"What was the one thing I asked? The one thing?" his father questioned angrily as he escorted them back to their marui.

Neteyam wiped the blood from his temple and winced when his fingers brushed against the torn skin. "Stay out of trouble," he and Lo'ak repeated together. Jake was glaring at his brother and Lo'ak looked down dejectedly.

"It was my fault, father," he said, stepping between the two and holding out his hands. He had been assigned to look after his siblings so the blame was his.

"I don't think so," Jake replied, still eyeing Lo'ak over his shoulder. "You gotta stop taking the heat for this knucklehead."

Neteyam stepped aside, knowing better than to cross his father when he was angry.

"Look dad, Aonung was picking on Kiri," Lo'ak defended. "He called her a freak."

His father's tail twitched in frustration at his side but Neteyam could see his eyes soften. Jake looked over at him for confirmation and when his eldest son nodded, he let out a heavy sigh. He could see the exhaustion that was playing in his father's gaze. This trip had been harder on him than he thought.

"Go apologize to Aonung."

"What?" Lo'ak asked indignantly.

Neteyam dragged the back of his palm across his lip once more, trying to stop the blood that was dripping down his chin.

"He is the chief's son, you understand? I don't care how you do it, just go make peace."

Lo'ak set his lip firmly and for a second Neteyam thought he might refuse.

"Go!" His father shouted. With a small flitch, his brother stormed off, shaking his head angrily.

Neteyam watched for a second before turning around to follow.

"Hey."

The eldest son turned and looked back at their father. "So what did the other guys look like?"

Neteyam couldn't keep his ears from flicking back smugly. "Worse," he said. Jake nodded. "Much worse," Neteyam added with a small grin.

"Get out of here," Jake said swiftly, glancing towards the exit. Neteyam nodded but he saw the corners of his father's mouth twitch upwards as he turned to leave.

He didn't see his brother for the rest of the day. Kiri had made her way back to the pod but whenever Neteyam tried to talk to her, she would brush him away.

Neteyam sighed. Kiri did not deserve to feel like that. Yes she was different, but that made her all the more special in his mind. She could do things no one else could. Her mind worked differently. There was a time in their childhood when he found her lying in the grass, her eyes closed peacefully. All the flowers around her had turned, as if they were watching the child of Eywa sleep. The life around her seemed to hum in time with her breathing. His siblings often joked that Norm was her father, but deep down they all knew. They all knew that something truly magical had happened the night Kiri was conceived. Besides, if there was even a chance Norm was her father, the man would have jumped at the opportunity to care for her. Kiri knew that too, but she still played along with their jokes.

He grabbed his bow materials from above his sleeping mat and slung his arrows around his hip. He needed to clear his head and he was running out of arrow shafts. Neytiri did not question him when he left with his weapons. She only turned her attention back to her eldest daughter, tenderly tucking a braid behind her ear.

"Mom…" Kiri groaned, pushing her hand away. Neteyam grinned as he left their marui.

Neteyam hopped along the mangrove roots, making his way through the village until he found a quiet spot where he could sit on the wood and let his legs dangle above the sand. The shade was nice but he would most likely not need it for longer, the sun was beginning to set and he could see Pandora's two moons begin to peak over the horizon.

He sighed once more and pulled his bow into his lap, tracing the carved wood with his fingertips. A small 'S' had been whittled near its top. He smiled fondly and remembered how proud his mother was when he returned from the fallen Home Tree with the wood of his bow. He had taken the time to painstakingly carve the Sully's initial into the bark. A symbol of who he was.

Neteyam set it aside and unsheathed his knife alongside the new arrows he had begun to craft. While the branches of the mangrove tree were strong, their wood was too brittle. When he mentioned it to Tsireya, she had pointed him to a section of dense undergrowth off the side of the island. There he found firm but flexible branches that he observed the other Metkayina hunters use for their fishing spears.

Now, he sat on the outskirts of the village, using the last of the dying sun's light to firmly carved the arrows so they fit his bow. Each stroke of his knife helped to calm his mind. The familiar pattern of movements let him undo the tension in his shoulders.

As the sun continued to disappear, he allowed himself to think of the RDA. He had known Tarsem before they left. The warrior would make a good Olo'eyktan, strong and fierce. He was sure of that. The tribe was in good hands with him. His father had been right, the clan was safer with them gone. But that knowledge did not help the hole he felt in his chest.

He measured the string against the base of the arrow and moved to shape it once more, only there was a movement in the corner of his eye that caught his attention. He looked up to see Aonung, quickly walking towards him.

Neteyam's heart pounded and he swiftly stood up and clenched his jaw, preparing for another fight. But as the other boy approached, he could immediately see something was off.

There was a brief moment after Aonung finished explaining when Neteyam genuinely considered slitting his throat. He could tell by the way Aonung would not meet his eyes that he knew it too.

The Omaticaya grabbed Aonung by his queue and held him painfully at the nape of the neck. "You better pray to Eywa that my brother is still alive," he snarled into the other's ear.

Fury boiled through his veins as he marched the chief's son through the village, in search of his father. Never once did he let go of the others' braid, shoving him if he did not walk fast enough.

They found his dad sitting by the docks, resting his hand gently across Kiri's shoulder. The two had their feet in the water, surrounded by little glowing fish.

Without wasting a second, Neteyam forced Aonung forward onto the wooden planks, twisting his braid painfully. "Tell him what you told me," he demanded furiously, pointing at his father.

The taller boy pushed his hand away before bowing his head nervously to the former Omaticaya chief.

"Toruk Makto," he started formally. But Neteyam growled. They were wasting time. Jake held his hand up to his son, signaling for him to back down. Neteyam bared his teeth but stepped away, giving Aonung space to speak.

"My friends and I took Lo'ak out to hunt beyond the reef, sir," he said tensely.

When there were no other words, Neteyam poked him hard in the back. Aonung glared at him but his hands twitched nervously. "And- and we left him there."

Jake immediately shot up. "What?" he asked, looking out at the darkening water with worry.

"It was supposed to be a joke-" Aonung started but Neytiri walked out of their hut, interrupting him.

"Ma Jake," she called, looking between her mate and the scene before them. "What has happened?"

His father wasted no time, immediately grabbing a spear and heading toward the village center. "Lo'ak has gone past the reef and he is missing, we must go."

Neytiri covered her mouth but immediately followed, swinging her father's bow over one shoulder.

"What happened to looking after your brother, huh?" his father demanded angrily, shoving Neteyams chest.

Neteyam opened his mouth to defend himself but immediately shut it, feeling Aonung's eyes on him. "I am sorry, sir," he said, hanging his head in shame.

Jake wiped his hands over his face in exasperation. "Just, just stay here. You have done enough."

Devastation wracked Neteyam's body, knowing that he had disappointed his father. That was worse than any crime he could commit. "Yes sir."

"I will call for Tìrol," his mother said firmly, reading herself to call her ikran, "You will go with the warriors and I will look from above."

Jake nodded and quickly fastened his communicator to his ear. "Signal me if you see anything."

The two started to take off, ready to scour the ocean for their son, when the shell horn bellowed, piercing through the night.

"He returns," the scout called out, signaling the village to gather quickly. His father's shoulders sunk in relief and Neytiri let out a cry of gratefulness, thanking the mother under her breath. Neteyam followed them quickly as they made their way toward the noise. Many of the other tribe members had already gathered.

He watched as Lo'ak hopped from the back of ilu, assisted by a hunter that had been patrolling the reef. Neteyam traced his eyes all over his brother, looking for any damage that might have been caused. His eyes landed on a garish bruise that covered his side. The skin had been scraped and little rivets of blood ran down his side along with the water. It seemed Aonung noticed this too because he inhaled sharply from Neteyam's side.

Lo'ak gestured respectfully towards the warrior on the ilu, before he pulled himself onto the dock. His eyes immediately locked with Aonung who stood beside Neteyam, and he watched outrage flicker across his face.

"The boy has returned," Tonowari called, making his way through the crowd. Lo'ak stepped towards Aonung furiously, but Jake intervened.

"Hey, hey," he said, trying to diffuse the situation. "Let's have a look at you."

Lo'ak stood down but did not look away from the chief's son. Aonung's ears flicked down shamefully and he lowered his gaze. His father's eyes traveled all over his youngest boy, landing specifically on his torn-up side. "It's fine, he's fine," he called out to the growing crowd. "Just a few scratches."

It took all of Neteyam's strength to bite his tongue. Lo'ak was clearly not fine, it was obvious he had been attacked out there. His brother was lucky to be alive and his father called it fine?

"Lo'ak!"

Neytiri shoved people out of the way and jumped down to where they stood on the dock. She was breathing heavily and held onto his shoulders as she looked him over. When she deemed him well, her eyes closed for a moment in relief. When they opened again, the golden irises flashed angrily.

"I pray for the strength I will not pluck the eyeballs out of my youngest son," she hissed, grabbing the air in front of his face menacingly. Lo'ak just moved his head back and stared behind her, unaffected.

"No," Chief Tonowari said, disrupting their family's chastising. "My son knows better than to take him outside the reef." A heavy hand pulled Aonung forward and forced him onto his knees. "The blame is his."

Despite his anger, Neteyam winced at such a move. The older boy did not look up and instead kept his gaze lowered to the wood he knelt on.

"Ok, let's go," his father said, gesturing to Lo'ak and Neteyam, clearly still trying to keep the peace.

Lo'ak paused for a moment and Neteyam shook his head inwardly. Was it not enough that everyone was upset, why couldn't he accept this and leave?

"No," his brother stated firmly. "This is not Aonung's fault-"

Aonung's ears twitched in surprise and he looked up at the youngest sully boy. "This was my idea. Aonung tried to talk me out of it. Really."

That was a lie and Neteyam knew it.

"Lo'ak," his mother hissed angrily. Ronal, who now stood by her mate's side, gave him a look that clearly expressed her displeasure at the newcomers' effect on the tribe.

"I'm sorry," he said, motioning to Ronal. She said nothing, only glaring between him and her son.

"Well, come on," Jake said in frustration, pulling Lo'ak up to return to the marui. He lowered his eyes to Tonowari in apology and said, "I got this."

As they left, the chief let his son stand again. "Is this true," he muttered to his son.

"Aonung!" Ronal whispered, her voice livid. "What were you thinking ?"

"Dad-" Lo'ak started as the family walked away. "You told me to make friends with these kids, that's all I was do-"

"I don't want to hear it," Jake interrupted in a barely contained shout.

"Dad-" he tried once more. But his father cut him off with a firm swipe of his hand. "You have brought shame to this family."

Even Neteyam flinched. To hear those words was unthinkable. He saw it in his brother's eyes fall the second those words left Jake's mouth. It was as if it confirmed everything he already believed. It made Neteyam's heartache. He expected Lo'ak to shout, to yell back. But instead, he just turned away. Like he had nothing more to offer.

Neteyam looked back to his father, hoping he would at least say something. But he didn't. Instead, his shoulders just fell in defeat and he turned towards Neytiri leading her back to the Marui. Neteyam was left alone on the walkway.

The marui was silent that night. Jake spoke in hushed whispers to his mother before turning his back toward the children and going to sleep. Lo'ak returned later and simply collapsed onto his mat, wincing when it touched his side. Kiri shot him a questioning glance, eyeing his wounded stomach and then the medical supply bag, but Lo'ak just shook his head.

"Akula," he mouthed as if it was self-explanatory before he too rolled away.

Neteyam stared up at the ceiling, left in the silence of the hut, listening only to the beat of his own heart. Akula. His brother was fucking lucky to be alive. He couldn't stop his mind wandering across the events of the day. He lay numbly in the dark before realizing that he had left in bow outside during all the commotion. He stood up quietly and decided to retrieve it. As he started to leave the marui he paused, his eyes landing on his travel pack. In a moment of anger, Neteyam grabbed the leather pouch within that contained the pearl and stormed out

He silently made his way along the woven path, clutching the ball of leather as he did so. How foolish was he to believe that there was a space for his family here? They would always be the outsiders, the unwanted. Whatever he felt for Aonung was clearly misplaced, it hurt his heart even more now.

By the time he reached his bow all but a few of the village's torches had been extinguished. The beach was cascaded in the light of the stars, making the sand glimmer softly. With a deep breath in, he inhaled the fresh smell of the ocean, trying to soothe his nerves. It worked only slightly. He found that his bow was where he left it, leaning against a large mangrove root. He picked it up and tucked its newly carved arrows into the quiver.

With a sigh, he turned back to the village, once more ready to face the silence of his family's hut. Instead, he saw Aonung, approaching him slowly.

Neteyam tensed and bared his teeth. The other boy's steps faltered and he held his hands up as if to show he was surrendering. Neteyam put his fangs away but his first remained clenched. So much so that the smooth surface of the pearl dug painfully into his palm.

"What do you want?" he growled softly, keeping his voice low and dangerous.

Aonung looked around hesitantly before his shoulders dropped in submission. The moonlight gleamed across his teal skin, making him seem like a glowing beacon against the dark night. "I have apologized to your brother," he started, not meeting Neteyam's gaze.

"So?" Neteyam demanded, wanting him to get to the point if only so he could leave faster.

"And- and now I want to apologize to you."

Neteyam looked up in surprise and finally found the other's crystal blue eyes. Aonung's left cheek was marred by a dark bruise, do doubt from his brother, staining the pale skin a deep purple. His anger was reignited.

"Is that really what you think of us?" he demanded, now struggling to keep his voice down. "You hate us so much that you would risk my brother's life beyond the reef?"

"I don't hate you," Aonung whispered. But Neteyam did not stop. He had to know.

"If I had five fingers like my brother, would it be me out there tonight? Alone, facing the Akula!"

"No Neteyam-" Aonung tried, stepping forward to meet him. But Neteyam wouldn't have it, so he dropped the bow back to the sand and held out his fingers.

"Look!" he demanded. Before Aonung could say anything, Neteyam unsheathed his blade. Quicker than lightning, he dragged its curve along the palm of his extended hand. Drawing it back sharply, he felt the crimson blood pool in his palm.

The other boy's eyes widened so far it was almost comical. For the first time in Neteyam's life, he felt truly out of control. He extended his hand now coated in blood.

"Demon blood, see?"

The Omaticaya panted, the liquid now dripped from his skin to the sand below. He waited for Aonung to say something, to yell back, to call him a freak. But there was nothing. Instead, he felt a pair of lips crash roughly into his own.

Neteyam inhaled sharply as Aonung gripped his face and pressed their mouths together. The kiss was desperate and messy. Aonung's tongue poked at the bruise on his lip and Neteyam moaned against the pain, pressing himself further into Aonung's touch.

A finned hand settled firmly on his waist pulling him closer and Neteyam groaned, tangling his uninjured hand into Aonung's black curls. Eywa, what was he doing?

The question was pushed aside when Aonung's mouth descended from his own and started to layer heavy kisses along the curve of Neteyam's jaw. He felt his breathing increase as he was walked back, his shoulders hitting the strong root behind him. Only then did Aonung return his mouth. Unable to help himself, Neteyam arched up into the kiss and crashed their lips back together.

The hand on his hip tightened and Aonung pushed his tongue roughly into Neteyam's mouth, who reciprocated enthusiastically. The two stood there, grasping at each other in the dark, panting into each other's mouths.

Neteyam was the first to pull away. Cold shock gripped his mind as he looked up to see Aonung staring back at him with wide eyes, chest heaving. Horror coursed through his body and he immediately ripped himself out of Aonung's grasp, wiping at his mouth. Fuck, what did he just do?

"Neteyam…" Aonung tried, stepping closer, but he couldn't. Not right now. Pulling the pearl out of the leather wrap, he shoved it into Aonung's chest, still panting.

"Stay away from my family," he forced out, trying to speak the words firmly over the sound of his own heart.

Aonung looked down at the pearl in shock but Neteyam turned away. He needed to leave. Grabbing his bow from the sand he took off towards the village, disappearing before he could see the pained look on Aonung's face.