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kindoffruity · 1 year

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Smitten - Chapter Five - Neteyam's POV

Summary: We've got some jealous Neteyam and a lil feral Aonung for the heart.

Warning: As usual, non canon compliant. There is some mild violence, just a bit of a heads up. We will be wrapping this up in one more chapter.

Smitten: Chapter 5 - Mine - Neteyam's POV

With Aonung gone for the month, Neteyam felt the need to step up more around the reef. Ronal and Tonowari were preparing a new home for their son, it was tense for him to be around the couple. Tonowari was nice, even when he was angry he had never really stepped out of line. But Ronal? Neteyam always felt shy around her, he was scared to offend her. He really cared about her thoughts on him, so he made sure he was there to help.

“What is it you like about my son?” Ronal had asked him while she made the bed for Aonung whenever he returned. Neteyam was taken aback by the question, trying to calculate what he should or should not say. Sure, there was his physical appearance. Aonung’s height alone seemed to fluster Neteyam. He would not dare tell Ronal that.

“He makes me feel safe, when I am with him, I feel like I am home.” Neteyam’s response seemed to satisfy Ronal. “Would you die for him?” She asked. “I would. And, I would kill for him.” Neteyam showed no hesitation in his response. Ronal seemed pleased that her son had a partner who loved him that much.

Tonowari never once questioned Neteyam’s feelings, all he did was start inviting him out more, once to a hunt. It did not go well for Neteyam who had not ever learned to ride a Skimwing, he struggled keeping up with his Ilu. “It is fine, Neteyam. You will learn, son.” Tonowari placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, and Neteyam couldn’t hold back a smile. It made him want to learn.

Neteyam was used to excelling at almost everything he did, so it wasn’t a surprise when he had finally picked up a spear to practice with. He had seen Tonowari and even Ronal use it, he imagined if they could do it. He would be able to learn to use the weapon. The spear felt heavy in his hands compared to his bow, managing to move with it and keep his balance was something he struggled with.

He was used to being great at everything he did, so to struggle with this foreign object really sparked up his insecurities again. Except, Aonung wasn’t here to tell him he would be fine and he was proud of him for trying. Sometimes, he really missed the participation trophies Aonung would give him.

It didn’t help that quite a few people were not fond of their relationship. Neteyam never realized how many people seemed to like Aonung until he was promised to him. Neteyam could feel judgemental stares and even backhanded comments constantly. “He cannot even use a spear, why would ‘Nung choose him?” Neteyam could overhear, the nickname threw him off. Who was this person to be calling him ‘Nung? Was that a pet name of sorts?

Neteyam decided to not pay attention to it, he used the words to fuel him to get better. Neteyam wasn’t jealous or insecure, he should have known Aonung would have some sort of fan club. But regardless, Aonung had chosen him and would choose him over anyone. Neteyam was sure of this.

Neteyam did eventually get better using a spear, once he learned to treat the weapon as a mere extension of himself. Plus Rotxo had sparred with him in exchange for a date with Kiri, which went surprisingly well. Neteyam couldn’t feel prideful for too long though.

“I just don’t think he’s that attractive, I mean maybe in the forest he was considered attractive. But I find the whole small tail and small eyes to be unattractive. I mean, personally I think I’d look a lot better standing next to the future Olo’eyktan.”

The words came from a group not too far from him, Neteyam clenched a fist, he had never heard any of these things when Aonung was here. The gossipping about him never ceased, either they were talking about how lucky Aonung was or apparently how Aonung could do so much better than him.

“Maybe I’ll just steal him away,”

That was truthfully the last straw for Neteyam.

“I don’t know, ‘Nung seems to like this small tail,” Neteyam mocked as he approached the group. He was a little disappointed seeing them, they could have at least been attractive and talking about him. The group looked surprised that he had said anything. “Don’t be shy now, you think you’d look better than me next to him? Who said that?” Neteyam moved to sit right next to them, a young woman and two men, probably part of Aonung’s fan club.

There was silence, they all exchanged looks. Scared to speak up.

“Don’t be like that. I thought you guys wanted to steal him away from me,” Neteyam was more annoyed they wouldn’t say it to his face at this point. “I’ll tell you guys what, if all of you combined could beat me in a fight, I’ll let you have him.” Neteyam offered with a smile, it was petty. This wasn’t really like him, this was more of Lo’ak’s signature but he would absolutely drag these three.

“Pathetic,” Neteyam moved to stand back up, a hand on his waist to bring some attention to the creation Aonung made for him. “Allow this to be the first and last warning. Aonung is mine. He will always be mine.” Neteyam warned, eyeing the group up and down before walking away. His tail swished as he walked, since they seemed to like it so much.

- - -

Aonung’s return was surreal, Neteyam had been prepared to not see his lover for months. But he had kept himself so busy he felt like he didn’t get the chance to really truly miss him, until he saw Aonung on the beach. Neteyam’s chest felt tight and suddenly the whole month and a half without Aonung hit him, he wanted to just jump into his arms but everyone was surrounding him. They surrounded him at dinner, they wanted to hear the stories, admire the new tattoo on his body.

Neteyam could only watch from a distance, knowing that his lover was now considered a man made him so much more attractive. He was going to head to sleep when he had the overwhelming urge to visit his lover in his new Marui, remembering he had left so many beads from when he and Tsireya practiced braiding together. He hoped it wouldn’t bother Aonung that he had basically made himself at home there.

“You have arrived.” Neteyam teased because he hadn’t gotten the opportunity to greet his lover, he couldn’t help but laugh as he was tugged into the home and cuddled with. Aonung was apologizing for not spending any time with him? Neteyam was really spoiled.

Aonung wouldn’t even let him leave, Neteyam didn’t put up much of a fight to leave anyways. Instead, he admired the black Ink on his lover's arms. “So, does anyone call you Nung?” Neteyam asked curiously. “Uh.. Not that I can recall, how come?” Aonung asked, his eyes closed. His hands were gently tickling Neteyam’s back as they cuddled.

“Just curious, I heard through the grapevine that your pet name is Nung and you have a bit of a fan club.” Neteyam teased, tossing his leg over his tired lover. “Is that so? Are any of them cute?” Aonung was clearly joking but Neteyam glared up at him. “Not cuter than me. Plus, I told them you had a thing for small tails.”

“Don’t say it like that, I only have a thing for your small tail.” Aonung emphasized his statement by grabbing his tail, causing Neteyam to flush. “What else happened while I was away? Tell me everything, my love.” Aonung pressed a kiss to his head, Neteyam could have melted right there. Neteyam spilled almost everything, he talked to Aonung about Kiri and Rotxo’s date and how he had hung out with Tonowari and Ronal.

“Tsireya and I switched braiding techniques, so I can braid your hair now. You’ve gotta let it out and show me what it looks like.” Neteyam was excited to be able to do his lover's hair, it was something he had always thought about doing but he had been worried he wouldn’t know how to do it correctly.

They spent so much time talking, neither one of them knew when they had fallen asleep.

The only thing Neteyam knew was he had woken up to Aonung jumping up, it startled Neteyam thinking they were under attack or something. Yet it was just Lo’ak being an ass again, Neteyam glared and he must have been half asleep because he had grumpily let out the secret that Lo’ak and Tsireya had mated already, a secret in which Aonung nor their parents knew of.

Aonung took off chasing Lo’ak and Neteyam wondered if he should have stopped the two. But the bed smelt just like Aonung, the spot they had been laying in still warmed. He wasn’t leaving. Neteyam simply rolled over, laying on his stomach and he was practically surrounded by the smell of his lover. He could hear the yelling and throwing of things in the distance.

Neteyam went back to sleep for an extra hour feeling content.

- - -

Neteyam had woken up to Aonung laying on top of him, at first the extra weight was nice, like a warm blanket resting over him. Except, Aonung wouldn’t stop whispering for him to wake up, planting kisses all over his head and nibbling at his ear. “Aonung.. Enough.. I am up.” Neteyam whined, turning his head to look at him. “Ouch.. Hopefully, Lo’ak looks the same at least?” Neteyam was taken aback by the nice busted lip Aonung wore.

“Tsireya saved him. But it does hurt, you should kiss it and make it better.” Aonung pursed his lips out, Neteyam couldn’t resist him at all, planting a large kiss on his lips, slowly moving to lay on his back mid kiss. Neteyam’s hands trailing down his back in a gentle scratch, one of his legs locking around Aonung’s hips to make sure he stayed in this position.

“Looks like you feel better..” Neteyam teased against Aonung’s lips. “Nope nope.. it still hurts, my tongue hurts too because I bit it.” Neteyam couldn’t even hold back his laughter, “What does that even mean? You want me to kiss your tongue?” Neteyam asked in disbelief. “You know.. They say saliva has healing attributes.” Aonung kissed him again, this time Neteyam deepening the kiss and slipping his tongue in Aonung’s mouth to help heal him.

Neteyam tried not to laugh at the thought as they made out, the couple making up for a month and a half of lost time. Their arms clinging to each other, not wanting to let the other go. Aonung rested his full weight on Neteyam, their hips pressed together as Neteyam locked his legs around him to keep the pressure right there. Aonung pulled away from the steamy kiss to plant kisses on his neck, biting down on the skin and leaving little love bites on the skin. Neteyam sighed happily at the feeling of kisses at his neck, missing the touch of his lover.

“I can’t wait to wake up to you every morning… I’ll wake you up just like this..” Aonung’s hands traveled his body teasingly as he adorned Neteyam’s neck with all sorts of kisses and nibbles, just taking his time with him.

There was a knock from outside, Neteyam instantly froze smacking Aonung off of him, he pushed him off the bed to the floor, not wanting to get caught like this. Aonung fell off the bed with a loud thud. “Y-yes?” Aonung called out as Neteyam shot to his feet to straighten his messy appearance out.

Tonowari walked in and Neteyam occupied himself by watering the plants, hiding his marked neck from the older man. “Aonung.. Why are you on the floor?” Tonowari asked with calculating eyes, “I was just stretching, father. What do you need?” Aonung really came up with the dumbest excuses in Neteyam’s head.

“There is an Akula at the edge of the reef, threatening our fish, let us go.” Tonowari was inviting Aonung to protect the reef with him, Neteyam tried to maintain a normal composure until Tonowari had left before he practically jumped on Aonung, pulling him for another kiss. It took Aonung by surprise but he caught the other nonetheless. Neteyam was just so proud of his lover for getting this far. “Wow, what a big strong man protecting our reef.” Neteyam was teasing but it was clear he was excited for his partner. Aonung was just surprised to hear Neteyam say ‘our’ reef.

“Neteyam.. Let’s mate tonight. I think we have waited long enough,” Aonung’s words took Neteyam by surprise but Neteyam was ready for it, “Let us mate tonight. When you come back,” Neteyam promised, pushing himself up to stand on the tips of his toes to plant another kiss on his lips.

“Be safe, my love.” Neteyam had no choice but to let him go, he watched him get ready with a sense of pride in his partner.

Neteyam wanted to be like that, he wanted to join him on the hunt. He wanted to protect the reef, his new home, with his partner.

- - -

Neteyam decided that he would master a skimwing before they mated, he wanted to accomplish this because he wanted to be Aonung’s equal. He had already mastered an Ikran, and an Ilu. How hard would it be? Plus his father had learned without even riding an Ilu.

Neteyam took Etera out, settling at a small island where she would wait for him in case he needed her. Neteyam spotted a few, now that he thought about it, they brought one to his father. Neteyam was trying to catch and form the bond all on his own. It was not as easy as he thought it would be, they were fucking fast.

Every time Neteyam had even grabbed onto one, it practically thrashed him off. Neteyam did like the challenge though, he had grabbed onto a different one, immediately locking his thighs on the trashing fish. He reached to make the bond, the second it was made the skimwing took off instantly. Neteyam kept up as best as he could, practically choking on the water as it dragged him far out.

Neteyam lost his grip on it, flying off the large animal. He couldn’t help but laugh after he had finished coughing up all the water he had swallowed. His adrenaline was still pumping, he found it kind of fun to ride that fast. “Where did you go?” Neteyam looked around, treading in the water as he looked to find his skimwing. Except, it was nowhere to be seen. Neteyam didn't receive the memo that just because you caught one and bonded with them, did not mean they would stay. Skimwing where finicky, they were stubborn, and would leave you behind.

“More and more, I understand why my mother never learned how to ride..” Neteyam thought to himself as he started to make his way back, he had been dragged quite a distance. At this point he was lucky if he made it back by eclipse.

Neteyam had started swimming back, half tempted to call Etera to grab him when he heard a loud wail in the distance. The sound broke his heart instantly, he wasn’t sure what came over him but he felt a strong need to follow the sound. With zero hesitation, Neteyam took off in the direction of the painful wail. Whatever it was, it sounded hurt.

Neteyam approached a rock, climbing it and hiding behind it as he looked to see what the sound could have possibly been making that noise. His eyes widened, it was a Tulkun impaled with a tracking device. Usually, Tulkun traveled in packs.

Neteyam instantly made his way over, swimming as fast as he could to the beeping device. “We need to get this off of you, they are coming.” Neteyam signed, apologizing for any pain that would be felt as he had to rip the device off. “Once this is off you need to go away, as fast as possible. I will make sure they never hurt you again.” Neteyam pulled as hard as he could, trying to rip the device off. He started to panic when he couldn’t get it off, he could see the boat in the distance.

Tulkun Hunters.

Neteyam pulled out his knife, using the blade to saw at the thin part that was pierced through the Tulkun’s fin. Neteyam’s heart was racing as he noticed the boat getting closer, he finally heard a snap. He had cut through the sharp part, pulling out the heavy device and freeing the Tulkun. He dropped underneath the water, his eyes widened as he recognized Aonung’s spirit brother, he must have been returning from their trials. Suddenly, the attack felt more personal than anything. Neteyam swam the device far away from the Tulkun, he dropped it allowing it to sink and explode underwater.

Neteyam swam to the surface, gasping in a large breath, he hollered for Etera. His Ikran was there momentarily, Neteyam slid onto her back, clinging as he was wet. He knew he should have just gone home and called for backup, but he couldn’t trust that they wouldn’t go after him again. Neteyam flew over the large boat, there were only a few sky people, he could take them down.

Neteyam maneuvered Etera above the boat before he grabbed his bow and arrow off her, immediately shooting towards those in mechanical suits to render them powerless before he jumped off of her, landing on the deck. He had the element of surprise on his side, plus an intense rage for those who hadn’t learned their lesson since Payakan.

Neteyam had enough of this, tossing the sky people into the water or piercing them with his arrow, he had an advantage on them with his size. What he hadn't counted on was there being more than two of them with their mechanical suits, that set them as almost evenly matched and with that, blinded by rage had under anticipated the amount of enemies on the ship. Neteyam hissed threateningly, despite being outnumbered, he wasn’t going to back down.

It was his worst trait.

Neteyam slapped the gun out of one’s hand, rushing for it. Simultaneously, one reached for a baton that shocked him, the electricity surged through his body and he stumbled to his knees, just missing the gun as it was kicked from him. Neteyam grabbed someone's leg and dragged them down with him because he wasn’t going down alone. Suddenly, he was surrounded feeling a gun cock to the back of his head, he glared. Twisting his body to knock the gun away from his head, while his body was turnt he felt another surge of electricity rush through him, it burned. His body too stunned to move, they took advantage of this and dragged him towards the railing where they tied his hands to it. Neteyam could hardly breathe as he tried to gain control of his body that still felt the pulses of electricity rush through him.

“We have to kill him, if we release him he will just come back with more people!” Neteyam could hear them shout about how they could get rid of him. Neteyam searched around for how he could get himself out of the situation, the ropes burning on his wrists as he tugged and pulled at the rusted railing to break himself free.

“We are here to hunt Tulkuns, they will come for this boy!”

Neteyam smirked knowing it was true, they would come for him as soon as they realized he was missing. Neteyam’s leg swiped at one of the Tulkun Hunters walking by, knocking him down and wrapping his legs around his neck to suffocate using his thighs. His hands tugged harder at the railing, feeling it snap with him. There was a series of gasps as he managed to rip off a piece of the railing and use it to stab into the person he had caught.

Neteyam didn’t care if his hands were bound, he still proved to be a threat, a warning shot was sent in his direction, both of his arms were grabbed by those in mechanical suits, and another approached him with the taser, shocking him right in the stomach. “That is enough! Where is the Tulkun or we will kill you.” It was a threat, Neteyam bit back a wince as he stared up at them. What were there five now? Possibly six.

“Speak!” The taser was sparked up again in a threat, the zapping noise visibly making him flinch as he was preparing himself for the thrumming of it.

Neteyam glared, mustering up his strength and spitting in their face, his arms trying to break free. The spitting must have been really disrespectful because he received a nice backhand smack with the baton, Neteyam took it with a straight face. Blood dripped from the side of his head where he had taken most of the impact.

Still he did not budge.

“Etera! Get Aonung and Lo’ak!” Neteyam shouted in his native tongue. The adrenaline pumping in his veins as he heard his Ikran’s loud screech as she flew off. Neteyam couldn’t help but smirk, pulling once again to try and break free.

“When they come for you, they will kill all of you.” Neteyam warned in english. Until then, he would hold them off. Neteyam used their weight against them, tugging down the suit itself and forcing them to crash into one another, reaching his arms down and pulling his hands out to snap the burning rope from his wrists; he had managed to break free for the second time, running to grab the sharpened staff he had impaled the other with.

Neteyam leaped over the suits struggling to get up, pushing the sharp railing he had broken off into the chest of the enemy, he counted down how many there were left. His body starting to drag from the strain on it, he struggled to catch his breath and suddenly an arrow was pushed by the hunter underneath him. The arrow pushed into his stomach causing him to stumble back, his enemies taking advantage of him being injured hit him from behind with the metal baton.

Neteyam gasped laying on his back, everything felt dizzy and his heart was racing, the sharp pain in his stomach almost seemed to go numb as they shocked him repeatedly to the point where he couldn’t move. His eyes watered and were forced shut as he held back the pain that rushed through him, he wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of seeing him cry or in pain.

“This motherfucker is relentless, we should have just killed him while we had the chance.”

Neteyam could hear them, he thought they would have finished the job or perhaps they decided it would be easier to allow him to suffer to his death. Those he had thrown oversea, a few had survived and crawled back onto the ship. Neteyam tried to count but even if he tried to escape again, his body was dead weight with how many hits he had actually taken.

- - -

Aonung had returned from the hunt with his father and his men, just beaming with pride as they had managed to fight off a nice pack of Akula from their reef; it was the first time he had gone out to hunt with his father. It really just settled in the reality that he was now a warrior now, there was no higher honor to him besides being Neteyam’s mate of course.

Aonung carried two teeth from their enemy for his lover in his hand, surely Neteyam already had some but Aonung would forever dedicate each of his hunts and trophies to the love of his life.

The second his feet hit the sand, something felt off, he couldn’t pinpoint what was wrong, he could feel a sudden sharp pain but absolutely no impact on his body. Aonung found it weird but returned to his home nonetheless, he had expected Neteyam to be there but he wasn’t. Neteyam’s bow wasn’t there either? Was he on a hunt? Aonung took a look around the reef, wanting to give his lover his new trophies from his day.

Aonung groaned again, feeling his body seem to tense up, something was definitely wrong, his tattoo seemed to burn and everything just seemed off.

“Bro what is wrong?” Lo’ak called out to Aonung who was clutching his stomach, Aonung had no visible injuries though. “I do not know.. Something is wrong though, I can feel it.” Aonung warned, “Where is Neteyam?” Aonung asked Lo’ak who shook his head and shrugged his shoulders, he had no idea where his brother was.

Then he heard a loud screech, panicked, begging to be heard from a distance. The wings flapping were rushed as the large Ikran practically crash landed in front of him. Aonung had expected Neteyam to be on Etera, but he wasn’t. Etera pushed its head into Aonung aggressively, bearing herself to him to ride. Suddenly, reality had settled in. Neteyam was what was wrong.

Lo’ak instantly yipped, rushing to grab his spear. Aonung was frozen in place though, immediately the absolute worst thoughts filling his head as the large animal kept pushing him, Aonung grabbed his own weapon without a warning and jumped onto Etera, his thighs locked on her and suddenly his fear of heights were gone.

He had never bonded with this animal, yet he trusted her to guide him to Neteyam. Lo’ak right behind him, underneath them was Tsireya and Kiri following on their Ilu’s. The pain in Aonung’s abdomen never ceased, it burned as if warning him of what to expect.

They approached the large deck, Aonung could see his spirit brother in the distance rushing to get to his pack, on the large ship he could see them struggling to get moving, a few people motionless. Aonung assumed they were unconscious or even dead, then he caught a glimpse of Neteyam’s body in the corner, unmoving with an arrow piercing his stomach, there was blood everywhere yet he couldn’t decipher who it belonged to.

Aonung immediately presumed they had killed Neteyam, Aonung let out a loud battle cry, jumping off Etera without warning, piercing his spear into the large mechanical suit. Aonung could only see the blood of his lover splattered. They would pay for what they had done. War was never brought to his home until this very moment. Aonung without a second of hesitation, withdrew his spear and immediately slammed into it another unsuspecting enemy.

“Shit grab him!” He could hear someone shout, next thing he knew their hands were on Neteyam, holding a blade to his neck. It was then Aonung recognized Neteyam was still alive, “Take one step and I will kill him!” It was a threat, Aonung hissed, part of him didn’t want to risk it. Neteyam looked in so much pain, he could see the blood starting to spill from the wound. Aonung held out his spear threateningly, Neteyam looked at him, mustering his strength, Neteyam head butted the one holding him.

Aonung took that opportunity to throw and pierce the spear into his head, sliding to his knees to catch his lover in his arms. Aonung scooped Neteyam in his arms, careful of his wound and moved him away from the middle of their battlefield. Aonung was livid, now that he knew Neteyam was alive, the rage was permanent as he took it upon himself to destroy the whole ship, in a protective stance over his lover. The remaining members on the boat tried to scramble to defend themselves, gripping on their guns and shooting towards them.

Aonung after setting Neteyam down, ran towards them slamming their guns away with his spear and going as far as stabbing into one and tossing them into another, there was more bloodshed than Aonung had ever seen or participated in. Yet, not even killing them seemed to subside his rage.

Once all the threats were eliminated he was back at Neteyam’s side, pulling him into his arms with care, his bloodied hands caressing his face to see if his lover was okay. Kiri and Tsireya had joined him, when they reached for Neteyam, Aonung couldn’t help but to growl and hiss almost possessively over his lover, slapping their hands away. The action caused both women to cease reaching for Neteyam.

Lo’ak dropped down with the last two Tulkun hunters, tossing their dead bodies overboard. Lo’ak for some reason knew not to even touch Neteyam or Aonung, the aura around Aonung was threatening as he scrambled his lover into his arms. “We need to get him back, now. He is injured.” Kiri shouted at Aonung, who hoisted up Neteyam, who seemed to whimper from the pain. That seemed to bring Aonung down from his protective state of mind, climbing onto Etera they took off towards the reef.

“I cannot believe he did that.. He is my brother!” Kiri was offended, rushing after him to check on her brother. “She does not understand that is his mate.” Even Lo’ak understood that bond as he pulled Tsireya to join him on his Ikran to head back towards the reef, there would be a large commotion as they landed.

- - -

As imagined, the second they landed there was all sorts of commotion, Aonung rushing his lover to his mother frantically, he needed help. Neteyam was strong, holding onto his arm to show he was okay, even though his vision was getting blurry.

“We must remove this arrow, removing it will mean a lot of blood, we need to apply pressure, stop the bleeding, and clean the wound.” Ronal, Neytiri, Kiri and Tsireya at his side, ready to help Neteyam. The arrow was removed with a wince, the arrow had been holding back most of the blood. Aonung struggled to watch, his fists clenching, logically he knew they were just helping but his heart felt torn watching his lover writhe in pain.

Neteyam was strong. Aonung knew this, he respected him and always admired him for it. He knew he would pull through.

The blood seemed to slow down with pressure, then came to clean the wound, “Hold him down, Neytiri his legs. Tsireya and Kiri his arms.” Ronal warned, she glanced at Tonowari and Jake, as if silently warning them. The liquid stung, Neteyam practically cried out from the burning sensation, he pulled and tried to break away from the pain.

Aonung saw red, “Let him go!! You are hurting him!” Aonung practically lunged, feeling a need to protect his lover from pain, Jake and Tonowari gripped his arms to hold him back. “Remove him at once.” Ronal commanded and they practically threw Aonung out despite his protests to be there for his lover.

The whole thing killed him, he hadn’t been there for Neteyam while he was injured, now Neteyam was still in pain and he couldn’t do a single thing about it. His rage struggled to subside as he punched into a tree repeatedly. He hadn’t even been strong enough to stay in the room while they patched up Neteyam.

- - - -

Neteyam was out for about three days, Aonung did not leave his side at all, changing his bandages for him and wiping his lover down with a towel and a warm bucket of water. Apparently, there had just been too much of a toll taken on his body with the amount of blood he had lost.

Neteyam did suddenly wake up, absolutely parched, he rolled himself over moving to stand, clenching on his stomach despite apparently being in the healing process, the sharp pain hardly subsided. He was in Aonung’s Marui, but Aonung was nowhere to be seen. Neteyam limped out, it was evening and Aonung was out on the beach. Neteyam could tell by the outline of his body, Neteyam struggled to get onto the sand, walking slowly he had approached his lover from behind, his arms wrapping around Aonung who seemed to tense not recognizing it was him quite yet until he had looked at his hands.

“You are awake! You should be in bed!” Aonung instantly turned in his arms, Neteyam looked up at him completely drained, but with a small smile. “Was thirsty..” Neteyam explained, laying his head on his chest for a moment to steady himself. “I will get you water- but you really need to rest! You scared the hell out of me, I thought you fucking died. What were you thinking going there by yourself?!” Aonung had been thinking about this for days, and now Neteyam was up.

Neteyam bit his lip as he thought about the feelings he must have put Aonung through, “I’m sorry.. I thought I could handle it. They were hunting so close to the reef, I feared if I didn’t stop them then they would only keep hunting.” Neteyam expressed that as he looked up at Aonung, he could see the mixture of emotions in his eyes. There was frustration but sadness too.

“You are a warrior first and foremost, and I will always respect that. However, it is dangerous and stupid for you to go by yourself.” Aonung was angry, Neteyam understood he had made a mistake, he huffed annoyed. “You can say whatever you want, but I would do it again. If it meant I could protect a Tulkun.” Neteyam pulled away, or tried to at least but Aonung would not allow him to leave.

“You do not understand Neteyam. I thought I lost you! You were laying there unmoving! This is far bigger than your pride, I am your partner. You should have come to me at least!” Aonung wasn’t even angry anymore he was pleading. Neteyam stopped trying to pull away, he just leaned against his lover, remembering the pain and imagining it was the other way around. He imagined it was Aonung being electrocuted and hit, he could understand the frustration and rage.

“I am sorry.. You are right, I need to stop thinking as if I do not have a partner.” Neteyam sighed softly, resting his weight against him, feeling just a bit weak as he had done more talking and movement than he had done in three days. Aonung led him back to their home, laying him to rest on the bed, Aonung by his side to take care of him and give him water. Neteyam felt so cared for as he laid next to his lover. His eyes noticed something different, Aonung had a new tattoo on his chest, another gift from Ewya he thought to himself.

“Whenever you are 100% better, I will not let you escape being my mate.” Aonung warned him, he had almost lost him without them being mates, he felt the need to do it immediately now. Not knowing if he would ever be in this situation again,

“Yes.. As soon as I can take 10 steps without feeling like my stitches will pop open.” Neteyam agreed.

#aonung x neteyam #neteyam x aonung #neteyam #aonunete #aonung #avatar #avatar the way of water #one more chapter #what do you all think?

115 notes · View notes