Lovely Heart

Wooden ilu

Neteyam explained that he already had someone he cared about to Omraya, he had put it off too long. She gave him a knowing look, he never really did explain that night to her. Aonung had just grabbed him and pulled him away, she must have known- she must have. He wondered just how obvious they had been. Rotxo and Loak had seemed to joke about it, although not completely sure. It seemed everyone they were close with felt that way, not exactly sure but suspecting. Nobody dared to outright suggest it, they didn't want Aonung to get angry if they were right, or if they were wrong.

Neteyam gasped for air when waking up earlier, thinking of how he had to let Aonung go sooner or later. How he would show these lustful and personal sides to others. How he wouldn't be the only one to touch or be touched by him. He felt burning jealousy, possessiveness and rage engulf his body. His dreams went back and forth, sometimes terrifying nightmares. He waved goodbye to the girl and went to find Aonung and the others.

Without much prediction of the weather, it stormed. The last time it rained like this he was waking up from a nightmare, and the cold. He put on a woven top half, covering him up from the frigid air. Nobody was out in the water except a few older warriors. It was simply too freezing, people were huddling together amongst fires in the marui's, doing all sorts of indoor activities.

Neteyam shivered as the wind picked up, he walked across the pods to get to Aonung's, he didn't have much of a reason to go there other than the fact he wanted to see him. When he arrived Tsireya and Tonowari welcomed him in, used to him being around. "I see you Tonowari" Neteyam said before entering "Tsireya," he smiled. Aonung was sitting on the far side of the pod carving a piece of wood. He hadn't noticed Neteyam, as he was focusing on his carving. He went over, pulling the woven shawl over himself while holding his arms. Neteyam sat right next to him close, so that he could feel his warmth. The clouds were grey and the lightning cracked. Tsireya singing by the fire, and Tonowari preparing vegetables. Aonung looked at him, finally, and smirked. "Mighty warrior, are you not out hunting this fine day?" he said sarcastically. The truth was Omaticaya weren't built for these conditions, but the hot tropics of the forest. He rolled his eyes "and what about you? Why are you indoors then" he cackled, as he carved, eyes fixed on the wood.

He stared at the mesmerising movements of his big hands. How could he get those warrior hands to do such intricate work he didn't know. It was coming together, and Neteyam smiled gently "your making an ilu" he stopped carving and handed it to the boy, he admired it feeling all over its surface. "Why make this?" he said handing it back, Aonung looked over it with a quizzical look, and then stared at the rain outside. "It's for the new child, mum is nearly ready to give birth." he said so affectionately and filled with love "oh the baby" he said, saying baby in English without realising "what does baby mean?" he blushed, hearing the word escape Aonung's mouth- with his accent resonating in his mind. He laughed shyly "it's a young child, but it's also an english term of endearment, a word to mean your love" playing with a braid until Aonung ruffled Neteyam's hair with a smile, and stood up. "Come on, let's eat the food is nearly done"

Tsireya smiled at him, starting a friendly conversation about the weather. Tonowari looked outside, waiting for his wife. She came inside and he rubbed her shoulders, giving her something dry to put on. She put down her spear, just cleaned after a hunt. Neteyam was shocked that she was so agile and tolerant of the storm, because she was close to giving birth. Tonowari fussed over her to make sure she was okay, and she became slightly agitated at his worrying."I see you Ronal" he said, and she nodded, sitting down. They all sat near the fire to eat. Aonung stared at his ears, and his neck. He noticed the small beads on his shawl, and the forest people style design. It was mostly quiet unless it was Tsireya talking, asking Neteyam about his morning. He ate gratefully, he stared into the fire. This time with a better sense of peace, keeping a distance. It wasn't so long ago he felt completely helpless. He couldn't say he didn't feel that way anymore, because he would be lying but- what he does know is that when he is in Aonungs arms, he is at home. His first home was the forest, and his family, but he was finding a home within Aonung. He was lost in thought, thinking bittersweetly about the time they spent together. It was too short, time was unfair to him.

He often wondered what it would be if he could give Aonung the ultimate gift, he put a hand to his stomach and sighed, dropping the thought and continuing to eat.

Aonung walked Neteyam back, a couple hours later when it had turned night. His eyes darted back and forth. On him, onto the horizon. When they arrived back to the Sully's pod. Right out of eye shot, before the entrance he looked around and when realising nobody was there held Neteyams hands and leaned in to give him a soft kiss, and then he kissed his forehead and hands. "Goodnight Neteyam" looking down at him with a serious look, causing a blush to form on his cheeks and ears. He nodded, and smiled- not trusting his voice. If he spoke, anything could come out.

When he entered he watched Aonung walking back, slowly disappearing until he turned. Kiri was talking about the ocean, Tuk listening while Neytiri gave Loak a herb treatment. "What happened now?" Neteyam said, walking over to see Loak. he saw the plant mix used for wounds. "Your brother got hurt on some rocks, trying to hunt" his dad said, sounding fed up. "In this weather?" he laughed, "It's not a big deal" Loak said, and his mum hushed him. It just showed how much she cares for her kids. Kiri suggested using a wash before the medicine, and to dab it as she worked. There was a lot going on, and Neteyam sat down, "you must eat" Neytiri said while working on Loak. "I already ate with Aonung and his family" Neytiri looked up to him once more and suggested he go to sleep since it's been a long day and he's already eaten.

He was tired, he hadn't even realised it himself. He didn't dream that night, everything was just dark and quiet, he liked it better that way.

When Aonung got back, it was just him and his mum. "I sent them outside. "We should have a talk" she said, patting beside her. He felt nervous, a sense of dread washing over him. He knew she would suggest finding a mate, or even worse- enforce he gets a wife. "Aonung, you will be the next Ole'ekytan, a strong leader for the people. You must know by now, that you can't slip anything by the tsahik" he froze, letting her finish, without taking his eyes off of her. He needed to read her face, which would only show hints of emotion, it was necessary for the survival of this conversation. He didn't know what she knew, but if it had to do with Neteyam- he wouldn't know what to do. He wouldn't be able to make assured moves, Neteyam had a way of doing that to him, bringing out his unsteadiness. "You already have someone you have chosen, you must make a decision. You need to be strong, and fearless." he felt emotion break apart inside him, he longed to reach over and have her hug him like when he was small.

"Mum" he wrapped his arms gently around her stomach, still pregnant- closing his eyes tight. "I will always protect you Aonung, you are my son before you belong to anyone else or have any responsibilities, you will always have my love" he knew she wasn't one to tell, he felt secure and glad it was her and not someone else. Wrapping her arms around him, she didn't need to say his name; he knew she was talking about Neteyam. And in a funny way it was like she was giving her blessing, she must have taken a long time to think about this and make a final decision. The love she shared for Aonung overcame her own worries about the mate he wanted. He was so lucky to have his mum, and so was the future child. Suddenly Aonung felt a kick from underneath him "mum, i felt a kick" he said filled with wonder. She smiled and put her hand to her belly, "nga yawne lu oer, my little child" Aonung lay like that with her until his sister and father returned. He went to sleep thinking of Neteyam.