It had only been a few short weeks since the battle against the Sky People that took his father's life. Roxto has been trying to cope with the feelings of loss while listening to his mother cry every night, quietly asking the great mother to bring back her mate. He missed going hunting with his father. He missed the way his father would ruffle his hair, cast him sideways looks when he would sneak snacks to Roxto and his little sister behind his mother's back while she pretends not to know. He missed the way his father would sit on the benches around the clan's campfire, patting his knee to the beat of the drums until he can't just listen anymore and drags his mother to dance with him, spinning her around and holding her close. He missed his mother's smile as she chastised his father over and over again while laughing that she can't dance and yet he always got her to.
Roxto missed his father. Sometimes so badly that it felt like his chest was being ripped open. Like all the air was sucked from his lungs. Like he was drowning while standing on dry land. It's the grief, he knows, and sometimes it's easier to manage than other times, but at night, in the silence and company of only his thoughts, he can't pretend the grief isn't overwhelming. Bearing down on his heavier than any weight before ever had.
So, he went to the tree of souls to see his father. Every night since they lost him trying to get Olo'eyktan's and Toruk Makto's children - Roxto's friends - back from the Sky People who had been hunting their tulkun brothers and sisters. His father had been one of the first to charge after their chief and Toruk Makto to save their children - once more, Roxto's friends - and died to do so and avenge their brothers and sisters.
Roxto's father was a hero. And he brought great honor to his family. But Roxto would give it all away for his father to come back to him.
He didn't blame the Sully children. He didn't blame Tsireya or Ao'nung. They all lost someone too. Neteyam. The eldest of the Sully children. Roxto's relationship with Neteyam didn't start out on the best foot, which was unfortunate seeing as Neteyam turned out to be an amazing friend to have. Always so compassionate and kind. He always tried hard to be present, to be a good friend and an even better brother. He followed his siblings and his friends through fire without even a hint of hesitation.
He forgave Roxto, Ao'nung and their friends for all of their teasing of him and his siblings. Roxto will never forget taking a moment to pull the oldest brother aside after everything went down with them leaving Lo'ak out by himself beyond the reef and the oldest brother had given them the most chilling look of rage. Roxto felt nothing but shame for the part that he played in leading Lo'ak out there and then leaving him behind. As someone who had tussled with Neteyam before, he was ready for the son of the former Omaticayan Olo'eykton's son to beat him half to death - especially for being stupid enough to pull him aside somewhere private.
But Neteyam just crossed his arms over his chest and listened quietly, eyes burning in that wintery rage that honestly made Roxto fear for his life. It was then that he remembered something that Kiri had warned of him when he and his friends were messing with Lo'ak before even that, making fun of his demon features - his hands mostly, with those five fingers - and Neteyam had come to scare them off, putting himself between an angry Lo'ak and Ao'nung, stepping closer enough to stare up slightly into the latter's eyes, with a cold expression on his face. She turned to Roxto, who was standing beside her, a smirk on his face not even expecting the beast beneath the calm surface of the darker blue skinned boy, and said, lowly, as if only for Roxto to hear, "Careful, Roxto. Lo'ak is quicker to anger, but Neteyam is much more destructive. Poke and prod all you want but may Eywa guard you if you draw true rage from my sagely brother."
And now, Roxto is sure to have a glimpse of that rage, burning so hot that it sucked out all the warmth in the space around them. And despite his mental assurances that no one was going to be able to save him from this epic ass-whopping - as Lo'ak once referred to their fights - coming his way, Neteyam remained eerily calm, listening to him explain what happened, and apologize for the role that he had in it. Once he was done, they lapsed into silence as the oldest son of Toruk Makto stared through him.
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Eywa's Gift
FanfictionNeteyam was always told that Eywa has plan for all her children, and he has always believed that. But after having been wrong about his purpose so many times in his life, it was a relief to finally learn what his purpose was, and that was to die for...