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"Bro, what the hell? There's someone camping up here." He looks around and looks down where his brother is.
"Wait, really? Saw anyone up there?"
"Uh, not really. Maybe they went somewhere to search something."
"Huh." Neteyam stops. His mind seems to wonder.
"No no no, don't stop, you're being so damn slow this time."
"Bro, stop complaining. That's what I always feel waiting for you behind. Just sit tight or do something if you starting to get bored." A muffled huff is what he received. He looks up to an empty peak.
Neteyam starts to let out a mumble of his favorite song. His right arm grip tightly to a crook he find. His right arm reaching behind to a chalk pouch he prepared. His eyes ponder behind and down, portraying a landscape of a beautiful scenery showing the difference between the cities and the mountains. His singing sounds faint and breathy as he try to grip and pull. Maybe he would take on his brother's complain.
"Bro, I found a pic of a really beautiful girl. We should keep it."
"Bro, what?" His head looked up faster than he realized.
"Yeah, I found it in that camp I told you about. Oh, and the camp was empty, like none people, nada. Anyway, we should keep this picture, you know, for the memory."
"Lo'ak, don't take other's picture without their knowing. Go back to the camp and place it at the same place as you take it."
"What? I don't want to do that. It kinda far from here, I had to like jog a little so I could tell you fast." A little lie slip through but no one knows.
"What? Lo'ak, no. Just wait there for some time. Maybe 5 minutes and I'll be done." His pace began to quicken. A muttered of fuck stupid shit came out as he climbed higher. He saw his brother now sit tightly while looking at the picture.
"You know, when I think about it, it's kinda weird that they left such a perfect camp. And they left this amazing picture. Like if we don't take it, some other weirdos will do."
"You're the weirdos, by the way. And yeah, it is weird. There's no trace of them anywhere?"
"Nu-uh."
"Huh."
"Well they kinda left in a hurry, with an open tent and such."
"What? That sounds worrying."
"Yeah, I guess. Maybe we should check on them."
"You sure?" He reach for his last grip. He pull his body up and sit at the edge. His brother hands him water.
"Yeah, and maybe i could meet this beautiful lady right here." He scoffed at his brother and look down to his hands fidgeting with the picture. A smirk on his face doesn't leave.
"Someone's falling in love. But yeah, I agree with you. we should check on them. After I eat this last bar." He heard his brother's hummed. Now they sit in silence, looking at the scenery in front of them.
Moments like this is what Neteyam search for. His mind began to remember the first time he urged his brother to go hiking. It was conveniently after they had a huge fight and didn't talk for a full week. So when he got a shove for a return, he doesn't seem to mind and just keep pressuring him to go together. Eventually, his brother gave up and he start to prepare for the trip. The vibe back then was no where near this, though. Because of the rocky situation, Lo'ak doesn't even let out a single word. It was him that start talking by apologizing and let out his whole heart to his brother and some shit (Lo'ak think this is embarrassing), and the trip begin to be fun. They still hardly conversing, but it still tolerable.
After the trip, he still feels like his brother maintain the wall he had, and he almost gave up from reaching out to him. But a week later Lo'ak suggested a camp trip, the two of them plus Miles, and Neteyam could never been happier. It was visible that the two of them began to trust each other and have a somewhat link between them. He began to join his brother's reckless behavior, and Lo'ak starting hold his even reckless behavior. And sometimes they even went together with their family after realizing the difference a camp trip could make.
So, when at first they just start hiking and camping, they began to search for something else, and climbing is what they reach for. It was a full 2 years training, both physically and emotionally, but they did it and they could never go back. Jack and Neytiri who at first
worried is now always encouragethem to climb an even higher cliffs. They love having a brother moment together.
"Can you be any more slower?"
"Okay, okay, let's go save your girlfriend." Neteyam shoved his litter down his pocket. He giggled seeing his brother's red face and a She's not my girlfriend mumble.
"So, got any clue where they would have been?" They wonder around the camp and seeing nothing of a clue. It even seems like they abandoned it long, but the perfect state telling them otherwise.
There's three sleeping bags left unravel, looks messy with personal belongings scatter on top. The folded table right beside is full of items that he wasn't sure is appropriate for camping. All spread out, even the foods are very visible and not put discreetly.
"Hmm maybe they saw something and ran off?"
"Could be it baby bro, but where do you think they ran off to?" The brother now both think visibly.
"Let's check on this way over here. The track is flat and not steep so the probably go this way." Lo'ak leading towards the path he found not far from the tent.
Neteyam smiles and stroke his brother's hair as he follows behind him, "Good job bro." His brother grunts and shove him as a return.
"It's weird that they choose to camp here, right?" Loak found a fallen branch, break it, and play with it as they walk along the path.
"Yeah, I know. And they bring so much. It's like an amateur job."
"You sure that they ran off to something?"
"Meh, not really. I could even count the trees along we goes. Big, tall trees. And we don't see any animal hiding behind something. Kiri also said that there was no injured by animal news around this place." His walk slowing as he tried to open his bag searching for his camera.
"Bro, go over there! The stone arches really good." Lo'ak jog a little to his brother's desire spot. He start by a funny pose and switch to a cool pose as he goes.
"You want some pic too?" He offers. The stone looks really cool the more he sees the photo his brother had take.
Neteyam snickers, "And making the Ugly album full of my face? Yeah, no chance."
"I'm just offering." He raised his hands and look to the side. His brother caught on his plan.
"I'm just saying, bro, you really have to start learning photography. It starting to feel unfair when I see tons of photos you posted and I have just like 10."
"Not my fault that you choose to go to places with me and not some fucking photographer. And what? You wanna pulled up some guys from insta? That's my goal tho, to pull on some bitches"
"One, it's not my point, and two, you're a jock." He rolled his eyes as he realized that the term is just making his brother proud. Then he shove his brother jokingly.
"Stop acting like a prick when you're not."
"And stop acting like a nerd and the perfect son." Neteyam huffed. He knew he's lost and he choose to stay silent.
Maybe 3 years ago he would hate that term and got really hurt when his brother said that. But now the term is a walking joke between them and they both using it as much as they can.
"Wait, I kinda saw someone right there." Lo'ak points his finger to a stone that shapes like a cave. His brother follows it.
"And it's a girl. Of course it would be you who saw it first." He heard a stifled laugh from his brother and doesn't care. They starts to walk towards her.
"Hey, do you need help?" They stop when she began to notice them, giving her some space. It was still quite far but they don't wanna make her uncomfortable.
"Yeah, uh- my feet just got a little sprained. I'm okay, though." She smile sheepishly as she brush her ankle. Now that they see it, the girl is exactly like the photo Lo'ak took. The brother shared a glance together and a visible blush came out of the younger.
"Are you alone?" Neteyam reply as he realized that his brother doesn't dare to make a sound.
"No, not alone. My brother and my friend are trying to search for a subsitute for a first aid. It's funny how us remember to bring the pocket book of the Guide for a Beginner Camper and doesn't remember to bring the actual first aid kit." She giggles and let out a stretch noise as she feels the pain.
"Wait, don't move. Can we see your injury?" They wait for a nod and jog when they heard a yeah, sure coming from her. Neteyam is the first one that arrive.
"Wow, that looks serious." Lo'ak come after with a worried voice. She let out a soft laugh as a reply.
"He's right. This is not a little sprained, your ankle swelled really blue."
"Yeah, sorry for the lying part. I just didn't want you guys to be worried."
"Of course we should be worried. Anyone who goes camping should look out for each other, even if they're strangers. One life matters, you know." She looks shyly towards Lo'ak. He does let out an amazing speech, though.
"Is your brother and your friend going to last a long time? Seems like they left you pretty long."
"Yeah, I know, right. I'm starting to become worried for them too."
"Want me to search for them and Lo'ak stays with you?" There's a long silence to spare her some time to think. Lo'ak starting to take the matters on his hands.
"No, Neteyam, I don't think that's a good choice. We'll stay here with you until they arrive, how does that sound?"
"Yeah, I think that would be best." She smile happily at them. The brothers start to search for a comfortable sit.
"I'm Lo'ak and this is my brother Neteyam by the way."
"I'm Tsireya. It's nice meeting you guys."
"Nice meeting you too. By the way, why would you guys be here and left your camp?" Neteyam hands her a snack bar from his pocket.
"It was just for my brother's assignment and such. He nearly failed that class and the teacher actually compromised him to do a real research of some flowers to save him."
"Wow, that's... really sucks." Lo'ak scratches his head unconsciously. His brother nudges him a little, Sounds familiar.
"And was there a requirement for what kind of flower?"
"Kinda, maybe, uh- I don't really know. I think all of them comes from the mountain. But my brother just did a spinning wheel to made up for what flower. His stupid head really don't care and look what get us at." They know that she sounds more and more stressful the more the time goes by. The situation starts to affecting her.
"We can help with finding it later. Kiri -our sister, had done some online research about some flowers that grown around here." Neteyam gives her a reassuring smile. She smiles back.
"Well im sure that flower couldn't beat your beauty, though." A redness creeps Lo'ak's neck going through his ears. His brother actually trying to keep himself from face palming and making fun of him.
Just before he tried to save his ass, a loud sound of laugh came from her and tone down to a cute giggle. He muttered an I'm sorry to escape from this shameful situation.
"No, no, no, thank you for saying that. And you kinda cute yourself too." Neteyam almost leave them alone together.
"By the way, I don't see you guys coming from this way. What path did you take?"
"We reached the top by solo climbing. So yeah, explained why we doesn't bring much."
"Solo climbing? That's sounds cool. But isn't that really tiring?"
"Well we love the thrill. And we've already a somewhat expert to climbing before this. A lot of practice."
"Neteyam actually had 2 gold medals from doing it." He shove his brother. It's not like he was trying to keep it as a secret, he just doesn't want to make it as a big of a deal.
"Wow, 3 gold medals is sick."
"Yeah, and this guy right here selected for the national's basketball team." He return the attention to Lo'ak.
"What? That's really awesome, Lo'ak." He gave her a bashful smile.
"How about you?"
"Oh, me? Not much actually. I'm kinda embarrassed that I only had a little experience from here and there. But I'm really into fashion design and would love to do it for a living."
"Oh, that sounds cool too. It's not a surprise coming from someone looking like you, though." She giggles and Neteyam really want to burried his body right here at this moment.
"Yeah, and my brother and my friend are really good at surfing and swimming. We live not far from the beach so I'm kinda good at it too." The talk drag longer than they thought. They take on any topics other than climb, camp, hike seeing as it help to soothes her. Neteyam checks on his watch periodically. Where is her damn brother and friend?
Slamp.
A hard shove coming from behind them made his brother fell. His head snap to look behind and trying to repay it.
"Dude, watch it." Neteyam successfully bring him down. A punch was coming for him but he dodged it easily.
"Who the fuck are you? What are you doing with my sister?" The other tried to punch him again but his words stunned him. Wait, sister? -making his body thrown. Lo'ak would never let his brother go through this alone, so he punch his face for a return.
"Wait, Ao'nung, no! They're helping me! Rotxo, please help me to stop them." The said name -Rotxo, was quick on his feet to go behind his friend and strangle him. The situation stop for a moment.
"Oh, Eywa, are you guys okay?" She tried to stand but fail. Everyone's aware and swarm around her.
"What do you mean they help you, Tsireya?" The big guy -supposedly named Ao'nung, ask her unsure.
"Do you prefer me to be left alone here? You guys are sure taking your time."
"But Tsireya, we were searching for something to aid you. We had to get back to the camp cause we find nothing."
"And its my fault that I hurt myself?" Silence come after quick.
"Guys, it's no one's fault. Here, Tsireya, I think we found something." Rotxo was quick to save the day. He and Ao'nung was trying to move her leg to see what they'd work with.
"Ow, ow, ow, careful." They freeze.
"Let me see here, I think I could help." Neteyam snatched the stuff from their hand and work his way. Ao'nung doesn't seem to be okay seeing as he grunts and almost refuse, but Rotxo hold him.
"Uh- guys. This is Neteyam and He's Lo'ak, by the way. They saw me sitting here alone and accompanied me when you were gone." Ao'nung gave them a disinterest look. Rotxo in the other hand is smiling and gave them a fist bump.
"I'm Rotxo and this is Ao'nung. I'm sorry about what just happened."
"Lo'ak. And yeah, it's cool. It's not like it's you who did it, but alas, we understand."
"Yeah, we were really tired, you know. And we haven't even got what we wanted."
"Oh yeah, the flower. Have any pic about it? Maybe we could help you." Ao'nung scoffed at the sound. Lo'ak was trying really hard to maintain himself for punching his face.
"Really? You would do that to us? But here, this is the flower." Rotxo reached in his pocket to take a folded paper. A white, small flowers was portrayed in it.
"Bro, got any ideas?" Lo'ak hands the picture to his brother. He glance at little before replying a Yeah and got back to work. He's almost done aid her up.
"You guys are the best." Rotxo sounds excited. His friend's just rolled his eyes.
"Okay, so here's the plan. I would try to search for the flower, take the photo, and you guys could go back to the camp when I'm doing so."
"Take a photo? If that was the assignment then it could be done in no time. I could just go into the internet, you know." Ao'nung snickers.
"Dude, I would never pick on a rare flower in a damn mountain. One, it's bad for them, and two, bad luck."
"Then you guys should both search for it and we could go back to the camp." His sister's words was absolutely true. But his big ego wouldn't let it go so easily.
"And made one of them to be with you? Yeah no."
Neteyam sneer at him. This would take hours. "If you don't want our help then we'll leave. We don't want to spend the night in here, you know?"
Ao’nung grunts. "Okay, sure, let's just do that."
Rotxo and Lo'ak then both trying to help Tsireya on her feet. They let a quick few words before splitting.
The two of them was no where near thrilled to be together. They've been walking for some minutes and neither of them would love to make a sound. Neteyam huffed and decided, Maybe he would be the bigger person.
"So, I should just like take a picture of you and the flower, right?" He heard a hummed.
"Okay, that seems easy enough." He paused to see the other's reaction. And he got nothing. He was starting to got in his nerves.
"Hey, look. I'm sorry that I and my brother punched you. But you kinda started it first, though."
He glance a little at him and continue. "And I'm sorry that our presence might startled you guys. I would've actually done the same if it was my sister, but Tsireya was aching alone and we were worried."
"You guys stole my sister's picture." Ao'nung startled him.
"Wha- how do you know?"
"Obviously I would know, I'm her brother." He deadpanned him. Fuck, what should I say?
"Yeah, I'm sorry that we've done that too. We thought that it was an empty camp and we were just finding something for a keepsake." I wish he bought it.
"By taking my sister's photo? That's fucking weird."
"Right, I'm sorry. We'll return it as soon as possible." They once again fell into a deep silent.
"Uh, you know it's dangerous, right? Camping isn't supposed to bring so much yet so little."
"I know."
"Okay."
Neteyam huffed, "Must be heavy having to hike while bringing so much stuffs." He hummed.
"You from around here?" Neteyam's head snapped.
"Uh- no. We're like 2 hours away. You?"
"Like 4 hours?"
Neteyam hold his laughter, "Maybe next time you shouldn't do a spinning wheel to make up your decision."
"Dude, shut up. How do you know anyway?" He bumped his arm playfully. The next walk doesn't feel so bad now. They chatted a lot talking about what's new and what's not. The path also help bringing them closer.
"Wait, I think it's this way and the spray could spread a little down the hill" Neteyam inspect his map carefully. While the signal isn't bad, He prefer to bring a desired map -printed out from Google Maps, to navigate his way. They often leave their phone in the car and just rely on their Apple Watch. The map was cut out and spread out in a plastic bag if there was any rain coming.
"Sure, lead the way." They once again fall into a fun chatter. Just before they knew it, they reached their destination.
"Wow, Ao'nung, Look!" Neteyam jog a little to the spray of flowers and spread out his arms.
He giggled a little and smile brightly. A gentle breeze swayed his braids as he spin a little.
Ao'nung on the other hand, his body freezes. His eyes follow the man in front of him with a slight open mouth. Fuck.
"Dude, what are you doing? Let's go!" The shout break him from his thoughts. He pick up his pace to approach near him. Neteyam shuffling to pull out his camera again. Kiri would love this.
"Wait, give me your phone. I'll take it for you."
"Well you don't have to, but if you insist." He hands him his phone and try to find a less awkward pose. If it was anyone, he wouldn't really careless. But in front of this man? Yeah, big no.
"Wow, you look good. Here, just look at it first. Tell me if you want a retake, I'll be right there taking some pics for my sister." He grab his phone back and lazily go through the taken photos. Then, he brought his glance to the said man again who already walk a little far from him. I guess I'll wait for him.
He look around the field to find something he would be interested to look at. Unconsciously, his eyes always search for Neteyam.
Damn it. He take out his phone, unlock it, and open his camera. Guess he was eating his own words. His action doesn't take long, though, as Neteyam sometime return his glance and wave cheerfully. To fill in his spare time, he decided to examine the flowers closely, moving carefully so he doesn't damage any bud.
Click, Snap.
"Did you just take my photo?" He moves his head fast towards the sound. The said guy just giggle.
"Yeah, you look good, though."
"That doesn't even sound convincing. Neteyam, please delete that."
"No! You look really good! Like seriously good!"
"Neteyam!" He drags his feet faster towards Neteyam, He dodged it beautifully. To make up for it, Ao'nung tackled his body so he could snatched the camera. They strangled each other on the ground with Ao'nung winning on top. Seeing as Neteyam hug the camera tightly, He change his strategy to tickle him. A loud laughter came out from Neteyam spreading it to him.
"No, Ao'nung, stop, please! We should head back like right now! Please!" A round of plea makes him a little feel bad. He gets up on his feet and extend his arm for Neteyam to reach for. Maybe he wouldn't be feeling so bad if they discreetly take each other's picture after all.
They head back to the camp not long after. Something definitely change after that one. And they knew that they both wish to drag and taking their time getting back to the camp if Tsireya's injury wasn't in their top priorities. It would be bad for them if they was still at the top when the sun's down.
Upon arriving, they realized that the camp looks cleaner and tidier. Some tents was already folded and a big trash bag was filled. They heard a chatter coming out from a tent that was left standing conveniently for Tsireya.
"Bro, You're here?" Lo'ak comes out from the tent along with Rotxo coming close.
"Yeah, the place looks really good. We should come here some other time."
"Really? That good? Man, I wish I went along with you guys."
"Next time, Baby bro. How's Tsireya?" Neteyam passed him with a stroke on his hair. He then let himself in the tent to see the said name's condition.
"Neteyam, welcome back! I'm okay though." He checks on her ankle and almost let out a Yikes. Her ankle was definitely worsen, the swollen was really prominent now. She might not feel anything now because she doesn't even move an inch.
"I think we should head down like right now."
"But you guys just came back. Aren't you tired?" Rotxo speak out.
"We're okay, but heading back as soon as possible is best for us. The more she stayed like this is the more she would feel pain when treated, you know."
"Then how do we go back?"
"Can any of you guys carry her?" Ao'nung and Rotxo both look at each other and nod.
"Okay, we take turn carrying her and the rest would carry the stuff. Me and Lo'ak didn't bring much so we can just shove it to one bag. Is that okay with you guys?" They silently agree and get back to cleaning up fast. Neteyam search for a branch and bandage to make a structured foundation for her ankle.
The action didn't take long as they were just finishing up what Lo'ak and Rotxo had done. So when Ao'nung look around the now empty area, He positioned himself down to make it Tsireya easier to climb to. He would take the first turn to carry her.
"Everyone's prepared?" A grunts of Yeah! is what Neteyam received. He lead the way with Aonung and Rotxo close behind him. Lo'ak will go behind everyone to check on them. They leave with an impatient cheer.
Thankfully because they went down, they got a huge advantage that makes the journey easier and faster. And just before the sun's down, they're already in their parking lot reaching for Ao'nung's cars.
"Wait, I'll open the trunk to put all of the stuff. Tsireya would take the middle seat." He nods his head to Lo'ak who's now carrying Tsireya. He puts her down carefully.
"It was great, man. We should do this some other time?" Ao’nung, Neteyam, and Rotxo was now organizing the stuff to make it fit in the trunk.
"Yeah, I don't think I'd enjoyed it as much as I've expected. The way to the top was really suck. You guys really help." Neteyam laugh a little to Rotxo.
"You know that making it down is easier because we don't have to hike, right?"
"I don't care, you guys really save the day." He grunts when they heard a round of laughter.
"Wait! We should exchange our number!" Rotxo was quick to reach for his phone.
"Sure, but I leave mine in my car, though. You should save my number and contact me, okay?" He recall his number when Rotxo's ready.
"This is so cool, man. I'll go ask for Lo'ak's too!"
"Uh- so, can this poor man ask for the gentleman's number too?" He giggled when he heard that.
"Of course, Ao'nung. I would love too."
They all share a quick chat before they leave. Neteyam and Lo'ak both share a quick wave before they go. They walk a little to reach for the older's car. A relief sigh came out from both of them knowing that their day would end.
"That was something." Lo'ak laugh uncontrollably hearing what his brother said. This is one hell of an experience, they agree on that. Neteyam then turn on his car and steer the wheel to leave this place.
Lo'ak unlock his phone that show tons of worried massages from their family. He told his brother and decided to make a video of them for a reply. They're so damn exhausted that having to call them wasn't a good idea. They fall into an uncomfortable silence with a loud background of music from the radio.
Until Neteyam realized that his brother was shifting a little bit too much.
"What's wrong, bro?" He noted a red ear coming from here. He was trying to keep his sheepish smile too.
"Uh- you know i talked to Tsireya, about her picture and how I wanted to return it to her-"
"Uh-huh."
"And she refused."
"What? Why?"
"She said that I should keep it. Bro." He showed him his wallet that was already had Tsireya’s photo in it.
"Bro, that's awesome!"
"Right? And I've actually been texting her and you should see this-" He show him their text and he could see that Tsireya was sending him tons of picture of herself. And also tons of cheesy pick up lines from both of them.
"Dude, you seriously outdone yourself!" He ruffle his brother's hair.
"I know, right. This is awesome! When do you think is an appropriate time to take her to a date?"
"Are you kidding? As soon of possible, please!"
"Oh, yeah, you're right. So, do you think that we-" And the rest of the road was filled with Lo'ak asking his brother some suggestion. He was really happy for him that he wouldn't mind breaking his eardrum for this.
Half of his heart was jealous of him, though.
_____________________________________________
"Neteyam, Lo'ak? Is that you guys?" Neytiri come running a little then hugs them both.
"Yeah, mom. Sorry we're a little late for dinner." Neteyam return her kiss gladly.
"It's cool, champ. You guys should clean up first, though, then come back for dinner." Jake let them went up to their room and continue their dinner.
After Neytiri stuff them up with food, they all sit on the sofa together, with a low sounds coming from the TV. This is what they usually do after their trip. They recount what had happened for the whole family to hear. And everyone would listen patiently. They showed them every picture they take -that makes Kiri enthusiasts with the flowers- and how they encounter their new friends.
Tuk was gripping Neteyam's right arm. She would jump and made everyone laugh if she ever heard her favorite words. And Neteyam isn't letting Lo'ak loose by not mentioning Tsireya.
As the night deepen, Jake was quick to give them their space to rest. He call it a day and everyone was happily enter their own room.
And here Neteyam was, doing some journaling and gluing printed photos in his book. His finger drags a little longer pressing tight Ao'nung's picture. He sigh a little.
Ding.
Who would have texted him at this hour?
Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding.
He was quick to grab his phone. A little worried come across his face as some wild thoughts running around his mind.
Hey Neteyam, this is Ao'nung!
You know, Tsireya's big brother
The poor man you helped searching for a flower
If you ever forgot
No, Ao'nung, of course I remember you
!Hello to you too
Oh you're replying
Great!
I know this is a little sudden
Not a little
But I was wondering if you're down to go to my teammate's birthday party
It's on the weekend
And I'll pick you up in the morning or afternoon
Then you could stay the night in my place
And I'll bring you back the day after, of course
I'll even ask your parents too if that what you were comfortable with
I know it's too much to ask for
But you seems cool and I want to show you my place and introduce you to my friends
If you're down with it then that would be great, but if not, I understand
No pressure
Ao'nung, I would love to