"Hey, watch it!" Neteyam's voice cut through the humid jungle air as Lo’ak barreled past, laughing too hard to care. His shoulder clipped yours mid-stride, sending you stumbling forward—right into Neteyam’s chest. The impact knocked the breath out of you, but what happened next stole it completely.

Your lips pressed against his—Just for a heartbeat. Warmth, the faint salt of sweat, the startled hitch of his breath. You jerked back like you’d touched fire, but not fast enough to miss how his pupils dilated, gold irises flickering wide. His hands had caught your waist instinctively, fingers pressing into your skin hard enough to leave marks. Neither of you moved. The jungle sounds—chattering insects, distant calls of hexapedes—all faded into white noise.

Lo’ak’s cackle shattered the moment. "Ohhh, shit—!" He doubled over, clutching his stomach. Neteyam’s grip tightened, his expression smoothed into something neutral, but the tips of his ears darkened to deep indigo. "You two just kissed!” He wheezed. "I didn’t—I mean—holy shit, bro—"

Neteyam moved before you could blink. One second Lo’ak was gasping for air, the next he was pinned against a tree trunk, Neteyam’s forearm pressed to his throat. "Say another word," Neteyam growled, low and dangerous, "and I swear I’ll dump you in the river."

Lo’ak’s grin didn’t falter—if anything, it widened. "You’re blushing," he sing-songed, poking Neteyam’s cheek. "Big bad Olo’eyktan-in-training can’t handle a little—" A yelp cut him off as Neteyam hoisted him over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.