Chapter Text
He said it was cute.
Cute?
Ao’nung liked the way the nickname rolled off his tongue but he never thought too much about it…
I guess it is cute
He watched as Nete and Tsireya conversed, unable to find a way to interrupt.
Flustered and annoyed, he walked off. Neteyam’s calling for him was blocked out by his thoughts.
. . . . . . .
It was dark, and the Metkayina family sat in their marui as they talked before bed. It was a daily occurrence Tonowari had set up.
Only he really looked forward to it, and everyone else tolerated it for him. It was like “family time”.
Silence was the only thing that could be heard. Tsireya decided to break it. She turned to her parents, asking them about their day.
The three engaged in conversation, soon making it two as Tonowari and Ronal talked amongst themselves. Tsireya turned to Ao'nung who was in a daze.
"Ao'nung." She called him for a third time, waving her hand on front of his face. "What's wrong?"
Ao'nung looked at her, shaking his head. "It's nothing."
"Really? You've never behaved like this before."
"Yea? I guess."
"Is that all you have to say?" She giggled. "I've noticed a change in your behaviour, brother. I know what's wrong already. You just have to admit it."
"You know? What is it?" He looked at his sister desperately, as if she was about to diagnose him.
"Are you serious Nung?"
"Yes!" He whispered in a rushed tone.
"To me, as your sister, and as someone who has experienced something similar..." Tsireya joked as she purposefully dragged the conversation on, giggling.
"Cmon Reya.. tell me." Ao'nung urged.
They both turned back, noticing their parents listening too. Right as the parents realised they'd been caught listening in, they snapped out of it and pretended they were still talking to each other.
Tsireya and Ao'nung gave each other concerned looks before excusing themselves. They said goodnight to their parents and went to their own rooms in the marui.
Ao'nung lay down, thinking hard. What could Tsireya know? She's experienced it too?
...
For who? ... Lo'ak? But, Tsireya lik--
Ao'nung was interrupted as he heard footsteps approach his space. He sat up and found Tsireya walking towards him.
"I knew you'd be up thinking about it. I've done that too. So, Neteyam, hm?"
"Neteyam what?" Ao'nung spat back out of pure annoyance. "Just hurry up already."
"You're really dense Nung." She took a seat near Ao'nung. "You like him."
"You like Neteyam."
Ao'nung stared at her, thinking. He knew it... Deep inside he always knew. But hearing it out loud, and from someone else... It really helped him. He'd finally processed the fact that he'd actually... liked someone...
And not just anyone... He liked Neteyam.
Tsireya saw him thinking hardly, and nudged his shoulder. "Don't think too much about it. I'm glad you realised. Poor Neteyam, you should've seen him today when you ignored him."
Ao'nung snapped back to reality-- "Ignored him??"
"You walked off whilst he was calling you. His face looked as if his whole day was ruined." Tsireya giggled.
"Ohh..." Ao'nung let out a groan. That was totally not what he meant to do. He was too caught up in his thoughts.
"Go apologise first thing tomorrow."
"Yes obviously." Ao'nung rolled his eyes.
"Goodnight Nung."
"Goodnight."
. . . . . . . . .
The sun had rose and Ao'nung caught himself near the beach, sitting on his ilu. He usually did this to calm himself from any nerves he had.
The ilus were something Ao'nung treasured deeply.
He remained in his meditative state until the sound of sand being tread on alarmed him. His ears pricked up and he turned to face the shore. It was Neteyam.
Neteyam called for his ilu, waving to Ao'nung as he rode closer.
"Ao'nung! Hey."
Neteyam's smile was contagious, and Ao'nung found himself smiling too. However he realised he needed to apologise, and so the smile faded soon after.
"Nete. Yesterday... I did not mean to ignore you.. I'm sorry." He looked down, embarrassed to be apologising. It was one of the few times he'd ever owned up to his mistakes.
"Ao'nung, don't worry about it. It's fine... Thank you."
Ao'nung looked up at Neteyam, seeing him flustered.
He admired Neteyam...
His eyes scanned his body, picking out things Ao'nung realised he loved only thanks to Tsireya.
It was the small things... His genuine smile, his markings, his voice...
There was not one thing Ao'nung didn't love about Neteyam.
"You really like to stare, huh?"
Ao'nung immediately looked away. "No. I do not." He said quickly, in denial.
"Really? That's not what it seemed like just now." Neteyam teased.
"I wish you'd stop doing this to me."
Neteyam paused. "Doing what?"
"I don't know, whatever it is that makes me feel..." Ao'nung noticed he'd said too much and decided to keep quiet.
"Hey.. feel what??" Neteyam urged him on but he didn't speak.
Neteyam had a feeling it was what he had felt too... Could it really be...?
A shout from the shore broke the tension. Tsireya called out as she rode towards the two. "Nung! Nete! Did you say sorry?"
Neteyam grinned at the nickname Tsireya called him and Ao'nung noticed.
Nete spoke but was cut off by an embarrassed Ao'nung. "Nu--"
"Yes I did. And don't..!" It was clear Ao'nung couldn't handle Neteyam calling him by a nickname back.. no way.
"Haha. Why not? It's only fair that way."
"Fine do whatever.."
Ao’nung also couldn’t resist Neteyam either, and gave up his argument immediately.
Tsireya looked between the two. "Did I interrupt someth--"
"No! You didn't. Stop it Reya."
Tsireya smiled widely as both Neteyam and Ao'nung went quiet.
“Enough with this, you guys are so silly. Come, the others are waiting for you. Tuk wanted to go swimming.”
The boys nodded and gave each other a quick glance, riding back to the shore with Tsireya.
. . . . . . .
They dove into the water, this time without their ilus. The Sully children had improved massively compared to when they first arrived.
Together, everyone swam- Tuk was with Kiri, who was showing her the wonderful places she’d found.
Neteyam swam closer to the sand, as the seashells caught his attention. Happily, he picked up as many as he could, he couldn’t choose just one. Every single one was unique, and that’s what captivated him.
Swimming to the shore, he sat on the sand, proudly displaying the many seashells he’d found. He lifted them individually, checking their patterns.
It was as if he was a kid again, finding pleasure in such little things.
Ao’nung swam up after not being able to find Neteyam- his heart calmed down and relief ran through his body as he spotted him on the sand.
He swam back, and sat next to Neteyam, who gladly shared his new hobby with Ao’nung.
“Look, Nung. They’re all so beautiful.” The adoration in his eyes were genuine, and so pure.
Ao’nung wasn’t used to this, he was if mischief was a person. Yet, he enjoyed this new feeling… the feeling of peace. It was so simple.
They were just seashells, and Ao’nung had seen them everyday of his life, but he never once looked at them in the way Neteyam did.
A moment passed, with Neteyam’s eyes on the shells… and Ao’nung’s eyes on Neteyam.
“Yea… beautiful.” Ao’nung said, fixated on the forest boy.
Neteyam nodded, completely oblivious to Ao’nung staring right at him.
He lifted his head, making direct eye contact with Ao’nung… it was as if time had stopped, and all that mattered in the world was them.
Them and this tranquil moment.
Neteyam soon realised what Nung had meant. He didn’t call the seashells beautiful, he…
He was talking about him.
A smile wiped over Neteyam’s face, and he broke eye contact.
Looking down at the seashells, he spoke.
“I think I understand the feeling you mentioned… I feel it too.”
. . .