A/N: Okay so I had this idea the second I got out of the theater and had to give it a shot. I want to give Tui more of a reason for his behavior, and his relationship with his friend seemed like the most realistic choice. I hope you all like this fic because there will be more of it!
Tui sat on his knees at his mother's side, looking around the expanse of short grass. The orange glow of the torches illuminated the area in a soft golden glow, leaving soft shadows on faces chattering and laughing with contained excitement. The collective feeling of joy seemed practically electric. The men joked, the women grinned, meanwhile the children shook under their parents guiding grasp. Some had flowers strewn in their inky black hair to signify the occasion. Men donned their best jewelry from the endless blue of the sea.
The teenager smiled as he looked around at the people, his people. There was a feeling of contentment deep in his heart when he looked at them and realized how happy they were under his father's rule, as they had been for nearly a hundred generations. The cliffs and mountain which eclipsed the stunning, vibrant flora and fauna had stood tall and strong, its shadow having lived through a millennium of ingenuity, culture, ancient tradition. For centuries, they'd grown taro, coconuts, yams. For centuries they'd fished, diving to the reef for priceless, shiny treasures.
Tonight was a night of celebration for the ancients, as the new moon this time of year signified what had begun as a small circle of huts to form what was now their home. There would be feasts, games, song, dance. Tonight was a celebration of everything they were as a community and as a family.
As a child he'd squirmed in his seat having to watch the dancers, wanting more than anything to disappear to wherever his personal playground led him: the jungle, the caves, the fields, the groves of coconuts, the beach… anywhere which offered a new discovery. But his father had been quick to dismiss his desires, albeit gently.
"Tui," He'd gotten down on one knee to look his son in the eyes one night before the festivities had begun. "One day, you'll have to learn that we all have a role on this island."
"But-" His father shushed him.
"I know it's a lot right now, but in time, you'll realize that you're meant to do great things." He free hand drifted to the sharpest tooth on his necklace, the glistening whales teeth having rested on his clavicle from the day his own father had passed to the other side. "This necklace carries responsibilities that you'll have to carry one day. This island of ours is a beautiful place, filled with people who need someone to keep them safe, guide them on. You need to know that all you need is right here, in your people… understand?" He chided softly as Tui looked at the grass, despondent.
His hand trailed his son's chin up to face him. "Happiness is where you are."
The beat of a drum had ended the conversation, and he'd waddled back to the circle, where he belonged, his father guiding him on the right path; what he thought was the right path.
"Everyone!" His father's voice shook him from his memories. "I am proud to announce tonight will be our apprentices first dance, as they've worked hard enough for this day." His smile widened as the dancers came walk into the performance area. Front in center, sure as he'd hoped, stood his best friend Alaka'i.
It had been months since he'd seen him dressed so elaborately. Shortened grass skirts covered what was only just necessary. Long tubes of woven grass climbed his shins. His chest was bare and showcased the body-wide tattoo's, including a dark inked sun which branched across the right side of his chest. Sleek lengths of black hair were barely hidden under a headdress of scarlet leaves and cyan feathers, and his tanned features were framed by lines of white paint, dots scattered along the two lines which ran down his cheeks. In the light of the torches he shined like the blinding edge of the sea, his tawny skin
Their eyes met, and the dancer's grin grew into a smug and snarky one, black brow raised. Tui gave a small wave before he could stop himself, recoiling his hand before his mother or father noticed.
"These fine young men will lead the next generation. I see a bright future ahead of us." Tui grew heated as he realized the entire island was looking at him. Thankfully the attention didn't last long as it returned to his father. "but for now, we shall celebrate our tradition with the ancient dance of our ancestors. Let the the festivities begin!"
One of the teenagers let out a cry, signifying the others to start their movements. The dance itself had been performed by Tui himself almost every year, the sixteen year old having the island's best teacher, Alaka'i's aging uncle who'd looked after him. His deep brown eyes trained on his best friend as he moved the spear in his hands, hips shaking to the rhythmic beat of the drum. He watched each step with baited breath, the villagers laughing and clapping along to keep the tempo.
All the while, that smile remained, and he almost wished he had the mask the two dancers were wearing, because it took quite a lot out of the chief's son to hide the look of helplessness in his eyes.
"So, how'd I do?"
The chief's son spun around, jumping at the voice behind him. His feet anchored themselves back into the sand and he thanked himself for the darkness which blessed the coconut groves at night.
He chuckled a bit as his friend's question. "You're telling me you didn't notice any of the deafening applause that followed your dancing?"
Alaka'i came closer, taking off the headdress and holding it to his side. "Please, for all I know they have to cheer." With his other hand he began wiping off the decorative face paint with a lick and an index finger. "And you were the one who gave me lessons."
Tui crossed and arms and raised an eyebrow. "Says the guy who also forgot his uncle is the best teacher of the ote'a on the island."
He rolled his eyes with a smirk as he dropped the massive plume of leaves and feathers to the wayside and sitting on one of the rocks nearby. "We both know you're the one the children aren't afraid of learning from."
It was well known to the people of Motonui that Alaka'i's uncle was a little less than ordinary and had been for years after his nephew had come in his care. With the scary stories he wove in the evenings about the gods and goddesses unleashing mystical beasts upon the seas it was no surprise the only company he received was from curious children and the occasional student; which Tui himself had been both.
"Well he's the village crazy man. It's his job." He joined his friend next to him with a sigh, and Alaka'i nudged him playfully.
"Ha ha… very funny. But did I do good?" The dancer pressed, leaning in closer until Tui rolled his eyes with a smirk and returned the favor, pushing his friend off.
"Yes. You've excelled my best expectations as a teacher." He patted him on the head childishly. A moment of silence passed between the two teens as Alaka'i scooted closer. The ruler-to-be gave him a small smile and turned to face him. In seconds, their noses touched, and they each took a breath before a small kiss was exchanged. Tui counted his quiet blessings that they were alone.
Work rarely happened in the bare groves since the biggest harvest had been completed and practically the entire island was in the center of the village enjoying the massive feat of fish, fruit and pork. He hadn't felt up to eating much and slipped away for a moment's peace since it was becoming clear in the past few months that his father expected him to start looking less at the island and more at what it had to offer in the form of eligible young ladies who were more than interested in the prospects of the chief's son instead of the general assortment of hunters and fishermen.
That wasn't to say that their relationship at it's surface would be frowned upon. It was not uncommon it see partnerships or intercourse with the same sex. The villagers didn't value anyone's sexuality less than they did their own. There were even tales of wise male chiefs in the past who'd taken men as husbands and women who led successful generations with wives. What Alaka'i was wasn't the problem. It was who.
He was of the lower class on the island, just barely beneath the rank of Toa. With his crazy uncle being the only family he had left, and the fact that he was barely able to bring in his share of taro or coconuts, status affected him more than anyone cared to admit. Tui's father had told him that the people of Motonui shared everything they made, joked as the weaved and fished, danced under the stars as a family and as a community… but even they had values that extended beyond the kinship. It was how it had always been.
Mana weren't meant to be with Toa, at least not beyond cordiality. Touching, kissing, intercourse; they were tabu, and a very real threat. There were remnants of what his grandfather and family before him had done to those who broke that law. If it were known that there was more than friendship between them, Alaka'i risked being banished or even killed, if his suspicions were correct.
It wasn't a risk he was willing to take in the privacy of their own homes, much less in public. They still had moments and places where they could strip their titles along with whatever they wore for a good time, but Tui knew that with what his father expected of him, times like those would wash away with the foamy blue tides. They didn't talk about what would eventually have to happen as they grew into maturity and their roles. Alaka'i especially didn't want to talk about it, even when prodded. It was one of the few lines Tui didn't dare cross.
"So why aren't you at the feast?" Alaka'i asked after finally breaking the kiss. "The women have really gone all out this year."
The other teenager looked out at the line where the stumps stopped and the jungles began. "I just wasn't feeling up to it tonight. Dad has been on my case about picking somebody, and-"
"You're not happy about it?" He guessed. Tui nodded. "Well what is this really about, then? Him forcing you to choose someone, or you being afraid to choose someone?"
He looked hard at his friend, unsure if their was any form of jealousy or malice in his heart. That was one of the few things he'd never understood about his friend. At times, there was no telling whether he was joking or making a serious emotional rampaging observation. If anything, this time, his sparked eyes and snarky grin said otherwise.
"You don't mind?" He asked, somewhat surprised. Alaka'i shook his head. "Are you going to tell me why?"
"Well, I figured you'd need to pick someone… better than me eventually." He sounded slightly hurt in saying that last part, as if a bitter taste had overcome his tongue. "But I don't think it means anything really has to change, unless you say so."
Tui bit his lip, unsure what to say in response. Alaka'i sighed with a lopsided smile.
"I'll always love you, Tui. I have since we were kids. But sometimes our paths go in ways we don't want them to. I don't want you to feel any kind of pressure from me about making the right choice. Even if you love someone else, I'll always be here for you." He pulled his face towards his and pressed his nose against the chief to be.
He smiled softly, clasping his hand around the dancers. "I know. I wouldn't have it any other way."
"Glad we had this little chat, then!" Alaka'i kissed his nose before pulling away and hopping up from the rock. "Now come on. Your parents have probably noticed you're gone by now." He collected his headdress, studying it for a moment as Tui stood up.
The next thing he knew it was on his head, albeit lopsided and more than likely stupid looking. "You like it, chief?" Alaka'i joked, looking his boyfriend over.
Tui sighed and rolled his eyes. "I'll make sure it ends up at the bottom of the ocean by morning."
"Come on," He exaggerated his tone to garner sympathy for the terrible fashion choice. "I think you look fit to rule." The dancer barely finished his sentence before catching it inches from his face.
"Ugh, leave that talk to my dad. Not for a few more years, my friend." Tui concluded as he started to walk back towards the village center, the central hut pouring golden light onto the ground from the many windows. The sounds of chatter and song could be heard even from the great distance away. Alaka'i followed behind, donning the ceremonial garb as he would for the rest of the night.
A/N I gave him the name Alaka'i which means 'leader,' since it sounded good and I thought it was a good representation of what Tui faces. I did all the research I could for this to make sense since homosexuality was generally accepted back then in Polynesian culture, but class was an issue when it came to romance back then. Anyway, I hope you liked it! Feel free to comment, and any suggestions/criticisms are taken.