maddieemarriie
Ao'nung was raised to become a strong Metkayina warrior. To honor his people.
To follow the ocean's way.
And to one day choose a mate his family would approve of.
The Sullys arrive as outsiders, and Neteyam is no exception. Ao'nung treats him like he treats all outsiders distant, sharp, unwilling to see anything more.
But the ocean has a way of changing things.
When danger strikes the reef, Ao'nung finds himself stepping in front of Neteyam without thinking. What begins as hesitation slowly turns into something he can't ignore-curiosity, understanding... and feelings he was never prepared for.
But nothing about this is simple.
Neteyam isn't alone, his whole family is here, always close, always watching. And Ao'nung can feel it in every glance his parents give him, every unspoken expectation hanging in the air: he is supposed to follow tradition. To choose correctly. To bring pride to his clan.
And Neteyam is not part of that plan.
Still, Ao'nung can't seem to stop noticing him.
The way he speaks. The way he stands his ground. The way the ocean seems to quiet around him.
In the Metkayina, duty comes first. Family comes first.
The future is already written.
So why does Ao'nung feel like he's drifting off course every time Neteyam is near?
And if he keeps going... will he still be the son his parents raised him to be?
Or someone else entirely?