Chapter Text
Blue fingertips slowly and delicately traced the lines and shapes of a tattoo. The first tattoo for a clan member who had completed every rite of passage into adulthood. It was still fresh on the turquoise skin and Neteyam thought that it looked like it had hurt. Aonung let him feel the new ink on his arm and then smiled.
They both had passed all their coming-of-age rituals. They had become great warriors, fighting alongside the Metkayina and their families to fight Sky People, and had won many battles in the last two years.
Aonung was next in line to become Olo'eyktan and had many times proved his worth to his father for such a title. Neteyam loved being a warrior, but as the years had passed and he had fought battle after battle, he had begun to yearn for more. His connection with Eywa felt stronger ever since he had almost died. He saw things invisible to the world and could feel people’s energy, their souls. It was overwhelming sometimes when so many people had died during the war, and he could hear their cries of pain.
Eight months ago, he had decided to embrace his spiritual connection and had started to train with Ronal to become Tsahìk. It felt right, as the partner of the future Olo'eyktan. But they still had time. They had so much to learn before even thinking about replacing the current leaders of the village.
Sometimes, he missed his former home. He loved the Metkayina and their ways, but he was still Omaticaya. Even if they had been accepted by the clan, he wished to go back to Hometree one day. And at the same time, he didn't want to leave because he wanted to stay with his future mate and build his life with him. He felt useful within the clan and close to the people. He could sense every connection lining together as Eywa blessed them with gifts of joy and healing after their suffering and losses.
The clan saw him and his family as Metkayina and they were well liked. Neteyam was recognized to be one of the best warriors at the village. Until the war came to an end…
He and Aonung had been ready for what was coming next. Ready for their first taste of adulthood and responsibilities. To achieve this, they had tamed the most difficult skimwings, created a bond with their tulkuns, soul brother and sister, and won every hunting competition.
For their success, they were bestowed a special piece of garment, a cloth, a necklace, or a waist band. And even three beads to add to their songcords.
He remembered how proud his parents had been of his accomplishments. He had done all of this while staying true to himself. And to reward them for all their achievements, came the most important gift of all, their first tattoos. Gifts of Eywa witnessing their passage into adulthood.
"It looks cool, don't you think?" Aonung asked him with a smug grin.
"It suits you," Neteyam replied softly to his partner.
"It's your turn, next. You'll be a real Metkayina like this," his lover assured him. "Not that you weren't before but you know what I mean!" he added with a light chuckle.
"I can't wait." Neteyam gazed at him with fondness.
"I can't wait for our mating too," Aonung replied as he grabbed Neteyam's hand and stopped his caresses. He had become much taller than Neteyam, with broader chest and shoulders, and long hair free of his usual bun.
Neteyam felt his face get warm. He wouldn't have said it, but he was excited for that too. As a response, he kissed him fiercely.
The needle made of bone approached Neteyam's chest slowly. The Tsahìk was the one performing the ritual of the first tattoo. Ronal carefully pressed it into his skin in light motions. It stung uncomfortably, but Neteyam was a warrior, he had been through worse. His scar on his chest was proof of his toughness. Scar that was gradually disappearing under the tattoo as a symbol of his rebirth into the Metkayina clan.
It became almost a pleasant ache at the end, as he knew he would feel accomplished. Ready to start his new life as an adult and later as Tsahìk. He saw himself with Aonung, leading the Metkayina people, proudly exposing his chest tattoo. Warrior and spiritual leader of the clan, admired by all.
Ronal congratulated him when the tattoo was finished, telling him that Eywa had big plans for him, and she was at peace knowing her son would share his life with him. Neteyam had never felt this emotional before. He held Ronal's hand and was washed with her bright and caring energy.
A big gathering was organized later that day to celebrate all the successful Metkayina members who had completed all the rituals. Rotxo was also one of them whereas, Kiri, Lo'ak and Tsireya would pass the rites of passage next year.
His family examined the new ink on his skin. It had been covered all day to protect it and let it heal. But Neteyam was too excited to show them.
"Wow!" Tuk exclaimed in awe. "It's so pretty!"
"Thank you, Tuk." Neteyam smiled fondly at his little sister. She had gotten so big. Long braids were reaching her shoulders with blue beads at the ends. She also had a bigger necklace that she liked to change every day.
"It looks really cool! I'm so jealous!" Spider grumbled with envy.
With Max and Norm’s help, an Avatar had been built with his DNA, but it was still not finished. Becoming an adult himself and more aware, Spider had stopped painting his body and had started to wear human clothes. He had also cut his hair recently because, according to him, it had been a bother. Neteyam knew Spider couldn’t wait to live as a Na’vi with his true family and leave his human life behind. It reminded him too much of his father, Quaritch whom they had finally defeated a year ago.
Their father cleared his throat. "It does look great. Congratulations, son. I'm proud of you."
His mother, Neytiri wrapped her arms around him and then smoothed his clothes with attention. He wore a special attire for the night. A pearly and transparent cape spreading on his shoulders, a necklace made with beads and seashells, and several bracelets on his arms. He also had white paint on his face, embellishing his features and completing his apparel.
"A true warrior, a future spiritual leader. Look at you," she said with pride.
"You and Lo'ak had become great warriors and protected this family with all your might, and now you're rewarded, son." His father patted his shoulders gently as a way to show his affection.
"I did my part of the job too, even if I'm not a warrior," Kiri intervened, pretending to be offended which made Lo’ak chuckle.
"I helped too!" Spider added with a grin.
"Of course, Kiri, Spider. The war is finally over, and we did this together, as a family, strong," their father reassured them.
His mother nodded and got a closer look at Neteyam's tattoo one more time, smiling as she did, her white fangs peeking out.
Neteyam could feel his heart swell with pride and happiness. It had been a year full of big accomplishments, but rich in emotions too.
"So, Neteyam," Kiri said, starting to giggle uncontrollably with Spider. "Are you and Aonung ready to mate?"
He choked on air and glanced at his parents with embarrassment. He didn't want to talk about that with them just right there.
"Uh... There's no rush," he replied, trying hard to sound casual about it but inside he was screaming.
His parents shared a smile and just nodded. They had briefly talked to him about their own mating before, and it had been already embarrassing to say the least. Neteyam knew they had wanted him to prepare himself psychologically by telling him all of this. But if he ever heard again about how they had mated under the Tree of Voices, he would rip his ears off.
He wasn't in a rush to mate with Aonung. He was excited about the prospect of it, but he was waiting for the right sign. Sometimes, he had the urge to do it when their kisses became more, and he wanted to connect on a spiritual level in the heat of the moment. Until he reminded himself that they had to bond properly by the Spirit Tree and not in their bed during their lovemaking. Something was missing, when he was back in reality, when Aonung stroked his queue with want, letting him know that he was ready.
After his last conversation with his parents, he had experienced a vivid dream about having his mating under the Tree of Voices, just like them. He had seen the forest, deep in the jungle, the trees and the rivers calling for him. Enveloping him in a welcoming embrace as he was among his people again. The Omaticaya clan gathered around him and Aonung and celebrated their union.
Neteyam slowly understood that his concern was not about being ready to mate with Aonung, but more about wanting to do it back home, at the place he had taken his first breath of life.
"Neteyam, what's wrong?" Aonung whispered against his neck in their new Marui pod. They had built it themselves three months after their iknimaya. The first time it had been strange for Neteyam to sleep without his family. It was just him and Aonung in the quietness of a new home. A blank page in their history that they had to write themselves.
Aonung kissed him in the crook of his neck and trailed his fingers on the healed tattoo on his chest, brushing his nipple at the same time, almost accidentally.
"Nothing," he just replied a little too fast.
His partner stopped his motions and cocked his head, gazing at him intensely. "My love, I know you. And when you make this face, it means something is troubling you."
"What face?" Neteyam poorly defended himself. Mouth slightly parted as he blinked rapidly.
"That face," Aonung chuckled. "You always look like a fish out of the water."
"Oh look, how late it is. Time to sleep," he said, cuddling up to Aonung as he threw an arm around him.
Neteyam peppered kisses all over his shoulder as a way to distract him. It almost worked when Aonung sighed comfortably, but then he flipped him, finding himself on top.
"Tell, me," Aonung whispered, over him. "Please." His voice was soft and enticing, yet with a tinge of worry.
He had to tell him how he felt one day or another. Better be as soon as possible. But he was scared that Aonung would refuse and break their promise to mate for life.
"I don't want to mate here," Neteyam finally confessed.
Aonung was shocked." What do you mean?"
Neteyam was trying to find the right words to say, in the gentlest way possible, not to hurt his feelings. His eyes darted around, uneasy about looking at him in the eyes. "I want us to mate at the Tree of Voices, in the forest and celebrate our union with the Omaticaya clan."
Aonung frowned. He attempted to read his lover's face but was unsatisfied with finding an answer. "You're not part of them anymore, you're Metkayina! You've been away for three years..."
"I may be Metkayina at heart, but I never stopped being Omaticaya," Neteyam answered, finally meeting Aonung's eyes.
The future Olo'eyktan sat up next to him in defeat. It was as if he had already lost the argument. Perhaps because he knew he couldn't force Neteyam to mate the way he wanted.
"But..." Aonung started to murmur, disappointed. "Do you want to go back there only for the mating? Or are you suggesting you want to stay?"
Neteyam didn't have all the answers. He hadn't thought about living into the jungle again, although he had missed the trees and the rivers or riding his ikran. But he also loved the reef lifestyle and they had already built their home together among the Metkayina. What he wanted was more than that, it was a need that he couldn't explain to his partner. It was deep in his soul and the only way to satisfy this need was to go back to his origins.
Aonung was aware about his new ability to see the world in its true essence. The million microscopic lives that were invisible to others seemed to communicate with Neteyam. Kiri was the one who understood him the most as she also had an unbroken bond with Eywa. He wished he could have explained it to Aonung. He wanted him to feel it the way he and Kiri would feel things too.
"I just want to be your mate and bond with you the best way possible," he reassured him, resting his hand on Aonung's arm. His thumb lazily stroked the turquoise skin. "I love you more than anything, I'm not trying to hurt you."
Aonung shook his head and placed a gentle kiss on his lips. "I'm not hurt. Just confused. But I understand that you feel both Omaticaya and Metkayina and I can't change that. I can't ask you to choose one or the other."
There was a small pause where the Metkayina seemed to think intensely before he resumed, "If I want to be the best mate for you, I have to get to know more about the Omaticaya lifestyle too. So, I accept."
An overwhelming joy coursed through Neteyam. He tackled Aonung against their nest and settled on his waist, his legs at each side of his hips. He leaned over and smashed their lips together in a heated kiss. Aonung wildly responded to the kiss as he roamed his hands on his back. All teeth and tongues, and moans escaping their mouths as a fire started at the pits of their stomachs. The night was one of the best Neteyam had ever had.
"Me and Aonung are going to perform tsaheylu at the Tree of Voices," Neteyam informed their parents as they shared a meal together.
They had organized this specifically to break the news to them, so their siblings weren't with them to witness their reactions.
"Where is that?" Tonowari wondered. "Is it the Omaticaya spirit tree?"
"It is," his father answered, pleasantly surprised.
His mother seemed moved by what he had just said. "Really?" she whispered as tears welled up in her eyes. "You want to come back home?"
"Not necessarily," Neteyam replied calmly, his hand finding his lover's. "Aonung agreed to do it there, but we don't plan to stay at the moment."
"I want to know more about Neteyam's former home before we mate," Aonung added, looking at his parents. "I think that our bond will be stronger this way."
Neteyam's parents looked at each other knowingly and then smiled at him. "We think it's a great idea," his father beamed.
Tonowari nodded, but Ronal looked skeptical. She examined her son's face as if she tried to decipher any ounce of doubt.
"Are you sure?" she mumbled with narrowed eyes. "I know it's important for you, but every Metkayina mates above the Spirit Tree at the Cove of the Ancestors. It's always been this way."
"It is the traditional way," Tonowari confirmed. "However, my love, it's the first time we have this type of union. A Metkayina and Omaticaya. There's no rule at this point."
"Eywa wouldn't like it." Ronal shook her head, uncompromising.
"But mother–"
"I said no, it's not a good idea!" she still contested.
Neteyam squeezed his future mate's hand comfortingly. His father a little irritated by Ronal’s stubbornness was about to answer, but he beat him to it.
"With all the respect I have for you Ronal, you don't have a say. We're adults," Neteyam declared with determined eyes. "We're not asking for your permission."
Aonung nodded to show that he supported him. Neteyam could see his own parents looking at him in awe, proud smiles soon forming on their lips.
"You are against Eywa, then! How dare you!" She snapped and got up abruptly, leaving her plate on the floor.
They all watched her leave, almost stomping as she walked out.
"Ronal is so excessive! What's wrong with them mating under the Tree of Voices?" Neteyam's mother hissed. "We came here and learned your ways. We have integrated and your son can't do it too? Eywa will approve it no matter what she says!"
"It's okay Neytiri," his father replied calmly. "It's not like she can stop them, anyway."
"No, she can’t, I've made my decision," Aonung assured with confidence.
Tonowari sighed. "She will calm down. I think your mother is scared that you won't come back if you go."
"I will come back!" Aonung argued immediately.
"I know son, but she's been sensitive lately," Tonowari explained, crossing his arms. "You’ve grown really fast and now ready to mate and have your own life. Already strong enough to replace me as Olo'eyktan. Don't tell her I said this, but she cried the first time you didn't sleep in our Marui."
Aonung seemed surprised by that revelation. "Really?"
Neteyam sympathized with her, but it was their life and their decision. His mother understood it too. She stayed silent for a few seconds, looking at him with soft and attentive eyes. "We will come with you," she decided just then.
His father turned his face towards her questioningly. "It's not our journey," he remarked.
"I want to go back too. With the whole family," she declared. "We're going home."
"Mom said what?" Lo'ak shouted in shock.
The sky just turned dark and him and Aonung were with their siblings by the shore.
"We're coming with you?" Tuk asked with excitement.
Neteyam nodded, ruffling his sister's braids affectionately.
"I can't wait to go back to the forest! I've missed it!" Spider beamed, nudging Kiri with enthusiasm.
Kiri gagged, less than excited. "And what next? We'll join you during you're mating too?"
Tsireya chuckled. "Don't be overdramatic, Kiri!"
Lo'ak started to gag with her at the idea and they both walked closer to Aonung and Neteyam while pretending to be disgusted.
"Stop it, you two!" Neteyam complained, but he was slightly amused by their antics.
Aonung just rolled his eyes. "It was supposed to be just us and now everyone is inviting themselves. Great..."
"Wait," Lo'ak suddenly said. "Are we going back for good?"
"No," he replied immediately, but in reality, he wasn't sure what his mother had in mind.
She had missed their home the most. She had been forced to leave everything behind and start a new life with a completely different clan. Her own mother was still there, and she hadn't come back for three years. He would understand if she chose to stay and reclaim her life back. Their family was not in danger anymore and the war was over. Why wouldn't she?
Seven eclipses came as fast as lightning. Neteyam and Aonung were ready but stressed out too. It was a weird feeling of excitement and their stomachs churning in anticipation.
They had prepared everything for their journey. Aonung and Tonowari had successfully convinced Ronal who reluctantly let her son go. They couldn't come with them because of their duties to their people, and they couldn't possibly leave their three-year-old son too. Neteyam loved Aonung's brother. He found him adorable and enjoyed playing with him. He had many times wondered what it would be like to have children with Aonung if he could...
Tsireya had begged to come with them as well. She wanted to visit the jungle part of Pandora and its surroundings. Exploring had become something she was interested in, and this trip was the perfect excuse.
The day of their departure, Aonung seemed agitated. He sat by the shore to calm down, with his feet in the sand, and Neteyam joined him. They could smell the freshness of the early morning, the sea salt tingling their noses and the wind whispering against their skin and blowing their hair.
They didn't say anything, just watched the horizon with content. Aonung slid his arm behind Neteyam's back. The Omaticaya imitated him and caressed his spine gently.
Aonung suddenly looked down and pulled his arm away from his lover to grab something in the sand. "Look!"
Neteyam squinted his eyes and realized it was a seashell. "What about it?"
"You remember when I gave you one because I thought that would make you be my boyfriend?"
The future Tsahìk chuckled. He did remember. He had been so oblivious back then, not understanding common courting rituals. But it had been the first time he was in love. Since then, they had become closer and happier together, and Neteyam wouldn't have thought that he would fell harder as the years passed by. He smiled as he touched the necklace Aonung had given him two years ago, reminiscing their first kiss that day. It had been ethereal.
It was their time to take the next step and bond for life, and there was nothing that could stop them.
When everyone was ready to go, they packed their things on their traveling companions and soon connected their queues with them.
Neteyam looked at the reef one last time before they flew away with their skimwings, Ronal and Tonowari waving at them as they disappeared in the sky.