Skxawng - Aonung x Neteyam

Part 6: Reconsider

Neteyams POV:

It had been a couple of weeks since the drama happened, and Lo'ak seemed to grow closer to Aonung, which confused the family.

I still didn't like Aonung because he disrespected my family. I didn't talk to him, but that wasn't different. During lessons I would try my best to ignore him as much as possible. He seemed to get the hint, and didn't exactly try to get me to talk to him. Which was good.

It was now a new day, and I woke up from my hammock and noticed a nice smell coming from the main room. I followed the smell and I saw Kiri cooking some type of Metkayina breakfast. "That smells really good, sis." I spoke to her, rubbing my eyes tiredly.

"Thank you! It will be ready to eat soon, have a seat." She replied with a comforting smile. I looked over to see my whole family awaiting for the food. I sat down besides Lo'ak.

"So what are you planning to do today?" I started a conversation with him. "Oh, I'm going to hang with Aonung." The table fell silent. "What? He isn't as bad as you's think! Give him a chance!" He protested to the sudden silence, looking to the family. I didn't expect to ever hear those words in my life, especially coming from Lo'ak.

"Alright Lo'ak, but be careful today please." My mother spoke supportively. "Why do you even hang out with him anyway?" Kiri walked over curiously asking while setting out the food for everyone. Lo'ak grunted and spoke up soon after. "Because, he said he is going to start to respect us more, due to him feeling some empathy. Do you not understand?" He looked angry.

Everyone sat in uncomfortable silence, until my father spoke. "My son, please do not raise your voice this early in the morning." He looked so exhausted, since he was out all last night helping Tonowari around the village. The table went back to having mini conversations and ate together.

After we all are the breakfast, everyone had left to do their duties. I sat in my room alone contemplating what to do today. It was my free day today so I had no assigned chores to do, yet. I am always randomly put to do things since I was the eldest.

Time passed and it was eventually lunch time. My family never really came home for lunch, and it was pretty rare if we had. I just quickly made myself some fish, and ate with the comforting silence.

When done, I cleaned up after my self and left to my tree. Today, it was pretty gloomy. It wasn't the brightest but it was still warm. The comfort of the wind brushing past my body reminded me of home.

I sat up in my tree looking out to the never ending ocean. Some warriors were soaring around on their skimwings, and some Metkayina navi were hunting for fish. It was quite entertaining to watch.
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Aonungs POV:

Weeks had past since I realised the Sully children had some potential. I started to know Lo'ak and we became pretty close due to our similarities.

I was waiting for him after breakfast, since we were hanging out today. "Hey cuz!" Loak yelled out from afar. I turned to look at him. "Hey Lo'ak." I spoke once he got close enough to hear me.

Talking with Lo'ak made me feel better about the stress I had to deal with. Most of the time we would talk about the stress of our parents and what affect it had on us.

"My siblings won't give you a chance! It is annoying. They just don't know you like I do." Lo'ak spoke to me placing his hand on my shoulder. "I think I should talk to them." I suggested. I wanted to work on my relationship with all the children due to the guilt.

"That's a good idea cuz," Lo'ak replied supportively. I was surprised he didn't make fun of my opening up, since my other friends usually did.

We walked to the Sully's hut together to look for his siblings. The first person we saw once I headed in was Kiri. "What is he doing here." She looked at me then to Lo'ak. I looked down in shame.

"He wants to talk to you sis. Please, just listen." Lo'ak told the girl and she looked reluctant. After a moment of silence, Kiri let out a sigh. "Fine, but Lo'ak you must stay." She insisted, and he agreed.

"So, what do you want to talk about." She stood in front of me, and we both sat. "Well um.." I was really anxious. I have literally never ACTUALLY apologised before. I looked down.

"I wanted to say that I am um...sorry." The words I spoke sounded shaky due to my anxiousness. "Oh?" Kiri sounded confused. "Yeah um, I shouldn't have disrespected you or your family like that." I rubbed the back of my neck, I felt so hot. "Is it hot in here?" I spoke, my anxiety was through the roof. Kiri let out a soft laugh. "It is alright Aonung." I looked back at her, my face filled with relief and shock. "Really?" "Really." I smiled and thanked her so much. Now it was time for Neteyam.
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Neteyam's POV:

I was still in my tree, but now I was focusing on the tree itself and the nature around it. I was thinking of home, and how much I missed it. I thought of Grandmother, how she helped me when hurt, gave me good advice and the stories she told were the most interesting. I wish I could talk to her.

I had enough of being upset and started to walk home. Once I got there I was met with the 2 blue eyes that I despised. I scoffed. "And what is he doing here?" I looked over to Kiri and Lo'ak.

"Neteyam..." the Metkayina boy mumbled. "Big bro, he needs to talk to you. Please?" Kiri looked at me. I really didn't have the time to listen to his shit but I didn't want to upset Lo'ak,  so I looked at Aonung waiting for him to speak.

"I just wanted to um..." he looked anxious, his eyes filled with worry. "I wanted to apologise. I disrespected you, and your family. I um... should have been more kinder towards you and your siblings. I am.. sorry." He looked down. "Yeah. You should have." Are the only words I spoke. "I wanted to show my understanding. I needed to let you know so you could see I do feel guilty, I hope one day I can get to know you well, like I am with Lo'ak." He smiles at me awkwardly. And for a second, one small second I started to reconsider how I felt about him. The way the empathy filled his eyes, and his face looked covered in guilt. Maybe he isn't so bad...
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1166 words
Aonung being a cootie patootie