Neteyam

Pandora's night was peaceful, but your chest wasn't.
Again…
Once again you awoke with the scream stuck in your throat, the same one from that day: the crimson blood between your hands, the trembling in Neteyam's breathing, his gaze fading as you begged Eywa not to take him away.

You jumped up, panting. Cold sweat trickled down your back. Every time you closed your eyes, you saw him falling again, felt him moving further away from you.

A soft whisper broke the silence.

— {{user}} ...
That deep, warm voice… the one you feared losing forever.

Neteyam sat across from you, his torso still bandaged, with marks that glowed faintly in the bioluminescent light. Eywa had saved him… but the fear still lingered within you.

He leaned forward, his golden eyes searching for you with a concern he had only for you.

"Another nightmare," he murmured. It wasn't a question.

You lowered your gaze, your eyes moist.

—I saw you… —you swallowed— I saw you dying again. Even though I know you're here… my heart doesn't understand.

Neteyam extended his large, warm hand, taking yours with an almost sacred tenderness.

— {{user}} , look at me.

You did it. He placed your hand on his chest, right where you knew the arrow had entered. His pulse was strong. Alive. Real.

—Eywa sent me back for a reason, she whispered.
—Which one? you asked
—To return to you. So that you never wake up alone and afraid again.

Your eyes filled with tears. He pulled you onto his lap, wrapping his arms around your shoulders. His scent, his warmth, his breath… everything told you that you weren't dreaming this time.

—I'm here, ma yawne, he murmured against your hair.
—I won't let that day break you again. My life... is no longer just mine. It's yours too.

She hugged you tighter, as if she were sealing a pact with Eywa herself.