Chapter Text
Neteyam blinked awake, stretching out under the heavy cover. For a moment, the house felt perfectly still—until he heard the rapid footsteps outside the door & sighed. He turned his head, expecting to see Ao’nung beside him, but he wasn’t.
“Good morning beautiful,” Ao’nung said with a toothbrush in his mouth. He only had his pants on, the Calvin Klein logo peaking out.
Neteyam groaned, flipping onto his stomach. “Come back into the bed.”
Ao’nung laughed around the toothbrush, leaning against the bathrooms doorframe, foam threatening to drip down his lip. “I didn’t want to wake you.”
Neteyam peeked up at him from the pillow, squinting.
Ao’nung turned around to spit in the sink, rinsed, then wiped his mouth as he walked towards the bed—still shirtless, his curly hair in a messy bun, the morning like catching the muscles in his shoulder. He leaned one knee on the mattress.
Neteyam reached for him immediately, fingers curling around the others wrist. “Please,” he whispered, “it’s cold in here without you.”
Ao’nung softened, crawling on the bed until he was hovering over him. “You’re so clingy in the morning.”
Neteyam tugged him down by the waistband, bringing him closer. “It’s hard not to be when you look like this in the morning.”
Ao’nung smirked, settling beside him. “I look good?”
“Mhm,” Neteyam hummed, scooting in closer.
Ao’nung held his chin up & planted a peck on Neteyam’s lips.
Neteyam smiled into the kiss, the warmth of it settling over him. When Ao’nung pulled back, he nudged their foreheads together, thumb brushing the corner of Neteyam’s mouth.
“You’re cute when you wake up,” Ao’nung murmured. “All sleepy & pouty.”
“I do not poute,” Neteyam protested.
Ao’nung snorted. “You do it all the time.”
Neteyam swatted at his chest but immediately tucked himself back into Ao’nung’s side.
Ao’nung wrapped an arm around his shoulders, fingers tracing the small vitiligo patch. “We can’t stay like this for long, your grandma—“
“Breakfast is ready! And if you two are still sleeping, I’m eating your food!” Lo’ak’s voice exploded from the hallway.
Neteyam groaned into Ao’nung’s chest, rumbling from Ao’nung’s laughter.
Ao’nung kissed the top of his head, pushing off the bed, getting up. “I have to get up anyways, your dad wants to get to the tree market early.”
“Typical,” Neteyam said, rolling onto his back, staring at the ceiling like it offended him. “He says that every year.”
“But now I have to hear it,” Ao’nung said, reaching for his shirt. Neteyam makes a wounded noise as the shirt covers his warm skin. “& I don’t want to make a bad impression in front of your dad.”
Neteyam groaned and sat up slowly, rubbing his eyes. “Fine, fine—I’m getting up.” He stretched dramatically, then pointed. “But after today? We’re sleeping in.”
Ao’nung grinned, leaning down to kiss the corner of his mouth. “We’ll see.”
Neteyam swerved his away from the kiss as they stepped into the hallway. Ao’nung trying to free his curls from the ponytail—the smell of frying sausage & cinnamon hit them at once.
Ao’nung inhaled. “Your grandma’s trying to kill me.”
“With love,” Neteyam said, nudging him toward the stairs.
They reached the bottom just as Mo’at swept through the kitchen entrance, carrying a tray of sliced fruit.
She looked up, smiling. “Good morning, boys.”
Aonung straightened instinctively, hands behind his back. “Good morning ma’am.”
She reached out & patted Ao’nung’s cheek, shoving a plate in his hand. “This one is a refreshing change in this house.”
Lo’ak, already at the table with a plate full of food, pointed his fork. “Hey—“
Mo’at didn't even look at him. “Especially compared to your brother.”
Neteyam turned back, sticking out his tongue at his little brother.
“Sit, sit,” Mo’at said, shooing them toward the table. “Eat before your father gets down here..”
Ao’nung shot Neteyam a sideways look. Neteyam just shrugged hopelessly, walking to the breakfast table with Kiri, Ährro & Lo’ak.
It wasn’t his problem this year. Jake would micromanage everything & go into these long speeches in the car on why it was important for them to be up at 8 sharp to get to the market that opens at 10:30.
Every year, they got there at 9:30 tops, leaving a whole hour of Lo’ak complaining about how much his feet hurt, or how cold his hands were after refusing to bring himself some gloves, or him & Jake arguing over getting hot chocolate. It never fails, but it was family; so you just had to endure it.
Neteyam could already hear it—Jake stomping around upstairs, probably looking for his wallet & gloves.
“Good morning family,” They heard Tsu’tey’s voice coming from the last stair step.
They all said good morning in unison, all of the young adults sounding out of it.
Mo’at lifted a brow. “You sound excited.”
“I already have the tree we’re picking in mind,” he said, smoothing his jacket. “It’s the best one & somehow it’s always gone ‘bout time we get to it.”
Lo’ak didn’t even look up from his plate. “Dude, it’s 8 a.m, & you’re this excited?”
Tsu’tey shrugged. “Nephew, tree day waits for no one.”
Ährro muttered under his breath, “Tell that to Uncle Jake,” just as Jake’s voice thundered from upstairs.
Tsu’tey grabbed a piece of toast from the table, nodding at Ao’nung. “Morning, nephew-in-law.”
Ao’nung froze mid-bite into his pancake, eyes going wide & a small smile growing on his face. “Uh—good morning,”
Heavy footsteps thudded down the staircase. Jake appeared at the bottom, coat on, scarf hanging off one shoulder, keys jingling in his pocket as he tried to tug on a glove.
“Morning,” he said quickly, successfully putting on a glove. “Alight, listen up—eat up, finish what’s on your plates, & let’s get moving. We need to be out the door in two minutes.”
Lo’ak groaned dramatically.
“Exactly,” Jake cuts in, pointing at him with a glove. “If we’re lucky, we can beat the crowd, get the tree Tsu’tey has in mind, & come home so your sisters & aunt can decorate it.”
Lo’ak slumped back in his chair. “Every year,” he muttered.
Jake ignored him, already moving toward the back door. “Let’s go boys. Tsu’tey, grab the toolkit—we end up needing it every year. Ao’nung—I hope you have the right clothing. It’s cold as hell out there.”
Ao’nung nodded. “Yes sir..”
Jake gave a sharp nod of approval, swinging the door open, the cold air sweeping into the kitchen. “The car’s already warming up. If you’re not in the driveway before me then, you’re staying home & I’m picking the tree myself.”
& Jake would nag all holiday about how hard it was to get the tree in the car by himself; which is the last thing they want to hear.
Ährro shoved the last of his pancake into his mouth muffling, “I’m coming, I’m coming!”
Lo’ak grabbed a handful of bacon on his way out. “It’s too early for this,” he complained, but followed anyway.
Tsu’tey slapped the back of his head. “Stop whining.”
Kiri smirked into her tea. “Have fun.”
Mo’at kissed their cheeks “goodbye” as they walked out the door.
Ao’nung hurried out of his seat, shoving his arms through his jacket sleeves. Neteyam stood up too, catching his wrist before he could bolt through the doorway.
“Wait—“ Neteyam tugged him close, lifting onto his toes enough to press a quick kiss to Ao’nung’s lips. “Be careful.”
Aonjng froze for half a second, eyes softening. “I will,” he whispered, a small closed mouth smile forming on his lips.
“Ao’nung!” Jake barked from outside voice carrying through the open door. “Let’s go!”
Ao’nung jolted. “Bye!” He sputtered, squeezing Neteyam’s hand once before darting out of the door.
Jake marched right behind him, disappearing into the cold after the rest of the men.
Neteyam stepped toward the doorway, watching as Ao’nung climbed into the car; Lo’ak teasing him already, Ährro laughing, & Jake waving out the window.
A warm hand touched Neteyam’s shoulder.
“He’ll be fine,” Mo’at said, gently. “They only growl. No bite.”
Neteyam huffed a quiet laugh, relaxing. “I know,” he murmured, still watching the car. “I just…I don’t know.”
‧₊˚🎄✩ ₊˚🦌⊹♡
The cold hit them the second Jake pulled into the lot. It was an outdoor outlet mall, the whole place was alive; with Christmas music muffling in the background of all the loud conversations, one of Salvation Army Santa jingling a bell near the entrance by the map, & cars filling up the parking lot by the second.
Jake parked with purpose, cutting the engine & already reaching for his door. Ao’nung climbed out of the car, the cold biting his cheeks, them going red immediately. Jake tossed him a glance.
“You good?” He asked.
Ao’nung nodded quickly. “Yeah. Just…never been somewhere this cold before.”
Ährro clapped him on the shoulder. “You better get used to it, pretty boy.”
Tsu’tey snorted, pulling his coat tighter. “Cold builds character.”
Jake shut the car door & clicked the lock, scanning the crowd. “Not too bad for the time.”
They moved through the stream of people, passing couples holding hands at chocolate stands & kids dragging their parents towards toy stores. Aonung kept his hands shoved in his pockets, shoulders slightly hunched against the cold.
Ährro leaned closer to him. “So, you enjoying your first official family Christmas errand, huh?”
Ao’nung let out a small laugh, steam coming out. “Guess so.”
“Don’t worry,” Lo’ak said. “If the old man yells at you, that means he likes you.”
Jake shot him a look without slowing down. “I heard that.”
Lo’ak just shrugged. “Just saying.”
They reached the edge of the tree lot, the overwhelming smell of pine hitting them immediately, rows of tall evergreens stretching out, & boxes of Christmas tree lights lined up. For the time, which was 4 minutes after the tree market opened, it wasn’t too crowded. Though, a lot of people were there, just compared to past times & how big the market was, it was a small crowd. Jake stopped & clapped his hands.
“We’re finding whatever tree Tsu’tey was talking about in the car,” Jake said, all business.
Tsu’tey smirked. “It’s hidden in the back somewhere.” He chimed in, leading the way.
Ährro, Ao’nung & Lo’ak trailed behind Jake & Tsu’tey as they headed deeper into the lot. The farther back they went, the less people were around & “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” by the Jackson 5 humming in the background.
“Speaking of kissing,” Lo’ak whispered so that the two ahead of them couldn’t hear. “You & Tey looked like y’all had a good time.”
Ao’nung nearly tripped over a tree stump. “We weren’t—“
Ährro snorted quietly. “Don’t worry. If Grandma or those old men catch y’all, you’d be done for.”
“Yeah,” Lo’ak said, rolling his eyes a little, “Neteyam is like their spoiled perfect child. Does everything right, always says the right things, never gets in trouble…”
Ao’nung glanced ahead at Jake & Tsu'tey, their backs turned as they inspected trees. “Your family’s…a lot.”
“If y’all were in high school,” Loak started, nodding towards Ährro, “that one would’ve gone off. He used to have a bad temper.”
Ährro shrugged. “The military humbles you.”
Ährro said it like a joke, but there was weight behind it. The military had taken the sharpest parts of him & dulled him down, just enough. He learned the hard way when he’d snapped back at one of his officers & the room had gone quiet after that. It took one good punishment for him to shut up & swallow his pride. Though, he still had his edge, still laughed & teased, but it was tempered now, grounded.
Lo’ak smirked. “That’s one way to put it.”
Ährro shot him a look. “Says the one who needs to go to the military. You can’t even take a correction without catching an attitude.”
“I take corrections just fine,” Lo’ak barked.
Up ahead, Jake straightened, eyeing the price tags with a wince. “These prices are getting higher & higher.”
Tsu’tey shook his head. “Relax. It’ll get good soon.”
Jake didn’t reply, just huffed.
The three behind them exchanged looks, then stepped closer. Weaving through trees until Tsu’tey came to a stop.
“This is the one,” he said, gripping a tall evergreen & pulling it slightly forward. “Look at it. Full, straight & it’ll fit perfectly in Mo’at’s living room.”
Lo’ak’s eyes lit up. “Yeah… it’s actually really pretty.”
Ao’nung nodded. “It looks strong.”
Jake circled slowly, inspecting the base, then glancing at the tab. His mouth twisted. “Prettiness must come with a price, apparently.”
The price tag was read & had 125 as the price, a black line across that with 123 set as the new price. It wasn’t necessarily a mark down, but that’s what every tree around them looked like.
As if on cue, a woman in a puffer coat with fur around the hood approached. “You folks need any help?”
Jake gestured towards the tree. “Uh..yeah. Is this really what it costs?”
Jake sighed, then took out his uniformed services card out his pocket, holding it between his fingers. “By any chance there’s a veterans discount?” he asked, in a polite tone, clearly hating to ask even though he earned the right to.
The woman’s expression softened immediately. “Oh, of course. Thank you for your service.” She pulled out a paper out of her jean pocket. “We can take ten percent off.”
It didn’t do much, only $12.30 off, but it was something.
She tore a piece of paper, scribbled military & the tree number, & handed it to Jake. “You guys have a merry Christmas.”
Jake nodded. “You too.”
As soon as she walked off, he looked back at the tag & sighed. “This is ridiculous,” he said, shaking his head. “Even with the discount, the price is still high.”
Tsu’tey chuckled. “Let’s get this tree in the car before he starts rethinking his decision.”
‧₊˚🎄✩ ₊˚🦌⊹♡
Back home, the house was already in full Christmas rotation.
Grandma Mo’at was with the twins, baking cookings for everyone.
Neteyam stood on a tall ladder outside carefully looping strings of white lights around the house’s gutters, humming softly as he worked, untangling the knots in the cords. Every so often he paused to look behind him, hoping to see his dad’s car with a tree on top. He just misses his boyfriend.
Tuk was outside with him, keeping him company while slightly bouncing her heel, also waiting for their dad’s car to pull into the driveway. She was in charge of decorating the tree, but there was no tree in the house.
Tuk pressed her face to hands. “Does it really take that long to get a tree?”
Neteyam climbed down the ladder to get more clips, looking over at her. “Dad is on his way,” he said gently. “Give it some time.”
Tuk sighed dramatically. “I wanna decorate now.”
“Patience,” Neteyam smiled, going back up the ladder. “You can’t rush Christmas.”
She rolled her eyes, but smiled anyway.
Inside, Neytiri & Sylwanin sat on the living room floor wrapping presents, surrounded by rolls of wrapping paper, ribbons & bows.
“Pass me the gold ribbon,” Neytiri said without looking up.
Sylwanin slid it over with his socked foot. “You should only use a little bit of tap, we’re going to run out & I’m blaming it on you.”
“I’m using the right amount of tap,” Neytiri hissed. “The box is just big.”
Kiri sat curled up on the couch nearby, legs tucked under her, half watching a Christmas movie, glancing at her mom & Aunt on the floor, unimpressed. “You two argue like you don’t do this every year,” she said.
“We do, do this every year,” Sylwanin replied, smoothing paper over a box. “And somehow every year, your mother wastes tape.”
Neytiri clicked her tongue but didn’t deny it, pressing the tape down with a little extra force. “If you bought more than 2 things of tape.”
From outside, Tuk’s voice floated inside through the cracked door. “Teyam— I think I heard a car!”
“False alarm,” he called back, laughing softly.
Tuk groaned loud enough to be heard from inside.
Kiri smirked. “She’s gonna lose her mind over a tree.”
Neytiri finally looked up, a small smile tugging at her lips. “She’s just excited. Let her be.”
Neteyam secured the last clip, gave the strand a gentle tug to make sure it held, then climbed down the ladder with a satisfied breath. He stepped back, hands on his hips admiring the way the lights look. “Alright,” he said, brushing his hands together. “I’m done.”
Tuk didn’t waste anytime for him to finish folding the ladder before darting towards the front door. Cold air rushed inside as Neteyam followed, shutting the door behind him with quickness. The warmth hitting them instantly.
“I’m all done,” Neteyam announced. “It took long enough.”
Neytiri glanced up from the floor. “Good. Come warm up before you both catch a cold.”
Tuk kicked off her shoes & plopped onto the couch beside Kiri. “They’re taking forever.”
Kiri snorted. “Maybe dad’s busy bossing them around on how to secure a tree on the top of a car.”
Neteyam laughed quietly, rubbing his hands together as he stepped into the warm living room, eyes drifting toward the window, still hoping to see the car pull in any minute now.
Sylwanin glanced up, eyes following Neteyam as he crossed the room. “You know,” she said softly, “you remind me so much of our dad.”
Neteyam looked up, surprised. “I do?”
Neytiri’s hands stilled, her expression softening. “You do,” she agreed. “You share his looks when you’re concentrating.”
Sylwanin smiled to herself. “Momma used to have to force him outside to put up lights around the house. He’d complain the whole time, but once he started, he’d hum some Luther Vandross song when he clipped them around the house.”
Sylwanin & Neytiri’s dad died just months after Ährro was born, while Neytiri was pregnant with Neteyam. The kids didn’t get to know him, only pieces of him from stitched together stories they heard, countless photographs on the wall, & moments like this.
Kiri glanced up from the couch, softer now. “Guess he lives on.”
Sylwanin nodded. “In more ways than one.”
The moment didn’t have time to settle long when they heard the front door knob rattled, followed by the sound of keys & bickering behind it.
Tuk shot up from the couch. “The tree!”
The door swung open, cold air rushing in along with the smell of pine. Jake’s voice carried first, already instructing the men, boots stomping inside
The top of the tree appeared next, wrapped tightly in a net, followed by Tsu’tey, Ährro & Ao’nung muscling it through the doorway. Lo’ak stumbled in last, struggling to keep his grip.
“It’s shedding already,” Lo’ak complained.
“Because you’re scraping it against the doorframe,” Jake snapped.
Tuk squealed. “It’s huge!”
Ao’nung’s looked over the tree’s branches, cheeks red from cold & jacket dusted with pine needles, his eyes finding Neteyam instantly, a small smile flashing before he turned back to steady the trunk.
“Easy,” Jake said, backing up. “Straight through the living room.”
They shuffled forward in a clumsy line, the tree brushing the ceiling just enough to make Sylwanin gasp. “You’re going to scrap the paint on the roof!” She warned.
“We’re fine,” Tsu’tey said, adjusting his grip. “Mostly.”
Neteyam laughed softly, moving furniture out the way, the house becoming loud again.
Jake guided them the rest of the way in, pointing sharply. “Left—no, your other left Lo’ak! Lift it up, lift it up.”
The tree bumped once against the frame to the living room before Tsu’tey corrected it, Lo’ak muttering under his breath. Pine needles scattered across the floor.
“There,” Ährro said, breathing a little hard. “Set it down.”
They lowered the tree into the stand with a dull thud. Jake crunched immediately, tightening the bolts while Ao’nung held the trunk steady.
“Don’t let it lean,” Jake warned.
“I’ve got it,” Ao’nung said, tightening his grip.
Neteyam stepped closer, brushing a few pine needles off Ao’nung’s shoulder. “You okay?”
Ao’nung nodded, eyes warm. “Yeah. Worth it.”
“Yall are so loud,” Mo’at’s voice cut in from the hallway. She stepped into the living room, eyes already taking in the mess on his floors. “I could hear you from the back of the house. It sounded like someone was losing a fight.”
Lo’ak muttered, “Felt like it.”
Her gaze landed in the tree, slow & deliberate. She nodded once. “You brought a real one this year.”
Tsu’tey puffed out his chest slightly, shooting Jake a look. “Told you this’d be a good pick.”
Mo’at stepped closer to the tree, touching one of the branches, needles firm beneath her fingers. “It’s strong,” she said. “Good shape. It’ll hold ornaments with sagging.”
Tuk beamed. “Can I decorate it now, Grandma?”
Mo’at gave her a look. “After the men clean up the mess in my living room.”
Ährro snapped his fingers. “I got it. I’ll go get the broom.”
Tuk jumped up off the sofa & grabbed the ornament move from the corner, nearly tripping over her own feet in excitement. “Finally! I’ve been waiting all day” She cheered, digging through the box.
Kiri laughed, standing to help her tear the lid open. “Careful. Those are older than you.”
Sylwanin resumed wrapping presents, stacking a box on top of nothing. “Start with the lights first, then ornaments— somebody help her.”
Jake brushed pine needles off his sleeves, already backing away onto the sofa. “I need to sit,” he said. “My back is killing me.”
Ährro returned with the broom, sweeping pine needles into a pile while Tsu’tey nudged furniture back into place, taking a seat next to Jake. Lo’ak helped half heartedly, kicking a few stray needles towards the piles with his sock.
Neteyam took the opportunity, gently catching Ao’nung by the wrist & ringing him a step to the side just out of everyone’s direct line of sight. He leaned in, voice low & soft. “I missed you,” he admitted, like it had been sitting there on his tongue all morning.
Ao’nung expression melted instantly. He smiled, just for Neteyam, thumb brushing over his knuckles. “I was gone for two hours, baby.”
Neteyam huffed quietly, rolling his eyes but smiling anyway. “Still,” he said, squeezing Ao’nung’s wrist once before letting his hand slide down to lace their fingers, hissing at their coldness. “Let me fix you something hot.”
Ao’nung shook his head. “No, I’m fine. I’m just now starting to warm up.”
Neteyam gave him a look. “No—you’re not fine,” he said seriously, pulling him into the kitchen.
Ao’nung laughed softly at his boyfriend pulling him along. “I swear, I’m okay,” he tried again, but there was no real protest in his voice.
Neteyam moved with from cabinet to cabinet, finding a mug & settling it on the counter. “You were outside for a while,” he said, glancing back at him. “& your face is still red."
Neteyam reached for the cocoa tin, scooping a spoonful of powder into the mug, pouring in milk into a kettle. Ao’nung rested his elbows on the counter, chin in his hands, watching his boyfriend like he was the most interesting thing in the world.
“If I knew you’d get like this when I’m cold, I’d get cold all the time,” Ao’nung chuckled.
Neteyam rolled his eyes, shaking his head as he set the kettle on the stove. “You’re impossible,” he said. He reached out, nudging Ao’nung’s side with his hip. “You do it on purpose.”
Ao’nung grinned, eyes warm. “Maybe..” he drawled, “you just like taking care of me.”
Neteyam didn’t deny it. He just shrugged, facing Ao’nung with a smile. “Maybe I do,” leaning in for a kiss.
“Can I have some?”
They both jolted apart, Ao’nung yelped while Neteyam jerked so hard he almost flipped over the mug. He spun around to see the twins decorating Christmas cookies, blinking innocently up at them. “The hot chocolate,” they clarified, pointing at the mug. “It smells good.”
Neteyam presses a hand to his chest, exhaling. “Lord— you guys can’t just do that,” he muttered, then sighed. He glanced at Ao’nung, who was biting his bottom lip to keep from laughing, then back at the twins. “Yes, you may have some. But you can’t tell anyone you almost gave a heart attack.”
The twins grinned. “Deal.”
Neteyam placed the kettle into the gas stove, turning the knob to the highest setting. “You into the living room,” he told the twins gently, nodding toward the entrance. “I’ll bring it to you.”
The twins climbed off without argument, already licking frosting off their thumbs.
Neteyam cringed a little watching them pass, fighting the urge to give them a napkin. He wiped his hands off instead, grabbing two more mugs from the cabinet, exhaling through his nose before turning to the stove.
Ao’nung caught it immediately. “You hate that.”
“I really do,” Neteyam muttered, glancing toward the living room to make sure the twins were gone.
Ao’nung laughed quietly, stepping closer to whisper in his ear. “Yet you’ll let me—“
“That’s different,” Neteyam interrupted,knowing exactly what he’s about to say, sending him a glare.
“How?” Ao’nung pressed, clearly amused.
Neteyam turned the flame down, the kettle beginning to steam. He faced Ao’nung fully now, voice softer. “Because… you’re you.”
Ao’nung’s faltered, flattered just a little expression easing into something warm. “Oh,” he said, low & fond.
From the other room, someone knocked over a glass ornament. One of the twins screamed & Lo’ak yelled, “It wasn’t me!”
It probably was.
Neteyam sighed, grabbing the mugs closer. “I swear this house has no remorse for quietness.”
Ao’nung chuckled, reaching past him to steady the kettle before it could whistle too loudly. “It’s loud,” he admitted, “but it’s nice.”
Neteyam’s lips thinned, pouring the hot milk carefully into the mugs. The cocoa powered mixing into the liquid as he stirred. “That’s one way to put it.” Handing him a mug. “Drink it before it gets cold & I’m not reheating it for you.”
Ao’nung lifted the mug, taking a sip. “Liar. You absolutely would.”
Neteyam had just finished pouring milk into the twins’ mugs, lining them up on the counter when—
“Hold on,” Lo’ak said, sliding in first, eyes locked into the cocoa tin. “Why didn’t you make hot chocolate for us?”
Ährro came in right behind him. “Yeah,” he added. “There’s a lot of favoritism going around this year.”
Neteyam didn’t even look up as he stirred. “Oh please, it’s not’s favoritism. It’s for the twins.”
“& Ao’nung,” Lo’ak pointed out, nodding toward the mug already in his hand.
Neteyam turned around with both mugs in his hand. “He was cold,” he said simply, walking over past them towards the living room.
Ährro scoffed. “So were we,” he said loudly. “We were outside too.”
Neteyam just shrugged, unimpressed. “But, my man was cold & there are two perfectly capable adults standing in the kitchen.”
Ährro blinked. “Your man?” He tilted his head a little looking at Ao’nung.
Lo’ak gasped. “Wow. You hear that? He don’t love us anymore.”
Neteyam gave the twins their cups & walked back into the kitchen. “I still love you,” he called over his shoulder, retreating back to Ao’nung’s side. “But I believe you can do it perfectly yourselves.” Making his way back into the kitchen.
Ao’nung just stood there, trying (& failing) to hide his smile, lifting his mug a little higher.
Lo’ak groaned, throwing his head back. “This is sick. I actually helped this year & here you go.”
From the living room, one of the twins yelled, “Mine has marshmallows right?!”
Neteyam’s voice floated back, “You can come get some, but if you stop licking the frosting off your fingers.”
Lo’ak leaned back against the counter, arms crossed watching Neteyam tuck himself comfortably into Ao’nung’s space. “I swear,” he said, shaking his head, “the second you bring someone new around, you turn into a completely different person.”
Neteyam didn’t flinch. “I’ve always been like this,” he replied easily. “You’re just now noticing.”
Ährro snorted, grabbing a mug a little too aggressively. “Nah,” he said. “You used to at least pretend to care about the rest of us.”
Lo’ak huffed, seeing Neteyam wasn’t budging & followed Ährro’s move. “So,” he started.
Neteyam listener his head slightly off Neteyam’s shoulder. “What?”
Ährro stirred his mug, glancing between the two of them. “Since everyone’s all cozy & in good spirits…me & Lo’ak were thinking about going out later tonight.”
Neteyam lifted a brow. “Out where?”
“Just downtown,” Ährro replied. “Meet up with a couple of my friends from high school, music, drinks. Kiri agreed to come along as well.”
Lo’ak perked up immediately. “Yeah, nothing crazy.”
Neteyam gave the both a look that said he knew better. “And why can’t yall go on your own?”
Ährro smirked. “Because if we were to get in trouble, you’re most reliable. & because,” he added, nodding at Ao’nung, “we figured pretty boy over here might want to come too.”
Ao’nung raised his brows, surprised. “Me?”
Lo’ak pointed his mug at him. “Yeah. If you’re gonna be a part of this family, you should come along with us for a friendly hangout.”
Neteyam sighed, tightening his arms around Ao’nung a little. “We’ll see,” he said, already sounding unconvinced.