Not a Soldier Yet |Ao'nung x Neteyam|

25. Deadly as the Night

Jake held onto his son as the young na'vi cried; he felt like his heart was shattered into a million tiny pieces. Even when his brother died, he did not quite feel so bad as he did in this moment. He felt like a failure, like he was a horrible father and an even worse protector; Jake did not feel worthy of his titles. Tuk rushed over to them, breaking free of Kiri's hold on her arm. The little na'vi began petting his brother's hair, nuzzling their cheeks together. She whispered comforting words to Neteyam.
Neteyam was oblivious to everyone around him, wrecked with sobs and shaking like a leaf; he did not notice his father gesture for everyone to leave. It was time to change his bandages and it was Jake's turn. In truth, he just wanted a moment alone with his son. Just the two of them. He was desperate for answers; his head was going to explode if he did not know the truth.

Once Neteyam's sobs had quietened; Jake slowly let him go and stood. Neteyam followed him, wiping at his eyes. Jake sat him down on his bed and got to work undressing his wounds. He had already brought over the herbs Ronal had sent. Jake hesitated, chewing on his lower lip. Neteyam was staring off into space, lips quivering.
"I need to ask you something," Jake whispered, afraid to let loose another set of tears.
Neteyam looked down at his hands as he fiddled with some décor on his loincloth. It was new and fit the Metcayina culture perfectly. "What is it, dad?"

Jake pursed his lips, tracing a finger over the bitemark on his son's thigh gently. Neteyam did not react.
"Did you lie to Ronal about what happened?" He asked with a heavy heart; he found himself unable to look his son in the eyes, feeling like a failure. Is this what Toruk Makto did to his children? Was this really all he was capable of?

Neteyam's breath hitched - unnoticed by Jake as he fought his own inner demons. Neteyam's breath quickened again and Jake scrambled to hug him, fearing for the worse.
"I did not lie, dad. I would tell you if they - if they did something like that." Neteyam wrapped his arms around his father's shoulders and Jake felt sick to his stomach. He was supposed to be comforting Neteyam after what had happened, not the other way around.

Jake lifted his head, inhaling deeply. "So, they did not-"

Neteyam shook his head, fingers digging into his father's skin without either of them noticing the pressure, too lost in each other's eyes, seeking answers. "No, dad. They did not rape me."

Jake slumped to his knees in relief, kissing his son's knee - he did not reach anywhere else as he sat on the ground. Neteyam felt a strange sort of peace once he said that word. Everyone around him was dancing around that one word, preferring to use much less concrete synonyms. Neteyam felt like there was no word better fitting than this one.

"Dad?" A frail voice questioned.

Jake hummed. "Yes, baby boy?"

"What did you do to them?" Neteyam appeared calm, sitting still as Jake slowly began to apply a cream to his wounds. There was barely a spot on him that was not at least bruised. Even his face needed to be treated. What hurt Jake the most was the cut across Neteyam's throat. A warning.
Toruk Makto faced his son, cupping his cheek. "Only what they deserve. It is your mother you should worry about. She's been fuming for two days now and sharpening her arrows."

"Is that allowed?" Neteyam frowned deeply.

Jake seemed uneasy as he nodded. "The Olo'eyktan suggested it."

Neteyam seemed impressed by his father's reply. He carefully took some of the healing cream onto his fingertips and smeared a generous amount of it on the bite mark. Jake did not comment on it.

Later that day, Neteyam found himself alone inside their marui. He spent his time making Kiri's bracelet, humming a soft tune to himself. Hours passed by in the blink of an eye; he found himself getting bored. The sun was still bright on the horizon and many na'vi were still outside. He knew his siblings were out in the water; Neteyam stood up and stepped outside. He squinted as the sun assaulted his vision.
Out there in the ocean, he spotted his siblings. Lo'ak was throwing Tuk around in the water, causing the young girl to shriek in delight. Everything was so peaceful. Neteyam knew his bandages were waterproof, so he carefully slipped into the water and waded over to where his family was. Rotxo was with them. The young Metcayina seemed very interested in Kiri. Neteyam trusted Rotxo, so he hid a smile at the boy's nervous way of reacting to anything Kiri was doing.

"Neteyam! Lo'ak look, Neteyam is here!" Tuk pushed away from Lo'ak, rushing to swim to Neteyam. She did not jump into his arms as she normally would have, stopping to stand in front of her brother instead, waving happily. Neteyam patted her head, greeting her as Lo'ak came up next to the two of them.
"Hey, bro. How are you?" Lo'ak asked gently, eyeing the bandages. "Are you supposed to-"

"They're waterproof," Neteyam said, laughing lightly. "I'm okay."

"Are you sure?" Lo'ak asked, eyes shining with sympathy. "Those assholes sure know how to find you when you're alone."
Neteyam shrugged. He did not want to go into the water any deeper. "Dad took care of them."

Lo'ak frowned. "No, dad only beat them up. Sure, he's way stronger, but I don't think a simple beating is enough for those guys."
"They got banished," Neteyam huffed, rolling his eyes, flicking his brother on the nose.
Lo'ak grunted. "Okay, well, after what they did, I think you forgive them too easy."
"I did not forgive them, Lo'ak." Neteyam coughed lightly, and ushered Tuk to go back and play with Kiri and Rotxo. "I was outnumbered. Every single time."
Lo'ak placed a soft hand on Neteyam's shoulder, he took a shaky breath. "I know you must be tired of talking about this, but what exactly did those guys do to you? Were they like the human men dad talked about? He said it does not only happen to women."

Neteyam averted his gaze, ears flattening. He was truly glad his family was so invested in his well-being. The young male reassured Lo'ak, that he was not assaulted in such a way. It was the truth. Lo'ak pulled him into a hug, nuzzling into his neck as he used to when they were children. The older Sully brother patted the other's head, playing with the loose beads there for a moment, before they both noticed their parents calling them home for dinner.

Once the whole family was inside the marui, eating the fish Lo'ak had caught, Jake announced happily, that Ronal had given birth to a strong, healthy boy. The name was yet to be announced. After the meal, everyone was sent to bed; Neteyam was strictly instructed to stay inside and not wonder around outside until it was sure that those who had been banished truly left the island.

Neteyam had trouble falling asleep that night. His bandages itched and his hair rubbed against his neck all wrong. He was restless. He noticed his mother sitting up and let his hair fall over his eyes, peeking at her through the dark locks. Neytiri was perfectly silent as she stepped over to her bow and arrows. Her ears perked up suddenly. Lo'ak had let out a snore and turned around, causing some noise.

Neytiri slipped out into the blackness of the night.
Neteyam followed her, as silent as she had been.