Mune Olo'eyktan [Neteyam x Aonung]

Part 21

In the other tree, Lo'ak and Rotxo have just finished eating. Then Lo'ak's ear twitches suddenly as a certain sound in the distance is heard.

Rotxo- What is it?

Lo'ak- Ssh.

Lo'ak stands up and leans his ear closer to a space between branches. The sound goes off again, and Lo'ak's face lights up.

Lo'ak- That sounds like Ikran.

Before Rotxo can question what that is, Lo'ak calls out in a unique sound. He continues calling out, until a heavy force shakes the branches next to Rotxo.

He quickly jumps up and stands on the other side.

Lo'ak runs up to the branches excitedly, seeing his Ikran looking back at him. He turns the other way and runs to the other side, calling for Neteyam, but it's Aonung's voice that answers him.

Aonung- He's asleep. What do you want?

Lo'ak- Our Ikran are here. With them we can find everyone faster.

Aonung- We aren't going anywhere fast until he's awake. You should be resting as well.

Lo'ak- But I'm not tired.

Aonung- Well I am, so go to sleep.

Lo'ak- Just wake him, we can rest when we get there.

The marine boy doesn't respond.

Lo'ak- Aonung?

Still no response, so he gives up with a hiss. He crosses his arms and paces back and forth a few times, until he stops and looks at Rotxo.

The smaller boy has just been observing him in silence.

Lo'ak- We should be looking for them on our Ikran now, not waiting until daylight.

Rotxo- Think about all those Na'vi that are traveling. Children are among them, they wouldn't push them through eclipse. They're likely resting now as well.

Lo'ak- Which is why now is the perfect time to catch up.

Lo'ak walks over to the edge of their enclosure and moves branches out of his way. With a sigh, he turns around and walks over to Rotxo.

Lo'ak- Come with me.

Rotxo- On that thing?

Lo'ak- Scared?

Rotxo- Yes.

The blue boy meant it teasingly, but Rotxo really is scared to do what Lo'ak is asking of him.

Lo'ak- Come on, bro, I won't let anything bad happen to you. You might even have fun.

Rotxo- I don't know. Maybe we should just listen to Aonung.

Lo'ak- Listening to him is probably why you never conquer your fears.

Rotxo- He protects me.

Lo'ak- He makes you let your fears control you.

Rotxo- No he doesn't.

Lo'ak- Yes he does, look at you, you're shaking.

Rotxo holds his trembling hands out in front of him, and hisses, balling them into fists.

Lo'ak- I'm not saying there's something wrong with the high pedestal you put Aonung on, even though there is, but it's okay not to listen to him when you think it's good for you. You discovered that on your own when you chose to be our friend before he did.

His fists unclench, and with a sigh, Rotxo nods.

Rotxo- Let's do it.

With a smile, Lo'ak leads Rotxo to the edge and tells him to follow his lead climbing down. Once they're on the ground, the Ikran lands as well.

Lo'ak walks up to it and it lowers its head, allowing him to rub its snout.

He looks at Rotxo as the boy approaches the large creature cautiously. He holds his hands out towards the Ikran, but jerks it back when the creature makes a sudden movement.

Lo'ak chuckles, then grabs Rotxo's forearm and gently pulls him closer to the Ikran.

When he touches the creature and it leans into his hand, it brings a big smile to Rotxo's face. Lo'ak lets the moment set into Rotxo's mind, then he leads him to the side and hops onto the Ikran's back. He holds out his hand and Rotxo takes it.

Once he's pulled up onto the Ikran's back, Lo'ak makes the bond, and takes a blissful moment. He looks behind him, at Rotxo's excited but worried face.

Lo'ak- Ready?

Rotxo- Maybe we shouldn't-

Lo'ak- Hey, we'll locate the others then come back for these two. Hopefully Neteyam is awake by then.

Rotxo- Right, right. Okay, I'm ready.

Lo'ak- Hold on tight.

Lo'ak makes a noise, and suddenly they're accelerating out of the trees and into the air. Rotxo wraps his arms around Lo'ak with a yelp, squeezing him so tight the boy can barely breathe.

Lo'ak- Bro, not that tight.

Once they're steady in the air, Lo'ak quickly taps Rotxo's hands, begging him to loosen his grip. When he finally does, Lo'ak takes a huge breath.

Lo'ak- That was a death grip, cuz.

He feels Rotxo's head laying tight against his back, and feels the slight tremble in the boy's arms around him.

He halts his Ikran, then turns it slightly, looking in the direction they came from. He can see the ocean in the distance.

Lo'ak- Rotxo, lift your head, you'll see the ocean.

The air reaches his back as Rotxo slowly lifts his head and looks towards the ocean.

Rotxo- Woah.

Lo'ak- Great view, right?

Rotxo- Yeah.

Lo'ak- Try looking up.

Rotxo looks up and sees the festival of stars above them. A soft gasp escapes his lips, and Lo'ak smiles, feeling the boy relax.

He looks up at the stars as well, enjoying the view, then looks behind him. Rotxo's face is lit up as he observes the sky.

Lo'ak- Beautiful, isn't it?

Rotxo looks back down at Lo'ak with a bright smile, and Lo'ak's face drops.

Rotxo- It's gorgeous!

Lo'ak sits in awe.

The sight is indeed gorgeous, all the stars dancing above them. But for some reason at this moment, to Lo'ak, Rotxo is more stunning than all of it.

Rotxo- Lo'ak?

The boy snaps out of his gaze, and quickly turns around, leaving Rotxo slightly confused.

Lo'ak- We should continue the search.

Rotxo- Yeah.