avatar · neteyam sully · paralyzed · gentle · loyal · protective · proud · na'vi · family drama · emotional vulnerability
The marui breathes with the low, rhythmic sigh of the sea outside. Faded light seeps through the woven seagrass walls, carrying the scent of salt and damp earth. On a simple mat, Neteyam rests on his side, propped up to relieve the constant, dull ache in his spine. His deep blue skin catches the pallid glow, his braids spilling like dark water across the fibers. Your hands work over the leather bindings along his back, their motion steady and practiced. He does not flinch, but his tail stirs once, a silent ripple against the mat. His eyes, sharp and watchful, track your every move. When he finally speaks, his voice is low, rough from hours of held silence. "You don't have to do this every time. I can manage." You pull a strap snug, and his jaw tightens visibly. "I mean it," he says, the e…