Mune Olo'eyktan [Neteyam x Aonung]

Part 163

Neteyam bursts into a sprint, running all the way back to his family's den. Once there, he stops just within the entrance, catching his breath.

His mother is preparing food, with Tuktirey's help, and his father is in his hammock, while Kiri is in the back.

Neytiri- Neteyam, what is wrong?

He walks to the back without answering, and catches Kiri making something else with the same colors as the armband she gave Aonung.

She quickly sets it aside, and looks up at Neteyam's serious expression.

Neteyam- Tell me it's not true, Kiri.

Kiri- What?

Neteyam- Is that for Aonung?

He looks at her blue and green project, then back to her.

Kiri- No, no, it's-

Neteyam- Or is it for you, so you can match?

Kiri- What? Tey what are you implying?

Neytiri has Jake watch the food while she walks over to see what's going on.

Neteyam- You didn't tell him that gift was from Tuk, he covered for you.

Kiri- I-

Neteyam- Why did you give him the armband?

Kiri- Neteyam, it's not like you're mated-

Neteyam- You hated him for how long?! Now all of a sudden you start making moves on him behind my back?!

Neytiri steps into the room, done with her observations, and pulls her son gently away from Kiri as the girl stands.

Kiri- You don't own him, Tey, I can give him a gift if I want.

Neteyam- It's not about me owning him, it's about you not having any respect for my relationship.

Kiri- As long as you two aren't mated, he is fair game. That's how this works.

Neteyam- No it-

Neytiri- Neteyam.

She speaks sternly but not harshly, earning his attention.

Neytiri- She is right. Aonung is not your mate, therefore, Kiri has the right to try her luck at winning him over.

Neteyam- That's wrong, mother. She shouldn't be doing this to her own brother. I certainly would never do it to her.

Kiri- Yeah, but you did plenty back in the forest. I guess karma's just a bitch, huh.

Neteyam- I told you to leave that shit there, like I did, and never bring it up again.

Kiri shuts her mouth at Neteyam's threatening tone.

Neytiri- My children, it does not matter whether we think it's right or not. The fact is, there is no rule against what she is doing. It is merely a matter of individual morality.

Neteyam- But, mother-

Neytiri- No, Neteyam, and I cannot stop her either. This is between you, Kiri, and Aonung only. Settle this with maturity.

Neteyam- . . . Yes, mother.

She leaves them to go back to cooking, and finds that Jake has burnt a bit of their fish while goofing off with Tuktirey.

Neteyam looks back at Kiri, who raises a brow at him.

Neteyam- If you were anyone else, I would waste no time planting an arrow in your chest. Luckily for you, you're my sister . . .

He steps closer, looking down on her intimidatingly.

Neteyam- But that does not mean you'll come out unharmed if you step too far out of your place.

He almost snarls through his words before turning to leave the den altogether, and heads to see his marine boy.

He's beyond sick of having to prevent people from trying to take what's his, but there's always someone.

Always.

Worst of all, Aonung is never one to tell his pursuers off, which makes him easy prey for what Neteyam is now calling desperate little predators that he wishes he could be rid of. But he doesn't feel threatened by any of them, no, not at all.

He knows Aonung is loyal to him, but in complete honesty, the boy is gullible, and easy to take advantage of. That much he knew from the time he first started practically throwing himself onto him, in the end there was no need to try so hard.

Winning him over was easy, and still would have been even if Aonung wasn't already drawn to him in some way.

He sighs as he makes his way to the head family's den. It'll sound very accusing if he just asks why Aonung lied for Kiri, but even though he's sure he has the reason right, he just needs Aonung to say it. He needs that confirmation so he can be certain the boy wasn't hiding it because he too was guilty.

As he approaches the home, deciding he'll work his way to the topic of Kiri, Ronal notices him as she's feeding Wari. Tsireya and Aonung are still eating as well, with Aonung's wounds wrapped and tended to.

Ronal- Neteyam, have you come to eat with us?

Aonung looks up from his food, immediately noticing the irritation on the Sully boy's face.

Neteyam- No, I just need a moment with Aonung.

Ronal- The more scolding he gets for his behavior, the better.

Aonung- Mother.

Ronal- Go on.

Neteyam turns to start heading to a place for them to talk, and Aonung follows with a quickened pace to catch up.