They did not talk on the way back. Neteyam averted all of his focus to the ground until finally the dirt beneath his feet turned to sand once more. The second they broke out of the trees, there was a great commotion before him. Dozens of Metkayina people were diving into the water, calling for ilus as they went. As the two approached the village he could see his family standing outside their marui in curiosity.
"Everybody!" Tsireya's voice called out. He stepped forward with Aonung as Tsireya rode past on her ilu. "Our brothers and sisters have returned!"
Her face was full of joy as she ducked back beneath the water. Aonung immediately took to the water after her and connected with an ilu mid-dive. The forest boy watched as he left.
"Neteyam!"
Tuk's voice broke through his thoughts and suddenly he was back in the present. Out in the distance, he could see massive whale-like creatures breaking the waves. The tulkuns.
"Come on, come on," she yelled, grabbing his hand before plunging into the water. Neteyam called out for an ilu and scooped her up into his lap happily. A celebration was happening.
It was as if long lost family was finally returning. They swam out into the reef and the second Neteyam broke the surface his eyes widened. Massive creatures crested the waves all around him, greeting the Reef Na'vi with enthusiasm. From above warriors on their tsuraks flew over shouting out calls of welcome. Everyone seemed overjoyed.
Before he could stop her, Tuk wiggled out of his lap and eagerly ducked under the water. Trying to grab her, he dove down. But what he saw stopped him entirely.
Hundreds of tulkuns swam around each other. The breath was stolen completely from Neteyam's lungs. Beautiful melodic clicks and hums filled the water. It was as if each tulkun had a story to share. They were singing, Neteyam realized.
Forced back up for air, Neteyam saw Lo'ak behind Tsireya as they swam closer. "Look, look!" Tuk shouted, pointing as a massive tulkun breached the surface, spraying water into the air.
"It is my spirit sister!" Tsireya cried out happily. She abandoned her ilu and immediately swam over, encircling her arms around the very front of its jaw. Happy clicks promptly followed before Tsireya pulled back. I see you, sister, she signed. A low reverberating sound answered and the smile on the chief's daughter's face widened. "Many stories," she replied, moving her hands in tandem with her words.
Neteyam's attention was drawn away when Kiri popped her head up next to him. Immediately after, Rotxo appeared beside them in the water. "I will introduce you," he said excitedly. Kiri rolled her eyes at his exuberance but he could see the interest peeking through her mask of indifference. Taking Tuk's hand, Rotxo led them toward a larger male tulkun.
Just like with Tsireya, Rotxo placed his forehead to the tulkun's jaw. Neteyam recognized the signs for brother, meet, and friends all strung together. Those large whale-like eyes turned to his siblings and Rotxo led Tuks hand rest against the thick gray skin. A low humming emanated from the mammal and the youngest Sully gasped excitedly. Neteyam let out a rogue grin.
Urging the ilu forward with a click, he dove beneath the waves once more. His eyes adjusted to the blue water and he looked around in wonder. Na'vi swam alongside their newly returned brothers and sisters. Some rode in dizzying circles on ilu while their tulkuns followed with broad strokes of their fins. Others simply hovered alongside them, signing eagerly. The beautiful music of calls and answers vibrated through the water. A time for stories, he remembered his father saying.
To his left he saw Kiri and Tuk clinging to a large gray fin as Rotxo's spirit brother pulled them along through the waves. Tuk was practically beaming with eagerness. A gentle tug on the ilu had them spinning forward until he was directly beneath his siblings. Rotxo looked through the water and grinned at him as he followed along.
From under the surface looking up, he could see how the underside of the larger adults were covered in beautiful flowing patterns. With surprise, he realized they matched to their spirit Na'vi. The unique tattoos along the Tsahik's forehead and chin were mimicked on a fully grown female tulkun. Another right of passage, he thought to himself.
To his surprise, his mother and father swam by. He did not realize she even knew how to ride an ilu. Neytiri had been so adamant about staying on land. Jake tapped her thigh and pointed to the tattooed female. From behind a large fin, a baby tulkun nuzzled against her side. It made his heart swell. Ronal was beaming in a way he had never seen before. "Beautiful, son, yours," she signed. Your son is beautiful.
Neteyam returned to the surface. Refilling his lungs he took a moment again. Tonowari cried out from a tsurak, shaking his spear in elation. Below him, the largest whale Neteyam had ever seen pushed himself out of the water in tandem. The same chief-like markings covered its chest and underbelly. There was so much joy.
From the corner of his eye, Neteyam saw a tulkun with a lone rider on its fin. Aonung. He approached slowly, unsure if he would be welcome. From his ilu he could catch two signs. "Outsider boy."
He felt his heart drop foolishly. Why would he get his hopes up ? What did he truly expect from the other boy. What happened between them would never change how Aonung viewed him. But it was what came next that had him stunned. "Beautiful."
He felt himself clench. Beautiful. Tsireya had taught him that sign.
His heart began pounding nervously. His ilu must have picked up on it because it fidgeted uncomfortably below him. He turned away quickly and tried to steady himself. Beautiful.
The evening was to be one of celebration. Every year on the night of the tulkuns return the clan held a ceremony to welcome back their dearly loved brothers and sisters. It was to be a big occasion. The family all dressed in the marui. Even Neytiri, so hesitant to part with her omaticaya clothing, wore a top fashioned of golden kelp. Neteyam thought his mother looked lovely but it was clear his dad was utterly floored. His eyes kept sliding to her as they got ready. Whenever she moved over to help the kids, his hands would brush across her back. It was a little gross. At least to Neteyam. Tuk was giggling like she was watching a wedding and Neytiri blushed ever so slightly at the contact. A part of him wondered if he would ever have that with someone.
He chose to leave his waist bare. That is with the exception of a beaded string, dipping low across his stomach. His mother had given it to him before they left. He had felt a bit foolish at first, waist beads were traditionally a woman's garment. But he felt it did not matter. He was honored to wear something of his mother's.
"Brother," Kiri called out.
Neteyam turned to where his sister sat on the floor. "Let me rebraid your hair. It looks awful."
"Gee, thanks," he laughed, sitting in front of a scowling Kiri.
"Shut up." Was the only retort he got.
Nimble fingers worked through his scalp, unbraiding the tangled locks. Kiri picked out a piece of seaweed and flicked it over his shoulder. "It is like you have the whole ocean in here."
Neteyam felt that he and Kiri shared a bond that differed from their other siblings. Perhaps it was because they were the more quiet ones. Certainly the most level-headed. With a glance to the other side of the marui, he saw Lo'ak chase Tuk around while she dangled his armband at her side. He smiled. But it was more than that. She always seemed to understand. Whenever father shouted at him, it was Kiri who would seek him out. She would wrap an arm around his shoulder and let him rant.
"What is on your mind, brother."
He felt loose strands of hair fall into his face. But when he moved to push them away, she swatted his hand. Neteyam rolled his eyes. "Nothing."
She snorted. "Liar."
He let out a deep sigh. "I am tired Kiri. Tired and confused."
His mother's ears perked up from across the hut but she said nothing. His sister just hummed. "Do you not like it here?" More and more strands came undone and soon he felt her pull them up to the top of his head.
"It is not that," he replied honestly. "The ocean, the reef, it is all wonderful."
"But…?" Kiri asked.
"I do not know," he admitted honestly. The feelings inside him felt too complicated to name. "Perhaps I will never fit in here. Perhaps I will never be wanted."
Deep down that was his biggest fear. One he would only admit in the dark of night. What drove him to try so hard, to be the best, to put in the most work. It was that no one might want him.
"My sweet Neteyam."
His mother moved forward with a predator's grace and cupped his face in her strong blue hands. Her eyes reflected within his.
"Mother…" he groaned. Lo'ak cackled as Neytiri babied her eldest son. He tried to shift out of her hands but Kiri smacked the back of his head as his movements interrupted her work.
"You have trained hard your whole life. Ma Neteyam you are the hardest working son I've ever known-"
His other brother let out an indignant scoff.
"-just because you have not found your place yet, does not mean it doesn't exist."
While her words were soothing, they did nothing to ease the turmoil that was his heart. "Thanks Mother," he said, finally easing his way out of her hold.
She looked over him once more as she let go of his face. "That hairstyle suits you."
Neteyam's eyes traveled upwards and he delicately ran his fingers through his newly braided hair. Half of it was braided up, pilling atop his head. While the bottom half fell loose over his shoulders. Three shells each had been tied in two individual braids that framed his face. He felt… pretty.
"Thank you Kiri," he said softly. And he meant it.
Standing up, he ran his fingers through the loose part of his hair. He never wore it down. It felt very reef-Na'vi of him. Before he could forget, Neteyam dug through his bag and pulled out a thin leather cuff. He had made it for Tuk a few days ago.
Holding it out, he motioned for his youngest sister to take it. Her eyes went wide as she wrapped it around her delicate wrist. "For me?" she asked in wonder.
Neteyam nodded with a big smile as he ruffled her hair. It wasn't much. He had found a bright pink shell a while back and when he had the time, twisted it into a bracelet. Tuk immediately ran off to show their mother.
"You spoil her, you know that right?" Lo'ak asked. Neteyam grinned back at him.
"I know."
His brother rolled his eyes.
Eventually, the family finished getting to go. Shouts and music could already be heard from the village. As they approached, bright flames danced in front of Neteyam's eyes. Music was playing, people were yelling and dancing and laughing. The canoes that he so often saw laced to the dock were all floating out in the cove as people celebrated with the tulkuns. Even the water seemed to glow as the moon reflected the firelight of all the torches.
"Sullys!"
The bright and airy voice of Tsireya drew their attention from the water. Lo'ak practically choked. The chief's daughter was wrapped in layers of shimmering blue fabric. The teal stripes showed through underneath it and as she moved forward it looked like she was floating. One look at his baby brother told Neteyam all he needed to know. There would never be another for Lo'ak. And by the way that Tsireya only looked at him when she talked, it was clear the feelings were mutual.
Neteyam coughed awkwardly and elbowed Lo'ak in the side.
"What? he growled. Kiri rolled her eyes and Tsireya giggled behind her finned hand.
"She asked you a question bro," Neteyam said. Lo'ak's cheeks darkened and his ears shifted down sheepishly.
"I asked if you wanted to join us by the water," Tsireya repeated softly. Her slim hand reached out and took his shyly. She was nervous, Neteyam realized.
It was clear she wasn't the only one because the blush on his brother's cheeks only spread down to his neck. "O-okay," he managed to stutter out. The group followed them, leaving their parents behind at the main fire.
Out on the beach, the water shimmered beneath the moonlight. Rotxo and a few other Na'vi were already leaning back in the sand. Neteyam joined them and as he sat down he felt the click of the shells bouncing together. It felt strange to have his hair down. A part of him ached to tie it back up, hide it away. He felt exposed.
"So what did you think of the tulkuns?"
Rotxo's voice cut him from his fog and he glanced back out into the water. Families were swimming around, joined by the whales which every so often would crest over the surface in a flurry of water.
"They are wonderful," Kiri answered, her normally bored voice infused with awe. Nighttime seemed to make the creatures even more magical. Just like the Na'vi, pricks of glowing light emanated off their skin in constellation-like patterns. They glowed under the waves. Neteyam couldn't help but hum in agreement.
More Metkayina children joined them on the beach. Some of the younger ones started to dance and Tuk immediately abandoned their group to join them. "Tuk!" Kiri called after her in exasperation. Rotxo grinned his lopsided smile and followed the two girls as they weaved their way through the group of Na'vi.
Now it was just him, Lo'ak, and Tsireya. He did not miss the way their hands remained linked. "Do you want to join me in the water?" The chief's daughter asked, slowly standing up. Lo'ak audibly swallowed and immediately jumped to his feet. "Come, I will introduce you to my spirit sister."
The two left, wading into the waves, leaving Neteyam alone on the beach. He sighed.
Dusting off his hands, he stood as well and prepared to go back to the village. The beach was clearing out as more people entered the water or joined by the central fire. Just as Neteyam turned around, he ran smack into a hard body.
A pair of hands caught him as he stumbled back. "Neteyam?"
Neteyam looked up to be face to face with the exact person who was causing him such crisis. Aonung stood in front of him, staring down in surprise.
"Aonung," he echoed, taken aback.
The taller boy smelled like the sea mixed with a hint of swoasey, a Na'vi alcohol. His pupils seemed to widen as those blue eyes took in every inch of the omaticaya's face. Nervously, he tucked one of the front braids behind his ear, regretting the decision to let Kiri take it down.
"You put shells in your hair."
The voice came out a bit breathless and it made Neteyam's pulse pick up. Eyes traced all over, from his face to the new braids. A finned hand came up to touch them but as if thinking better, he let it drop.
"I did," Neteyam answered softly, not trusting his own voice.
As if trying to clear his head, Aonung took a step backward, letting go of Neteyam's shoulders. Those blue eyes landed on the beaded string that encircled the dark sink of his stomach. And then Neteyam heard the audible hitch in the others' breathing. Never in his whole life had he wanted to run away so badly, yet it felt like his body was rooted to the spot. And all he could think about was how Aonung's hands had felt on him a second ago.
"Are those women's waist beads?
Embarrassment flooded through him and it turned to cold anger as Neteyam ripped himself away. "So what?" he growled angrily.
Aonung's pupils widened and he grabbed Neteyam's arm. "No, no. You-" the Metkayina's voice was faltering. "You look beautiful."
He almost sounded defeated as he said it. But the second those words escaped his mouth, a fire was lit within Neteyam. His eyes widened and for a moment they just stared at each other. And then Neteyam attacked his lips.
This was not like in the forest. There was no hesitancy. Aonung just groaned and grabbed him back, slanting their mouths together. It felt right.
His mouth tasted slightly of the fermented drink that they had back in the forest too and Neteyam couldn't help but lick eagerly into the other's mouth. A warm tongue pushed back, causing him to let out a soft moan. The sounds of the village seemed to disappear as Neteyam felt warm hands trace over his body. Aonung was kissing him as if his life depended on it.
Slowly they backed up until they were out of anyone's line of sight. They had the beach all to themselves. The chief's son broke away and looked down between them. Staring at the beads, he gently ran a teal hand over them. Aonung seemed almost nervous. But then he looked back up at Neteyam with those shining blue orbs and sunk to his knees.
His breath stopped completely in his chest. "What are you doing?" he whispered, not daring to even speak.
Aonung had let his hands settle hesitantly on Neteyam's hips. "I don't know," he replied anxiously. "Do you want me to stop?"
It was an exact echo of their conversation earlier that day in the woods. The stakes seemed higher now. Neteyam shook his head. No.
"Okay," Aonung said softly. His hands worked at the ties that held Neteyam's loincloth together.
His stomach clenched in anticipation and one by one, the leather straps fell away. Neteyam was pretty sure he might have a heart attack. Once more, Aonung looked back up at him. And then he slowly lowered himself down and took the head of his cock in his mouth.
Oh fuck. A delicious heat encased him as Aonung sank himself down lower, taking Neteyam's shaft in his mouth. The sound that came out of Neteyam was a keening whimper. Unsure what else to do, he gently settled his dark blue hands on Aonung's hair. The teal boy let out a low, encouraging sound in the back of his throat.
With a new shaky confidence, he carefully entangled his fingers in the dark black locks, pushing down softly. Aonung bobbed his head in response. Oh god, that felt good.
He did it once more, pushing gently. The wetness of the other's mouth encased him deeply, causing Neteyam's toes to curl until he finally pulled off entirely. The presence of the cold air made Neteyam whimper. As if testing him, the Metkayina traced his flat tongue up the sensitive underside. Neteyam couldn't stop twitching under his touch. Clearly happy with the response he got, Aonung repeated the action, this time taking his head back in when his mouth got to the top. Neteyam felt like his stomach was made of fire. All he could do was clench his hands in Aonungs thick black hair and shake as his cock was sucked down the other's throat once more. It felt fucking fantastic and when Aonung's nose taped lightly against his pelvis he could keep a pathetic moan from passing throat his lips.
This was getting to be too much. Without warning, Neteyam ripped Aonung back up and shoved their faces together in a hungry, open-mouthed kiss. The salty taste of himself mixed with the warmth of Aonung had him pulling the others' loincloths aside.
"Hand," he managed to get out. "Give me your hand."
The other complied quickly and Neteyam helped him press their shafts together in a sloppy motion. Aonung shuttered as they rubbed themselves together, thick skin against thick skin. "Tasted so good," Aonung murmured into his throat as he pistoned his hips forward. Neteyam moaned loudly.
Again and again they rutted against each other. Neteyam could hear every hitch of breath or slide of skin as they worked to get each other off. If anyone found them like this they were both screwed. The chief's son, thrusting up against the newcomer.
Aonung's spare teal hand tugged sharply on the waist beads every once and a while, causing Neteyam to clutch forward as pleasure raced up his sides. Once more, Aonung's tongue was on his throat, kissing up and down the dark blue skin. He was starting to feel overwhelmed again.
The other's grip tightened around them and he let out a whimper of warning. "I know, forest boy," Aonung moaned softly. "Me too."
That was all Neteyam heard before white noise took over and he was spilling himself into the other's hand. A few pumps later and Aonung followed, his chest heaving desperately against Neteyam's.
The Omaticaya was dreading the horrible silence that would follow between the two. But instead, Aonung took his hand away carefully before rubbing himself tenderly over Neteyam.
"Are you okay?" he whispered against his neck. The kindness made his knees go weak. So he just nodded and wrapped his arms around Aonung's neck. "Yeah. Thank you."
Aonung rolled his eyes but a small smile played on his lips. "You don't have to thank me, forest boy."
That comment made him let out a stupid giggle. Unable to help himself, he buried his face in Aonung's shoulder and inhaled deeply. He could feel the others' pulse jump. Warm hands traced up and down his back causing him to shudder. He felt calm. All too soon though, Aonung was pulling back. "Come on, we should go back."
Neteyam agreed and slowly detangled himself from the other. Before they could go, the two quickly made their way to the water to wash off. Under the moonlight, Neteyam let his eyes wander. Aonung was so handsome it took his breath away. He cupped water in his teal hands and ran it over his body, washing away any trace of what they had just done. Not wanting to get caught staring, Neteyam swiftly followed suit.
When he looked back up, Aonung had stepped closer. A finned hand tucked one of the two braids behind his ear. "Come with me tomorrow. I want to show you something."
Neteyam's heart started to pound all over again. "O-okay," was all he could get out.
From further down the beach, voices could be heard growing closer. The two stepped apart and Aonung pulled his hand away. "There is a cove on the other side of the village. Will you meet me there at sunset?"
Neteyam nodded mutely. Just as Aonung was about to walk away, he leaned forward and pressed their lips together once more. It lasted only a moment but Neteyam's heart immediately started to thud. Before he could say anything, the chief's son pulled away swiftly and turned, leaving Neteyam on the beach once more.