𝐔𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 | Neteyam x Aonung

Thirty-two

Votes and comments are much appreciated🫶🏻
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"Not again!", Kiri groaned out more than annoyed when she saw her dad walking out of their marui pod with four familiar-looking jugs in his arms, trying his best to keep them from slipping down. Jake laughed lightly as he approached the huge fire and dancing clan before sitting himself next to his family and carefully placing the liquids on the sand. "Since we're celebrating, I asked Norm yesterday to deliver us some more", the man exclaimed while pouring the current leaders some of it in their little bowls. Even other adult na'vi from the clan seemed to have taken an interest in that new drink this time, and Jake gladly shared it with everyone else as well.

Just from the fierce smell alone, Neteyam could tell that this liquid would bring out his parents' dark sides again today, and he wasn't looking forward to it. In his opinion, alcohol was an extremely strange invention. People don't even get long-term happiness from drinking it; instead, they get stuck in a short and silly state of mind that quickly turns into nasty pain.
Not to mention his father's incredible ability to persuade Ronal and Tonowari to drink it again with him.
Jake turned to face their children next, a thoughtful expression on his face as he looked the two oldest boys in the eyes. "Since you're both old enough now, I can't leave you out when asking if you'd like some too," the man said, his voice as calm as the sea at night, lifting one of the jugs a little. According to Neteyam's disapproving expression, the boy's response was as clear as a cloudless sky to Jake; however, Ao'nung didn't seem to mind this unexpected request.

"Come on, Tey, just a little bit. Today is a very special day after all, right?", the older one nudged his mate's arm slightly, already able to see Jake filling his bowl out of the corner of his eye. Of course, the boy's intention was not to force Neteyam to drink; he simply wanted him to relax and forget about his worries for at least one evening. His tsakarem definitely needed to relax his whole body and tensed mind for a little while.
Neteyam thought for a bit before mindlessly giving in and watching as his dad poured the strange-smelling alcohol into his own bowl and giving him a small nod as assurance. He then lifted the drink in the air and motioned for the others to do the same. "This one's for our beloved sons, who will become great leaders and lead the clan to victory at all times! Cheers!"

"Cheers!", they all yelled out in unison while clinking their bowls.

Shaking his head with a regrettable sigh, Neteyam gently placed the bowl on his lips before quickly chugging it all in one go and leaving not one single drop behind, just like he had occasionally watched his parents do it. However, just as he felt the last bit trickling down his throat, the boy's face scrunched up in an instant as he uncontrollably and very wildly shook his head in disgust. The next thing he noticed were the many laughs from the na'vi around him, including his parents and even the clan leaders.
"Never again..", Neteyam muttered and placed the bowl down, unable to react in time as his father had already begun pouring some more alcohol for him. "Dad, no!", he yelled out, pushing the liquid away from his nose.

"Come on, this will be the last one!".

When Neteyam cast a small glance at Ao'nung next to him, he was greeted with a heartwarming smile and a comfortable aura that made his body relax in an unfathomable way. The boy finally realized he was completely safe and that today he wouldn't have to focus on anything but the enjoyable memories he'd make from this evening. "All right..", the boy chuckled quietly as he grabbed the dish and felt the smell tickle the insides of his nose once more.
"There goes nothing".

This was, in fact, not the last bowl of alcohol. For neither of the adults, actually.
Fast forward to about five drinks later, Neteyam and Ao'nung had joined the dancers at their performances, doing a terrible job at keeping up with the choreography but laughing around and having the time of their lives. The parents felt compelled to expose their children once more by telling embarrassing stories about them, while the other kids were playing games and simply having fun by being present, sober, of course.
"Dad!?", Tuk suddenly yelled while jumping on her father's back and startling him with that action. Laughing, the man put the things down and adjusted his daughter to make the position more comfortable for the both of them. "What is it, sweetheart?", he asked gently. The little girl scrunched her nose slightly in response to the strong odor emanating from the man, but she quickly shook it off. "Do sky people mate too?".