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Ao'nung has a staring problem, specifically when it comes to Neteyam. He'd watch him muck around with Lo'ak, both of them chasing each other on their Ilus.
He'd watch Neteyam help Kiri and Tuk collect shells and pretty stones for their projects, even collecting some for himself.
He'd watch as his 'friends' picked on them, Neteyam standing protectively in front of his siblings with his expression showing one of anger as his tail flicked to show his annoyance.
He'd watch Neteyam when no one else was around. The boy was so carefree when no one else was around, though he always hung out where he could stand if he was in the ocean, or he'd ride his Ilu all the way out to the reef wall and back again.
He openly watched Neteyam giggle and smile as the two had weaved through the Tulkun when they had returned, and he couldn't help but smile and laugh as well. Neteyam's smile warmed the coldest places of his heart.
It was then that Ao'nung had suddenly realised that he didn't just think of Neteyam as a potential friend. He thought of Neteyam as a potential lover, and that terrified him. While it wasn't uncommon for two Na'vi of the same gender to Mate, it was extremely rare for the future Olo'eyktan to choose someone of the same gender, and it usually wasn't taken very well.
This is why Ao'nung chose to only stare at Neteyam, keeping his feelings to himself. However, he knew he wouldn't be able to keep his feelings hidden for very long, because eventually, the people around him began to notice.
"You stare at Neteyam a lot. Do you like him 'Nung?" Tsireya asks after they'd gotten back to their pod after going out for a ride on their Ilus.
Ao'nung tenses up. He's been caught, but this is his sister. She wouldn't judge him too harshly…right?
"Of course I do. He is my friend" Ao'nung scoffs, staring out at the calm water.
"That is not what I meant Ao'nung. Do you like him as I like Lo'ak?"
'Do you want to date him?' was the unasked question, and Ao'nung debated on whether or not to answer truthfully. Instead, he deflected, a sly little smirk on his face as he turns to his sister.
"You like Lo'ak? You want to date him?"
His sister blushes, hitting him on the arm hard enough for him to sway sideways and nearly fall. He cackles loudly, and his sister thankfully drops the subject.
It is not stopped for very long, because the moment he looks back out at the water, his heart pounds against his ribs. Neteyam is out on his Ilu, not far from them. Hes not even holding onto his Ilu, though they are simply hovering and circling in the same spot. Neteyam's freckles are glowing so brightly that he could have been seen for miles.
"Eywa, he's beautiful" Ao'nung mutters, and tenses up again when he realises he's said that out loud.
Shit.
Tsireya giggles, pushing her brother forwards hard enough thst he falls forwards into the water. He stays under the surface, glaring up at his sister who signs to him to go over to Neteyam.
He hesitates for only a moment before he finds himself swimming over to where Neteyam is. He can't resist scaring the boy, so he sneaks up and shouts 'boo' as loud as he can and laughs as Neteyam falls off the Ilu, breaking the bond.
Neteyam splashes the Metkayina boy when he comes back up to the surface of the water, a pout on his lips though his eyes are filled with amusement.
"Don't do that bro" Neteyam huffed.
Ao'nung grinned. "I will do it as many times as I want. I like to tease you"
Neteyam rolls his eyes and grins, splashing Ao'nung with water. Ao'nung gasps, and a water fight ensues. The two boys laugh and play loudly, unknowingly moving closer and closer as the minutes ticked by.
Their bodies were close enough that they could feel the others' warmth, still giggling madly as they ceased the splashing. Being this close to Neteyam, Ao'nung could see the intricate patterns of Neteyam's markings and his brightly glowing freckles.
Neteyam was breathtakingly beautiful, and Ao'nung had the urge to reach out and hold the boy close, maybe kiss him silly, but he refrained from doing so.
"You're staring again"
Ao'nung blinks dumbly.
"Huh?"
Neteyam giggles, swimming just a little closer to Ao'nung.
"Do you really think I would not notice? I catch you staring sometimes" Neteyam murmurs, a teasing smile on his face.
Ao'nung wants to sink to the bottom of the water and never come up. He can feel himself blushing, and he hates it. He hates that he's been found out.
"Uh-I-I'm sorry Neteyam-"
"Don't be" Neteyam's smile softens, suddenly feeling a little shy, "I kinda like it…"
Ao'nung is shocked by this information, but takes it as a chance to tease Neteyam this time. A sly smirk forms on Ao'nung's lips as he reaches out and grabs Neteyam by the waist, pulling the boy towards him so their chests are touching.
Neteyam gasps at the sudden contact, warmth spreading rapidly through his entire body as his ears twitch before flattening against his head.
"You like me staring at you, forest boy?" Ao'nung's smirk widens upon seeing the reaction he pulled from Neteyam.
The boy blushed purple, and it was very noticeable especially with his many vibrantly glowing freckles.
In the back of his mind, Ao'nung knows he shouldn't be doing this. It might be okay if it was one of the Metkayina boys he was flirting and messing around with, but this was Neteyam te Suli Tsyeyk'itan, son of Toruk Makto, an outsider. His parents will be furious, but for right now, he couldn't care any less.
Ao'nung begins to lean in, slowly closing the distance between them. He's giving Neteyam plenty of opportunity to pull away, to smack him and tell him he's reading the situation wrong, but it's Neteyam who leans in the rest of the way on his own.
Their lips meet and it's like everything finally falls into place. The kiss is slow, almost loving in nature. Neteyam's hands come up to hold Ao'nung's biceps, leaning in a little more in an attempt to deepen the kiss. Much to his dismay, Ao'nung pulls away with a little smile.
"Calm down forest boy"
All he gets is a low growl in response, and before he can say another word, Neteyam's hands are suddenly grabbing the back of his neck and he's being pulled back in for another kiss. This time the kiss is a little messy. Ao'nung doesn't pull away this time, because now he knows that it's not just him that's been waiting for this for what seems like an eternity.
They stay like that for several minutes before Neteyam pulls away for air. He doesn't pull away too far, and Ao'nung can feel Neteyam's hot breath against his lips.
"By Eywa, Neteyam…" Ao'nung trails off, staring into Neteyam's bright yellow eyes.
Ao'nung can hear a soft purring sound emitting from Neteyam, the Omatikaya's tail swishing slowly back and forth in the water. Neteyam's eyes are half lidded as he leans in again, though this time it's to nuzzle his cheek against Ao'nung's
"I see you" Neteyam whispers.
Ao'nung hums, a soft little smile on his lips as his arms wrap around Neteyam in a tight hug.
"I see you"
Who knew Ao'nung's staring problem would lead to one of the best moments in his life? Ao'nung surely didn't, but he was grateful nonetheless...