His Hands. || 𝘼𝙤'𝙣𝙪𝙣𝙜

sixteen

Italics = thoughts or flashbacks
Bold = Metkayina sign language

Today was just really fucking weird, especially between me and Ao'nung.

I could've sworn it was Neteyam who I was sharing a blanket with and leaning on to, but I was wrong.

It was fucking Ao'nung.

Sure we're kinda on good terms with each other now, but that still felt weird.

'Maybe I'm the one making it weird.'

Lessons ended an hour ago, and now I had nothing to do. There was so much I could do in the forest yet nothing to do here.

All I do is swim, swim, and swim. Everyone else was doing their own thing, I'm glad my siblings started to warm up and gain some friends.

I was bored out of my mind so when Tuk asked me to play with her I decided, why not?

I was currently inside the pod making yoko juice for the both of us. I squeezed the fruit harshly and glanced at the entrance of the pod upon hearing someone come in.

"Hey dad." I greeted without looking away from the fruit I was squeezing.

"Hey babygirl, everything alright?" He questioned as he sat across from me.

My eyebrows furrowed with confusion and I look up at him, "Yeahhh..?" I say slowly, "Why do you ask?"

"Well you're squeezing the life out of that poor fruit with a scowl on your face." He points out.

"How else am I supposed to get the juice?" I frowned.

Jake chuckled and took the fruit from my hand and squeezed it for me. I gaped at him as he took a sip.

"By squeezing it." He says sarcastically, making me roll my eyes as he laughs.

"Don't drink all of it! It's for me and Tuktuk."

"Where are the rest of your siblings?" He asked as he picked up another yoko and cutting it.

I shrugged, "Out somewhere. Me and Tuk are going on a play date."

"Aren't you too old for playdates?" He teased as he squeezed more juice into the wooden bowl for us.

I cleared my throat and straightened my back, "Maybe just a lil bit." I say quietly, earning a laugh out of Jake.

I looked down at my hands and fiddled with my fingers. Now would be a good time to tell dad about this thumping noise I hear randomly. I quickly shook away the idea about that and remembered my nightmare about Neteyam, maybe I should tell him about that instead.

"Mora?" Jake called out in a much louder volume this time.

"Hm?" I hummed and looked up just to be met with Jake's eyes full of concern.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fi..."

I trailed off as I quickly tried to decide on telling him or not. The thumping noise returned as I tried to ignore it and make my decision. The noise was making it hard for me to focus.

I sighed heavily after some thought, "Dad, I need to tell you something." I say in a strong voice.

The noise became louder and faster, almost like it was eager to hear what I was going to say.

"Okay.." He says slowly, "What is it?"

"I had a dream, no, a nightmare. I had a nightmare that Neteyam died." I say quietly.