Chapter Text
Since he was a wee boy, Lo'ak has always been told to tone down his impulsiveness, to think first before acting on whatever unhinged thought he had. It's gotten him into plenty of trouble, but he swears, he swears just this one thing will prove he's right and not a knucklehead, god Dad.
Like the time he and Neteyam were lost in the deep forest. Admittedly, he was the one that got them lost by pulling them in further and further, on a quest to find a flower for Oewi, the prettiest girl of the clan. Neteyam exasperatedly tried to drag him back and ended up so distracted from hissing after him that he also lost track of where they were. Needless to say, Lo'ak found the flower and the miraculous way back due to the help of said flowers.
Neteyam thinks it was Eywa or whatever, but Lo'ak attributes it to his own skills.
Oewi ended up having an allergic reaction to the flower's budding pollen. It left her nose a bit swollen for a few weeks, looking almost like a direhorse, and also blowing any of Lo'ak's chances to woo her. Lo’ak was only a little bit heartbroken after she wailed at him, but first loves at eight don't count.
And now he’s mated to only the most amazing person in the entire galaxy.
That said, being close to the edge of near death never stops him because when has sitting back gotten him anywhere?
Never mind the times it'd gotten him nowhere.
And so he lived his life in this tempestuous way, pissing off everyone left and right in that rebellious manner. Neteyam being thrown in the path of their dad's wrath didn't stop him even when the guilt sometimes choked his lungs.
That is until Neteyam was almost whisked away into the Great Mother's loving warmth because of Lo'ak's decisions and that put an abrupt brake to his impulsive nature. The drenched smell of bitter iron on his hands haunted Lo’ak for months and possibly years because he still wakes to the ghostly, sour scent.
Neteyam miraculously survived and after sobbing in the mangroves for a week straight, Lo'ak snapped out of it. It was time to finally grow up, he reasoned as he kept vigil over Neteyam's comatose body.
No more recklessness.
So when Lo'ak comes across Neteyam running his fingers through Aonung's undone hair by the beach, he's cool as can be.
"Lo'ak!" Tsireya exclaims in dismay and yanks the fishing net from his hands, "You ripped this wide open!"
He's so fucking cool.
Cool as a cucumber as Dad would sometimes say. He doesn't even know what a cucumber is. Dad told him they were gross.
"Sorry, babe," and he kisses her nose. Tsireya giggles. She loves the Sky People's terms of endearment and Lo'ak is more than happy to shower her with these honeyed words.
Aonung wasn't pleased the first time he heard them and it didn't help when Neteyam opened his eyes as to what they meant. Why use those words when perfectly fine Na'vi words like yawntu oeyä and paskalin exist, Aonung loudly complained. In retaliation to the statement Lo'ak upped the ante, showering Tsireya with honey and pookie bear at the communal dinner that night.
The look of revulsion on Ao'nung's face along with Tsireya's pretty blush made it worth it.
Cooing, Lo'ak takes the net from her hands and lays it out on the floor of their marui to repair the torn edges. As he twines them together, he keeps sneaking glances over at the pair sitting by the shore from the entrance.
Neteyam is smiling at whatever Aonung is babbling on about. It probably isn't that funny -- the crown for the funniest Na'vi in the clan is Lo'ak, thank you very much -- but Neteyam's eyes turn into crescents and his mouth is wide open in delight. He shoves at Aonung's massive shoulder and the action causes Aonung to slip off the rock they're sitting on and flop into the water. Neteyam's peal of laughter echoes across the calming waves.
Lo'ak frowns.
He doesn't recall Neteyam ever being like this around Aonung. Not that he pays attention much to what's been happening in his brother's life as of late, he thinks guiltily. His life is now revolved on building a life with Tsireya and their future family.
They've all gotten fairly close since Neteyam's near death, Aonung being one of many to help with his recovery process after coming out of his coma. Despite having started on the wrong foot, Lo'ak slowly came to realize that they both have the same sense of loyalty to those they care about. To gain Aonung's trust and friendship is to have his back, something that Lo'ak is happy to give and receive in return. Even before Lo'ak and Tsireya announced their courtship, he considered Aonung to be a brother and he was sure that Neteyam felt the same.
At least until this very moment.
Lo'ak has never felt the need to card his hands through Aonung's soaked hair like what Neteyam is doing right now. Or to tug at his ears. Or to caress the back of his neck. His eyes are shimmered with an expression that awfully reminds Lo'ak of the times Tsireya first looked at him in their private moments.
And then the realization suddenly dawns on him. It smacks into his brain like the first time he tried to ride an ilu and it slammed his body back into the water.
Holy fucking shit.
--
"Sullys," Lo'ak tries to put on his most serious voice. Puberty did not bless him with the deep dulcet tones that Neteyam's voice has. "Thank you for coming to this family meeting."
"We were having a lovely breakfast when you came storming in." Kiri quips, voice terse and clipped. Lo'ak almost flips her off simply because he can, but he resists. He's an adult, a mated one at that and a warrior. He has to be the mature one here.
"Why's Neteyam not here for this?" Tuk yawns, covering her mouth with her palm, before stuffing her face with some glider fish. It's so disgusting to the point that Lo'ak can't help but admire her appetite. Even though she's seventeen and is the spitting image of Neytiri in both looks and hunting skill, eating reverts her back to child-like behavior.
"Out hunting with the boys. The bros. The squad--"
"Shouldn't you be out there too?" Kiri interrupts.
Rude. Lo'ak was on a roll.
"I told them I was sick."
"Sick?" The statement causes Neytiri to straighten in alarm and to drop her arrows. Her cool hands are all over his face in an instant and she begins her pat down, peppering him questions about how he was feeling when he woke.
This is so mortifying.
Beyond even.
"Mom, please, M-om!" He manages to peel her hands away from his cheeks. They warm in embarrassment. He has a mate for crying out loud. Neytiri tuts at him before sitting by her spot next to Jake. Kiri and Tuk giggle into their breakfast. "I was lying!"
"Lo'ak." Jake levels a flat, unimpressed look that has Lo'ak feeling like he's fourteen again and a total fucking loser. His skin breaks out in a sweat and his face feels stupid hot.
"No, Dad. Not like lying." It was exactly like lying. Jake continues to glower and Lo'ak is losing the plot here. "I swear I have a good reason!"
"And that is?" Jake's face remains stoic but the command to explain is all over his expression.
"Neteyam didn't say, but I'm a hundred percent sure he's in love with Aonung," Lo'ak blurts.
Tuk squeals and claps her hands. She nearly chokes on her piece of glider fish. "I knew it!" she gasps out, the piece flopping onto the mat.
"I already knew," Kiri says primly. She takes a sip of tea. At least that’s what Tsireya said that's what it was when she gifted a bag of the dried up leaves to Kiri, but when Lo'ak tried it, he thought his stomach turned inside out and almost fainted. Kiri's lashes flutter in blissful delight. "Because I have eyes."
Lo'ak deflates and looks towards his parents. Neytiri doesn't seem surprised by his announcement. Her face remains stoic and unchanging, more focused on sharpening her arrow tips, but Jake sits there with a look of perturbed confusion. Lo'ak flits his gaze back towards his sisters, feeling a bit slighted.
"You guys hid this from me?"
He's sure what he feels is the sting of betrayal. He's not that oblivious, is he? What happened to being the Sully gang and never not telling each other everybody's secrets? Never mind the fact that he did that multiple times throughout his teenaged youth, it's the principle of the thing.
Lo'ak shakes it off and sits up straighter, puffing out his chest. It's no matter, not when he set out to his family's marui this morning to fulfill a mission.
A mission he only came up with this morning, but whatever. Tsireya said he was a genius for it and that counted for something.
"I think we should do something about it."
"Oh. Lo'ak, let's not--" Kiri groans, holding a hand out towards him as if to stop him. He grabs hold of it in a tight grip and shakes it in brimming excitement.
"We should set them up together! Or at least help Neteyam confess his feelings."
"There we go," Kiri mutters and tugs her hand out of his grasp.
He sits back, satisfied that he managed to reveal his mission. Tuk nods in excitement and honestly, he needs to make her that choker that he's promised. Unlike the negative blob that is Kiri.
"I think it's none of our business." Kiri crosses her arms over her chest. "Neteyam's an adult. He can do whatever he wants with his feelings."
"I think we should help them out! What if he stays a sad lonely adult? He's way past the mated age!"
"I'm past mated age too, you skxawng. He seems fine to me."
"Kiri!"
"And how do you propose we do this?" Kiri's voice is so dry the water beneath their marui probably retreated.
"A date by the beach like in those Tawtute movies Norm has," Tuk sighs out and looks up dreamily towards the thatched ceiling. Something tells Lo'ak that whoever attempts to woo her will have a lot to live up to. "When the sky and ocean turn pink and orange and the stars will shine after the eclipse and then they'll finally share a kiss--"
"Since when has Neteyam been in love with Aonung?" Jake finally says.
"Dad, we've moved past this."
"Lo'ak."
"Sorry, sir."
"Ma Jake." Neytiri lays a calming hand to his shoulder. "It's been obvious for years."
You blind idiot is left unsaid.
Jake stares down at his hands in disbelief. "How haven't I noticed? He hasn't said a word to me. Did he think I wouldn't approve? My uncle had boyfriends, you know!"
Lo'ak almost feels bad since he was also only in the same position of ignorance until yesterday afternoon. Neytiri coos something to Jake and it seems to get him out of whatever spiral of thoughts he got himself into. He perks up in excitement.
"We should go to the Olo'eyktan and Tsahik. For their approval to Neteyam's and Aonung's courtship first."
Lo'ak sputters. He loves the enthusiasm, but-- "Wait a minute Dad. Maybe we don't do that yet. Neteyam hasn't let his feelings known and what if Aonung rejects him?"
"And you want us to waste our time matchmaking them with that attitude?"
Lo'ak is really not appreciating Kiri being the one that has to drag everybody back to reality. A Debbie Downer as Max liked to say when he was snarking at Norm in the lab. Today's not the day. He exasperatedly sighs at her and she only responds with a sharp glare back.
They've gotten along a lot better since they reached adulthood, but it's moments like this where Lo'ak feels as if they've reversed back to their childhood. Constantly in spats, minus the physical slaps they gave each other.
He takes in a deep breath.
"I'm sure Aonung feels the same way." Neytiri's calm voice breaks the tension between the two. "But that's only based on what I have observed over the years. He looks at our Neteyam with fondness in his eyes. It reminded me of you back then."
She looks deeply into said eyes and Jake is also caught in the same pull.
Unbelievable.
Lo'ak holds back a groan. He loves it when his parents talk about their out of this planet love story, but they get like this every single time and right now is not the time. Time and place!
The mission is going awry once again.
He turns to his sisters -- Tuk is staring at their parents with a lovesick expression on her face while Kiri shakes her head.
"Neteyam can handle this on his own."
"You know Neteyam won't say anything. Kiri, come on," he pleads, interrupting her next words. "He'll keep his feelings locked up because of some shitty -- sorry, Dad -- obligation. When has he ever done anything for himself?"
The question gives her pause and he can see it in her eyes. She's at the edge of hesitation. Lo'ak can almost taste it. He knows exactly what she's thinking of. Neteyam's self sacrificial nature is one aspect that has aggravated the both of them and it's become more apparent after his near death. The three of them have gotten in near screaming matches with Neteyam about it. Lo'ak smothers that stray thought away because so not the time.
"All we have to do is set them up in romantic scenarios. It's only meant to be a nudge for him. And if Mom's right, for Aonung too. Until, you know." Lo'ak twirls a hand around in circles to indicate the lovey dovey aspect of their relationship.
Kiri throws her hands up in the air. "Fine. You win, Mr. Lover Boy."
Tuk claps.
--
Lo'ak can't believe he never noticed before and Kiri poking fun at his lack of awareness on this matter is sort of deserved. It doesn't mean he appreciates it however. He's one of the best warriors of Awa'atlu for crying out loud. His skill set doesn't come that easily and he notices things!
Just not this one thing.
But once he's seen it, he cannot unsee it. Neteyam's infatuation for Aonung is so disgustingly obvious that Lo'ak is sure the Sky People on Earth would be able to see it. On morning hunts when Aonung is handing out group assignments, the dopiest look would cross Neteyam's face. It's not noticeable, but after having grown up the majority of his life to witness Neteyam turn into the warrior he is today, Lo'ak is used to the serious expression when he's on duty.
He sits on his tsurak, back straight as a rod and looking ready to throw his spear at the first sign of movement in the water. Except there's the slight upward tilt of his lips and dreamy adoration in his eyes that doesn't stray away from Aonung's face. Lo'ak can't recall if Neteyam ever liked anyone back home in the forest and if he did, it doesn't compare to whatever this is.
Then Aonung lifts an arm up to adjust his bun still commanding everyone to listen to him as he goes on about numbers and fish and blahblahblah. The movement shows off the thickness of his flexed bicep. Drops of water sluice off, leaving his skin wet and shiny underneath the sunlight.
Lo'ak almost gets the attractive appeal because for a moment, he sees Tsireya in her brother's image and now he wants to claw his own eyeballs out at the fleeting thought. He glances over at Neteyam who looks like he wants to jump Aonung's bones. He swears he sees Neteyam licks his lips.
So gross.
Tearing his eyes out is sounding more likely. Or wretching onto the sand.
The Sully brothers are such disasters, Lo'ak thinks.
--
Inviting Neteyam over for dinner is too easy.
"Bro. Come over for dinner tonight. Tsireya's cooking!"
Neteyam chucks his spear and it cleanly cuts into the water and stabs a passing flat skate fish. His tensed stance remains in the same position, arm still thrown out in its follow through. It's only when he sees the cloud of blood that he relaxes and he turns to look back at Lo'ak, bright smile on his face. His braids dramatically clack against each other. Lo'ak's been whipped in the face too many times by them when he was younger and holding tight around Neteyam's frame as they flew on the back of his ikran.
Good times.
"....Alright. I like her cooking. I'll come." Neteyam drags up the spear from the water.
Lo'ak blinks.
Because of course his brother would effortlessly catch not just one, but two flat skate fish at the same time. Even when spear fishing is his weakest ability.
"I believe that's four for me and zero for you," Neteyam says as he gently removes the fish off the pointed end and into his basket. He winks like he's in one of those corny cartoons Norm likes to watch in his spare time. The sparkling water surrounding them does not help and only makes him look stupid shiny. "Falling behind bro."
Lo'ak hoists his spear over his shoulder. The indignity of a silly competition when he's one of the best hunters in the Metkayina clan! He shouldn't participate in such immaturity.
"You're so fucking on," he declares.
--
"Does this scream romance to you? I don't know if it does." Lo'ak delicately ties the flowers into place and the seaweed holds them up, petals glowing from the warm rays of Tsawke. "Or is this overdone?"
Kiri scoffs and tightens a frond around the bouquet of flowers Tuk collected earlier. "And what do you know about romance?"
"Uh. Hello?" Lo'ak waves a string of flimsy seaweed in her face. "I'm mated to the best person of the atoll? Did you think I wooed her with only my gorgeous face?"
"If I remember right, all you said was hey." Kiri deepens her voice on the last word and Tuk cackles into her shoulder. They both start saying hey to each other in the worst possible imitation of Lo'ak's voice, going deeper and deeper in each iteration until they break down into howling laughter.
Lo'ak shakes his head and tosses the rest of the seaweed back into the waves. Maybe he was an embarassing, bumbling teenager, but Tsireya liked him back all the same. He wooed Tsireya properly, thank you very much. She was into his clumsy mess of words when he tried to recite a love poem that he'd written. It wasn't the most poetic, Lo'ak is not a weaver of words like Neteyam or Kiri, but Tsireya's eyes shined so brightly under the shimmering aurora. His mom thought it was sweet even if she initially didn't agree with him using a romantic method Jake shared that Sky People sometimes did.
Tuk tickles his nose with a palm leaf and flutters it towards the glimmering blue sky. "Don't worry Lo'ak. When Tsawke sets, it will make everything here look like gold and turn Neteyam's eyes so pretty that Aonung won't know what'll hit him."
He glances around the area Tuk had chosen for "The Dinner". Tsireya capitalized it.
It's a bit away from the village, but the line of woven marui huts stand close by. He could see his and Tsireya's own marui from here. The rocks here are flatter, smoothed over by the tides, and the rocky outcrop opens up to the expanse of blue water. They drug out a mat and covered the edges with bouquets of flowers and colorful seaweed. He could picture it as Tuk says, the rocks and ocean washed in molten gold sunlight, reflecting the vast sky. It would only spur those feelings Neteyam has and force him to say something.
It's simple, but goddamn if this isn't the most romantic dinner he's ever planned.
--
Tsireya takes out the leaf wrapped flat snapper fish from the steaming basket. Lo'ak drools at the delectable smells of spices and almost changes his mind at how this dinner will go. Surely they can wait one more night.
Sensing his nefarious thoughts, she lightly slaps the back of his wandering hand.
"I made you something else, don't be greedy." Tsireya lays the fish on a wide seashell, its pearly luminescence shining from the hot steam. The shell is one of their nicest ones that they take out for big family dinners, but only the best for Neteyam and Aonung, Lo'ak thinks to himself. He decorates around the entree with the spare flowers from earlier and the splash of color brightens the dish. Lo'ak nods in satisfaction at the arrangement.
Perfectly romantic.
"Yawntu," Tsireya's voice is light in excitement. "I can see them heading here!"
He crawls to where she is, peeking over her shoulder at the entryway to their marui. The two of them are still a distance away on the walkway, deep in conversation, but all Lo'ak can see is the sparkle in Neteyam's eyes that are zeroed in on Aonung. A lock of hair comes loose from Aonung's bun and Neteyam reaches over to fix it into place, leaving his fingers to linger by Aonung's ear as if he doesn't want to part from him. Aonung on the other hand continues to talk, completely oblivious to it all.
Once again, Lo'ak curses himself for never noticing Neteyam's affection. Since when was he this touchy with Aonung? How is Aonung remaining so ignorant in the face of it? What a skxawng.
Tsireya sighs.
"Aren't they a beautiful couple?"
Lo'ak scoffs and lightly taps her cheek with the drum of his fingers. "I think you're thinking way too ahead. Besides that title belongs to us."
She snorts. Lo'ak is almost offended. Because obviously they make the most beautiful couple in all of the Eastern Sea, right? With her wit and smarts and his strength and also his smarts, they're pretty much a power couple.
Tsireya shoos him out to greet them, while making her way over to where "The Dinner" is taking place, seashell plate in hand. She wants to decorate more flowers around her dish, finding what Lo'ak did too sparse. Her pretty tail wags back and forth and Lo'ak can't help but stare, chest full of a swarm of flutterflies, at the hypnotic sways until she disappears from view. How is he so lucky?
"Was that Tsireya I saw leaving?" Aonung's voice interrupts his thoughts. Lo'ak swears he doesn't jump, but when he turns around Neteyam is cackling into the palm of his hand. Lo'ak scowls.
"Aonung stomps around like a clumsy direhorse. How could you not hear him approaching?"
"Dude, I do not. You're just a skinny lightweight." Aonung knocks his shoulder into Neteyam's in feigned annoyance. In response, Neteyam shoves him right back. Aonung's taken to using the American slang he's heard Lo'ak and Neteyam use, but his accent stretches out the vowel. Norm once said he sounds like a "Californian surfer" when he spoke English, but even Lo'ak couldn't describe it to Aonung when asked. It sounded nonsencial.
"I don't have to answer that, dude," Lo'ak says haughtily then after a beat, gestures to the pathway that will lead them to the beach. "Dinner's outside tonight."
Neteyam falters in his steps and Aonung catches him, broad hand settling around his waist. He doesn't remove it right away, instead letting it settle around Neteyam. Lo'ak stares.
"Wait. What's wrong with your marui?"
It hits Lo'ak then that he never came up with a good excuse as to why.
This is where Tsireya would have jumped in if she didn't waltz on ahead with her bewitching tail.
"Erm. Well. You see...it's infested. With arachnoids." That gets the two of them to look alarmed. They should be. He's never seen any by the water, unlike back in the forest where they weave their elaborate webs. Lo'ak learned to avoid them, calmly of course, aside from the first time when he ran shrieking at Neteyam and Jake to save his five year old ass. This was long before the war, meaning Jake was at his calmest and took Lo'ak's frenzied panic in stride. "Huge big arachnoids the size of your face, you know the type. Wouldn't want that to get in our dinner, now would we?"
"Didn't you cook dinner in there." Aonung says this as a fact and peers around Lo'ak's shoulder. Or more like over Lo'ak's head with ease because he's a mega giant that towers over everyone and no, Lo'ak isn't jealous. Once upon a time when they were still growing teenagers, Lo'ak towered both Neteyam and Aonung. He gloated only sometimes about it, but suddenly Aonung hit a ridiculous growth spurt. Besides, Lo'ak is a normal amount of tall while Aonung is abnormally tall. The guy's head sometimes smacks into marui entrances when he isn't mindful.
One time Lo'ak was racing his brother on their ilus, with Rotxo sitting behind him and Aonung behind Neteyam, speeding around the southern edge of Awa'atlu. It was a riot and Lo'ak didn't mind he was losing to his brother even if it was a close race. The four of them were goading each other on, laughter filling in between the spaces when Aonung, too tall and sitting up too straight, directly knocked his head into a low hanging branch of a mangrove tree. The silence of a few seconds was deafening as they all stared at the empty space behind Neteyam before he freaked out and frantically jumped into the water to rescue Aonung.
They laugh about it now. Good, silly shenanigans.
"It literally just happened. Oh wow." Lo'ak runs behind them and presses his hands to both of their shoulders to push them forward. "Tsawke is so marvelous today, we should witness her gloriousness up close before she sleeps for the night, don't you think?"
He could see the two of them glance at each other, confusion clear in whatever conversation they're having with their eyes.
How do they not see how perfect they are for each other yet, Lo'ak grumbles in his head. It's a bit endearing to witness he has to admit.
Whatever is said between them though, they don't push him on any further questions and Neteyam soon wraps an arm around Lo'ak shoulders as they continue to leisurely walk.
Most of the village has calmed down in the bustle of activity, with the majority of them having now gathered in the central marui for dinner. Lo'ak could smell it from here and he wistfully wonders what the villagers have cooked up for tonight. If he wasn't being the romantic matchmaker he is, he'd have gone there ages ago.
Being such a good brother requires some sacrifices.
"Neteyam was telling me of the little competition you two had this morning."
"Oh that. Right. Yea, I totally won."
"You did not, you skxawng." Neteyam flexes his arm and Lo'ak yelps. The pain that spikes down his back. Though Lo'ak has grown a couple of inches above Neteyam, his brother still has the ridiculous strength of his wiry muscles to bring him down a peg or two. He elbows him in the chest. Neyeyam doesn't budge like the strong freak he is.
"It was a close call!"
"That's not what I heard." Lo'ak could heard the mocking lilt in Aonung's voice and if they weren't out in public, he would kick Aonung into the water.
Maybe.
Neteyam'd choke him before he makes a move.
He whacks the back of Aonung's legs with his whipcord tail as a compromise.
Eventually they make their way to the destination, met by Tsireya excitedly waving at them from where she sits perched on one of the rocks. Lo'ak's breath is taken away at how pretty the gold light frames her hair and kisses her skin. Tsawke's orange glow washes the rocks in warm colors and even with the lofty clouds, he could make out the massive blue curve of Naranawm in the sky.
He's pulled out of his wonderment when Neteyam clamps a hand down his shoulder.
"This is a beautiful setup, Tsireya."
"Oh no. This was all your sisters' work. But I made dinner." She makes her way down the rocks to walk past them and ruffles the top of Aonung's curly hair. "Enjoy it!"
"Wait, you're not eating with us?"
Tsireya throws a questioning glance over to Lo'ak.
"No. Arachnoids infesting our marui. Remember, Neteyam? We have to go take care of that."
"Big arachnoids." Tsireya repeats and holds her palms apart to show off the hypothetical length of these arachnoids. Bless her for always catching up. “Huge.”
Lo'ak really needs to finish the choker he's been making for her amongst the hundreds of crafting projects he still hasn't finished. She deserves so many. But he's a very busy guy and this romantic endeavor isn't helping matters.
"Are you sure you don't need our help?" Aonung asks. He crosses his massive huge arms over his equally massive huge chest and Lo'ak is sure he's just showing them off at his point because it is so not needed. "Don't they scare you?"
Lo'ak does not squawk.
He harrumphs.
Living in the forest meant encountering the craziest fucking creatures of his life.
At that, Neteyam clicks his tongue against his teeth and gives Aonung a harsh look. It's one that Lo'ak's been in the face of many times growing up. Undeterred, Aonung holds his hands up in surrender before shrugging it off and taking a seat, careful to avoid the bouquets decorating the mat. Neteyam steps forward to tap Lo'ak's shoulder. The warmth of his palm leeches into him as he rubs a thumb across it. Lo'ak recognizes that move and look in his eyes -- typical older brother attitude. Tsireya commiserates with Lo'ak when he bemoans over their older brothers and their protective natures.
"We'll leave some for you--"
"Oh please don't! Eat everything. Please," Tsireya interjects, her hand wraps around Lo'ak's arm to pull him back. His lanky legs almost trip over a pile of crumbling rocks, but Tsireya doesn't let him go.
"You're positive you don't need help cleaning up?"
"Don't worry about us. I'll be there to protect Lo'ak from any arachnoids."
"Babe!"
Neteyam's chewing on his bottom lip, gold eyes wide as they dart between Lo'ak and Tsireya. Any other time, Lo'ak would appreciate his brother still always looking out for him even after he mated and moved out from their family's marui.
Just not right now.
Because this is supposed to be the most romantic dinner Lo'ak's ever planned! And it's nearly getting upended by Neteyam's worry.
"Neteyam." Aonung's already undone the seaweed twine that holds the leaves together. Steam rises from the fish and the smells of the spices Tsireya liberally used on it waft over towards them. He licks a finger that's dipped in spice and perks up at the taste. "They said they can handle it. Now come here."
Aonung's words seems to draw Neteyam out of his doubt and he nods. A smile replaces his slight frown when he looks back at Aonung. Lo'ak can hear Tsireya's attempt to smother her own squeal.
"I'll leave you two at it. Have fun. Take in the view. Stay out as long as you like. Don't do anything I--
The harsh tug of his arm cuts him off and Tsireya yells out her farewells, pulling Lo'ak down the stack of rocks. But not before he hears their last words.
"Dude. Is your brother alright?"
"Don't ask, he was acting strange all morning."
Lo'ak takes that as a win.
When all is said is done, he is sure Neteyam would consider him the best brother one could ever wish for.
Ignoring the fact that he's his only brother, but that is neither here nor there.
Honestly, the lengths he is taking, sacrificing his dignity and work ethic to help Neteyam confess to his one true love is admirable.
--
It's by mid afternoon, long after they finished their patrol shift, that Lo'ak comes to the conclusion that nothing happened.
When they gather for morning hunts, Neteyam and Aonung don't act any different. There are no blushing cheeks or shy laughs between the two. No secretive brushing of hands or certain looks that scream they've chosen each other. Instead they act the exact same, two bros hanging out, with Neteyam banshee cackling at whatever Aonung is complaining about and slapping his back every single time.
Aside from Neteyam's obvious heart eyes, but Lo'ak is starting to realize that's his default state around Aonung. Aonung on the other hand is the same as ever.
Lo'ak is almost offended because Neteyam's a catch!
There's also the fact that Neteyam hasn't told him. They're brothers, of course Neteyam would tell him if there's been some progress in his love life. It's his brother given right.
Befuddled at their lack of change in behavior, Lo'ak ventures over to where Neteyam is attempting to repair the torn open fishing net. His long braids sweep down to cover the side of his face, leaving only his eyes uncovered.
"So..." Lo'ak drags the question out. The sand digs beneath his feet and he turns over a rock with his toe. "How was last night? Dinner was good?"
"Fine." Neteyam is so focused on his task. Lo'ak wants to snatch it from him to fix it himself. It's looking disastrous and not close to what it should be.
"Good conversation with Aonung?"
"Bro." Neteyam finally looks up, braids falling back and loudly clacking from the beads that hold them, his gold eyes piercing straight into Lo'ak. A shudder goes up Lo'ak's spine. Sometimes, Neteyam looks so much like their mom it throws Lo'ak off. It's the exact expression she makes whenever she's not pleased with him, which was way too frequent as a kid and has tapered off as he matured. But boy does that visceral reaction never fade.
"What are you asking?"
"Nothing." Lo'ak says quickly.
Neteyam hums, but he goes back to closing up the frayed edges. Though he isn't doing much and Lo'ak knows the net will rip wide open with whatever nonsense technique Neteyam's using. Whoever taught it to him should find another trade.
"I'll need to stop by to thank Tsireya later. Dinner was delicious."
"Good, good. You do that."
Crisis averted.
He later heads over to Aonung, who is sharpening the point of his spear. Aonung cuts an impressive figure by the water, leaving his long curls down to dry after they spent the morning in the ocean hunting. They shine and shimmer like the breakers that hit the shore in a rush of foam. The piercing sounds of stone meeting spear penetrate the air. His stupid huge muscles ripple and dazzle from each aggressive motion, emphasized by the dark curves of his tattoos. He looks every inch the Olo'eyktan to be.
Lo'ak's also put on a lot of muscle since he was a teen even becoming bigger than his dad. He knows what he looks like, how impressive he's become. Yet he can't help but to puff out his chest as he approaches Aonung.
"So...how was last night? Dinner was good?"
Aonung looks at him warily as if Lo'ak is about to stab him.
Which is ridiculous because Lo'ak's knife is sheathed by his waist and Aonung has a freaking spear out.
"Fine."
Lo'ak closes his eyes and takes in a deep breath, ignoring Aonung's inquiry if he is feeling alright.
He's going to have to ask Ronal for some of that powdered substances she gives for headaches because he's sure that's what he is feeling at the moment.
Or maybe those aspirin pills that Max always takes when Norm annoys him.
--
With the romantic dinner having failed, Lo'ak decides to move onto the next step in THE PLAN TO HELP NETEYAM CONFESS HIS ADORATION FOR AONUNG.
Tsireya mega-capitalized it. It's shortened to THE PLAN.
"So Rotxo, have you thought of mating anytime soon?"
Rotxo's mouth drops open, looking more fish like than ever. Aonung and Neteyam cease their conversation as soon as Lo'ak blurts out the question. Their twin expressions of bewilderment is comical.
He admits, only to himself, asking this while they're out on patrol in the middle of the ocean is most likely not helpful.
There's only so much they could be watching for hours, he reasons. It's been water and more water with the occasional harmless fin popping up once a while. He's bringing excitement into their lives and they should all appreciate it.
"Uh...."
"I don't know how I'm the youngest of this group and already mated."
Rotxo is still sputtering on how to answer and Lo'ak wants to strangle him for his lack of improvisation skills. If Tsireya were here, she'd have answered so smoothly without a problem, but also they're mated and there's only so much she can do. To be fair, Rotxo is not privy to THE PLAN, but that's neither here nor there. He should have caught on immediately without Lo'ak telling him.
Unbelievable, honestly.
"Not all of us manage to meet their mate at fourteen," Aonung drawls, his deep voice interrupting Lo'ak's mental monologue.
"Hey, he said," Neteyam says followed by a snort and Aonung groans, cracking a laugh through it.
"And yet," Lo'ak replies with as much dignity as he can muster, ignoring the chorus of giggles. "Tsireya was charmed by that. And who is mated to her now?"
Aonung rolls his eyes and acquiesces. Lo'ak turns his nose away to face Rotxo, who is still staring at them with wide eyes.
"Well?"
"I-- no?"
Jesus tap dancing christ, as Norm used to say under his breath when an experiment failed. Lo'ak's never asked what any of those words meant, but he found the combination of them along with Norm's exasperation hilarious.
Lo'ak takes in a deep breath.
Looks up at the sky. Then down into the deep blue water.
He doesn't believe in Eywa and what not, but he needs whatever patience he can get from her.
Moving on to plan C.
Aonung yawns.
"So Aonung, have you thought of mating anytime soon?"
Aonung chokes on the air in mid yawn and alarmed, Neteyam reaches over across the space to pound his back.
Interesting response, Lo'ak notes.
Aonung clears his throat and Neteyam doesn't withdraw his hand after he recovers. His eyes are rimmed pink with tears. "Bro. What's with the interest in mates, Lo'ak?"
Lo'ak really needs to come up with a myriad of excuses to use on hand because thinking of one on top of his head is mentally exhausting. If only Tsireya were here.
"The Tsahik and I were discussing things. You know, typical mom and son-in-law things."
"My mom?" Aonung spits out.
"Yea man. Don't know what to tell you." Lo'ak waves an idle hand around, ignoring the waves of annoyance emanating from Aonung. "She was wondering if you had an eye on anyone and worried you'd die sad and alone."
Aonung sputters and scoffs.
Ronal may or may not kill Lo'ak. But considering how she approved of Neteyam and Aonung's potential relationship after Jake and Neytiri met with her and Tonowari regarding them, he's pretty sure she wouldn't mind him putting words she's never said in her mouth. He's sure she'd appreciate the work he's putting into this.
Pretty sure.
It's taken him years for her to soften towards him and it's barely much.
He might have to craft a necklace for her.
Well that's another to add to the many he's still in the midst of making.
"I told her a lot of people are interested in you, but that you didn't return their interest."
Aonung responds with a sound that's half a shriek and half a yelp. A bit like the ikran, Lo'ak thinks.
But he isn't lying about this matter. Ever since reaching adulthood, Aonung's handsome looks and towering stature leave the clan in a flutter when he strolls around the village, often carrying his catch of fish or his spear. Either way, it shows off his massive, glistening biceps. Lo'ak swears one time a girl fainted off the pathway from her marui. That or she had a heat stroke. It was quite hot that day.
If Lo'ak didn't know him well enough, he'd have thought Aonung was showing off. But of course not, he's never giving heed to the fawning attention he receives. Maybe in another life, he'd flirt back, but he remains focused on his duties. Or his family. Or his friends. As a good son that would live up to his dad.
Lo'ak is a bit glad now he isn't in that position.
"Your mom thinks she may have to arrange a potential mate for you from some nearby islands at the slow rate you're going. Very unbecoming of an Olo'eyktan to be. Her words, not mine."
"Lo'ak!" Neteyam gasps. This time his hand falls away from Aonung's back.
"Ma'Eywa." He hears Rotxo mutter. So now he speaks. Lo'ak's quite frankly appalled.
"What? It's true!"
Neteyam ruthlessly glares at him and for a moment, Lo'ak is thirteen and his dad is yelling at him for being a fuck-up. He shakes his head to clear away the visage.
Aonung rubs his temples with tense fingers. Neteyam is back to caressing circles against Aonung’s back in some clear effort to comfort him. "I can't believe I have to say this, but I'd appreciate it if you don't talk to my mom about me and my courtships. Please."
"Alright." Lo'ak purses his lips to the side, continuing to ignore Neteyam’s look of warning. "But is there anyone? That's caught your eye?"
If Aonung were an Akula, Lo'ak is sure he'd be dead by now. The guy is a beast when he wants to be.
Neteyam growls out Lo'ak's name.
And well, Lo'ak is grown enough to know when to stop.
--
Lo'ak fills Rotxo in on THE PLAN. It only makes sense what with being Aonung's best friend and all the insight he could give to help push these two together. He’s enthusiastic about the idea – as he should be – and says he always thought the two fit well together.
So when Lo'ak broaches the topic of Aonung possibly being interested in Neteyam, Rotxo is absolutely useless.
"I don't know."
"What do you mean you don't know?" Lo'ak demands.
"It means I don't know! Ma'Eywa!" Rotxo tosses a fruit seed into the water. They're sitting on one of the many overhanging mangrove roots along the shore, far away enough from the village so nobody can overhear. "Aonung is pretty good at not showing his emotions if he doesn't want people to know what's going in his head."
Lo'ak rolls his eyes and takes a juicy bite of the yovo fruit. Sticky fluid drips down his wrist.
"He is! I know he was a total ass when you first showed up, but you know he's matured. You know that." Rotxo throws a seed in Lo'ak's direction, but he slaps it into the water. "He's a better person than before. He's not obvious when he likes someone. There was a girl a little before your family arrived. I had no idea there were feelings involved until he asked me to help him look for a shell. Some purple one, I remember. It didn't go anywhere. Oh but don't worry. She's left and he's over her."
Amazing.
"Amazing," Lo'ak says out loud. "Amazing how absolutely useless that information is to me." Rotxo squawks in indignation at that and Lo'ak offers him his peeled yovo fruit as a peace offering. He greedily takes it. It's horrific how he swallows it down.
So much for picking at Rotxo’s brain to understand Aonung.
"So Aonung's never mentioned any interest in Neteyam."
"No. Never told me." Rotxo spits out a seed into the water. "But if I have to think about it, Aonung treats Neteyam differently."
"Different how?"
"I don't know-- hey! I'm trying to be helpful!" Lo'ak puts his hand down. "Remember the month after Neyetam woke up?"
Lo'ak grimaces and goes back to stuffing his mouth with more yovo fruit. Rotxo's eyeing him with more sympathy.
Neteyam was so weak and atrophied when he woke up, so drastically different from what he once was. He couldn't lift his hand when he attempted to hug Neytiri back. There wasn't much they could do during his coma other than to massage his limbs and to circulate the blood in them at Ronal's and Norm's instructions.
When Lo'ak thinks back on it, he was too relieved that Neteyam lived, so the frailness of his body didn't shock him in the slightest. Not when he spent vigil over Neteyam's proned body for days and nights. Neteyam never bemoaned over the shocking state of himself, not out loud at least. But Lo'ak knew the pale scar that bloomed out of the bullet wound on his chest bothered him enough to cover it up with a shawl.
He draped it over himself like a battle band, rarely removing it in front of anyone.
When their parents insisted he be carried around their marui, he stayed quiet. He was fed by hand and stayed quiet. Attended to at all times by all of them along with Ronal and Tsireya taking care of his physical ailments and he stayed quiet.
It all blew up weeks later when Neteyam shrieked at Neytiri to put him down, attempting to shove her away with his feeble arms before breaking down to hysteric sobs in her hold. His shawl was crumpled by her feet in a heap and Neteyam begged for it back.
Lo'ak doesn't think he's ever seen his mom so heartbroken before other than the moments after Neteyam was found shot. He'd never seen Neteyam react in that way either. Not even during their most vicious arguments, but Neteyam had always been calmer than Lo'ak, even at his angriest.
He hid in his pod afterwards.
"You talkin' about what Aonung did?"
"Yea."
A few days after Neteyam's breakdown -- which the entire village overheard, who wouldn't -- Aonung popped in with a pair of arm crutches made of strong mangrove and loudly declared he was sick of Neteyam feeling sorry for himself. It was too shockingly outrageous that Lo'ak found he couldn't say anything, sitting there between his sisters. Neytiri was adamant that Neteyam stay put, he wasn't in any state to start his rehabilitation yet.
By this point, if asked, Lo'ak would have said that he considered Aonung a friend. Not a close one, but someone who provided a good distraction when Lo'ak needed it during those harrowing weeks afterwards. Distant enough to not be wholly affected, but close enough to care about the Sullys. Their initial hostility with each other faded away in light of the violence that surrounded them.
So Lo'ak wasn't surprised by Aonung's thoughtfulness.
But he was still surprised when Jake pushed back against Neytiris' wariness and doubly surprised that Neteyam agreed to go with Aonung. It'd been months since Neteyam threatened to choke Aonung out for his stupid idea of a prank that could have killed Lo'ak. He had told Lo'ak he'd never be Aonung's friend back then, but for Lo'ak's sake he kept a cool civility towards Aonung and it worked out fine.
And now, Lo'ak is sure that a near stranger was what Neteyam needed to snap out of that hole of despair.
It was a struggle to watch Neteyam take those hesitant steps and not be able to help, but Aonung never strayed far from him. Jake had said it'd be alright.
Hours later, Neteyam came back into the marui with a timid smile, the first one since he woke. He complained of the soreness in his arms, but the lightness in his demeanor was palpable. Lo'ak's never asked what they talked about.
Nobody protested when Aonung came back the next day asking Neytiri if he could take Neteyam to the beach. And the day after that and after after after--
"Hm, yea I could see what you mean."
"Yea. He didn't do anything like that for me when I broke my arm-- it wasn't my fault, Lo'ak!" Lo'ak continues to snicker anyway because drunk Rotxo tripping over sand of all things and resulting in his arm snapping had left them all in mirth and fright that night. Also they were all drunk off their ass. "I wouldn't be surprised if Aonung likes him romantically. That could be his way of showing his feelings since he has kind of a stick up his ass to you know, express them."
"You said it, not me." Lo'ak snorts and slaps Rotxo's arm. "Since you are of no use to me about Aonung's feelings--"
"Now wait a minute. I didn't say I didn't have an idea to figure it out!"
"Yea? And?"
"Ask Meuia!"
--
Meuia is Aonung's and Tsireya's youngest sister.
And at ten years old, she's a fucking terror.
To Lo'ak that is.
To Aonung, she's the most perfect being in his eyes. He takes great delight in caring for her, having taught her how to dive and swim, to weave nets and carve wood. Between her two siblings, she takes after her brother in both looks and personality, which is both unfortunate and fortunate. So it's as if Lo'ak's being harrased by a mini brat Aonung that he never had a chance to experience since they only met as teenagers.
It's great, Lo'ak highly recommends it.
Everyday, Lo'ak is grateful that Tuk was a darling in comparison. He swears ever since he began his courtship with Tsireya, that Meuia has been out to get him -- and yes, this includes her as a baby -- only worsening after they mated. Tsireya, being as diplomatic as she can be, often tells Lo'ak he needs to stop feeling terrorized by a little girl when she doesn't necessarily harm him.
But what else is he supposed to call it when she planted a sea urchin on his sleeping mat.
"Hey Meuia."
She turns around with a bright grin on her face that promptly drops into a scowl when she sees Lo'ak.
"Oh. It's you. Thought it was Teyam."
And that's right, even Neteyam thinks she's adorable and she adores him in return.
"Well. He's busy."
Lo'ak has no idea what his brother is up to. But if he were to venture a guess, Neteyam's with Aonung and most likely swooning at whatever he's doing. Meuia harrumphs like she's one of the batty old women who gossip as they weave the fishing nets. In this case, Meuia is collecting seashells, some wide open and white, creamy pearls to the side. The pile of shells in the basket is substantial and Lo'ak wonders how long she'd been out here to collect that many. She's all alone with only the waves and tiny crabs in the tide pools keeping her company.
"What are you up to?"
"Lo'ak, are you sure you're a hunter? You have awful observation skills."
He sighs and sits on one of the rocks that's high enough above ths tide pool she's in. She picks up another shell from the pile. "Just making conversation."
"If you must know, this morning, Seze's grandmother was telling us a story of how a blue pearl that her betrothed was going to give to her as a courtship gift. He was a great hunter according to Seze's grandmother, but an akula killed him and the choker was lost before he could finish it."
"That's...sad."
Lo'ak wonders how exactly he can ask what he came to ask because it's not as if he could just ask out right.
"A blue pearl huh. Don't think I've seen one of those."
"That's because they don't exist." Meuia says and cracks the shell open. A white pearl lands on her palm. "So I'm trying to prove a point because Seze wouldn't stop bragging about how she was meant to have that pearl. She thinks it means she's special. Says Eywa chose her. Isn't that the silliest thing you've ever heard? He died before he even gave that choker to her grandmother! Seze says I could show her all the pearls I want, it will only mean the blue pearl is special. But that's my point! It doesn't exist!"
She angrily chucks the pearl into her growing collection.
"Meiua, you don't know they don't exist." She scoffs that Lo'ak is also an idiot. He ignores it as usual. She's called him way worse when she was younger so this is mild. "I don't think whatever you're doing will change her mind. It's only going to annoy you more."
"That's not the point. She needs to know she's wrong. Ma'Eywa, she's such a skxawng! I don't know why I bother hanging out with her. And why can't I open this stupid thing!" The new shell in her hand is poised to break in shards with how roughly she's handling it. Lo'ak reaches down to snatch it from her. She doesn't fight back. She pouts and sits back in the pool of water, looking every inch the ten year old she is.
"You know you could just not hang out with her if she annoys you that much." He pries open the jaws slowly and there sits a light pink pearl.
Meiua's scowl transforms into a smile, brightening her entire face. Lo'ak hands it over to her, pleased to see how cute she could be some of the time. He could almost see why Neteyam goes out of his way to gift her pretty shells. Meiua cradles the pearl in her palms and marvels at its size and color.
She holds it up between her thumb and finger to inspect it, turning it this way and that. Then looks over at him, her blue eyes sharp. "It's not like I can follow that advice. You're still around."
"Yea, tough. I'll be around for the rest of your life."
Meuia groans. Lo'ak has a feeling it's all for show.
"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be out on patrol?"
"Done with my shift."
"That doesn't explain why you're here. In my sanctuary."
Sanctuary. She's ten. Lo'ak fiddles with his fingers. "I was looking for you."
"For me? Why me?" She slips the pink pearl into the pouch slung over her hip.
"It's about Aonung."
"Aonung?" Meuia straightens in alarm. "Is he hurt? Why isn't that the first thing you tell me, you skxawng!"
Of course, Meuia would jump to the worst case scenario when it comes to her brother. She scrambles out of the water and makes her way up the rocks. Lo'ak leaps up from where he was sitting, holding his hands out to calm her down.
"It's not that! I only have questions about him." She leers up at him from her crouched position on the rocks.
"Why can't you ask him?"
"Because I can't just ask him. And I know you know him best out of everyone."
Meiua pushes herself up to sit by his feet. Lo'ak breathes out a sigh of relief at her staring at him expectantly. It's better than suspicion and he sits down again, crossing his legs.
"I'm not going to push since you helped me with this pink pearl. And you're right that I know him best. He's my best person."
Lo'ak nods.
"What did you want to ask?"
"Has Aonung ever told you that he liked someone? In the village?"
Meiua stiffens and crosses her arms over her chest. "What's it to you?"
Lo'ak blinks. That's not exactly the non answer she thinks it is.
"Your mom and I were talking about it."
"My mother?" Even the way she says it is a carbon copy of Aonung. Her ears swivel back and forth, her tail twitches revealing her agitation. "What did she say?"
Lo'ak realizes what a stupid thing it was to bring up Ronal because Meiua could easily double check his story.
"Nothing serious. She said something about prospective mates that had me curious if Aonung liked anyone. Anyone he would choose for a mate."
"It's none of your business!"
"Uh. Okay."
Meiua clicks her tongue against her teeth and quickly shakes her head. "Aonung's business is his until he feels ready to announce it. I'm not answering anymore, I don't like this!"
She's distressed in a way he doesn't expect and has never seen her like this before. Not even compared to the time she lost a bracelet Neteyam made for her during one of her deep dives. Her curls seem to breathe a life of its own, expanding with each furious breath she takes.
"Alright, you're right. Hey, I'm sorry. I'll stop asking. " Lo'ak runs a hand through his hair. They sit there in silence until her breath evens out and she calms down. Lo'ak's grateful for it because both Tsireya and Aonung would kick his ass for upsetting her. "You want me to open the rest of those shells for you? As my way of apology."
"Yes. It's the least you could do."
--
"Meiua didn't say it, but I'm pretty sure she accidentally told me that Aonung did like someone." Lo'ak murmurs to Rotxo. They're out on patrol and once again, it's ocean for miles and miles. Neteyam and Aonung are further off to Lo'ak's right, having stationed themselves to patrol that part of the reef. Once again as usual, there's nothing going on, which in itself is a blessing.
"And?"
"She didn't say who."
Rotxo palms his face. "That was the point of you talking to her! Ma'Eywa, maybe I should have been the one to ask her."
"Well it has to be Neteyam cause who else is it going to be? She wouldn't tell me, saying it was his business. But--" Lo'ak looks over at the two, who are focused on the patrol task at hand. It's obvious the two are deep in conversation. "I can't think of anyone else. Can you?"
"I think Aonung avoids most people if I'm being honest."
"Yea, I know right. But since I'm more sure of Neteyam's feelings for Aonung, we're gonna focus on bringing that out in the open."
"You're going to force him to confess his feelings?"
"The fuck-- when did I say that? Force? I'm not a monster. No. We're going to create a situation that will compel Neteyam to confess."
He's going to have to ask Tuk for more advice on what she learned from Sky People movies. He never had the patience to sit still and watch through any of them, not even the action ones Norm had on hand. When their lives were surrounded by war, none of the movies were enough of a distraction for him.
"You just said what I said but in fancy words. Also, your dinner failed and Neteyam didn't end up confessing," Rotxo flatly states and Lo'ak grumbles because it's not as if he's wrong. "So what else are you going to do? Make Neteyam jealous?"
Rotxo shakes his head and chuckles to himself as if the idea is too incredulous.
Lo'ak blinks.
"I wasn't thinking that. But holy crap."
"Oh. Oh no."
"Oh yes." Lo'ak cracks a grin. A million scenarios fly through his mind.
“...Does Neteyam know what jealousy is? Does that even exist within him?”
Sure, it's true. Neteyam's never expressed jealousy or the like growing up. Not when he was tasked to watching after them, to be responsible for their every move, and especially not when the war started.
But sometimes Lo'ak is sure he catches a glint of it when Neteyam watches him and Tsireya or their parents. He knows he saw it when Neteyam woke up from his coma, no longer the strong warrior he once was. Lo'ak grew stronger day by day from training, muscles filling out his changing body. He remembers Neyeyam would watch him from the entrance of their family marui or by the shore during the months of recovery with longing and envy in his eyes.
So even if Neteyam never outwardly shows it, Lo'ak knows him well enough. He heartily slaps Rotxo's back, taking great pleasure in the satisfying sound.
“Oh Rotxo, you silly boy. Did you forget I grew up with him? I only need to push Neteyam to the brink of madness before he loses his shit. You'll see."
"Ay, Eywa."
--
Neteyam owns a myriad of chokers and necklaces. Lo'ak prefers to wear a simple braided design, but Neteyam's neck is often adorned with more elaborate ones that elongate its graceful length. Lo'ak doesn't get how he finds that comfortable because it constantly feels like he's being choked when he wears his nicer ones at the larger festival dinners the village would throw.
He's positive he knows most of the ones Neteyam has worn. A couple of the chokers, he gifted himself whenever he got around to finishing them. A few others are from his mom and sisters. Even Tsireya and Meuia each constructed one for Neteyam. A lot were made when Neteyam was still in his coma and done in hopes of gifting them for when he woke up.
"What is that?"
Neteyam tucks his hair behind his ear and raises a nonexistent eyebrow, mouth occupied by the huge bite of fish he just ate. Lo’ak points at the offending article on his neck.
He's never seen it before.
It’s not done in the typical Omatikayan style that Lo’ak is used to seeing on him, but a Metkayinan design. Delicate seaweed strands held together by small white shells and pearls and mixed in with Omatikayan beads. The pearls stand out in stark contrast to his skin like bits of starlight.
“Oh this. It’s a necklace." Lo’ak levels an unimpressed look at Neteyam’s cackle and shoves him. “Sorry, sorry bro. What's up, why are you asking?”
“I’ve never seen it before.”
“Right. Well. Hm...you see…” Lo’ak stares wide-eyed at his usually eloquent brother fumble through his words. It's a little mortifying to watch. “I recently was given it,” and at that statement Neteyam freezes, dropping the piece of half eaten fish. Lo’ak of course catches it because he is nothing if not the best warrior in the atoll with eyes sharp as an ikran.
Not that he’s unaware of the fascination with his brother. Back home in the forest, the admiration was more apparent for his hunting prowess and virtuous nature at such a young age, but here there's quite a few who fawn over him solely for his face. Once Neteyam completed his iknimaya here, there was more of a piqued interest towards him and the realization that the eldest son of Toruk Makto was actually smoking hot.
Not Lo'aks words, but he overheard some of Tuk's friends tittering when they were observing Neteyam collecting the fishing nets by the canoes. They were insatiable -- since when were teenagers like this, he most definitely wasn't --and Lo'ak bolted before he heard more because he didn't need to hear anyone talking about his brother's ass of all things.
If only those suckers knew Neteyam had eyes for one person.
“Given? From who?” He slips the fish back into Neteyam's loose grip.
“I mean-- um. So I made it. But the shells were given to me by one of the older ladies. You know how it is. They know I like wearing chokers and that I always wanted one with the shells from around here.” Neteyam smiles and Lo’ak’s heart softens at how effusive the happiness is coming from him. “It’s like everyone here has finally accepted me.”
Lo’ak wants to retort that they always have. It’s been so long since they’ve moved here and years since they both became warriors of the Metkayina clan. If they haven’t yet, they’re simply dickheads. His thoughts are stopped short when arms wrap around his shoulders and the sweet smell of grounded spice fills his nose.
Tsireya sweetly apologizes for coming late to the communal lunch. A villager needed her help to look at his aching ailment and Lo'ak becomes lost in the sound of her voice.
--
“So dinner was a bust,” Lo’ak says around the frond he’s been chewing on. Kiri looks as if she’s about to say ‘I told you so’, so he preemptively strikes the back of her legs with his tail. "Luckily, I've come up with another plan. Well Rotxo gets most of the credit for the idea."
He takes a dramatic pause.
Kiri raises an eyebrow.
A pack of ilus let out crows of excitement when someone comes by to feed them in their pen.
He smiles. Smugly. It gets Kiri to glare harder.
Tuk, ever the so patient one usually, swipes the frond from him and tosses it into the water. Rude.
"Lo'ak, I'll cut off your tail if you don't get on with it," Kiri snaps.
He pounds a fist into an open palm.
"We make Neteyam jealous. He won't be able to hold it in and has to spill his feelings."
"You've got to be kidding--"
Tuk cuts off Kiri's gripe with a squeal and rambles on about having seen this exact scenario in Norm's Sky People films. Lo'ak nods along to her rambles and adds in "that's right" every so often, pleased that he has some support.
"And how do we go about this ridiculous idea?" Kiri stares between the two of them before shaking her head and adjusting her shawl around her shoulders.
"The easiest way obviously." Tuk tucks herself into Lo'ak's side and they both grin at each other. He knew he could always count on Tuk to match his wavelength. The blessed thing that happened when they all grew up is finding a kindred spirit with Tuk. "We find someone to flirt with Aonung in front of Neteyam."