Little Mr Perfect

taking first steps

After a few hours of surfing and spending time at the beach they return home with their collected seashells "i cant wait to show you how to turn then into jewellery " Ao'nung says with a smile and Neteyam returns it with a nod.

They each take a shower and settle down on the big couch in the living room. Their shells now cleaned of sand aswell, all types of thread and other stuff scattered about the couch table. Ao'nung shows him how to make bracelets or little charms with she smaller ones to put in Neteyams braid. They hear the door open and Tsireya,Rotxo and Tonowary come in. "Hey you two.....Are you making bracelets without me !!!!" Tsireya walks over and pouts "there's still enough for you to join us "Neteyam offers. Tonowari smiles at them, glad that Neteyam is getting a break from the constant pressure. He definitely needs to have a talk with Jake about all this but not until Neteyam gives his go for it.

"How's mom?" Ao'nung asks and Tonowarys gaze snaps to him before smiling " shes comming home tomorrow.....Roa still has to stay a little longer but Ronal is comming home ....finally". Ao'nung nods with a smile. The teens all work on the charms and jewellery while Tonowari makes a simple dinner.

Next day Ronal returns home which relieves all of them. Tonowari makes sure she keeps resting or well not doing to much around the house because resting in bed another week or Ronal will crawl up the walls plus she got cleared to do things as normal.

Lo'ak brought some fresh clothes over to Neteyam after school. "Bro....as glad as I am that you're getting a break you cant avoid it all ....moms worried but wants to give you space and dad is just getting irritated......its Moms doing he hasn't stormed over yet". Neteyam takes the bag from him, "thanks....im sorry for causing this much trouble and tension at home....." Lo'ak shakes his head "don't fret it to much....." He then leaves. Neteyam sighs as he sits down on the couch rubbing his face.
Ronal comes over to him placing a hand on shoulder "wanna talk about it?" She offers gently as she moves to sit down on the couch. Neteyam shakes his head at first, staying quiet but after a few moments of silence he speaks in a low voice "im always messing things up.....if I stay trouble stays at home...of im not home the issues remain over there.....do I eat....I feel shit for doing so when I know I didnt actually get to eat......missing school for so long.....bye perfect grades...." He hugs his knees, Ronal just sits with him letting him have the space to let it all out "im a bad boyfriend....always making Ao'nung worry.....or well everyone around me seems to realise.....im a problem.....that i need fixing but I myself......don't see it....well now I do a little thanks to noung.....but....what if it doesnt....work....i...i just....". "Hey take a deep breath ok" she says softly while placing her hands on his cheeks "I know your sick of hearing that its gonna be ok....but that is true, its not an easy journey there'll be a lot of confrontations you'd rather run from, set backs, but you will get there.....Ao'nung asked me if i could help and I think he already asked you about it to......I will take over speaking with your parents.....rather your mother because I think Tonowari wants to knock some sense in your dad's thick skull", that gets her a light chuckle " Neteyam....i know of a good place for where you can get help....its not far from here.....we sent Tsireya there when she struggled with her eating....it was bad and definitely took it time...but eventually we got there....of her overcoming this hurdle.....its not easy she still struggles on some days but....Neteyam believe me it's worth it to give it a try....." Neteyam hesitates "a-aonung told me about it.....I said yes.....but .....are the same time.....". "Your scared of losing the controll you currently have ". He nods, now feeling even more shit for actually admitting all this. Ronal noticed and gently brushes her thumb ober his cheek "do not feel guilty for opening up, you kept that in long enough....Netayam id rather have you blow up on me or anyone here than to keep it inside and end up with drastic measures because you don't know how to handle it....and I know you were close to that before !". All he can do is nod while tears build up in his eyes. She pulls him close into a hug "a-are you willing to give it a try?...its ok if it doesnt work the first time sometimes you try something and it gets to much......so you try again later but you have to try again. " he hesitates again before nodding. "That's good. Im proud of you for telling me all this"

While the teens are watching a movie Ronal and Tonowari head over to the Sully’s. Ronal talking with Neytiri while Tonowari takes on Jake.

With Ronal and Neytiri:
They enter Neytiri office and sit down there. "Its about Neteyam isnt it?....". Ronal nods "Neytiri...he needs help,this cant go on like this...why do you guys put so much pressure on him. Let him be himself...." Neytiri looks at her hands ashamed "im letting him be himself....try to be a buffer between Jake and him....I just....ever since we moved here Jakes on edge.....not really able to shake that....And he just blocks off.
i just don't know how to adress Neteyams problems with him. Without it being an intervention on Neteyams side. " she sighs Ronal gives her a soft smile " you're trying ok.....to be fair your family is far away from functional ....but what i wanted to ask is....are you willing to change something for him....give Neteyam a chance of getting better without the constant pressure?" . "Ofcourse....I'll be behind everything if it helps my boy!" She says without hesitation then slumps back in her chair "I really messed up there....didnt I......failed to keep my boy out of harm.....keep him safe.....". " We all make mistakes but theres enough time to fix them". Neytiri just nods.

With Tonowari and jake:

They sit in the kitchen with a cup of coffee each. "I wanted to talk to you about how much pressure you put on Neteyam". Jake looks at his friend perplexed "i don't-"."Yes you do, theres nothing wrong with having expectations but theres a difference....Jake he's struggling. He tries to meet your expectations and the hurt you cause him when you're disappointed in him....im sorry to be so direkt with you but I know it wont go into your thick skull otherwise " Jake your slowly killing your son ". "How...ehat the fuck do you mean? "."im saying this constant pressure and responsibilities you're putting on this boy are doing more harm than good ! Keep it up and you'll loose him sooner than you think! And hear him out instead of instantly judging him !! He's a tern trying to find his place in this world for fucks sake do not judge him for who he is or if he's failing here and there. Failure is normal !!" Jake is taken aback by the way his friend speaks to him. "I...i just....." its clear he's thinking about it but at the same time cant really place his wrongdoings. Tonowari sighs and just leaves his friend to think about it all.

Ronal and Tonowari head home again. Just to find Neteyam curled up on aonungs side asleep while the rest of them are still watching the movie. Ronal brushes her fingers through Aonungs hair before placing a kiss on his head " Neytiri agreed to get him help....Jake has to figure things out but thats his problem for now " she whispers to not disturb Neteyam. "Thank you mom"  she nods at him.