiar bioluminescence that life on Eywa'eveng seemed to share.
And then there was the person standing a short ways down the beach. They were human, looking similar to Spider, just a little less… wild? Neteyam wasn't sure how to put it.
The person stared at him, wide-eyed, and just as he was about to wave at them, the person took off across the beach, running away. Confused, Neteyam glanced around, wondering where the danger was, but there was nothing in sight, just the beach, the waves, and the expanse of white beyond.
Were they running away from him, then?
Getting to his feet, Neteyam felt a vague wave of pain flood his chest, but it quickly faded. Hoping to catch up to the person, he ignored that for now, and took off after them.
Being so much taller than the boy made it rather easy to reach him, and Neteyam grabbed his arm, hoping to stop him so he could ask him where they were.
He realized the boy wasn't wearing an exopack then.
Unfortunately, the boy- or was he old enough to be a man?- began to scream as if terrified.
"Hey- Hey, I'm not going to hurt you." Neteyam tried to say, speaking English, raising his voice so the human could hear him over the screams. "I'm not going to hurt you!"
After a moment, the screams quieted, but the boy still looked terrified. Neteyam was hesitant now, not wanting to frighten him. "I… I just want to know where we are." He explained. "We seem to be the only ones here, so I wanted to ask if you knew where this place is."
The boy, shaking in Neteyam's grasp, sunk down to the pink sand, all his strength leaving him. Neteyam followed, kneeling down. "Are you okay? I didn't hurt you when I grabbed you, did I?" He worried, recalling his father's warnings not to be too rough while playing with Spider, and gently let go of the smaller's arm.
The boy shook his head. "No- I just- I need a second." He gasped, visibly trembling, pale as the sky above them. His brown eyes were wide open, staring at Neteyam.
"What… What are you?" He asked.
Neteyam paused. "Uh, I am of the Omatikaya." He replied, but the boy didn't seem to understand. "I… I am Na'vi. I am from Eywa'eveng. Humans call it Pandora."
Something about that seemed to register, and the boy's expression grew confused.
"Eywa? Like the other person here?" He asked.
"There's another-" Neteyam began, but cut himself off. "Eywa? You met someone named Eywa?"
The boy gave a nod. "Yeah. She… She stayed with me. It was just the two of us for a while. She said I was safe here and that I would meet someone important soon. I didn't… I didn't expect someone like you though. I've never… I've never seen anyone like you before."
Neteyam was in shock. Eywa. Eywa. The boy met Eywa. "What was she like? What did she look like?" He asked, curiosity about the Great Mother overriding his curiosity about where they were.
The boy seemed to grow quiet then, looking down at the sand. "She, uh, looked a little like my mother. But her eyes were a deep blue. And her appearance sort of shifted like it couldn't decide how she should look. It was always something pretty, but her face was a bit blurry or out-of-focus." He replied. "She looked human, but not quite. There was something more to her."
Neteyam hummed in thought, processing what he was told, then looked back at the boy. "Is she still here somewhere?" He asked.
The boy gave a small nod. "She's further down the beach. She told me to walk this way until I found someone. I'm guessing she meant you."
"We should go meet her then." Neteyam decided, getting to his feet. "My name is Neteyam, by the way."
The boy stood up as well, a bit wobbly at first, but quickly regained his balance. "Eywa said that since I will live with her now, I could have a new name. I didn't know what to pick though, so she gave me a new name. Leyn."
Neteyam tilted his head. "Repeat."
"Huh?" Leyn hummed.
"That means to repeat," Neteyam explained, leading the way down the beach, walking a bit slow so the smaller could keep up. "Maybe it's because she's giving you a second chance? You get to live again, here with the Great Mother."
Something akin to guilt flickered across Leyn's face then, brown eyes flitting away, looking towards the water. "Um, Neteyam, I'm not sure if you remember how you got here, but…" He began. "I think you died."
Now, that was not what Neteyam was expecting to hear. As he thought about how ridiculous that was, however, the vague pain in his chest from earlier returned. He frowned, then brought his hand up to his chest, rubbing at the aching he felt.
"I don't remember, but…"
"You can still feel the pain." Leyn finished for him, nodding knowingly, his hand coming up to rub lightly at the side of his head as they walked along the beach. "I can too. I didn't remember at first but, eventually, the memories came back."
Neteyam vaguely recalled hearing his parents' voices, his mother crying, his father calling his name but, aside from that, it was all a blur.
"My parents are going to be devastated. My siblings too." He found himself whispering.
Leyn smiled, but it was bittersweet. "I'm glad you had so many people who loved you." He replied softly.
Something in his tone had Neteyam growing concerned, but he decided not to ask about it, certain it was something deeply personal. Instead, he watched as Leyn stepped into the water, letting the glowing waves wash over his bare feet as they walked.
The two walked in silence for what felt like nearly an hour, both lost in their own thoughts, when Leyn suddenly jolted, eyes snapping up from where he'd been watching the bioluminescence swirl around his ankles. Neteyam paused as well, about to ask what was wrong, when Leyn turned around with a bright smile.
"Eywa!" He cheered, then rushed forward. Neteyam turned as well, watching as Leyn's arms wrapped around a woman's hips, his head resting against her side.
Unlike what Leyn had said, Eywa didn't look human. She was very much Na'vi, her skin the soft blue of the Omatikaya, darker stripes marking her in unique patterns. Leyn had been right about her face though. It was blurry, shifting between familiar features and foreign ones, unable to settle on one look but pretty nonetheless.
Neteyam realized that she must look different to whoever saw her, which explained why she looked human to Leyn while looking Na'vi to Neteyam.
"Hello, my child," Eywa spoke fondly, placing a large hand atop Leyn's head.
Neteyam shivered, hearing various voices speak at once, all soft and gentle but distinct in their own right.
Quickly, he bowed his head, greeting her politely. "Great Mother, I see you."
"Sweet Neteyam." She replied, her voice so achingly similar to his own mother's for a moment there. "Welcome to Fpom Txampay, the Peaceful Sea."
Seeing Neteyam was still confused, she simply smiled. "Very few reach this place, but those who do are blessed both by Eywa and by The People. They have a connection to life so strong that even death cannot separate them from it." She explained. "Sometimes, even someone outside of Eywa'eveng manages to arrive here, like little Leyn."
Neteyam blinked. "He's not from here?"
Eywa shook her head. "He comes from the world of the Sky People, Gaia. From the same world your father came from many years ago." She replied.
"So, I'm on a different planet?" Leyn questioned.
"No. Not quite." She replied, guiding both boys over to the water. As she stepped into it, letting the water wash up over her feet, the glow rippled around her, reacting to her presence, creating waves almost like a heartbeat. "The world is still in danger. I know you both have suffered greatly at the hands of humanity but, if you are willing, I would like to send you back. It is not your time yet, and the world needs strong souls such as yours to help guide it."
Leyn shook his head quickly. "I don't want to go back. I can't go back to that place. I-" He began, but Eywa placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"Leyn, beautiful boy, you would be going with Neteyam. I would give you a new body, much like his, and you could live a new life on the planet you know as Pandora. I am not so cruel as to send you back to Earth."
The boy blinked away the fearful tears that had welled up at the thought of returning to his life before coming here. "So, I'll be a… What did you say it was? Navi?" He sniffled, quickly wiping his wet eyes.
"Na'vi. And yes." She answered. "If you both agree, I will send you back together. It will be a bit disorienting, returning to life after so long, so you two will have to rely on one another."
Neteyam was the first to agree. "I will go back. My family and the Metkayina need me. I can't leave them to fight the Sky People without me."
Eywa smiled softly. "You have the same resolve as Grace. She was determined to continue to aid The People against those from beyond our world."
Neteyam blinked. "Kiri's mother was here?"
Eywa gave a small nod. "Yes. As was Tsu'tey, a friend of your parents. While they may not have returned to the living as you may, they continue to guide those they love and cherish through the Tree of Souls."
"Are you sure I'll be okay if I go with Neteyam?" Leyn spoke up, anxiety clear in his voice. "I don't know anything about the world. I won't know the language or the customs or the land. I won't even know myself, suddenly in a new body far taller than I am used to- and with very different parts."
Neteyam looked at the human boy. "I could teach you. I won't leave you to struggle on your own." He replied. "My father will help too. He knows what it is like to wake up in a new body."
"Really?" Leyn asked, curiosity piqued.
"He was an Avatar driver for the RDA when he first arrived on Pandora."
The scoff Leyn let out at the mention of the RDA was more than enough to convey his less-than-pleased views on the violent organization terrorizing Pandora.
"Jake saw what the RDA was planning and turned against them. He and a select few remained on Pandora after driving the RDA off-planet." Eywa added.
Leyn huffed, relaxing a bit at that. "I heard something about a rebellion on Pandora that set the RDA back nearly two decades." He began. "Good riddance. Those idiots think they can save humanity by ruining another planet the same way humanity ruined ours. The thought of them hurting Pandora any more than they already have is sickening."
Neteyam's lips pressed into a thin line. "But they came back. I…" He trailed off, his gaze going somewhere far off. "I died fighting them."
Leyn noticed how tense Neteyam was all of a sudden and grew worried. "You remembered just now, didn't you?" He asked, stepping closer to Neteyam, reaching out to place a hand on his arm, hoping to provide some sort of comfort.
Neteyam remembered the blood on his parents' hands. He remembered his brother beside him, in shock. His mother's screams. The ship in the distance, his sisters still held hostage somewhere on it.
"Yeah…" He replied.
Eywa stepped over as well, reaching out to cup his cheek, the bioluminescence on his skin glowing in response to her touch. "Some time has passed since then but you will be able to see your family again. They will be happy to have you returned to them." She reassured him with a soft smile.
"And I'll go with you, Neteyam. You won't be alone." Leyn added, having made up his mind, looking up at him with warm brown eyes.
"So, it is decided?" Eywa asked, glancing between the two.
Leyn took Neteyam's hand, a bit unsettled by how big the taller's hand was compared to his own as well as the different number of fingers on their hands- but he would have to get used to that, wouldn't he?
"I'm ready to go. Neteyam needs to return to his family. We shouldn't keep them waiting any longer." Leyn replied, then looked up at Neteyam. "What about you?"
Neteyam thought about the war they would be returning to. He knew it would be difficult, traumatizing to return to a life of constant danger, but if he was able to be reunited with his family, then it would be worth it, right?
Besides, Leyn needed someone to be there for him. He would be lost on his own.
"I'm ready." He replied.
Both boys looked to Eywa then, who smiled softly at them. There was something in her gaze, hopeful and warm, but there was something else to it that neither boy could place. It was something rather knowing, as if she had noticed something they didn't.
Then again, she was the Great Mother, Nature itself. Even if she wasn't omnipotent, she was certainly bound to know more than them.
"Very well." She spoke, turning to place a kiss on both of their foreheads. "You both have my blessing. You will return to life together. I am always with you. If you ever need me, know I can hear you. I may not be able to help in the ways you wish, but I will give aid when I can." She promised, then gently turned them so they faced the water.
"Walk out into the water. As soon as it is above your heads, you will return." She informed, then stepped back, watching quietly with a smile.
Neteyam hesitated, glancing back at her. "Will we remember this, or will we have to wait to get the memories back, like with our deaths?" He asked.
Leyn glanced back as well, curious to know the answer.
"Some parts may be a bit blurry, but you will remember most everything. You will remember our conversations. You will remember each other. You will remember being given this second chance. Do not worry." Eywa replied.
Leyn looked back ahead then. "Is now a bad time to bring up the fact that I don't know how to swim?" He asked, earning a surprised laugh from Neteyam.
"Just hold onto me, okay? How are you at holding your breath?" He asked.
"I'm okay at it, but I can't hold my breath for too long." The smaller answered, nervous.
Neteyam nodded. "We can work with that. Wait until the last second, then take a deep breath while we go under. Once we are back, I'll swim us up to the surface. It'll be okay."
Leyn shifted from one foot to the other, holding Neteyam's hand a little tighter. "Alright. I'm trusting you, so don't let me drown, okay?" He replied.
"I'll keep you safe. I promise." Neteyam smiled.
Leyn gazed up at him for a moment, then smiled back. "Alright. Let's go."
With that, the two slowly waded out into the water. Once it was waist-level for Leyn, the boy paused. Neteyam offered him a small smile, then scooped the smaller up into his arms and carried him further out. He was careful, making sure Leyn's head was above the water until the last moment.
"Okay. Deep breath." Neteyam instructed, Leyn doing as he was told and taking in as much air as he could, holding it. Once Neteyam saw he was ready, he held Leyn close, took one final breath, and let them both slip beneath the water's surface.
…
The twist in the pit of his stomach and the odd sensations in the water around him left Neteyam a bit disoriented, but he managed to open his eyes, seeing he was tangled up in the fronds of the Metkayina clan's Spirit Tree. Just as with the water in the Peaceful Sea, the bioluminescence in the water swirled around him as he moved.
Then he remembered Leyn and quickly looked around. The boy wasn't in his arms anymore and Neteyam was worried he would panic underwater without Neteyam by his side.
Before he could navigate his way out of the Spirit Tree, though, a hand shot out and gripped onto him. Neteyam flinched, turning to spot dark gold eyes gazing at him. The Na'vi teen before him looked afraid, gripping his arm and hand tightly.
Then it clicked. That was Leyn.
Eywa really had given him a new body.
Holding tight to Leyn, Neteyam swam them both up to the surface, the water glowing around them. As they broke through the water's surface, Neteyam realized that the water wasn't just glowing, but it was pulsing like a heartbeat, rippling just as it had when Eywa stepped into the water before.
Leyn coughed, taking in big breaths, eager to breathe air again. "I hate water. I'm never letting you carry me into the ocean again. That was terrifying." Leyn gasped, still holding tightly onto Neteyam.
"I didn't mean to let you go. I didn't even realize at first." He admitted, and Leyn sighed, slowly calming down.
"Can we just get back on land first? We can talk once we're back on solid ground." Leyn whined, not wanting to stay in the water any longer than necessary.
"Right. Sorry. Let's see if I can find an Ilu nearby to take us back to shore." Neteyam replied, turning his gaze out into the water as he pulled Leyn closer, one arm wrapping around the smaller's waist- though, he was not as small as before- to keep him supported and keep his head above the water. It was night, so it was dark and difficult to make out anything in the water.
The sound of clicking, however, caught Neteyam's attention, and his gaze turned to find a group riding toward the Spirit Tree, likely to investigate the heartbeat of light emanating from Neteyam and Leyn.
As they drew closer, Neteyam recognized Tonowari and Ronal, Tsireya and Ao'nung following close behind along with a few other members of the Metkayina, likely those who patrolled the waters around the clan, on the lookout for any sign of Sky People ships.
"Olo'eyktan," Neteyam called out, relieved to see the leader of the Metkayina. He paused, however, when he saw the haunted looks on Ao'nung and Tsireya's faces.
"Neteyam, who are they?" Leyn whispered, uncertain.
"They are friends. Don't worry." Neteyam reassured, then looked back to Tonowari. "I know this is all very strange, but could we return to the shore before I explain?" He asked in Na'vi, hoping they would agree quickly so he could get Leyn out of the water as soon as possible.
Tonowari eyed them for a moment, then the water around them that glowed at their movements, but no one else's. It was reacting to them specifically.
Ronal spoke up first. "Tsireya, let them borrow your Ilu. Ride with your brother." She spoke, her tone leaving no room for argument.
"Yes, Mother," Tsireya replied, guiding her Ilu over to Neteyam and the stranger before slipping off and swimming over to her brother. Ao'nung helped her up onto his Ilu but his gaze didn't leave Neteyam.
Ignoring the stares he knew they were getting, Neteyam easily mounted the Ilu, one hand holding the grip while his other hand lifted Leyn up from the water.
"Are you sure this is okay? They don't look too happy to see you." Leyn asked, managing to sit behind him properly, holding onto his waist tightly.
"That's because I'm supposed to be dead. You would be wary too if someone you knew to be dead suddenly reappeared." Neteyam whispered back. He adjusted Leyn's hold on his waist as well. "Don't let go. We won't go too fast or go underwater but I still don't want you falling off because you're not holding on properly."
Leyn huffed through his nose. "If I fall off, I'm drowning you with me." He threatened half-heartedly, holding on tight.
Neteyam snickered, then followed the group back towards the shore. Leyn was happy to be back on land, sinking down onto the sand with a sigh, Neteyam crouching down to gently rub his back as he relaxed. "See? That wasn't so bad." He hummed.
Leyn rolled his eyes. "Says you." He scoffed, but there was no bite to his words.
Ronal sent Ao'nung and Tsireya off to bed, telling them not to mention Neteyam to anyone along the way. The same orders went to those who had been on patrol. Tonowari, on the other hand, stepped away, heading off down the beach in a rush.
"Come. Let's get you two cleaned up." Ronal spoke, reaching a hand down to Leyn. "I will help you walk."
Leyn glanced up at her, then at her hand, hesitating for a moment before reaching out to take it.
Ronal flinched so violently that Leyn quickly retreated, afraid. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you or anything. It was an accident." He quickly spouted, his hand moving to grip Neteyam's arm anxiously.
Neteyam realized then that Leyn was speaking Na'vi without any difficulty. He guessed Eywa must have granted him knowledge of the language when she granted him his new body.
As Neteyam processed the discovery, Ronal looked between them with wide eyes, then held her hand out to Neteyam. "Let me see your hand."
Neteyam eyed Leyn briefly, then looked up to Ronal, offering her his hand. She took it, staring at it with such intensity that he began to worry something was wrong.
Then she let go.
"Neteyam, help your friend walk. We will go to the Tsahik marui." She spoke, then turned and began to head down the beach in the opposite direction Tonowari had gone.
"Come on. Let's go get cleaned up and get some clothes on." Neteyam coaxed, only for Leyn to gasp and quickly cover himself.
"Why didn't I notice the fact that I am naked?" He hissed, embarrassed, blushing a deep blue.
"I think trying not to drown was more important." Neteyam pointed out, guiding Leyn to his feet and following after Ronal.
In the Tsahik marui, Ronal let Neteyam and Leyn rinse off all the sand from their bodies, having them dry off before providing them with clean, plain loincloths to wear.
Leyn was self-conscious, not used to wearing so little, still trying to cover himself with his hands as he knelt on the soft pillow Ronal had provided him to sit on. Neteyam was seated beside him, glancing over at the smaller every so often before returning his attention back to Ronal.
The Metkayina Tsahik was watching them closely, the three sitting in silence for what felt like forever before she finally broke the silence. "How are you alive, Neteyam?" She asked.
"Eywa sent me back. Leyn as well." He replied honestly. "She said there was still much we had to do to protect our planet from the Sky People."
Ronal listened quietly, going over his response in her head before looking back at them. "You've met Eywa?"
The two nodded.
Ronal had felt it in their touch out on the beach, so she knew better than to think they were being dishonest. "I understand Neteyam being here since we laid him to rest with our ancestors, but why are you here?" She asked.
Well, she was as blunt and to the point as Neteyam remembered.
Leyn shrunk a bit from her gaze, glancing over at Neteyam. The taller gave a small nod, encouraging him to reply. "Because Eywa wanted Neteyam to watch over me and teach me the ways of the Na'vi." He answered honestly. "We are supposed to rely on each other and help protect everyone from the Sky People."
Ronal hummed, clearly suspicious of Leyn, but didn't say anything else on the matter. Instead, she turned to Neteyam. "You have been dead for two years, Neteyam. Your family will be overjoyed to have you back but I'm afraid it will be rather hard for them to share a marui with you now. They were all rather traumatized by your death. You should not expect to be able to pick up where you left off." She warned. "It will take time for them to come to terms with your return."
"I understand." He replied. "I… I remember what happened. I can see why it would be difficult for them to be near me after they learn I am alive again."
"If you are alright with it, we could give you and your friend a small marui nearby to stay in." She offered.
"Thank you, Tsahik," Neteyam replied, bowing his head respectfully. Leyn quickly did the same, repeating Neteyam's thanks as well.
"I will have my children bring you a small batch of supplies in the morning. You may make yourselves at home in the marui." She added softly, then her ears flicked back, picking up on something outside.
Neteyam listened carefully, picking up on multiple sets of footsteps quickly approaching.
"Tonowari went to wake your parents. They should be the first to know." She warned.
Neteyam tensed, which Leyn noticed. Gently, the smaller reached over and took Neteyam's hand, offering him a small smile. "It'll be alright, Neteyam." He reassured.
That's when three figures stepped into the marui, the beaded curtain made of seashells and sea glass clinking together as they passed through it. Neteyam's eyes instantly hit the floor, his grip on Leyn's hand growing tighter.
Two of the figures paused, and Leyn looked up to meet their eyes. Neteyam looked much like his mother, he realized. His dark gold gaze turned to Neteyam's father then, who looked distinctly human compared to the other Na'vi.
"Um, hello, Sir." Leyn greeted, English passing his lips.
Jake met his gaze, surprised.
Leyn looked back to Neteyam then. "Hey, it's okay. They are a little shocked but that's all. Look at them." He whispered.
Neteyam barely heard Leyn, however, stuck in his own memories of his death. He saw the expressions on his parents' faces. He didn't know if he could look at them now without those memories haunting him.
"Neteyam?" Leyn spoke softly, reaching out with his other hand, gently rubbing his arm. "Are you okay?"
It took a moment, but Neteyam finally found his voice. "Mom, Dad. I'm sorry." He began, hearing his mother inhale sharply upon hearing his voice. "I should have been more careful. I should have-"
His mother rushed over, wrapping him in a hug as she began to sob. Neteyam's father followed soon after, wrapping his arms around both of them, clearly struggling to hold back tears of his own. Watching them fuss over Neteyam, Leyn felt he was intruding, and attempted to scoot away to give them space.
Neteyam squeezed his hand tighter though, not letting him pull away.
Leyn looked up, finding Neteyam looking up at him with bright, tear-filled eyes. That look was all he needed to know Neteyam needed him. Leyn was the only one who understood what had happened to him and how strange all of this was, returning to life so suddenly. The smaller settled, offering a small smile in return, hoping to reassure the taller, and gently pat Neteyam's hand with his free one.
"How- How is this-" Neteyam's mother began, pulling back just enough to cup her son's face in her hands.
"They have seen Eywa and received her blessing. She gave them back. She gave them another chance." Ronal spoke up, getting to her feet and standing beside her husband.
"She said Eywa'eveng still needs to be protected from the Sky People," Neteyam explained further. "Leyn and I were told to come back to help."
Jake's eyes turned to Leyn then, eyeing the way he and Neteyam were holding tight to each other's hand. "Did you… were you also…?"
Leyn offered a sheepish smile. "Dead? Yeah." He replied in English since he was addressed in said language.
"Dad, he's sort of like you," Neteyam spoke up. "He was originally human but Eywa gave him a Na'vi body."
Jake tensed at that, his gaze hardening slightly with suspicion. "Where were you before?" He asked.
"Back home," Leyn replied. "Earth."
That seemed to shock Jake. "Then how did you reach Eywa?"
Leyn shrugged. "I don't know. All I remember is waking up on a beach, not knowing what happened to me or how I got there."
"What did you do on Earth?" Jake continued to question.
The smaller let out an amused huff. "Well, I'm only sixteen so I didn't do much. I went to school and then hid in my room at home. The air outside is too polluted to be anywhere without an air filtration unit for too long." He replied.
Neteyam's mother noticeably dimmed. "You are so young." She commented, also noticing the way the two held hands. "You had so much life before you. How did you die?"
"Neytiri," Jake whispered. "Let's not ask things like that quite yet."
Leyn's hand rose up to his face, fingertips brushing against his temple. "I'd rather not talk about that yet." He replied, and the three watched as Leyn withdrew into himself.
Jake recognized something in the way Leyn reacted and felt himself grow concerned, something tugging at the back of his mind, telling him to take Leyn and protect him. The boy had gone through so much, the trauma evident in the way he closed off from everyone when asked what happened.
Jake couldn't help but wonder what sort of war the boy had been fighting back on Earth. It may not have been as literal as the one being fought here on Pandora, but Leyn was a warrior, a survivor.
Neteyam reached out for the smaller, seeing the panic from the pink sand beach haunting Leyn's eyes. He recalled the way the boy had panicked at the thought of returning to Earth, afraid of what he would face if he did. "Leyn. Come here." He said softly, opening his arms for the smaller.
Leyn didn't need to be told again, moving closer and settling into Neteyam's side, tucking himself into the taller's embrace. He tried his best to hold back his tears as the thoughts and memories washed over him, he really did, but they began to flow anyway.
Neytiri watched with a saddened gaze, wanting to comfort the boy but unsure if her touch would be welcomed.
It was late in the night when they all settled down. Ronal and Tonowari sat quietly, discussing with Jake how they wanted to go about reintroducing Neteyam to his siblings and the rest of the Metkayina. Neytiri, meanwhile, was filling Neteyam in on everything that had happened over the last two years. Leyn stayed tucked into Neteyam's side, relatively quiet as he rested his head on Neteyam's chest, simply listening to the taller's steady heartbeat and the way his voice vibrated in his chest as he spoke with his mother.
Just as the sky was beginning to lighten, Neytiri and Jake walked along with Neteyam and Leyn, following Ronal as she led the way to the marui the two would be staying in. They'd been hesitant to let him live in his own marui rather than returning to their family's marui, but they understood why it was better this way. Neteyam hugged his parents, promising that he and Leyn won't be going anywhere and that they would see each other again soon.
Before they left, Jake turned to Leyn as well. "If you need anything, you can come to me. My family will help you." He promised, then glanced over at his son, who was hugging his mother one last time. "Neteyam will take good care of you too. Make sure you have his back, alright?"
Leyn nodded. "Yes, Sir. I will." He promised.
Jake offered a small smile and a nod, then took a step back, waiting for Neytiri to finish smothering Neteyam with kisses. She pulled away from her son, then turned to Leyn.
"May I?" She asked softly, gesturing towards him.
"Um, sure," Leyn replied, not sure what she wanted to do but knowing she didn't mean any harm. Sure enough, she wrapped him in a gentle embrace.
"You are such a strong boy. We will help you learn the way of The People. You are not alone anymore." She whispered to him, then pulled back. Still oh so careful with him, she cupped his face and pressed a kiss to his forehead.
The little gesture reminded Leyn of Eywa and he had to blink back tears.
"Thank you." He replied.
Neytiri smiled down at him, tucking some of his hair back behind his ear, which flicked a few times, ticklish. Then she stepped back, joining Jake, taking her husband's hand.
"Get some sleep. We will see you tomorrow." Jake said, then waved goodbye. Neytiri mirrored the gesture, and the two made their way along the beach.
Neteyam stood beside Leyn for a while, the two watching his parents grow smaller and smaller the further away they went.