Lovely Heart

No Way Out

Neteyam slept through the night, when he dreamt he ignored it, rolled over and went back to sleep. He felt tired still, after a night of dreaming of Aonung. He woke up to the smell of food and sat down to eat. Loak stood up about to leave, "Come on Neteyam, were all going to be eating with Tsireya and Aonung." He was secretly happy he could go see Aonung during breakfast, this early in the morning again. He stood up and said goodbye to his mum and dad, who were more than happy to have some alone time. Loak and Neteyam walked towards their families pod "do you think they organised this for time to be alone" Loak said "yes, for sure" they laughed until they reached the marui. When he got there he greeted Tsireya and the parents, "i see you" he said out of respect for his elders. He looked around but couldn't find Aonung, "where's Aonung? He's not here." Ronal stared at him and Tonowari explained that he went early morning diving to clear his head. "Were here too you know" said Kiri sitting with Tuk "of course, my sisters, how did you sleep?"

He ate his food gratefully and talked with Tsireya and the girls, Tuk came and sat in his lap and he fed her because she said she wasn't feeling well. "I suspect there will be illness in your family, I've already prepared some tonics" Ronal said looking at Tuk, "Thank you for thinking of us, do you know where it come from?" Neteyam gratefully accepted and said he was more than capable of taking care of them since Ronal was busy today. "It goes around the village every year" An hour had passed and the adults had left to attend to their daily business, the kids trying to waste time. They talked when Tuk spoke up after being quiet "i don't feel well Neteyam" she said he immediately stood up to hold her, she gagged and he rushed her to the sand to vomit. He rubbed her back, "let's get you to the pod and you can take these tonics Ronal made"

Back at the pod, Neytiri was doing some weaving and singing. Neteyam walked in with Tuk, holding her close. "What has happened" she asked, "she is feeling worse, she just vomited then" Neytiri came and laid her down, tending to her and stroking her hair. "Oh Tuk, Tuk, Tuk" she said harmoniously. "Ronal made some tonics, apparently is going around the village" "ah she's very reliable and kind spirited" Neytiri said while taking the tonics from a bag on Neteyam's shoulder. "Go" she motioned to the beach outside, "I'm sure you're needed, I can take care of Tuk" she said while giving Tuk the medicine. He hesitated, and said goodbye to Tuk, leaving to go find Aonung who he hadn't seen all day. He searched the beach, the reef, and the rocks even asked around. When someone said that he had just returned to his pod. Neteyam got a thrill of excitement, as he skipped along to find him he started to feel dizzy and a stitch formed in his side. Once he reached the marui he felt slow and then the nausea came. He saw Aonung all alone, getting into something dry. Aonung saw him, and observed his weird behaviour, realising he caught the sickness. "I'm sorry, I didn't know, I'll go back" he said holding his side. Aonung furrowed his brows and hurried to his side, laying him down. "Don't be stupid, I'll take care of you here, it's not good for you to move now" he said, feeling his forehead.

His gaze was gentle towards the sick boy, and he lingered his hand and stroked his face. Neteyam looked into his eyes, sensing the care and love behind his actions. "Here have some water and drink this, it'll help" he said, hands still on his head. He retracted his hand and retrieved the tonic he had prepared "i didn't know you would also get sick, only the children and elderly have been getting it" he returned and sat down beside Neteyam, holding his head up to drink. "Im fine really, i mean, i felt fine a few minutes ago" he said holding back nausea. "It comes on quickly, but doesnt last long and is easily cured. The best thing to do is rest" he nodded as he put his head back down "Forest people must not be used to the sickness of the Metkayina" he added, because he knew Neteyam to be strong and not sickly. "Im sorry" he whispered, "go to sleep now forest boy" he shushed him and watched over him as he slept, checking his temperature and preparing for the vomit that was to come.

He didn't know how many hours had passed when he woke, just the boy in the room doing tasks and chores while he lay there. He gagged and Aonung rushed to his side with a bowl "In here Neteyam" he said quietly, fussing over him as he vomited. He held his hair and Neteyam grabbed the bowl out of his hand. He placed his hand on his shoulder. This pattern went on for the day, sleeping, waking up to vomiting. Ronal returned and he woke up to chatter, feeling less sick, like he didn't need to vomit anymore. "He came to visit me when he became afflicted." Aonung said to his mum "I've been taking care of him so i couldn't complete any outdoor duties for the clan" she looked at him and assessed the look on his face, one she was foreign to. "Very well." She went on to ask how he treated Neteyam and nodded as he did everything he could. Neteyam could feel strength back into his body and sat up, "I should get going, my mother will be worried" "your mother will know you're here, it's not good to move. By the morning you'll be okay" he didn't argue with Ronal, it wasn't his place. Loak walked Tsireya home, and noticed Neteyam "Bro, what are you doing" he questioned "hes sick like Tuk, he will be better by morning" Aonung explained, "I'll go tell mother, goodnight Tsireya" he smiled at the girl and she got shy.

He slept by the fire while they ate and the talk lulled him to sleep. He felt his shoulder being shaken and opened his eyes slowly "Aonung?" He didn't say anything but "eat" and held some soup up to his mouth. He smiled weakly and slowly ate with his assistance. Tsireya couldn't help but stare from where she sat. She watched the care her brother gave Neteyam, and how he was so soothing to him like no other. It wasn't often he took care of the ill, he preferred to be out and doing other things, always staying busy. She smiled at the thought that entered her mind, there was a small chance this is how her brother acted when he loved someone dearly.

It was eclipse and they all got ready to sleep, Ronal and Tonowari separated from the kids with a divider. Neteyam was sleeping right next to Aonung, it was like in his dreams and fantasies. It had been an hour and he rolled over to face him, his back turned. Neteyam admired his broad shoulders and striped skin, he shuffled over and without thinking reached out to touch him. He figured he was asleep and wouldn't notice and Tsireya fell asleep a while ago, he inhaled and with a foggy mind traced down his back lightly so he wouldn't notice. Aonung turned over and he retracted his hand quickly, his eyes open. They stared at each other, Neteyam hoping he didn't feel or see what he just did. "Couldn't sleep" Neteyam whispered. Aonung reached out his hand and traced a finger lightly down his arm, Neteyam blushed "what are you doing!" he whispered trying to keep quiet. "You Started it" he felt so embarrassed "I was half asleep though" he said "so am i" he left his arm close to Neteyams and closed his eyes. Neteyam's heart was beating fast, he wondered if Aonung could hear it since it was so loud. His skin tickled under his light touch, arms still touching. He gulped and rolled over trying to sleep and before he knew it, it was morning.

He woke up before Aonung and thanked his parents for the help, and snuck out before he was seen. They invited him to stay but he said his parents would want to see him. He felt a lot better, just like they said. It wasn't serious and the tonic seemed to purge the illness from him, he felt very grateful for the tsahik. He was embarrassed by being caught last night, even though it seemed like not much. Aonung touched him, and he thought he would die from embarrassment, because he liked it so much. He knew Aonung was just teasing him and didn't mean it in that way, but yet again it gave him hope.