Mune Olo'eyktan [NeteyamxAonung]

Part 31

Chapter 3

With daylight at its peak, the Sully brothers and their friends and guests are in the shade of the forest around the pond. Korva and Hoskno have joined in watching the Metkayinan teens show off some water skills.

Currently, Aonung, Tsireya, and Rotxo are having a little competition, seeing who can hold their breath the longest. They've already been under for ten minutes, which is far longer than Korva and Hoskno could stay under.

Korva- This is insane, bro. They're like sea creatures.

Kiri- Yup, born and raised.

Lo'ak- We can do that too, ya know. They taught us.

Hoskno- No way.

Lo'ak- Yeah, we can show you once they're done.

Korva- Sweet.

Not too much longer later, Rotxo comes up for air, followed by Tsireya.

Neteyam- Aonung wins. As expected.

Tsireya- Of course he did, his lungs are huge.

Lo'ak- We all know they can last longer if they need to.

Korva- It's still awesome either way.

Rotxo swims to the edge of the pond and Lo'ak plays with his wet braids.

Tsireya swims over to Spider, who offers a hand to help her stand.

Spider- You'll win next time.

Tsireya- Yeah.

As she stands, she glances over at Lo'ak and Rotxo. The Sully boy is very touchy, in a loving way. The behavior is expected, though, since that's how he was when they were together.

She looks back at Spider and smiles softly, waiting to be praised in some way, but he only smiles back. He isn't like Lo'ak, and she shouldn't expect him to be. But shamefully, she finds herself wishing he was sometimes.

Aonung surfaces, making Hoskno and Korva clap for his long stay underwater. He chuckles at their excitement then swims over to the edge.

Neteyam watches him from behind the others, until the two make eye contact. Immediately after they do, Neteyam turns and leaves.

Yune, from his spot leaning against a tree next to Somtra, sees Neteyam leave looking troubled once again.

Somtra- Feeling guilty?

Yune- Not at all. If they are meant to be, they will make it.

Somtra- Neverending confidence with you.

Yune- And neverending concern with you.

Away from the others, the oldest Sully boy sighs as he heads on the path back to the village.

Ever since they broke up, he hasn't known how to interact with Aonung. The marine boy always tries to approach him, but he doesn't want to talk to him. Not while he still has the urge to hug and kiss him like they're together. It's second nature to him at this point.

Aonung- Neteyam!

Aonung's voice stops him in his tracks, and reluctantly, he turns around.

Aonung- It doesn't have to be like this. You can still talk to me.

Neteyam- No, I can't.

Aonung- Why not?

Neteyam- I don't feel like doing this right now.

He attempts to walk away, but Aonung grabs onto his arm.

Aonung- Then when are we going to talk? You've been avoiding me for weeks

Neteyam- Let go.

Aonung- No. This is exactly why I never wanted to say anything.

Neteyam- But you did, and this is where we're at. I'm not mad at you alright, I just . . . I miss you, that's all.

Aonung- You don't really act like you miss me.

Neteyam- Well I can't just go and kiss you now can I?

Aonung- You could.

Neteyam's heart flutters, but he quickly suppresses his joy at hearing that.

Neteyam- No, Aonung, I can't burden you again.

Aonung- A simple kiss wouldn't burden me. Just do it, we don't have to call it anything.

Neteyam- . . .

Glancing between his lips and golden eyes, Aonung takes his silence as an opportunity to step closer and lean in, but Neteyam takes a step back.

Neteyam- Wait. Just let me think about this first, okay.

Aonung- Okay then. Want to head back to the others?

A horn sounds, signaling that Jake and the other warriors have returned from their search. Tsana's base was moved after being discovered and they've been looking for it ever since.

Neteyam- No, I need to check in with Wift.

Since his father won't spare him any details, he turns to his close friend that works under him.

Aonung- Alright.

With subtle disappointment, Aonung turns and goes back to the pond to retrieve the others. He himself has business with Wift, regarding his training with a bow.

Neteyam sighs as he walks in the opposite direction with his head held low.

Yuuki- Well that was just sad.

He looks up from the ground, seeing Yuuki coming towards him.

Neteyam- Don't you have better things to do?

Yuuki- No.

She comes up to him then turns to walk next to him on his way to the village.

Yuuki- Why won't you do it?

Neteyam- Why won't I kiss him and pretend it means nothing to me? Don't ask me stupid questions.

Yuuki- He's giving you an opportunity to stop sulking so much. I don't know why, though. You broke up, and by the looks of it things haven't been great, so obviously the spark is gone.

Neteyam- No it isn't.

Yuuki- Yes it is.

Neteyam- You don't know what you're talking about.

Yuuki- Look, we both know you chase sparks. Always have. And your spark with Aonung is obviously gone, I mean you won't even kiss him.

Neteyam- Yuuki-

Yuuki- If you aren't pouncing on each other every chance you get, then there's nothing there.

Neteyam- That's not what defines a relationship.

Yuuki- But it's what keeps one going. Hence why you two aren't together anymore.

Neteyam- You don't know what's going on between us so shut your mouth or I'll shut it for you.

He snaps at her, making her flinch and stop, then he strides ahead without her.