Chapter Text
The hunting grounds are empty when they arrive just as Ao’nung predicted. It leaves the two alone to hunt by themselves. Though, the young couple seems too focused on each other to actually hunt. Rather than actually hunting, they stay in knee deep water, messing around.
Neteyam bends down and pushes his hand through the water to splash Ao’nung in his face. The look of Ao’nung’s annoyed face sends Neteyam into a fit of laughs. Light, airy laughs that lighten the mood enough for both to forget about their impending doom.
Ao’nung simply rolls his eyes at Neteyam. With a huff, he wipes the water from his face.
“Shouldn’t you like that? Aren’t you Metkayina?” Neteyam asks in between his laughs.
“I’m going to throw a stick at you then ask why you didn’t enjoy it. You’re Omatikaya, aren’t you?” Ao’nung grumbles out.
Though his grumbling only seems to have the opposite effect as Neteyam doubles over, trying to desperately catch his breath through his laughs. Ao’nung shakes his head while discreetly using his tail to slash the other in the face.
Neteyam gasps as the water hits him. He quickly using his hand to wipe it off. “Hey!”
Ao’nung innocently glances around pretending to look for the source of the water. “How did that happen?” he feigns his innocent façade which Neteyam sees right through. But just as Neteyam opens his mouth to say something, more water hits him, courtesy of a certain tail.
“I splashed you once!” Neteyam shouts as he uses his arms to cover himself from the oncoming attacks.
Ao’nung can't hold it in anymore and begins laughing. Neteyam dramatically scoffs at the other. But the Metkayina boy’s laughs don’t seem to stop, even when tries to compose himself.
Neteyams smirks as a new idea forms in his head. Before Ao’nung can notice Neteyam’s smirk, the Omatikaya boy quickly pounces on the other, knocking them both down into the water.
Ao’nung chuckles suddenly stop. His expression turning to one of surprise. An expression that Neteyam takes a little too much joy in.
Neteyam sits on his legs, pinning him down onto the sand and water below them.
“How are you so strong with such skinny arms and legs?” Ao’nung teases.
Neteyam pushes him back slightly with one of his hands in a playful way. “You ask me that every day.”
“And every day I am amazed.” Ao’nung grins at him.
Neteyam rolls his eyes before getting up off the other boy and standing. “Skxáwng.” He holds his hand out to help Ao’nung get up. Ao’nung happily takes it.
Their lesson, though it could hardly be called that, is done right as dinner is to begin. Rather unfortunately for them, they can’t hide forever.
As the two stand a few maruis down from his family’s, Neteyam takes hold of Ao’nung’s hand. “I am sure they will like you,” he says to Ao’nung.
“Are you saying that for me or you?” Ao’nung counters. However, Neteyam can tell he’s just as nervous.
Neteyam just sighs and grips Ao’nung’s hand tighter. He had never brought anyone home before. Ao’nung would the first person him or any of his siblings have brought home. With his parent’s reactions his morning, he can only pray to Eywa that it all goes well. Or at least doesn’t end with Ao’nung being chased out of the marui.
“Just be careful when you answer my mother. Now come, my family will be expecting us soon,” Neteyam avoids actually answering. They don’t need to worry more.
They walk with their hands intertwined around the bends of the paths. When they do finally reach the marui, Neteyam uses his free hand to knock against the outside, alerting his family of their presence. He only puts himself in the entrance at first.
“Hi,” Neteyam greets them, putting on the best front he can. He’s nervous and, taking a quick scan of the room, Kiri and Lo’ak can tell and are taking much delight in that. At least, judging by their poor attempts at hiding the snickering. Ignoring them, Neteyam pulls Ao’nung into view of his parents.
Jake immediately stands at seeing Neteyam and Ao’nung. Neytiri doing the same. “Is this…?” Jake asks, eying Ao’nung. He doesn’t finish his sentence but with the way Jake is glaring at Ao’nung, Neteyam understands just fine.
“Yes,” Neteyam confirms. He swallows down the nervousness bubbling up. He’s a warrior, he reminds himself, he can introduce his boyfriend to his parents. “This is Ao’nung, my boyfriend.”
Ao’nung lowers his head in a respect, bringing his hand to his forehead at the same time to sign the greeting. “Oel ngati kameie,” Ao’nung says respectfully.
Neteyam takes a second to look at his siblings who are now all gaping. They all do it in their own ways. Lo’ak’s is out of disgust for Ao’nung. If Neteyam wasn’t busy making sure the first official meeting between his parents and boyfriend didn’t end poorly, he would love to remind Lo’ak that he likes Tsireya who is, in fact, Ao’nung’s sibling.
Neytiri doesn’t say anything back for a moment, her eyes glaring daggers into Ao’nung to which Neteyam only prays harder. Ao’nung smiles back at her, though with how nervous he is, it comes out a little too forced.
Luckily for all of them, Jake steps in. “Well, it’s nice to meet you,” he says, sticking out his hand in a tradition human greeting. Neteyam internally panics at that because while he did coach Ao’nung on how to talk to his parents, he most definitely did not give a lesson on human greetings.
For a moment, all of them awkwardly stand there and stare at Jake’s hand, unsure of what to do. Until, Neytiri speaks up. “Ma’ Jake,” she says in that tone.
Without having to be told another word, Jake retracks his hand. Fumbling with it as he signs the traditional na’vi way. “Sorry, old habits,” Jake explains with a laugh.
Ao’nung lets out a few awkward chuckles as he tries to discretely look to Neteyam for help. Neteyam simply says, “It’s a human gesture to greet someone.”
“Oh,” Ao’nung says as if he understands.
Neteyam knows for sure that he has no idea. Especially with the way Ao’nung’s ears fold down slightly to his head and the awkward smile he gives to Jake, it’s clear, at least to Neteyam. It does make him smile that Ao’nung is trying so hard, though if that’s out of the good of his heart or the fear of his life, Neteyam’s not certain.
“Dinner is ready,” Neytiri announces to the all of them. “Come in.”
Quickly, the young couple is ushered into the marui and seated next to Neteyam’s siblings. They sit close but not uncomfortably so. Just enough that every so often they brush arms as they move to grab things or gesture.
Neteyam has never felt more anxious walking into his own home. Sure, he’s had his share of getting in trouble but when he walked in then, Neteyam knew what was going to happen or, at least, could predict very well.
It doesn’t help how this whole thing came to be either. Eywa. Just thinking about it makes Neteyam want to sink into the ground forever. His choker is still around his neck, hiding those stupid bruises. But, Neteyam finds the bite mark more embarrassing.
Which, he is still trying to desperately hide with his hair. As if he could preserve any mangled bit of what is left of his dignity. His dignity probably died the moment Tuk mentioned the bite and bruises.
“Neteyam?” Ao’nung calls his name, pulling him from his thoughts.
“Sorry, what did you say?” Neteyam asks.
“How long has-” Jakes makes a gesture to the couple with his hand, “-this been going on?” he asks.
“A few weeks,” Neteyam answers as Ao’nung nods along. Neteyam hasn’t been keeping track that closely but if he had to guess it’s probably much longer than a month at this point, not that he would admit that yet.
Neytiri hums at his answer, but not in a way that gives Neteyam any sense of comfort. “This is the first I’m hearing of this,” she says to them sharply as she hands both plates of food.
“We were going to tell you soon,” Neteyam says to hopefully soothe her. They had a half thought out plan on how and when they were going to tell their families, one that wouldn’t have taken place for another few weeks, which neither of their parents need to know.
Neytiri looks over the two of them, eying every part of them slowly. Seeing her do this, Ao’nung can now understand why Neteyam had warned him of Neytiri rather than Jake. Neteyam watches the moment the realization comes into her mind. “You two have no courting bands,” she states.
“The Metkayina have different traditions, mother,” Neteyam says, hoping that Ao’nung continues since his own knowledge on the matter is lacking.
Ao’nung clears his throat. “Uh, yeah. We usually make and give courting bands when we are thinking of tsaheylu,” he explains.
“So, what you two have been doing is not for tsaheylu?”
Ao’nung and Neteyam blank, at a loss on how to approach or explain anything. Like how they’ve been dating much long than a couple weeks, and the thought of tsaheylu has crossed their minds quite often, and they have talked about tsaheylu a few more times than they care to admit, and how they have talked of making courting bands, and-
“Babe let’s start eating,” Jake tells her.
If looks could kill, Jake would have been a dead man many years ago. However, Eywa and luck have always been on his side so with a huff, Neytiri goes back to plating and serving dinner to everyone, dropping the question. For now.
Nervously, Neteyam begins picking at his food. Praying that the hardest questions are out of the way, he turns to Ao’nung and smiles. Ao’nung hasn’t been chased out of the marui, a step in the right direction in Neteyam’s mind.
For a little bit, dinner goes smoothly. It’s too quiet and the only one really chatting is Tuk but smoothly. That is until the questions come back.
“Why Ao’nung?” Lo’ak asks as he lifts his head from his plate.
“Well, he’s helped so much and he’s kind when he wants to be and we have a lot in common,” Neteyam begins listing off reasons. “Does it matter though? I just like him.”
“Wow. So how long have you been together?”
Neteyam does not like where this is going. “A few weeks,” he says again.
“And how long have you been pinning for him?” Kiri takes over from Lo’ak in asking questions.
“Kiri,” Neteyam says in that older brother tone. He would not care to admit how long that had actually been. Kiri simply smirks at him. She knows him too well sometimes.
“Are you guys in love?” Tuk asks, so innocently. Her eyes looking over the two of them so hopeful and excited.
Ao’nung chokes. Once he regains a bit of composure, he answers her. “I do care for your brother, but it’s only been a few weeks and, um, you see- well-” Ao’nung continues rambling, trying to find the right words to explain without saying too much. “Neteyam,” he finally says after a moment.
“Tuk, we’re still getting to know each other. We care about the other, a lot. But we don’t know yet,” Neteyam explains to his youngest sister.
Tuk pouts, the answer obviously not what she wanted. “When will you know?”
Neteyam laughs, ruffling the top of her head. “I don’t know but you’ll be the first we tell when we do.”
Dinner continues like this. With Neteyam’s family hounding the couple with questions before it returns to almost silence and then repeating. The small breaks between the questions at least allow the two of them to eat.
“Ao’nung?” Jakes says to get the boys attention. The couple of them internally prepare for the next round of questions.
“Yes?” Ao’nung answers, trying to stay as respectful as he can. It’s getting a bit tiring pretending he isn’t terrified of Neteyam’s parents.
“Do your parents know about you two?”
“Uh, they know I’m here, but we haven’t told them yet. We were planning on telling all of you soon,” Ao’nung says as he nervously smiles.
Jake hums at his answer, however he raises an eyebrow at the same time. “Have you completed your rite of passage? You have one, right?”
Ao’nung nods. “We do. It is usually completed near ones sixteenth birthday so mine is in the coming weeks,” he explains to Jake.
“What must you do?” Neytiri asks, her eyes trained on him. She looks at him intently, scrutinizing his every move.
Ao’nung clears his throat once more before delving into the intricacies of their rite of passage. As he does so, Ao’nung’s hand slowly creeps to Neteyam’s for reassurance.
Once Ao’nung is finished talking, Neytiri nods her head. “And you know Neteyam has completed his already?”
“Yes,” Ao’nung says. “He has told me before. It is quite impressive how young he and his siblings were,” he tells them.
“When you complete your rite of passage you will allowed to wed, correct?”
“Yes,” Ao’nung nervously answers, desperately holding onto Neteyam’s hand.
“Are you ready to be wed to my son?”
“Mother!” Neteyam finally steps in. “We are not getting married anytime soon.”
“So you do you wish to be married one day?”
This is when Lo’ak and Kiri start laughing. Practically cackling at the looks on Neteyam and Ao’nung’s faces.
“Why are you so focused on us getting married? It’s been weeks,” Neteyam asks her, desperately trying to control the blush making its way to his face.
“I need to know if he’s serious about you,” Neytiri says.
Neteyam opens his mouth to respond when Ao’nung beats him to it. “I am,” Ao’nung says seriously. “Your son is amazing. I’m not sure if we will get married but if we do, I could only be so lucky.”
Neytiri looks pleased at his answer. She gives Ao’nung a nod, her approval of him. To which, Neteyam and Ao’nung finally relax a little.
“Good answer, kid,” Jake tells him, giving Ao’nung a small smile and nod.
Dinner finally goes pleasantly after that. With the big question out of the way, the couple relaxes more, settling into the conversations. The conversations are mostly courteous besides a few comments.
“Ew,” Lo’ak says, scrunching his nose at Ao’nung and Neteyam.
Otherwise, dinner ends on a good note.
Ao’nung stands at the entrance of the marui, giving his final farewells to the family before leaving. When Tuk look to everyone and asks, “Wait, how did Ao’nung give Neteyam those bruises?”
“Ao’nung should go!” Neteyam says, grabbing Ao’nung and dragging him away. “I’ll walk him home.”
Neteyam stops a few maruis down after they leave his family’s, hoping they could get a moment alone before their truly had to end. Turning to Ao’nung, Neteyam smiles.
Ao’nung lazily rests his hands on Neteyam’s hips and he pulls him closer. “That went better than I thought it would.”
Neteyam simply hums in response, wrapping his arms around the others neck. “I really thought my mother was going to kill you.” Neteyam softly chuckles.
Ao’nung slowly leans forward to end their night with a kiss only to be interrupted by some very annoying shouting. Immediately both of them look towards the marui they had just left to see Lo’ak standing in the entrance with his arms crossed, looking a mix of angry and disgust. They hadn’t walked far enough after all.
“Hands!” Lo’ak yells at them. “Keep those slimy fish fingers higher!” he obviously shouts at Ao’nung.
“If only he knew where these hands have been,” Ao’nung whispers.
Neteyam shakes his head. “If you don’t want him to ban us from ever being alone again, then I say you pray to Eywa he never does,” Neteyam quietly tells him.
Pulling on Ao’nung’s necklace, Neteyam finally brings their lips together for that interrupted kiss. A quick, completely innocent kiss. One that is shared under the judging eyes of a sibling who has no qualms in fighting.
As Neteyam lets go of Ao’nung and leans back, he says, “You should definitely run now.”