Upon the Metkayina Clan giving his family sanctuary, and now living under Awa'atlu, Neteyam didn't foresee himself to be holding secrets.
As the eldest brother, all he wanted was to protect and follow his father, Jake Sully's (Toruk Makto) footstep...
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—THE BEGINNING—
Neteyam couldn't recall when he first started sneaking away. He would come back to his Marui around dawn and feign sleep—his parents and siblings resting soundly.
At midnight, when everyone was sleeping, he would meet Ao'nung at the water. They would spend hours talking, laughing, and sometimes gaping at the stars without a sound. It was their routine. One that had been going for a while.
He also couldn't recall when their companionship had shifted into something more:
"When I was younger, my mother told me about how she tried killing dad when they first met, and how she knew it was love," Neteyam said grinning, his head peeking over the water. Ao'nung chuckled, his gaze gentle, taking in the shimmering specks of the blue boy.
"What do you think love is?" The taller asked, moving slowly and closer to the boy, the parting of the sea being the lone sound. Neteyam peered up at him, his ears jerking, uncertain. "I've never experienced love," He said. "Have you?"
"The women here are ravishing and all, but not one to capture interest in."
"Have you tried men?" Neteyam smirked playfully.
Ao'nung shook his head, chuckling. "Would you try men?"
"Hell no, skxawng! I like women" Neteyam chortled. He cocked his head, his golden irises wondering. "But it's not like I care."
"...You wanna try? Maybe I'll prove to be into men" Ao'nung let out, jokingly. Neteyam playfully rolled his eyes. He grasped the turquoise Na'vi's jaw, compelling him forward.
"Don't say you didn't ask for it, skxawng," He said with a whisper, before pecking his lips. Quick and rushed. He hesitated, before looking up at Ao'nung, who was staring back with an illegible expression.
"I didn't feel anything," Neteyam said.
"That's because you did it wrong," Ao'nung deadpanned.
"How do you suggest I do it then?"
"Want me to lead?"
"Have you kissed anyone before?"
Ao'nung shook his head. "But I know a few things."
Neteyam shut his eyes, straightened his back, and pursed his lips tight, awaiting. He was doubtful on how to act. Ao'nung chuckled amused. He leaned in, advising the other to relax.
First, he pecked Neteyam's lips, later capturing the lower lip between his and nibbling at it.
Neteyam's eyes twitched, feeling strange at the sensation of the other's spit coating his lips. Ao'nung's tongue intruded his mouth, and he writhed with discomfort. He held onto the arms that now clasped his neck, and he moaned, feeling the taller's tongue swirling with his.
Ao'nung pulled away. Neteyam fluttered his eyes open and stared at him with a delicate glimmer in his golden eyes, and a small smile, just like his mother had when she first kissed Jake Sully. "Your kiss was..."
"Phenomenal?"
"No, Weird," Neteyam chuckled, wiping his lips. Ao'nung rolled his eyes, reciprocating the act.
Neteyam wasn't buying it. "you just don't suddenly know how to kiss."
"I saw my parents do it one time, and I wanted to try it out."
"So I'm your test subject?"
"Primarily," Ao'nung replied, impassively. Neteyam went quiet. He wondered if Ao'nung knew the significance and value of a kiss.
"You know..."
"I know," Ao'nung dragged out like it was blatant. "But no one has to know. It'll be our secret."
Our secret, Neteyam crossed his arms. He furrowed his gaze and pursed his lips. "I'll do it then. There's no harm" He declared.
Ao'nung crossed his arms, and cocked his head, staring at him expectingly, as if awaiting something else.
"You got a staring problem?" Neteyam asked, voice poking with fun. He shoved the taller Na'vi on the head and laughed. Ao'nung didn't budge. He continued staring, and Neteyam grew inquisitive.
"Can I hug you?" He asked, firmly. Neteyam's eyes widened slightly, his shoulders slumping in surprise. He stood still, waiting for the Na'vi's arms to wrap around him.
And wrap they did, cradling his head. Neteyam's head rested on his shoulder, his hands gripping loosely the sides of the other's waist with uncertainty. Their bodies pressed—Ao'nung's chiseled torso against his lean one. The warmth was comforting.
Ao'nung took Neteyam's long braids to one side, his thumb gently caressing his nape. It was intimate.
Neteyam should've shoved the other off, telling him it was enough. But he didn't. He didn't want to. Instead, he held him tight, his tail wagging like that of a cat's.
A mate. A woman. The possibility was forgotten, far into the abyss.
"Ao'nung," Neteyam's voice called, meekly. Ao'nung hummed in question, but Neteyam got caught in his throat. He didn't have anything particular to say. He simply wanted to say his name, as he felt that someday he would never be able to. He felt that one day he'll miss it.
"We should get going," He rather said. Ao'nung pulled away, leaving the other feeling cold and dull.
