𝐔𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 | Neteyam x Aonung

Twenty-five

Neteyam's head drooped low as he subconsciously scrunched his nose, eyes directly pointed at the ground. His heart clenched as he processed those words, and he felt his muscles weaken with each passing second. "Sorry, Sir..", he muttered while feeling heat rise up inside of him; this time, because of built-up anger and frustration. How was he supposed to know that his dad would react that way? Or worse, be so disappointed? The last thing the warrior wanted to do was make his family feel this way, but it happened now, and there's nothing he could do about it.

"Speak up!", Jake demanded while subconsciously flashing his sharp fangs a little and flicking his tail aggressively.
"I'm sorry, Sir", Neteyam replied with a firm voice this time, following his dad's command but still not daring to look him in the eyes. Ones that were practically screaming about how upset and dissatisfied the man felt at that moment. Even Ao'nung was affected by Jake's strict tone, as Neteyam could clearly sense the other's entire body tensing up and the heavy heaving of his chest.
Without saying another word but with a simple, annoyed huff, Jake turned on his heels and left the marui pod with threatening steps. It wasn't long until the two women distanced themselves too, but not before Neytiri gave her son an apologetic look before hesitantly following her husband. The boys were left with Tonowari, who had an indescribable expression on his face, making them even more nervous.

"Sit down", the Olo'eyktan demanded just shortly before placing himself on the net, watching as the two firstborns did the same with uncertainty spread out on their faces. They had no idea what to expect yet again, but it couldn't be anything good.
Tonowari sighed deeply, his gaze darting from one na'vi to the next. "Listen, boys," he began, pausing to consider what he would say first. "It's not exceedingly uncommon to have same-sex mates in one's clan, but there are still some differences from tribe to tribe upon this topic". The chief gave the two young men a sidelong glance. They were taken aback by the calm tone that lingered in his voice.

"In the Metkayina clan, it is important to continue the blood line of the Olo'eyktan's family's ancestors, which means that you were born to take over that role, Ao'nung", he explained before earning a small nod from his son. "But now that you've mated with Neteyam, a male, you'll be unable to carry on this tradition. You can't reproduce, so it would lead to the end of the bloodline, which must not happen under any circumstances!".
Tonowari let out another long sigh as he realized the boys were becoming more nervous due to his subconsciously raised voice near the end. The chief had to rearrange his thoughts and emotions within him while shaking his head slightly. Even though there was no other option, it still hurt him to let the words he was about to say next leave his lips.

He took a deep breath before slowly opening his mouth again. "Ao'nung," the man demanded his son's attention. The Metkayina looked up from the ground, eyes wide open, and slightly squeezed Neteyam's hand at the sudden change in tone. His heart began to beat twice as fast, and his breathing became irregular because, based on everything his father could tell them now, he knew exactly what it would be.

"You lose your title as the future Olo'eyktan and pass the role on to Tsireya".


"What?!", Neteyam suddenly yelled out, unable to contain his shock.
He placed both hands over his trembling lips and shook his head in disbelief, while feeling his heart shatter in a matter of seconds. It was this exact moment that every possible negative emotion crashed down on the boy, and the regret rose up inside of him, making his ears flatten until it was no longer possible.
"No, no..", the warrior repeated over and over again before glancing at the boy next to him, whose expression seemed to be more disappointed and calm rather than surprised and full of sadness. The older na'vi bit his lower lip as he looked at the ground in front of him.

"I'm aware", he whispered.

As soon as those two words left his mouth, Neteyam's heart instantly clenched even more, so that it already began to hurt. He turned to Ao'nung in a rapid motion while grabbing his arm and roughly pulling on it. "You knew the whole time?!", the warrior yelled in a whisper, the frustration clearly visible in his voice and face. "And you didn't tell me?".
Neteyam carefully leaned back and exhaled some uneven breaths, attempting to calm himself. "I would've never agreed to it if you had told me!".

Ao'nung just shamefully looked in the other direction whilst still feeling Neteyam's tight grip around his arm. He sighed, lowering his ears. "I know, that's why I never told you", the older boy mumbled shakily between clenched teeth.
When he looked back into the warrior's eyes, he noticed his expression softening, but still displaying regret and disbelief.

"Is there really no other way, though?", Ao'nung muttered while looking up again and meeting his father's upset eyes. Whatever answer he would receive now, he had to accept. Because despite being aware of the consequences, the boy still didn't decide against the mating. However, this doesn't mean that it wouldn't affect the Metkayina at all, as he has been learning the ways of the Olo'eyktan his whole life; wether it was teaching the younger ones, leading hunts, or making order and peace top priorities within the clan.
Yes, it was a hasty decision, and he should've given it more thought, but it happened now, and there was no turning back. Even if he could, Ao'nung was certain he would never travel back in time to undo his actions.

"I'll arrange a meeting with the other senior positions tomorrow", Tonowari told him just as he got back up to his feet.


"We'll discuss how we proceed with this then".