maybe one day ~neteyam sully

two

The entirety of the time Akina was helping M'Luko, her ears would not stop twitching as she heard Neteyams whines of pain from inside. She knew just from the sound that the Tsahik had switched the salves, surely using the tried and true technique rather than the experimental and new approach that Akina had given Tuk. Mo'at still had hesitations about yalnabark, but Akina could feel the pride build in her chest when she heard Kiri say with confidence that she would also use yalnabark.

"Leave the leaves on for a day and you should be fine." Akina spoke gently to M'Luko, the male nodding his head as he smiled at the girl. She wiped her hands with a cloth as he took his leave, stretching her legs as she rose from the squatting position she was in. Her eyes caught Lo'ak stepping into the tent, the scrapes over his body still bright red and wet, causing her to frown. Akina silently crept in to the tent, grabbing a prepared salve and making her way to Lo'ak. She met his eyes as he looked at her, the boy being an inch or so taller than her despite her being older. "Use this." She said simply, placing the salve into his hand and patting his arm gently. Her lips formed into a crooked grin as Lo'ak smiled at her appreciatively, nodding his head slightly.

Akina turned to make her way back to the work table, freezing for a moment to find Neteyam staring at her intensely. He was the one who broke eye contact first though, Akina watching as his fingers picked at the cushion he sat on. She got back to work, his eyes floating in the back of her mind as she ground herbs together.

She had never meant to ruin their bond all those years ago. After her father passed, Neteyam did everything he could to try and help Akina. He brought her flowers everyday, made her bracelets and necklaces, and even attempted to make her food. For a nine year old though, it was easier said than done. Some days he would just sit next to her as she laid silent on her bedroll, staring up at the tent. Over time, Neteyam had stopped coming. She figured he had just gotten over their friendship. It was hard for Akina to make friends, so after that, she had stayed to herself and her mother, taking care of her as best as she could. When Antu arrived, she was determined to be the best sister anyone could be. She liked to think she did a damn good job, too.

A tug on her arm brought her back to reality, her head turning to find Tuk staring at her arm intensely. She followed the girls gaze to her wrist, the bracelet that she had never taken off once tied tightly around her skin. Neteyam had tied it there the first few days after her father passed, and she had never bothered to take it off despite no longer being as close to Neteyam. It became a comfort item, and she knew she would feel naked without it.

"Yes, Tuk?" Akina asked gently, meeting the girls eyes once they broke from her wrist.

"Can you teach me how to make that?" Tuk asked, hope glinting in her eyes.

"The salve?" Akina asked, her eyebrows scrunching together as she looked at the bowl in her hands. Tuks giggle warmed her heart, causing her to look back and find Tuk shaking her head.

"No, silly! The bracelet!"

Akina immediately looked towards Neteyam, her cheeks warming as she watched Neteyams eyebrows scrunch as he tried to look around Tuk to see what she was talking about. Akina kept her wrist hidden between her and Tuk, slight disappointment building in her chest as she realized Neteyam had never noticed she kept it on all this time.

"Well, i actually was not the one who made it. It is quite old, if i am being honest. But it reminds me of a happier time." Akina spoke honestly, her eyes falling to the beaded bracelet. Her eyes raised to see Tuk frowning, causing Akina to lean down to her ear and whisper "Your big brother knows how to make them."

Tuks face lit up as she turned to her brothers, Akina taking the opportunity to turn back to the work table and finishing the salve she was working on as Tuk hollered for her brothers to show her how to make a bracelet. She couldnt wipe the smile off of her face as she listened to Tuk whine, the child being a bright light in a sea of darkness to everyone around her.