Courting

Chapter 30

Sorry this story is so long

Homework < writing

My english teacher hasnt given me back my draft I gave him five days ago, and it's due tmr, so im doing this instead. 

*Time skip because im lazy <3, a couple of months later*

Ao'nung POV

Recently, walking ankle-deep in the water before even light awoke in the morning had become Ao'nung's favourite past time, apart from spending time with Neteyam of course. The water was never cold, just cool enough to raise goosebumps on his back. The water looked as if it was sleeping, with no light to show off the life in the waves. Usually, Ao'nung became lost in thought and returned home long after the day had begun. The following hours were spent doing jobs, teaching, or learning from his father. After that, he was free to walk hand in hand with Neteyam through the trees. Away from the village, Neteyam was always chattier than otherwise. He would ramble on about familiar or unfamiliar features of the forest, and ask Ao'nung a lot of questions. Ao'nung never tired of Neteyam's voice, nor his childish enthusiasm in things he knew, or interest in those he didn't. Ao'nung could listen forever.

After the day was in full throw, Ao'nung was instructing some young warriors on sharpening weapons. As it was muscle memory for him, Ao'nung allowed his thoughts to wander as he repeated the stroking movement along the blade. His eyes wandered too, once he had finished giving the instructions, and they fell on someone he didn't recognise. Long frizzy hair was long down their back, the sun directly behind them making it hard for Ao'nung to identify much else. As the character began walking closer, Ao'nung noticed their face was dark along the left side, extending into the collar bone. As they came closer still, Ao'nung identified it as a tattoo that warriors were given post-Iknimaya. Still unsure of anything else, bright sun hurting his eyes, Ao'nung continued sharpening his blade. 

Neteyam POV

Spotting Ao'nung sitting among a small group of children holding a varying collection of weapons. Seeing Ao'nung teach the young members of the Metkayina village always made Neteyam smile, seeing him interact so kindly with the children. Walking closer, Neteyam saw Ao'nung slip and the blade catch his arm. Speeding up, Neteyam ran over to see if he was okay. Ao'nung, now cradling over his arm and pressing to staunch the bleeding, didn't look up. Neteyam walked up and gently laid a hand on Ao'nung's back. His boyfriend whipped his head up, but immediately relaxed seeing Neteyam. Then, Ao'nung seemed confused. 

"It's you?" 

"Yeah, sorry to disappoint." Neteyam laughed. "You alright?"

"Yeah, I just slipped," Ao'nung gritted through his teeth. "Wasn't focusing."

"Did I distract you Ao?" Neteyam grinned. 

"Yes, actually. Thanks for that." Ao'nung pretended to be annoyed, but his smile gave him away. 

"Anytime, I wanted to ask how much longer you're here for?" Neteyam moved on, producing a wrap from nowhere and took Ao'nung's arm. 

"I can get someone else to take this group, god knows everyone owes me a favour for something." Ao'nung hissed a little as Neteyam brought the wrap down over the cut. 

"As long as you're not putting off jobs you need to be doing." Neteyam chided slightly as he finished the wrap at Ao'nung's wrist.

"Why do I need a whole arm wrap for a cut?" Ao'nung raised his arm to look, but winced and put it back down. Neteyam raised his eyebrows and grinned. 

"Shut up."

Ao'nung POV

Originally, Ao'nung hadn't noticed it was Neteyam standing there, only when he'd looked up to find his boyfriend standing in front of him did he realise. His hair was down and his new tattoo had healed nicely. The ink trailed down the left of his face, under his jaw, and to his collarbone. Ao'nung found himself following its path with his eyes, and sometimes his hands. Neteyam had stopped flinching when he touched it, the pain of healing now gone. Now he just laughed whenever Ao'nung's fingers tickled his neck. 

"It's just a tattoo Ao, you have it too." Neteyam pointed out, half-attempting to pull away from Ao'nung's hand as he once more traced the pattern on his boyfriend's cheek. 

"It looks better on you," Ao'nung replied, eyes following his fingers. 

"Th-thanks, Ao. I like yours. A lot." Neteyam was blushing. 

"Really?" Ao'nung often forgot about his own tattoo, the tender flesh long gone. 

"Yeah, it makes you look... strong." Neteyam told him, looking sideways at him. Ao'nung was dumbfounded. Neteyam grinned and shook his hair out of his face. He didn't have it down often, but he always looked free and relaxed when he did. Ao'nung's hand moved from his boyfriend's face to his hair, running through the wild curls. Neteyam raised an eyebrow. 

"I like your hair like this." Ao'nung declared. 

"Better than my braids?" Neteyam asked, looking self-conscious.

"No!" Ao'nung quickly when into stumbling corrections. "I only meant, I like all your hair. Styles I mean. You look pretty with your braids too, I just- you look really, relaxed, I guess." Ao'nung shrugged. "Sorry, it was a dumb thing to say." Neteyam twisted, shifting around to face Ao'nung from where he had been sitting, looking at the ocean. 

"Pretty?" he asked, eyes wide.

"What?" Ao'nung asked.

"Me, you said... nevermind." He went back to face the water, when Ao'nung realised what he had meant and pulled him back. 

"You? Neteyam, you, my love, are the prettiest person I have ever met. Whether your hair is up, down, cut off, whatever. Your strength, your laugh, your face, your eyes, your hips-" Ao'nung coughed as Neteyam's eyes widened. "You are beautiful. Why else do you catch me looking at you so often?" 

Neteyam looked down and smiled shyly. Ao'nung scooted behind him and put his arms around Neteyam's waist, leaning his head on his back. Breathing deeply, Ao'nung could smell the ocean and the nearby trees. He could also smell something sweet and sharp; Neteyam. He felt Neteyam's back rise as he took a deep breath.

"Ao'nung?" He whispered. It was barely audible over the waves. Ao'nung was slightly apprehensive at the use of his name and not the nickname Neteyam usually used. 

"Yes, Neteyam?" 

"Can you meet me tonight, at our grotto?" Neteyam asked quietly. Ao'nung blinked, though Neteyam couldn't see it. They had frequented the grotto - where they had their first semblance of a date - over the past months, sneaking away at night and after meals. They would sit in the water or huddle against a wall, Neteyam's head in Ao'nung's lap or curled up against his chest. They had both been given some increased freedom by their parents now, after passing Iknimaya, so they were allowed to stay there overnight sometimes, as long as they could handle returning in time for the chores the next day.

"Yes, I would love to. Any reason, Tey?" Ao'nung carefully responded. 

"I- I think I'm ready. Are you?" Neteyam's voice was a bit shaky. Ao'nung gasped slightly. "Unless you don't want to- that's fine, don't worry I shouldn't have-" Neteyam rambled but Ao'nung shut him up. He pulled his boyfriend into a standing position and, with a hand behind his head, pulled Neteyam's face to his and kissed him. This time it was different, unlike the other kisses they had shared. Ao'nung was slightly more liberal in the way he held Neteyam. He placed his other hand a little below his back, and his other hand left Neteyam's hair to his chest. After a few moments and few breaths in between, Ao'nung pulled away, still holding Neteyam tight. Holding Neteyam into his own chest, he whispered. 

"I'll be there." 

He left quickly, with a small tug on Neteyam's waistband.