To our little ones || Aonung x Neteyam

Chapter 16: Kind

Neteyam watched as Lo'ak folded some clothes at the feet of his bed, once in a while averting his eyes to the window to watch the big house in the distance and then going back to his task, believing he was subtle while he folded the same shirt for the fifth time.

"What's wrong with you? Why are you acting weird?" Neteyam squinted his eyes, almost laughing when his voice startle his brother enough to jump in place.

"I'm not acting weird, shut up." He clicked his tongue rolling his eyes at him.

"Did something happen?" He sat, growing entertained by the defensiveness of his brother.

"Nothing happened." He shrugged making his best effort to play innocent.

"Alright, something definitely happened." He said to himself. "Was it the other night when you sneaked out?"

"I did not sneak out!" He threw his head back in frustration.

"Are you going to make me guess this whole conversation?" Neteyam raised an eyebrow with a small pout on his lips.

"Why are you like this?"

"Because you don't tell me things anymore." He mumbled picking at the blankets keeping him warm. His lips wore a subtle smile to hide the sadness behind his words.

"Well, I don't need you getting all...worked up, and don't try to deny it because every time I tell you about things It turns into a life lesson."

"Only because the thing you do could or have gotten you in trouble, I'm just looking out for you." They looked at each other for a moment before Lo'ak grunted.

"Fine. But you can't get all big brother about it, got it?" He went to close the door before taking a seat next to Neteyam.

"I'll do my best." He smiled pleased.

"Alright, so the other night I was trying to go to sleep but I could because the dumbass downstairs wouldn't stop snoring." He took the hit on his arms with a grin.

"You shouldn't insult him."

"Because it's rude or because you like him?" Neteyam only made an annoyed noise before allowing him to continue. "As I was saying, I got out of bed to go get something to eat when I saw that there was still light coming from Tsireya's balcony windows, so naturally I had to go talk to her.

"Oh, Eywa." He brushed his face with a loud sigh. "Wasn't it raining that night?"

"So? Do you think a little water will stop me?"

"No, I thought that was a job from common sense, but I guess I was wrong."

"Ugh, anyways, I went there and I climbed to her balcony."

"You...!?" He refrained from exalting himself. "You climbed and got on her balcony?"

"And then she opened and went into her bedroom."

"And then you went inside her bedroom?"

"Yes, it was nice and warm and she lent me a towel and then we sat together to talk, and believe me, I only intended to talk but..."

"Wait, wait..." He closed his eyes holding the bridge of his nose. "You, a man, sneaked in the middle of the night and climbed to the balcony of an unmarried woman who also happened to invite you into her bedroom without anyone else being there. Do you realize how that sounds?"

"It sounds pretty normal to me." He stated after giving it some thought.

"Pretty normal!? Lo'ak, it is unacceptable! Completely inappropriate! Have we taught you nothing!?" He screamed in a hushed voice as to not alert Ao'nung and his mother in the kitchen. "Even if you two are friends, do you really think others would see it as such? I can't even find the words to describe how mad at you I am right now. I'm not able to think of any other thing you have done that has been as worse than this one."