Courting

Chapter 32

(Im rlly sorry this took me way too long, but I'm also in a crisis bc i had like no notifications all week so)

That night, Neteyam was practically shaking throughout dinner. His parents didn't notice, or at least didn't say anything, but Kiri was unsufferable. She kept whispering things like

"So, do you and Ao'nung have a special spot?" Or "Are you going to be back tonight?" Then laughing as Neteyam's eyes widened comically every time. Lo'ak was grinning, but didn't bully Neteyam. Tuk kept asking questions; innocently unaware of the circumstances.

"Are you having a sleepover with Ao'nung?" She asked him when Kiri mentioned him.

"Uh, maybe." Neteyam told her, distracted by Kiri gasping with laughter.

"Like Mom and Dad do?" Tuk giggled. Neteyam choked.

"He's hoping." Kiri whispered, causing Lo'ak to cover his face so Tuk wouldn't see his laughter.

Neteyam was blushing so much his face was red-hot and practically purple.

"Shut. Up." He hissed at Kiri. She winked and shrugged, continuing to eat as if she hadn't said anything. After Neteyam had pushed his food around for long enough - he didn't want to eat and get a big stomach before, well... never mind - he looked towards his mother and asked

"May I visit Ao'nung tonight?" He tried to sound as innocent as possible, as if it were nothing but the sleepover Tuk thought it was. His mother raised an eyebrow, as if she saw right through him. His father seemed unaware of any secret, chewing absent-mindedly. Neteyam waited on baited breath; even his siblings seemed to quiet in the background.

"Yes, Neteyam." Neytiri decided after a nod from her husband. Neteyam let out a huge sigh and thanked her. As he turned to go, she said

"Neteyam?"

"Yes mother?"

"When can we expect you back?" She asked, almost smiling. Neteyam realised she was not as naïve as his father was in this moment, and his answer would either confirm or deny her suspicions.

"Umm, I was hoping I could spend the night?" He groaned internally, knowing that he had just exposed himself to his mother. She nodded, eyes twinkling knowingly.

Neteyam turned around and made himself walk slow enough to avoid teasing and suspicion from his siblings as he passed them. Regardless, Lo'ak still tapped his shoulder.

"What?" Neteyam was anxious to leave. Or maybe he was just nervous.

"I hope it goes well." Lo'ak whispered with a wink.

"Gross." Neteyam chuckled, repeating his words from the day before. He smiled before leaving the marui into the night that was too cold compared to his burning skin. The second he was out of sight from his marui, Neteyam broke into a run. The sand was flying up behind him, some landing in his hair and tickling his face. He quickly arrived at the tree line, and only took slightly more care trampling through the fores.t Luckily, years of living in the forest had Neteyam landing softly as he ran, by muscle memory. Without thinking, he found his way to the curtain of leaves hiding the entrance to the grotto. Pausing, Neteyam listened, trying to tell if Ao'nung was already there. Quickly realising he wouldn't be able to hear Ao'nung unless he spoke, Neteyam decided just to walk in. He pushed the leaves aside and ducked in.

(Ao'nung POV)

He walked through the trees, trying to steel his nerve. He had been rolling his thumbs the whole way from his marui, and continued the whole way to the grotto. Neteyam hadn't yet arrived. Taking a seat, and then standing again, and then pacing around, Ao'nung waited anxiously. He didn't want to be nervous, he wanted to be happy. This was a good thing wasn't it? Neteyam was ready, and so was he. Despite his nerves, Ao'nung knew this was true. So why was he so anxious? Before he could answer himself, the leaves at the entrance shook and hissed as the were pushed aside. A puffing Neteyam ducked under them. Before Ao'nung said anything, he realised Neteyam wasn't looking at him. Neteyam was looking downward, at the ground. Wait, no, not the ground. Neteyam was pushed his hand to his stomach, and ran it on the sides of his stomach too, below his ribs. Ao'nung was confused.