Chapter Text
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The bow in his hands feels unfamiliar, tight and cold. The slight breeze and shadows cats by the long trees are nothing like the warm beaches he grew up on. Away from home, perhaps Ao'nung does feel a little lost. Maybe that's why he can't get his shit together and just shoot the damn tree.
"A little higher, Ao'nung."
The voice pulls him out of his thoughts. Neteyam speaks calmly as he always does. Even though Ao'nung has only known him for two weeks, the boy's steady tone already fells permanent somehow.
The dark skinned hand rests on his shoulder and Ao'nung expects a gentle touch. Instead, Neteyam pushes him harder than he expected, hitting his stomach with the back of his hand. He should be getting used to this, but Forest Boy keeps surprising him. Ao’nung exhales sharply. He should be used to this by now, but the Forest Boy keeps surprising him. Who would expect someone so kind-looking to be such a jerk as a teacher?
"Stomach in, shoulders out." But his voice remains calm as he fixes Ao'nung's posture and tells him to try again.
He shouldn't be complaining, really. With how badly he’s doing, anyone else would’ve thrown that damn bow at his thick head and walked away already.
Ao'nung isn't sure what frustrates him more, that he's sucking at this or leaving his people behind to run away. Or maybe it's all because Neteyam is the one teaching him. Should've been that stupid Lo'ak. He could’ve punched that idiot in the face and gotten it out of his system.
But Neteyam? He can't do that to him.
Especially, when the boy only brushed off or laughed off any of Ao'nung's sharp words and careless insults.
So Ao'nung does what he knows best. He puts on a careless smirk and brushes every responsibility off his shoulders like it means nothing. Even though it doesn't seem to be working with Neteyam, he's still persistent in trying unyieldingly.
"You know, maybe I'm not born to do this stuff, forest boy." he lowers the bow and turns towards the shorter one. "How about I teach you some tricks?"
Neteyam tilts his head lightly to the side, and a small smile tugging at his lips. "Getting bored already?" he asks lightly, as if knowingly.
But what does he know?
"I am actually." Ao'nung scoffs "Don't you guys do something more fun around here?"
This is his way to run off from responsibilities. He wouldn't say no to anything, of it meant to not standing here and doing absolutely nothing. Running through the woods beats standing still any day.
After all, he was the same back at home too. His sister, Tsireya, was the one doing everything their parents asked for. Not once talking back, always smiling, and well-behaved. While Ao'nung has always been the exact opposite. He is the one who gets into stupid fights, sneaks out late at night. And gets involved with sky people. Even though his parents told him to stay back with his sister.
That's exactly why they were here anyways. Because Ao'nung didn't listen. Because he caused trouble and almost got his family hurt.
"We could." Neteyam's voice brings him back again. The darker-skinned boy sees how Ao'nung's eyes light up instantly.
Then he laughs at him.
Rude, Ao'nung thinks.
Neteyam takes some steps back, still laughing. His thin tail swishing behind him. He looks quite joyful about breaking people's hopes, Ao'nung notes.
"Just not yet though. At least not until you learn how to use a bow properly."
Ao'nung finds out quickly that this is how Neteyam makes fun of him. Or how he cracks a joke to be fair. He gets him all excited just to let him down all over again and then laughs at his face. This Forest Boy was cruel and gentle at the same time. Kind and strong too.
"You're cruel." Ao’nung mutters, shaking his head. Still, he can’t stop the small smile creeping onto his face.
"Don't be a fuss now, come on." Neteyam says, nudging him. His touch is more gentle compared to earlier.
"Try again. Even Tuk can shoot an arrow." he teases him.
That one stings.
Was he really sucking at this to the point of being compared to a nine-year-old?
However, Neteyam's words did seem to be working because when Ao'nung picked up the Bow again his grip was stronger. And his eyes lit with determination as he focused on the tree in front of him. He pulls the string like Neteyam showed him. Palm facing out, feathers slipping between his fingers.
Cold hands reach for him again. Neteyam steps closer. A little oo close maybe. His hands slide beneath Ao’nung’s arm, lifting it slightly. Causing Ao’nung’s focus to waver.
Why was he getting closer all of a sudden? Neteyam leans in and aligns his head with his. At least tries to, since Ao'nung is taller than him. Thinking Neteyam tiptoeing to reach him makes Ao'nung's lips curl. However, the unbothered forest boy puts his other hand under the arrowhead, lifting it up a bit.
"There you go," he murmurs, his breath hits Ao'nung's neck.
Eywa, was he doing this on purpose?
Ao'nung blinks, gathering his focus. As Neteyam steps back slowly, he hurried. Trying not to mess up the posture the other fixed for him. And finally releases the string, letting the feathered end slip away from his fingers.
With a loud thunk, the arrow hits the tree. Right where Neteyam drew a circle with red paint.
He stares at his achievement, maybe he's not that bad after all. He grins, turning his gaze to the other for a approval.
Next to him, Neteyam gasps looking at the hit target. Ao'nung feels offended by the gasp, did he really not expect him to manage something?
"See, I can do everything just fine. How about we get to the next step now?" he brags about it of course.
The other presses his lips into a thin line, nods his head in a considerate way. "Well, you actually did well today. I might show you something fun tomorrow."
Ao'nung wants to get excited, he's bubbling inside. But he's skeptical if this is another one of Neteyam's not-so-funny jokes.
"You're not messing with me, right?" so he asks, just to be sure.
"No!" Neteyam looks baffled, although he's smiling, "Do I look that mean?"
Mean? Not really. Neteyam seems to be always -not always exactly but usually- smiling. That's one of the first things Ao'nung noticed about him. He smiles when he's talking to him, his siblings, his grandmother, or other children. He always has that easy smile on his face. Not in a way that's disturbing, either. It's just... there. Ao'nung tied it to his calm nature and kind personality.
Well, there are also times he saw him serious too. For example when he's focused and thinking or talking to his father. He's the legendary Toruk Makto after all, even Ao'nung grew up hearing stories about him. Even though he seems nice, he looks serious at times. So Ao'nung understands. His father is also imitating most of the time.
"No, I was just trying to be sure," Ao'nung expresses, "Since you like to foul me so much."
Neteyam folds his arms. "I didn't know you were so touchy." He teases. "Alright, I won't mess with you."
He's being sarcastic, so Ao'nung plays along. "Yeah, you're breaking my heart forest boy."
The darker-skinned boy shakes his head, can't help but laugh. He glances at Ao'nung and then hands him another arrow.
"Come on, you have to do better than that if you want me to show you something different."
Ao'nung takes the arrow half-heartedly. He grimaces as he shoots the other boy a look. But Neteyam was already pulling the arrow he just shot out of the tree, waiting for the next one. Understanding he has no choice, Ao'nung lifted the bow once again, placing the arrow in place.
---
Later that evening, when they returned to the Home Tree, Ao'nung was aching all over.
Neteyam muttered something about seeing his father and hurried back first. So Ao'nung took his sweet time walking back. A week ago, when he first saw the people of the forest, he thought of them as weaklings. Their limbs were all long and lean, theu looked almost fragile. They were nothing like the warriors of his clan back home. The Metkayina warriors were all strong with big muscles from swimming and diving. Comparing them with Omatikaya, he thought learning the ways of the forest would be a piece of cake for him. But oh boy, he was so wrong...
Infact, he had never been more wrong in his life.
Climbing through branches, leaping from tree to tree, pulling back the bowstring again and again... Everything burned. His arms, his shoulders, his legs. Even his hands felt sore. As Neteyam and his had darted ahead through the trees, Ao’nung hadn’t been able to keep up no matter how hard he tried. They move quickly and swiftly in a way he can't grasp.
Even stupid Lo'ak would outrun him, with a smug smile on his face too.
Now, frustrated and exhausted, Ao’nung let himself fall back onto one of the woven mattresses inside the Home Tree.
Home Tree, and everything is different from their small island. The structure still felt strange to him. Everything did. Back home, they had their own houses, their own space. Here, the Omatikaya lived together, ate together, slept beneath the same massive tree, hammocks and sleeping mats clustered close like roots entwined underground.
Ao'nung feels like he has been born again and has to learn to walk all over again from the beginning.
"Ao'nung."
He barely registered the voice at first.
"Father wants to see you." Tsireya now stands in front of him. He must have been lost in thought to not hear her approach.
"Yeah, sure..." He murmurs, lifting his arms lazily. "Help me up, Reya?"
Tsireya huffs with annoyance but steps closer to help him nonetheless. Well, not quite since she can't pull his big brother up to his feet all by herself. Ao'nung is just getting her support to stand up. Ao’nung grinned and slung an arm loosely around her shoulders.
"Look at you getting stronger, huh?" he teases his baby sister. "Forest training must be working for you."
Tsireya shoved him, still smiling, "Stop it, you idiot."
They walked together toward the more secluded area where their family stayed. Ao’nung spotted his father first, seated near the fire. .
As they reach the secluded spot for their family, Ao'nung saw his father in front of the fire. Their mother was there too. She didn't seem to be happy. In fact, she wasn't happy ever since they reached the forest. Unlike their father, Ronal had never wanted to leave their people behind. She would’ve rather died on their island than flee like a coward.
Ao’nung understood that too well. In that way, he was more like her. He’d wanted to stay. He couldn't manage to do anything right here. But back home? He was a warrior, the Olo'eyktan's son. Right now he was just like a newborn baby, learning to live. He was sure his mother also felt that way. There was no need to talk, it was written all over her face.
Their mother turned around, seeing them approaching. Her eyes were wet, one hand resting on her chest and the other on her bumped belly.
She was pregnant.
That was one of the reasons they ran away.
To give that child a safe place to live.
Ao'nung's hand on Tsireya's shoulder tightened for a second before he let go. Their mother walked towards them, her anger echoed in her steps. Her gaze was locked on Ao'nung.
"Mother, what happened?" Tsireya asked softly, hurrying to her mother's side.
Ronal didn’t answer her right away. Her gaze stayed fixed on Ao’nung for a moment, sharp and heavy. Then shifting to her daughter.
Their mother has always been a strong woman, a warrior. She rarely cried, always holding her chin up. She seemed to be fearless and always preached to her children to do the same. This was the second time they've seen her cry since leaving their home island. Things have been changing.
"Your father wants to talk to you Ao'nung. Listen to him well and make the best decision for our family." She said to Ao'nung tightly.
Her eyes had a mix of emotions that Ao'nung couldn't grasp. He was only sure of the sadness.
“Come,” Ronal added. Finally talking to her daughter “This is something he must hear alone.”
She guided Tsireya away, leaving Ao’nung standing there, watching their figures disappear between the other na'vi.
Only when they were gone did he turn back toward his father. When he finally found the courage to do so. He slowly turned towards his father, who was still standing in the same spot.
Tonowari gestured for him to sit. Ao’nung obeyed, lowering himself across from the fire. His chest felt tight, his thoughts loud. Whatever this was, it mattered. And part of him already feared the answer. He had a guess, which he very much hoped not to be true. If so, they were going to be stuck here forever.
Tonowari sighed, staring into the flames. "Your mother and I have come to a decision."
His words were carrying the weight of whatever the decision was. Ao'nung nodded slightly, his jaw set.
"Ao'nung, my son." His father's big, strong hand reached out to his shoulder and squeezed it. Warm and steady. "We believe that staying here, with the Omatikaya will be the best decision for our family. For you and Tsireya. And for the baby."
Ao'nung swallowed. The words hollowed something out inside him.
He’d known this was coming.
Still, he couldn't help but feel his throat dry as he helplessly nodded. They had no choice. They couldn't go back home anymore. Ever. Not with the sky people after them. But realization hits harder. The tiniest hope he had inside of him, hoping to go back home one day has shattered. No more days at the beach, riding the Ilus, or seeing their Tulkuns return after a long time.
His father must have noticed his sorrow, the hand on his shoulder tightened once again. "Don't lose your hope yet son, we will go back one day. That's where our roots, our ancestors lie."
Just bitter, empty words to soothe.
Ao'nug sighed trying to find his words. "I understand, father," was all he could make out.
Just as Ao'nung resembled their mother, Tsireya takes after their father. They were open-hearted, adaptable, quick to connect. Both open to new things, people, places, foods, and animals too. They get along with people very well, so easily. His father was already close with Toruk Makto, and Tsireya was getting along with everyone. All the Sully kids loved her.
While all Ronal did was hissing at each other with Neytiri, causing unnecessary issues.
And Ao'nung could only remember Neteyam's name. Even though the latter tried introducing him to other guys in the clan.
"And there is something else we-" His father paused. "Well, I, actually. Something I need you to do, my son."
Ao'nung felt confused once again. Was this why his father only wanted to talk to him? He thought it was because Tsireya was too emotional at handling sad news. When they were kids she used to cry kid everytime they eat fish because Ao'nung told her they have to kill the fish first to eat it. She didn't eat fish for weeks after that and Ao'nung got scolded really good by their mother. It was just the thruths anyways.
Before Ao'nung could say something, his father talked again. "I want you to mate with someone from here, with an Omatikayan."
Ao'nung's stomach dropped.
"So that our bond here could get stronger and our family can stay safe." his father said carefully.
The words that reached his ears were already there, even though Ao'nung wished them not to be true. He understood that they had to stay there but it shouldn't be through a marriage! An unwanted one at that.
He didn't even wanted to get mated yet, let alone mating with an Omatikayan. His heart started racing as he opened his mouth in an immediate protest. But he stopped seeing his father's expression before he could even say a word.
He was sad too. The furrowed mouth and creases on his forehead. Even though he tried to stay calm and serious, Ao'nung could tell. He was in pain too. His father looked tired. Older than Ao’nung remembered. The lines on his face ran deep, his pride weighed down by everything he’d been forced to leave behind. Leader reduced to refugee. His father carried a lot more weight than he thought.
They all left their home behind but his father had to leave his pride too.
Ao'nung had caused that. All of it.
If it were back in the day, not far away just a month ago, Ao'nung would throw a fit like a child. Going against his father's words and doing whatever he wanted. But those days were left so behind.
"I understand, father..." Once again, he gave up before even trying.
Wasn't it all his fault from the beginning anyway?
He dragged his family here, in the depths of the forest. If it weren't for his stupid decisions, they would still be safe, back home.
"Thank you, my son." Tonowari smiled this time. His worries seemed to disappear for a second. "You're doing it for all of us, for our family's safety. Don't ever forget that."
How could he forget that after what he had done?
It was about time Ao'nung stepped up and took responsibility.
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