𝓢𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓻𝓮 ( 𝘢𝘰𝘯𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘹 𝘯𝘦𝘵𝘺𝘢𝘮 )

𝟻

𝓫𝓮𝓪𝓬𝓱 𝔀𝓮𝓪𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓻
...

the sun had vanished behind the ocean's waves long ago, now replaced by a full, shining moon. the sounds of the waves and crickets filled the atmosphere with a sense of calming.

neteyam had sat himself down on the shoreline, just enough for the water to lapse just from his feet to the tips of his fingers—which were placed in a relaxing manner behind him, propping himself up.

although his body looked peaceful and at ease, it was filled with exhaustion from the days work, as he tried his hardest and ended up overachieving half their chores.

he felt a weird, almost tingling, sensation at his feet once he'd sat down earlier—they seemed relieved to finally be weightless and unmoving from strenuous work.

the omatikaya breathed in the fresh, yet annoyingly salty, air and closed his eyes—ears twitching as they shaped his surroundings.

he loved the way the full moon casted a blue hue, the way the waves seemed to calm down as if they were going to sleep, it  gave the perfect description of beach weather.

despite feeling relaxed on the outside, his mind raced with different thoughts all leading to one conclusion: outcast.

no matter how hard he tried to fit in, ao'nung's group of ghouls would find a way to single him and his family out: they're too much of a perfectionist, too slim, too weak, not metkayina enough—whatever that means.

although he tried to ignore their comments, he knew the were right. of course back at his real home none of things said would matter, but he's not in a lush jungle—he's on a sandy coastline.

he was just so frustrated at himself. when they were in the forest, he learned quick and became a fine na'vi, but now, it's almost like he lost that ability. even lo'ak at surpassed him long ago, and that's humiliating.

' ' hey, tey-yay. ' '

the forest na'vi shot his ears up at the all too familiar voice and turned his head sharply, bumping the head of a metkayina.

' ' ouch. ' '

ao'nung laughed a little and shook off the slight throb of his head. glancing back, the omatikaya gave a sympathetic expression before turning his gaze back to the ocean.

' ' sorry. ' '

he mumbled, drawing his legs up to his chest so he could wrap his arms around himself—it provided a sense of comfort.

the metkayina frowned, this wasn't neteyam's usual behavior: something isn't right. he placed himself comfortably behind his partner, cradling him with his legs and hugging the other to his chest.

' ' what's wrong? ' '

he mumbled into the others ear, which twitched in response as he gave a supporting kiss to the side of his neck. however, instead of answering right away, neteyam just shrugged it off.

' ' nothing, just tired. ' '

' ' come on, we both know that's a lie. ' '

ao'nung responded playfully, giving the other a tight, but quick, squeeze in a loving gesture. he just wanted to find out what happened so he could fix it.

silence followed for a moment while neteyam thought about his answer, he listened in on the sea waves—white noise. and finally, after deep consideration, he replied with a long huff.

' ' i-..i just feel like an outcast. no matter what i do, they just nitpick anything and everything. ' '

the metkayina raised his ears in surprise: was this about him? where their interactions during the day getting to his lover? ao'nung lowered his ears and let his tail sway to and fro against the sand.