He was back in the forest. The earth beneath his feet felt refreshing as he dug his toes into the dirt happily. Sun filtered through the canopy creating little patterns of dapple light across his navy-colored skin. Neteyam let out a happy laugh, the sound filling the air around him as he looked up to see a forest teeming with life. He had missed this so much. The vivid colors, the hum of life, all of it.
And then he blinked.
The greens morphed to gray. The trees collapsed. And the once clean air was filled with ash, heavy and suffocating. He could hear his mother's voice calling out for him desperately in the background but he was too rooted in the moment to give her more than a passing thought. His lungs felt heavy with the scent of smoke and fire.
The forest was burning.
He could hear the screech of an ikran in the distance, Lo'ak's banshee maybe? Just as he tried to turn, warmth enveloped him.
Neteyam's eyes fluttered open as the grains of sand shifted underneath him. His back hurt. The Omaticaya moved uncomfortably, trying to get a better bearing of his surroundings. A warm body was tangled with his own, teal skin pressed against dark blue. Aonung.
Oh shit, Aonung.
Memories from the night before flooded into his brain, causing his cheeks to flush at the image of what exactly they had done on this beach. The arm across his waist tightened, dragging him closer to the other boy as the chief's son jostled them forward slightly.
"We must move," Aonung grumbled, sitting up with Neteyam still on his lap. The realization of such an emotionally intimate position caught him slightly off guard, they had spent the whole night together. "The tide is coming in."
Neteyam finally took a moment to take in his surroundings, blinking to adjust to the dim morning light. It was early. Perhaps even before dawn. A few stray Na'vi fishers could be spotted out in the distance, throwing their nets into the shallow water but he and Aonung were tucked back into a small section of the cove, protected from view.
Sure enough the tide was creeping in, clear water edging towards where they were cuddled in the sand. With a deep inhale he stood up and stretched out his limbs. His tail unconsciously curled around his back leg, trying to warm himself up in the brisk morning. A comfortable presence appeared at his side and he looked over to see Aonung hand him his previously discarded loincloth, using the other hand to reattach his own.
"Thanks," he mumbled awkwardly, wrapping it around himself quickly. Aonung nodded and finished fastening the ties on his teal hips. Neteyam hadn't noticed last night how the marble-patterned markings seemed to darken along the backs of his legs, unlike the pale stripes on his chest.
His normally deft fingers fumbled poorly as he attempted to wrap cords around the base of his tail. Even in the early mornings, the jungle did not have the same chill that Awa'atlu did.
He was startled when warm hands were placed over his own. Neteyam whipped his head around as Aonung took the leather strands from his grasp, pressing their bodies closer together.
"I got it," Aonung murmured blatantly, his large hands crossing the thin material around the base of his tail, careful not to brush it accidentally.
He finished quickly and Neteyam coughed out an awkward "thanks."
"Don't mention it," Aonung said as he stepped away, warmth still lingering from where he touched the blue Na'vi's back.
Neteyam puffed out an exhale before forcing himself to turn back. Aonung had pushed his hair up in a strange twist, mimicking the normal bun he wore with a spare tie from his wrist. Stray curls still fell out, lazily framing his teal face. He looked angelic.
"Um-" Neteyam tried, his throat feeling scratchy. He didn't really have a plan. He gestured his hand out awkwardly, unsure of the words trying to escape. So instead, he clenched his fists and took a firm step forward, slightly surprising Aonung, before pressing their lips together briefly and stepping back. Making his intentions clear. There was no regret.
Aonung seemed to be having the same thought process. Almost on autopilot, the Metkayina reached between them and pushed a fallen braid behind Neteyam's ear, his hand touching softly to Neteyam's cheek in the process. A soft smile spread over the Omaticaya's face. Aonung's lips twitched as he grinned back.
Neteyam took a brave step forward and grasped the other's hand, letting their fingers tangle together. Aonung met him halfway, cradling his chin with the hand not being held so that he could press their mouths together. Neteyam's eyes closed as he sunk into the simple kiss, feeling his chest rub softly against Aonung's.
"Will you sit by me at the evening fire," Aonung asked roguishly, after pulling away, eyes teasing.
Neteyam broke back and shoved him playfully. "Skxawng," he laughed. "Don't you think we are a little past that?"
Aonung grabbed at the blue arm that pushed him and tugged Neteyam back to his chest easily. "Whatever do you mean 'Teyam?" he asked in faux innocence, still unable to keep the smirk off his face.
Neteyam rolled his eyes. But with a swift motion, he tugged Aonung's chin up, forcing eye contact, before kissing suggestively beneath his jaw, letting his tongue tease gently over his skin.
Aonung's bravado instantly dissolved and a laugh burst out of Neteyam's throat when he watched the Metkayina noticeably swallow. Realization hit Aonung's face immediately and then he was the one shoving Neteyam away.
"Uh huh," Neteyam chuckled, seeing how the other's blue eyes had already dilated. "You know exactly what I mean."
"Shut up," the chief's son grumbled, though he still let himself be pulled back into Neteyam's arms. The forest Na'vi smiled in victory.
The two bid their goodbyes outside of the village. Aonung took a moment to rub his cheek affectionately against Neteyam's before they parted.
He easily swung his way through the village, careful not to wake anyone. The group had already agreed yesterday that they would meet in the afternoon, provided the weather held up. Tsireya wanted to teach them how to prepare the shells that the Metkayina gathered by the seawall. They apparently held an important place within the clan's material skills, being used for weapons, utensils, and a variety of other things. On their walk back from the beach, Aonung had promised to show Neteyam how to craft one into a new spearhead. Already he longed for the other's company.
Netayam shouldn't have expected that his absence would not go unnoticed. As he snuck back into the marui, he was greeted by the sight of his father glaring at him. He only managed one step inside the hut before he was dragged back out again by the arm.
"Where the hell did you think you were, boy?" Jake hissed angrily at him. His voice was low, careful not to wake the others but venomous nonetheless. Neteyam grit his teeth trying to ignore the way his father's fingers dug into his skin.
He glanced back towards the hut, ensuring that he hadn't awoken any of his siblings. "I went out to think," he excused, struggling to free his grip. His father's jaw ticked.
"You went out to think?" he repeated incredulously, looking at his eldest son as though he was a moron. "Neteyam the sky people are coming. Do you understand what they do? They destroy."
Neteyam flinched slightly.
"They take and they destroy. I will not risk you because you are too stupid to know not to be lurking around at night. God. I expect this kind of behavior from Lo'ak but you, Neteyam?"
Neteyam lowered his head. "Sorry sir," he bit out.
Jake let out a sigh before letting go of his arm. "Just- just get back inside and don't wake your mother," his father concluded in defeat, placing a disciplining hand on the top of his head, leading him firmly back toward the marui.
He went back into the family hut silently, quickly placing himself down onto his sleeping mat, turning so his back was to his father.
He heard Jake settle back down next to his wife, murmuring something under his breath about having kids and never sleeping again. Neteyam placated himself by staring up at the ceiling, knowing that soon, light would start to make its way into the woven abode and Tuk would be jumping over him, excited to start the day.
Just as predicted, Tuktirey rose with the sun. Her little blue form perked up the second light started to shine through the hut's opening. He squinted a little as the brightness hit his face, although Lo'ak was out to the whole world, oblivious of their sister's morning antics. His brother's head was buried firmly beneath his arms, snoring as loud as a tulkun.
The weather, while still bright, was not nearly as radiant as the sunny days he had grown used to here. Lo'ak grumbled unattractively when Tuk jumped onto his sleeping body with a happy squeal. Something about being a little kid gave her endless amounts of energy that Neteyam would never understand.
Kiri stirred as well, taking her time to wake, rubbing sleep from her eyes. Similar to the Omaticaya, the reef people were early risers. The sooner one started the day the more time they had with Eywa. At least that is what Mo'at preached.
As the whole family woke up and began their day, Neteyam made his way around the marui, straightening things up. He ignored the slight sting in his lower back whenever he bent over. Neteyam dressed quickly, swapping a few beads in his hair as well as reattaching the choker he had taken off before he left the night before.
Lo'ak still sat on the ground yawning tiredly until Jake gave him a firm look and got up rolling his eyes as he pushed his hair back into its normal tie.
The pearl band wrapped around Neteyam's upper arm as it always did, gleaming in the dull light of the morning.
"Do you think it will rain, Ma Jake?" His mother asked, looking out of the hut curiously as she helped him fasten his armbands.
Jake examined the weather for a moment, glancing up at the sky. "It might," he hummed.
"Wouldn't that be exciting Tuk?" he asked, swinging his youngest daughter into his broad arms. Tuktirey giggled as her father set her back down.
"I love the rain!" she exclaimed happily.
Lo'ak snorted and Kiri rolled her eyes. Tuk was absolutely miserable the last time it rained in the forest. She complained for hours, whining about being cooped up and wet and bored and cold and anything her small mind could find fault in.
Although now she stomped her little foot in protest to her sibling's reactions. Even Neteyam laughed a little at her. "I do too, love the rain!" she pouted angrily. "Ask mom!"
Neytiri glanced down at her youngest. "Of course you do, yawntutsyìp," she said, placing a comforting hand on her head. His mother had such a soft spot for Tuk that it blinded her.
Tuk took that as confirmation of her victory and stuck her tongue out at the other siblings before skipping out the door, followed by a newly stressed Jake, as she sang about jumping into the ocean while it rained.
Neteyam snorted and finished his morning routine.
Things went relatively normally as the morning continued. He ate a hasty breakfast of fruit and mashed fish that his mother prepared while Lo'ak excitedly shared their plans for the day. Just as he remembered, they were meeting with Tsireya at noon. Although she said nothing, Kiri's ears perked up in interest once Lo'ak mentioned Rotxo's name. Neteyam knew that if he called her on it for even a second, he could earn an angry slap to the back of his head from his sister.
He did however find it slightly difficult to focus on his tasks when his mind constantly supplied him with the memories of what it felt like to have Aonung inside him. His hands would fumble and he would have to start over with whatever he was doing. It was inconvenient but not unpleasant.
"Neteyam, have you seen my braiding strings?" his mother asked, calling out from the other side of the marui.
Neteyam stood and looked around, about to start the search when Lo'ak came back into the hut.
"Come on bro, it's time to head down to meet up with Tsireya."
He shot his mother an apologetic look and followed his brother out to the village with Kiri behind him. They picked up Tuk on the way, happily collecting her from Jake, who seemed eager to pass her over to her siblings. They were heading to the Tsahìk's marui to practice shell crafting.
Kiri happily took Tuk's hand who skipped alongside them. Crafting back in the forest had always been the youngest Sully's favorite. She and her best friend Popiti used to spend hours searching for bead materials and new threads to weave. He still kept the first anklet she had ever made for him. It was too flimsy to actually be worn but he treasured it anyways. It was one of the few non essentials he found he couldn't part with when they left base camp.
"Sullys!"
Tsireya's happy voice called out to them from ahead, her arms full of white shells. They were large and almost bone-like in color. She quickly deposited them into the arms of Roxto as she motioned them over to her parent's marui. Aonung was by her side, eyes immediately searching for Neteyam. Heat flooded his face the second they met, keenly aware of the promises made to each other the night before.
The Tsahìk's marui was much larger than their own. It had a wide ceiling that was draped with strings of shells and herbs and many other objects Neteyam had never seen before. Tsireya led them inside eagerly and cleared a place on the floor, gesturing for Rotxo to drop the shells there. The group fell to the mats, organizing themselves around the pile as Tsireya began her lesson.
Neteyam felt a familiar presence settle down beside him and he looked over to see Aonung crouch next to him. Not sure what to do with himself he awkwardly shuffled a little to make space for the chief's son.
Tuk was looking at the shells with shining interest, and Neteyam could see her fingers practically itching to pick one up. Before he could grab her, Lo'ak scooped the youngest Sully into his lap so that she would not injure her finger on the sharp edges. She let out a little pout but continued to listen to Tsireya's lecture.
The white materials were neyn shells. They grew off of the reef and were not only strong but abundant in nature. Tsireya took the time to explain how they were collected and what purpose it served to the Metkayina way of life.
While Neteyam had mostly seen them be used for spearheads, he did not account for how versatile the neyn shells actually were. Where the Omaticaya used bone for their needles and hooks, the reef people used shell. Tsireya demonstrated, to his own amazement, how they could be crushed into a chalky powder that, when mixed with water, created a strong substance used to patch up canoes and torn marui pods. So much could be gathered from something many would deem irrelevant. He took one in his hand and considered the weight.
His eyes flitted up only to be caught in Aonung's stare, who had to drag his own gaze away from Neteyam's lips, embarrassment flooded the boy's teal face and he turned back to his sister. Neteyam had to try really hard not to laugh. At least he was not the only one affected by the other's presence.
As Tsireya continued, Neteyam found himself leaning slightly into the other boy's touch, beyond happy when Aonung shifted so that they could subtly press their thighs together. His tail twitched ever so slightly but whatever nerves he had about last night were soothed when the Metkayina linked their fingers together, out of sight from the others. His heart swelled happily.
He was about to ask what tools were used to carve the shells into spear heads when a large commotion could be heard coming from outside the marui.
Tsireya was the first to stand up, quickly followed by her brother. The group left the hut, going outside the walkways, to investigate. A few shouts sounded out as they pushed their way through the crowd, moving to the docks.
A lone scout tore himself off his tsurak. His face was twisted in horror, the tattoo's along his skin morphing into a gruesome expression.
"Olo'eyktan!" he shouted out desperately. "Someone fetch the chief. NOW!"
A few Na'vi immediately disappeared leaving the rest to look towards each other in concern, whispers breaking out amongst themselves. The beast behind the Metkayina was twisting in the water, the agitation of its rider rubbing clearly displayed.
Neteyam looked to Kiri in bewilderment but a sinking feeling began to creep up in his stomach. More and more villagers began to gather. From the corner of his eye he saw Jake and Neytiri approaching, brows furrowed in concern.
Before anything else could be said Tonowari appeared, parting the crowd forcibly, the Tsahìk by his side. The reef scout's face shifted into something akin to horrid grief and pity when he saw Ronal, cradling her pregnant belly. Her sharp eyes missed nothing and the fingers around her bump tightened menacingly as the scout hesitated.
"Speak," Tonowari bellowed. Many of the gathered Na'vi flinched.
"Just off the reef," he whispered out, voice shaky. "Something terrible has happened."