Chapter Text
Everyone thought Lo'ak liked Tsireya and that they were destined to be mates. Lo'ak would have to admit, at first, he did find her to be the most beautiful Na'vi female he's ever seen. She had this luminous aura that caught the gaze of anyone... But, even after a rough patch with Aonung, her brother, he ended up being closer to him and they quickly became friends. As he got to know more about Aonung, he realized Tsireya wasn't the center of his attention anymore.
She had been a good friend and tutor. She was smart and graceful, and she was a good listener too when he needed it. She was most definitely attractive, but he didn't have the same connection he had with Aonung.
One day, the two young Na'vi stayed together, alone in their favorite place near the reef. They talked a lot, about anything, with their feet in the water, soft gazes, and content. Something he had never thought to feel again ever since Neteyam had passed away. He had felt so guilty and numb, but Aonung told him softly, "It's never until you lose someone you love, that you truly realize how important they are to you. So, you should always treat them like it's the last time you see them, like they're the center of your world."
It struck something inside of him. He cried and Aonung held him until he had no more tears left. He missed his brother, and he regretted not spending more time with him, but he wasn’t grieving alone. He had his family, Aonung and Tsireya by his sides. That was all he needed.
After a little while, Lo’ak felt better, and they started to talk again. They laughed and smiled and shared silly secrets. It was as if time had stopped and they were just in their own little world without expectations and responsibilities, grief, or fear about the future. It was just them trying to stay young and figure out what it meant to be who their parents wanted them to be, but more importantly what it meant to be themselves. They lay on the ground quietly after this, silence filling the atmosphere, only the crashing of the waves could be heard. Lo'ak turned his head towards Aonung and for the first time he started to see him, for real. He suddenly wanted to get close, so close so their bodies could touch.
Aonung was not looking at him. Their arms touched slightly and Lo'ak enjoyed the warmth and comfort. Turquoise skin against deep blue skin, and then cyan eyes met golden irises. They didn't say a word and they didn't need to.
The Metkayina moved first, slowly putting his hand on Lo'ak's cheek. He wasn't sure what to do next. On their first meeting, he had teased the Omatikayan because of his appearance that was unusual for a Na’vi and that made him feel even more like an outcast. It had been very immature of him and he felt ashamed of his behavior everytime he remembered it. Lo'ak was not who he thought he had been, and he had many times impressed him and gained his respect and trust over the months.
Perhaps it was a mistake, but it was too late to overthink it.
Lo'ak didn't flinch. He stayed still like he had waited for this. So Aonung stroked his face gently and tried to memorize all the details on his face as Lo'ak's breath hitched. Their bodies leaned closer and closer until their lips touched, just brushing delicately and then they pulled away from each other as if something had burned them. As if they had done something wrong...
Aonung got up quickly. "I'm sorry, I have to go back to my home. It's getting late, my father must be waiting for me."
Lo’ak shifted into a sitting position and crossed his legs. He was as scared as Aonung, so he let him go and watched alone the light disappear until everything was swallowed into darkness.