Surface| Neteyam

24.

There was going to be a meteor shower tonight, the last one was almost a decade ago so everyone was excited for it. Even better, it meant no work so I could spend the whole day with Neteyam.

Obviously we would need to be discreet about it and hang out with a larger group but I knew we would have the night all to ourselves so I didn't mind.

This was the one time we could all be together, no duties, no worries, and no Riuwe.

"Lo'ak careful!" Tsierya called out as he swung his arms frantically to stay balanced.

I ran over to the commotion, treading through the shallow water where everyone was at.

"What is that skxawng doing?" I gasped, seeing as Lo'ak climbed possibly the most dangerous tree in the area. It was a thin palm tree that hung over the water, and it was quite the sight to see the forest boy scramble up it.

"Aonung dared him to climb it" Rotxo caught me up, I gave him a quick chin-up to let him know I heard.

"Idiot" Kiri sighed as her brother began to get more risky, only hanging from one arm. I felt my shoulders tense up, I would be lying to say I wasn't worried.

"Try not to fall, forest boy!" Aonung shouted at him, he laughed loudly like he wanted something bad to happen.

Almost like he had manifested it, Lo'ak grabbed a loose branch and came hurling down into the water. Probably because Tsireya was there, but he managed to pull it off and do a quick flip before crashing into the sea.

As expected, Aonung didn't even hold back, he laughed so hard he needed to rest his hands on his knees. Everyone watched as Tsireya splashed through the water to get to a stunned Lo'ak back to shore; she made sure to keep her hair afloat to not mess it up.

"Looks like jungle freak is no better outside the water" Aonung snickered,

"Ohhhhhh!" his friends (fanboys) gassed him up, I could tell it was really getting on Lo'ak's last nerve.

I could see Tsireya trying to motion to him to not pay any attention to Aonung's comments, but by the way he was glaring at him, I was surprised he wasn't up and trying to rip his hair out. I also saw Neteyam, his stance was more stiff, like he was ready to take a punch, or give one.

"You're real cocky 'Nung, acting like you could do half of what he just did" I intervened; he looked me up and down insulted, of course he would take it to heart, a harmless joke never slid past him.

"Whatever"

I could tell he took notice of the crowd, if we were alone I know he would have spat back something that would leave me stunned for the rest of the day. Even though I should have let it rest it never hurts to provoke someone a little, especially a stuck up ego like his.

"Yeah, whatever" I retorted.

Neteyam was a few feet away but I could tell he was staring right at me. Oh Neteyam please stop looking at me like that, you're gonna give us away.

I strained to not look back at him, I knew I would be in a fit of butterflies if I did and our whole cover would have been blown. Although I was probably just overthinking, I mean it won't hurt to just peak?

I stretched my arms back, exaggerating a fake yawn, tilting my head ever so slightly to steal a quick glance with him, and of course it was worth it. Before we started smiling like love sick puppies I turned my head back to face Aonung.

"Someones acting all tough on her free day" He laughed; not knowing if he was serious or joking I kicked some water in his direction.

Unexpectedly he jerked away, trying to block that water from splashing him,

"Augh, great look what you did!" My smile dropped as Aonung frantically tried to dry the water off of a new necklace he was wearing. He tugged it off his neck and held it far from the water as if he was scared It would get splashed again.

"What? You got a date or something?" I teased as he brushed his hair back, I waded through the water towards him.

"Asshole" he quietly mumbled; I slowed down, did he really just call me that over a drop of water?

"Nung, I didn't mean-" I began but was quickly cut off before I could get even a step closer to him,

"Why don't you think twice before you do stupid stuff!" He flared his arms out angrily, making a confused enraged expression like it was somehow all my fault.

I was taken aback, he never acted like before, I felt like I had really done something wrong by the way he was reacting.

"Hey, bro, it's not that deep" Lo'ak cut in, separating us,

"Move forest freak" Aonung shoved him back like he was nothing, and continued to stare daggers at me.

I don't know what it was but it really scared me, it's like when you do something as a joke but then it erupts into a huge mess, that feeling. Kind of like when I kissed Neteyam for the first time, that feeling again.

"Hey don't touch him!" Neteyam pulled his brother off the ground by giving him a quick hand up, he looked at me then back at Aonung.

"You really want me to kick your ass again?" Neteyam snarled, his tail flicked rapidly almost like someone had a string attached to it.

"Let's go" Tsireya whispered to Lo'ak as she clung onto his arm, gently tugging him back from the rising argument.

My gut felt twisted, it was like all the flourishing butterflies dropped dead in my stomach.

"Just drop it" I hissed, the whole situation was way out of hand, all my surrounding sounds drained into white noise as I felt my head crowd with a million thoughts; it was all the same thing, it was all repeating.
Why did he feel so threatened by Neteyam all of a sudden, why did an innocent joke thrive into a potential fist fight?

Just don't hurt Neteyam.

Finally they pulled apart, Rotxo held onto Aonung and I just stayed still, my feet planted into the sand.

"You started this" Aonung blurted as he stormed past me with Rotxo apologetically trailing behind.

Instantly Neteyam stood by me, raising his arms to the side kind of like a frustrated shrug, giving Aonung a 'the fuck are you doing' look.

"You alright?" I whisper, trying not to catch the attention of anyone else.

"I'm just glad Tuk wasn't here to see it," Neteyam sighed. It must have been hard trying to fit in and people like Aonung aren't making it any easier.

As everyone silently began walking back to the beach, I took his hand, intwing my fingers with his; we looked at each other thoughtfully and I carefully brushed some loose strands of his hair back. His soft breath caressed my cheek and I tried not to freeze up just from his gaze.

"Let's get out of here"

A/N
I kinda wanna build drama but I hope it doesn't seem to forced, it will be revealed later why Aonung lost his temper really quickly.

I do plan on making more scenes with the group cause I literally love them and who knows how much time they will have left to spend with eachother 🤭