Lovely Heart

Nearly There

He was shocked at Aonung's words, from his perspective they were so carelessly thrown around. "No. No this can't be, you out of anyone know that! What about your family, what does the tsahik think of this blaspheme!" Aonung pulled him close and he ripped out of his arms "don't you dare get my hopes up like that, it's not fair to me!" he yelled. Ronal's new baby girl started to cry, and he immediately felt guilty for yelling "I'm- i'm so sorry Ronal'' she looked at him with a blank face "you should listen to my son" with an angry and demanding tone, rocking the baby till it was quiet. His ears pointed down, and he looked to the floor. He was still frustrated and felt like he had a fair point. Mating was for life, he needed Aonung to understand his apprehension, it's not that he didn't want to. He wanted it more than anything.

Ronal left to give them some space and Aonung stared at him, worried- but not giving in. "My mother will always support us, and so will my father when he finds out, she has the ultimate say in these issues as tsahik. all we need is your parents support" he lifted Neteyam's head with a nervous hand, looking at him "i've waited all this time, to honour you as you deserve and become one with you completely...won't you be mine, i need you, i love you Neteyam'' Neteyam tried to keep composure. They stood in silence until Neteyam grabbed his hand, and felt it trembling. "You already know my answer, Aonung." their eyes met and he saw an expression of uneasiness, as if he was ready to lose the boy any second. It all depended on this. "You know I love you, and want to be with you for the rest of my life- I'm just so scared" he said, trying not to cry. Aonung held him tight and whispered to him how happy he was.

"I want you to have the perfect life, I'm not what you have had planned all this time" he said into his shoulder with a sniffle "Mawey...I don't want anyone or anything else." he whispered sweet nothing into his ear and he took a deep breath in.

They walked to his pod holding hands, and people stared but Aonung didn't care. Neteyam was trying to be brave, and to not cry from the fear he felt. However he also felt happy, so happy he could die- this was really happening. But it wasn't over yet. The joy was to be shared, and if someone was against this pairing then it could mean the worst. There was only so much Ronal could do. Neteyam loved his family, and would never go against what they said. Luckily they were a very open and accepting family, so Aonung reminded himself this when he could feel nothing but pressure on him.

People started to whisper and Aonung only squeezed his hand harder, praying to eywa that he never has to let go. Neteyam slowed down as they walked to the entrance. He saw his mum, and his dad sitting and laughing together. They were always so in love, he was grateful for them more than they'd ever know. His siblings were all there, Loak had called them over for a family meeting. Loak had faith in Neteyam saying yes. He knew how much Neteyam cared for Aonung based on the mass of tears he shed for him and his love.

And then it felt like time started again, and it was moving all so fast. Loak made eye contact with them, and Aonung walked into the entrance politely. Their heads turned around, he said "I see you, Neytiri" "I see you Toruk Makto" to Neteyam's parents and they gestured back politely. Jake's eyes locked onto their held hands. Tuk crawled into Kiri's lap and looked up at them expecting the usual "can i stay over for dinner" but something was off, they all felt the shift in tension. The parent's didn't know what to expect, having no insight into their son's secret love life. "Come, sit, sit" Neytiri said, pulling his arm to sit across from her. He nodded and sat, Neteyam sitting down next to him shyly- as if he hadn't ever sat next to him before. Neytiri went to continue the conversation with Jake, and prepare the night's dinner but Jake spoke up "You have come here with a purpose i believe" he said looking at their hands still holding onto one another for dear life. Neytiri noticed the tone in his voice and looked at the boys, who she was sure were just here for dinner like they always did. Tuk played with Kiri's hair, Kiri listening with intent. No sibling dared to say anything.

In an assured and falsely confident voice Aonung said "I have come to ask permission to make Neteyam my mate" "Aonung, listen to me now. Do you understand the weight of this? Of what you're doing?" Neytiri agreed and wanted to know if he was all in. "I know, I want to do this the proper way because I love and care for your son more than anyone" Neytiri smiled, feeling like she was gaining a new member of the family. Jake didn't smile, he was assessing the situation. "You are from two different peoples? How do you expect the clan to accept my boy as Metkayina? And how do you plan on taking him if your Ole'ekytan" he looked jake in the eye, feeling the tension in his voice. Neytiri touched his shoulder lighty, feeling his concerns whole heartedly now. "Its precisely me being the next leader that makes me brave enough to face the people with an Omaticayan mate" Neytiri turned to look at the unwavering Jake, giving him a soft look that said 'who are we to stop love' Jake sighed, utterly confused.

They should have seen this coming, because they were non-stop together, but assuming two boys were in love was harder than if it were a girl and a boy. Jake looked to Neteyam "my boy, what do you think? Do you really want to mate with Aonung?" Neteyam looked at Aonung and softened, "yes, i want to be with him for the rest of my life, i love him" It went silent and Loak pat Neteyam on the back, with a proud smile. "You better take good, good care of him. Or you're answering to me" Jake said, finally. Aonung let out a puff of air, still sitting slightly stiff. He immediately looked over to Neteyam, knowing he could be his- he wanted to take him right now. Neteyam laughed and held their hands to his mouth for a kiss, as Aonung put his head into his chest, stroking his braids. The family all exchanged looks at their display of affection, all with confused yet big smiles. "Since when did you two love each other?" Tuk said giggling, snapping them out of their trance. Kiri and Loak chuckled "Aonung has always loved Neteyam" she said, with a smirk in his direction. "You did?" Neteyam said, confused. He got shy and nodded with a hand covering his face, and the siblings laughed, Neteyam also feeling embarrassed about it all. The room was now full of acceptance and conversation. Loak admitted that he saw them together, "yeah because i saw them smooching" he said making a kissing gesture, Kiri hit him "you skxawng" and Tuk giggled. Neteyam shot a glare at Loak that could kill and Aonung tried not to look into Neytiri or Jake's eyes.

They talked like family, and Neteyam grew impatient. He looked over at Aonung and huffed, as he chatted with everyone. It was now night time and they had eaten, he wanted to go to the sacred site- he was ready. He pulled slightly on Aonung's arm and when he looked over half way through the conversation he gave him a look that said 'come on, let's leave now' He gave a look back telling him to be patient. He felt silly now, thinking he was the only one who was completely desperate. He didn't know the burning desire that Aonung felt, how he was patient simply because he was ready to take as much time as needed. Because he knew they had eternity with each other he was able to have conversation without the dam bursting. Neytiri looked over at a fussing Neteyam and thought of the situation, and how careless they were being towards the new couple "Oh well, I think Tuk is tired, come on let's go to bed now" Tuk rolled her eyes and went to say something but her mum shushed her. Jake watched Neytiri and stood up to follow, taking the hint. It went quiet in the main area and Loak let out a devious smirk knowing what was coming next "oh i see how it is my brother" Neteyam's eyes shot daggers at him, and he laughed as Neteyam hit him telling him to stay out of it. Aonung smirked back. Kiri separated them and dragged Loak to the other part of the marui pod out of ear shot. It didn't take much more convincing, just a simple look into each other's eyes and they were up on their feet, heading to the sacred site.