Another Chance |Ao'nung x Neteyam|

Chapter 6: Warm Embrace

Neteyam does not enjoy not knowing a thing about the ongoing battles, but he bites his tongue.

For the moment, he's not yet considered one of the people. He doesn't know their ways, he cannot hunt with a crossbow and he has no Tsurak, nor Tulkun spirit sibling. Unlike Ao'nung, who decided his first tattoo will be poked into his skin the day their child is born.

And that's still quite far away.

Neteyam doesn't miss Ao'nung's staring. The way the alpha's eyes follow his hips, nor how they linger on his lips, pupils blown just a little wider than normal under the glaring sun.

Neteyam hasn't initiated any further physical contact in two weeks. He simply didn't feel like it.

Being scented by the alpha meant he could smell him on his skin at all times, and even Ronal noted one day that they seemed to be getting closer.

They weren't, not really.

Neteyam doesn't think anything will happen between them until Ao'nung's next rut, which is a while away. Unless someone slips him a very red, very little berry.

Not that Neteyam will.

He's too busy missing his family, especially his little brother. Neteyam misses being young and hiding in boxes to sneak onto battleships he wasn't supposed to be on. He misses messing with the young alphas of his clan, pretending to be interested in them, only to pull away at the last moment, usually before they could kiss him with a half-hearted excuse.

Really, that excuse was simple. Neteyam either goes through with things all the way, or doesn't even start.

He went all the way with Ao'nung, of the swell of his stomach was any indicator. Neteyam often caught the people whispering about it, sometimes, they'd even point to it when they thought he wouldn't see.

Neteyam didn't have time for them.

He was determined to find his place with the Metcayina beyond being a body to breed.

"I want to tame a tsurak," Neteyam announces, startling Ao'nung, who had just been talking to some of the young men on his hunting party.

The youngest ones stare up at him in wonder, mouths hanging open. Nobody really knows what Neteyam's voice sounds like. He seldom speaks around strangers.

Ao'nung clears his throat, ears twitching. "You cannot do that right now. You're with child."

"Exactly, " Neteyam replies, firm and proud. "I'm with child. Not incapable."

Ao'nung frowns, pursing his lips. He tries to lead Neteyam away from his hunting party, away from prying eyes, but the omega doesn't budge, a fingertip pressed against his chest.

"It's not safe. The tsurak are wild and angry beasts. They could hurt you."

Neteyam hums, pale yellow eyes lowering from Ao'nung's own to trail down the entire length of Ao'nung's body, down to his toes, which the alpha wiggles nervously.

"Uh-huh," Neteyam murmurs quietly. His head tilts to the side as he lifts his gaze back to Ao'nung's face. "I'll give you two options and you can pick which one is more appealing."

Ao'nung flushes, back turned to his hunters. He can hear them cackling and whistling.

Ao'nung cannot find it in himself to pretend he's harsh with Neteyam, because he really isn't. "What options?"

Neteyam smirks, trailing a finger down Ao'nung's chest to his belly button. "You help me tame the tsurak and make sure I'm safe, or I'll just do it myself. When I know you don't suspect it."