𝐔𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 | Neteyam x Aonung

Nine

Neteyam widened his sunflower-looking eyes in shock. "Aren't your parents supposed to do that?", he asked, visibly confused.

Instead of answering his question immediately, Ao'nung pulled the basket closer and started taking out all of the different things that were necessary for the ceremony. "You're not wrong", the boy started while carefully petting the huge neck piece in his hands. It was covered in a ton of colorful feathers, shining pearls, and tulkun teeth; Neteyam couldn't pull his eyes away from it.
"But they're responsible for your parents already. I'm like a..", he said, stopping for a quick moment to concentrate on not breaking anything. "..helping hand in learning, if you get what I mean".

Of course, the darker blue na'vi knew what he was indicating for. If Ao'nung wants to become the next leader, he has to be skilled and very confident in what he's doing at all times. This would be the perfect opportunity for him to learn and collect further experiences for his future.

But he stayed silent, not daring to say a word. Seeing how Ao'nung was so careful and gentle with all of the things while listening to his calm voice, a sweet undertone lingering in his throat for once, it appeared to have a calming effect on Neteyam. His heart beat started to slow down, and his breathing synchronized with the one sitting in front of him.

"Alright, let's put it all on you now ", the reef na'vi grunted slightly after getting up and placing himself right behind the other. At first he started with Neteyam's hair, slowly taking all the loose braids from the front over his ears and to the back to put them in a graceful bun. This was part of the tradition, he told the boy before adding feathers and leaves. Ao'nung left two braids in the front out on purpose, perfectly framing Neteyam's face.
"Can you give me the head accessory?", he asked, still surprisingly concentrated.
After getting what he wanted, Ao'nung put the crown-like feather ring on top of the boy in the front and was touching up some last tiny pieces.

For the next part, the Metkayina had to get up himself and carry the bigger neckpiece back to their place. Being as careful as he could be, the older boy positioned said piece on Neteyam's shoulders, almost instantly being able to feel them sinking down. "Why is that so heavy?", he groaned out in discomfort.
"Those are real, big pearls from the ocean, once collected by our distant ancestors. We take good care of them; they're like our treasure", Ao'nung replied after closing the piece at the back of Neteyam's neck and checking if everything was in its destined place.

Satisfied with the results, he then proceeded to place himself face-to-face with Neteyam again and took a small wooden box out of the basket. By adding a tiny bit of water and stirring with his fingers, Ao'nung got a beautiful, dark black mixture out of it.
"Is that-?", the other boy started but quickly got cut off by the Metkayina touching his cheeks and suddenly feeling some type of wetness on his blue skin.
"It's coal", Ao'nung replied, visibly concentrated, while painting different traditional patterns on Neteyam's face. Especially his forehead and chin were the places where the teal na'vi put the most effort in. His fingers felt very soft, almost like small feathers gliding over the boy's face with care.

Neteyam couldn't help himself when he slightly gave in to the touch and instantly lowered his ears a bit, feeling the built-up tension from before leave his now relaxed body. His parents rarely ever showed him any affection by using physical touch like caressing his cheeks or petting his back. So, this was something the na'vi had to enjoy for as long as it was going to last.

They sat in silence, no one wanting to break the surprisingly comfortable atmosphere surrounding them. The sound of waves meeting the sand and small winds shaking the leaves of nearby trees could be heard in the background while some clan members occasionally walked past their pod.

After cleaning up some last edges and then swiftly washing his hands, Ao'nung brought some distance back between their faces, inspecting his work and making sure that everything looked pleasant and as it should. While doing so, the metkayina kind of lost himself in Neteyam's bright eyes, which were piercing right through him.
No one in his tribe has an eye color like that; it's just simply not in their genes. He has never seen those before.

They were just taking in each other's company when all of a sudden his mother, Ronal, stepped into her home and burst their little bubble, which the two boys were caught in. She put some of the things in her hands down, inspected Neteyam for a while, and then gave her son a small nod before quickly leaving again.
She left Ao'nung a bit confused, but at least he was now back in reality and ready to complete the last few steps.

"Here", the boy spoke firmly, handing over some neat-looking "clothes". "This is for your waist", he pointed out while being very cautious with them. "And these are for your shoulders".

Neteyam just nodded understandingly after observing the hard work that was put into the different things he was given just now.
Ao'nung glanced at the boy for one last time before standing up and getting ready to leave so that he could change in peace.

"Don't take too long and come out when you're finished; I'll be waiting here, you freak".