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Deep blue. Aonung stared into deep deep blue. His eyes traced dark patterns of skin. Watching lithe muscles contract and relax. His turquoise tried to memorize the glow of yellow eyes as night gradually fell. He caught the flash of white when teeth were revealed in a laugh and Aonung frowned. Feeling sour all of a sudden.“What are you staring at?”
“Nothing”, his eyes snapped away. His mother looked at him and then at where his eyes had been. Tsireya was laughing at something Lo’ak and Roxto were doing. Kiri and Tuk were trying to separate the boys and his attention was stolen again as Neteyam’s eyes squinted and his body tilted forward in a loud laugh. Aonung felt his eye twitch. Ronal’s brow lifted.
“You should be out there with them. Enjoying life instead of sitting here like a bitter old man.” Aonung huffed.
“I am not bitter.” Ronal stared at her son. Humor briefly flickering in her eyes. “What”, he murmured.
“We are too much alike sometimes.” Aonung waited but she did not elaborate. “You are lucky that boy took the blame from you and your stupid stunt.” He flinched knowing her words were true and knowing he deserved the scorn but exhausted from the constant reminders.
“I know mothe-”
“And,” she continued. “You are lucky the Sullys are gracious.” He rolled his eyes but shrank a bit anyway. “I know you are not happy with their arrival and neither am I but,” she paused, like she was reluctant to continue. “This is Eywa’s will. That family has lost much.” Her eyes lowered but did not soften.
“But they bring danger with them.” Aonung protested. The complaint felt weak to his own ears. The real reason for his agitation being willfully suppressed. His mother thankfully didn’t seem to notice.
“Yes.” She placed her hand on his cheek. “And no. The Sky people will have made their way to the reef eventually. Only a matter of time.” She looked into him.“I understand you, son, I do but do not let your fear turn to hatred.” He stood there and his mother then. Stewing over her words, he felt weary. Ah, she was right. She was always right.
His eyes caught yellow again and his gut stirred. Neteyam’s face did not mask his displeasure at his general direction but something else was there. Something like curiosity. No, he countered. More like he was being examined. Aonung shifted whether to speak or motion he didn't know. But before he could do anything Neteyam turned and broke the connection. Aonung breathed in and out. He could play nice. He could. The beads in Neteyams hair shone in the sunlight. He could try.
…
Neteyam was on the beach having finished another breathing session with Tsireya. When he was alone like this. It was harder to distract himself from feeling displaced. He shut his eyes tight. “No, don't think about that”, he thought. Instead, he tried to focus on relaxing. Water was nipping at his feet and the sand was warm on his skin. The sun was shining on his… he hesitated. The sun wasn't shining on his anything, He opened his eyes to find an obnoxious face blocking his light. He wrinkled his nose.
“I haven't even said anything.”
“You don't need to.”
Aonung rolled his eyes while Neteyam moved to get up. “I was going to ask if you would like to join me and some others in a hunt.” Neteyam ignored him as he stood. “Air fish are only in season one day every 24 eclipses. Metkayina consider it a treat.” Neteyam looked at him like he was stupid. Then turned to walk in the direction of his Marui. “Hey wait!” Aonung almost had to jog to keep up. “Who walks that fast?” Aonung thought. “Hey, I know you hear me, tree boy.”
Neteyam stopped and turned making Aonung stumble a bit in surprise. “Why would I hunt with you? Next thing I know I’ll be alone in the open sea with an overgrown fish trying to eat me.”
Aonung flinched, “I said I was sorry.”
“That’s nice. Doesnt mean I forgive you.” Aonungs blood was beginning to boil. In annoyance as well as shame. He regretted what he’d done to Lo’ak. He hadn’t been thinking. He knew it wasn’t an excuse. It was cowardly and immature. He knew if anyone ever tried to harm Tsireya he’d be even worse than Neteyam was. Instead of saying all of this, he stupidly idiotically opened his mouth.
“Your brother did.” He inwardly hit himself.
“That’s because my brother is too nice.” Neteyam spat and Aonung wanted to laugh at that statement but held his tongue.
“I thought you were the nice one.” Neteyam smiled but it was pinched. “I am”, he said simply. “but you messed with my family.” The fire in his eyes drew Aonung in. Eywa his eyes were bright. He was so bright. All of him. His face scrunched in anger. He looked so… he was so… his thought was cut off when Neteyam shoved him and kept walking.
Aonung watched him go. Watched his hips move and his back shift. His hair brushed around his shoulders. And Aonung was…Aonung was not noticing these things. He shook his head. That stupid boy. He wanted to kick something. He wanted to throw Neteyam down and fight him for being so stubborn and so annoying and so bright. He flopped down to the sand
“I’m an idiot.”
…
Na’vi were everywhere talking, dancing, and eating. The hunt for the so-called Air fish went very well according to Tsireya. Now there was a bit of a celebration. Neteyam couldn't get a clear answer as to what it was for. Life he assumed. A celebration of gratitude to Eywa and all she provides. He nodded to himself.
The fish was actually quite good. He wondered if they actually swam in the air or something. Maybe the name was meant to be accurate. You would know if you went on the hunt, his mind whispered. Neteyam ignored himself and asked his brother to pass him a drink. When he heard a familiar deep laugh. He turned to look at the stupid fish boy. Aonung’s smile was mischievous. Or maybe that was just how his face always looked. His eyes were twinkling and his chest shook when he laughed again.
Neteyams eyes studied his form. His arms, his hands, his stomach. He was big. Well not big but built? Big and dumb -what a fierce combo- he decided.
“Bro?” Neteyam felt like he’d been caught but he hadn't been doing anything. Had he?
“Thanks.” He took the drink.
“You ok?”
“Yeah, why?” He shifted on the ground.
“You just seem weird.”
“Wow, thanks.” Lo’ak snickered. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just…” His gaze wandered to Aonung again. Who was already staring directly at him. His eyes were fixed and his jaw was clenched. Neteyam’s skin felt hot. “What is his problem?” He blurted. Lo’ak shrugged.
“I honestly think he has a staring problem.”An unexpected laugh broke out of Neteyam. Aonungs eyes grew dark. “Who knows maybe he has an allergy to blinking.” This only made Neteyam laugh harder. Aonung was looking at him weirdly now. That was the only way he could describe that odd energy radiating off of him. Weird. Neteyam shook his head.
“I’m calling it a night.” He stretched his arms up and yawned. “Goodnight baby brother”
Lo’ak didn't wrap his arms around Neteyam but he leaned in a little into the embrace. Neteyam would take what he could get. He wished a goodnight to his parents and hugged his sisters before heading to his home away from home. His body sagged at the thought. He missed home. He was constantly pushing the thought away. He knew if he didn't. If he let himself sit undistracted for too long, he would be consumed. He knew he couldn’t let that happen.
When he realized he was being followed. He didn't know if he should be surprised or not. Aonung didn't even look ashamed. “What was so funny back there?” Neteyam rolled his eyes. This was ridiculous. Who knew someone his age could still act like such a child? Before he could get any further Aonung grabbed his arm. Neteyam shrugged it off but Aonung grabbed him again.
“What is wrong with you!”
“What did you say about me?”
“Who said we were talking about you?”
“I’m no idiot.” Neteyam barked a laugh.
“Yes, yes you are.”
“Well, at least I’m not a skinny tree demon,”
“At least I’m not a stupid fish boy with stupid hair and a stupid face” Neteyam shut his mouth. He needed to get away from here fast before he said anything else without thinking. He was starting to sound just like the idiot in front of him. He tried to turn again but Aonung stopped him once more.
Neteyam balked, this guy was fucking relentless. Neteyam shoved him with more force than he intended and they both fell to the ground. Aonung hissed and started pushing him off. Neteyam shoved him again and soon they were just rolling around flailing, tugging, and kicking like a pair of 5-year-olds. This was the second time he’d found himself brawling on the floor since he’d arrived. Though this time he didn't have the excuse of defending Lo’ak. A particularly hard tug of his hair had Neteyam instinctively repeating the move to the others head. Their eyes met and they paused like that. Tangled and panting. Each pulling at the other's hair.
We must look so stupid , he thought. Neteyam felt something in him give. He started laughing and Aonung looked confused and a little panicked. He was laughing so hard his breath couldn't catch. Aonung’s grip slackened and Neteyam rolled to the side clutching his stomach. Really the laugh had caught him off guard as much as it seemed to have caught the other. He was just relieved it was laughter and not something more alarming. Like tears. When the laughter subsided, Neteyam breathed a few times and got into a sitting position. Aonung looked bewildered but also had a smile on his face.
“My hair isnt stupid,” Neteyam choked, almost losing it again.
“And I’m not a demon.” He said meaningfully. Aonung flinched but nodded in agreement. A flicker of understanding passed between the two.
“No, no you’re not. You are skinny, though.”
“And you are an idiot. Are we stating truths now?” Aonung sprawled out and they sat for a beat. He felt his anger and annoyance recede. He felt lighter all of a sudden.
“I am sorry you know.” Neteyam turned to find Aonung looking at him. He looked determined. “ I truly am. I did not mean for him to get hurt. Really. I was being stupid and hateful and that's not… that wasn’t… I mean it isnt.” He was struggling but Neteyam didn’t interrupt. Watching him be uncomfortable satisfied the small vindictive part of him.
“That's not who I am. That's not who I want to be.” He said it with such conviction.The last part was vulnerable … more vulnerable than he was expecting. “What I said about you and your family. I was wrong. I am-”. Neteyam gave him a break
“I know. I can see that you are stupid-”
“Hey,” Aonung interjected. Neteyam gave him a look. He huffed but knew he deserved it.
“I can see that you are at times stupid but not cruel.” Neteyam was surprised to feel that he had actually meant it. A part of him had wanted to kill Aonung when he had told Neteyam what he’d done. If something had happened to Lo’ak he might have.
Neteyam felt eyes on him and glanced to his side. He snorted.
“What?”
“Lo’ak was right.” Aonung frowned.
“Huh?” His expression was open. So very open.
“He said you have a staring problem.” His eyes did not move from Neteyams face. His gaze was so intense Neteyam had to look away.
“Do you think that is true as well, Neteyam?” Something in him stopped and restarted when he heard his name from that mouth. He made a clipped hum before standing again.
He looked down at Aonung who made no attempt to move. “You do stare but I don't think it’s a problem.” He spoke honestly. And Aonungs smirk grew into a full-blown smile. The one that made his eyes twinkle and made Neteyam feel like there was mischief in the air. He let out a breath. “Goodnight Aonung.”
“Goodnight Neteyam.” Neteyam himself being observed, up until he entered his Marui. Even then, the feeling of eyes on his body never fully faded.