The Ocean's song (NeteyamXAo'nung)

[Chapter 2: Water]

Ao'nung left after he was called by the clan leader. Tsireya and Rotxo stayed back and taught us how to control our breath and we couldn't stop laughing at how Lo'ak was so stiff every time Tsireya touched him.

The next day we went to the shore.

*tounge clicking sounds* *click* *click* Ao'nung's click came in a melody as these beautiful creatures circled around him in the water.

"These are ilu. Look if you want to live here you have to ride." He said waving his broad hand in the air gesturing to get started.

"Come, I'll teach you" Tsireya pulled Lo'ak by the hand and went.
Rotxo was with Tuk so I was left with Ao'nung.

"Come closer and take a good look" he said while showing me how to hold my grip and dive in and breathe.

"While making the bond you have to be gentle. It will drag you first but you have to take control it's not like swinging around trees" he smiled.

"We don't just swing around trees you know. We fly like you swim" I said, he smiled and I too couldn't help but smile back.

"Okay then-" he was about to say something but we heard loud splashes of water.

He looked behind me and I turned around to see Lo'ak being dragged by the ilu.
He had lost his grip and as he came to the surface the ilu squealed and splashed him with water.

Ao'nung laughed. He laughed as he looked at me and he just stared.

"I didn't know you could get red" he teased me as he leaned over and I realised I had been gawking at him.
I flushed and clumsily apologised.

I grabbed Tuk and left.

What was that?

Afternoon was quiet, I went for a swim and practiced my breathing for a while. When I returned to the shore I saw Ao'nung and his friends pulling Lo'ak's tail.

Well that was quick.

"Aww baby tail so cute-" before Ao'nung could finish his sentence I pushed his hands away.

"Back.off."

"Aw big bro-" one of the guys started coming towards me but Aonung stopped him.
He raised his hands up in surrender .
His eyes were different this time but I didn't let my guard down too.

"Let's go Lo'ak" as soon as I said that he punched Ao'nung. It was a funny sight but one of the guys punched me in my stomach.
We had a fight and my dad broke it off.

We were grounded, kinda but not really.

He sent Lo'ak to apologise to them.
I was sitting near the shore as it was getting darker and he hadn't returned.

I heard the crunch of gravel behind me.

"Hey forest boy" I recognised his voice, I turned to look at him and he sat beside me.

"Sorry about today I didn't mean to hurt anyone" that sounded half-assed considering the situation earlier.

"Says someone whose all bruised up" I couldn't help but smile.

After a while I looked at him but I didn't realise that he was already looking at me, our eyes met.

His eyes were the lighter colour of his skin, sad eyes but again with that different gaze. Why does he look at me like that?

He was so close to me I could smell the salt fragrance of him, I could smell the sea in him.

He stared too long at me.

"What's wrong?" I asked and he just sighed and put his head down.

"Listen I did it in the heat of my anger but we left Lo'ak outside the reef near the Three brothers rock"

I felt a cold shiver run down my spine.
I felt angry at him but at the same time I couldn't hit him so I stood him up and grabbed him by the hair and took him to my father.

After a moment Lo'ak returned, he was fine. Ao'nung looked really guilty but I was surprised to see that my brother took all the responsibility down his own shoulders.

I saw him and Ao'nung chatting after the situation was dismissed.

"Where were you?" My mother hissed at me.
"What happened to looking after your brother?" My dad looked at me.
"I'm sorry sir"

I left the hut and went to the shore.
I layed down and looked at the stars.
I heard someone's footsteps getting closer and I looked up.

"Hey " it was Ao'nung, he grinned at me.
I kept a long face he kept quiet after a long time but finally spoke.
"I know I'm the worst but I didn't really mean it-"

"Reef boy you shouldn't play with fire next time" I smiled and he seemed weirdly relaxed.

He's towering me, I looked up at him he's more muscular than me , he looks stronger too as I was glancing down his tail he interrupted me.

"Come " he said.

"What? Where to?" I asked confused.

He held out a hand and asked again
" Come with me."

"What are you gonna leave me outside the reef too?" I asked playfully as he rolled his eyes.

"Just come on" he pulled my hand and dragged me towards the left side of the island.

We passed a few huts and came close to what looked like a small forest.

There were trees, as we went near them the path and leaves glowed beneath our feet like those back in our home. It was smaller than that but beautiful. The stream was filled with water creatures. He lead us towards the big leaves never leaving my hand.

We sat down, the mud was cool and damp different from the sand but familiar to me.

He interrupted my thoughts "I used to come here with Tsireya , she likes this place."

I can see the fondness in his eyes.
This place is magical, it feels home.

"I'm really sorry for what I did . I'll make sure of everyone's safety before doing anything rash from now on."
He did his small head nod.

It was adorable- wait what are you thinking schwang.

He waited for me to speak.

"You guarantee that?"
He nodded and his face lit up.

"Everyone?"

"Yes"

"Including me?"

"Yes" he didn't even hesitate and I laughed and his eyes widened after he realised what he just said and looked away.

"Don't make fun of me" he said in a troubled tone.

"This place is similar to our home you know. The trees, glowing leaves and the mud." I said and I sat up and so did he.

"Do you miss your home?" He asked looking to meet my gaze and I just stared at him before answering.

"A lot." His eyes seem different again.

When I realised that we were staring at each other a bit too awfully long heat rushed up to my cheeks and I stood up.

"I think we should get going." I couldn't look at him anymore, I was ashamed.

"Wait" he said and came in front of me.

He tugged my hair braid behind my ear and adjusted a flower on it.

"You look- it suits you" he returned to his normal self the spark in his eyes vanished as he turned around.

"We should head back now".

We returned back to our huts and I thought about today's day.

Why did he do that?

[ Iwill upload as much as I can before my finals so I hope yall enjoy♡]