broken peace; neteyam sully

𝘧𝘪𝘷𝘦

The twins threaded through the waters towards their friends who were about to teach Neteyam and his siblings how to ride ilu.

He held Tuk in his arms, eyes hardening when he saw Ok'xana. She tipped her head at him but he only watched coldly.

He felt his cheek twitch watching as her eyes fell over Ao'nung who smiled sheepishly at her.

Try as he did, he could not get rid of what he'd witnessed last night.

He had been bringing baskets of fish to his home when he'd caught a glimpse of her and Ao'nung walking side by side, talking shyly to each other. She had her hair in loose braids and looked like a princess.

It should have been him rather than that unappreciative skxawng.

Looking at her now, she wore a skirt that seemed to be made of a fishing net. Her hair was unstyled and disheveled by sleep, causing his body to heat furiously. He looked away.

When did he become like this—petty over a girl he could not even consider a friend? He hated it.

Pathetic. Sad.

Tuk frowned up at him and he forced a smile. "What's wrong?"

She didn't answer, turning her head to Ok'xana and then him again. She pointed to her and he narrowed his eyes, trying half-heartedly to understand what she had meant.

As Ao'nung began to click his tongue to the roof of his mouth, he set his sister down in the water, who grabbed onto his leg. She glared at Ok'xana.

She watched Tuk, knitting her brows. Why did the girl dislike her so greatly? And why now Neteyam, too?

Maybe he had seen her crying with her Papa. Thought them weak like the rest of the clan. It would be likely, with a warrior like Toruk Makto as his father.

Her eyes stung with shame as she hoped dearly he had not seen them.

To distract herself, she turned her head to the ilu that he had beckoned. They circled them, waiting excitedly to swim with the Na'vi.

"These," Ao'nung said as he raised his hands, gesturing at the creatures. "are ilu. If you want to live here, you have to ride."

The group split up and she walked over to Neteyam, hoping they could be a pair.

After her walk with Ao'nung last night and the moment with her father, she had begun to rethink her promise to herself.

Maybe she didn't need to stay away from boys. In truth, it had been simply Alexx'os who'd hurt her...she didn't have to connect half the village to his actions, right?

Without looking in her direction, he immediately went with Ao'nung.

She felt her lips twist into a pout then she shook her head.

Bad idea. Stupid, stupid.

It wasn't just Alexx'os who was in the wrong; it was all boys!

"Can I be with you?" Kiri asked.

Ok'xana turned around, startled. The girl stood beside her, giving her a small smile.

"Of course," Ok'xana said with a grin.

As Ok'xana called an ilu towards them, Kiri swayed from side to side.

"Do not take Neteyam's actions to heart," she began, "he hasn't spoken to a girl in ages."

Xana felt herself snort loudly, all eyes turning to her. Tsireya who was teaching Lo'ak laughed at her, bobbing her head.

Neteyam felt himself smile but it was wiped off of his face when Ao'nung sent a baffled look towards him.

He felt his jaw tense, "Are you going to teach me to ride it, or not?" he asked.

Ao'nung narrowed his eyes, "No."

Neteyam glared at him. It could not be that difficult compared to taming his ikran. Only, it was water. He did not excel with water in mind.

He mounted the creature easily. His lowered gaze crossed over Ok'xana's as he reached over his shoulder for his queue. She watched him with a blush, noticing the subtle flex of the muscles on his arm...the way his eyes stayed trained on hers as he did so. She felt the rise and fall of her chest quicken.

She looked away and he furrowed his brows before looking down at his braid. He connected his queue to the ilu's and felt the rush of its energy erupt throughout him. The thrumming of its heart synced up with his, with every breath it took, he felt it in his own lungs.

Ao'nung watched them with great interest, "Will it forward, Sully."

Neteyam took a deep breath, taking a hold of the handle on its saddle.

He blinked, urging them both to calm down. Then he ducked his head closer to the creature as he urged them both forward. His eyes shut tightly as it dipped suddenly, wobbling side to side.

He opened his eyes under the water, taking in the array of beauty around him. The other children had ducked their heads, watching him intently as the ilu picked up its speed, going straight now. He blew a stream of air as the two sped forward. Slowly, his grip slackened and he was sent tumbling forwards into the water.

Shocked, he inhaled the ocean, jumping out to the surface. He heaved coughs, rubbing his eyes aggressively. Everyone erupted into laughter and he could feel his coughs turn into chuckles.

When he opened his eyes, they fell over Ok'xana who fought the beam on her lips, her lips wrinkling again like that time at the fire. He squinted his eyes, still gasping through smiles.

The sun shined down on them, creating an arc of light over their skin, making their skin tingle with warmth. Neteyam forgot he was laughing with strangers. And if only for a moment, in the air was the scent of home.