Oceans Apart (Aonung x Neteyam)

Jealous Fun

Neteyam and Lo'ak jump into the water after Aonung, Rotxo and Tsireya whooping loudly. The cold water rushed around his head filling his senses, numbing them while Kiri and Tuk jump in the water beside him in a flurry of bubbles and limbs. As the bubbles floated to the surface his vision was cleared, gaping at the sight before him. The bioluminescent water fauna and flora burst from rock formations in bright shows of vibrant colour and organic shapes, swaying with the gentle current of the reef. The exotic creatures that swam before them in schools were just as dazzling in the distorted light that shone through the rippling surface of the water above, creating unique shapes of dancing light. Neteyam reminisced at the sight, the glowing environment reminding him of his forest back home- throat tightening slightly at the thought.

He turned to Kiri; mesmerised by the fish that seemed to gather and swim around her in waves. Neteyam grinned at the sight of his siblings so happy. Tsireya was smiling at the group just as pleased as Neteyam was, he even thought he saw a small appreciative smile on Aonungs face that quickly fell when he noticed Neteyams gaze.

The three Metkayina begin to move through the water swiftly and gracefully, Tsireya motions for them to follow and the Omaticaya siblings try to keep up with their nimble movements. Neteyam was thankful he couldn't see himself right now, he could tell he and his siblings were struggling from inexperience as they had never needed to swim to this extent in the forest, ill suited physique slowing them down.

Neteyam swam along, steadily holding his breath for as long as he could before he
felt a searing pain build in his lungs. He couldn't resist the need for oxygen anymore, abandoning his pursuit of the Metkayina teens messily swimming to the surface and gasping for air along with his siblings. He sat there treading water, for a moment his head lulled back against the water taking deep steady breaths in an attempt to expand and deepen his lungs before he dove back under. Lo'ak followed close behind him while Tuk took a moment longer above the water, feeling weary but soon joining her siblings.

*swim together with us* Tsireya signs, her smile sweet and warm.

Neteyam tilts his head, scrunching his nose and turning to Lo'ak beside him, who appeared just as confused. Tsireya waves it off and motions for them again to follow. Neteyam tried to propel himself forward using the coral formations, wanting to catch up to the three before he felt the familiar burn of his lungs. Frustrated, he stops and taps Lo'aks chest, motioning to the water's surface before checking that Tuk was watching so she knows to swim up with them.

Aonung was frustrated, he watched as the Tree climbers flailed to the surface again, hopelessly. Exasperated, he turns to his sister and Rotxo.

*What's wrong with them?* He signs, an incredulous look on his face.

*Those guys are bad at diving* Roxto states, just as annoyed as Aonung.

*Stop it, they're learning* Tsireya motions. Her brow furrowed, clearly upset with the boys.

Aonung makes a show of swinging his head back and rolling his eyes, this was a horrible waste of his time. The tree climbers were like newborn children; swinging and thrashing around like that. He watched the Omaticayan siblings above him treading water, watching them talk among themselves and no doubt complaining. Aonungs eyes lingered on the form of the eldest son before he clicked his tongue and swam to the surface joining Tsireya and Rotxo.

"Are you alright?" Tsireya asks concerned.

"You're too fast! Wait for us!" Tuk replies whining, wiping sea water from her eyes.

Tsireya quickly reassures them, "Just breathe, breathe-"

"You are not good divers" Aonung cuts her off, smirking. "Maybe good at swimming in trees but-" Aonung hears Rotxo laughing at his side before Tsireya slaps him on the back of the head in a scolding motion.