Rough Elegance [Neteyam x Aonung]

Hidden Battles : Part 2

In the infirmary, Tuktirey is sitting next to Rotxo, preferring to wait for him to wake rather than play in the ocean today. Ronal doesn't remain there with her, having other duties to perform, but she checks in every so often.

Most of Rotxo's stitches have been removed, except from the worst one on his leg. Ronal told her the boy should wake soon, but there's no indication when. So here she waits. Sitting next to him, watching his steady breathing and wishing he was awake to curse for no reason and make her laugh.

She switches her position, sitting with her legs propped up so she can relax her head on her knees. After a moment, she nearly dozes off, but sees his eyelashes move.

She perks up, watching his eyes twitch the slightest, then begin to open slowly, making her gasp. As he blinks, in a bit of a daze, she remains silent to not startle him.

He stares up at the roof, letting his memories come back to him. Once everything settles in, he looks to his side and sees Tuktirey sitting with a serious face and wide eyes.

He quickly scans her, seeing she isn't injured from their time on the mountain. He isn't sure what happened after Jake came up to them on the beach, but he's glad she's okay.

A small smile creeps onto his lips as he looks up at her expression, finding it amusing.

Rotxo- Hey, kid. What's with the face?

He sits up, and with a big smile she gives him a tight hug. He chuckles a bit, patting her head. Abruptly she lets go of him and bolts out of the den. It confuses him, but he shakes his head thinking her excitement is amusing.

As he removes the blanket he was under, he suddenly notices the many new scars on his body, and the wound on his thigh that's stitched up. He scans his arms, and tail, seeing some more. Suddenly a small crowd comes running in, Ronal in front.

The Tsahík immediately kneels next to him, checking him thoroughly, while he looks up at Aonung and Lo'ak. He glances at Neteyam, but ignores his presence, remembering how Aonung reacted to the thought of him messing with the boy.

Aonung and Lo'ak stand there with wide eyes, then Tuktirey returns with Kiri and Tsireya, both looking the same way. He isn't sure why everyone's acting so surprised. When Aonung fell unconscious they were worried, sure, but didn't react like this when he woke up.

Ronal suddenly places a hand on his shoulder, making him meet her concerned gaze.

Ronal- Do you remember what happened?

Rotxo- Yeah. Why the fuck is everyone acting like I came back from the dead?

Aonung- You've been unconscious for a week.

Rotxo- Damn.

Ronal pulls his attention back to her, not sensing a bit of worry from him.

Ronal- You nearly died, pushing your body to that point. Why did you not come to me to help with your condition?

His gaze snaps to Lo'ak with a glare.

Rotxo- You told?!

Lo'ak's ears lay, and he steps back in shame as Rotxo snarls in anger. Neteyam steps in front of him, protectively, with a glare of his own.

Neteyam- He didn't have a choice.

Rotxo- Nobody fuckin' asked you-

Ronal- Rotxo! This is serious.

Rotxo- Yeah, seriously none of your damn business.

He attempts to stand and leave, but Ronal forces him back down with strength he forgot she had.

Rotxo- Let me go!

Ronal- I won't!

Her grip remains tight on his arm as he tugs and pulls.

Ronal- You cannot feel when you've pushed too far. So for the sake of your wound, you are to stay here and rest until fully healed.

Rotxo- I'm not staying in here all fuckin' d-

His words halt as he looks past Ronal, and to the complete stranger that silently appeared. The Tsahik glances back, seeing Koral step towards them in curiosity looking at Rotxo. He stares at the two colored large eyes.

Rotxo- What the hell is that?

He speaks in utter confusion as the boy steps closer and kneels next to Ronal.

Aonung- This is Koral. We've been looking after him.

He hums in response, his skeptical gaze not leaving the strange looking Na'vi in front of him. Koral looks down at the wound on his leg, then tugs the stitches lightly, before Ronal pops his hand.

Ronal- Don't do that.

He ignores her, and notes the lack of reaction from Rotxo.

Koral- Dono feel.

Rotxo tilts his head to the side after hearing the boy speak.

Ronal- That's right. He cannot feel pain. But don't tug on his stitches.

He slides his hand under Rotxo's knee, lifting it gently. The others look at him in confusion, while Rotxo remains entirely creeped out.

Ronal- What are you doing?

Koral- Heal.

She looks at him with alarm.

Ronal- You know how to heal him?

Without another word, and completely without warning, he suddenly sinks his short but sharp fangs right into the stitches of Rotxo's wound. Before Rotxo can react, he's suddenly paralyzed and sent into a trance, just as Koral is ripped away from him.