To our little ones || Aonung x Neteyam

Chapter 8: Fever

Lo'ak sighed. It was late at night and Neteyam had been in bed sleeping for hours. After Ao'nung had brought him home they had intended to send for a doctor but his brother refused, claiming that it was just the exhaustion getting to him and that he could be brand new after sleeping a little more.

They were still not convinced and once they had left the room Ao'nung insisted to call for help, convinced that Neteyam's words were only to spare their worries.

And even if he was right, Lo'ak had to refuse, because he knew his brother was willing to suffer sleepless nights bound to his bed just so he could save the little money they had left in case something bad happened.

But what could have been worse that the current situation?

Their last savings had gone down the drain after Tuk got sick and his hand was almost broken. So, even if they called a doctor it would be of no use as they would not be able to afford the medicines.

Lo'ak tossed and turned in his bed touching his heavy bandaged hand. Neteyam's heavy breathing brought him back to reality as he quickly sat to go check on the reason for his brother's discomfort.

"Neteyam?" He whispered placing a hand on his forehead, noticing how his body was covered in sweat. "Hey, what's wrong?" He asked growing alarmed noticing his struggle to talk.

"Lo? What's wrong?" Kiri spoke from her bed, lighting a couple of candles and walking up to them.

"I don't know, I don't..." He turned to his brother when his breathing became wheezy.

"Brother? What hurts?" Kiri sat by his bed, now feeling agitated too

"M...chest..!" He gripped his brother's hands. "Can't bre... breath!" He managed to wheeze out.

Lo'ak could see the flash of fear crossing Neteyam's eyes and it was like something snapped inside his head.

He was not thinking when he ran downstairs and got out of the house wearing only pants and a much too thin shirt for the cold night air.

He was not thinking when he ran across the valley blinded by the tears that blurred his eyes.

And he was clearly not thinking when he banged with his fists on the Geljo's main door, shouting something that his adrenaline-filled brain could not comprehend.

Inside the house, a couple of servants were up and when they saw Tonowari charge down the stairs with a frown they decided not to step in.

"What is all that noise?" Ao'nung stepped out of his room wearing the same expression as his father, he joined him with long strides, anxious for whatever was waiting outside the door.

"Who is banging at the door this late?" Rotxo sighed a little behind.

"Brothers?" He heard Tsireya's unsure voice from behind him.

"Stay here. " Ao'nung told her before going downstairs to watch as his father opened the door, leaving everyone stunned at the sight of a distressed man.

"Lo'ak!" Tsireya gasped running down ignoring completely her brother's words.

"Sir, please! We need...! We...!" He was choking on his words, so Tonowari put a hand on his shoulder and the other one close to his heart, silently telling him to breathe before he collapsed.

"Boy, tell me what's wrong."

"Neteyam!" He blurted out, making Ao'nung's heart almost jump out of his chest with a hurtful bang. "He cannot breathe! I need a horse to...! A doctor! To look for...for!"

"Lo'ak you cannot ride in this condition, much less with that hand. I'll send someone." He called for the first man he saw around and he quickly went on his way. Tonowari kept calm so he could at least provide some comfort to the young man that looked about two seconds away from fainting. "Your sisters, are they with Neteyam?"