Another Chance |Ao'nung x Neteyam|

Chapter 28: Showtime

Ao'nung guides him back to the village; Neteyam tries to jog but his stomach weights him down. It takes them some minutes to arrive, by the time they do, Neteyam is panting, sweat dripping down his back.

"We must warn the people," Neteyam insists, grasping Ao'nung's arm.

Ao'nung faces him; from here, the ship cannot be seen at all, hidden by the boulders adorning the ocean. "I cannot leave you alone!"

Neteyam, out-of-breath, knows what Ao'nung is implying. "But you must go and warn them before it is too late. I'm slowing you down."

Ao'nung hisses, shaking his head in disbelief. "Neteyam—"

The omega watches as Ao'nung paces a few steps, distressed before turning back to Neteyam. He hands the young Omaticaya his hunting dagger. "Promise me you'll be safe."

Neteyam knows he cannot promise such things. Still, he does. "I promise."

Ao'nung breathes out heavily as deep blue fingers wrap around the hilt of his dagger, taking the weapon form his grasp. Neteyam steps close, pressing a soft kiss to Ao'nung's lips before they make their way back to the centre of the village, Neteyam falling behind.

Kitsme spots them, calling out and Ao'nung runs off to blow the horns, finally being able to warn the people. Kitsme hurries over to Neteyam, hand immediately coming to rest on his stomach, caressing gently, checking for any damage.

"Come, we must go to safety." Kitsme grabs his arm, tugging him along into the thickness of the forest. "This way, we well meet up with the others beyond the boulders."

Neteyam tries his best to keep up, but the weight of the child slows him beyond what he expected. He's gasping for air and they're not even half-way there. The darkness of night is illuminated by glowing plants.

"Come on, darling," Kitsme coos, pulling lightly on his arm. "We must hurry. It's dangerous here."

Neteyam grumbles something helplessly, getting stuck on a vine; it grasps at his ankle, twirling around it, making him stumble, but Kitsme catches him.

"It's too far," Neteyam whispers, feverish. He grasps Kitsme's shoulders as she kneels down to set him free, shooing away the curious little plant, relief flooding her when she recognises it as harmless, not at all poisonous.

Pain shoots up his spine and he gasps, curling over the kneeling Metcayina, making Kitsme freeze.

"What is it?" She breathes out, voice trembling. "Are you in pain?"

Neteyam can hear the lingering commotion coming from the village; it does nothing to calm him.

"Yes—"

"Oh, Eywa!" Kitsme calls out, clamping a hand on her mouth before reaching for Neteyam with both hands, jumping to her feet. "Come, come—"

They never make it to the boulder. Kitsme helps him kneel down behind some large rocks, worry written on her scarred face. Her hands roam over Neteyam's body, frowning at the tenseness of the bump.

"Can you walk?" She peers into his eyes, but he clenches them shut, tears of agony pearling his lashes.

"Fuck. No," Neteyam whimpers, clutching his stomach, sweat beading his forehead. Suddenly, he feels something warm gushing down his thighs, and he freezes, eyes widening.

Kitsme's nose twitches before her expression mirrors Neteyam's. "Oh, Great Mother!"

Kitsme kneels beside him on the forest floor, trying to shush him. He cannot help but whimper, breathless and in excruciating pain.