➳☓♡ II ao'nung x oc

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Ta'liyah

I needed to be alone. My head was beginning to hurt with all these abrupt thoughts. The argumentative words echoing throughout my mind.

 His voice, his tone, his cruel words.

Javi had taken me to a secluded water cave. The one Ao'nung and I had stumbled upon ages ago when we'd been chased by the tattoo artist Atuat after we'd stolen some of his ink and needles.

We'd given each other a design on the back of our necks.

"I don't want to marry her."

I shook my head at the memory, scoffing. Beginning to gather my thoughts together.

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Ao'nung was someone I openly called my best friend and the thought of marriage with him made myself feel.. lighthearted. 

Although, it's not like we held any romantic feelings towards eachother.

I frowned, seating myself on the cold stone floor. 

No.. romantic feelings? I decided I needed to be more honest with myself. My parents had told me that love was much more than a simple word. It's almost indescribable.

Love is a complicated thing.. There's different levels to it. 

He was my best friend as I was his. 

I cared for Ao'nung and during some days and nights the boy would deeply plague my mind, but it wasn't like some crush.

I thought of how girls would sometimes gush over him. The prince of Awa'atlu.. Oh, how handsome he was! Did you see Ao'nung? He'd waved to me! He'd saved an Ilu from a Tsurak today, did you see? He looked so.. 

There was absolutely no way I held those sorts of feelings towards Ao'nung.

To think of Ao'nung romantically felt.. strange. I thought of the boys in my clan and how they'd make attempts in trying to coax me with their open gestures such as beautiful gifts they'd manage to collect from the sea or forests. Or just downright lame confessions with their friends hollering in the back.

Remembering the time Ao'nung had witnessed one of those shows and how he'd laughed his ass off which led to the confessing boy and him into a half witted brawl.

Ao'nung did bring me comfort and he'd shown his care for me through his own little ways. He'd always take the blame when rarely it was my fault. No matter the consequence. 

He'd complete his lessons of training as quickly as possible just to grant us more time. Whenever I wasn't feeling like it he'd come to my Marui just to spend time with me. 

He'd once told me; He didn't care what we did.. as long as I was with him, it was good enough.

I remember how warm and at bliss I'd felt at those words.

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"Not this time. This is the one thing I will not accept to do for you Mother."

I'd never in my life even dream of the day where Ao'nung would speak out against his mother in such a tone. I, myself would get shivers down my spine whenever I felt the Tsahik's eyes on me.

She was known throughout the village for her strict and harsh attitude. However, she was also undoubtedly a great spiritual leader for the Clan. Ronal and Tonowari balanced each other out perfectly. Whereas she saw one side of a matter he'd see the other and they'd conclude.

As future Olo'eyktan of the Metkayina clan I'm sure Ao'nung had seen an arranged marriage coming. The boy was always dead set on his goals and duties of becoming Olo'eyktan. He looked up to his father so much. 

Or for anyone else at that matter."

 As if the thought of marriage with me was so unwanted.

I lay myself down feeling a little exhausted, gazing above. Seeing one of the three moons shining effortlessly through a breach in the caves ceiling.

Marriage.. was definitely a big step into a relationship, probably the biggest. To be bonded with someone all physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.. To allow yourself to be absolutely vulnerable with that someone.

And then the thought of intimacy came into my head. I imagined how my parents interacted so well together, their small gazes along with their small touches they'd sneak.. thinking I wasn't aware.

And also..

My breathing suddenly became a little frantic, something- sudden images in my mind.. left me flustered. 

I sat myself up, concluding, I was done.

"I won't marry her."

I held no romantic feelings towards him. Yet, for some unknown reason I was awfully hurt about his protesting behavior. 

Ao'nung loathed the thought of marriage with me. He'd even dared to speak out against it towards his own parents. 

I'll grant him this wish. No matter how much it strangely hurt me.