𝐊𝐈𝐒𝐒 𝐌𝐄. 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐲𝐚𝐦

𝟏𝟐. 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬

Alo'an stood beside Neteyam, watching Lo'ak come to shore. Neteyam squatted down, seeing his dad stop Lo'ak from going up to Ao'nung.

"Ao'nung. Apologize to the boy. You put him in great danger." Tonowari groaned, forcing the boy to get on his knees. "No. It wasn't his fault. It was my idea." Lo'ak dismissed.

Alo'an stared at Lo'ak, seeing as he'd taken accountability for something that could've possibly killed him.

Neteyam left Alo'an by himself, going with his family. Aniri approached his son, seeing as he looked so worried for the family.

"Why're you stressing out so much, the boy's okay." Aniri mumbled. "Yeah, but what if he wasn't okay." Alo'an whispered. "You worry so much, it's okay." Aniri chuckled.

He rubbed his son's head before going to the chief's family. Alo'an watched as Neteyam dropped his head in shame, he was obviously getting in trouble.

After seeing his parents walk away, Alo'an made his way to Neteyam.

"Are you okay, what happened?" he asked, looking at Neteyam. "They asked me where I was while Lo'ak was being taken outside of the reef." Neteyam replied.

Alo'an was mad. Why was Netryam getting so much responsibility poured on him, even if he hadn't done anything?

"I get it though. I should've known better and kept an eye on Lo'ak. Only he would be stupid enough to trust someone he just fought." Neteyam chuckled.

Alo'an saw how Neteyam was, and just let out a sigh. Neteyam smiled, seeing that Alo'an was considering his feelings.

The tap walked together, following behind other people who were also on their way back to the village.

"Neteyam!"

The two boys turned to Irina running over to them. She stood next to Neteyam, inviting herself into the conversation. Alo'an didn't want to admit it, but he was jealous.

He let them talk, staying next to Neteyam just so that he didn't have to walk by himself. Neteyam noticed how bored Alo'an looked, and dismissed Irina.

Alo'an saw Neteyam staring at him, and looked up.

"What's up?" Alo'an asked.

Neteyam remembered what he was talking to Kiri about earlier, and what his mom had said. He had to ask Alo'an.

"Alo'an. How do you feel about me, us?" Neteyam asked.

Alo'an was surprised by the sudden question but just smiled. The boys had already arrived at the village, now they were just walking for fun, for a chance to keep talking.

"Why're you so curious?" he asked. "I just wanna know." Neteyam shrugged.

Alo'an looked down at the sand, nervous.

"About you...I think you should've known since we kissed." he hummed.

Neteyam looked at Alo'an, remembering that. He had never forgotten since it had obviously kept him up the past two nights.

"And what about our relationship?" he asked.

Alo'an looked up at Neteyam, smiling.

"I think that our relationship is for you to decide." he replied. "I already know what I think about you. So now you have to determine what we are."

Neteyam stared at Alo'an, his eyebrows raising. He looked around, checking his surroundings.

"If you want me to decide our relationship I would've told you before." Neteyam mumbled.

He got closer to Alo'an, placing his hands on his neck.

"This should tell you enough." he mumbled.

He pressed his lips onto Alo'an's. The feelings they'd felt nights ago were back. Alo'an kissed back, holding onto Neteyam's wrists.