Mune Olo'eyktan [NeteyamxAonung]

Part 25

Neteyam sits with his legs dipped into the pond, waiting for Aonung to surface. He can see his marine figure under water, looking as content as a fish as he swims around.

He sighs as he waits, remembering how he snapped at Rotxo. It wasn't the first time that happened; Him taking his frustration out on someone else. It's become a frequent occurrence the past month.

Naturally, he had gotten used to not having his father constantly on him about something. Before that, he had also gotten used to not pressuring himself with everything, along with not caring about many of the pressing things pushed onto him.

With Aonung's help, he had found his content mindset.

He always did what he knew he could, but learned not to take it too far. Prioritizing himself was the best thing he'd ever done, but it's getting harder to do that by the day.

There's always something added onto the load of his current life.

The return of Yuuki. The threat of Tsana. The death of Ronal. The authority of his father. To top it off, the one person who was his escape from everything has become so distant because of his own hidden problems he couldn't possibly try to confide in him.

Well, he always tries not to, at least. He's set aside his issues with Aonung, because other things have become far more important.

But the truth of the matter is, if he can't keep a level head, he'll never be able to deal with any of it. And doing so is impossible for him without Aonung being where he needs him to be.

Aonung- Neteyam.

He looks up from his fiddling fingers on his lap and sees Aonung looking up at him from the water.

Aonung- I was asking when you got back, but you weren't really here.

Neteyam- Sorry. How's your wound? You haven't been swimming too long have you?

Aonung- It's fine, but I'll stop for today.

Aonung pulls himself out of the pond, and sits next to him.

Aonung- How was the hunt?

Neteyam- Interrupted. A bunch of Tsana's people were after us, and Lo'ak was so busy focusing on Rotxo he ignored me and got separated.

Aonung- Are they alright?

Neteyam- Yeah, I went for them, but . . . We ended up overstepping again because we rescued some unexpected guests.

He looks up at his confused face, feeling scared to mention a certain green eyed boy.

Neteyam- Somtra and Yune.

At the second name, Aonung instantly turns away from him, taking a breath.

Aonung- Why are they here?

Neteyam- We've been here for a while, they were right to be concerned. I never thought they'd come looking for us though.

Aonung- And now they're stuck here too.

Aonung leans forward, holding his head in his hands with a deep sigh.

Aonung- Things just keep getting worse, huh.