Luminous Nights [Neteyam x Aonung]

Luminous Days : Part 22

Yar goes silent as he watches Neteyam almost deflate with his head held low, and Lo'ak starts to rub his back.

Yar- I know it seems like a bad thing, but he knows trust with you is hard to earn and keep, I know he only kept it from you out of fear.

Neteyam- What was there to-

Yar- To fear? The thought of you deeming him untrustworthy and dumping him, for one.

Neteyam doesn't argue. It's true, Aonung is prone to making bad decisions out of fear, he knows that. But still, it bothers him.

He knows the boy wasn't in his right mind, but his betrayal still hurts more than anything.

He's always completely open and honest, but with Aonung, there's always something he's hiding. Whether or not it's on purpose, he doesn't know, but what he does know is that he's starting to not be able to stand it.

He shouldn't have to know that his lover is hiding something. It isn't right.

Why must things be hidden from him? They're allies, they should trust each other wholeheartedly.

Comrades who don't trust each other end up dead.

There's nothing he has to hide from Aonung, and the boy knows that. Neteyam wants the security of knowing that as well, but it's unlikely, unless something changes.

At the moment, though, all he feels is the pain that comes with having his trust strained yet again, and he doesn't know what to do about it.

Both Yar and Lo'ak observe him, waiting for some sort of reaction other than silence, but he just sighs.

Neteyam- We should probably get those groceries now.

Lo'ak- Tey-

Abruptly, he stands from the bed, and Lo'ak moves like a slug as he follows.

Neteyam- Thanks for, whatever this was, Yar. Sorry I assumed it was you.

Yar- That's fine, it kinda comes with the lifestyle. But, just take a moment-

Neteyam- No!

He snaps back, making Lo'ak startle backward.

Neteyam- What do I need to take a moment for?!

He throws his arms around in frustration, and Yar shares a look with Lo'ak.

Neteyam- Why can't I just go to the fucking store?!

He gestures towards the door, which is followed by heavy breaths, and Lo'ak steps towards him gradually.

Neteyam- Why did I even have to come here?! . . . Why . . .

His gaze darts around the room as he feels his eyes prickle with tears.

Neteyam- Why can't he just tell me shit?

His tears flood down his face, and Lo'ak quickly pulls him into a tight embrace, and he buries his face in his arms as he wraps them over Lo'ak's shoulders.

Lo'ak doesn't know what to say to make him feel better, so he offers his bond, which Neteyam gladly accepts.

The thing is, his brother is naturally more honest than most people, he always has been. Unfortunately that's also always made him unable to understand why others can't just be the same way.

He's well aware that there are people who are untrustworthy and full of lies, but what he can't comprehend is a person not telling the truth to someone they supposedly trust. Why hide things from them?

Though Neteyam doesn't completely think Aonung distrusts him, he still can't rule that out.

His mind won't let him. That's just how fear works.

Which is exactly why he won't blame his marine boy for what happened, but he was already lying before this, it was just tolerated.

Lo'ak rubs his brother's back soothingly as his body attempts to cry out his frustration to avoid lashing out in anger.