You’re finally back home for the summer, reuniting with your closest friends, practically your family. But returning for you also means facing the person you never truly accepted leaving behind—Aonung, your childhood best friend.. well, ex-best friend now, and the boy you left on the worst possible terms with.
The only problem ?
He sees no reason to forgive you.
⤥ —
*Seen by ‘nung*
… you stared at his contact name for a couple seconds, a cold, shaky breath being the only thing you could let out. Somehow, you felt even colder knowing he chose not to say anything.
But what else were you supposed to do? It seemed like Aonung wanted nothing more than to forget about your existence the moment you moved last year.
Of course, you expected him to be upset at first, but never like this. Never to the point where the two of you barely felt like friends anymore.
You slumped further onto your bed, sinking into the mattress, already tired after only two brief minutes of packing.
⤥ —
Neteyam laughed quietly at the messages in the group chat, about to click out of iMessage when another ding rang through his phone.
—Aonung
─────────
A/N — Ahhh how are we feeling about this so far???!!!
I’ve been wanting to start this series for a while now but kept procrastinating.. but finally 🤗🤗
You’re finally back home for the summer, reuniting with your closest friends, practically your family. But returning for you also means facing the person you never truly accepted leaving behind—Aonung, your childhood best friend.. well, ex-best friend now, and the boy you left on the worst possible terms with.
The only problem ?
He sees no reason to forgive you.
⤥ —
*Seen by ‘nung*
… you stared at his contact name for a couple seconds, a cold, shaky breath being the only thing you could let out. Somehow, you felt even colder knowing he chose not to say anything.
But what else were you supposed to do? It seemed like Aonung wanted nothing more than to forget about your existence the moment you moved last year.
Of course, you expected him to be upset at first, but never like this. Never to the point where the two of you barely felt like friends anymore.
You slumped further onto your bed, sinking into the mattress, already tired after only two brief minutes of packing.
⤥ —
Neteyam laughed quietly at the messages in the group chat, about to click out of iMessage when another ding rang through his phone.
—Aonung
─────────
A/N — Ahhh how are we feeling about this so far???!!!
I’ve been wanting to start this series for a while now but kept procrastinating.. but finally 🤗🤗
Is anyone else completely burnt out from all these AP exams 😭 I’ve only had 2 so far and I already have my last one tomorrow. My mind is literally holding on by its last straw trying to keep up 💔
Summery - Love grows more complicated in Awa’atlu as mating season passes through for everyone else, while you and Aonung watch from the sidelines.
CW - Established relationship, fluff.
A/N - Short but very cuteee, my inbox is finally empty so drop a request !!!
— <3
Mating season swept through Awa’atlu for the young-adult Na’vi. The exciting ceremonial dinners feast, fun festival nights hosted to engage with one another, chaotic competitions held among pairs and groups, as well as the boring lectures of elder Na’vi on how it is regulated and controlled. Though mating season was much more complicated than it seemed to most young adults, nightly sessions of ranting about how knotty pairing could be very common each sun-down, just like right now.
Kaleen sighed again, “She told me we were alright! Then a second later she’s avoiding me..” he ran a frustrated hand over his face, “I feel you, brother” Thalric added to the conversation, with the same sullen tone “Mine ignored me all morning, and broke the silence to tell me how I reek of fish paste after training.” Aonung who was silently listening to his friends' dismay, let out a faint laugh at Thalric’s last words. And this did not go unnoticed by his two friends. Both turned to him sharply, already ready to torment him over how little he could relate. Kaelen shifted closer to Aonung, “Surely she gives you a bit of trouble?” he prodded, placing his palm on his shoulder playfully. Aonung simply gave a blank blink at his question, You? Trouble? Never. It was in fact the complete opposite, loving you was seamless, like your love was exactly carved just for him. “She does not, she is an angel.” Aonung finally replied, exaggerating the last word “angel”, as he leaned back more comfortably. Thalric gently scoffed at his response, already knowing Aonung wouldn’t ever speak that way about anyone else. Roxto, who had been listening quietly, snorted. “Yeah, yeah he’s whipped.”
—
And coincidentally, the exact situation was unfolding with you. You lazily twirled a loose strand of your friend Sivara’s hair around your fingers, as she huffed over an earlier encounter “He is impossible!” you hummed quietly in response, “I told him to fetch me some Panopyra, and he returned with a smelly fish to make up for failing.” “No.” “Yes sister!” you giggled at her scowl. “Does your mate ever not listen?,” she asked, pursing her lips in defeat. You gave the same simple blank blink. Aonung? Not listening? Never. It was in fact the complete opposite, he was the best listener you knew, always patient and always present, devotion sewed into every small thing he did. “Unfortunately for your disappointment, he is always listening.” you replied easily. Sivara nearly melted where she sat. “You are supposed to be suffering with us!” Friyera, another close friend, cut in. At moments like this, you were grateful how natural you and Aonung came together. Some of these boys were truly clueless. “Do not worry, sisters, I’m sure he will have me fed up one of these days.” you teased. Friyera sighed dramatically. “We are at least happy one of us is completely whipped.”
—
The night fell and you lay peacefully on your woven cushioned mat, waiting for mate to finish his conversations outside your marui. At last, you heard the beaded covering lift, bringing your tired gaze to find him. Aonung stepped inside, his eyes softening the moment he saw you awake. “Tired today baby?” he quietly asked, making his way toward you, “It was a very long day.” He slipped in behind you, his arms immediately wrapping around your figure. You purred softly as you turned to face him, warmth spreading through you at his touch. “And you?” He lifted a hand to cradle your cheek. “Not as bad.. but mating season is worrying Kaleen and the group hard.” he murmured. “It is all I heard every time we gathered together.” Your eyes widened slightly. “Really? It was the exact same for me. Sivara was very troubled today..” You pulled him closer by the shoulders. He melted against you, burying his face into the curve of your neck. “Hm..” He pressed a soft kiss there. “Luckily for me, I have been content with my girl since the beginning.” he mumbled as his eyes lidded. You smiled lazily at that. Shifting closer, you placed a gentle kiss to his lips, feeling him return it with the last of his energy. Then, fully letting your body relax, you rested in his arms.
Hey guys, does anyone have specific requests for Neteyam or Lo’ak x reader?
I love writing for them, but I have trouble settling on a plot. Most of the time I start writing, then mid-way, delete it because I have mixed feelings.
So please, if you have any specific ones, ask and you shall receive!"
Summary - The first day of the long awaited festival had finally come, and it unfolded more beautifully than they all imagined.
A/N - I got this idea after I watched a Rio edit and I could not-not write it 😭 It’s very corny and ooc but I had so much fun writing it, so enjoy ✌️
- (Listen to the song while reading!)
— <3
The grand festival spread through the open valley where the jungle meets the water, the sun shining warmly on all the tens of Na’vi clans present. From the Omatikaya, Metkayina, and Tlalim clans to the Kame’tire, Olangi, Tipani, Sarentu, Anurai, Tawkami, and Kekunan clans—it was the long-awaited weekend that occurs once every five years where all beings come together in the open fields of Pandora and host the unity and peace of Eywa's creations.
This tradition was born thousands of years ago, mighty ancestors concluding amongst each other to begin a way for all of the people to be celebrated and flourish as one planet, words traveling through each territory in the immense Pandora and beyond—becoming the most attended tradition in history.
And this year's weekend celebration represented that perfectly: the thousands of trees spread across covered in full bloom majestically and colossal flowers, all with every color you could imagine; massive vibrant hand-painted tapestries of symbolic significance hanging over each gap encountered; thick strings of decorated lace with hanging jewels wrapped around each high ground swinging freely; the free ground spread across with radiant color run powder; and the people of Pandora only elevated it more—clan craft stands enclosing the entire structure, sharing beautiful detailed body adornment, intricate song chords, carefully stitched clothing, strong armor shields, and anything else you could ever imagine.
Food booths all in full openness with blazing energy, filling the air with a soft savory and sweet aroma as you ran past; children's games behind held in every corner, either categorized by rules or ages or in full swing of every child’s head—only emerging more of the beautiful laughter already present in Pandora.
Designated ritual circles for the purpose of peacefully spending a moment with Eywa and worshiping; stages were held all across for specific performances of each clan. But at the very center of the valley stood the grandest stage of all, towering over the festival grounds and used for the most anticipated performance of the year.
And the performers chosen for the grand stage were also filled with anticipation. You adjusted the light sage-colored skirt around your waist, gorgeously sewed in lace of teal and burgundy crystals and flowers shaking with sound and glistening with the sun at each movement you made. Beside you, Kiri and Tsireya made their own final adjustments, smoothing the stunning knitted tops, with delicate jewels at the top and a deep blue fabric tied at the bottom to cinch the stomach, exchanging eager smiles. “Ready?” you asked softly. “Let’s do this.” Kiri answered as Tsireya gave an ecstatic nod beside her.
As the ceremonial drums grew louder and began soaring through the air, hundreds began hurrying toward the grand stages, recognizing the sound that indicated the biggest performance of the festival was about to begin. Lo’ak nearly choked on his sweet spineberry juice as his body feet jumped up, eyes popping out in excitement. “DUDE! COME ON, LET'S GO!” “We’re going to miss it!” Neteyam shouted, already pushing through the crowd. Aonung snickered beside them. “Move, move!” All three rushed through the buzzing crowd, squeezing their way to the very front.
The signature drums of distinct thumping began: *vrmp vrmp, vrmpppp*. Your heart felt as if it was beating to its exact beat as you peeked through the small beaded curtains to take a peek, smiling the moment you spotted your friends in the crowd, yelling in amusement. “I can see Y/n peeking from here!" Aonung yelled with a grin, pointing at the curtain. Neteyam stretched, attempting to get a better look. “What song do you think they’ll do?" "I don’t know," Lo’ak said distractedly, waving to the impressive drummers already taking their place. “But they’ve all been hyping it up.”
The crowd was bigger than ever, the beats growing louder as the singers lined up and took one final breath before beginning. *Let's come together, singing love and harmony*. The words roared through the valley as Tsireya stepped gracefully onto the stage, leading the first line of dancers behind her. Her hips and arms swayed delicately with the soft, rising rhythm as they all settled into formation. *We are so different but the same inside our hearts*. From the opposite side, Kiri smoothly emerged, movements spilling effortlessly as she and the dancers following behind enticed the crowd, her jewels adding a special ring to the music as they all moved into their precise positions. *Blue-tiful colors, as far as the eye can see*. Then, from the center, Y/n stepped forward with the final line behind her. Her control was mesmerizing, reflected in the way she danced with her hips and back, as the dancers mirrored her moves perfectly while moving into place.
*Open your wings, fly when you hear the call..* As the song rose, all three lines of girls formed circles across the stage, leaving the main space open in the center for the main dancers as they swayed with the growing rhythm.
As the beats grew even louder, the crowd erupted with laughter and tension, people already pushing forward and jumping with the rhythm, especially Lo’ak. He was one of the loudest, throwing his hands into the air. "LET'S FUCKING GO REYA!!!!” Neteyam’s eyes, struck in awe at the performers, quickly snapped back as he leaned in. “Bro, Dad’s literally at the end of the corner” Lo’ak immediately dropped his hands. "Oh shit.”
With a soft nudge, Aonung averted both of their eyes back to the stage, as if he could already feel the drop coming. And it did. The moment arrived. *Let's celebrate! Calling all beautiful creatures!* The beat exploded and traveled through the valley.
All three aligned circles of girls in perfect sync twisted immersively outward to the crowd in new formations, giving more energy into the crowd. You, Kiri, and Tsireya came out together, throwing bursts of color powder into the air that spread on stage and spilled into the crowd below. *Come spread your wings, dance, and sing songs about freedom!*
And then it all let go, the crowd erupted into movement. The people danced freely among each other, no longer held back by anticipation or space, fully embracing their energy to the rhythm.
Energy spiraled from the mere front of the stage into the farthest paths of the valley, where even the stage was too far to be visible; all they needed to do was to hear the same vibrant callings and pulse to express their bodies' relentlessness. *Like La-La-La, ooh-ooh—One for the jungle familia. Like Ba-Ba-Ba, boom-boom*, you and all the dancers found each other's designated partners and touched hands up high in the air, twirling endlessly with precision to create the perfect illusion in layers for the crowd.
The cheers being screamed only lighted up your body even more since the very beginning of the sounds of the drums; you all moved and switched hand in hand beautifully while still moving hips and shoulders to the tempo.
*Calling all beautiful creatures!*. Lo’ak was already jumping with the beat, singing along as loudly as he could. “BEAUTIFUL CREATURES—" He grabbed Neteyam and Aonung by the shoulders, shaking them as if reminding them to let loose. Forced into the movement, Neteyam gave in with a laugh, relaxing his shoulders and letting rhymes carry them as they pleased, the same grin still spread across his face since the festival first started. Aonung continued to sway with the music, every beat thumping through his chest as he kept his eyes fixed on the performance, unable to hide his amused smile on his face.
Then another burst of color powder shot into the crowd, and this time all three boys finally jumped at each other in overwhelmed excitement, laughing as the energy of the festival completely took over. *Come this way, celebrate!*
The music rang out again, and you led your section of the dancers to the front row, your hips swaying as your legs stretched gracefully with each step. Every moment stayed precise and light, your chest pulsing with the rhythm as the sequenced rows followed behind you. Together, all of you dipped low in perfect unison, knees bending as your divine skirts swept across the stage, dragging soft trails of shimmer and colored powder behind them. Your arms stretched wide, guiding the movement as if the music were rushing through your body.
*Laugh and dance all the way!* *Follow me, sing along!*. Your eyes widened at the sight before you, bodies moving as one throughout the valley, everyone dancing without hesitation, jumping and spinning with growing energy at every laugh and shout. The sight filled your heart with thrill and pride. *La-la-la-la, ooh-ooh*.
Then suddenly, the middle of the crowd began to split apart. Dancers cleared a path, revealing giant traditional Tulkun, Toruk, and Direhorse figures towering above the crowd, their movement brought to life by the performers underneath the structures. Their detailed feathers, carved edges, and hand-woven threading shone brightly under the festival's glow, showing off every vibrant color worked into their towering frames. Wings lifted and lowered in smooth sweeping motions while tails swayed with the rhythm, the dancers beneath stretching and leaping in perfect coordination to bring the massive creatures to life. *Já disse que Jade chegou!* *Já disse que já disse que Jade chegou!*
The giant structures turned toward the stage, moving fiercely with the pounding beat as the crowd clapped and danced along in excitement. In response, you and the dancers extended your arms forward in perfect unison, drawing them down slowly as your hips hit sharply with the rhythm. Once lowered, every movement snapped back upward, hands returning to your chest as you drove your chest forward in a powerful motion in synchronicity, mirroring the exact fierce stance of the towering creatures. *Já disse que Jade chegou!* *Já disse que já disse que Jade chegou!*
When the strong beat simmered down, the roar of the crowd rushed in to replace it. "Sick..." Aonung whispered to himself, completely fascinated. “This is amazing!—” you quickly whispered excitedly to Tsireya as she moved into place beside you. “I know!“ You quickly turned to Kiri, whose eyes found yours as she shot you an eager thumbs-up. “Told you it would be crazy!” Lo’ak shouted at Neteyam through the loud instruments, “This is insane!” Neteyam shouted back, laughing as Lo’ak threw blue powder onto his chest. Then the music pulsed again, stronger than before, pulling every eye back to the stage. *Let's celebrate, calling all beautiful creatures! - Come spread your wings, dance, and sing songs about freedom! - Like La-La-La, ooh-ooh, one for the jungle familia! - Like Ba-Ba-Ba, boom-boom - Calling all beautiful creatures!….*
—
The night ended successfully, the trees' bioluminescence still lighting up the beautiful scenery of stalls and pathways.
With a small huff you slipped the last dance accessory off your leg, finally relaxing while waiting for Kiri and Tsireya to finish. “Well damn, look who thinks she’s a professional dancer now. You whipped your head toward the teasing voice, already seeing Aonung standing there with Lo’ak and Neteyam.
You laughed as you stood up, giving them one last playful spin. “Okay, rude. But, seriously—how did I do?” Aonung smirked, “Not bad… for someone whose legs looked stiff as hell.” Lo’ak laughed. "Yeah, you were kind of fighting for your life out there.” “WHAT?”
Before you could protest more, Neteyam laughed and stepped in. “They’re liars, you did really well.” “Ahh, everyone’s here!” Tsireya finally chirped while coming out with Kiri, “Can we please go get some pongu lumpia before we head back?”
“Please.” Lo’ak said immediately.
"That's exactly what I need after today.” Aonung added.
Kiri grinned. “And it’s only the first day. Tomorrow's going to be even crazier.”
Together, all of you started toward the food stalls, laughing about everything that happened and already talking about what tomorrow would bring.
ughh I wish i could get a aonung x reader collage au fic where I move in out nowhere and he majestically falls in love with me when i walk in the party uhhhhh sigh….
Summary - You indulge in a new treat and Neteyam finds his own way to get a taste.
CW - established relationship, fluff, small suggestive content, kissing.
— <3
You strolled slowly through the lab, bored out of your mind. Sighing to yourself every time you finished toying with random things around, so with a huff you melted into the cushioned chair next to Norm—giving up on anything else to keep you entertained.
“Whatrrs urp?” he casually asked, his words slurred as he kept working.
Your brows furrowed at the sound. “What are you eating?” You peered closer at him, spotting a colorful bag with fruit plastered all over it.
“Life… savers..?” you read aloud—you’ve tried plenty of human snacks, but this one was new.
Norm smiled at your expression. He reached into the bag and pulled out a red one. “Here, this one’s cherry.”
You grabbed it from his palm with wide, excited eyes, and somehow your eyes widened even more as you popped it into your mouth—it was really good.
“It’s so sweet—I love it!” you said, the bright flavor still bursting across your tongue.
Norm let out a quiet huff of amusement, already turning back to his project. “Take the bag. Seems like you enjoy them more than me.”
Your face lit up instantly. “Really?” He gave a small shrug.
With a grin, you scrunched the top of the bag in your fist and headed out, already reaching in for another piece.
—
Time passed, and now your legs were folded beneath you as you peacefully weaved, pieces laid across your lap. You kept popping more of the hard candy into your mouth as soon as it finished dissolving—you were completely content.
Which explains why you didn’t notice him at the entrance of your kelku, staring at your silent, satisfied expression.
“Is weaving going better than expected?” he finally said as he made his way over to you.
Your ears perked up at the sudden voice, though you already knew who it belonged to—you kept your eyes on the soft fabric.
“Hmr?”
Now he noticed your small, slurred response and the quiet sucking motion of your tongue. He glanced at your scattered supplies until his eyes landed on the same colorful bag with fruit plastered all over it.
So that’s what it was.
“Are those from the lab?” he asked, pointing them out.
You shifted your attention to him now, already sensing what was about to happen. “Yup! Norm gave them to me.”
He didn’t respond, only looked at you with those eyes, as if silently asking the question.
“Nete—if I give you one, you’ll end up eating them all…” you said with a huff.
“What! No I will not!”
Your eyes softened at his offended expression. “You always do..”
“Lies. Name them.”
“The caramel bars.”
“That doesn’t count, we were supposed to share.”
“The gummy bears.”
“Those were too tempting, you couldn’t blame me.”
“The taffy.”
“You weren’t going to finish them so—”
“Baby!”
He let out a small laugh as he passed his fingers through your hair. “Okay, okay—fine!” His eyes still traced back to the bag. “..so you’re still not sharing..?”
You quickly shook your head in response, sucking harder on the candy still swirling in your mouth as if almost to prove your point.
An idea popped into Neteyam’s head at the sound of your tongue, his gaze lingering on the subtle movement of your lips. You narrowed your eyes slightly as you noticed his expression change.
He stepped closer.
You instinctively leaned back a little, clutching the bag tighter. “Neteyam..”
He didn’t answer.
His hand lifted, brushing along your jaw before gently tilting your face toward him. His breath brushed your cheek for a moment before his lips hovered just over yours.
“What are you—”
He cut you off.
His lips pressed fully against yours.
The kiss caught you off guard, your hands going still for a second before instinctively grabbing onto him. You could feel the eagerness in it, like he already knew exactly what he was doing.
He tilted his head slightly, pressing deeper, and his tongue brushed against your lips—asking.
You hesitated for a split second before parting them just enough and he took the chance immediately.
His hands moved to your waist, holding you steady as the kiss deepened. It turned warm and messy, his movements focused, like he was searching for something.
And then he found it.
You felt the shift instantly. The small pause.. the faint grin against your lips.
Before you could react, he pulled the candy from your mouth into his, already starting to pull away. He didn’t go far, just enough to press one last firm kiss against your lips before fully leaning back.
Your eyes widened, breath uneven, lips parted slightly as you sat there, stunned.
“…Neteyam”
Then you realized.
“Neteyam!”
He only grinned, completely satisfied.
“You stole it from me!”
“No,” he replied smoothly, sucking lightly on it, “it’s called sharing.”
You rolled your eyes playfully.
“What flavor is it?” he asked, words slightly muffled.
“It was my favorite. Cherry.”
He hummed in amusement.
“This is what you get for not sharing with your beloved.”
You let out a small giggle.
— <3
A/n - Hey guys, Ik this is super short but it was a random corny idea I got in middle of class :p
i’ve lowkey been ghosting tumblr because i went on vaca and then came back to sooo many half-written requests i wrote and i didn’t even know where to start 😭 i’m sorry…
but i’m gonna try to find a middle ground and post tonight!!
Hey guys, does anyone have specific requests for Neteyam or Lo’ak x reader?
I love writing for them, but I have trouble settling on a plot. Most of the time I start writing, then mid-way, delete it because I have mixed feelings.
So please, if you have any specific ones, ask and you shall receive!"
Summary⋆˚࿔ᝰ.ᐟ > An unexplainable ache consumes you, creating distance between you and others-especially Aonung, until he refuses to let you face it alone.
CW ⋆˚࿔ᝰ.ᐟ > Angst/mixed, W/comfort, Established relationship, Kuru mentioning, Small suggestive content.
WC ⋆˚࿔ᝰ.ᐟ > 1.4k (short)
———————————————————————————
The harsh sun felt dull against your skin. The rhythm of the waves only made your head pound, and the sand pressed bitterly against your feet.
Even the noise from the nearby gatherings felt too loud—like it was closing in on you, leaving no room to think.
Lately, everything had felt heavy.
Each day, the weight on your chest seemed to grow, settling deeper by night like something you couldn’t shake loose.
You didn’t even know where it was coming from. That was the worst part—there was nothing to point to, nothing to fix.
Just a constant ache that made everything harder.
Things that once came easily now slipped through your fingers.
You could barely ride your ilu without losing control. When you sparred with Lo’ak—a fight you used to win without thinking, ending up with you flat on your back in seconds, sand in your mouth and frustration burning in your chest.
You tried weaving to calm yourself, but your hands kept tangling the threads into useless knots.
The herbs you prepared came out wrong, unbalanced, filling the marui with a sharp, unpleasant scent instead of anything helpful.
Even existing felt off. You bumped into people, forgot simple things, showed up at the wrong time or not at all. You couldn’t even catch a single fish.
It was like something inside you had shifted, and now nothing fit the way it used to.
And everyone noticed.
Your mother’s sighs grew heavier each day “You cannot stay like this forever, daughter.”
Your father’s voice was gentler, but it didn’t help “How is that head of yours today?”
Your siblings didn’t soften it at all “It’s like you’re decomposing.”
Tsireya and Kiri tried their best, their voices quieter, kinder “We’re here for you. Always.”
But hearing it over and over only made it worse. Their concern pressed in on you, turning the weight in your chest into something sharper. Something harder to breathe around.
It felt like there was a tangled spiral inside you, something you couldn’t name, couldn’t pull out, couldn’t explain.
But there was one person who saw through it all.
Aonung.
Your mate.
And you had been avoiding him.
—————————————————
So when he saw you again—standing alone, pressing your hands against your temples like you were trying to hold yourself together, something in him finally gave.
Before you could react, his arm wrapped firmly around your shoulders.
“You can’t keep doing this, ma paskalin.”
Your body tensed immediately. You didn’t even need to look, you knew it was him.
“Aonung…” you exhaled, already trying to pull away. “Please, not right now.”
“Then when?” he shot back, not harsh but strained.
Tired.
You shook your head, gaze fixed anywhere but him “I said I’m fine.”
“You keep saying that.” His voice dropped, quieter now.
“But you won’t even look at me when you do.”
You swallowed, your chest tightening “Because there’s nothing to look at. I’m fine.”
There was a pause.
A long one.
You felt his grip loosen slightly, but he didn’t let go.
“…You walked past me this morning,” he said, more carefully this time “I called your name. Twice.”
You didn’t answer.
“You heard me.” Not a question.
Your jaw tightened. “I had somewhere to be.”
“Where?” he asked softly.
Your lips parted, but nothing came out.
Exactly.
His breath left him slowly, like he was trying to stay patient.
“You missed dinner last night. And the night before that.” Another pause. “My mother asked me if we argued.”
Your eyes flickered.
“We didn’t,” you said quickly.
“I know that,” he replied.
“But they don’t. Because you won’t come near me long enough for anyone to see otherwise.”
You finally looked at him then and immediately wished you hadn’t.
There was no anger in his face. Just.. hurt.
Confusion.
It made your chest ache worse.
“I’m just busy,” you muttered.
His eyes narrowed slightly “Busy doing what, ma’yawntu?”
You turned away again. “Why does it matter?”
“It matters because you’re my mate,” he said, firmer now.
“It matters because I don’t recognize you right now.”
Your breath hitched.
“I’m still me,” you snapped, a little too fast.
“Then why does it feel like you’re slipping away from me?”
Your stomach twisted, like the sand beneath your feet had shifted.
You shook your head, trying to step back, but his hand tightened just enough to stop you.
“I’m not—Aonung, I just need space.”
“For how long?” he asked immediately.
“I don’t know!”
“That’s the problem,” he said, frustration creeping in now.
“You don’t know, you won’t explain, and you won’t let me help you.”
“There’s nothing to explain!” you burst out, your voice finally cracking.
“I wake up and everything feels wrong, that’s it! That’s all I have for you!”
Silence fell between you.
Your breathing felt uneven, too loud—ringing in your own ears.
Aonung stared at you for a moment, like he was trying to understand something just out of reach.
“…Then help me understand that,” he said, quieter now.
“I can’t,” you whispered.
“Why not?”
“Because I don’t even understand it myself!” Your hands came up, pressing against your temples again.
“It’s just there—it doesn’t go away, it doesn’t make sense, it just… sits here and ruins everything.”
Your voice broke on the last word.
“And I didn’t want to put that on you,” you added, softer now.
“You have enough to worry about. I didn’t want to be another problem.”
Something in him shifted immediately.
“A problem?” he repeated, almost like he didn’t recognize the word.
You didn’t respond.
He stepped closer but slower this time, giving you space to pull away if you wanted to.
You didn’t.
“You think that’s what you are to me?” he asked, voice low.
“I don’t know,” you admitted, barely audible.
“I just know I can’t even handle it myself. So how am I supposed to let you deal with it too?”
“You’re not ‘letting me deal with it,’” he said. “You’re letting me stand with you in it.”
Your eyes lifted slightly.
“That’s different.”
You blinked, your vision blurring again.
“I see you struggling,” he continued, softer now.
“Every day. And you think pushing me away makes it easier?” He shook his head.
“It doesn’t.”
Your chest tightened again.
“I didn’t want to drag you into something I can’t even explain,” you whispered.
“Then don’t explain it,” he said immediately.
You paused.
“What?”
“Don’t explain it,” he repeated, gentler.
“Just… let me be there anyway.”
Your breath caught.
For a moment, neither of you moved.
Then everything you had been holding in finally broke.
Your shoulders shook as the tears spilled over, and before you could stop yourself, you stepped forward—your arms wrapping around his neck like you needed something to hold you up.
“I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” you cried into him.
“It just hurts. All the time.”
He held you instantly, tightly, one hand cradling the back of your head.
“I know,” he murmured “I know, ma paskalin.”
You clung to him, your grip tightening as if he might disappear too.
“I’m trying,” you choked out. “I really am.”
“I know you are,” he replied delicately.
His voice didn’t doubt you. Not even a little.
That alone made your chest ache in a differently.
“I’m sorry,” you whispered faintly.
He pulled back just enough to look at you, his hand gently steadying your face.
“Don’t say that,” he said, more firmly now. “Not for this.”
He wiped at your tears with his thumb, slower this time, more careful.
“You’re allowed to feel things, no matter how confusing” he added again, quietly.
Your breathing began to steady, slightly.
“I just… feel stuck,” you admitted.
He nodded once.
“Then we stay here,” he said simply. “Together.”
His fingers intertwined with yours, grounding.
“If I can’t fix it,” he continued, holding your gaze, “then let me help carry some of it with you.”
Your eyes softened.
“You don’t have to hold everything in on your own.”
There was a pause.
Then, more slowly this time, more carefully..
He brought his kuru forward.
Not rushed.
Not forced.
Just offering.
“Let me feel it, ma paskalin,” he said quietly. “So you don’t have to carry it alone.”
Hey guys, does anyone have specific requests for Neteyam, Lo’ak, and Aonung x reader?
I love writing for them, but I have trouble settling on a plot. Most of the time I start writing, then mid-way, delete it because I have mixed feelings.
So please, if you have any specific ones, ask and you shall receive!"
