Chapter Text
There are many things that are difficult right now but this is probably the only thing that has been simple.
Neteyam wanted to yell at his father when the decision was made to leave their home, knowing that they would likely not return. Everything that he had known up until this point would have been for nothing, subject to the war started by the sky people and agitated by his father, a former sky person.
He had no choice but to be strong, to put on a strong front as they flew away, spending days traveling to a new place. The worst of it is, he had only begun to accept mid-ride what this new life entails for them. They must be hidden; he will not make new friends or go out riding. His father had made it clear that they are seeking refuge and shall not become one with their people.
They have no home, no one but each other.
Olo'eyktan and his wife, the Tsahìk, meet them at the shore. Night has fallen upon them at this time, the Metkayina clan at rest. After harsh scrutiny and deliberation, they were allowed to stay, holding to the promise that they stay out of the public eye. If they made it known in any way that they were there, war would be thrust upon the Metkayinans, and they wanted no part in "what Jake started."
Neteyam wanted to tell his father to deny that statement, to speak in pride of his story and what all he had experienced 15 years ago. Yet his father lowered his head, speaking of his thanks for the protection of his family. They were escorted to a pod that was hidden in deep bushes. It was obvious it had not been lived in for a while. His mother had tucked her head high in pride, but Neteyam was not blind to the pain in her eyes.
The clan leaders left them to their devices, providing general rules of advice for staying here. What they really mean is how to survive here, but by the way the woman scanned over their bodies, clear in her disdain, Neteyam figures they wouldn't have a strong chance of thriving here.
After their departure, Jake turns around, and it is obvious what sort of thing he will say. He has to provide some sort of comfort in the situation, something that says that they will be okay. He huddles them all together, giving them a spiel of that nature. They'll make it work, but it'll take some time and patience. He reminds them that this family is their fortress and they will be fine.
Neteyam wishes he could believe it a little bit more.
It was a few months before they began to see the light of things. Thankfully, the only people who know of them come by when they can, teaching them various things about their lifestyle. It was mentioned that they have children, a son and a daughter. Neteyam wonders if they also were able to hear of them, to know that they existed.
Neytiri takes the change the hardest out of all of them. She spent most of the time away, trying to find anything that reminds her of home.
Neteyam wonders if he will ever find companionship, but an opportunity comes when he is resting by a bank. He hears three people talking, and he was taking a risk by trying to find the people and listen in. He does anyway.
"Are you going to the party tonight?" One asks.
The other two nod their approval before voicing it.
"It's going to be so fun."
Neteyam sprouts an idea as they continue to talk, an idea that he could attend the event. He talks about it with his older siblings later than night.
"You should go!" Kiri says, Lo'ak nodding with her.
"I can't," Neteyam whispers, "they'll know I left." They duck their heads closer to each other, attempting to keep their conversation out of the father, who stands outside of the pod.
"We'll lie and say you're going hunting." Neteyam shakes his head once.
"He won't believe me unless I am with one of you."
"Then I'll go somewhere," Lo'ak insists, "or I'll say I tried to run off and you had to find me." Kiri hums at that one, clear in agreement. To be honest, it isn't something that Lo'al wouldn't do. Neteyam's silence is indicative of the way that excuse would work. Kiri grabs a hold of his shoulders, drawing his attention back.
"This is a once in a lifetime thing. None of us have had the chance to leave, but you do! You're the best one to go." Neteyam stops answering once more, thinking. The repercussions if he was caught...
"I'll need something to wear," Neteyam finally says. Kiri rolls her eyes, standing up and diving into her storage place. She returns with two pieces of jewelry.
"Just wear these. Can't do anything about your loincloth though.." Neteyam must be giving her a look, her features suddenly defensive. "I was bored, okay?" Neteyam has a small smile.
"I got one that I made that you can borrow. It's not like I have anyone to attract."
"That's for certain," Kiri says. Neteyam covers his mouth with his hand to stifle his laugh.
"Will you wear my bead?" Tuk says, holding a bead out.
"Tuk!" Neteyam pulls her closer. "You can't tell anyone about this."
"I won't I promise. Will you wear it?" Neteyam ducks his head, allowing her to place the bead in the end of his braid. She gives him a hug afterwards, and he holds her a little tighter. He takes what still lies in Kiri's hands, holding the waistpiece and necklace in his hands.
All of his siblings wait for his answer. Neteyam weighs his options, for he is aware that if he makes himself known in any way, that their protection will be removed and they will be exposed to everyone.
"Alright," he looks to them, "I'll go."
The event was nothing to amazing that he was in over his head, but there were certainly dances and customs that he was completely unaware of. Although it was night, he stuck to the shadows, aware from the fire. He has a different tone of skin than the Na'vi that he sees here. he will be known otherwise.
Yet he enjoyed himself. He loved to watch the people joke and have fun; some even waved him in, demonstrating their desire to include him. Neteyam feels bad for each time he shakes his head, indicating that he did not want to join them.
But he stared at the fire, listened to the music, and loved every minute of it.
"You could go out there, you know. This is a mating party." He hears from behind him. Neteyam jumps.
"Wha- Mating party?" Neteyam feels a little stupid now, knowing this was a kind of event that requires him to be in the limelight. He takes the time to study the male before him. His hair was styled in a tight bun and he adorned a smirk. Neteyam has a feeling that it never leaves his face.
"My, my, you are something." Neteyam doesn't have time to find a response before the man is seating next to him. Neteyam quickly finds distance, which he is certain doesn't leave the watchful gaze next to him. He swallows. "You are not here to find a mate, but you came anyway." it is not phrased as a question, but he can tell the inquisitive nature beyond the statement.
"I wanted to go out," is all Neteyam says. He knows better than to provide any information that could indicate who he is or where he is from. Neteyam really should've reconsidered attempting to paint his skin.
"I see." Neteyam really hopes he doesn't. Neteyam doesn't respond or offer more information, so they sit in silence. He returns to watching everyone else, smiling when three people tumble on top of each other, howling in laughter. He misses when he was able to experience others in such manner. It has been too long.
He turns his head, surprised to find the man continuing to look at him, unwavering in his gaze.
"What is it?" He is scared he is going to say something that would expose him, and that he must run away. The aspect of being caught once more has his body tensing up.
"You are beautiful," is all he says. Neteyam hates that his body relaxes.
"You do not know me." The man hums, evident in his agreement.
"Would you allow me to?" No, no, no, no. Neteyam stands, brushing himself off. He disregards the flush of warmth he feels when the other man reaches for his hand.
"I have to go," Neteyam insists, pulling his hand away. He walks away from the man, heading farther away from the party, set to begin his journey home. He walks for about a minute before he can hear the man following him.
"You can't follow me!" A hand is reaching for him again, turning him around. Neteyam is shocked to see the man lose his smirk, head lowered and eyes slanted. He is determined.
"I'd follow you anywhere." Neteyam shakes his head, and he takes note that in the distance, the song changes.
"You can't. Go back." He puts his hand on his chest, ready to push him away. Yet the lighter Na'vi holds his hand there, leaning his face in. He has that smirk again.
"Dance with me."
"You - I -" Neteyam couldn't even find the words, huffing instead. The other man takes that as a win.
"I will let you go for the night if you allow me one dance. That is all I ask." He still holds his hand to his chest, and Neteyam is surprised that he did not move it yet. He has yet to confront this tension that rests between them, but he know he has to. He has to end it quickly before it takes to look. He shouldn't have come in the first place. He needs to deny the dance, walk off, and just be happy he got to see other people for the night.
"One," he says instead. Neteyam finds himself entranced by the smile he receives, their small height difference seeming vast at this moment. He feels towered over, perhaps because this man displays such confidence without knowing so much as his name. He doesn't even know that!
Their bodies sway, Neteyam having to look away. One part is out of embarrassment and the other is the fact that he cannot look at him. He cannot admit to himself that his charm is something he had not come across before, someone so intent on seeing him. Curiosity has him wondering what the guy could possibly think will come from this.
"So I have some thoughts about you, and I'd like to know how right I am." Oh, he's a confident one certainly. Neteyam rolls his eyes, but doesn't tell him no.
"You're my age, but I've never seen you before. And I should have, I know a lot of people." The man looks down to him, expecting an answer of sorts. The lack of response is response enough. "So you're someone who is visiting."
"You can say that," is all Neteyam supplies. The man smiles, tightens his grip.
"You didn't come to make friends or find a mate, so I can only think you didn't know what you were coming into." He stops again, awaiting confirmation.
"Yes." Neteyam is struggling to not lean into his warmth, but as time passes, he finds that his head was near the man's neck, breathing him in. The man hums again, and he can feel it rumble throughout his body.
"You're not supposed to be here." Neteyam likes the way his voice sounds, now that his voice doesn't drip in arrogance.
"Yes." They have been in each other's hold for at least three songs at this point. Neteyam is unsure why he let this go as far as he did. He has an odd sense of familiarity, despite the fact he met him an hour ago.
"So why come?"
Neteyam thinks through his answer, something that wouldn't give him too much. Something else falls from his lips instead. "I have only seen my family for months now. I love them, of course, but I just wanted.." A hand grips his chin, tilting his head up. He looks into those blue eyes again.
"Aonung," he supplies. Neteyam recognizes it must be his name, so he tries it on his tongue. Aonung's smile is addictive. "I would like to kiss you." Neteyam's eyes widen, his body stepping away. Aonung is quick to remove that space.
"You shouldn't. You.."
"You can feel it too, don't you?"
"That does not matter! I shouldn't have come." Aonung is reaching for his hand again, tugging them until they are once again touching. Neteyam swallows.
"I have not met someone as intriguing as you. You are a wonder and I don't even know your name." Aonung speaks as if he holds Pandora on his shoulders, with such reverence. He lifts Neteyam's hand, placing it on his cheek. He leans into the touch, despite the fact he is the one who is doing it, Neteyam watching on as if he has no autonomy. "Your skin is such a pretty blue."
"Aonung," he breathes out.
"For just a second, don't think about what you have to do. No family, no duty, no expectation." He knows he is giving in, their noses bump. He is going to kiss him. He wants to be kissed. Aonung is all too happy to make that happen, their lips brushing. Neteyam's body coils, begging for release.
A call stops him altogether. It is Lo'ak, somewhere in the distance. It is his warning. He sucks up his breath, but Aonung is intent on taking it away himself, holding him tighter. Neteyam would give in if Lo'ak didn't call for him a second time, louder. He forces himself away.
"I have to go." He doesn't give him any time to reply, running off before Aonung could conjure a response. He hears the man calling for him, but it is fruitless. He cannot return.
He finds Lo'ak shortly, somehow climbing one of their tiny trees. They run together.
"Was it fun, brother?" Lo'ak smiles wide. Neteyam is mirroring the expression, lightly pushing on him.
"it was alright." They dash home, with enough time to compose themselves before they put on their act. Neteyam drags Lo'ak inside by his hair, insisting to his parents that he had to go find Lo'ak.
Lo'ak gets scolded that night, reminding all of them of the danger that would happen if someone were to know of their existence. Neteyam swallows, aware that Aonung had seen him. Not just his eyes, but his skin. He knows that he is different, he told him!
When he gets ready for bed that night, he tries to tell himself that Aonung will forget about him and that this is the only time he will try this. Rest couldn't find him for a while, his thoughts circling the warmth of Aonung's body. Or the way it felt as if he could see through him. Or the way his lips felt with just a brush.
"Goodbye Aonung," Neteyam speaks into the night.
The night does not respond.