Turns out he didn't need to wait until sunset to see Aonung. Instead, Lo'ak gathered them all by the rocks midafternoon. He suspected that he already knew what it was about. Lo'ak was lucky their parents hadn't noticed him sneak off when all the tulkuns had arrived. But Neteyam did.

He made his way down to the beach with Kiri behind him. Tuk was in her arms and she mumbled something about wanting to go back to the marui. Grinning, he rubbed his knuckles lightly into the crown of her head.

"Neteyam," she whined, trying to fix the braids.

He couldn't help but chuckle. Kiri pushed her sister's hair back into place before setting her down, letting Tuk run ahead of them. She took off towards where Lo'ak was already sitting.

"Aonung, Aonung!" Tuk called gleefully. It seems the rivalry between their siblings had not been noticed by the youngest Sully.

Neteyam stopped dead in his tracks and looked up. The chief's son was leading against the palm of a tree waiting with the others. He was the perfect picture of ease. His large finned hands rested casually across his chest. Those hands which last night were… Neteyam jerked his thoughts away.

"Look what Neteyam made for me!" She exclaimed, holding out her little blue wrist to show him the newly woven cuff. Aonung's eyes widened in surprise as he turned his head to see Neteyam and Kiri approaching. He opened his mouth to say something but quickly turned his attention back to Tuk.

"Isn't it pretty?" she asked, twisting her hand so he could see the beautiful shell attached to the top.

"You made that?" Aonung asked, looking up from the cuff to Neteyam's yellow eyes.

For some reason he felt nervous. "...I did."

He hated the way his voice hesitated as if he wanted Aonung's approval. Those blue eyes tracked over the bracelet. Taking in the twists of leather and small beaded clasps that held the pink shell in place.

"It's nice."

His words were heavy and genuine. Like he was surprised. Neteyam felt himself glow a little at the praise but immediately shut it down. "I do have other talents than falling off ilus," he joked, earning a laugh from Tsireya, who had taken a seat next to Lo'ak.

Her delicate fingers examined the piece of jewelry on Tuk's wrist. "This is excellent craftsmanship Neteyam," she praised.

"The Omaticaya are known for their crafting skills," he said nonchalantly, wanting to brush it off. Tsireya just hummed and continued to look over the shell piece. Neteyam felt eyes on him and he turned slightly to see Aonung was still looking at him. Still looking at him as though he had gathered some new information about the other boy. It made Neteyam increasingly nervous.

"So," he asked, changing the subject. "Why are we here baby bro?"

He emphasized those last words with a playful swat to Lo'ak's head, which earned him an annoyed hiss. His brother was far too easy to bait.

Lo'ak leaned down into a crouch so they were all in a circle. He hesitates as if unsure if he should share but when Tsireya nudged him softly, he closed his eyes and started. "That night on the reef, I was not alone. I was saved by a tulkun."

Kiri looked at him in awe. "The ocean blessed you, brother," she said with her large eyes glowing.

"No, you don't understand," Lo'ak started. "When that akula attacked me, I was a goner."

Frustration coursed through Neteyam and he had to make an effort not to turn and growl at Aonung. But his brother continued, interrupting his anger. "He killed the akula. He saved me."

The group was looking at him with wide eyes. Tsireya especially.

"That is impossible, the tulkun had not yet returned," Aonung jumped in. "And anyway no tulkun is ever alone."

"But this one was," Lo'ak said interrupting. Neteyam could hear the annoyance in his brother's voice. "And he was missing a fin. Like a stump on the left side."

Tsireya inhaled sharply and everyone turned to her.

"Payakan," she whispered, her ears flicking back as she looked towards her brother for confirmation. Aonung set his lips in a firm line.

"Who's Payakan," Kiri asked, curiously eyeing the Metkayina's harsh reaction. Her eyes settled on Rotxo who breathed in hesitantly before opening his mouth to speak.

"A young bull who went rogue. He's outcast. Alone."

Rotxo looked back to Lo'ak. "And he has a missing fin," the Metkayina admitted.

"Lo'ak," Tsireya said, taking his five-fingered hand in her own. "They say he is a killer."

"No, no-" Lo'ak argued back. "That's not true, he-"

Aonung cut him off, looking angry. "He killed Na'vi."

The chief's son was leaning closer and Neteyam examined the teal pattern his face. Aonung spread his webbed hand out. "...and other tulkun. Not here, but far to the south."

"Lo'ak. You are lucky to be alive." Tsireya said in a hushed tone. Her eyes were large and pleading.

"No! I'm telling you guys. He saved my life! He is my friend."

Neteyam could sense the tension that had risen. Rotxo was looking cautiously between his brother and the chief's son. He could feel Aonung's heavy presence beside him, radiating warmth onto his dark blue skin.

"My baby bro," he said with a practiced smile, trying to ease the tension. "The mighty warrior who faced the killer tulkun and lived to tell the tale." He kept his words joking and settled his hands on Lo'ak's shoulders.

But his brother wasn't having it. He shook him off angrily, dislodging Tsireya's grip on his arm in the process. "No, you aren't listening," he hissed.

"I'm listening Lo'ak," Tuk said mournfully.

"Lo'ak."

It was Tsireya's voice that seemed to clear his brother's anger. Her hand found its way back to Lo'ak's arm. "Na'vi died that day. It does not matter who the blame falls to. By tulkun law he is a killer."

"But that's not fair!" Lo'ak insisted. He turned to Neteyam as if asking his older brother to back him up.

Tsireya looked between them and let her hand fall.

"It is wrong to kill," she said, her voice stoic and expression firm. "There is no excuse."

But it was Neteyam's own voice who popped up in the silence that followed.

"I have killed," he said softly, not meeting anyone's glances as the whole group turned to look at him.

It was true. His mind vividly supplied the memory of what it felt like to let his arrow sink into the back of that RECOM member. The smell of the damp forest that night. The sound of water running against the dark leaves. It took him a long time to forget the wet thud of that avatar's body hitting the group.

"...Neteyam."

He shook his head, trying to rid himself of the memory.

"Perhaps do not judge Payakan so quickly," he finally murmured uncomfortably.

There was silence.
Rotxo's voice was the first to offer a reprieve from his guilt. "What happened?" he asked. His voice held an almost awe-like quality. Tsireya immediately slapped his shoulder.

"Rotxo!" she hissed.

Neteyam just shrugged, keeping his eyes straight ahead. "My family was in danger. His life meant nothing to me."

He knew his voice sounded harder than he meant it to but there was nothing he could do. He would kill again in an instant if it meant saving his family. Kiri tried to say his name softly but he pushed it away. Instead busied himself by staring at his hands in silence.

It was Lo'ak's eyes that found his first but Neteyam just shook his head. Taking a hint, his brother took up the discussion and directed it away from Payakan. Neteyam had never been more grateful.

But one pair of eyes did not leave him. Those deep blue orbs that held him with such intensity it nearly hurt. He wanted to glare at the other, maybe even shove him away. But he couldn't. He was scared of what he might see when he looked up. Pity? Disgust?

Instead, a warm presence rested against him. He finally looked up and saw Aonung gently leaning his thigh against his own. A silent reassurance. Slowly, he sunk into the touch, afraid that at any moment that the other might pull away. But he didn't. Instead, Aonung subtly set his hand down next to Neteyam's, letting their skin touch softly as the conversation carried on.

Sunset came faster than he expected. Neteyam left the beach with his siblings, Tuk expectantly holding his hand while they walked. When they reached the marui Lo'ak lagged behind.

"You ok, bro?" he asked. His voice was normal but his eyes searched his brother's face in concern.

Neteyam let out an easy chuckle and pushed Lo'ak's shoulders with his knuckle good-naturedly. "Of course I am brother."

Lo'ak hesitated for a moment before grinning back. "Alright, alright," he said, admitting defeat and pushing away Neteyam's arm. He stood still for a moment before stepping back to his brother's side. "You know none of us blame you, right? What you did saved mom that night. We don't judge you for it."

Neteyam kept the grin on his face. "I know, skxawng. You're just jealous that I'm the mighty warrior," he teased.

Now officially done with him, Lo'ak rolled his eyes and entered the marui without looking back. That made Neteyam smile for real. It helped to clear some of the ache in his heart.

By the time the sun was sinking below the waves, Neteyam grabbed the leather strap that kept his knife and wrapped it firmly around his chest.

"Where are you going, son?" His father asked, eyeing the blade strapped to his chest. Neteyam only wore it like that when he went diving.

"I am going to practice my hunting as the sun goes down. I need to get better. Like you said, 'pull your weight'."

He saw Jake hesitate for a moment, looking from his eldest son to the marui opening. Finally he sighed. "Alright, go. But do not go past the reef."

"Yes sir," he responded firmly.

Jake looked back to his already sleeping mate. "Just don't stay out too long, ok son? I don't need your mother worrying about you.

Neteyam nodded solemnly and slipped out before his dad could change his mind.

Making his way through the docks in the dark was not as difficult as Neteyam thought it would be. The stars were just starting to come out and a few torches still lit up the village. In the dim glow, he could jump easily from path to path until he reached the edge of the mangrove roots. Stepping from the woven walkway to the sand, he smoothly walked down to the cove.

Aonung was already there. Neteyam couldn't help but admire him. His teal skin seemed to glow in the moonlight. Those bioluminescent freckles shone like beautiful constellations across his face, littering down to his broad neck and shoulders. Neteyam had never seen anyone so devastating.

As he approached he studied Aonung's firm arms and tail. His body was made to be powerful underwater. Neteyam felt himself heat up at the idea of what it would be like to be underneath him. The Metkayina turned at the sound of Neteyam's footfalls. His passive face broke into a soft smile as he greeted him.

"You came," Aonung said.

Neteyam rubbed his arm nervously and looked around the beach.

"I did," he finally replied.

The two stared at each other. Those bright blue eyes contrasted so beautifully against his pale teal skin. He felt entirely entranced. Aonung was watching him back, lips slightly parted, as if in a daze. Neteyam felt as though Eywa herself might strike him down now.

"So what did you want to show me?" he asked, breaking the spell awkwardly. Aonung snapped his gaze away from Neteyam's lips sheepishly and looked back to the water.

"Come, I have the ilus ready."

Neteyam rolled his eyes at the lack of answer but followed the taller boy anyways as they made their way to the water. Sure enough, two ilus waited patiently for them in the cove.

"You aren't going to leave me beyond the reef are you?" Neteyam joked, bumping Aonung's shoulder lightly.

The other boy completely froze. Aonung turned to him swiftly and Neteyam was shocked to see genuine grief within the other's eyes. "Neteyam…" he started reaching out a hand. But before it could brush against the dark blue skin of his cheek he quickly pulled it back. "I am truly sorry for what I did that day."

The words came out of nowhere and Neteyam almost fumbled a step back in the water. His golden eyes widened and searched Aonung's face for some kind of ridicule but found none. The other took in a deep breath to say more but Neteyam stopped him by reaching out and gently taking his limp hand.

"It's ok," he said. The feeling of the large teal hand within his own felt right.

Aonung studied their intertwined fingers with his head hung. Slowly he lifted his face up to Neteyam's. "No, it is not."

With a step forward Aonung took his own hand away and placed it gently against the Omaticaya's cheek. "I swear it Neteyam. I will never do anything to hurt your family in that manner again."

Neteyam felt as though he was a fish out of the water with his mouth hanging open in shock. He hesitated for a moment before leaning against the touch.

"Ok," he whispered.

Something akin to relief washed over Aonung's face. He took a step away and Neteyam immediately missed the contact of the other's hand.

"Then come on," he gestured excitedly, mounting his own ilu.

Neteyam swallowed, trying to put himself back together before taking his own creature's kuru and making a quick tsaheylu. The ilu settled beneath him and Neteyam adjusted his position before nodding to Aonung. And just like that, the two set off.

Neteyam had never seen the sea at night before. His eyes opened in silent awe as schools of glowing fish circled them in beautiful patterns. Aonung looked back and grinned at Neteyam's sudden wonderment. His own eyes dragged away from the fish to look at Aonung. He had never seen the boy genuinely smile before. It was stunning.

Follow me, Aonung signed.

Neteyam tried to shake himself from his sudden astonishment and urged the ilu forward.

They passed twisting towers of coral and beautiful glowing kelp before Aonung slowed and motioned Neteyam to a patch of underwater cliffs. A few meters down, an opening could be seen amongst the rocks.

Aonung pointed to the entrance before turning back to Neteyam. Air? he asked with his hands.

Neteyam shook his head. Urging his ilu forward he followed Aonung through the opening into a small dark tunnel. As they swam through it, Neteyam realized it was not dark but simply dim. Little phosphorus shells lined the rocks below, creating a gentle glow. From up above Neteyam could see a light as the water transformed into an open cavern.

The second his head broke the surface of the water he took a deep breath, trying to replenish his lungs. Aonung offered him a hand and he gratefully took it, being pulled up onto a flat rocky surface as he disconnected from his ilu.

Neteyam let out a gasp of astonishment as he took in their new surroundings. The underwater tunnel opened up to a little pool in the center of a large cave. Luminous stalactites hung from the ceiling, each dripping with shining blue liquid. The walls of the cave were lined with glowing algae that gave a near-magical atmosphere. Neteyam had never seen such a place.

Too busy looking around, the forest boy didn't notice the way Aonung practically glowed with appreciation for the Na'vi in front of him.

"What is this place?" he asked, finally turning toward the chief's son.

Aonung shrugged but he looked happy. "I found it once when I got in a fight with Tsireya. I swam around for hours trying to calm down."

Neteyam snorted. Of course he did.

Taking a step forward he ran his fingertips lightly down the wall, mesmerized by its glow-like quality. "It's beautiful," he murmured.

Spinning around once more he found Aonung much closer than he realized. "Thank you," he managed to breathe out.

The Metkayina's eyes widened and nodded glancing down at Neteyam's lips. But as if trying to stop himself he shook his head and stepped back.

"This is for you."

Neteyam looked down at the hand between them. Inside the teal palm was an armband. The jewelry was not like a traditional Na'vi cuff. There were no beads, only a single pearl woven into the center.

"I thought maybe you would wear it."

With shaky fingers, he took it from the other's hand. The strings themselves were probably no thicker than Tuk's smallest finger. It would wrap very delicately around his upper arm. It took him a few moments before he recognized the dull shine of the pearl within. It was the same one that Aonung had given him all those weeks ago. The one Neteyam had thrown back at him that night on the beach. He felt his eyes start to water stupidly.

It was Aonung's voice, soft and gentle that pulled him back up. A tender hand came to rest on his cheek. "I am sorry Neteyam, for what I said to you all those times ago. You are not a freak. Nor is your family."

The sincerity of those words barreled through Neteyam and before he knew it he had launched himself directly into the other's arm, clinging to him tightly. Aonung let out a sound of surprise but immediately pulled Neteyam closer, wrapping him in a firm embrace. One hand cradled the back of his neck while the other wrapped around his waist protectively. For the first time since they left home, Neteyam felt safe.

"I will wear it," he said finally, letting the words settle against the other's neck.

Aonung pulled back slightly, their noses touching. "Truly?" he whispered back.

"Truly."