𝐔𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 | Neteyam x Aonung

Twelve

"Nhg..fuck..", Neteyam shakingly breathed out as soon as the blade found its way through his sensitive skin and flesh, finding comfort inside the warmth of his body. He has resolved not to cuss in front of the clan, but the words just left his trembling lips like water, having a mind of their own. And even though the pain was kind of bearable due to the adrenaline flooding his cells, it still hurt.

The blade was only half in, but as Tonowari slowly pulled it out again, Neteyam's breathing began to become erratic and faster. Individual beads of sweat started trickling down his face, and the curled tail around Ao'nung's arm seemed to tighten its grip even more.
"Neteyam, regulate your breathing", the boy on his right whispered in the other's slightly flattened ear before caressing the na'vi's waist at a slow pace, trying to calm him down.

If it wasn't for the two Metkayina siblings, mostly Ao'nung, holding him up and keeping his upper body in place, he feared his legs would've given out.
"See, it's over now", the older one cheered quietly, while Neteyam just nodded rapidly in relief, still needing time to process everything. When he regained full control of his tall figure again, he straightened his back and made sure to be able to stand still without any more problems.

But right after that, not giving Neteyam any time for a quick break, Tonowari placed the blood-covered blade on the boy's unsteady hands. The Olo'eyktan told him how he would get an important gift made specifically for him later on, but the man didn't say what it was going to be.
He rather signaled to the warrior that it was time for his speech, the "grand finale" of Neteyam's ceremony.

That was the moment when the young na'vi felt Ao'nung's hands leave his skin, the warm touch suddenly turning so uncomfortably cold.

Sighing lightly, Neteyam took a few steps forward to face the hundreds of people and stretched his arm with the blade in the air. A drop of blood splattered on his upper arm, but he didn't seem to care.

"I, Neteyam te Suli Tsyeyk'itan..", the new Metkayina began with a voice so loud and clear that it reminded Neytiri a lot of Jake.

After quickly taking a deep breath, the boy continued. "..hereby pledge to join this clan with the precious task of using my power and knowledge to help the Metkayina at any time, day or night, war or peace".
While hearing his siblings cheer for him from afar, a small smile replaced his serious lips. "And to enter my next phase of life, that of being an adult and being able to prove myself as both a warrior and an honorable member!".

Everything that happened after that seemed so incredibly quick and sudden for the mighty warrior. The tense silence in the cave turned into a cheering and noisy clan in just a second, and his family hurried to congratulate him. Meanwhile, Ao'nung jumped over to Neteyam and put his arm on the other's shoulder while pulling the boy closer to him and laughing together. The older one was aware of what a big event in the life of a na'vi this was, considering that he had already had his ceremony.

Right now, just sharing the same happy feelings with all the people around him, Neteyam felt so relieved and at ease. At least if he put the pain in his chest aside.

"But, one last thing", Ronal suddenly spoke out, drawing all the attention to her. "Be careful when choosing your mate; don't just jump right into a relationship so intimate if you aren't completely sure if this is the person you'll want to spend the rest of your life with".
Neytiri switched places with Neteyam, slowly touching his braids and looking the Tsahìk up and down. For once, they shared the same opinion. "Listen to her, son", she suddenly demanded. "You still have so much time ahead of you. Eywa will let you know when you find the right one".

The 17-year-old just nodded, feeling a bit ashamed, before looking back into Ao'nung's eyes for one last time and then leaving the pond to return to his overjoyed siblings in the crowd.