Luminous Nights [Neteyam x Aonung]

Luminous Days : Part 2

By the time his shift ends, evening approaches. As he goes out onto the sidewalk, taking a moment to wait for his Skimwing to surface, he thinks about where he's headed.

He usually goes straight home so he can eat with everyone, but his family can do without him for one sitting.

Once his Skimwing surfaces, he climbs on and goes onto the highway, heading straight for Aonung's home. He knows the boy frequently visits Zanin, since he just moved out and got his own place, so he's hoping that visit is over.

He may be legally considered an adult now, but he still lives under his parents' roof and they wouldn't like him staying out too late without a heads up.

When Neteyam rides around the platform of this private property, he spots Aonung heading up the stairs, likely just getting back from Zanin's place. He calls out to him as he pulls up to the sidewalk, and Aonung turns around with a smile, and comes back downstairs to greet him.

When he hops onto the sidewalk, Aonung is there to embrace him before they both ascend the stairs together.

Aonung- I wasn't expecting you to drop by today.

Neteyam- Neither was I, but, I felt like I needed to come check on you.

Aonung- For what?

Neteyam- The way you were talking earlier, and most of this week.

Aonung- Oh, right. Um . . .

They step up onto the porch and Aonung turns to face him, making him stop and do the same. Aonung sighs deeply, and grabs his hand, running his thumb across it. He can tell the boy is nervous, and wants to say something.

Aonung- Sorry, if I worried you a lot. I'm not gonna cut my hair or anything, I know you like it long anyway, it was just a thought.

Neteyam- You didn't compare yourself to Tonowari so much when I first met you. What's going on?

Aonung- Nothing, really, just . . . I keep thinking about something old, that's all. It's not important.

He isn't buying it. There's no way something "not important" could have such an impact on someone.

He's been trying to give this boy plenty of time to just come clean about whatever is going through his head, but it never happens. There are constantly questions swirling around in his own mind that he needs answers to, but never bothers to ask, because the last thing he wants to do is pressure Aonung, but he's getting fed up with it.

As Aonung should know by now, he has very little patience, and it's been worn thin for an entire month.

The marine boy watches his face twist a bit, showing obvious dissatisfaction.

Aonung- It's really nothing.

Neteyam squints his eyes accusingly, making Aonung's ears lie back.

Neteyam- Have you always been a liar?

He blinks twice with wide eyes, completely taken aback by the question.

Aonung- What?

Neteyam- Why is it that every time something is really going on with you, you never tell me the whole truth? Sometimes you tell me nothing at all.