𝐈 𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐄𝐍𝐃 ━━━━ 𝒏𝒆𝒕𝒆𝒚𝒂𝒎 𝒔𝒖𝒍𝒍𝒚

𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒊𝒗𝒆

[FIVE: THE WAY OF WATER]

WHEN ZÁRA RETURNED HOME AFTER her swim, she saw her family serving out dinner. she pushed her wet, curly hair back as she strode inside, sitting down next to her twin brother.

ao'nung glanced at zára as she sat.

ronal gave her daughter the food, smiling softly as she did so. zára held her food in her hands.

the family ate their food in peace, conversations popping up here and there. ao'nung and zára still haven't spoken to each other after their fight. the adults were just praying they would at least utter a single word to each other while they ate.

when dinner was done, the family decided it was best to make some new things that the children found in the ocean. just by doing that, the family was engaging in some more conversations.

zára was working on a necklace for tuk to wear, and a armband for neteyam.

"no, i will not help you with that. ask you sister." tonowari mumbled to ao'nung.

"reya —"

the adult hissed at his son. ao'nung frowned as his ears went down. his blue eyes looked over to zára, who was working on the necklace, then back at his father. tonowari nodded at his son.

ao'nung went over to his twin, sitting next to her as he held out the armband he was making. the girl looked up at her brother.

ronal and tonowari watched their twins with careful eyes.

"can you, uhm, help me?" ao'nung grumbled to his sister. zára glanced at her parents, who looked away far too quickly, then back at her twin brother. "of course," she smiled softly, taking the armband from ao'nung's big hand.

ao'nung explained to his twin what he needed help with. zára did everything ao'nung asked for then returned the armband to him.

it took him a moment, but he said it.

"thank you, sister."

zára smiled softly at her brother. "you're welcome, brother."

the adults look at each other with a smile.

progress.

soon enough, it was time to go to sleep. the family got ready, laying down on their spots in their marui. ronal and tonowari together, tsireya near them, and the twins together.