Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"Lo'ak, go back home, do not follow me." Neteyam demands while flying faster.

"I'm not here to stop you," Lo'ak says as he picks up speed enough to maintain a close distance to Neteyam's ikran. "But I do want you to come with me."

Now that does gather the older of the twos attention, he comes to slow down and glide next to his brother.

"Come with you where?" Neteyam questions with a tilt to his head, and then he's flooded with memories and recounts all those late nights where he vaguely remembers Lo'ak sneak out of their home numerous times to who knows where.

"Are you going to show me where you sneak away to baby bro?" He confesses with a smirk making its way to his lips. This was a secret Neteyam has kept to himself for some time. Even though he lost countless nights of sleep over this, from waking up to sudden movement to dealing with the stress when Lo'ak didn't return for days straight. He also had to come up with lies about his little brother's whereabouts to his parents and he was never a great liar either, but for a reason he himself couldn't quite understand he felt that he needed to and had to.

Yet this priceless stunned expression on Lo'ak's face seemed to make it all worth it. "You knew?!"

"Of course, I'm always listening, especially when my little baby bro makes so much noise before running off," Neteyam teased. "You should work on that more before mom and dad figure out what you're up to."

Lo'ak was quiet after that, only the flap of strong wings from their ikrans and the calm sound of the breeze along the trees filled the silence between them.

"If you knew why didn't you tell mom and dad." His brothers voice was laced with confusion, truly perplexed on his older brothers actions that it seemed strangely off of him to do so.

Neteyam looked at his brother for a second, holding the reigns of his ikran's saddle a bit tighter.

"Because I saw the change every time you returned. You looked so happy almost like a different person," Lo'ak held his brothers eyes with each spoken word. "I didn't want to ruin that."

There was a long pause after that as Lo'ak watched his older brother face contort into that of an irritated one while deep in thought and then Neteyam whipped his head back forward instantly.

"Is mom still trying?" Lo'ak asked cautiously knowing the topic was sensitive to his brother. From what they were told when they were little, before their mother met their father she was already promised a mate after her older sister tragically passed away. She didn't have a say when she was younger and she didn't want her children to be the same.

"I'm the older sibling, I should have a mate maybe even have kids of my own by now," He let out a dry chuckle while avoiding his brothers heavy gaze. "I'm grateful she is willing to help me, but everyone I have met wasn't the one." Neteyam sighed the exhaustion in his voice clearly evident.

Lo'ak listened carefully to his brother expressing his feelings for the first time to him. Neteyam was the golden child. He excelled at everything, he was a good warrior and very loyal to their parents, wanting to always please both of them. And there were times Lo'ak grew envy of him because he could never be the same like his older brother. Yet he wasn't conscious just how big the pressure Neteyam had on his shoulders was.

Lo'ak bit his cheek. It was now or never.

"Do you remember the Metkayina clan?"

..........

Neteyam had forgotten just how long the trek was to reach the reef village but Lo'ak navigated the tough winds brought by the harsh currents of the ocean effortless, like he had remembered the exact route their family had taken four years ago.

It made him question how long his little brother snuck away for him to memorize easily the nonexisting path across the vast ocean and just when it started.

For now Neteyam kept from interrogating further and trail behind his younger brother. But he was so ready to pull at his ear when they touch land.

As they grew closer he could see the familiar big seawall separating the ocean and Awa'atlu. When they first came here their father had lead them straight forward to the giant mangrove-like trees along the tranquil turquoise water where most if not all of the village were settled on marui hanging off the giant branch like trees. That Neteyam does recollect because it was his first look on a completely different world all consisting of water, so he was bewildered when Lo'ak took a sudden turn to another direction that led them away from the village.

"Lo'ak the village is that way." He said as he tilted his head back to where the village was.

Lo'ak glanced over and couldn't help but smirk at the hint of concern in his brother's voice. "Who said we were visiting the village big bro?"

Neteyam was now full on freaking out. His yellow eyes were the size of saucers at the realization. They had to make their presence known to the Metkayina people first or else they would be trespassing their territory and that was exactly what the two brothers were doing. To Lo'ak this was his field to cause trouble without ever thinking it through but to Neteyam he felt sick to his stomach going against the rules he knew plus it was common courtesy to do so.

As they flew more and Neteyam gave Lo'ak an ear full of going back, Neteyam hadn't paid attention to the change in their surroundings at all. Opposite to where the Metkayina lived, this part had the same big mangrove trees that wrapped beside the coastal shores, however luscious green plants were interwinined along the branches, it seemed like an area the Metkayina didn't visit at all.

They landed at last onto the warm crystal sand and hopped off their tired ikrans. Neteyam gave a gentle pat to the neck of his teal ikran and signal it to get some rest in the meantime. It gave an affirm shriek before flying off with Lo'ak's own.

Now he could deal with his rebellious younger brother.

"Skxawng, you are in so much trouble," He said catching up after the other who didn't even wait for him. "If I knew you were trespassing all this time I wouldn't have made up lies to mom and dad, imagine what they would say to you." Neteyam expressed beyond irritated at his brother's antics, even at his 18 years of age.

The younger na'vi let out a hiss as Neteyam grips the back of Lo'ak's neck and queue. His grip never tighten but it was an uncomfortable feeling that he hoped would make his brother give him answers.

Lo'ak tried shaking off his brother's hand and when he was unsuccessful he decided to reach over and grip Neteyam's in retaliation, earning Lo'ak a loud hiss from Neteyam.

"Let go Skxawng!" Neteyam demanded as his hold tighten little by little as a warning.

"I'll let go when you let go—"

"Lo'ak?"

Like an instant switch, Lo'ak's hold vanished and he completely dismissed Neteyam to gather all his focus on the figure walking out from within the deep green vegetation.

Tsireya, the daughter of the Metkayina chief, that Neteyam did remember. She grew a couple of feet but still remained shorter than the two Omatikayans. After the four years that passed, her youthful glow and beauty still remained unmatched and as Neteyam slowly recovered he touched his fingers to his forehead with Tsireya mimicking the same motion back but her light blue eyes swiftly went back to his younger brother.

"Lo'ak you brought your brother?" Her soft voice filled their ears, blue eyes locked on Lo'ak with slight worry in them.

Lo'ak took ahold of Tsireya's turquoise hands in his tenderly and close the distance between them, his brother's height towering over her easily.

"He followed after me I had no choice—" An immediate yank to his queue had Lo'ak hiss in pain. "Fine! He found out I was sneaking away, I had to drag him with me." His brothers yellow eyes shooting daggers at him to release him once more.

"He offered to show me actually," Neteyam said as a matter of fact and dropped his hand. "As much as I'm pleased to see you again Tsireya, my baby bro is in so much trouble when we go back right now." He declared.

As if Neteyam didn't find this whole situation already dire enough, the words that burst from Lo'aks lips definitely triple it.

"We are mated before Eywa, Neteyam."

..........

Neteyam couldn't believe what he was hearing and as he continued to stare at Lo'ak to finish it off as a joke, the realization slowly sunk in when it was evident in Lo'ak calm and silent demeanor. His yellow eyes bounced off from his younger brother to Tsireya taking note how close they were holding each other together.

"Tsireya, is this true?"

Contray to how livid Neteyam was inside, he enunciated his words slowly to her. Tsireya's small ears flinched back in being put on the spot and her big blue eyes looked at Neteyam in panic.

"We are mated before Eywa." She reconfirms to him.

Lo'ak was so dead and Neteyam was also so dead too.

"Do you realize what you did Lo'ak? Mother will definitely scratch your eyes out this time." Neteyam fumed out as he paced back and forth to remain calm. This was not what Neteyam was expecting Lo'ak would be doing, trespassing into another entirely different clan and then mating with the Olo'eyktan's daughter. It was a recipe for disaster and it was making the older's heart race with pure terror. They were beyond doomed.

"Tsireya!" A booming voice broke through from a distance that made everyone whip their heads at the source.

A skimwing was already intimating let alone when there's a fast approaching one heading toward you and perched on top was another Metkayina na'vi.

"It's Ao'nung." Tsireya announced sounding even more distressed.

Neteyam watched as the figure, now known as Ao'nung, Tsireya's older brother, dismounted the skimwing with ease and made his way toward them on land. Comparing the change between the two siblings since the four years, Ao'nung was the most drastic. If Tsireya hadn't pointed out that it was her older brother Neteyam wouldn't have known. Ao'nung took after his father the chief's tall height and muscular build. He still wore the same high neat bun but with shoulder length loose curly locks. His toned arms were decorated with black ink, from wrists all the way to the sides of his neck. However, his aquamarine eyes still held the same judgemental gaze.

"Outsiders are not allowed here especially trespassers." Ao'nung stated not being subtle with his criticizing stare.

"I allowed them access, brother," She stepped forward to put Lo'ak behind her. "It's Neteyam and Lo'ak, our friends remember?"

Ao'nung's aqua eyes shifted from Lo'ak and Neteyam in an analyzing way, reminiscent to how he did years ago when their family first arrived. Neteyam did notice Ao'nung's eyes linger on him more than what he found comfortable.

"All the more reason why they shouldn't be here." He clarified yet again, his piercing lighter eyes switching to look at her sister in discontent.

From the corner of Neteyam's eye he spotted the moment Lo'ak took ahold of Tsireya's own small hand behind her back, away from her brother's eyes. "They are only visiting for a while, plus I want to show Lo'ak around the village so we're leaving now!" She said while already walking toward the ocean with Lo'ak in hand.

They must of planned this if this situation where to happen because as soon as they got on her awaiting ilu she made a certain clicking noise directed to the waters below and then they dove down in a hurry. Unbeknownst to Neteyam, that certain clicking was a command to Ao'nung's skimwing to swim away and while the darker na'vi was still processing how their younger siblings were able to flee without a fight, Ao'nung was a second to late from giving Tsireya an earful lecture as they disappeared into the water.

Now the two eldest remained with the soft waves rolling into land and the deafening silence.

Neteyam could sense Ao'nung's heavy stare set on him from the side. It made his skin crawl in discomfort so Neteyam's golden eyes glance to confront the taller na'vi.

"Your brother," Ao'nung started with an accusing finger pointed at him. "Trouble always follows your brother and I dislike that Tsireya is following right behind him putting her in danger."

The awareness that Tsireya's brother was too being completely blindsided all these years by their siblings antics just like he was, made Neteyam suddenly let out a quiet half-suppressed chuckle.

"You mean you don't know?" He asked, hands on his hips.

Ao'nung's vexed expression slowly turned into a puzzled one as he continued to stare down Neteyam in search of answers.

"Our little siblings have been seeing each other frequently, so much that they.." Neteyam's voice trailed off, his anger from earlier returning once more. He released a sigh along with the rest of his words. "Have mated before Eywa."

It all happened with a blink of an eye, one second Neteyam was standing and the next his back was met with the warm sand and a furious Ao'nung on top of him pinning his wrist down and screaming at his face.

"You Sully's bring nothing but trouble, always!" The Metkayina boy shouted at him. Neteyam grunted while he struggled against the heavier body on top of him. He produced an irritated hiss in retaliation at the other when he saw it was hopeless to escape.

"And you aren't any better!" He exclaimed. Ao'nung's lowly snarled down at the darker na'vi and tighten his grip on Neteyam's seemingly thin wrist. The new added pressure that Ao'nung's was putting on his wrist was starting to become painful but Neteyam was certainly not going to show it, especially to Ao'nung of all na'vi.

With all the hissing and yelling, none of them realized just how close their faces had gotten. So close that Neteyam could easily count the number of freckles adorning throughout his lighter face. Ao'nung in the other hand become strangely quiet, his anger simmered til it vanished as he studied Neteyam's big yellow eyes. His deep staring led to his own discovery. Neteyam's striking golden eyes had hints of greens within them, just like the jungles he called home. A profound discovery that could only be made if you were to get face to face. It was a contrast to the piercing yellow and Ao'nung wanted to find out just how many shades of green he could make out alone. He didn't know that he had just voiced out his new findings to Neteyam.

The Omatikayan simply was at a loss of words. They were in the brink of a fight because of their younger siblings, and now Ao'nung had just asked about the color green in his eyes. Truly bizarre behavior he thought.

"Focus on the situation please," He reasoned out finally pushing the other away and putting a couple of distance between them. His patience was running short.

"It was not solely my idiot of a brother to mate but your sister too, they've been tricking everyone for a long time. I've only just found out today, believe me." He said to Ao'nung, who decided to sit on the sand instead.

"What do you propose we do then? Both of our parents will eat them alive if we go tell them now." The aqua na'vi expressed, eyes zoned in at the horizon and not at Neteyam.

"In the meantime let's wait, Lo'ak has to come back for his ikran, and when they do we'll interrogate them more." Neteyam sighed already feeling the exhaustion on his body so he settled down a couple feet from Ao'nung. The sand felt nice and warm against his skin and it made it harder to fight back the tiredness behind his eyes. After all, the last time he was able to rest well was when he was back home. Ao'nung took note of this when Neteyam's head started to hang low, allowing his long neatly braided hair to cascade down along his shoulders to the front of his face.

"When was the last time you slept, forest boy?"

The Metkayina boy saw the instant his ears twitched and perked up at the mention of the infamous nickname. Neteyam directed a scowl toward him and flinged some sand at his feet.

"Did you not grow up these pass years?" He questioned. Although Ao'nung didn't use that nickname on Neteyam that much during their stay, his siblings, especially Lo'ak did come underfire from it more. It was almost a second name to the Sully children to Ao'nung.

Ao'nung instead smirked at the dark na'vi and eyed Neteyam's slimmer form in a mocking way.

"I did, more than what you've grown," Neteyam's quick and irritated hiss only fueled Ao'nung to tease him even more. "Since you're the eldest, I almost thought Lo'ak was you, seeing how big he is compared to you."

The reef boy could feel the anger radiating off the other and he was expecting Neteyam to fight back however, he got up to his feet and stormed off to the green vegetation ahead without a single word. Ao'nung watched the way his braided hair swayed as he walked.

Ao'nung bit his tongue, he may of crossed the line with Neteyam but he wanted those stunning yellow eyes to glare him down. When he first arrived he had felt a flick of a spark deep down by being completely captured and caught off guard all in one from the eldest growth and beauty. It was obvious he had taken after his mother, he already resembled her in some ways but now after many years he grew to be more breathtakingly beautiful if it were anymore possible. Ao'nung was never one to take likings to any na'vi, so why was he consumed with instant regret the moment he saw the swift shift of dejection in those golden eyes.

Chapter Text

A'onung's gaze remained where Neteyam's figure had disappeared. He had to admit, he rarely ventured out into the forest, most of his people hardly ever do. He had no need to because his duties were in the waters. So he wasn't well versed about its inhabitants and the dangers within it. A'onung's worrisome thoughts soon became too loud for the safely of Neteyam hence why he found himself currently rushing into some dense thicket in search for the darker na'vi. His feet met mossy rocks as he pushed aside big plants in his path, the crashing waves now a background sound the more he maneuvered his way deeper. It was like stepping into a different world.

Luckily for Ao'nung, his search was over when he spotted Neteyam sitting against a big tree with his eyes closed, his stripped blue arms were crossed across his chest and his legs laid out with his ankles crossed too.

Did he manage to fall asleep in the short duration it took Ao'nung to get here? A'onung thought to himself, stepping closer to the other, Neteyam's slightly larger ears were motionless to the noises around them and Ao'nungs footsteps weren't quiet either. As he came closer, he took his seat just a few inches away from him, resting his head back on the bark of the tree too and listened to anything that sounded like danger. Which was hard to, not knowing what was actually dangerous, his listening capabilities were average compared to the Sullys advanced ones. But he figured it was better than nothing than having a vulnerable sleeping na'vi alone all defensiveless.

The Metkayina boy's attention snapped over to see Neteyam's head began to slowly roll and settle in a rather uncomfortable position. Now his sleeping face was facing Ao'nung, if he stayed any longer in that position he knew his neck would be sore when he awakened.

For the sake of saving himself from Tsireya's nagging about Neteyam's well being, Ao'nung reluctantly inched closer until their shoulders met. He then with his breath held in, gently beckoned the sleeping boy's head to rest his cheek against his shoulder.

Now the problem was to stay completely still however, Ao'nung's heart was pounding loud in his chest, all he could hear was his heart rate and nothing else. He silently hoped this would be a quick nap.

..........

Minutes turned to hours and before Ao'nung knew the sun had set with only the bioluminescence from the forest offering the two na'vi light. During Neteyam's slumber he had somehow managed to lay his head on Ao'nung thick thigh. He had converted to be the Omatikayan's own personal pillow and his joints were screaming for him to move. The moment he sees Tsireya she's done for.

As if Neteyam could sense Ao'nung's long discomfort he suddenly began to wake up.

Neteyam started by turning to lay on his back and released a big yawn. Ao'nung quietly observed him with awestruck eyes. One of the things he secretly grew to like about the Omatikayas were the number of freckles that illuminated their faces and bodies. They had a higher count than the Metkayina, and each of them showcased a different and unique intricate design. The one he came to admire was right in front of him. His aqua eyes followed the trail his freckles made along the sides of his nose bridge. The apple of his cheeks were scattered too with big and tiny ones down to his lips.

Neteyam was glowing and Ao'nung suddenly wanted to trace the lines his freckles created with his finger.

Two radiating yellow eyes stared up at him in utter bewilderment before it finally settled to Neteyam and he sat up so fast Ao'nung was sure it probably gave him light headedness.

"What are you doing here? You were suppose to keep watch for our siblings return." He tried to argue with a raspy voice.

A'onung fought back his laughter that dared to escape.

"We didn't agree to that, besides, I couldn't let you walk into unknown territory just for you to fall asleep." He explained, eyes almost wavering to center on those glitter like freckles around his lips.

Neteyam rolled his eyes in response. His plan was to take a breather and escape away from the irritating lighter na'vi and the whole messy situation his brother brought upon him. It didn't make it any easier to wake up and see the person he least wanted to see at the moment.

"Thank you, but I can take care of myself." He implied as he stood up on his feet and started to walk away.

A'onung was quick to get up on his feet as well and trail behind the smaller na'vi, whose thin tail was stretched out fully, a clear sign to keep the taller away at a distance.

"Do you even know where you're going, mighty warrior?" His eyes gravitated away from the distracting blue tail to stare down the back of Neteyam's head. One attentive large ear twitched back at the mention of the nickname but never glanced back at the Metkayina and chose to ignore his question too.

Neteyam navigated the dense flora with calculated quiet steps, his slim body moved with ease and only stopped to sniff at the air carrying the salt of the ocean and continued to guide them the right way back. Ao'nung, too focused on trying not to fall behind and watching where he stepped almost led him to crash into Neteyam who had come to a halt to give an annoyed glare.

"You're footsteps are too loud," He snapped back, yellow eyes pointed down at Ao'nung's teal finned legs and feet. "We're lucky we're not dead yet because of you."

Ao'nung's lips formed a smirk at the blue na'vi's sudden outburst. "Don't worry, son of Toruk Makto, I'll fight off anything with my size." He replied with too much cockiness it made Neteyam roll his glowing yellow eyes yet again.

"With what weapon?" He challenged back, his voice hinting with amusement toward the end because of the ridiculous answer Ao'nung decided to answer with. Even himself he would never venture out without his handy bow and arrows in hand in the jungles of his home. Yet this one time he had forgotten to unload them from his ikran. He blames Lo'ak.

Something influenced Ao'nung to carefully tread closer to Neteyam. Maybe it was the way his golden eyes stayed locked on him, trying to decipher his next move, or with their differents of heights along with the itch to show off to him that made him flex the muscles in his toned bicep. "I'll wrestle anything with these." He said as he watched Neteyam's gaze flicker down at the movement shown at him.

Neteyam observed the Metkayina's bicep now inked in black, although he had to admit he found it a bit impressive at how much his body was able to change, it didn't mean anything if Ao'nung only thought strength was the solution to everything. Neteyam had to train his brain, train his ears to hear even the faintest sound when he hunted and precisely track down his prey, train his eyes to spot and pinpoint his moving target to shoot without a miss. So while his bluer body wasn't as big like a Metkayina, his father, or even Lo'ak, he made it up with his advanced abilities passed down from his mother.

"Yeah, good luck with that." Neyetam snickered, wanting to end the conversation as he turned and resumed to follow the invisible path.

Ao'nung was quick now to catch up to the other, matching the long strides beside Neteyam.

"I'm to be the next Olo'eyktan, strength is important if I'm to lead my village soon." He commented.

That sparked Neteyam's curiosity.

The sound of the waves was getting nearer the more they walked and once their feet touched sand with the view of the shore just ahead Neteyam was able to breath again in relief, his pace slowing down a bit to question the other.

"If you are to be Olo'eyktan soon, you are mated then?"

Neteyam wondered if it was any of the females he had come to know in their family's short time here, there were times where Neteyam caught sight of various young females and even males always crowding around the reef prince. It wouldn't be surprising at the numerous offers Ao'nung had received to become his promised one when he took over his father. This only proved more how Neteyam at his age would be stuck alone and without a mate.

Ao'nung hesitated his next words, his shame evident in his expression as he spoke. A look Neteyam had never come across before that made him absolutely flabbergasted.

"I don't have anyone promised to me," His light aqua eyes turned to look down at Neteyam. A singular beaded braid had moved in front of his face and he wanted to tuck it away behind those big animated ears. A gesture anyone would do he tried to reason to himself in his head. "I told my parents to let me choose my mate." He admitted, a confession only a few na'vi knew, as in only Tsireya and Roxto.

"The village only knows that my mate is to be revealed during my ceremony, until then I have to find them." Ao'nung finished off.

A small weight was released from Ao'nung's shoulders. It was either a massive mistake telling Neteyam his ongoing secret or the best thing he did in that moment but he figured out of all of the Sully siblings that were the most trustworthy and capable of carrying his secret with them was the eldest of the bunch. He saw the slight shift in Neteyam's face as the other listened, big yellow eyes held his own in nothing but pure empathy. It made his breath hitch knowing someone else could understand how he felt.

Neteyam broke their long stare to hang his head low, his braided hair falling forward to create a curtain which made it harder for Ao'nung to keep his eyes on Neteyam's illuminated face.

"My mother has been trying to help me find a mate," His tone had become softer and much quieter. "Says I'm of the age to already have one." Without being able to observe what kind of expression Neteyam had on, it was made clear that this was something the blue na'vi barely spoke of by the flattening of his ears and the way he was voicing it to Ao'nung.

"But I told her to let me choose, that I'll find them on my own when the time comes."

Their confessions were out at last, the subtle breeze that hit them carried their words into the starry night sky. It was at this moment, as the two eldest in their families, realized just how similar they were. They both wanted the freedom to pick their own mate, to develop soild true feelings with them. To fall deep in love with them, a feeling both of them wanted to experience from the stories of their own parents they each told them when they were mere kids.

They had come to a stop just a few feet from the calm rolling waves, offering them a comfortable silence as Neteyam lifted his head finally, but with his braids still in his face. Ao'nung's long urge to tuck those braids away won in the end, his large finned hand moved before his mind could process what he was doing. His fingers gently gathered the braids to place behind Neteyam's motionless ears all while Neteyam remained frozen in place, eyes wide like saucers at Ao'nung's unexpected tender action. Aqua eyes held his golden ones and immediately seeing the hidden hints of green now that he knew it was there.

A loud splash of water was the thing that made them snap back to reality again. The smaller letting out a not needed cough but Ao'nung was able to catch the blush that quickly blossomed on his cheeks as the other went to turn his head in the direction where the splash was heard.

"Lo'ak! Get your skxawng ass here, right now!" Neteyam shouted all of a sudden that caught Ao'nung off guard with a flinch.

Tsireya and Lo'ak had returned as they rode the ilu closer to where they were able to hop off, hand in hand the rest of the way. Once they were on shore Neteyam wasted no time in reaching up to slap the back of his brother's head, like a parent would to their misbehaving child.

"Explain everything now." He commanded, his thin finger pointing at Lo'ak in his chest with each word he said.

..........

They had settled to sit below one of the giant uplifted roots from the mangrove of the forest. The tension was heavy and thick with Neteyam drilling holes to Lo'ak's hanging head with his stare and Ao'nung doing the same to Tsireya.

"Speak." Ao'nung was the first to talk, his words mostly directed toward Lo'ak than his sister.

Lo'ak let out an exhaled before deciding to speak, his smaller yellow eyes avoiding the stare down that the two older na'vis were giving him currently.

"I came to visit Tsireya a month after we had returned back home," He responded. Tsireya's finned hand came to land on Lo'ak forearm in a reassuring manner.

"He didn't come back to see me until a few eclipses ago," She took over, her small ears pinned down as she continued. "We mated then because we realized we were meant to be together. No matter the differences."

Neteyam and Ao'nung shared a look at each other briefly once the truth was brought to light at last.

"Do you understand mother will have us hanged by our tails, Lo'ak." Neteyam once more reminded how deep in trouble both of them were in. Lo'ak glanced up at his brother and gave a slight shook of his head in disagreement. "She won't know if we don't tell her about this."

Neteyam's dry chuckle resonated loud within their circle despite how low and quiet it was actually. A'onung took his turn in speaking now as it seemed Neteyam was too busy containing his anger in silence to proceed. He caught Tsireya's big pleading eyes already staring at him.

"You are daughter of Olo'eyktan and to be promised to a worthy warrior in our village, Tsireya. You can not be mated to an outsider who is not even Metkayina—." He could barely finish his lecture before his sister's voice interrupted him.

"We can if we love each other brother, Eywa has already accepted us as mates." She argued back to him.

Lo'ak turned to his older brother. "Bro, our parents were the same, our father was human when he met mother and their love was forbidden. But Eywa chose them to be together." He tried to reason, hoping it would work.

It appeared like it did work because Neteyam let out a sigh pretty much in defeat and Ao'nung couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"Let's say we keep your secret, what happens then when Tsireya is to meet her promised mate or when our parents discover you leaving night after night?"

'"Then we tell them the truth." At Lo'ak's nonchalant comeback Neteyam reached over to slap the back of his head again, this time a little harder than the first time. "You skxawng! They will skin us first right after mother hangs us by our tails! Take this seriously Lo'ak."

Lo'ak broke out a hiss now annoyed than ever. "I just told you that we tell both our parents the truth."

"And do you really think they will instantly accept you two to be mates?" Neteyam retaliated straight away. His little brother's unresponsiveness made the answer obvious. It shut down any counter he could've made with the tightening of his lips in a frown. They sat in another tense silence, one that allowed Ao'nung to steal a glance over at a distressed Neteyam in the meantime. Tsireya captured the second her brother's focus shifted to Lo'ak's brother. Her brother's eyes lingering too long on Neteyam that raised questions in her mind.

"I won't stop seeing Tsireya." Lo'ak confidently stated, placing his five fingered hand onto her teal one that was resting on his forearm still, her lighter eyes turning to see him as he did so.

The eldest both understood just how hopeless it was in making them see the dire position they were sitting. Their valid arguments weren't getting across in their heads and it was now exhausting trying to fight them on it, so Neteyam rose up to end their small meeting.

"I know you won't, that's why Ao'nung and I will keep you both under surveillance." This Ao'nung was not made aware. He had his own duties that require his full presence. He didn't want or have the time to babysit her sister and Lo'ak. Except, the more Ao'nung thought about it he would be able to see Neteyam.

Speaking of Neteyam, his big golden eyes had come to stare at Ao'nung, waiting for his agreement.

"Just keep my little sister away from your troubles. Then I'll see if I can tolerate you a bit more."

Lo'ak uttered a foreign word under his breath that Ao'nung couldn't comprehend the meaning of it but Neteyam did and he resulted in kicking sand at Lo'ak.

"Be grateful we're not telling our parents about this, Lo'ak," Neteyam mentioned, deeply frowning down at his brother. He desperately wanted to take another nap once they returned back. "I think we're done here, let's go back home."

..........

Chapter Text

"I think it is best for you to wait til sunrise." Tsireya suggested, her worry manifesting in her expression. She was looking right at Neteyam with those big eyes and Neteyam found himself hesitating, almost reconsidering her advice. Though he reckon Lo'ak had experience knowing his way back home through the night.

"I don't fly until sunrise." Lo'ak mentioned, shattering Neteyam's train of thought, and hopes and dreams in the process.

Neteyam caught his brother's eyes next. He just wanted to return home and sleep in his own beloved mat and it seemed like his face was translating exactly that desired feeling. Lo'ak apparently found his face amusing when his lips broke into a grin.

"I'm serious, it's pitch darkness out there, it's not safe to fly believe me." He added. Lo'ak had tried flying back during night time once, but it ultimately resulted in him getting lost because he couldn't tell where he was going and came straight back to Tsireya in the end.

A'onung who was keeping unusually quiet all this time eventually rose to his feet. His precious and valuable time could be needed somewhere else, like spending it on sleeping the remaining hours he had left prior to waking up before village life. The more he waited around listening to this headache of a mess, the less he would get to sleep.

"Ao'nung, where are you going?" Tsireya questioned her eyes following her retreating older brother walking to the shore.

"I'm leaving, village life starts early and we both have duties of our own, Tsireya. They can figure this out on themselves." Ao'nung waved them off dismissing himself from the group. His typical impertinent attitude reappearing. Neteyam couldn't understand how they were able to hold a conversation together and nearly connected with their similar obligations hours ago. That tiny glimmer of hope that Neteyam gained from that Ao'nung stepped all over it and kicked it out to sea.

As Ao'nung waited for Tsireya to join him along, his patience was rapidly decreasing as she persisted to holding onto Lo'ak, not wanting to depart so sudden. The two shared words but Neteyam's sharp ears weren't able to pick up on it due to the waves muffling them. It was then that Tsireya turned to her irritated brother and stood her ground.

"I am staying here until sunrise, my duties can wait." She replied firmly, never moving an inch forward.

"Tsireya let's go." Ao'nung loudly announced. He wasn't taking no for an answer and he wasn't leaving without her younger sister either, no matter if she wanted to continue being persistent. The siblings needed to return home and have a deep discussion over this without the Omatikayan's around.

"We are leaving now, that is an order!" His booming voice made everyone flinch out of instinct, with ears drooping down as well. Ao'nung had the absolute nerve to use his commanding voice right now and Neteyam fought the impulse to bow his head in surrender, it would be too humiliating. Instead he shot the taller na'vi daggers with his yellow eyes from where he was.

"Fish lips she said she's staying!" Lo'ak shouted back. As if the tension wasn't high enough already Lo'ak had to make things worse with bringing up the nickname he had developed for the reef na'vi.

A'onung retaliated with an angry hiss, baring his fangs ready to tackle his dumb brother. As much as Neteyam wouldn't mind letting Ao'nung knock some sense into Lo'ak right now, he was fed up with everything and just wanted to leave.

So Neteyam made the call for his ikran and disregarded the two na'vis throwing insults back and forth at each other. Poor Tsireya was caught in between, but luckily the shrill scream of his ikran coming into view managed to pause their on going bickering and recoil back as his ikran made a landing and dusted them with sand, mostly at Ao'nung. Neteyam wasted no time in making the bond and immediately hopped on. "Lo'ak let's go." Was all Neteyam said.

Lo'ak knew there was no room for negotiations by the sound of his brother's monotone voice. Plus the look Neteyam was giving him reminded him of his mother, one he got whenever he tested their patience.

Miraculously they found their way back home in one piece. The journey worn them out completely that as soon as their bodies hit their mats they passed out from sleep and luckily for them their family hadn't been present when they arrived because Neteyam didn't have an ounce of energy left to give their parents an explanation on their whereabouts. For now he slept.

Kiri and Tuk ventured back to their tent while discussing the findings that Tuk discovered in a small brook. Her pouch settled on her hip was weighted down with various new seeds, pebbles, and river stones for her ever growing collection. Tuk had found one particular stone that was perfect just for Neteyam's new bracelet she was working on. Tuk's pure excitement to show the eldest brother the stone put a smile on Kiri but soon her nose took a whiff of something salty and her yellow eyes landed on her two brothers sleeping. The two had been missing for some time and their unforeseen appearance back raised many questions. She could understand Lo'ak's absence since he often chose to wander around and not return for several nights yet Neteyam was a different case. He was always the first one to step foot back after a day of duties with his father.

Tuk was also taken back at the sight because she suddenly stopped her rambling and then a wide, joyous grin broke out on her face.

"Neteyam's back!" She exclaimed happily, completely disregarding how booming her voice was and achieved to disturb the sleep out of the two na'vis. The youngest bounced her way to Neteyam's side and took a seat, her pouch in her lap and a hand inside ready to show him her findings of the day.

Neteyam rubbed away the sleep before squinting his eyes up for his view to be of a smiling Tuk. Beside him Lo'ak let out a groan of being woken up.

Kiri crossed her thin arms and made a clearing of her throat to gather everyone's attention.

"Where have you two been? You guys smell like you've been swimming in salt?" She asked as her face scrunched up. Neteyam managed to sit up and offered a soft pat to the top of Tuk's braided head. Now, he knew he wasn't the cause of the smell since the main culprit of his brother had spent time in the salty water so, his eyes whipped over to Lo'ak as to allow him take the heat on this one.

All yellow eyes turned to Lo'ak, awaiting his answer.

However, whatever possessed Neteyam to think it was a good idea to let Lo'ak speak on their behalf made him almost face palm and regret it instantly when Lo'ak nonchalantly replied to Kiri.

"We did, it helps with the skin." Lo'ak completely flat out lied to her, knowing full well that it didn't and Kiri knew that. But Kiri played along with Lo'ak's lie because she always found it amusing to see him flustered and cornered within any lie he came up.

"So you two have been soaking in salt all this time and didn't offer an invite?" She gasped pretending to be fake hurt by her brother's actions though Tuk did appear to be offended.

"I wanna come along!"

"Tuk no one is going anywhere, I simply tagged along with him and we lost track of time. We had to wash off by the ocean but that's it." Neteyam responded. He played his words safe and kept calm under Kiri's examining eyes. It was the best answer he could come up with to not make Kiri so suspicious of their absence. She studied them for a moment her golden eyes switching between the two before seeming to accept Neteyam's answer at last.

"Well, I'm glad you two made it back, mother was starting to worry." Kiri resumed what she had ventured back to do, grabbing some herbs and other supplies to bring back to her grandmother. They had to make more healing ointment because the returning hunting party earlier had a run in with a group of viperwolves. Fortunately no one got severely injured only a few scratches that would heal in the following days.

"Lo'ak will be sure to speak with them, isn't that right baby bro?" He firmly stated just in time for Lo'ak to whip his head so fast in shock with an almost pleading look replacing his once sleepy eyes.

"Neteyam—"

"Tuk did you want to show me something?" He said turning his focus and body to Tuk who was patiently waiting while rummaging through her little pouch. Her face quickly brightened up again and she nodded her head before digging her hand in search for his new stone.

"She would not stop talking about it." Kiri added from where she was siting.

"Only because it's perfect for Neteyam!" She argued back, sticking her tongue out before Neteyam could notice and scold her for it. Kiri just rolled her yellow eyes, gathered her supplies and left without another word. Meanwhile, Lo'ak came to stand in front of the two."You say that about every pretty pebble you find Tuk."

"But this is prettier than the others! Plus I had to get my hands dirty to get this one so it was totally worth it." Tuk tried to justify herself. She took Neteyam’s larger hand and settled the stone right in the middle of his open palm. Both Lo'ak and Neteyam's yellow eyes landed on the turquoise rock, its color very oddly similar to an oceanic clan they came know. In fact, the more Neteyam examined it and moved it around in his palm he could see tiny swirls within comparable to the wavy patterns that the Metkayina had. The stone was quick to be snatched from him by Lo’ak who held it up in front of his face instead with Neteyam’s glare going unnoticed.

“Show me where you found this and I’ll do your chores for a day.” Lo’ak said while continuing to admire the teal stone.

“Make it a week and it’s a done deal.” Tuk bargained as she crossed her thin arms to appear more assertive. That made Lo’ak finally snap his eyes down at Tuk and then the two began a random staring contest which ultimately resulted in Tuk winning and a defeated Lo’ak groaning at what he got himself into. Tuk displayed a wide prideful smile as she closed up her pouch and stood, reaching up to grab Neteyam’s stone out of his hand and returned it back to her older brother.

..........

While Lo’ak and Tsireya left to do who knows what, not that Neteyam was even remotely curious, he sat himself in a large flat rock close to the crashing waves and got to work on his new anklet. Just before they left he made sure to pack everything that he needed the night of. A wide leaf was laid out to his side containing all of the materials and the sun provided him the perfect light so he didn’t have to squint as much trying to put his beads in. Unfortunately, his progression was cut short by a big looming shadow blocking the sun. He didn’t even have to glance up to know that the shadow belonged to Ao’nung.

“You are preventing me from working.” He said keeping his head down and tried to resume once again, not wanting to give Ao’nung his attention. But then from the corner of his eyes he saw Ao’nung sit right next to him as if Neteyam had inviting him to join him. He tucked a few stranded braids behind his ear and casted a look over at him. Ao’nung’s aqua eyes were already studying Neteyam as if he was awaiting some type of response then his eyes shifted down to Neteyam’s slender blue hands.

“What are you working on?” He questioned, eyes narrowing on the unfinished anklet. Instead of answering back he lifted it up and showed it off before continuing to thread and interweave the various beads in his design, his braids cascading down and making him stop to tuck it away. Ao’nung watched Neteyam slowly grow annoyed little by little from his braids getting in the way. It was amusing to watch every time Neteyam had to stop just to brush his braids away so out of pure pity and nothing more, he thought to himself, he dug into his small pouch by his hip and then cleared his throat. Neteyam glanced over with a small furrow to his forehead.

“Use this for your braids.” Ao’nung offered. Neteyam eyed the tie and instead of grabbing it he simply declined by gathering all of his braids to one side of his shoulder.

Ao’nung signed at Neteyam’s sudden stubbornness, not liking his hospitality being disregarded by the other. Therefore, before Neteyam could even refuse and act out he got behind the blue na’vi and took his neatly long braids into a ponytail.

Well, a rather loose one. One shook of his head and he could feel it come undone. "Have you ever in your life done a ponytail?" Neteyam questioned in complete bafflement.

" Why do you have so much hair?" He instead had the audacity to answer with watching as the other redid his hair effortlessly into a more secure and tight hold before resuming his bead work.

"I stopped cutting it years ago though my hair is much longer without the braids." Neteyam stated fully immersed into carefully threading in his beads now that his hair wasn't bothering him. The rolling waves crashing into the shore offered them a pleasant ambiance as the taller of the two just sat there observing Neteyam in his little project with a bead between his teeth so he could tie off an end.

"Can you show me some day?"

A'onung's voiced out unassuming of the implication of what that truly meant to an Omatikayan. The little bead that was settled between his teeth took its chance of Neteyam's gasp and made him go into a violent coughing rage. It was like the bead and Ao'nung were working together in secret to result in Neteyams downfall. A big and sudden smack connected with his back and out came the rebellious tiny bead lodging his throat. A couple more coughs well, mostly to try and hold off the purple flush currently engulfing his face. He could not believe what the other was asking of him. Surely he knew and this was all a devious plan to witness Neteyam lose his cool composure.

Golden eyes soon turned to manifest a menacing glare. "You do not just ask that without knowing its meaning!" Each word said he stabbed his finger into the Metkayina's chest wanting it to hurt or at least bring him some discomfort.

A'onung's aqua eyes only glowed with merriment. "Well why not?" He challenged. With the way Neteyam was responding he couldn't let it fly by his curiosity was urging him to push the small na'vi more. "Is it only for certain special occasions?"

"Exactly now I wish to move on from this topic." Neteyam declared beginning to pack his belongings into his sack. The faster he moved the faster he could escape this embarrassing and aggravating conversation.

Its clear that their customs were vastly different to each other without a doubt and maybe he did overreacted a bit and Ao'nung was just asking out of pure curiosity but the amusing grin plastered on his face told him otherwise. With everything packed away in his satchel he got to his feet and called out to his ikran. He really wanted to make some progress on the anklet today but it seems Eywa had other plans for him today like dealing with a bothersome reef boy. Speaking of, a large hand captured his wrist in a means to halt Neteyam’s motives to leave.

Their height difference really was impressive and a lot to take in so much that Neteyam had to crane his head just to look at Ao'nung and his always present smug grin. "Fine fine, I'm sorry just dont leave yet." He uttered, his voice almost sounding pleading like and quiet toward the end. Neteyam studied the other just as he felt a big gust of wind and a loud screech behind him from his beloved ikran coming to his rescue. He watched how the Metkayina flinched ever so slightly and his aqua light eyes flickered between Neteyam and his ikran currently screaming at him.

Meanwhile, his wrist was still being held hostage.
So Neteyam eyed his hand before letting out a small cough which he finally reacted and swiftly released his wrist like it had sent a volt of energy through him. With both of his hands now free he could soothe and reassure his ikran to relax, giving it gentle rubs along its strong neck and jaw.

"You make it really hard to stay." He replied glancing a look back at the reef na'vi. A'onung met his golden ones filled with resolve in keeping the other from leaving. "At least until my sister returns. I have to make sure she arrives the same way she left."

Neteyam gave him a warning glare at Ao'nung's last comment and it seemed his beloved ikran also disliked it because it let out a loud shriek out of intimation directly to the taller of the two. Stomping its hooked talons onto the sand and as much as seeing Ao'nung retreat back slowly in surrender and flinching each time a shrill filled their ears made him grin, Neteyam was quick to calm his friend down with gentle rubs and shushed words. Words that Ao'nung could not make out. His aqua eyes observed the two from a couple of feet back and to his surprise the ikran flew away after the exchange.

Now the two oldest siblings stood there a good distance away from each other in utter silence. The smaller na'vi was the first to speak.

"Take back what you said about Lo'ak." He stated while kicking some sand at him. The sand barely even reached Ao'nung so he tried again with a bit more force until the sand landed on the others teal feet. A small victory but he'll take it. A'onung just watched him with that same smug grin, his words laced with sudden amusement. "Take back what? That your little brother is troublesome? Because he is."

"If Neteyam wasn't already sending daggers with his golden stare he would've kicked more sand at him. Ao’nung was on a mission today to annoy him, like every other day actually but Neteyam was the more mature one of the two it seemed like so he just shook his head and sighed. "Lo'ak worships Tsireya. He probably would lay his body across a puddle of water so she wouldn't have to step on it. He truly loves her and she loves him, you have to see and accept that." He knew his brothers ways occasionally could be considered reckless and maybe often times idiotic but he also knows that he has a big heart within. Nothing could come between them and Neteyam although still reluctant and iffy about this whole situation has to learn to trust in Lo'ak and believe that Eywa chose this path for his younger brother.

"Maybe that's true, but you and your brother are omatikayans we are metkayina we're already too different." Ao'nung responded his aqua eyes breaking away from Neteyam to gaze in the crashing of the waves behind them.

There was a beat of silence as they watched and took in the sounds of the ocean from where they stood. Neteyam's voice was quiet and sincere but it was loud enough when he spoke.

"Or maybe what really matters is in here." A slender finger pointed toward his heart and his yellow eyes took a glance up briefly. "What you feel inside with the one you love."

A'onung remained quiet beside him with an unreadable expression, almost like he was actually taking in Neteyam's words or choosing to disregard him either way he didn't care. A'onung would never see it the same way, his stubbornness and massive ego would act first than comprehend. With the turmoil happening inside Neteyam's head he missed the moment the metkayina's eyes softened ever so slightly.