Neteyam managed to avoid Aonung for approximately two days. He spent the rest of that night tossing and turning in his marui, forcefully digging his head into his hands as memories of Aonung's skin against his own assaulted his mind. He had never felt like this before. His heart beat recklessly in his chest as he forced sleep to come, sinking gratefully into oblivion.

Neteyam spent the next morning sorting reeds for his mother in the hut. It was tedious work as he lined one strand above the next, twisting the ends so he did not lose his place. But deep down he was relieved for the distraction, desperate to keep his thoughts occupied. His father still did not speak to him but Neytiri gently touched the cut on his forehead before pushing salve into his hands and returning back to work. The quiet returned, but Neteyam found he didn't mind it, keeping his focus directly on the task ahead of him.

By the time lunch rolled around, Tuk was practically begging Neteyam to take her out to play on the reef. She tugged endlessly on his arm until his father dismissed him with a grunt and his little sister grinned wildly.

"Come!" she said, pulling his hand. Neteyam couldn't help but smile. Her enthusiasm washed over him like warm rays of sun.

"Alright, alright," he chuckled, standing up and stretching out his limbs. Grabbing his neckpiece, he fastened it and began to follow her outside.

"Son," his father called, making Neteyam stop in his tracks. His tail twitched nervously and he turned around to face Jake. His father observed him for a moment before he sighed and nodded to his eldest son. Neteyam blinked in surprise. No words needed to be spoken between the two, and Neteyam knew he had been forgiven. With a quick glance toward his mother, he followed Tuk out of the marui opening. Neytiri placed a hand on her husband's knee and pressed her forehead to his gratefully.

The afternoon sun warmed his skin and his little sister jumped happily across the woven pathways. She made her way through the village with a literal bounce in her step. Neteyam walked obediently behind her, smiling at her antics. Tuk held a space in his heart, reserved only for her.

Halfway to the water the youngest Sully stopped and turned to her brother.

"What is it, Tuktuk?" he asked affectionately.

His sister scrunched up her nose as if deep in concentration. "Can we bring some fish for the ilus?"

Neteyam looked beyond her shoulder to where a few hunting baskets sat. "Of course," he replied, nodding to where they were stored. Tuk smiled dazzlingly up at him and rushed off to grab a few chunks of fish. It was a miracle anyone ever said no to her, Neteyam mused. His eyes followed her as she rooted through the baskets, clearly looking for the best pieces. He tried not to laugh at the thought of the Metkayina's best catch going to their sea mounts.

"Neteyam-"

The voice stopped him dead where he stood. His heart began to thump heavily in his chest as he spun around to see Aonung. The hair that was normally braided back in a bun, now fell carelessly down his shoulders, glistening in the sunlight. He felt his throat go dry.

"Neteyam may I speak with you for a moment?" the other asked, his eyes nervously tracking over Neteyam's face.

The cut on his left cheek stood out more in the light of day and Neteyam found himself aching to brush his fingers against it. The urge came out of nowhere and he pushed away the thought in disgust.

His breathing stuttered as he realized the two were mere feet apart. Neteyam found himself unable to look away, draw into the other's eyes.

Suddenly, the presence of the other boy became unbearable. He felt trapped, like an animal caught in the line of his arrows. He did not like the way his stomach clenched with something akin to desire when Aonung's gaze fell hesitantly to his lips. But it seemed the Great Mother had taken pity on him, because Tuk returned to his side, fish in hand.

"I must watch after Tuk," he stammered out, excusing himself. Never had he been so grateful for his little sister. Aonung started to open his mouth but Neteyam immediately spun away and pulled Tuk along with him. His mind was racing with flashbacks of the night before. Throat dry, his skin shivered at the memory of Aonung's hands trailing all over his body. What was happening to him?

"Neteyam," Tuk whined. The oldest Sully boy looked down to where he held onto his sister's wrist with a death grip. Immediately, he let go and clenched his hands at his slide. Tuk rubbed her wrist and Neteyam forced himself to take a deep breath.

With gentle hands, he took her wrist back into his gasp and rubbed it tenderly. "I am sorry, yawntutsyìp."

Tuk just huffed before pulling her hand away, annoyed. She made him hold the fish and then continued on to the beach.

Being in the water helped him to clear his mind. Tuk immediately found the ilus and took turns giggling as they nuzzled the fish out of her little hand. Before long the sun had begun to lower. After saying goodbye to the watery creatures, Tuk made her way back to Neteyam and insisted he carry her to the marui. Lifting her into his arms, the eldest sibling let her play with his braids as they made their way back to the family hut.

By the time they reached the entrance, the sun had already sunk and Tuk had cradled herself sleepily in his arms. Neteyam softly set her down onto the woven mats and moved to stand up. When he pulled back he felt his braids click together. Curious, he pulled the beaded strand up to his eyes for examination. Below the yellow feather, Tuk had braided a pale shell into his hair. He could help but smile as his fingers traced over it affectionately. A part of him mourned the life she would never get to have in the jungle, but it was clear her home was now here on the reef.

Envy flared up in his chest. She would always belong.

When his mother returned shortly, she carried a few nets in her grasp. Her eyes drifted to Tuk, who lay sleeping soundly, and then to her oldest son. If Lo'ak took after their father then he certainly took after Neytiri. She crouched in front of him and gently lifted his face in her hand.

"What is wrong, my son?"

A burst of emotions clouded in his chest and before he could stop himself, he sunk into her arms. As though he was still a child, Neytiri wrapped him in her arms and sat them down together.

"Ma Neteyam," she said softly. Slender hands soothed over his braids as she slowly rocked them back and forth.

"I want to go home."

The words that choked out of him held more than what was being said. His confusion towards Aonung, his anger, his responsibilities… all of it came crashing down on him.

It seemed his mother understood because she simply held him, letting her eldest son take comfort in her arms. Sometimes he forgot that she lost her family to the sky people as well. Her father, her sister, all were killed when the humans arrived.

Mother and son stayed like that until Neteyam's breathing subsided and his mind calmed. He pulled himself from his mother's grasp and lowered his eyes to the ground. Neytiri, never missing anything, fingered the newly braided shell in his hair.

Tuk? Her eyes seemed to ask.

Neteyam nodded, looking over at the little Na'vi.

"It looks nice," she hummed, carefully tucking it behind his ear.

"Thank you, mother." His words were meant for more than the compliment. She nodded softly.

"I know it has not been easy on you, son. But you must know. Your father and I are very proud of you." Her golden eyes met his tenderly. "Even if he does not say it."

Neteyam opened his mouth to thank her but quickly closed it, not trusting his voice to remain steady. He was interrupted as Kiri walked in with a basket of fish, drawing his mother's attention away. Neyriri stood and took the basket from her daughter and set it away to be prepared.

"Will you join us at the evening meal, brother?" Kiri asked.

The image of Aonung, skin glowing in the light of the fire, entered his mind. Forcefully shaking his head, he politely declined and sat down once more on his bed mat. Kiri gave him a strange look but hummed nonetheless and turned with their mother to leave. Neytiri touched her son's shoulder softly once more before ducking out of the marui to eat with the clan.

It took longer to sleep than Neteyam would have liked. He tossed and turned in the marui, still not used to sleeping on the ground. The Omaticaya slept in the trees, cocooned in a woven hammock. Here, they slept on tightly braided mats of kelp and leather. While it wasn't uncomfortable, it made him long for home even more.

His mood did not improve when he woke the next day. The sleep he managed to get was not restful. Instead, he found himself trying to avoid his own thoughts while he lay in the darkness of the marui.

It did not help that Lo'ak seemed to have made his peace with the chief's son, telling Kiri in a whisper about the tulkun who saved his life. Neteyam just covered his ears and prayed that his sleep would be a dreamless one. It was not.

By the time morning light flooded the hut, Neteyam was grateful to get up. The family ate together before Jake left to meet with Tonowari about border patrol. He could see Lo'ak visibly relax once their father exited. No one spoke about the reef incident, but Neteyam could still see the words his father spoke in his brother's eyes. That kind of thing was not forgotten.

After they had finished eating, his mother sent him inland to hunt for a small vole-like creature that inhabited the island. Apparently, their fur could be cut into the straps they wore, similar to the leather of a Txumre'. He fingered the ties on his necklace and wondered what needed replacing.

As he left, Neteyam nodded respectfully to his mother before taking his bow from the marui wall. He ignored Lo'ak's protest, slinging the weapon over her shoulder. A part of him was grateful that his brother would not be accompanying him on his hunt. He needed to be within his own mind for a time.

The sounds of the forest cleared his thoughts as he walked. Heading inland, he took a similar path as the one that led him to Tsyalè. The arrows were sheathed on the front of his bow which he gripped tightly. The cut on his palm twinged at the memory of his last time outside of the village but he shoved it away forcefully, walking deeper and deeper into the woods.

The soil beneath his feet felt akin to home and he dug his toes in, relishing the feel of something other than sand. The roots of the mangrove thinned and were soon replaced with a deep thicket. Branches twisted off of the many rock-like structures, offering Neteyam cover as he eased his way silently through the forest.

Hunting was second nature to him. As soon as he could walk he learned the ways of the jungle. The balance of the plants. The constant give and take of life that surrounded Eywa and all her creatures. Holding his position, Neteyam steadied his breathing allowing his senses to focus on his surroundings. The sunlight streamed down on the island forest, hitting the flat palm leaves, casting a dapple of light all around the forest floor. It was beautiful.

Neteyam's ears twitched back as he heard the small rustle of leaves to his left. From the corner of his eye, he saw the brush move slightly. The sound was almost indistinguishable but his hunters' instincts caught it like a target. His trained eyes pinned a small tail peeking out the undergrowth, flicking slightly on the dry leaves below it. Gotcha.

Silent as the night, Neteyam brought his bow forward and nocked an arrow into place. One foot in front of the other, he neared the creature soundlessly, noting tufts of the identifiable brown fur. With a swift breath in, he drew the string back, poised to let it fly. Just as his fingers began to release, a loud snap came from somewhere behind him. His body immediately tensed and the creature before him disappeared into the undergrowth.

Something big was coming. Instinct kicked in and Neteyam ducked away, perching himself in the shadows. He focused his breathing as he listened to the sound of branches cracking. He could hear footfalls approaching. Keeping his bow primed, Neteyam shifted forward, crouching on the forest floor.

His sharp gaze tracked the movement and as soon as he pinned down where it was he sprang out, pulling this bow string taught. Just as he was about to release his arrow, Neteyam came face to face with Aonung.

His breath froze as he stared at the Na'vi in front of him, arrow still poised to hit him directly in the chest. To his credit, Aonung stood horrified, staring at the arrow trained on him in shock. The wooden shaft came to a deadly point of black, carved bone.

Blue eyes flicked up to his and for a moment the two of them just stood there, chests rising and falling. The spell was broken when Aonung blinked.

"Tsahey," Neteyam exclaimed angrily, releasing his hold on the string and letting the bow fall to his side. "What are you doing here, skxawng. I could have shot you!"

Once the bow was down, Aonung's shoulders dropped in relief. Neteyam took a moment to calm the adrenaline rushing through his system and take in his surroundings again. Aonung stood before him, holding a pile of paysyul leaves at his side. The armband, normally wrapped around his bicep was missing, replaced with a coral cuff instead.

"What am I doing?" he asked incredulously. "I am not the one with the bow and arrow. What are you doing?"

Neteyam growled and tightened his grip on the weapon once more. "Ok, ok," Aonung said, flinching, "I am foraging for leaves."

As if to prove his point, he held up the green fronds for the other boy to see. "It is my punishment. I am banned from the water."

With a deep sigh, Neteyam finally slung his bow over his shoulder and relaxed his stance. "Serves you right," he grunted, pushing back a few stray braids.

Aonung's ears flicked back angrily but the chief's son did not say anything. Neteyam looked back to where the vole had been originally, but he knew it was long gone by now. He puffed out some air in frustration. It was likely that most prey in the area had been scared off by their movement. Just great, he thought to himself.

"You didn't answer my question."

Neteyam turned back to see Aonung studying him closely, "What are you doing here?"

"I am hunting," he replied, flexing out his hand, wincing at the cut on his palm. Aonung's eyes fell to it immediately and he could see the other stiffen. He quickly turned his wrist, hiding it from view.

"Will you show me?"

The question caught Neteyam off guard. "Show you what? " he asked incredulously.

"Your bow," Aonung clarified. "We do not have weapons like that on the reef. I would like to see it."

Neteyam let his golden eyes travel over his face, as if trying to judge the sincerity of his words.

After a brief hesitation, he swung the bow off his shoulder and handed it to him carefully. The other boy took the wood in his hands and turned it over, examining the craftsmanship.

Sunlight speckled down across Aonung's chest, making the pale skin glow softly. Beautiful . The word came to Neteyam's mind before he could stop it. But it was true. The teal patterns across his skin mimicked waves, elegantly tracing the outline of his body. Neteyam could see the exact moment Aonung found the little 'S' carved near the top because his lips twitched up and he ran his finger over it softly.

"It is made of wood from Home Tree," he blurted out, trying to focus over the sound of his ever rapidly beating heart.

Aonung tilted his head in confusion.

With a sigh, Neteyam sat down on a nearby branch. "Our people had lived there since the time of the first songs." Aonung returned his gaze to the bow as Neteyam continued to speak. "We buried our dead within its roots for centuries, the story of our clan was written out within its walls. My mother was born there." Neteyam paused, keeping his eyes down on his hands. "And that is where my grandfather died."

Aonung's head immediately shot up. He could feel the blue gaze searching for his own but he ignored it, continuing with his story. "The sky people came and burnt it to the ground. Many Omaticaya died that day, including him."

He knew the story by heart. How his father had fought to stop it. How he had known all along. It was a time in their family's story that Toruk Makto did not relish reliving. Letting out a breath, Neteyam wiped imaginary dirt off his legs and leaned back. "Tradition still has us return to carve our bows from the fallen wood. A hunter must craft his bow from that place of great sorrow before he can become a warrior."

After his words finished, a silence stretched with the forest. Finally turning to the other, Neteyam watched in surprise as Aonung studied his bow with a look of true reverence. It caught his breath in his chest.

Without a word, the chief's son handed the bow back to him, not flinching away when their hands slid over one another.

"Why did you do it?"

The words slid out of Neteyam's mouth before he even realized he had said them. The pale blue boy took in a sharp breath and a deep silence followed.

"What do you mean?"

The future Olo'eyktan's voice was tense. The fight on the beach.

Annoyance flared in Neteyam's throat, "You know what I mean."

Aonung scoffed and stood up, "Whatever forest boy."

"No," Neteyam said, following. He cut Aonung off before he could leave. "Why. Did. You. Do. It?" he repeated, attempting to keep his tone even. "What did I ever do to you?" the Omaticaya demanded. "Why do you hate us so much?"

"Because you are here!" Aonung shouted, whipping around. "You are here and you have no right to be!" The furiousness of his tone almost caused Neteyam to stumble backward.

"I have been training my whole life to earn a place at my father's side, to become a warrior of the clan. And you and your family have interrupted that."

He almost expected Aonung to hit him. But he didn't. Instead, he ran a hand through his hair angrily, looking around as if he could find an answer before him.

"And the worst part is, you're so perfect!"

Neteyam stared up at him in shock. He could not believe the words coming out of the other's mouth. But it seemed Aonung couldn't stop, because instead he pinned his stare onto Neteyam and stalked towards him.

"You are so good at everything you do. And then you smile at me and I feel like I can't- like I can't breathe anymore."

Aonung's words were coming out in pants now, as he unknowingly cornered Neteyam against a rock. The two stood there, chests touching, staring at each other. Blue eyes meeting gold. And then Neteyam could see realization flood the other's face at what he had just admitted aloud. Before Aonung could panic, Neteyam surged forward, capturing his lips in a deep kiss.