Not a Soldier Yet |Ao'nung x Neteyam|

72. I've Been Trying

Neteyam ran alongside his brother, laughing loudly and jumping over rocks. Lo'ak was throwing wet balls of sand his way, trying to hit his target: his brother's back.

Jake watched them from the marui, smiling and hugging Neytiri close.
"Neteyam told me last night that he is ready."

"Ready to heal, ma Jake?" Neytiri's voice twinkled with joy. "What had happened to him to make him realise?"

"He formed a bond with a tulkun named Tìlìon." Jake pressed a kiss to Neytiri's cheek. "That tulkun did more for him in one night than we could manage in a year."

"Do not be sad, my Jake." Neytiri reached up to caress Jake's moist cheek. "Our son is strong. He can get past this. All of his dark thoughts shall fade with our help. Ao'nung is good for him. He makes our son happy."

"Isn't it funny?" Jake chuckled, kissing Neytiri's hand. "Lo'ak is obsessed with that little Metcayina lady, Tsireya, and Neteyam is already mated to Ao'nung. "

"Funny, my Jake?" Neytiri grinned. "Our boys are the sons of a great leader. It is only the way of life that they may come to choose great mates."

"I hope Lo'ak waits a little longer-" Jake grunted, scrunching his nose. "I'm not sure I can handle being a grandfather just yet."

"Your son is an adult," Neytiri hummed. "He will complete his ceremonies soon. Lo'ak is already bonded to a tulkun. Soon, even if you are not yet ready for it, ma Jake, he may begin to court the Olo'eyktan's daughter."

Jake sighed softly, watching his sons wrestle in the sand, Tuk jumping on them, squealing loudly.
Kiri sat to the side, laughing at her siblings as her nimble fingers worked on a new necklace.

"Bro!" Lo'ak whined, trashing around. "Let go of my tail!"

"In your dreams, baby bro-" Neteyam snorted, dragging his brother through the sand towards the water until Lo'ak finally pulled himself free and slammed into Neteyam's side, toppling them both over.

Tuk giggled loudly, jumping around next to them before screaming and making a run for it as Lo'ak chased after her, swiftly picking the little na'vi girl up and tossing her into the ocean. Tuk splashed about, laughing, unaware of all the noise she was making as she played with her brothers.

"You idiots!" Kiri snorted, shaking her head.

Neteyam stuck his tongue out at her, making Kiri roll her eyes playfully, throwing a fistful of sand onto his hair. Neteyam sniffled, faking offence before turning back to Lo'ak and jumping him, sending them both stumbling and crashing down to the sand.

Neteyam was swiftly lifted off Lo'ak, tensing with surprise before he registered Ao'nung. The Metcayina was carrying him to the water, dumping him in while laughing along with Lo'ak and Kiri. Tsireya had also appeared, covering her mouth to hide a giggle.

Ao'nung dived after his mate, grinning boyishly and grabbing Neteyam's thin waist, dragging him deeper down into the water.

That night, Neteyam found himself lying down on his side, Ao'nung behind him, gently rocking his hips into Neteyam's, drawing soft moans from the Omaticaya's parted lips.

Neteyam had his eyes closed, breathing heavily as tingles shot up his spine, sending pleasure coursing through veins with every snap of Ao'nung's hips. Ao'nung hooked an arm under Neteyam's leg, pulling it up, making Neteyam whine, feeling the heat of his mate's arousal sliding in and out of his body hotly, slick with sweat and oils.

Neteyam pulled his queue forward, reaching behind for Ao'nung's; the Metcayina helped him, offering his tswin. Neteyam watched, eyes half lidded, pupils blown wide as the thin tendrils connected, tangling into each other. Neteyam relaxed as Ao'nung shifted him onto his stomach, lying on him with his chest to his back, ghosting his lips over Neteyam's skin, kissing his neck. Neteyam wore no accessories that night. Even his hair was unbraided, falling in loose waves down his back. Ao'nung pushed the dark locks aside, kissing Neteyam's shoulder as he rocked into his mate's willing body.

Neteyam whined softly, his stomach coiling with pleasure as his release washed over him like an ocean's great wave; Ao'nung groaned into his ear, hand coming to grasp Neteyam hip, pulling him closer and burying himself inside his body, filling him with his release, panting.

Neteyam turned on his back once Ao'nung pulled away, smiling in bliss up at his mate. The Omaticaya stretched, inhaled deeply, and reached for his mate, pulling Ao'nung close until the Metcayina's head was resting on his chest.
Ao'nung sighed softly, wrapping his arm around Neteyam's waist, caressing the soft skin there, drawing a quiet laugh from his mate as his touch tickled him.

Neteyam's breathing evened out eventually, chest rising and falling slowly. Ao'nung smiled, kissing Neteyam's collarbone before drifting off to sleep himself.

Neteyam returned home the next morning, smiling gently as he walked over to his father, wrapping his arms around Jake's waist and hiding his face in his father's chest.

Neteyam needed Ronal's medicine less and less as the days went by.

Jake placed a hand on his son's head, running his fingers through the soft locks soothingly. "Morning, Neteyam. "

"Morning, dad," Neteyam murmured softly against his skin. "I missed you."

"Were you with Ao'nung?" Jake asked gently, caressing his head.

"Yeah," Neteyam let out a dreamy sigh, drawing a laugh from Jake. "Dad, he is so perfect."

"I'm glad you think so, son. Did you do anything special?"

Neteyam pulled back and smirked at his father, watching Jake pale. "Never mind, don't tell me-"

Neteyam grinned, silly with love. "We were all alone in the forest-"

Jake covered his son's mouth with his hand, muffling his words. "Please, baby boy, those are your own private moments. I don't need to know."

Neteyam shrugged, leaning back to free his mouth. "I don't mind telling you. I always tell mom."

"You tell your mother what you get up to with Ao'nung?" Jake raised a brow, confused.

"Oh, I know sky people don't discuss this with their family, but Mother told me she also told grandma everything."

Jake cringed. "Everything?"

Neteyam nodded, giggling and covering his mouth. "Yeah, but she doesn't tell me, don't worry."

Jake let out a breath. "But you want to tell me?"

Neteyam nodded, cheeks dusting red.

Jake swallowed thickly and took a deep breath. "Alright, let's hear it."