Mune Olo'eyktan [Neteyam x Aonung]

Part 20

The two older boys return, just as Rotxo is beginning to calm down. Aonung has some roasted fish hooked to his side, and his spear in hand.

Lo'ak stands up, eager to hear the news, good or bad.

Lo'ak- So?

Neteyam- They went into the trees. We need to hurry and catch up to them.

Neteyam taps his brother's shoulder, signaling to follow him as he starts walking to the land half of the village. Lo'ak follows, and Aonung helps Rotxo up and they follow as well.

Walking through the empty homes unsettles Rotxo, giving him flashbacks. But Aonung keeps a hand on his shoulder, so he can keep him out of his head.

Once they reach the edge of the village and enter the jungles, the Metkayina boys take in the unfamiliar environment. Tall trees, dense bush, and an abundance of noises made by the many inhabiting creatures.

The Sully boys instinctively adjust their movements to maneuver through the jungle grounds with ease. Aonung and Rotxo on the other hand are, in one word, clumsy.

After hours of traveling, the noise from their clumsy maneuvering grows louder. Neteyam can no longer stand the access noise being created behind him.

He stops and snaps his head back, irritated by the lack of stealth. Lo'ak stops near him and turns around as well.

Aonung and Rotxo are a bit behind, and Rotxo trips just as Aonung notices they're being watched.

As Lo'ak goes to help Rotxo up, Aonung clumsily makes his way over to Neteyam.

Neteyam- You guys are too loud. If we keep this up, predators are sure to come our way.

Aonung- It's almost eclipse, Neteyam. Rotxo is tired.

Neteyam looks up at the darkening sky. He was so intent on finding their families he hadn't let them stop to rest.

Neteyam- We'll rest here for the night then.

Aonung looks at the dense bush on the ground around them. Then the blue boy lifts his face up by the chin, making him look up into the trees.

Neteyam- Up there.

Lo'ak walks up to one specific tree, and his brother walks up to one across from it.

Lo'ak- This one is good.

Neteyam- So is this one.

The Metkayina boys exchange a glance, wondering how they could tell a "good" tree from a "bad" one.

Neteyam- Rotxo will bunk with Lo'ak, but we must first get him up there.

The older Sully gestures to the top of the tree and Lo'ak immediately begins to climb it. Neteyam takes two fish from Aonung, attaching them to his side. Then he kneels in front of Rotxo with his back to him.

He climbs onto Neteyam's back, wrapping his arms and legs around him tightly as he stands from the ground.

Neteyam- Hold on tight.

Rotxo tightens his grip even more as Neteyam starts scaling the same tree as Lo'ak. Once he reaches the top, Lo'ak pulls Rotxo off of Neteyam's back and onto the tree.

He looks down at the flat surface, then looks up at the branches of the tree curving around them.

Neteyam hands Lo'ak the fish, while Rotxo sits down and finally seems to relax.

As eclipse brings night, Aonung watches Neteyam climb about halfway down the tree, then jump to the ground landing skillfully. He stands and confidently walks over to the marine boy.

Neteyam- Your turn.

Aonung- You planning to carry me?

Neteyam- No, you're gonna climb your strong ass up there. Follow my lead.

Neteyam takes Aonung's spear and straps it to his back, then walks up to the tree he picked out. He positions himself to start climbing, and Aonung copies him.

He follows his every move as they scale the tree, and finally reach the top.

Aonung peeks through the branches and sees Lo'ak and Rotxo across from them. Neteyam taps his leg and he looks down next to him, the blue boy looks relaxed leaning against a thick branch.

Aonung sits next to him, and Neteyam quickly wraps his arms around his waist, nuzzling his face against his neck. The sudden cuddling makes him smirk.

Aonung- So Lo'ak was right.

Neteyam lets out a near silent chuckle.

Aonung- When do we leave? The rise of daylight?

His answer is silence. When he doesn't get a response, he gently adjusts himself and sees Neteyam has already fallen asleep.

Aonung- You were gonna keep going until you collapsed, weren't you? You skxawng.

Aonung pulls the blue boy closer, and rests his arm around him, then sits listening to his inner thoughts, and the sound of Neteyam's steady breathing.