Another Chance |Ao'nung x Neteyam|

Chapter 16: Little Menace

Neteyam, twenty-four years old, gasps and scrambles into her arms. "Mama!"

Neytiri holds him close and the damn breaks. Neteyam's shoulders shake and sobs wreck him as the reality of it all sinks in.

He could have killed Quaritch if Ronal never meddled with their agreement, but now, he's alive and out for blood.

"My son," Neytiri sighs in relief, keeping one arm wrapped around Neteyam's shoulders while she trails her other hand down his chest until she grazes his bump, gently laying her palm against the underside of the swell. "My beautiful baby. You're alright, you're alright. I'm with you."

Lo'ak smiles happily as he watches them, shuffling closer until his form blankets over Neteyam's from the back, sandwiching the omega between himself and their mother.

"How could I let this happen to you?" Neytiri whispers to herself, kissing the top of his head as he weeps in her arms, hand over hers on his stomach.

Neteyam has no words he can say; he clings to his mother like a child and inhales her comforting scent.

For minutes, maybe even hours, Neytiri and Lo'ak cuddle up to him; eventually they lie down, curling around each other and nuzzling noses against scent glands, loud purring sneaking out of the marui's privacy.

Neytiri caresses the back of Neteyam's head. "Oh, my son. The Great Mother blessed you with such a kind soul."

"Mama, I love this child, it's alright." Neteyam presses his nose to her throat, trying to melt into her skin. "Besides, Ao'nung is terrified of me."

His words prompt a laugh from Neytiri. She rests a hand on his cheek, rubbing gently. Neteyam pulls back to gaze into her eyes.

Lo'ak snorts from beside them, eyes squinting as he tries to hold back his laughs. "He really is scared of him, mom. Bro trembles whenever Neteyam is in the same room as him."

Neteyam cackles quietly and shakes his head. "Is dad here?"

Neytiri scrunches her nose in amusement, nodding. "Yes. He's discussing with the Olo'eyktan about what to do."

Lo'ak whines desperately. "Oh come on! Without us again?"

Neytiri shushes him tenderly and places a comforting hand on her youngest son's head. "We are just fine right here as we are. There will be more discussions as the days come."

Lo'ak resales, though it's clear he isn't impressed at the thought of being left out.

"How are Kiri and Tuk?" Neteyam asks curiously, chewing the inside of his lip. He shuffles around and rolls onto his back, propping his hips up a bit with some folded blankets. He pulls his knees up and Neytiri openly swoons at him, eyes full of delight.

"Your sisters are fine," she murmurs quielty and rubs her hand along the swell, bopping his belly button.

Neteyam twitches, biting back a laugh.

Neytiri thinks for a moment. "Tuk almost flew here herself when she found out what happened. Luckily, your father convinced her to stay put. She is adapting well to her role as future leader."

Neteyam smiles, remembering Tuk as a young girl, always following after them, not bothered by the danger. She had grown as has her hair. To Neteyam, his youngest sister looks exactly like their mother, with their father's smile.

"Tuk would rip Ao'nung a new one for sure—"

"Lo'ak," Neytiri warns, shooting him a disapproving glance.

Lo'ak shrugs as best as he can while lying down. He places his head on Neteyam's shoulder and curls around him. "It's true. Ao'nung may be huge but he sucks at fighting. Did you know, this was his first battle?"