Courting

Chapter 23

(Ao'nung POV)

The look on Neteyam's face brought a lump into Ao'nung's throat, forcing him to leave the marui before he choked back an audible sob. The expression he found looking back at him looked so... heartbroken. Betrayed? Ao'nung wasn't sure how to describe it, but it was nothing good. When his parents asked after him later, he excused his behaviour as after-shock from making the bond with Neteyam. Seeming satisfied enough with such an answer, his father patted him on the back while his mother reminded him to visit Neteyam the next day, to rekindle what they had before. 

Yeah, right. Rekindle a relationship with someone he had just effectively stolen for himself, ironically against his own will as much as Neteyam's. But he couldn't let himself be selfish, Neteyam deserved better, albeit better than Ao'nung overall. He just nodded and excused himself to bed. 

The next day, Ao'nung woke early despite his lack of sleep. He had been turning different scenarios over in his mind, in which Neteyam might forgive him, or at least tolerate him. He continued this cheerful activity while walking dejectedly along the sand. Ao'nung came up with some semblance of a plan as he walked, eventually finding himself back at the marui where Tsireya was rising, a morning swim in the reef had been planned with the Sully children now that Neteyam was with them again and their parents had allowed them a day off chores. Ao'nung trailed begrudgingly behind his sister as she chatted animatedly with Lo'ak; the idiot had woken extra early to walk back to his own marui with her. Lo'ak occasionally swung his head back, beads in his hair clattering, to look Ao'nung, something like sympathy in his face. Ao'nung appreciated this, knowing that someone else slightly understood his predicament. 

When they arrived in front of the Sully's marui, just by the shore, Ao'nung took a breath upon seeing Neteyam. The days in bed had a clear effect on his face, eyes shadowed, and his legs; he walked slowly and weakly, as if his muscles were remembering how to do so. However, the freckles on his face still looked like constellations, his chest was still lean with muscle. His usual corset of sorts had been abandoned with the intention of swimming, so his hips were framed by nothing but sharp bones. The breath was forced again from Ao'nung's lungs as he saw the jewellery tied around Neteyam's ankle, the gift from that night so many nights ago in the grotto. 

Ao'nung brought his gaze to the golden eyes, still glittering as they always had, looking for some kind of reaction from Neteyam upon seeing him. He waited in vain as Neteyam's eyes failed to find his. Eventually, he dragged his attention to Tsireya, telling Kiri and Neteyam that she and Lo'ak were going to investigate a small cave she found the day before. The two siblings nodded, Kiri seizing Tuk excitedly around the wrist and pulling her into the water, knocking her over when they waded deeper. A squeal of laughter was heard as Tuk fell beneath the waves. Ao'nung smiled in spite of his situation, he had come to like the young girl's enthusiasm. 

The departure the other siblings left Neteyam and Ao'nung alone. When Neteyam didn't say anything for much too long, Ao'nung couldn't bear the tension any longer. 

"So, you, um... feeling better?" Ao'nung asked stupidly, trying for a weak smile as he raised his eyes from the ground to Neteyam. The only recognition Ao'nung earned was the flick of Neteyam's eyes to his, until he nodded slightly. 

"OK, um... good enough to ride Tyra for a bit?" Ao'nung suggested, trying to come up with something to earn a smile from Neteyam, anything that would cease the increasing leaden worry that Neteyam was furious with Ao'nung and hated him for his decision.

"With- with you?" Neteyam seemed taken aback, maybe confused. Ao'nung winced and lost his breath like he had been punched in the gut, but tried to amend the situation.