Chapter Text
Ao’nung woke up to a chilly morning breeze. His eyes felt heavy, but he still found himself awaking earlier than most days.
Yesterday still feels like a dream. It has been, since the moment he found himself walking home with Neteyam once the storm passed.
It was his first. The first time his mind ever felt that serene. Where his ears no longer ring and guilt no longer speaks to him. Who would’ve thought all this time he just needed to be seen .
But with one trouble gone, another surfaces.
Self-tranquility wasn’t the only first he earned yesterday.
Ever since Neteyam showed him that radiant smile of his. He found his guts twisting in the most alien way possible.
It was his first. For his heart to beat so loudly despite feeling so peaceful. With every glance, every mention, everything about that boy messes up with his supposedly stable heartbeat. But it brings him warmth, setting a gentle fire within his new self.
It might be too early to conclude.
He still doesn’t know what love truly is.
But he’d like this to be it.
He couldn’t think of any other explanation. If the gentle sun rays reflected in Neteyam’s dewy golden eyes aren't love, then he doesn’t want love.
He did the one thing he’s not supposed to, he fell in love. Doesn’t necessarily mean he lost in his own game, there’s no such rules as no-falling-in-love-with-your-past-one-sided-rival when they made the bet.
The sunlight was blinding, he yawned and shrugged it off. It was a day off, he doesn’t need to meet the Sullys today. Yet he found himself with one, not the eldest though.
“So… you called me here because?”
Lo’ak scanned him thoroughly, he didn’t even bother to hide the doubt in his eyes. Ao’nung had to remind himself that Lo’ak is tolerating at most, so the reaction is just expected. But he still wants to shut him up sometimes. At least whenever he has that distorted, insulting expression on, which is right now.
He swallowed hard, the words sitting on the end of his tongue might be the most embarrassing, self decrepitating thing he’d ever speak of. Out of everyone, Lo’ak has to be the one to hear his request. It’s not the time to be picky though, nothing will ever change the fact that Lo’ak knows Neteyam the best.
“I need your help”, he breathed quickly, those alone burned off half of his pride, “Please.”
“ Again ?”
“Yes. Again”
Ao’nung gritted his teeth, holding back the shame as Lo’ak’s lips curved up. That must’ve thrilled his ego, with the way those eyes smiled. The exact way he used to.
“Oh come on? Be nice to your soon-to-be brother in law”, he rolled his eyes, and Lo’ak twisted his features into the most absurd expression ever, “Without further ado. What do I do to make him like me?”
Lo’ak grimaced for the unknown-th time so far, and it’s only been hours after sunrise. “Are you joking with me or what?”
“Look, I just found out he’s one of those love purist Na’vis. Which would mean— Everything I’ve done so far is in vain. Unless I pull a stunt great enough, it won’t do”, Ao’nung sighed, leaning to the moss covered tree behind him. “I don’t know what I have to do”
“Just do things he likes”, Lo’ak answered, unamused, settling down on the rocky ground, his legs crossed as he flicked a tiny pebble away.
“Which.. are?”
“No fucking way”, Lo’ak clicked his tongue, his eyes widened in disbelief, “You don’t even know what he likes?”
“I do! A little…”, Ao’nung tried to work his brain, Lo’ak just waited for him to continue, the dislike within him was wide open. “His favorite color is blue. And he likes…crafting”
“So you don’t”, he sighed a long one, hunching his back, “What do I get if I help you out”
“Well… I can make your brother the happiest Na’vi on Pandora”
Ao’nung’s smile was genuine, so was the frown on Lo’ak’s face. He shook his head off, “You’re unbelievable”
“So help me out, brother in law”, he teased, his voice whiny, he squatted down. Getting on Lo’ak’s eye level.
Another sigh, Lo’ak showed signs of hesitation and he’s making it known. But Ao’nung wasn’t going to leave empty handed, so he just waited. With his eyes passionately staring into Lo’ak’s. Until he finally gave in, even though it took yet another sigh out of the younger Na’vi.
“Pearls”, he muttered softly, “Neteyam likes pearls. And beads, and rocks. Spheres, preferably translucent. He does like blue. And orange, and yellow. Sometimes he doesn’t mind green”
Lo’ak’s tone turned milder with every word.
“He doesn’t look like it, but he loves compliments. So shower him with those, or preferably don’t. Also, Neteyam… He doesn’t really accept gifts . I’m assuming you should know that already, Tuk probably ratted out, right?”
“Ah.. Yeah, she mentioned something about it…”, Ao’nung replied mindlessly, compliments , that’s his next step. “What else can I do? My adorable, future brother in law?”
…
“My hair is what now?”
Ao’nung quickly flashed a grin, in response to Neteyam’s confused expression. He’s pretty certain he didn’t say anything odd enough to deserve that reaction.
“It… looks great?”, Ao’nung repeated, pushing aside the wet strands of his hair to the sides, “You know? flawless. I don’t think I’ve ever seen your hair messed up, at all”
“Oh”, Neteyam’s lips twitched a little, “I’ve never noticed it myself, actually”
Neteyam is still absorbed in his task, trying to spot some water plants to be made into weavings.
“Thanks, though”, he mumbled, Ao’nung can barely hear him with the distance. But that soft smile of his, he can spot even from a mile away.
To be completely truthful, Ao’nung still has no damn idea on what he should do. Funny, since he was so full of himself at the start of the bet. And now he’s here, volunteering to assist Neteyam with his chores . In the middle of the ocean, searching for weeds.
Hell, his heart rate is already going crazy just looking at him. Even with a basket full of seagrass in his arms. Rotxo was absolutely right, how could a man like Neteyam even fall for him? Whatever he was thinking about, it was idiotic.
He flinched before he could feel Neteyam’s cold hand on his skin. Straightening his back, he smiled as best as he could.
“You don’t look good”
“I’m alright”
“Look.. if it’s about yesterday….”
Neteyam’s eyes flickered slightly, uneasy as he spoke. Ao’nung quickly shook off his head, not wanting Neteyam to draw his own conclusions. Even though he could see why Neteyam would think that way.
“Yesterday wasn’t a problem at all, Neteyam”
“Are you certain?”
His head tilted, locks of braids falling along his jawline. That sinful habit is going to be Ao’nung’s breaking point someday.
“Yes, my love . I swear to Eywa”
He brought a hand to his chest, smirking playfully and bowed a little. The gesture was responded with a roll of the eyes from Neteyam. His calm facade didn’t budge ever so slightly even after his remark . Or perhaps, he just didn’t catch it.
The day just went on, after countless of miserable attempts of gaining Neteyam’s attention, even his stubbornness is getting exhausted. The sunset appeared as if sending them a farewell by the time they were about to leave the sea.
Neteyam put his basket down the pier, and pulled himself up. His skin drenched in droplets, they shone beautifully under the setting sun. He doesn’t want to let him go, he can’t.
Desperate, he clutched onto the tiny sphere buried in his hand. He picked it up some time during their search. Not even sure what it classifies as, he’s never been the one to pick up pearls, or even beads. But it’s round, and it’s sparkling. And as Lo’ak requested, it’s translucent.
Shrugging off the sweat on his fingers, he reached for Neteyam.
“Hey”
The Na’vi turned around. His yellow eyes lit with interest.
“Picked this up along the line”, he pressed the item onto Neteyam’s palm, “Figured you might want it”
“What is it?”, Ao’nung shrugged at his question, he kept his hand on Neteyam’s and with a sly smile he responded, “Guess”
“Uh… dead fish eye”
“What the fuck?”, Neteyam laughed, grinning widely from ear to ear watching the disturbed expression Ao’nung has on.
“Kidding, a bead, isn’t it?”
Ao’nung huffed, lifting away his hand, revealing the sparky ball object.
“Correct”
“Huh, sweet”, he picked it up carefully, bringing it higher to the direction where the sun is. The bead sparkled so brightly, it’s almost blinding. As blinding as how Neteyam looked at that moment. He looked at it with deep interest, a genuine beam on his face.
“A pearl”, Neteyam muttered, “Sure I can have it?”
“All yours”
“Thanks”
Neteyam grinned, slipping the pearl to his sheath. Unexpectedly, he received it quite easily. He must’ve picked the right gift. His past admirers were stupid, they could’ve just went to Lo’ak like he did. But it’s not a complaint, in fact, he’s glad. The thought put a small satisfied smirk on his face.
“You liked it?”
“I love it. Well, beads in general”, Neteyam snickered, “Recently pearls are my favorite”
“Guess it’s what they call a happy accident then”, Ao’nung held back a grin, accident alright.
Neteyam stopped his tracks, he grinned widely and looked back. Ao’nung followed, remaining still even when Neteyam approached him. Until only inches were left between them. With a bright smile, Neteyam looked up. He reached for his braids, and spoke,
“Should we trade?”
Ao’nung couldn’t let out any voice. He just nodded frantically. Neteyam’s breath was calm, carefully removing the last bead of the whole lock.
“I recall you liked yellow”, his soft voice resonated perfectly within his ears. Neteyam’s rough fingers grazed his, as the crystal like bead was placed on his hand. “It’s from the trees back at home. Tree sap crystallized. An amber, basically”
“It’s beautiful”, he commented. He doesn’t know and care that much about beads, stones, or crystals to be honest. But Neteyam just had to make them sound appealing.
“Take care of it for me, will you?”, his smile was sickeningly sweet, “It was my favorite one”
“Oh. Damn, should I give it back?”
“It’s alright, I’d like you to have it”, Neteyam chuckled, his heels turned and he picked up his pace. Walking across the wooden planks, traces of his wet footsteps followed his steps. And so did Ao’nung, holding tightly to the tiny item he was just entrusted to. Never once in his whole life, he’d ever think that a tiny bead would mean this much to him.
That was foul of him. Handing him such an emotion packed object so casually. Is he even aware of the damage he just did? Most likely not. His beautiful smile remained nonchalant after all. Yet, even that was enough of a trigger to
The sunset generously lights their path home, the evening warmth against their cold, drenched skin felt comfortable. His heartbeat pulsating at a rate faster than it usually would. But most of all, Neteyam’s shadow leading him home . Everything and every second of this moment, will always be his definition of serene.
“Neteyam—“
He unconsciously called out. Neteyam turned around, again . But he didn’t look bothered, and Ao’nung will take it as a sign. His heart was almost leaping out of his chest, now that he stopped denying his own feelings. He can’t stop thinking about how beautiful that boy is.
He bit his lip hard, and finally squeezed the words out of his throat.