𝐔𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 | Neteyam x Aonung

Twenty-nine

"Do you see that star up there? The big one on the right?", Neteyam muttered while pointing at the glowing nightsky that spread out above their tired minds. The day went by faster than they realized, and before any of them could even register it, the dark had already overtaken the village. The eclipse was probably Neteyam's favorite time of the cycle, as he somehow always felt some kind of connection with the darkness, the silence, and the general calmness. He hated sleeping, because by the time he'd wake up, the light would've already filled him with such brightness and that loud environment again.
Smiling, Ao'nung nodded while tightening his grip around Neteyam's waist, hugging him from behind. "I do, but why?", he asked with a soft voice. His breath tickled the other na'vi's ear, which pulled a heartwarming chuckle out of his throat. "My dad came from that star. They call it earth, if I remember correctly".
Ao'nung fixed his gaze on the gleaming dot before resting his chin on the warrior's shoulder and leaning heavily on his back. "So this is where the sky people are from..", the older one mumbled quietly, earning a soft sound of approval from Neteyam.

A very light breeze kissed their skin and filled their lungs softly, while the sand underneath quickly began to cool down from the constant sun and its enjoyable warmth. Considering the many things, good and bad, that had happened today, the two boys could feel the tiredness creeping up into their every cell and bone. And even though Neteyam really didn't want to, he knew that it was time to rest now. Only a very few other clan members were still awake, but it felt like they were all alone on this island at that moment. Just the two of them, enjoying the pleasant silence, stargazing, and fully giving in to the other's touch and presence.
Like a beautiful dream, that shall never end.

"Are you tired, Nung?", Neteyam softly asked when he noticed how quiet the other had gotten. But when he didn't get a response, the warrior cast a quick glance over his shoulder, only to be met with a closed pair of eyes and the sound of steady, peaceful breathing. He could feel the older boy's chest heaving in a fixed rhythm, pressed against his own back. "I understand. Today was exhausting, after all..", Neteyam muttered under his breath before leaning down and leaving a small peck on Ao'nung's forehead. He decided that since there was nothing else to do, he should close his eyes and rest as well, regaining all of his energy for the next day. The boy carefully placed Ao'nung on the sand before resting his head on the other's chest and listening to his body's soft heartbeat.

But, as much as Neteyam enjoyed that moment, there was one major thing bothering him and keeping his system from shutting down, and that was Tonowari and the meeting he had scheduled for the next morning. It's still a mystery to him how Ao'nung chose him and their bonding despite knowing that his future was at stake. This feeling of guilt would probably follow him around for the rest of his life, clinging to his presence like a burdock or something. Of course, only if Ao'nung is unable to become Olo'eyktan.
Neteyam became increasingly impatient as he considered this, so he decided to quickly close his eyelids again and try his hardest to dream about something beautiful and positive. For example, his and Ao'nung's future together. A small, happy family with two children and the best aunts and uncles in the world. One child would be a girl, and the other a boy.
He knew this could only happen in his dreams and thoughts, and was not possible in real life, but that was fine as long as he had Ao'nung by his side.
.
.
Suddenly, before Neteyam could even realize how much time had passed, he got woken up roughly by two arms, making him groan in discomfort. As soon as the warrior fluttered his eyelids carefully open, the bright sun caused him immediate pain. He looked around, using his hand to block out what was bothering him, but came to a halt in front of two tall figures. "Neteyam!" exclaimed Lo'ak before grabbing his brother's hand and assisting him to his tired feet. Tsireya, who was right next to them, was about to say something when Ao'nung on the ground began to whine from the noise that had disturbed his peaceful sleep and undisturbed state of mind.
The girl yanked him up with all her might, wiping away some of the sand that had clung to his skin. "Dad has returned from the meeting!" she exclaimed, darting her wide eyes from one na'vi to the next.
The tiredness left the boys' bodies as soon as Tsireya said those words, and tension took its place instead.

Neteyam could feel the heart in his chest pounding faster with every second as he took Ao'nung's hand in his own. "Has he already said anything?" the warrior asked, his voice hoarse from fear.
Lo'ak shook his head, dragging them forward and back up to the village. "No, not yet. He requested that we look for you two first".
The boys nodded and let themselves be dragged along the path.

"This is going to be interesting.."

—
(Someone asked me if I was okay with fanart of this story, so I'll mention it here for everyone to see:
I'd be more than happy, actually!! If anyone is interested, please send it to me afterward! I'll tag you in one of the chapters and show everyone your beautiful drawing (if that's okay with you)! ❤️)