Not a Soldier Yet |Ao'nung x Neteyam|

68. Ribcage

Neteyam let Ao'nung lead him into the water, holding his hand. Some na'vi were with their tulkun friends, but most of the people were busy at work.

Neteyam grinned, excitement bubbling in his chest. Neteyam was curious about the young tulkun who seemed to have taken a liking to him. The forest na'vi wondered if the tulkun would bond with him if he knew what Neteyam was truly like; he tried to stay positive, keeping a wide smile on his face in an attempt to trick his brain into believing he was genuinely happy.

Ao'nung grinned boyishly at Neteyam, dragging him along; Neteyam had never seen his mate smile so wide. It filled him with warmth and ignited a spark in him that made him feel alive.

"Come on, baby tail. I can see him." Ao'nung called for his ilu, never having forgotten his friend, still preferring to ride him near the shore. "Get on, we both fit here."

Neteyam smiled, settling down on the ilu's back behind Ao'nung. He wrapped his arms around Ao'nung's waist, kissing the nape of his neck as the Metcayina's queue was pulled to the side to make the bond with the ilu. Ao'nung's little shiver did not go unnoticed by Neteyam. Ao'nung reached back to pat Neteyam's thigh, guiding the dark blue skinned na'vi closer before he signalled his ilu to swim towards Tìlìon.

The young tulkun was already twisting around excitedly in the water, smaller fins flapping around in joy. Ao'nung led them to the large creature and gestured for his ilu to leave once the two young na'vi men dismounted. Neteyam swam to Tìlìon's left eye, smiling wide and toothy. They were under the water. Neteyam's braid floated up. He was unaware of an absolutely mesmerised Ao'nung behind him; Tìlìon noticed the Metcayina's longing stare and chirped something playfully, making Ao'nung flush. Neteyam, confused, turned to look at Ao'nung.

'What did he say?' He signed.

Ao'nung shook his head quickly and started to swim away, but Neteyam was faster; he grasped Ao'nung's queue gently and did not let go, making Ao'nung stop and turn back to his mate.

Neteyam smiled shyly, averting his gaze to the side, pretending to be interested in some shiny coral reefs just under them. Ao'nung pursed his lips as Neteyam guided him to sit on Tìlìon's fin. The tulkun's eyes squinted in joy at the young pairs interactions.
Neteyam turned to sign something to the creature that Ao'nung could not see, but Neteyam got an approval in the form of a gentle knocking sound.

The Omaticaya turned to face Ao'nung once more and bit his lip, uncertainty clouding his eyes. Ao'nung's head tilted to the side as he placed a reassuring hand on Neteyam's inner thigh. Neteyam swallowed thickly and slowly revealed his arms to Ao'nung. The bracelets had slipped out of place under the water. Ao'nung pursed his lips, trying not to inhale any water in surprise. Ao'nung waited for a moment before slowly relaxing his muscles and reaching over to touch the scars littering his mate's arms. His touch barely ghosted along Neteyam's skin, raising goosebumps.

Neteyam suddenly exhaled and kicked away from Ao'nung, reaching for the surface. Tìlìon helped the young na'vi, lifting his fin, making Ao'nung scatter and slip down the side.

Neteyam inhaled sharply, cheeks heating and breathing heavy. Ao'nung resurfaced seconds later, giving the tulkun an unimpressed side eye before gently grasping Neteyam's shoulder.
"Are you alright?"

"I forgot I still have to breathe," Neteyam admitted, adjusting his bracelets back into place before inhaling and sinking under again.

Tìlìon swam around languidly, chirping happily at the two young na'vi, watching as they hung around him, swimming around one another as well as the tulkun.

'Where is your spirit brother?' Neteyam signed to Ao'nung.

'With his family.' Ao'nung signed back. 'This is about you and Tìlìon.'

Neteyam could not help the grin from forming on his face, showing off his tiny fangs, making Ao'nung flush, completely endeared by the smaller na'vi. Neteyam swam up to him, chests almost touching.
Tìlìon curled around them loosely, hiding them from the world. In the privacy of the tulkun's embrace, Neteyam reached back and brought his queue forward, revealing the tender tendrils to Ao'nung, who allowed a fond smile to grace his face. He brought his own queue forward, lifting it the same level as Neteyam's.
Neteyam's lips parted as the tendrils wrapped around one another, forming their bond with a gentle shine.

Ao'nung's pupils dilated, Neteyam's agony hitting him with full force.
Neteyam's eyes closed, bringing forward his most painful memories, letting Ao'nung into his mind. Neteyam showed Ao'nung the instances when the Metcayina boys made fun of him. He let Ao'nung hear all the disgusting things they had said to him; Neteyam showed him the night in the forest when his arrow pierced Tsuizorì's cruel heart.

Tìlìon, as if sensing the pain himself, whined, curling tighter around the young men.

Ao'nung pulled back, disconnecting their bond, looking mortified. He stared at Neteyam, mouth parted and eyes filling with tears that showed even underneath the water. Tìlìon whined in distress, glancing between them.
Neteyam inhaled sharply, swallowing water as his queue was harshly freed. Panicked, he kicked around, trying to reach the surface.

Ao'nung grabbed him, helping him reach the surface and cough, spitting the water back out harshly. "Neteyam - my love, it's okay, I'm here."

Ao'nung held him above the water, grateful for the tulkun hiding them from prying eyes. Ao'nung pulled Neteyam onto Tìlìon's head, caressing his back in an attempt to comfort him.

Neteyam did not realise showing Ao'nung his memories would be quite so painful. It made him relive all the times he was tormented, mocked, harmed, or threatened.
Ao'nung pulled him into a hug, blinking back tears of his own as Neteyam sobbed against his shoulder, fingertips bruising Ao'nung's arms as he grasped onto his mate, searching for support. Ao'nung let him, ignoring the pain.

Tìlìon hummed a soft tune, swimming around a little further from the rest of the tulkun in slow patterns, rocking the boys on his head gently. Neteyam closed his eyes, relaxing his grip on Ao'nung.

The Metcayina searched for his gaze, pulling back. Neteyam stared off into space, slipping into a dangerous headspace that Ao'nung immediately noticed. Neteyam, numb, stared off into space.

Ao'nung pursed his lips before carefully reaching for Neteyam's queue as well as his own. Neteyam hardly reacted. Ao'nung watched as their bond wad formed once more and pushed forward all of his love for the smaller male, watching with relief as Neteyam squirmed, gaze softening before he closed his eyes and collapsed against Ao'nung, sighing softly. Tìlìon chattered in relief.

Ao'nung rocked him gently, caressing his mate's tear-stained cheek lovingly, admiring the tiny smile on Neteyam's face as his breathing evened out and he drifted off to sleep. Ao'nung let him lie down on Tìlìon's back, snuggling closer next to him as the gentle giant swam around with them safely perched on his back.