Chapter Text
Aytu
Aytu quickly shot up in his hammock, making it sway with the momentum. He panted with a hand on his chest, thoroughly shaken by the terrifying dream he had just had.
Outside, thunder rumbled and an icy cold breeze wafted through the marui, making him shiver. Rain thudded against the roof deafeningly loudly. He slammed his hands over his ears to shut it out, squeezing his eyes closed. A single crack of thunder sounded, making him recoil into himself.
He glanced around the marui as if checking for monsters that weren't there. The moonlight created ghastly shadows all along the walls. He whimpered, sneaking a hurried glance towards his parents hammock. They seemed so comfortable tangled together. Dad was lying on papa's chest, one hand entwined with his and resting between them. They lay unperturbed by the storm outisde.
He bit his inner cheek, a nervous tick he had apparently inherited from his uncle Lo'ak. He was too old to be sneaking into his parents' hammock. Eywa, he was 13! Not to mention the oldest son. He was reliable. Brave. Unshakeable-
CRACK.
He got up from his hammock and scurried over to his fathers.
Once he made it to their hammock, he eyed them carefully. He thought about how he should sneak in.
Perhaps he could wiggle his way in between them? No, that wouldn't work. He could sleep next to their feet, but if they kicked him, he'd be done for.
As he stood contemplating, he didn’t notice his dad begin to stir. Neteyam cracked one bleary eyes open, cheeck smushed against his mates chest. “Aytu..?” He murmured sleepily. “What are you doing?”
Flustered at being caught, Aytu stammered. “Nothing! I just, uhm, wanted to admire the craftsmanship of your hammock! This weaving technique is soo-”
Neteyam resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He sat up, glancing at the weather condition outside, then at the shivering teenage boy in front of him. “I know what this is about.” He said. “You really think I'd believe you were interested in weaving?”
Aytu went rigid. “You do..?”
Neteyam smiled tiredly, facial expression emailing the confidence of a parent who's been through this exact situation about a hundred times. “You had a nightmare, didn't you?”
Aytu deflated, too sleepy to defend himself. He hesitantly nodded, playing with a stray piece of string sticking out of the hammock. “Yeah.” He confessed.
Suddenly Neteyam shifted, making some space in between him and Ao'nung. Sleepily Ao'nung grunted, trying to hold on to him. Neteyam smacked his hand away, making Aytu giggle. “Come on, sweetheart. You can sleep with us tonight.” He said, breaking off into a yawn.
Aytu quickly clambered into the little space, getting comfortable. “This is the last time, I promise.” He whispered, cuddling closer to Neteyam. Neteyam reached a hand into his hair, slowly running his fingers through it. “We will always be here, Aytu. Don't be embarrassed.”
As Aytu closed his eyes, half leaning into Neteyam and half on top of Ao’nung, a familiar sound filled his ears. No, it wasn’t his papa snoring, for once. His dad was humming his songcord.
He relaxed, feeling his fathers arm toss over him and his dad, hugging them closer. Slowly, with the storm raging outside, he fell into a peaceful sleep.