Mune Olo'eyktan [NeteyamxAonung]

Part 18

In the void of unconsciousness, a memory plays vividly in his mind.

A memory set in the former Metkayinan chief's den. Tonowari scolded his son for his shameful behavior, getting into a fight with the Sully boys.

He yanked Aonung's bond roughly, making him wince, asking what his problem was.

Why cause trouble when he knew better?

There was no answer, so it was forced out of him when his bond was again yanked roughly. He hated that sheering pain. He hated the younger Sully kids. He hated his father's punishment.

But that was wrong. Personal feelings were irrelevant to a future chief, he needed to ignore them. Look at the bigger picture, and look past himself.

Only then would he stop receiving pain as punishment.

His sister would always ask him if his bond hurt, and his answer was always the same, because it always did.

It always hurt.

There was always something needing to be corrected with him, so it always hurt.

Always.

Until it didn't.

It stopped, and he was fine with that, until he wasn't.

Even years later, he's stuck wondering just how unnatural it is to long for the same pain again.

Or perhaps, something worse.

As Aonung's eyes peel open, looking at his sister watching over him, he's reminded just how much of that pain he was longing for that he received.

Immediately, Tsireya smiles at him, though sorrowfully.

Tsireya- Rotxo! He's awake.

Another face full of sorrow approaches him. Rotxo shares a look with his sister, and she nods.

Tsireya- Aonung, how are you feeling? Do you remember the attack?

Aonung- Yeah.

He speaks unintentionally softly, with his still sore throat.

Tsireya- Mother planned to leave, after that. Her and Wari were going home with Neteyam, but . . .

Rotxo- They were shot down . . .

His eyes widen, and as if she can read his thoughts, she holds him down so he doesn't hurt himself trying to get up.

Tsireya- Neteyam and Wari are fine, but . . . but Mother . . . She lies with Eywa-

Her eyes begin to fill with tears, and Rotxo extends a hand to rub her back, tearing up a bit himself.

For some reason, Aonung feels strange. He's beyond shocked, yet his body and mind still remain calm, as it keeps doing no matter what happens to him as of late.

He isn't completely sure when it started; This constant state of contentment that makes him far more calm and level headed than he's ever been.

It isn't like he doesn't feel anything, but his mind isn't so easily phased anymore. In fact, he's so unphased by some things it scares him.

Like now.

His Mother was killed by Omatikayan rebels, he should either be enraged or distraught. Maybe both. But where are his tears? The ones that he should be trying to hold back.

They aren't there.

Rotxo- Aonung?

Pushing Tsireya's arms away, he abruptly sits up, and his wound complains with pain, making him groan.

Tsireya- No! Lay back down!

Tsireya and Rotxo both try to push him back down to rest, but he fights against them, and stands, despite how much it hurts.

Tsireya- Aonung, stop!

Rotxo- Where are you trying to go?

After a few steps, with Rotxo attempting to pull him back, he drops to his knees, unable to stand the pain in his abdomen any longer.

Rotxo kneels next to him, checking his wound, then giving him a look of concern.

Rotxo- Dude, what are you thinki- . . .

The smaller boy stares at his face.

Ah, there are his tears. Took them long enough.

Rotxo immediately hugs him, and Tsireya soon joins, rubbing his back and trying not to look at the tears she believes he was trying to hide.

If anything, he wanted them to show for once, to prove he still has them. Still has the emotions that are getting harder to show.

If he doesn't figure out how to stop them from hiding, he'll end up getting into more trouble with his lover, who's already missing those parts of him that are becoming shy.

On that note, he starts to wonder where the older Sully boy is, then notices the younger one watching from the entrance with worry on his face.