Another Chance |Ao'nung x Neteyam|

Chapter 11: Little Ocean Boy

When Lo'ak returns, he's calm. He avoids stepping on the rug, dripping little buddles onto the flooring. He finally lets his eyes drift down to his brother's stomach, tracing the swell with his gaze curiously.

"Dad told me what happened," he murmurs eventually, rubbing his side. "He said the Tsahik tricked you."

"She just wants the best for her people, Lo'ak." Neteyam hangs out the freshly washed blankets on a vertical beam, smoothing them down neatly.

Lo'ak scoffs, flopping down onto Neteyam's bed, nuzzling against the warm fabric to leave his scent.

Neteyam smiles, settling down comfortably next to Lo'ak, patting his shoulder. "You're upset."

"Yes," Lo'ak sniffs. "Because you are my brother, not just a body they can use to— to just—"

"Calm down, Lo'ak," Neteyam coos gently, wrapping Lo'ak in his embrace. Lo'ak nuzzles against his neck, scenting him protectively. "I'm fine. Ao'nung isn't so bad."

Lo'ak groans, pulling Neteyam closer, clinging to him. "I don't like him. He's weird for not sticking up to his mom."

Neteyam sighs tiredly. "Lo'ak, his mother is Tsahik, he can't deny her requests."

"Dad is Olo'eyktan and you had no problem doing the exact opposite of what he told you and sneaking onto the battleship for that suicide mission, bro," Lo'ak points out, rolling his eyes. "And you were fifteen!"

Neteyam flushes slightly at the reminder and turns his face away. "That was almost a decade ago, bro."

"Yeah and now you're a war hero!" Lo'ak yelps, amusement dancing in his eyes. He taps Neteyam's forehead before flicking it lightly.

Neteyam swats at his hand with an offended grumble. "Don't bully me, I'm with child."

Lo'ak gasps loudly, shoving him down and holding him in place. "That's gonna be your excuse now? Last I heard you had no trouble going off on your own to tame a tsurak!"

Neteyam wiggles free, pinching Lo'ak's side with his toes, to which Lo'ak shrieks, grabbing his ankle and glaring at his foot in offence.

"Get your freaky ass toes away from me, bro!"

Neteyam cackles, rolling around, tackling his brother. Lo'ak hisses at him, suddenly finding himself in a headlock.

Eventually, they calm down, simply lying around next to each other, breathing heavily and with messed up braids.

Neteyam turns to Lo'ak, an easy smile on his face. "Her name is Tsireya. She's an alpha."

Lo'ak nearly chokes, cheeks flushing deep indigo. "Wow. Holy shit, bro."

Neteyam cackles quietly. "Why are you surprised? Her brother is an alpha too, and both her parents."

Lo'ak gasps suddenly. "Tuk-Tuk presented. She's an alpha, too. Can you imagine that? She's so tiny."

Neteyam giggles behind his hand, shaking his head, further messing up his braids. "She takes after mom, are you surprised?"

"Yeah, well, you're a copy of mom, and yet I don't see you being an alpha," Lo'ak retorts, stretching his legs out, wiggling his toes.

Neteyam pulls a blanket around himself, smiling faintly at his father's lingering scent. "Well, you take after dad and you're no omega."

"Do you think it can work?" Lo'ak asks suddenly.

Neteyam frowns, raising a hairless brow. He turns on his side to face Lo'ak, absent-mindendly rubbing his stomach. "Care to elaborate?"

"I mean I'm a beta, do you think she'll like that?"