Luminous Nights [Neteyam x Aonung]

Luminous Days : Part 32

Reluctantly, the marine boy stands from his seat and leads Neteyam back down to the lobby, out of the hotel, and to the parking space. They're both silent, but just before Neteyam gets into the luxurious raft, a voice calls his name.

Niráli- Neteyam?

He stops and turns around, seeing his brother's girl now coming up to him. As usual, she's dressed nicely, and still has her love of glitter.

Niráli- And Aonung too. Hey guys.

Neteyam- Hey.

Aonung- You stay here too?

She adjusts her matching crossbody clutch as she speaks with a smile.

Niráli- Just for a few days, since one of my friends is having a birthday party tonight. You two wanna come?

Aonung- I have work tonight, a special private event.

Neteyam- I'll go.

He catches Aonung glancing at him like he's surprised.

Neteyam- What? I can go to a party.

Aonung- I thought you wanted to go home.

Neteyam- I just wanted to get away from you. Happy?

They lightly glare at each other for a moment, and Niráli looks between them a bit nervously.

Niráli- Um, you don't have to, really. You might not even like the club we're going to.

Neteyam- It's at a club?

Niráli- Yeah, Bripper's. It's really nice.

Aonung- True that. I work there. What's your friend's name?

Niráli- Yulsae. Forgive him if he flirts too much.

Aonung- It's no problem. Guess I'll be seeing you there then.

Her eyes suddenly fill with surprise, just now catching onto the fact that Aonung said he works at the place that's known for being hard for anyone to get into.

Niráli- You got in at Bripper's! How'd you do it? I tried twice.

Aonung- For what position?

Niráli- Waitress.

Aonung- There's almost too many of those. Should've aimed for dancer.

Niráli- (gasps) Wait, Yulsae said there was someone new. He actually switched who he booked.

Aonung- I'll tell him thanks then.

Niráli- So it's you? No way!

Aonung- Mhm. So, Neteyam, will you still be joining her?

Neteyam stares at Niráli's excited face, then looks at Aonung, who is looking at him like he knows what he'll say.

Naturally he wants to refuse, because he was trying to get away from Aonung, but another part of him wants to accept still, and have some fun. His only focus has been work, and missing Aonung for the past few months, he's drained.

As he knows, though, the atmosphere is bound to make him forget why he's mad at Aonung. And next thing he knows, he'll be back at his hotel, agreeing to move in with him.

So what should he do?

Neteyam- I will, but just know I won't be paying you any attention.

Aonung- Fine, but don't get mad if I let the birthday boy have special treatment.

Neteyam- You did not just threaten to flirt with someone else just because I'm not gonna pay you any attention.

Aonung- That's exactly what I did, actually, and I hate giving people special treatment. "Look but don't touch" personally gets me more money. So you are now messing with my business.

Neteyam- What? I am not. You decided that.

Aonung- Because of you.

Neteyam exhales deeply as he glares at Aonung's smug expression.

Neteyam- Fine, do what you want. My input has never stopped you anyway.

The expression is wiped clean off Aonung's face, and Neteyam turns back to Niráli.

Neteyam- When's the party?

Niráli- In about two hours. I was just heading to find something to wear.

Neteyam- You aren't wearing that?

Niráli- No, I've been in this all day. Oh! You need something too. Come on, my chauffeur can take us.

Neteyam- Okay.

With enthusiasm, Niráli goes over to her luxury raft, and Neteyam stops to look back at Aonung's salty face.

Neteyam- Later.

As Neteyam turns and goes to join Niráli, Aonung glares lightly at them, watching them ride off into the stream. He figured Neteyam would come, but he thought he'd do it to keep an eye on him. If that isn't what he's going for, then why is he going to show up?

Another reason he's so eager to get Neteyam to live with him is because his line of work has a knack for straining relationships like theirs. He's sure Neteyam is aware of that, but the boy doesn't act like he trusts him that much, he acts more like he doesn't care.

The marine boy sighs as he decides he'll go into work earlier than planned. Neteyam is still just as complex as ever. Part of that is sort of relieving. He wouldn't really be him if he was just as simple as most others.

Though that complexity annoys Aonung, he'd hate it if the trait were to ever vanish.