Another Chance |Ao'nung x Neteyam|

Chapter 15: Helpless

The funeral is silent, beyond Ronal's soft prayers.

The bodies which could be recovered were slowly being lain to rest, in no particular order, sinking underwater into the warm, golden embrace of the Great Mother.

Neteyam can see Kaey with one of the fallen, surrounded by family, but Neteyam does not dare look who the warrior lost; it doesn't show on his face anyway. It's just... He's not smiling, like he usually is; there's no bright grin on his face that shows he is convinced he can tame the wildest beasts of this world. Naìtvì is with him, swimming slowly by Kaey's side, but Neteyam knows the family is mainly Kaey's.

Ao'nung stands next to Tsireya, who is beside Lo'ak and Rotxo. Neteyam's place is beside Ao'nung, even if he wants to stand by his brother's side instead.

Neteyam is patient; unlike Lo'ak, who still resents most Metcayina for what happened to Neteyam. The omega prays for each of the fallen, even those lost at sea.

After it all ends, Neteyam finds Naìtvì by himself, solemn. It's a truly unnerving sight. The young warrior is always so cheerful, so confident. Not tonight, he isn't. He's sitting by the water, looking down at his hands, at the marks on his wrist from where he was bound and Neteyam knows it's best to not let him be alone. Naìtvì should not be with his own thoughts.

So, Neteyam walks to the omega and kneels down beside him (a bit slower than he'd like, bump in the way). Naìtvì glances at him, but he doesn't need to see anything but Neteyam's legs as he stares down to know who he is. Dark blue is rare to witness on Awa'atlu.

"Naìtvì," Neteyam whispers, placing a hand on the taller male's arm, squeezing gently. "Do not beat yourself up over what happened today."

Naìtvì exhales shakily, placing his hand over Neteyam's, taking comfort in the young male. "They killed Kaey's sisters right in front of me."

For a second, the world stops. "Sisters?"

Naìtvì only nods, never letting go of Neteyam's hand. "He had two sisters. We could only find Nama. Nezì remains lost in the ocean."

Neteyam swallows down the lump in his throat. He did not know Kaey's sisters, not even that he has any - that he had any. "In the water, she is safe. Eywa will find her and guide her to peace, I am sure."

"She was a beautiful woman," Naìtvì whispers, hair hanging in his face, covering his eyes. "A beta. Nama was an omega. I considered her a sister of my own. She had helped me through many tough times where I did not know what to do."

Neteyam listens, he can tell it is what Naìtvì needs; Neteyam knows what people need, he can sense it most days. It comes from growing up in a raging war. If he did not know how to read those around him, he would have died long ago.

"It was Nama who discovered," Naìtvì trails of, words lost as he gestures to his stomach. "I'm not sure. I don't think."

Neteyam places his palm against Naìtvì's cheek. "You do not have to tell me. Or anyone. Whatever happened today, is not our fault."

Naìtvì's eyes flutter shut for a moment as Neteyam tucks his hair behind his ear to see the Metcayina better, eyes open and comforting. Naìtvì purses his lips, nose scrunching as he holds back his emotions. The Metcayina's brows furrow in concentration before his shoulders sag in relief. "I was hit by those men wearing machines. Tsahik says I will likely lose this child."

Neteyam bows his head, resting his forehead against Naìtvì's. "It is not your fault."

Naìtvì smiles, eyes tired. He seems grateful as he nods, pulling back. They stand slowly and Neteyam notices that the Metcayina is hunched forward slightly, as if in pain. He doesn't ask, wrapping an arm around Naìtvì and guiding him to where he can see Kaey with his parents and a male who looks exactly like him, only younger. Kaey's family watch them, solemn but curious as they notice him all but carry Naìtvì back to them.