Mune Olo'eyktan [Neteyam x Aonung]

Part 80

In silence, Neteyam continues to lead him through the dense environment, for much longer than Mo'dan was expecting.

Mo'dan- Where exactly are we going?

Neteyam- To Lo'ak and Rotxo.

Mo'dan- You know where they are?

Neteyam- I have a feeling.

They approach an area familiar to Neteyam, then he lets out a calling noise. Mo'dan watches as he continues to call out.

Mo'dan- Is that some secret call you and your brother know or something?

Neteyam- No.

Mo'dan- Then what are you do-

A gush of wind interrupts his question, nearly blowing him over as an Ikran lands next to Neteyam. The forest boy stands greeting the creature, unphased by its entrance, while Mo'dan observes in awe.

Swiftly, Neteyam climbs onto the Ikran, then looks down at the marine boy. He doesn't seem to follow, and just stands there staring up at him.

Neteyam- Get on, dumbass.

Mo'dan- Is this another attempt to kill me? 'Cause that doesn't look safe.

Neteyam- If I wanted him to kill you, it would've been done the moment he landed. Now, hurry up.

Cautiously, Mo'dan climbs onto the creature, sitting behind Neteyam. He wraps his arms around the boy's thin waist.

He feels Neteyam's subtle, but clearly uncomfortable, body movements, and sees the discomfort written all over his face.

Mo'dan- Feeling guilty?

Neteyam- Nothing happened, so why would I feel guilt?

The Ikran takes off, and flies straight up, out of the trees, making him tighten his hold. Once they're in clear air, Mo'dan loosens his hold on Neteyam just a bit.

Mo'dan- Between just you and me, something did happen, and I can tell you've still been thinking about it.

Neteyam lets out a short hiss.

Neteyam- It was a moment of weakness, nothing else.

Mo'dan- Is that so?

Neteyam- Yes.

Mo'dan- I don't believe that.

Neteyam- Well, I don't care what you believe.

He could almost laugh at Neteyam'a signs of denial.

Mo'dan- You were drawn in, Neteyam. You wanted me, I could tell.

He snaps his gaze back at Mo'dan with a glare.

Neteyam- I was merely blinded by lustful temptation . . . A blindness that could happen to anyone. But to me, it will not happen again.

He faces forward, a scowl on his face, while Mo'dan smirks lightly.

Mo'dan- So, you've learned to overcome it, already?

Neteyam- It's a weak poison.

Mo'dan- (scoffs) If temptation of libido is a weak poison, then temptation of the heart is potent. I can't wait to see how you handle that one.

Neteyam- What makes you so sure I'll have to?

Mo'dan- Everyone does at some point. How do you think Lo'ak ended up with Rotxo?

Neteyam- We may be brothers, but we are different.

Mo'dan- Doesn't matter how different you are. When it comes to that, everyone's the same.

Neteyam- My heart belongs to Aonung . . . Where does yours lie?

The marine boy goes silent, his usual smirk fading.

Neteyam- Or are you so blinded by lust you can't find it?

Neteyam glances back at him again, but his gaze is somewhere in the clouds. He takes Mo'dan's silence as an unwillingness to answer, and continues to ride without further conversation.

It's true, Mo'dan isn't willing to answer his question. He isn't willing to reveal that his heart is split between two people, both of which he will never have.