Strong Heart's <3

3

Welcome or welcome back! Hope you guys are having a good day..

Again sorry it us short. I'm just super tired.

Words - 821

-Neteyams pov-

I woke up, and everyone was gone except for my brother. "Hey bro.." He sighs. He must be upset about something.

"What is wrong?" I quickly ask as I stretch.

"I caught my girlfriend cheating on me.." He sighs, but he doesn't look sad. "I'm honestly happy about it, though. She was so annoying and overwhelming that it was starting to get on my nerves.

After a while of talking with my brother, we decided to go on with the day. We all went to my siblings' group of friends. Well, I guess it could be called my friend group too, but I only talked to Aonung and after last night I don't think I want to anymore.

The last time I cried in someone's arms was my mother's, and that was back at the forest when I got my heartbroken by a guy. Long story short, I don't wanna get close with anyone, not even as friends.

"Hey, Neteyam!" I heard Aonung say my name as the others entered the pod.

"Hi.." I stated. We all sat down on the carpet area and talked for a while, mainly my brother and the others, not me.

After that, the days got more boring. We would sleep over at the pod a lot.

After a couple of months, Tsireya and my brother started dating. Now, we all shared a hammock. Kiri with Roxto, Tsireya with my brother, and me with Aonung.

Sometimes, I would wake up before Aonung and be cuddled against his back. I would quickly get off every time, though. I didn't wanna make him uncomfortable.

We were kind of close friends by now, but I still pushed him away. That was until one night.

The storms were so loud outside. I woke up in the middle of the night again because of the storm and found myself cuddled against Aonungs back again.

I decided to move away and just shiver in silence. I didn't wanna wake him because I was scared, so I just laid there and jumped every time the thunder boomed.

After a little while, I had my eyes shut tightly, and the blanket pulled over me up to my neck as I shivered. I was so scared I was breathing heavy and panicking.

My mother normally helped me, but she wasn't here, and I couldn't run to her. Just then, I felt an arm snake around my waist and pulled me towards them.

"It's okay, Neteyam, breath." Aonung said as I opened my eyes.

"Aonung, I'm fine.." I studdered as I scooted away, removing his hand from around my waist.

"If you say so.." He sighs and goes back to sleep, or so I thought.

Another loud boom came and lightning with it. I jumped and clutched the sheets as I whimpered. I started to cry at this point.

"Alright, that's it. You're clearly scared, so stop trying to act tough and stop pushing me away so I can help you." He huffed as he looked over at me.

I looked over at him through watery eyes. "I don't need your help.." I hiccuped through tears.

"Yes, you do, now stop." He says as he grabs my waist and pulls me towards him. Now I'm facing him with tears streaming down my face. I squirmed, trying to get out of his grip, but he was too strong.

Another loud boom with lightning came. I let out a whimper as I cried even more. Aonung pulled me closer, my face buried in his chest. He gently runs his fingers through my braids and shushes me.

"Shhh, it's okay, Neteyam. It's not gonna get you. I'm here. You're safe." He softly speaks. I wrapped my arms around him and tried to calm down.

Eventually, I calmed down a little bit, with soft sniffles and little jumps after the booms of thunder.

I moved back a little bit so I could see his face. He was really close to mine, and I blushed a little bit. "Why are you still helping me even after I push you away?" I questioned.

"Because you're the only close friend I want to have." He sighs. "You're not mean. You don't talk down on others. You have a good heart. And you're scared of thunderstorms of all things." He chuckles. I lightly hit him.

"It's not funny. They're scary..." I defended as I laid my head on his chest.

"Told you I could help.." He chuckles as he gently rubs my back.

"Is it normal for other friends to hold each other like this?" I asked.

"I don't think so. But it doesn't matter as long as you're okay.." He sighs.

I smiled a little bit.. "Thank you, Aonung.." I blushed. Shortly after, he fell asleep, still holding me tightly.

And that night, I only thought about one thing.

The overwhelming crush I had on Aonung that grew inside of me..

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡