Luminous Nights [Neteyam x Aonung]

Luminous Days : Part 27

The air is chilled, and coldened by wind, but on this weekend, Neteyam is home from work. In the warmth of his room, he rummages through his side of the closet, pulling out every piece of clothing a certain marine boy bought for him.

It's been three months since Aonung left for Kau'kin city, and Neteyam has been back and forth with how he feels about it. Today, though, is another one of his "moving on" days, and he's determined to rid himself of every remaining trace of Aonung.

As he tosses another piece of clothing onto the floor, his younger brother walks into the room. His brows furrow at the sight of the many expensive clothes sprawled out on the floor.

Lo'ak was expecting Neteyam to be curled up under his blanket again, missing the marine boy in silence, but he's just broken the cycle by remaining as angry as yesterday.

He walks over to the closet, avoiding a top that was flung his way.

Lo'ak- Tey.

His brother ignores him, flinging a few more things from the closet that he has to avoid.

Lo'ak- Bro!

Neteyam- Hm?

Neteyam finally stops, holding a top in his hands as he turns to look at him.

Lo'ak- What are you doing?

Neteyam- Throwing out all the things he bought.

Lo'ak- But you like these things.

Neteyam- So? I should've done this sooner, things between us are over, and I don't want any reminders of him.

He resumes tossing things, until he comes across his favorite hooded top, which makes him halt completely. Staring down at it with a longing expression.

Lo'ak- Tey, whether you have these things or not, you're still gonna remember him. You miss him.

Neteyam- That doesn't matter anymore.

Lo'ak- Why not?

Neteyam- Because he made his choice. He left, and I need to just live with it.

Lo'ak- What if he comes back?

Neteyam- He's not coming back!

He clutches onto the top, holding to his chest.

Neteyam- And even if he did, I couldn't trust him. Not after how much he lied to me.

Lo'ak- Bro, people lie all the time. For good reasons, bad reasons, and stupid reasons.

Neteyam- I don't.

Lo'ak- You may not lie to others, but you're sure as hell lying to yourself right now.

Neteyam lightly glares at him, but he isn't phased. His brother has been going through an endless battle of denial and acceptance.

Lo'ak- You miss him. Even if he never comes back, you at least need to admit that.

With his face softened, he looks out at the room floor he's covered in clothes he still wants simply because someone special gave them to him when he didn't have to. Then he looks down to the top in his hands.

He loves the hooded top, it's his favorite, and the first he received from Aonung, simply out of kindness. A sigh escapes him, and he decides to put it on, feeling comfortable in it. Even if he got rid of everything else, he still wouldn't throw this top out with the others. Therefore, getting rid of anything would be pointless, because he would still be thinking of Aonung.

Lo'ak can tell he's calmed down. He isn't sure if this acceptance will last longer than a day or even a few hours, but he's glad nonetheless.

Lo'ak- By the way, we were about to leave. Want to come with us this time?

Ever since Aonung left, Neytiri has made it a point to check in on Ronal and her family regularly. She's fond of her children, and vice versa, so it's a good distraction from her constant worries about what her son could be doing.

Neteyam has yet to go back to their large home. Other than going to work, he stays in, and doesn't do anything particularly fun with his siblings anymore. But this time, he decides to take Lo'ak up on his offer.

Downstairs, Neytiri has Kiri and Tuktirey straightening a few things in the den before they leave. Jake is at work, and she thought she'd only be taking three of her children to see Ronal, but is pleasantly surprised when Neteyam descends the stairs with Lo'ak.

Lo'ak- Tey's coming with.

Neytiri- That's wonderful. Ronal has been worried about you.

Neteyam gives her a look of confusion as he reaches the bottom of the steps.

Neteyam- Worried? Isn't she mad at me?

Neytiri- Why would she be mad at you?

Neteyam- For driving her son away.

His ears droop a bit, and she gives him a sorrowful look.

Neytiri- Oh, Neteyam. That wasn't your fault.

Neteyam- Well it wasn't hers.

Neytiri- Of course not, it was no one's fault. Aonung is capable of making his own decisions, so he did. I don't believe anyone is to blame.

Neteyam- If you say so.

She sighs softly, deciding to drop the topic in exchange for a better one. In excitement, Tuktirey runs over to her oldest brother, hugging him, and he rubs her head.

Tuktirey- Ronal promised we would have cookies this time, you chose a good day to come.

Neteyam- (chuckles) I guess I'm lucky.

Neytiri- Are we all ready?

Tuktirey- Yes!

Lo'ak- We're set.

Neytiri- Perfect, let's g-

A knock at the door interrupts her, and makes her pause with her hand reached out for the knob.

Neytiri- Wonder who that could be.

Tuktirey- What if she decided to bring the cookies to us!

They each laugh softly as they wait for their mother to answer the door. As she does so, the house phone begins to ring, and Neteyam goes back to answer it, hearing Ronal on the phone.

Neytiri stands in her doorway with widened eyes and her mouth slightly agape. Before her stands the son of the Olo'eyktan, with his black and gold necklace on, as well as a new matching loincloth. Behind him, in the stream, is a short limousine strapped to his Skimwing.

Neytiri- Neteyam . . .

She turns around, seeing Neteyam near the kitchen, wearing the same face as her as he stands frozen with the phone in his hand.

Neteyam- Mother . . . Is that Aonung at the door?

Tensely, she nods in response, and waits for him to say or do something else.

Without bothering to say a goodbye to Ronal, he hangs up the phone with a gulp. He feels many things at the moment, but isn't sure which emotion he should release to the surface.