The conch rang out once more as he whipped around toward the beach, watching as people cried out happily and canoes were being pulled ashore.

Neteyam had never run faster in his entire life.

He jumped down from the docks and sprinted toward the sea, ducking out of people's way and apologizing as the sand skittered beneath his feet. Above, tsuraks flew past, their riders raising their spears in excitement, announcing the return of the hunters. More and more people appeared from their huts, excited to see the new warriors. And then there he was.

Aonung stood in the sand, a few meters off from the largest canoe, shaking hands with someone. He held himself up proud and for a moment he seemed almost taller. The Metkayina's hair was loose, save the braids across his forehead, and fell in tangled curls down his back, stained by sea salt and wind.

Neteyam felt his heart stop fully in his chest as he looked upon him. His mate.

And then the spell was broken and Neteyam was tripping over himself trying to get to him.

"Ma 'Nung!" he shouted, voice cracking, as he pushed people out of his way.

Aonung's head shot up instantly at the sound of Neteyam's voice. The teal boy's eyes darted around frantically looking for a hint of the dark blue skin that represented the safety of his mate amongst the crowd. His crystal blue eyes found Neteyam only moments before the Omaticaya completely threw himself into his arms, burying his face hard into his neck.

Aonung let out a little grunt at the impact of the highspeed embrace but grabbed him back immediately, clutching Neteyam like he was the most precious thing in all of Pandora.

Neteyam wanted to sob as he held him back, inhaling and wrapping himself up completely in the other boy. He smelled of the sea, and stale sweat but it didn't matter because it was also so distinctly Aonung that he started to cry. Fuck, he was really here.

Aonung's hands desperately touched all over his back, gripping him tightly, playing with his hair, cradling him close.

"My Neteyam," he breathed out, over and over again. "Oh I missed you. Eywa, I missed you so much."

Neteyam let out a choked sob and Aonung cuddled him even tighter. He was here. He was safe and he was alive. The sea had not taken him away from Neteyam and now he had his mate back in his arms.

'Thank you Great Mother,' Neteyam whispered into his mind, over and over. 'Thank you.'

Aonung shuttered and pressed his face into Neteyam's shoulder, nuzzling him for a moment longer before pulling away.

Hands found his face and Neteyam replicated the motion as they stared at each other. Blue on gold before Neteyam began to search Aonung's face, looking for any injuries or signs of distress.

The white paint was still cracked across his face, flaking off his skin from three days at sea. His blue eyes, yet tired and slightly haggard, were piercing and roaming Neteyam's face like he was truly the only thing in the world and Neteyam was hit by the sudden realization of just how beautiful his mate was.

"Ma Aonung," Neteyam whispered, searching for his eyes once more. Thumbs rubbed against his cheeks warmly in response as he stared back into his golden orbs. "I missed you so much."

Aonung's face cracked and he dragged Neteyam back into his arms, burying his face in his neck once more. "I missed you. I missed you too," the Metkayina repeated, lips moving against his skin.

For a moment, Neteyam thought he must surely be back with Eywa because Aonung felt so good pressing against him. But no, Aonung was here, real and present beneath his skin as he held onto him. It was only the sound of a throat clearing that split them apart.

Aonung stiffened and removed Neteyam from his arms as Tonowari approached. Even the chief's walk commanded respect and the people around them grew silent in anticipation. Even still, Aonung kept Neteyam close, holding him by his side, if not slightly tucked behind his arm. Even when Tonowari turned his critical gaze toward their entwined hands, he said nothing, only nodding and returning to look at his child.

Neteyam watched as father observed son, and it hit him that this was a defining moment in his mate's life. Aonung looked up firmly, meeting the chief's stare and squaring his shoulders.

Pride filled Neteyam as he watched the boy carry the weight of his father's gaze. A gaze that firmly roved over him, observing the travel-weary paint across his face and the slight shake in his hand as a part of the torch was passed down from one Olo'eyktan to the next.

"You have returned to us," the chief finally said. His voice was firm and heavy, but even Neteyam could see the familiar twinkle in his eye as a father welcomed back his child.

"I have," Aonung answered, holding his gaze nervously.

They paused for a moment more, the air tense between them, before Tonowari broke out into a huge smile wrapping an arm around his son and slapping his back. "Well done."

Neteyam could see the sigh of relief that passed through his mate as Aonung un-tensed and relaxed into his father's hold.

"My people!" Tonowari boomed, excitedly, waving an arm out to address the crowd. "Today we welcome back my son as a Warrior. As the future of our tribe!"

Cheers rang out as Na'vi shouted excitedly.

Tonowari placed his hand on Aonung's shoulder proudly and then gestured to the other returning boys. "Not only that but six new warriors. Warriors who have completed their trial and returned to us as true men. As Metkayina!"

Neteyam watched as even more cheers rose, celebrating the boys. Many beat their chests and cried out in excitement, in pride. It was only then when Jake parted his way through the crowd, Neyriri at his side.

Silence overtook the crowd as Neteyam's father approached. He offered his arm to Aonung in congratulations and slapped Tonowari on the back in pride.

"How do you feel, boy?" he asked with a smile. Aonung took his hand timidly and gripped it back.

He looked up at Jake Sully and bowed his head nervously. "Well. I am happy to have returned."

Jake smiled, oblivious, and gripped his arm once more before letting go. "Wonderful! I hear a trial at sea is no joke."

Aonung just nodded nervously and looked back toward Neteyam, eyes searching anxiously. Neteyam squeezed his hand reassuringly and dipped his head, giving him permission. Aonung took a deep breath and let go, taking a step towards his people.

"When I left, you offered me your prayers and your success."

A few people cheered, others nodding alongside him.

"Now that I have returned, you have welcomed me as a warrior, as a future Olo'eyktan."

More cheers, more pounding of chests. Aonung looked back toward his father, toward Neteyam.

"And now I am free to choose a mate."

Silence fell over the crowd like a blanket of snow. Aonung pulled Neteyam to his side and placed a kiss to his temple, calming his heart, before turning back to his people. Teal hands tightened around his own and Aonung stepped forward. "...And I have chosen Neteyam."

Gasps broke out throughout the crowd as their eyes landed on the interlocking hands of the future Olo'eyktan and the Omaticayan outsiders. But Aonung only turned towards Jake, who was staring at the two as though his son had grown a second head.

Aonung held his gaze and rubbed Neteyam's hand reassuringly. "With your permission… sir."

The Sky People word sounded strange on Aonung's tongue and his father's mouth was practically in the sand as he stared at the two of them, jaw open.

Neteyam looked between them nervously, squeezing onto his mate's hand in distress as his father continued to say nothing. It was only when Neytiri stepped up and slapped his shoulder, saying, "Find your tongue, ma Jake," before he closed his mouth.

Toruk Makto turned to look at his son who ducked his head away, too scared to meet his father's eyes, and spoke. His voice came out cracked from shock but the words were audible.

"This is what you want, son?" he asked.

Neteyam looked back up to find sincerity in his father's eyes so he nodded.

"Yes."

Jake studied him for a moment more before he took Neteyam from Aonung's arms and pulled him into a tight embrace. "Then I am proud of you."

Relief pounded through him as his father's acceptance sunk in. Their embrace seemed to break the bubble of tension because Tonowari immediately reached out and slapped his son on the back with a congratulatory grin and Neytiri rushed forward with the brightest smile on her face, pulling her son in next, kissing him all over the face.

"Oh congratulations baby!" she exclaimed, before hugging him again, this time tight enough to make him wheeze. She quickly let go and gave him an apologetic smile before continuing to praise him. But it was his father who surprised them all by pulling Aonung in and hugging him tightly.

Aonung seemed just as surprised and awkwardly patted his soon-to-be father in law on the back stiffly which made Jake chuckle and let go. "Make him happy," he said firmly to his mate and Aonung swallowed nervously before nodding fervently.

"I will," he promised awkwardly and Neteyam felt his ears flush back a little.

Tonowari was next. After patting his son's back he turned to Neteyam. But rather than a handshake, he placed an arm on his chest, over his scar. "You honor my people by being his mate, Son of Toruk. You honor me, as a warrior."

Neteyam's mouth dropped open and he truly stammered trying to find an adequate response to such words. Tonowari just chuckled and patted his shoulder in consolation. "You will be at the celebration for my boy tonight, yes?"

Neteyam nodded, still a bit in shock. "Yes? Yes, of course."

The Olo'eyktan slapped his back. "Good."

A warmth encased him from behind and Neteyam turned around to find a grinning Aonung. A blush stained Neteyam's cheeks and he ducked his head. "Hi."

Aonung pulled him close and nuzzled his cheek, practically leaking adoration. "I see you," he whispered.

Neteyam smiled back and pressed their foreheads together. "I see you."

The canoes that had been pulled ashore were made of a dark wood. The painted swirls had been washed mostly away but some of the white remnants still remained along the side. Aonung took Neteyam's hand and dragged him toward the largest boat. Neteyam was still trembling as his mate, now newly approved by his father, leaned over the side and fished something out.

Neteyam noticed his spear leaning to the side, now etched with deep carvings along the shaft, braids of kelp twisting over the handle grip like twine. A few select pieces of coral had been tied firmly to the head, decorating it in a familiar way. Neteyam smiled as he realized that the spear was beginning to represent who his mate was as a warrior.

Aonung's thumbs distracted him, running up the inside of his wrist, turning his hands so he could place the object within them. It was a large shell, carved to represent a bowl, shining in the warm sun with its mother-of-pearl lining.

Aonung ducked his head nervously and watched as Neteyam skimmed his fingers along the curve of the inside, whispering in awe of the craftsmanship.

"This is beautiful," he said, finally looking up. And it was true, it must have taken hours to carve while he was away. Something you could only find very deep in Pandora's large ocean. Something rare.

A flush slowly began to creep over Aonung's cheeks as he continued to softly touch Neteyam's skin. "It- um, it is a traditional courting gift. It would be the first thing we place in our marui together."

The examining of Neteyam's touch stopped immediately and he looked back at the object in reverence, suddenly feeling very still. Their marui.

He hadn't even thought of that. Now the bowl in his hands seemed even more precious as he realized it was the first thing that they would decorate it with. His hands instantly moved to cradle it more gingerly, examining the carved shell with even more care than before.

"Thank you," he croaked out, realizing that this was probably now one of his most treasured possessions.

Aonung rubbed the back of his neck and his fingers fidgeted around Neteyam's once more.

"Sometimes I can't believe you are letting me court you," the boy admitted.

Neteyam's brow furrowed as he set the shell aside and stepped up to him.

"Why would you say that?"

Aonung's fingers twitched once more, and he ducked his head away. But Neteyam wouldn't have it, so he stepped even closer, tucking his chin under Aonung's collarbone, forcing him to meet his eyes. "Nung," he said softly.

His mate let out a huff, looking to where the shell sat, perched on the boat. "I just- I never thought I could have you. I didn't think I was allowed to have this"

Neteyam's heart ached and his golden eyes stung. But the other boy wasn't finished.

"And then everything happened and you- you still wanted me. Like I was worthy of you in some way-"

Neteyam could take it anymore. He slammed into Aonung and pulled him close, cutting him off. "Stop it," he hoarsed, burying his head into Aonung's neck, puffing his breath against his skin with each word. "You are everything to me. My family, my home. You are so perfect it hurts."

Aonung started to shake his head but Neteyam stopped him, grabbing his face so that he could not push away Neteyam's words and met his eyes.

"You are my mate." Neteyam's voice softened. "My perfect mate."

Aonung, whose hands were still hanging out at his side unsure, snapped up and wrapped around Neteyam like a vice, unceremoniously dragging him to his chest and pulling him close. Holding him like he might disappear at any moment.

"I love you," he whispered, chanting it against the Omaticaya's skin. "I love you, I love you."

Neteyam's heart broke and he held him back, cupping his cheeks so he could rub their noses together. "Txasunu."

"Srane, txasunu," Aonung repeated, out of breath.

"You look wonderful, ma 'itan," his mother reassured, moving her hand down his slicked back and loose hair. She tucked the loose strands over his shoulder and nodded in approval. This was important.

Neteyam had swapped out his typical loincloth for that of a dark purple fabric that hung down between his thighs like silk and rested lowly across his hips. The leather bands lightened as it went along and fastened at the base of his tail in a few loops of warm purple. Around his waist, he had tied a string of small white shells that pattered together when he walked. The pale white of the shells felt cool and calming against the flat of his stomach and shifted slightly with every move of his hips. And his neck, long and slender, was left bare for the first time since he had arrived here.

Nervously, he ran his hand through his hair, feeling the long silky strands that fell down his back.

It was strange, he realized, to not wear the heavy Omaticayan jewelry and braids he favored so much. Yet there was a sense of airy freedom that roamed over him as he moved in his new outfit. He felt beautiful.

Neytiri smiled at her son and looked over her work fondly. She had always loved it when his hair was down.

Neteyam leaned over to tug an anklet above his foot, clipping the shell beads together. They were similar to the ones that lined his waist and stood out against his dark skin and the deep purple of his loincloth. Then he donned an identical one across his wrist, wrapping it around only once and letting it settle across his tendons. In many ways the jewelry was simple, but as he observed himself, it made him look every bit as elegant as Eywa herself. Pale and simple, curved against his waist, dipping across his stomach, highlighting his lean and slender figure.

Everyone else had already left for the fire pit and Neteyam nervously tucked a loose strand of his hair behind his ear. This was it. He and Aonung could truly be mated now. Before Eywa and in the eyes of the clan they would be one. He nervously tugged at his fingers observing himself in the obsidian reflected glass. What would they see? Neteyam te Suli Tsyeyk'itan, son of Toruk Makto. A war bringer?

He had worked so long to find a place to belong, to be loved, and now it all came down to this. He had fought and bled and fuck he had even died, the proof of that written across his chest. He eyed the plaster that he still wore above his wound, hiding the already-healed scar from the world. Or would they see him? Just Neteyam. The boy who finally had a home.

Neteyam took off the bandage.

He had barely made it out of the marui when he ran into a very frazzled, yet still utterly beautiful Tsireya. She had sharp pieces of shell littered throughout her loose curls. All of her crown braids had been undone, save for two that crossed just behind her ears and met around the back of her head, falling in tandem with her queue.

Lo'ak was going to shit himself.

"Neteyam!" she exclaimed. Her eyes widened as she took him in, purple attire with shells to match… silver white scar above his heart. She lit up, her exposed tanhì glowing even brighter. "Oh you look stunning!"

Neteyam felt his cheeks heat up and he ducked his head while simultaneously worrying his lip. "Thank you," he said softly. "So do you."

Her small lips formed into a smile and her ears twitched happily at the compliment. The fabric she had wrapped herself in swayed at her every movement, making her look as though she were made of the water herself. It was similar to the outfit she wore the night of the tulkun's return and Neteyam couldn't help but admire the beauty in the sheer blue cloth, sparkling in the night air.

"Thank you," she said.

The air felt good against his skin and the night shone down on him like velvet. He inhaled nervously as the two walked towards the village, already he could smell the burning of wood and hear the drum beats of celebration rising up to the sky. Sparks flew up around them as they approached the fire. Everyone had gathered there, drinking and celebrating.

Na'vi everywhere were dancing and singing, some moved by the fire as if possessed by the great spirit, twisting and spinning while others watched, illuminated by their light. It was… it was beautiful.

Large cups of swoasey were being passed around and people either drank happily or passed it onto the next. Some people danced while others say by the fire. Smoke filtered up through the air and from where Neteyam stood it made it seem like the night sky was surrounded by its own little galaxy. This was a celebration, just like the night of the tulkun's return. And as Neteyam stepped closer, more drum beats rang out and some kind of call-and-response chant filled his ears.

"Come on!" Tsireya said, tugging his hand and pulling him into the fray. The warmth of the flames filled the gathering space and a platter of cooked fish caught his eyes as it was whisked around, offered to anyone who wanted some. It was very similar to an Omaticayan gathering, he noted, watching people dance and laugh. A part of his heart yearned to sway with the music, to feel the beat of the drums and twist his body around. Many Metkayina seemed to have the same thought as him because there were many partners, swirling around in a mix of flowing fabric and teal skin, dancing around the nightlight.

Some families laughed together as their children bounced around excitedly, ignoring the large fire and running around with each other by the trees while others ate happily, surrounded by friends and loved ones. Neteyam caught sight of his father, arm in arm with the chief as the two let out loud booming laughter, spilling their drinks whenever one of them chose to slap the other's shoulder in recounting stories of the war and great hunts.

Despite his looking around he struggled to see, the one he wanted most through the tangle of the celebration and noise. Many cups were overflown with drink and people moved around freely to the music and the laughter of their friends.

Above and around him, little glowing bugs had filled the air, making their way up to the sky, illuminating the walkways and nearby marui. More swoasey was passed around and the sound of his brother's laughter caught his attention making his ears perk up.

He turned to try and find Tsireya again, wanting to be there when Lo'ak first saw her, only to run smack into his mate.

Aonung made a noise of surprise as he looked down only to come face to face with Neteyam and everything, the whirl of the party, the drum beats, the roar of the fire… all of it came to a stop.

Whatever breath had been in his chest was stolen as he took him in. Because from the curve of his neck to the lower portion of his jaw and just gracing his temple, ran the dark intricate swirls of traditional tattoo ink. The Metkayina right of passage and the tattooing of a future Olo'eyktan.

Neteyam almost passed out.

His mate's teal skin was lathered with some kind of oil, illuminating the black patterns, in such a stark contrast to his normal teal. Neteyam felt his mouth go dry as he tried to piece together a single intricate thought. His hair had been combed out and rebraided. The black curls had regained to their usual glossy bounce and were pulled back behind his head, only this time the bun was complete, sitting fully formed behind his ears, decorated by sharp pieces of shell that shone like little daggers in the fire light's reflection. He seemed stronger, taller and as he felt the closeness of him his ears warmed.

Thick bands of coral crossed over both his biceps, straining against his skin and his eyes glittered a shocking clear-blue, practically glowing in the shining night.

Aonung was the most beautiful thing Neteyam had ever seen in his entire life. He looked regal, fierce, strong. And then the world around them died out and it was just the two of them looking at each other, eyes locked.

"Neteyam," he whispered.