gh0ulia 🪷 🫧

Blank is the canvas, aspiring to colour it's expanse 🧸ྀི☁︎ 🦢♡

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Chapter 21 Snippet 𓋜

જ⁀➴ [ Find Me By The Shore | The Way Of Water ]

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"Thankyouthankyouthankyou," he murmured into his skin.

Neteyam let out a brisk laugh, feeling tickled by the breath fanning against his skin, "thank you for what?" he asked, a grin spreading along his purple-hued, well-kissed mouth. 

"Thank you," Ao'nung pulled back, his eyes focusing on Neteyam's beautiful ones. Oh, how he adored the honey golden of his irises. "Thank you for choosing me back. Us." 

Neteyam just... stared. Ao'nung's eyes played a hypnosis spell on his brain, pulling him into a world where no one mattered but them, where nothing else was more important than their intertwining breaths, where their hearts steadied into synchronised beats as if beating for one another.

Neteyam leaned in, pressing his lips pliant against Ao'nung's, his eyes closing shut. Not with tongue, not with handsy sexualness. Just as a response, or a confirmation. It was unclear to Neteyam himself what he felt, but perhaps it was better communicated without an explanation, because Ao'nung knew. They both knew.

"You chose me first," Neteyam smiled into the kiss, "You chose me first, always," he whispered against Ao'nung's lips. 

"So thank you, Paskalin." Neteyam bumped his nose against Ao'nung's. "I love you, my heart."

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Chapter 20 Snippet 𓋜

જ⁀➴ [ Find Me By The Shore | The Way Of Water ] - NSFW!

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Ao'nung brought his head down, peppering light kissed across Neteyam's belly button, dragging his tongue down to reconnect with Neteyam's cock. The trail of salvia glistened under the moonlight, and it looked so incredibly vulgar from Neteyam's perspective. 

Ao'nung's head was bobbing up and down even quicker now, gone was the teasing nips and mischievous tongue. His speed was deliberate, is hands becoming more and more daring. One rest possessively on Neteyam's hips, keeping his hips grounded, while the other scooped one of Neteyam's ass cheeks to manhandle in his bruising grip. 

A digit brushed against Neteyam's hole while Ao'nung squeezed Neteyam's ass. Neteyam shivered. 

He felt so good, so so so good. He couldn't hold back his moans, "uh, uh," he groaned, feeling the stimulation heightening. His hips lifted, chasing something. His eyes bound shut as the feeling of his blood rushing to his cock increased. It was so hot, too hot, but he felt it. He was close.

And apparently Ao'nung did too, because he tore his mouth off of Neteyam's cock. a string of saliva connecting his mouth to Neteyam's dick.

He was panting, his lips wet from salvia and pre-cum. His chest rose and feel, the thickness of his abs widening with each inhale.

"Gonna cum by yourself, Ma'Teyam?"

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Chapter 19 Snippet 𓋜

જ⁀➴ [ Find Me By The Shore | The Way Of Water ]

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Truly, it was wonderful that the Omatikaya had some form of night vision, and his training had only made it even more remarkable. With the skill typically ded for hunting and survival, he was able to detect the shy antics and anxious twitches without missing a beat.

Neteyam brought his hand to Ao'nung chest, feeling the powerful heart beating beneath the teal skin, lit up by the bioluminescence in the night. He felt Ao'nung's heart miss a beat, steadying into a rhythmic mess of electrical currents short-circuiting, resetting the very core of Ao'nung.

When Neteyam looked up from the littered stars spread across the expanse of Ao'nung's chest, he found the man—the warrior— biting his lip, lowering his gaze timidly. He picked the big, webbed hands of the Metkayina and rested it upon his own midnight blue skin, wanting Ao'nung to feel the way his heart was frenzied, was absolutely tachycardic with anticipation.

The feeling of the Metkayina's cool skin on his warm body sent a delicious jolt of electricity down Neteyam's spine. It made sense, entirely, though; the Omatikaya were of feline heritage, whereas Metkayina deviated from their oceanic brothers and sister.

But soon enough, the heat radiating from Neteyam's body warmed up Ao'nung's hands, and the cooled settlers into a a tolerable feeling (Neteyam refused to be complacent, he felt that if he were too far gone, he would become unrecognisable from his past self).

Ao'nung but his lip with a stubborn decision laying behind his furrowed brows, and before Neteyam could even call it out, he felt Ao'nung thick tail wrapping around him. Neteyam twitched when the cool tail pressed against him, sturdy and grounding, and pulled him closer so he was almost sitting on Ao'nung's lap. 

For a second neither of them moved, but their eyes communicated, speaking of words not understood by the most intelligent, not expressed in any language but their own. A request danced between the shallow breaths that lingered between them, hot and arousing.

Neteyam kissed the side of Ao'nung's jaw, a quick peck it was.

Ao'nung returned the favour with a small peck alongside Neteyam's neck, but his nose greedily sucked a long breath of Neteyam's skin there. When he finally released the breath, it tickled Neteyam's skin, sending a shiver down his body.

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Chapter 18 Snippet 𓋜

જ⁀➴ [ Find Me By The Shore | The Way Of Water ]

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Neteyam frowned, wondering why Ao'nung was acting strangely. Something about him was... off.

“One would think you’d return mature,” Neteyam intervened, “who would’ve thought you'd remain silly. Did the Skimwing scare the wisdom out of you?”

Ao’nung turned uncharacteristically silent, slowly turning his head with a sheepish grin (which was, still, silent), but then he seemed to recall something, a vital piece of information, and so he turned his head with a giant huff.

“Paskalin,” Neteyam sat in front of Ao’nung’s head. He noticed the boy looked tired, his eyes were sunken and his forehead furrowed. “Ao’nung.” He tried, but Ao’nung kept his eyes shut. Neteyam almost wanted to shake him awake, pleading with him to open his eyes.

“Ma’Nung?” He whispered in Ao’nung’s ear, a teasing breath making his ears turn crimson. “If you do not open your eyes, I will leave.” He said, and Ao’nung’s eyes shot open as his hand gripped Neteyam’s ankles.

“Yawne,” Ao’nung whispered, sounding incredibly wronged. His eyes curved, his bottom lip jutting with a quiver.

That wasn’t right. It should’ve been Neteyam who was terrible upset, not Ao’nung.

“Yawne, why didn’t you come to welcome me?” He said, his voice wobbily as if Neteyam betrayed him terribly. 

Neteyam reeled back the ten thousand word scolding he had prepared, “I did come, Psakalin, you did not see me.” He spoke righteously, his chest puffing. Neteyam tried no tot think about how he had purposefully hid, but the guilt still loomed in his head after seeing Ao'nung being so upset.

Ao’nung pouted, “I wanted to see you first, and show you my Skimwing!"

Neteyam, clearly taken aback, didn't know what to say. He had never dealt with a whiny Ao'nung before, in fact, he wasn't even aware that Ao'nung could behave like this. So insolent, so carefree.

“We have time, Ao’nung,” Neteyam placated, his hand coming to pat Ao'nung's head, before he paused, just briefly.

Would he consider this demeaning? After all, he was a warrior, a recognised adult now.

But, Ao'nung looked up at him, his eyes sparkling and expecting some form of comfort. Neteaym chuckled internally; Ao'nung wasn't someone who let authority reshape their relationships. With that newfound consideration, Neteyam brought his hand up to frame Ao'nung's heart shaped face. He squeezed his cheeks between his palms, watching as Ao'nung's lips pouted and his eyes curved with a smile.

“It hurts,” Ao’nung switched tactics, and started wincing with pain. His nose scrunched dramatically, released a pained exhale.

“Where?’ Neteyam asked, “did you get injured?”

“No, the inking process hurts, Neteyam.”

The person inking let out a brisk laugh, and Neteyam knew Ao’nung had lied to him through his teeth.

Ao’nung gritted his teeth.

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Chapter 17 Snippet 𓋜

જ⁀➴ [ Find Me By The Shore | The Way Of Water ]

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Neteyam clutched the shark tooth sitting between his clavicles as he made his way to where Lo'ak and Tsireya sat. He felt nervous, his concours fighting between taking the necklace off and infusing the necklace with his body.

"You must really miss Ao'nung." Lo'ak said, leaving Tsireya's question stuck in her mouth. She shot Lo'ak a twitching glare.

"The necklace suits you very well," Tsireya smiled, "Ao'nung would've loved to see you wearing it."

"I do miss him, Lo'ak." Neteyam addressed as he sat down. "And thank you, Reya," he returned her smile.

Lo'ak crawled closer, inspecting the necklace sitting still. It was excellently crafted, the thread tied deliberately to show its pointy, sharp edge while painting a sturdy hold on it. A singular pearl rested on either side of it, both hued golden but shining a different transparency of it when under the sun.

"The pearls match your eyes," Lo'ak commented. "Ugh, [PDA]!"

"What is a [Pee-the-aa]?" Tsireya asked, confused. "Is this a word in [Engrish]? What does it mean!"

"It means that your brother is sickly sweet, and Lo'ak is jealous of it." Neteyam laughed.

"No! It means your brother is under spells, and Neteyam is the one casting it."

Tsireya tilted her head, pleasantly confused and entertained.

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Chapter 16 Snippet 𓋜

જ⁀➴ [ Find Me By The Shore | The Way Of Water ]

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"I think you are getting selfish, Ma'Nung, finding excuses to get me alone." Neteyam laughed as he took place next to Ao'nung on the rock.

The moons hunt pretty on the night sky, echoes of Tulkun lingered in the air.

Ao'nung smiled, but he didn't know where to start. His stomach felt like a hollowed pit that constantly churned and shifted uncomfortably. "Actually, I did have something to tell you, Yawne."

"Do tell," Neteyam smiled, nestling himself under Ao'nung's bicep, his eyes concentrated on the sea ahead of him. 

"Well... you know how the Tulkun are here?" Ao'nung whispered, just loud enough to fill the air in between them, just loud enough to not shatter the glass.

"Yes...? We met them not two hours ago… What is wrong?" Neteyam sensed something, his heart twisting and his gut wrenching with an ominous feeling. 

"Well, nothing is wrong! It's just... I will be completing my Iknimaya soon." Ao’nung shifted in his seat, his gaze lowered as if to delicately avoided Neteyam’s. 

"Oh! that is wonderful news! When do you go?" Neteyam tried to suppress his instinct; his premonition probably came about from their courting announcement soon. 

"Tomorrow, actually." Ao’nung tried not to imagine Neteyam’s face. 

"Oh! That’s nice.” Neteyam tried to not let his mind wander to why Ao’nung hadn’t told him about this before. “But you will be back soon, so it doesn’t matter.” Negeyam grinned.

”Well, see, I hear that the Omatikaya have a short Iknimaya, about seven days.” Neteyam nodded with a suspicious glint. “We Metkayina go to the sea for about four weeks,”

Ao’nung heard Neteyam’s neck snap to his direction, and he could feel the heat lingering from his gaze. 

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Chapter 15 Snippet 𓋜

જ⁀➴ [ Find Me By The Shore | The Way Of Water ]

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He looked up at the blanket of stars; they were much more visible here than they were on Earth. Well, of course, the Earth’s air was heavily polluted, and in most areas, skyscrapers blocked the gorgeous view from being seen.

It was tragic and pathetic that humans had to relocate because their irreversible damage to the planet.

Kyle stifled a sarcastic laugh, lest Quadritch come out and start berating for this, too.

Siddenly, a hand pulled against his mouth. His breathing hastened, pulps blown wide. He thrashed and shoved, but he felt his body becoming weak, numb. He felt his eyes closing, but his mind was wide awake.

[What is happening?] He thought. His senses were intact, and yet, it felt like he had no real control over his body. He couldn’t scream even though it was bubbling at the back of his throat. He couldn’t move his legs or arms to get rid of the guy that was holding him.

He heard it all, though. Lyle coming out of his tent, screaming words Kyle couldn’t extrcay make out. He heard the gunfire, the shouts, the victory yelps of whoever was holding them hostage.

They had their weapons stripped, their movements similarly restricted. 

They were overpowered so easily.

”Who… are you?” Kyle’s heard Quadritch ask—was it him? Or was it Lyle?—  manage against a blade Kyle couldn’t see. His superiors Na’vi broken and shaky, but it was Na’vi nonetheless. 

Before Kyle drifted to deep slumber, he heard a woman let out a shrill laugh that echoed into the night, “I am Varang.”

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Chapter 14 Snippet 𓋜

જ⁀➴ [ Find Me By The Shore | The Way Of Water ]

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“It is so horrible!” Tsireya weeped into her hands, her eyes glistening with a layer of tears. Dried streaks of lines from tears trailed from her eyes to her chin, his chin wobbly with fragility.

Ao’nung placed his right palm on his back, and Tsireya immediately curled into his side for the familiar warmth and comfort. His right hand wrapped around her arm, pulling her closer to his right side. He rubbed his hand up and down her arm, the gesture practiced form years of pacifism.

Neteyam bit his bottom lip, eyes scanning his own siblings that sat all around the marui. His and Ao’nung’s marui.

It was raining outside, the clouds thundering and parading a heavy downpour over Awa’atlu. The rain started slow, mourning the death of the Tulkun with gentle weeps, but it turned aggressive, exuding the need for vengeance with raindrops hard enough to hurt Na’vi. As if Eywa was angry. As if she was upset, and so she cried over Awa’atlu to show it.

Tentatively, Neteyam hooked his thin tail around Ao’nung’s empty arm. The two had left deliberate space in between them, not wanting to behave too intimately on a day as heavy as such.

But Ao’nung had looked too broken, as if he was a vase with cracks that would shatter any minute. His gaze was fixed on the ground, forehead furrowed and lip bitten to prevent from quivering with a sob. His sharp inhales only highlighted the heaviness sitting at the back of his throat, and his left hand was bunched into a trembling fist.

Ao’nung looked up at him, his lips hooking up in a not-quite smile. He was trying his best to show his appreciation, but he couldn’t fully muster it.

Ao’nung’s heavy, big tail came around his waist, pulling Neteyam closer until their thighs touched. The tail stayed around his waist, and Neteyam didn’t move to remove it.

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Chapter 13 Snippet 𓋜

જ⁀➴ [ Find Me By The Shore | The Way Of Water ]

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No, he tried to deny it. No way.

Only after he reached closer, did he realise that the Tulkun wasn’t just dead. It had completely bled out. There were holes from explosives, thick anchors that were large and wide. Its mouth was slightly ajar, pills of blood spewing out from inside as well, adding to the pilling blood beneath its body. One of its eye was missing, leaving behind the carved space empty. The other eye wasn’t any better; the top layer of the eye had been scratched off, leaving in a deep indent in the eye, basically blinding the Tulkun before it’s death. 

Metkayina around him cowered, eyes stinging with tears and pain. Some covered their mouths and sobbed into their hands, while others simply left, for the inhumane scene too much for their heart to bare. 

This was the true gravity of the truce, the alliance. This is what Jake had meant by setting up a military base nearby to protect the Metkayina.

No wonder why the Metkayina had offered the future Olo’eyktan, no wonder why, deported their hesitance over the potential consequences, had proceeded with the arranged courting between the two.

At first, Neteyam was naïve enough to believe that the Metkayina were losing with the alliance. The RDA would certainly be on their back afterwards, and death would linger on the shored of Awa’atlu like the coming tide.

But they had been disturbed. They had been ripped off from their peaceful routine. They had experienced death.

Only they didn’t need to be on the frontiers of war to experience it. 

Neteyam turned around, his eyes locking on Ao’nung’s drawn, tight ones.

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Chapter 12 Snippet 𓋜

જ⁀➴ [ Find Me By The Shore | The Way Of Water ]

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”Am I heavy?” Ao’nung whispered, his hands on either side of Neteyam.

But the Omatikaya wasn’t listening, his eyes were as glossy as his lips, and he pulled Ao’nung back on himself wordlessly. 

Neteyam felt the world on top of him, and he also felt that he would descend. The new found realisation was almost shameful if Neteyam didn’t enjoy it so much.

It was as if he worries washed away, and the only thing that mattered was weight on top of him. It wasn’t crushing, it wasn’t stripping him from his agency, Neteyam realised. It didn’t make him feel poweless like he would expect. Instead, his legs parted automatically to facilitate a Ao’nung being closer while he was on top. 

Being underneath Ao’nung was a mistake, Neteyam would soon come to realise, because he couldn’t get away from the want, the urge, of being underneath Ao’nung again was like an obsessive chant that would linger in mind as he drifted to sleep or when he was hunting. The thought would come unannounced, stubbornly sticking in Neteyam’s mind like a leech. 

They were kissing, and kissing, and kissing, all teeth and tongue. Ao’nung plunged his tongue inside Neteyam’s mouth, mapping out the hot cave as if memorising each nook inside. His hands wandered, gripping where he shouldn’t (Ao’nung knew it wasn’t rational and went against their code of conduct, but he refused to back down, much like a dam that had opened). Lips nibbled and sucked on each other, teeth’s clattering together with the need to be closer, when Ao’nung pulled away, leaving Neteyam without the weight of Ao’nung. 

The brain fog from the kiss had left Neteyam dumb; he hadn’t realised for a good ten minutes that Lo’ak and Tsireya had walked in on them.

°‧ 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 ·｡

Neteyam bit into the flesh of a ripe fruit, his canine teeth sinking into the flesh with a loud crunch. The sweetness mixed with a tinge of tangy burst in his mouth, the crunchy texture melting away on his tongue. He glanced up at Ao’nung, his cheeks rounded with the fullness.

Ao’nung gently grasped the fruit from his hand, his gaze fixated on the toe of teeth marks left on the edges of the bute. He lowered his head, looking at Neteyam, and biting into the fruit at the same spot. Slowly, so the crunch loudly echoed in Neteyam’s ears.

Neteyam felt a forging heat pool in his stomach, perhaps lower, but he didn’t allow himself to even think about it. His focus was on Ao’nung’s mouth as it mercilessly, sexily gnawed at the flesh of the fruit, though his hot gaze remained trained on Neteyam. He licked the spot he bit from, slowly and sensually trailing his tongue in the gap on the body of the fruit.

His pink tongue dragged across the intact edges, his lips widening into a smirk when he realised Neteyam’s blue skin had gone the deepest of purples.

Neteyam snatched the fruit back in defiance, biting into it right where Ao’nung had licked competitively. He looked up though his thick lashes, his eyes challenging Ao’nung. Neteyam mirrored Ao’nung’s smirk, but he bit painfully slowly into the flesh of the fruit.

He was suddenly shoved against the rock, Ao’nung’s hand around the back of his head to protect it from the impact.

Ao’nung kept Netyeam still, before diving in to take a big, crunchy bite from the open half of the fruit, conveniently opposite Neteyam’s mouth. The only thing the came in between their mouths was a fruit. They bit into the fruit, chewing on the flesh, and before the two knew it, it was like discarded and they were kissing as if they were satiating each other’s hunger and feeding an itch, as if the real fruit was each other’s mouth.

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Chapter 11 Snippet 𓋜

જ⁀➴ [ Find Me By The Shore | The Way Of Water ]

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Ao’nung sat on a rock, his legs extending into a manspread. His elbow dug into his thigh, his palms supporting his head. He was hunched with tiredness, apparently his company were not worth him managing his appearance.

Said company was Tsireya, Lo’ak, Kiri, and Rotxo. Dearest Tuk has decided they were ‘too old’ for her, and ditched them for Metkayina her age. It was terribly upsetting seeing her get whisked away without a protest from her, when she was practically glued to Ao’nung’s side minutes prior, asking him to pick her up to fly her.

He blew a stray curl falling over his eye, his eyes drooping lazily once it sat back in front of his eye.

Whatever, he thought, letting it stay instead of moving it this time.

Everyone were in their own little bubbles. Rotxo engaged wholeheartedly in whatever Kiri was saying, and Lo’ak and Tsireya talked in hushed giggles and intimate expressions. So to speak, it was all a blur in Ao’nung’s ears. 

”Sorry, I know I am late.” Neteyam greeted with a smile. He was slightly out of breath, his chest heaving for air. He stood tall, his hands resting on the dips of his hips, his tail swaying behind him. “Hunting took longer than expected this morning.” He looked back, waving to Metkayina hunters as they escorted a kayak to the shore.

Ao’nung sprung alive, his posture straightening and his hands flying to his head to tuck his free-spirited hair behind his ears. Tsireya gave him a strange, raised eyebrow look that Ao’nung didn’t return.

Ao’nung didn’t even realise when a grin took over his face, only registering a the small burst of excitement blossoming in the centre of his chest and heart speed up.

But Neteyam took his time, greeting everyone while he stood, this time his hands crossed behind back. Though, Ao’nung didn’t quite realise that Neteyam hadn’t made his way over yet, he eyes were locked onto Neteyam’s fidgeting body.

It didn’t escape Ao’nung’s eyes how Neteyam would shift from one feet to another, on of his hips popping out and his hands still tucked behind his back. His tail was unrestrained, moving with obvious excitement that mirrored Ao’nung’s own. Residue of water was evidently shining on his muscular body, reflecting under the soft gleams of sun. Neteyam had only developed more muscle after hunting constantly under the sea conditions, his abdominal muscles more defined than when he had first come, his biceps stronger and more developed. It was deliciously sculpted to make Ao’nung’s mouth water at the sight of him. 

It didn’t escape Ao’nung’s nose how Neteyam smelt faintly of the sea salt and freshest of berries and a hint of florals. It clung to his body and his hair stubbornly, almost acting as an aphrodisiac (to Ao’nung, at least). Ao’nung could almost swear he was hypnotised or drunk or high off of his scent alone.

Finally, Ao’nung’s ears perked up, his head tilting as he watched Neteyam make his way to himself.

He didn’t see Tsireya and Lo’ak exchanging a confused look, or the fact that Kiri and Rotxo were whispering about something that seemed very irrelevant. He only saw a dark blue Omatikaya strutting towards him with a soft smile lingering on his lips. He was infatuated with the sway in Neteyam’s hips as he walked.

The only reason why he didn’t want to Neteyam was that he physically felt too star struck to move from his sets the rock, and his mental state was obviously too stupefied to think of meeting Neteyam halfway.

The Omatikaya was glowing with gorgeous tan under the sun, his bioluminescence was dimmed during the day, but they stood out against the his skin. They were freckled all over him; his body, his shoulder blades, his scrunching nose, the delicate curves of his eyes, the insides of his thighs, disappearing behind his loincloth.

”Hi,” Neteyam said, taking a seat right next to Ao’nung. On the same rock, right next to Ao’nung. Though, there was a slight distance between them, maybe less than the width of a shell, but Ao’nung inched closer to press their sides together.

The whole time, Ao’nung hadn’t taken his eyes off of Neteyam, too hypnotised by his future mate. He bit his lip, watching Neteyam tilt his head towards the group, reminding Ao’nung where they were right now.

”Hi.” Ao’nung offered with an uneven smile almost out of instinct. 

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Chapter 10 Snippet 𓋜

જ⁀➴ [ Find Me By The Shore | The Way Of Water ]

°‧ 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 ·｡

The sun set the sand on quiet fire, where the flames existed in the form a stinging burn beneath the feet. The air was heavy with humidity, and the sand could not be hotter to sit on, and yet, here sat Neteyam, under the shade of a tree with particularly large leaves.

It was one of the rare afternoons in which Neteyam sat tucked beneath the cool shade of mangrove trees by the shore instead of sunbathing on the sand or flying with his Ikran, partly because it have been too hot, But for once, he didn’t feel the need to escape his thoughts or clear his head, and so he rests, head empty as he chewed on his bottom lip. 

The day was slow; time stretched as if minutes were seconds but seconds were hours. Time paused, the wails of waves crashing against the shore becoming quiet, and retreating into the ocean as if it was dragging across a bed of nails, but abruptly fast-forwarding into the scene of them crashing into the beach’s embrace. 

”Yawne,” Ao’nung spoke from behind, his hard footsteps pressing against the sand alerted Neteyam of his appearance before his voice. “I must be lucky, to catch you without your mini-me’s.” He chucked, sitting next to him, uninvited (not that Neteyam would ever protest against his abrupt presence). His joke carried a hint of relief hidden in plain sight, one that Neteyam bit back a smile at; his siblings were exceptionally clingy.

Neteyam was partly surprised and partly expecting Ao’nung to show; he had chosen to sit further away from the village, deliberately picking a spot which obstructed the view of anyone approaching (he himself needed some time away from his siblings). This meticulously curated spot meant that no one would disturb him (Lo’ak’s appearances to his afternoon naps had been enough to encourage Neteyam, but getting away from prying eyes was also equally motivational). Though, Neteyam knew Ao’nung would come to him; this was only the day after Neteyam had allowed Ao’nung to resume the courtship, there was no way Ao’nung would continue to maintain the distance between them.

”Did you need something from me?” Neteyam playfully asked, curling his legs into his stomach. He braids slightly covered his eye as he tilted his head towards Ao’nung, his eyes glowing with the golden hour rays. 

”Uhm, no,” Ao’nung brushed the question off with a tinge of awkwardness lacing his hesitation. He pulled his hand from behind his back, his fist clenched tightly. He opened it slowly, thrusting both of his palms forward to Neteyam in offering. “I came to give this,”

In his hand was a sharp canine teeth, most definitely from a beast (one that Neteyam couldn’t have possibly heard of in the short time he had been here).Two threads tied around it, holding the teeth in place at the centre. 

“Oh, it’s just like yours,” Neteyam commented observingly, his fingers tracing the threads that held the sharp canine teeth.

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Chapter 9 Snippet 𓋜

જ⁀➴ [ Find Me By The Shore | The Way Of Water ]

°‧ 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 ·｡

Neteyam’s head felt like it was floating. As it was light. Neteyam felt like he could fly. No, it felt like he was flying. Up in the clouds. Maybe he was a cloud.

Slowly, he made his way through some memories. The spirit tree was like a connection to the realm of the dead. They were dead; yet a small part of their consciousness remained in the tree until they reincarnated. Most importantly, he was able to view the memories of the forest, the familiar calls and singing of birds, the early morning dew that was so deliciously refreshing, and his home. 

Standing so close to the spirt tree lit Neteyam up. His blue body reflected the deepest of golden, much like the colour of his eyes. His figure highlighted against the huge spirit, from his slim waist to his broad shoulders.

Ao’nung watched his long fingers trace the soft, feathery strands absentmindedly, a smile blossoming on Neteyam’s face. The Omatikaya’s eyes were shut tight, so Ao’nung took this rare opportunity to openly imprint Neteyam behind his eyelids.

They had last seen each other two whole months ago, and while Ao’nung was desperately trying to make time to see Neteyam, he never could. Eywa played a ridiculous joke on him; the two had parted with an ambiguous relationship, and yet whenever Ao’nung tried to seek him out with a determined mind, he wouldn’t even catch a glimpse of the Omatikaya. Ao’nung seemed to be the only fool in this one-sided relationship, overly smitten with a man he had properly held four conversations with (if you could include their arguments), while Neteyam looked better than ever, as if Ap’nung hadn’t existed in his life at all.

It was pitiful, Ao’nung knew that, but Ao’nung could hardly deny the pull he felt towards this man. 

Neteyam pulled his kuru back, breaking the connection soon after.

°‧ 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 ·｡

Neteyam’s knees bounced uncharacteristically, his teeth gnawing at the skin around his nails.

He sat cross-legged on a rock, just watching. Observing. When he had the option to be enjoying his afternoon in any other way, he had had chosen to sit idly and watch his siblings training with the Metkayina.

Neteyam, for the first time since he had been able to feel, felt an emotion so raw. He couldn’t wrap his head around it; he felt naked, like he had back when he first met Ao’nung. Only this time, it felt his soul was exposed for the world to come see.

The intense fire rose from the pits of his stomach, the inflammation worked its way to his heart. He felt like he was on fire, but simultaneously falling in ice cold water. Like he drowning and soaring through the skies at the same time.

He watched. He watched and watched Ao’nung, smiling so happily, his toothy grin and his stupidly gorgeous green eyes and the curves of his fumble of the way Tuk felt so safe playfully tugging at the coils framing his face.

He rocked back and forth, his arms wrapping around his knees.

Ao’nung was there, standing in the opaque waters as Kiri splashed him water. He didn’t fight or argue, he didn’t bark or cuss. He shielded his face with his arm, his bicep flexing. The sun’s ray radiated off of his pear arm band that nestled against the curve of his bicep. It was almost blinding.

The Metkayina naturally had an a stage of having webbed fingers, and Ao’nung took his revenge by splashing water back. His retaliation wasn’t serious; it didn’t scream of insecurity and hostility.

A Metkayina stepped forward, her arms encircling around Tuk as she threw her up in the air so high, and Neteyam’s heart jumped to his throat—

Ao’nung caught her with his raised arms, bringing her back down safely.

And Tuk was smiling, her arms clutching her Ao’nung’s waist. She was having an absolute blast. 

She felt so safe with Ao’nung, Neteyam could that much. 

And it felt safe for Neteyam to simple watch his siblings feel safe with Ao’nung, too.

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Chapter 8 Snippet 𓋜

જ⁀➴ [ Find Me By The Shore | The Way Of Water ]

°‧ 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 ·｡

“But it’s not the same! I want to hang out with you, Tey!” Tuk pouted, tears already welling up in her big eyes. She completely ignored Neteyam’s question, refusing to allow a shift in the topic. Neteyam realised that Tsireya was rubbing off on the little Tuktirey, for now she was now attempting to guilt trip Neteyam like Tsireya did with Ao’nung. “Can you please not hunt todayy? Pleaseee?” She clung to his waist, refusing to let go. She glanced up at Neteyam through her eyelashes, her chin wobbling.

“You know my obligations, Tuk,” Neteyam dropped a chaste kiss on Tuk’s forehead, palacating her as he did when she was merely a few months old. It seems to work it charm everytime. 

”You have no obligation to do that, actually.” Lo’ak chimed in with his usual grump. At first, he was observing Neteyam and Tuk quietly from the sidelines, but the anger kept burning inside of him. “Mum and dad already contribute, and you will be part of the Metkayina soon—”

”Lo’ak!” Neteyam hissed. His brothers returned his very own poisonous look, regarding him with equal intensity. “I will not be a part of any other clan anytime soon.” He refused to acknowledge the hidden meaning behind Lo’ak’s words. “You need to watch your words, brother, and stay in your lane.” He pointed his finger at Lo’ak strictly. 

Lo’ak’s lips sported a frown, twitching with sadness. His body screamed and yelled of rejection and sadness. His shoulders hunched, his arms crossing.

Neteyam sighed. Lo’ak was throwing a tantrum.

“Lo’ak, baby bro,” Neteyam called out. His hands reached around Lo’ak, pulling him in for hug. “I am sorry. I know I am neglecting you all.” 

”I just think it’s so stupid, ‘Teyam, you don’t hang out with us anymore because of him. Don’t even try to deny it. You don’t even look at him anymore.” Lo’ak grumbled, crossing his arms tightly around his own body, refusing the reciprocate the hug. 

”I don’t ‘look’ at him because I don’t see him, Lo’ak.” Neteyam sighed. “It has been a few days and you are already sulking, what will you do when I’m gone?” He chuckled. 

Lo’ak huffed, his eyes tearing up. “Where will you even go? Stop saying bullshit.”

“I am just saying,” Neteyam shrugged, “I won’t stick around for forever, you know.”

”Fuck is that supposed to mean?!” Lo’ak yelled, pushing Neteyam’s chest, just enough so that the older boy would back up. “Stop saying weird things, Neteyam. Stop acting like… like you’re gonna die.” Lo’ak gritted out, practically fuming with rage.

”That is not what I said.”

”But it is what you meant!” He yelled, fumes coming out his ears. 

“I have better things to do. I provide for this family. I hunt. I gather resources. I build us things. I’m busy.” Neteyam inched closer to Lo’ak, his figure towering the younger Omatikaya.

“For once, can you not be a provider and just be my brother?” He yelled back, clearly disliking Neteyam’s argument. “You don’t even spare a second for us while you do all that.” He didn’t raise his head to meet Neteyam’s eyes. “We all miss you.” Lo’ak very extremely quietly whispers, his eyes darting to make sure no one had heard him. 

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Chapter 7 Snippet 𓋜

જ⁀➴ [ Find Me By The Shore | The Way Of Water ]

°‧ 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 ·｡

“Neteyam,” a voice whispered against his ear. Neteyam’s ear twitched, his head turning to the other side. His body turns with his head, curling into a ball like a snake. “Neteyam.” The voice repeated. A cold, large hand placed on his waist, coming around his body in a possessive grip.

A large, cold body pressed against him. I the contrast of the warm sand and cool body made him shiver with a chill. The grainy sand made him shift uncomfortably, he was sure he’d wake up with redness all of his body. 

”Neteyam.” The voice obsessively repeated, pressing a chaste kiss against the back of his neck. The kiss continued to his shoulder, his jaw. He couldn’t open his eyes. Not out of force, but he simply felt so safe, so unbothered by the act. As if it was his usual. 

”Neteyam,” he was pulled snug against the body, even tighter than before. The hands that had wrapped around him became even more tighter. Protection or possession, Neteyam couldn’t figure out in his half-sleep state. “Wake up.”

Neteyam’s eyes shot open, his body getting up from the lying position. His head turned around, surveying the area around him for any sign of person.

His dream had felt vivid. Far too vivid. But there was not a single soul that was around him.

He clutched his head as waves of deja vu hit him like a train. The feeling was so intense, as if it was reality instead of his current state. It was hard to brush it off as just a dream.

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Chapter 6 Snippet 𓋜

જ⁀➴ [ Find Me By The Shore | The Way Of Water ]

°‧ 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 ·｡

It was early, the sun had barely spread its shining light throughout the small village next to the sea. There wasn’t a single cloud lurking above, the sky was a gorgeous mix of light pink, purple and blue. The morning breeze was clean, a hint of salty seawater was a refreshing touch. The cacophony sounds of waves crashing against the shore mixed with the birds singing the morning’s praise rang aloud.

Netayam moved in a trance-like state along the edge of the shore. Waves brushed shyly against his feet, retreating moments later to the sea. The wet, grainy sand crunched beneath his every step, leaving a faint profile of his walking steps along the shore, only to be swept by the oncoming tide. 

Neteyam smiled; it was serene. Peaceful. 

In his own company, Neteyam would press his tongue on the roof of his mouth, his throat letting out a crisp musical note. The vibration against his throat box blended into a string of continuous humming. His hands palmed his song cord attached to his loincloth, tracing it with practiced ease. He hummed a tune reflecting the lines of his song cord that had heard his mother to sing his song cord to him many times. From the moment he was born to now, she had never failed to comfort him as he laid his head in her lap to fall asleep.

He mimicked his mother’s singing from memory, continuing to walk further and further away from the village. His midnight blue figure looked incredibly sun-kissed, the bioluminescence on his skins kissing his skin in lightest of ways to add to the allure of his being. 

Neteyam didn’t realise when his song cord finished and he began humming a different tune. It was tragic, hopeful, and so tired. It reflected his deepest desires; to be next to his mother’s home tree, going into the forest without a single thread of worry for being caught, his warrior status being one to defend against outcast beings rather than machines and guns.

In the song, Neteyam was not a brother who as held accountable for every act his siblings committed. He was not a son who had bear the name of his predecessors and uphold their noble ways. He was not a warrior who had to protect his home against forces beyond his comprehension.

He was Neteyam, who dreamt of a life outside of war. He was Neteyam, who yearned for a life he could not have. He was Neteyam, forever hopeful. 

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Chapter 5 Snippet 𓋜

જ⁀➴ [ Find Me By The Shore | The Way Of Water ]

°‧ 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 ·｡

“What do you even like about my brother?” Lo’ak challenged. “You don’t even know him!” 

“Do I need a reason?” 

“Well, yes. You are to be mated.” Lo’ak rolled his eyes, muttering a small smartass under his breath. 

“To be mated. As in future tense. That is why we are courting. Present tense.” Ao’nung sighed. “If you let us court, it would be much easier.” He glared. He was far too meddlesome for the courtship to be intimate; he feared that if he were to present gifts, they would be taken and thrown by his brother-in-law. 

“Kinda hard to, you weren’t exactly welcoming to us.” Lo’ak circled his argument. He never held grudges, and he wasn’t gong to start now, but it just made an excellent argument point.  “I have been nothing but accommodating after that!” 

“You called us freaks yesterday!” Lo’ak argued, inching closed to Ao’nung. His nostrils flared, exhaling hot puffs of air fueled with a burning rage. 

“Oh for Eywa’s sake! I apologised and you accepted it! Infront of Neteyam.” Ao’nung spread his arms wide defensively. He stepped forward, trying to tower Lo’ak. He only wanted to intimate him in hope that he’d back off, but the small Omatikaya only further pushed his limits. 

“You don’t even deserve to speak his name! Fish lips!” He pushed Ao’nung back. 

“Forest freak!” Ao’nung retaliated. “Neteyam is to be my mate! Regardless of whether you accept it or not.” 

“Neteyam would never tolerate someone like you.” He bared his sharp canines. “You’re fucking delusional!” He hissed.

”Well if he can tolerate you, I don’t know why I should be a problem?” Ao’nung shot back, incredibly irritated. He his right back into Lo’ak’s face, which was visibly radiated more power, more authority, than Lo’ak’s. 

“Ugh! Skxwang!” Lo’ak shoved Ao’nung, angrily striding back to shore, counting down the seconds until Kiri, Tsireya, and Rotxo came back.