SUMMARY, who knew that you — the shyest girl in the clan, could bring the future olo’eyktan to his knees?
╰┈➤ WARNINGS, ao’nung is down bad for reader/fluff/suggestive/established relationship/lots of touching/kissing/ao’nung is a good boyy//reader is kinda giving heleana from hotd I love it!!
❥ requested by an anon, hope you like it angel <3
────⋆⋅☆⋅⋆── ────⋆⋅☆⋅⋆── ──
You’re shy, maybe a little too shy. While everyone your age in the clan enjoys hunting and fighting, you’d rather spend your day sitting by the ocean or picking out flowers, searching for the prettiest elements to turn into accessories for your hair.
No one ever judged you for it though, not when most of the time, you had a large shadow standing behind you that belonged to no one other than the future olo’eyktan — otherwise known as your boyfriend, Ao’nung.
At first, it came as a surprise to many when you and the prince of the reef started dating, he had a reputation for being a ‘tough guy’, while you were one of the quieter girls with peculiar interests. Before the two of you became a pair, members of the clan imagined that Ao’nung would find someone who matched his fierce character, perhaps a skilled hunter like himself but turns out, you were just the thing he needed, as well as the only person who could see right through his ‘tough’ act.
The differences between the two of you were evident, yet they only drew you closer together. Although you barely spoke, even before your first interaction, he seemed to know a lot about you while you on the other hand, knew very little about him, who was significantly louder than you.
The future olo’eyktan had an outgoing personality, accustomed to always being the centre of attention — you, kept to yourself and relished the peaceful moments by the ocean. He was in the middle of every festival, you were sat in the corner, entertaining yourself with a small creature that rested in the palm of your hand. What the metkayina prince appreciated most about your shyness, was how no one else was able get a proper conversation out of you, not the way he could.
Ao’nung would lay leaned back in the sand, his eyes full of admiration, as you would run over to him, excited to show him the beautiful pieces you had collected. He was never a listener, no, he could talk for hours but when it came to you, everything flipped, suddenly nothing he had to say mattered anymore because all he wanted was to listen to you speak.
He could never deny you either, not when you looked at him with those big glossy eyes of yours, so anything you asked for, he would do. The first time his family witnessed this, Ronal thought her pregnancy was causing her to see things while Tonowari’s eyes widened in disbelief at his son’s obedience to his girlfriend, silently attempting to communicate across the table with Tsierya, but she didn’t seem amused. By now, all of Awa’atlu had noticed the change in Ao’nung who would follow you around like a lost puppy.
Some might even say he was whipped — not to his face, of course. His behavior never softened for anyone else, if anything, it grew harsher every second he wasn’t with you, the only one who could unlock that gentler side of him.
Although no one mentioned it out loud, many members of the clan admired you for somehow bringing a man, as stubborn as yours, to his knees with just a bat of your lashes.
── .✦
Ao’nung has been annoyed all day, shouting at his friends for the smallest mistakes during training as if he already was olo’eyktan. However his best friend, who has known him his whole life, immediately connected the dots that it had something to do with you.
“Have you seen her today, bro?”
Rotxo asked, questioning the clearly irritated man next to him, slightly leaning away in case Ao’nung would smack him again for mentioning you.
Luckily enough, he didn’t.
“No.” He sighed, his response bland but still far better than the physical assault he had bestowed on the shorter boy beside him earlier. Rotxo knew that the only way to get his friend out of his bad mood (so that he couldn’t take it out on him anymore) was to encourage him to leave his duties a bit earlier and find you, his anchor.
“I’ll cover for you, go talk to her cuz.” He smiled, not because he’d done good deed for his best friend, but because he’d finally be able to speak freely without being on the receiving end of a death stare each time he opened his mouth.
Before heading toward the direction of where he knew you’d be, Ao’nung stopped and patted the shorter male on the shoulder in gratitude, “Thanks man, I owe you.” Lo’ak’s and Spider’s slang really did seem to be rubbing off on everyone…
𓂃✍︎ to sum it up,
no you = angry ao’nung = everyone scared
On the other hand, unlike Ao’nung whose entire day depended on whether you chose to acknowledge him or not, you have been enjoying your afternoon. The sunlight flickered across your back as you took small steps into the ocean, carefully slipping in, your mind focused on retrieving that seashell you had set your sights on. The water closed around you like a second skin, rising from your ankles to your waist as you waded deeper.
Ignoring the fact that you were not the best swimmer, you continued to go more and more into the cool water — reminding yourself of how wonderful that seashell would look on Ao’nung’s loincloth (which was the only reason you were doing this) for motivation. Taking one last steady breath, you fully dove beneath the surface, the sounds of everything around you dissolving into a muted hush as you moved closer to your goal.
You weren’t someone who took risks by any means, more like someone who, once set their mind on something, acted on impulse, which tended to really bother your boyfriend who worried for you. You could almost hear his voice in the back of your head telling you to turn back, but with the water pulling at you and your prize somewhere below, your instincts took over, turning him out and guiding you deeper without any thought. After all, what kind of metkayina were you if you couldn’t handle a little bit of water?
A smile formed on your lips when you finally spotted the seashell, reaching for it with your hand — you were so close, just a stretch away, only a small lean forward from making the vision of Ao’nung in a sexy loincloth that matched yours, a reality. So close just—
Suddenly, a voice from the shore broke through the peaceful silence of the ocean, making you pause mid dive as you questioned whether it was real or your imagination. Unfortunately for you, it was very real. You must have jinxed it with how much you were thinking of him because you recognised the distorted voice calling out to you as the one of your boyfriend’s. Was he not supposed to be on duty?
Your heart began to race when you heard familiar sound again, which was exactly the opposite of what should be happening while you were underwater. You urgently kicked upward, swimming toward the surface, already aware of the scolding that awaited you, that is if he can resist giving into your glossy eyes, which he never usually could. Ewya had gifted you with big, doe-like eyes, and you knew just how to use them to get what you wanted.
Peeking your head out of the water to gasp for air, you see Ao’nung who is visibly pissed, jumping into the water after you. Only then did you realise just how far you’d actually swum — you could say that your boyfriend was sometimes great motivation. With each deliberate stroke, you moved closer to your lover, meanwhile planning on how you could manipulate him into not being upset with you.
The feeling of a warm hand colliding with your hip made you shriek, immediately snapping you out off your thoughts. For a moment, you almost forgot that Ao’nung was known as the fastest swimmer in the clan for a reason.
“Ao’nung!” You exclaimed, pretending you hadn’t noticed the irritated expression on his face. He looks so hot when he’s mad.
Instead of greeting you wish a kiss like he typically would, he firmly grabbed you by the waist, trapping your body against his.
“Yawne,” he said sharply, “how could you be so reckless?”
“I—”
He quickly cuts you off, his grip around you tightening, “No, I leave my duties early thinking we could spend time togther but instead I find you half way outside the reef.”
He takes a deep breath, trying to his best to keep his composure so he doesn’t accidentally raise his voice, “Do you have any idea how many Akula lurk here at this time of day?”
Not giving you time to answer, Ao’nung tried to continue, but the moment he met your glossy gaze, he froze. You were looking at him with a soft expression, fluttering your lashes as if daring him to say what he had been about to.
Don’t give in Ao’nung, don’t give in, she could have hurt herself, this is serious.
Fuck, but she’s too cute
One of his hands lifted slowly, cupping your face, instant regret consuming his features, “Paskalin, I’m sorry, I was just worried that you could’ve been hurt, I—I would never forgive myself if that happened and I weren’t there to save you.”
You put your smaller hand over his, gently caressing it with your thumb in a comforting way, before opening your mouth to speak, “I’m sorry, Ma Ao’nung you were just worried, it’s my fault—”
To prevent you from blaming yourself any further, he crashed his lips against yours, using it as an excuse to pull you closer to his chest. If there was one thing the prince of the reef hated more than anything, it was you putting yourself down when in his eyes, you were an angel and could do no wrong.
“Nothing’s your fault, we’ll just forget this happened, tanhi.” He murmured into the kiss, not knowing that this had all been apart of your plan. At hearing his words, you tried your hardest not to grin so instead you just kissed him back with even more passion, playing with his hair as your tounges fought for dominance. You secretly loved how ‘whipped’ your boyfriend was for you, you could do as much as bat your lashes at him and he’d be on his knees, calling you his princess — his future Tsahìk.
You whine as he pulls away to take a breath. This time, when he leans in it’s not to kiss you, instead Ao’nung nuzzles his face into your neck, one of his hands sneakily travelling to the curve of your ass to embrace you into a hug. Now that he couldn’t see your face, you smirked to yourself at how oblivious your boyfriend was to your techniques.
“Mhm, you smell so good, princess.” He whispers, inhaling your scent. The feeling of Ao’nung’s hot breath against your skin causes your tail to instinctively curl around his muscular leg, making him let out a small chuckle. “Someone’s eager.”
You met his comment with a death stare, so to please you, he immediately wiped the smirk from his face, an act of obedience that earned him a kiss on the cheek.
“So paskalin, what made you swim all the way out here?” He asks teasingly, bending down to place kisses on your shoulder while awaiting for your answer.
“Well I really wanted to get this seashell—”
He didn’t wait for you to finish your sentence, his posture snapped straight, his gaze locking onto your pretty, glossy eyes as if silently urging you to tell him exactly what you wanted needed him to do.
Without you even having to say a word, his hand gave your ass one last gentle squeeze before he dived under the water, determined to fetch the seashell you asked for.
Who would’ve guessed that the tough, mean to everyone, future olo’eyktan was secretly such a good boy?
Warnings: mild angst, pregnancy/morning sickness, fluff, pregnancy tropes, established relationship
Summary: You aren't yourself lately. You’re slow, you’re nauseous, and you’re craving things that taste like dirt. Aonung thinks you’re ill—until the truth brings him to his knees.
A/N I haven't edited this so there could be spelling or grammar mistakes!!
For the past three suns, you had been... different.
The midday sun of Pandora was usually a blessing, but these days, it felt like a physical weight pressing against your shoulders. You stood knee-deep in the turquoise shallows, helping the younger children, but your vision kept blurring at the edges.
Aonung noticed it days ago. You moved as if the water itself were made of thick honey. You weren't weak; you were just stubbornly uninterested in moving. He had been watching you for like an hour. He was supposed to be helping his father but his eyes kept drifting back to you. He noticed the unusual pallor of your skin. You looked ghostly.
When you finally stumbled—Aonung didn’t hesitate. He dived from his mount and cut through the water, reaching you before you could even register you were falling.
"I have you," he murmured, his large, calloused hands steadying your waist. His brow was furrowed, eyes searching your face with a mix of irritation and deep-seated worry. "You are clumsy today. Even for you."
"I am just tired, Aonung," you breathed, leaning into his cool chest. The scent of salt and the familiar musk of his skin usually calmed you, but now, the world was spinning.
He lifted you easily, ignoring the giggles of the children nearby, and carried you toward the shade of your family’s marui. As he laid you down on the soft woven mats, the smell of the drying fish outside hit you. Usually, it was the smell of home. Today, it was a threat.
Days later, he found you draped over a sun-warmed rock near the shallow reefs, your spear lying forgotten in the sand while the other hunters were already halfway to the drop-off.
"The fish will not jump into your lap, pretty girl," Aonung said, though his tone lacked its usual competitive edge. He swam closer, hoisting himself up onto the rock beside you. "My father is asking why the best tracker in the village is currently napping like a forest-slug."
You didn't even open your eyes. You just groaned, shifting your weight. "The rock is warm. The sun is perfect. Tell your father the fish can wait for one day."
Aonung frowned, reaching out to touch your neck. You weren't hot—your skin was cool and damp from the spray—but there was a softness to your features he hadn't seen before.
"You are lazy, yawne" he murmured, poking your side. "Even Lo'ak works harder than this today."
You finally opened one eye, giving him a look so withered it should have scorched him. "If you poke me again, I will bite your hand off."
-
You loved the way the sun turned the ocean into a sheet of shattered diamonds, but now, the glare made your head throb with a rhythmic, dull ache.
Aonung was watching you, his playful smirk slowly dying as he saw the way you swayed. He’d been teasing you for your "laziness", but as you sat on the edge of the sun-bleached rock, he saw your throat hitch. Your breathing became shallow, jagged, and your hands gripped the rough stone until your knuckles turned a ghostly white.
"Yawne," he said, his voice dropping the bravado. He swam closer, reaching up to pull himself onto the ledge. "Do you need me to call my mother? You look—"
He didn't get to finish.
A wave of violent nausea crashed over you, more aggressive than any tide. You barely had time to lurch toward the edge of the rock. It was a total betrayal of your body. You doubled over, racking tremors taking hold of your spine as you retched into the salt water below.
It was a raw, ugly sound that tore through the peaceful afternoon.
"What-" Aonung’s voice was laced with a sudden, sharp panic. He scrambled onto the rock, his large hands catching your shoulders just as your strength gave out. You felt so small against him, your body shivering violently in the heat.
"Aonung..." you choked out, your vision tunneling into black spots. The acid in your throat burned, and the sheer exhaustion of the last few days seemed to culminate in this one, agonizing moment. You felt terrifyingly sick.
He pulled you back against his chest. His tail was thrashing the water behind him in a frantic rhythm, a clear sign of his rising fear.
"I have you. Breathe, ma'Y/N," He wiped the sweat from your brow with a trembling hand, his eyes wide as he searched your pale face. "Eywa, why are you like this?"
He was genuinely terrified, watching the person he loved most slip away into a sickness he couldn't fight.
"It’s... it’s okay," you whispered, leaning your head into the crook of his neck. The violent nausea had stopped, leaving you hollowed out and trembling.
"It is not okay," he hissed, his grip tightening as if he could hold the life inside you by sheer force of will. "I am taking you to my mother."
-
The examination was brief. A few quiet chants, the steady pressure of Ronal’s hands over your abdomen, and then a knowing, sharp smile.
"The sea has planted a seed," Ronal announced, her voice echoing in the quiet space. "You are not ill. Well, you are, but you are simply carrying a new heavy burden of life. Rest. Eat what the body asks for. The nausea will pass when the moon turns."
-
The walk back to your own marui was silent, but the air between you and Aonung felt charged, like the moments before a great storm. He didn't say a word until you were both inside, tucked away from the prying eyes of the village.
You collapsed onto your sleeping mats, you felt heavy and strangely content. Aonung stood over you for a moment, looking uncharacteristically lost.
"Aonung?" you murmured, reaching out for him.
He moved closer, his tail wrapping around your thigh in a subconscious tether. He kissed you softly and then, tentatively, he reached out your belly. He hesitated for a heartbeat, his fingers hovering over the soft curve of your stomach, before he finally pressed his palm flat against you.
His hand was massive, covering nearly the entirety of your belly. It was warm as he touched you, as light as sea foam.
Aonung leaned down, his face inches from your skin. You watched with a soft smile as his ears flickered nervously.
"Listen to me, little one," he murmured, his voice dropping into a low, vibrating rumble that you could feel deep in your bones. "I am your father. You are already causing a great deal of trouble for your mother, making her lay in rocks, causing nausea and even eat bitter things."
You let out a breathy laugh, your eyes watering with happy tears as his thumb traced a slow circle over your skin.
"Grow strong," he continued, his tone turning fierce and protective. "The reef is waiting for you. The Tulkun are waiting. And I... I am waiting. Do not rush, but know that when you arrive, you will have the fastest ilu and the sharpest spear in the clan. I will make sure of it."
He pressed a lingering kiss to your stomach, his breath warm against you, before looking up at you with eyes that shone like the bioluminescent sea.
"You are carrying our child, a hunter/diver," he murmured and smiled at you, his grip tightening just a fraction—enough to let you know he was never letting go.
"I think they will have your eyes," he whispered kissing your temple, "And my stubbornness. May Eywa have mercy on us both."
-
Aonung’s plan was simple: keep the news quiet until the next full moon. He wanted to savor the secret, to protect you from the inevitable chaos of the clan’s excitement.
But Aonung was never particularly good at keeping his internal world off his face.
The "squad"—Rotxo, Tsireya, and even Lo’ak—were gathered by the communal fire-pits, sharpening their hunting daggers. You were sitting a few paces back, leaning against a woven pillar, currently focused on a bowl of a strangely bitter seeds Aonung had scavenged for you.
"Aonung, you’re sharpening the back of the blade," Rotxo remarked, squinting at his friend. "Are you planning to club the fish to death?"
Aonung snapped out of his trance, his ears flattening. "I am focused. You talk too much."
"You’ve been staring at Y/N for twenty minutes," Lo’ak added with a smirk, nudging Rotxo. "And she’s just sitting there eating... are those dye-nuts? Those taste like dirt."
Aonung’s tail gave a sharp, defensive flick against the sand. "She can eat whatever she wants. They are high in... minerals. For the spirit."
Tsireya looked between you and her brother, her head tilting with that innate Metkayina intuition. "You are acting strange, brother. You didn't even join the race today. You said you had to 'check the stability' of your marui’s floorboards?"
"The wood looked soft!" Aonung defended, his voice going up a suspicious half-octave. "It is important. If the floor breaks, someone could fall. Someone... heavy. Or someone who needs to be held up."
He looked at you, his gaze lingering on your stomach with such intense, blatant longing that Rotxo actually dropped his whetstone.
"Aonung," Rotxo said slowly, a grin spreading across his face. "Why are you looking at her like she’s a sacred Tulkun?"
"I am not! I am just..." Aonung scrambled for an excuse, his face heating up to a deep shade of teal. "I am ensuring she is breathing correctly."
"She’s been breathing for years, man," Lo'ak laughed. "I think she’s got it down."
You caught Aonung’s eye and gave a tiny, mischievous nod. You knew he couldn't hold it in. He was vibrating with the need to brag, to claim this new title.
Aonung took a deep breath, puffing out his chest. He tried to look stoic, but the corners of his mouth kept twitching upward.
"If you must know," he began, his voice dropping into a performative future-leader bass, "I have decided that Y/N requires extra monitoring because she is currently... busy."
"Busy doing what?" Rotxo asked.
"Carrying a future Olo'eyktan... Or Tsahìk" Aonung blurted out.
The silence that followed was broken only by the crackle of the fire. Then, Tsireya let out a high-pitched squeal, leaping to her feet to rush toward you.
"A baby?" she cried, her eyes shimmering. "I am going to be an aunt?"
"Wait, for real?" Lo'ak blinked, looking impressed. "Aonung, you're gonna be a dad? You can barely handle a stubborn ilu."
"I will be a great father!" Aonung said dramatically. He stepped in front of you like a shield, his hand instinctively reaching back to hover near your knee. "She needs more seeds. Rotxo, go find more of those bitter seeds. Now."
As the group erupted into questions and cheers, Aonung leaned down toward you, ignoring the boys' teasing. He whispered just for you, his tail winding tightly around your own in the shadows.
"So much for a secret," he murmured, his eyes glowing with pride. "But they already know our little one is going to be the strongest of the reef."
He reached out, his thumb quickly brushing over the fabric covering your stomach and he kissed you, already acting like a overprotective father-to-be.
⟢ pairing. ao’nung x fem!metkayina!reader ⟢ summary. ao’nung, as the future olo’eyktan, is expected to choose a mate of his own. good thing he already has. now all he has to do was gather up the courage to ask you. ⟢ wc. 1,2k ⟢ fluff. friends to lovers. mutual pining. ⟢ a/n: got this idea from neytiri and jake on the first movie <3 I apologize if i still haven’t captured his character well, it’s my first time writing for ao’nung :)
the cool sand pressed beneath you at the shores of awa’atlu as dusk settled in, letting the soft blues and purples stretch across the sky while quiet waves brushed the shoreline. you hugged your knee closer to your chest as you traced the sand.
it was a quiet night.
and you loved moments like these.
“thought i would find you here.”
a low, familiar voice spoke suddenly, breaking apart your thoughts, and you flinched slightly. you turned, to see none other than ao’nung standing before you with that signature smirk of his. you sighed, rolling your eyes playfully. “you’ve got to stop doing that, skxwang.”
“do what?” he asked innocently with raised eyebrows as a teasing grin settled over his lips. you didn’t answer, and instead you threw some sand his way — which, he obviously dodged.
“what brings you here?” you asked once he’s finally settled beside you — knees nearly brushing. he grinned, leaning a little closer. “just wanted to see you.” and again, you rolled your eyes, trying to hide the faint hue of violet creeping up your cheeks. there he was again, tossing away his words casually. you knew that he didn’t mean it. and yet, your chest always swelled.
and you hated it.
“sure you were.” you said dryly. he only chuckled at your response, leaning back on his arms. you redirected your gaze, letting them wander to the waves. and for a moment, you closed your eyes momentarily. you hummed, letting the breeze brush your face that carried the salt of the sea.
ao’nung sat there, his gaze never leaving yours once. his throat went dry at the sight. the moonlight captured your beauty perfectly, highlighting every curve of your body. he had to force his own eyes to look down, completely ignoring the way his heart thudded in his chest.
he shook his head, forcing himself to think straight. he needed to focus. he can’t mess this up. and he won’t.
“you know, i have been thinking,” he said, eyes flickering to yours. his tail flicked nervously, betraying the calm he attempted to convey. “about how to possibly break things between lo’ak and tsireya?” you teased. you knew how he felt about his sister dating lo’ak, or who he’d like to call forest boy.
he chuckled lowly. “no, no. not about that,” he said. “although, i do have some ideas on how to—” you playfully smacked him in the head. “come on, lo’ak isn’t that bad. he’s perfect for tsireya.” you insisted. “yeah, yeah. whatever you say.” he mumbled.
he looked down, like he was unsure of what to say next. and you noticed. just get to the point, ao’nung. think, he told himself. “so, what’s on your mind?” you finally asked, dropping the previous sarcastic remarks. he stayed quiet for a moment, before he began. “well, as you know, as future olo’eyktan, there are.. expectations. things i have to do.” he started, eyes drifting back to find yours. you nodded, not having a clue where this conversation was heading.
“my father, along with my mother, they..” he trailed off. you waited patiently. he sighed before continuing. “they want me to find a mate.”
the moment those words left his mouth, your heart sank. he wasn’t just looking for anyone — he needed a mate fit to stand beside him as a future tsahik. he needed someone someone steady, respected, and perfectly molded for the role. you were nothing like that. you had no qualities of becoming tsahik.
how foolish you were to think you had a chance.
“well, that’s great, isn’t it?” you said, nudging him playfully. his brows creased at your response. “there are plenty of girls out there who’d fit the role perfectly,” you couldn’t help but smile, though it didn’t quite reach your eyes. he opened his mouth to say something, but you gave him no room to.
“ayk’ana is the clan’s best singer. she’s strong and graceful.” your eyes flickered to his for a moment, before looking down. “tseyal would be great too. she’s the best healer in the clan, and not to mention well respected too.”
he shook his head in disbelief, letting a chuckle escape from his lips. “well, i do not want any of them to be my mate,” he said sternly, eyes locked onto yours. you turned around to face him now, confusion written all over your face. “because i have already chosen.” his eyes searched for yours desperately, like he was waiting for any sign that you understood, or that you felt the swme way he did.
you blinked.
“you seriously do not understand what i am trying to say?” he asked, a small smile tugging at his lips now. was the signs not clear enough?
“you, skxwang. i want you.”
you froze — breath caught in your throat as your mind went completely blank. you were left speechless. your lips parted as you desperately tried to find words, but nothing came. he leaned closer, his fingers brushing against your cheek before gently tugging a strand of hair behind your ear, his touch warm and grounding. a violet flush creeped across his cheeks, deepening with every passing second — as did you.
“ao’nung..” you glanced down shyly, unable to meet his gaze. you found that really hard right now. and in a swift and gentle move, he tilted your chin upwards, so that you’d face him. “is something wrong? if you do not wish — ”
“no, no, it’s not that..” you cut him off. “you are future olo’eyktan. people, they have expectations; just like you said. and you cannot simply choose me.” you reasoned, as uncertainty washed over you. his expression softened, yet there was a hint of determination in his iris.
his hands found its way toward your cheeks, as it brushed against your cheek gently. “i do not care. i choose you.” and before you could complain and protest, he closed the distance between you. it took a moment, but you let yourself melt into the kiss. your hands slid its way to his neck as his found your waist. his lips were warn against yours. he tilted his head, deepening the kiss even further, catching you off guard at his sudden bold move.
he has waited his whole life for this exact moment.
and so have you.
eventually, the two of you pulled back, foreheads touching, panting lightly as you were left breathless. “you have no idea how long i have been wanting to do that,” he breathed, unable to contain his smile now. you chuckled at that. “you know, you do not look that bad when you are out of breath like this.” he teased, lips curving into a smirk. your eyes widened momentarily before you shoved him away, ignoring the way your cheeks had flushed a deep indigo.
─── ⋆ LETTER HOME . ao'nung x fem!metkayina!reader
you're the only girl ao'nung has ever wanted, and he makes sure everyone knows ; cw. fluff , eventual friends to lovers , ao'nung has a soft spot for reader & he's mean to literally everyone else ; words. 1,1k
author's note ⌇ this was requested by anon and i kinda went too far with it.. anywayss my requests are currently open for ao'nung so if you have any ideas don't be shy to leave your thoughts there! just remember to read my request guidelines first hehe
ao'nung has always made it clear to everyone who he was. the eldest son of the olo'eyktan— prideful, confident, full of witty jokes and sarcastic commentary. to others, he may just seem like the typical arrogant and cocky teen who's aware of his place and potential, but that doesn't disregard the fact he has girls flaunting all over him because of his stuck-up personality. but, that's not how you see him.
in your eyes, ao'nung was kind and caring. he was the friend who invites you over for dinner in his marui, the friend who accompanies you on side quests all around the reef, the friend who fixes your hair when a strand is loose, the friend who secretly collects pretty shells and pearls just for you, and the friend who is attentive and present. it's this side of him that makes your heart beat faster, tail swish uncontrollably, and cheeks flush— a side that only others can get glimpses of, but you see it whole.
he was known to be mean, to be judgmental at first, and he tried to do that with you but some part of him couldn't bring himself to do it. there was an odd feeling that hung in the air when you first met, one that can only be described as love at first sight. though, he tried his best to shrug it off. surely there has to be another reason why his gaze softens when he sees you, why he becomes so much protective whenever your name was brought up, and why you appear in his dreams at night.
when the sully family came seeking uturu, ao'nung was quick to step up in front of you. they were people of the forest, far different from you and your people who grew up at sea. you have expected ao'nung to welcome them with warm arms, the same ones that held you close when you needed it— but instead he was rude, hostile almost. the way he treated them came in harsh contrast with the way he treated you, and you couldn't bear to see it any longer.
the two of you were sitting by the rocks of your usual spot. the sky was dusted with purple and orange hues, you fidgeted with the shell ao'nung just gave you. it was another one to add to your special collection. he smiled before speaking, “the small forest girl almost took that away from me, good thing i am a fast swimmer.”
you nodded along. it was sweet that he always thought about you, but you never wanted to read more into it. in reality, everybody could see it but you— how he always asked for you, how his body language changed whenever you were near, how he talked loudly to others but lowered his voice when you spoke. in short— he was a borderline asshole to everyone and a total softie to you. he pouted as you gave no response, “do you not like it?”
“i do. thank you, ao'nung. but don't you think you're being a bit mean to them?” you saw how his shoulders lost that security, he adjusted his posture a bit before speaking, “what? it wasn't my fault she couldn't swim as quick as i do.”
“not just that, ao. they're still learning and you do not bring the guidance and support that they need. you've been trusted to teach them but instead you return it with a fist in the brother's face!” your voice pitched in fury, but you sighed it off. he noticed your anger seeping through— “does it upset you? this much?”
“deeply,” your eyes met his, “it upsets me deeply.”
ao'nung nodded, he opened his mouth to explain himself but your words cut him off first, “and not just the sully family, ao'nung. it upsets me every time you're mean to someone when all i've known is that you are gentle and sweet. what makes them so different from the way you treat me?”
oh great mother, were you kidding? maybe because of the fact that he is absolutely head over heels in love with you. ao'nung thought that the countless gifted trinkets, reassuring touches, shared laughter and stories, endless amounts of praises and compliments made it obvious that he liked you in every way possible. he knew it the moment he couldn't form a single cohesive thought when he first saw you— he has made it clear to everyone, that you're all he's ever wanted and more. the only person who's able to make him all sunshine and rainbows.
“why are you looking at me like that?” you furrowed your brows, your hand instinctively reaching for your face. his hand stops yours, his touch has always been soothing to you. but this felt different, his gesture was of a confession— nervous and hot. “looking at you like what?” there it was, the stupid and mischievous smirk that you've grown to like.
“you're thinking of something. whatever it is spit it out or i might vomit,” you were half joking, and he was laughing.
ao'nung rolls his eyes at you, “eywa, you're impossible,” he mutters before looking back at you. he's really looking into you this time, the teasing grin on his face fading into something softer, more genuine— “i'm mean to them because i don't care, not in the way i care about you. they get in my way, they're loud and annoying. you're not.”
you swore the great mother has taken your soul right then and there because you must be dreaming. ao'nung stated it as if it was the most obvious thing ever. it slipped out of his tongue easily, as if falling for you was the only thing he'd ever known. he noticed your flustered demeanor, “i'm not good at this, talking and confessing. but you make it feel so easy,”
“i don't talk to anyone the way i talk to you, i don't know why i dive into the deepest parts of the waters to get you a flower, and i don't know why i make exceptions only for you,” his body shifts closer to you, “but i know it probably has to do with me wanting you, every day, all the time.”
you stare at him, stunned, cheeks burning.
“ao'nung, are you saying—”
he disrupts your sentence eagerly, “yes. i like you. a lot,” his ears flattened in embarrassment. he whispers, leaning even closer now, “probably too much even.”
silence hovered the air, neither of you spoke for a moment. ao'nung left you utterly speechless, you finally manage to let out a laugh, “you're unbelievable, ao.”
the grin returned to his face almost instantly, “you like that about me, no?” there was no distance between the two of you, you were practically touching foreheads. you squeezed his hand, nodding, “i do.”
aonung te tsika'u tonowari'itan x gn! sully! reader
Summary: Gaining his first tattoo, Aonung seeks you out.
WC: 0.9k
Warning/s: none, maybe aonung being romantic?? lmao, maybe a little ooc mb...
Note: i crave more aonung screen time and seeing him with that tattoo oh it was over for me- likes, reblogs, and feedbacks are most welcome and appreciated!
GIF is made by yours truly!
The communal area was filled with bright colors and the dancing of the flames, the sound of the drums beating mirroring your nervous heartbeat.
The festival for the young Metkayina, after passing through the challenging tests from the clan that challenged them with their tulkun and their own strength, before eventually being able to bond with their spirit sibling for the first time.
You watched silently, eyes taking it all in, no matter how long you’ve been here with your family, seeing these things for the first time was special.
And it was also extra special because of a certain boy.
The horns sounded once more and you snap your head up from the fishes swimming on the edge to see them file out one by one, the cheers growing louder from parents and clan-mates alike, seeing their youth with renewed pride and joy from their success in their iknimaya.
Your yellow gaze flickers from face to face, which every one of them wore smiles and laughter and gratitude.
Until you spotted that familiar grin, from which for the first time you laid eyes on him you wanted nothing but to wipe it off his stupid face. Now it was the opposite.
There was Aonung, all in his boyish demeanor, energetic, too much confidence and yet a level of honor. You saw how he looked around- not spotting you yet, and how he jokingly flexes to his friends much to the amusement of his parents and sister, showing off his new facial tattoo and the leather vest he now adorned. Now a warrior making his own path.
Something in your heart lurches seeing him be in his own element, his people, and how grown he now looked to be when it was not long ago, he was picking fights with your own siblings the first few weeks you got here.
And yet… something warm settles over you. You were proud, letting a warm smile slip from your lips even if he doesn’t see you through the crowd yet.
You let him have his moment and eventually the crowd gets a little too much for you, taking a small breath, you let your last gaze linger on Aonung for a little while longer before you turned on your heel, walking off on the bridge out the area, settling for the quiet crash of the waves against the nearby shore.
You sat yourself down on the sand, tail curling around your leg as you stared out, the noise of the festival muffled from where you were.
The waves were calming, almost lulling you to sleep, ears drooping as your eyelids start to feel heavy.
“Think you could leave without congratulating me?”
Your senses jumped, tail lashing in surprise with your ears going up at the sound of a voice, eyes blinking and turning to find him standing there not too far from where you were, same smug expression but a hint of something deeper within his gaze.
Aonung’s tone was playful, but also somewhat genuine, his eyes squinting slightly watching you. Unbeknownst to you, he did catch you leaving.
“No…” you trailed off, shaking your head to wake yourself a little more but his presence did exactly that already.
He shrugs his shoulders before he saunters over, planting himself beside you as your eyes glued to his every move, now seeing his tattoo and his new garment up close, you were hit with that feeling again.
Your fingers reach out without thought, tracing the garment now strapped to his chest, tracing over the weaving and the fish scales adorning it.
Aonung tenses for a moment but he lets you, teal gaze locked down to your five-fingered hand before slowly turning his head to look at you instead, so focused and admiring every detail.
All his boyish demeanor was gone, replaced by something quieter, observing…
When you finish inspecting his garment, your eyes and your fingers slowly drag up to meet his face, Aonung doesn’t flinch.
He keeps his gaze on you, and you lock eyes with him, heart skipping a beat before your eyes take in the new mark on his temple instead, fingers reaching up now, it makes him breathe out a little, like he was holding his breath for that moment.
Light as a wood sprite, the pads of your fingers seem to trace the new tattoo with the same admiration.
Knowing Aonung, he can’t bear silence… or maybe because he wasn’t used to this kind of silence.
Clearing his throat, he turns his face afront so you could look at the tattoo better, though leaning into your touch just by a fraction, tail thumps soft against the sand.
“First of many I’ll get.” He spoke, not with his usual arrogance, no, he sounded hopeful, a dream of his he doesn’t usually voice but lets his actions do the talking, and this makes him feel… exposed.
But the smile that appears on your face after he says that washes away ounce of uncertainty in him. You understood.
“You will make a very fine warrior.” You finally speak and it feels like a reward, your fingers trace the arch again before it lingers there, eyes looking back into his as he turned to face you, teal eyes scanning your face and your yellow eyes, an understanding passing between the two of you.
His four-fingered hand moved to cup your wrist that were still by his face, much bigger than yours, before it decides to slowly trace up to hold your fingers instead, pulling them down to press your hand to his chest, a simple act that meant so much more now to the two of you at this moment.
“Your fine warrior, one day.” He murmured, that all too familiar smirk curling on the edge of his lips, eyes holding all the promise he couldn’t put to words.
“Oh, you do not want it?” Ao’nung asks, sarcasm seeping into his voice. Trying to stay composed. Your presence alone being enough to make his knees buckle. He spent an hour pacing in a circle, unsure whether to approach you. His sister, Tsireya, tired of his antics, pushed him into your direction.
“Then give it back.”
He reaches out his hand, trying to take the item from your grasp. He dedicated days to weaving the delicate shells into the lines of this necklace. Each shell handpicked with you in his mind, keeping only the prettiest and shiniest pieces to match your beauty.
“No,” you quickly say, voice high. Bringing it closer to your body, fingers tracing the details of his work.
He withdraws his hand, now limp against his side, and lets out a loud genuine laugh. So stubborn.
“You did not want it a minute ago.”
His bare eyebrow lifting in a question as he presses further.
“It's just..” soft voice, too busy imagining which top would go the best with your new accessory. Maybe the one with purple flowers, you think to yourself.
“Would be a shame to waste such pretty shells,” you murmur, eyes avoiding his intense stare. Face slightly flushed, trying to play it cool.
“I am sure Tsireya would find a good use for it,” he presses. No real intent of taking it away. He made it for you. Only you.
He tries reaching for it again.
“No!" you let out a muted hiss, fangs subtly showing.
"You gave it to me," voice soft and low.
"It is mine,” you murmur, eyes drifting away from his.
“What was that?”
Ao'nung moves closer, now crouching before your seated figure, knowing well what you just said. He wants to hear you say it again. Confidence fills his body.
“Raise your voice, Sevin.”
You blush at his use of words, hugging the necklace closer to your chest.
“I said,” you start, trying to sound stern. Back straight, looking right at his face again.
“It is mine now,” you say slowly, emphasizing each word, and asserting your claim.
Ends of his mouth curling upwards as he smirks, satisfied with your words. So possessive, he thinks to himself as he looks at your flushed state.
He could get used to this.
Aonung’s with his friends, water splashing around as they try to one up each other, seeing who catches the most fish in the shallow water by the reef barrier. Aonung’s quiet, too busy imagining what you might be up to in this moment. Days have past since he's last seen you. Your absence heavy on his heart. Gripping his spear tight at the thought of you. Perhaps you are with your mother, helping her around the village, busy with preparations for the festival. Or maybe you are with Tsireya, braiding each other’s hair as you usually do around this time.
The image of you, content smile, eyes shut close as you let Tsireya do whatever she wants with your hair makes him smile.
Would she let me braid her hair, he questions silently. Almost ready to leave his friends to go find you.
His thoughts are interrupted when he feels his friend bumping his shoulder.
“Hey-“ he starts, offended that they dare pull him away from his daydreaming.
Now looking at his friends, he notices their eyes are fixed on the spot behind him. Intrigued, he turns around. Curious what got their attention.
There you are,
taking long strides towards him. You are on a mission, arms folded in front of you, palms tightly shut together as if you were hiding something.
He notices a slight hesitance in your approach, tension evident in your shoulders. Your tail flickering behind you. He might even think you look nervous, unlike your usual self.
He wants to say something, but the words die in his throat as he notices a familiar object gently swaying on your chest with every step you take.
A faint smile forms across his face, heart pounding.
He knew the white polished shells would look great on your turquoise skin.
“Ao’nung.”
He lets out a deep breath he didn’t know he was holding.
Oh, how much he loves the sound of your voice.
He does not give you a chance to proceed. His arm reaching out, fingers grazing one of the bigger shells on your necklace.
“I like it on you,” he states, feeling proud. His friends forgotten as the only thing he can now see is you, right in front of him, wearing the necklace he made for you.
You huff, looking past his shoulder. His friends pretending the small rocks by their feet are suddenly the most interesting thing they have ever seen.
His fingers gently press into your chin, redirecting your attention back to him.
You avert your eyes, ears folding down. Taking a deep beath, you look down at the item hiding in your palms.
Removing his hand from your face, you flip his palm upward and hesitantly place the item into his big hand. Taking a small step back, as to free yourself of his heavy presence, barely letting you breathe.
Ao'nung's curious eyes study it, bare eyebrows knitting together.
Heat floods his body as the realization hits. Fingers skimming over the elegant woven details. You must have spent so much time working on it. And you did it for him.
If he wasn't a gone man before, he definitely is now.
His body straightens, mouth dry, no words come out. His head lifts up, big eyes staring right into yours.
Blush creeps up your neck, this time you don't look away.
“We are even now.”
Your tender voice pulls him out of his trance.
Mind blank, he lets your words linger. He can hear the distant sound of waves gently crashing against the reef. Soft silence falls over you and for a moment its just the two of you.
You leave him there, a mess. The trace of your touch tingling on his skin. His mind screaming at him to chase after you, but he doesn't.
He moves his gaze from the graceful sway of your leaving figure to the armband softly resting in his palm.
“Yeah, we are,” he whispers to no one but himself. Voice low, genuine.
He’s had a taste of your affection and now he’s hungry for more.
note: loved writing this sm <3 pls ignore grammar mistakes
summary: ao'nung was meant to spend your birthday with you. until he got swept away by a girl with a plan to ruin it all.
content: adultaonung x metkayina femreader, fighting, angst, lots of sad, mentions of cheating, hurt comfort,
notes: this is kinda a clusterfuck but i am a fan. fanart is by crazytom on twt!!! their artwork is so fire
The flap of the tent slowly opens. Ao’nung steps inside, a faint buzzing running through his veins, the hum of alcohol rushing through his body. He smelt of the sea and a kava like alcohol. A strong earthy fermented scent lingered on his clothes that was almost peppery. And most subtle of all was the soft scent of the flowery herbs that adorned Ta’ney’s marui.
Ao’nung never intended to spend his entire day with her…it just happened.
It started early in the morning right as the light filtered over the shore. Ao’nung was fishing for your favourite seafood. Specifically, the sea urchins. It was a tradition that you would always eat them fresh in the morning on your birthday. He would always make them for you right before you woke up, because you always complained about how sore your hands got from trying to prepare the meal.
He saw her figure run towards him. He noticed the panicked look on her face, the distraught sound of her calls. How was he not meant to be worried?
Ta’ney had been one of Ao’nung’s closest friends. Growing up together side by side, doing their iknimaya together. Every milestone Ao’nung experienced, Ta’ney was there with him.
Everyone suspected that the pair would eventually mate, that it almost seemed fated that they would be together. However, Ao’nung never felt that way. He always had his heart set on you. No one could make his heart flutter like you could. Every little thing you did still after many years together sent butterflies to his stomach.
Yet, Ta’ney had captured his attention on your morning. She was in hysterics, her songcord had broken, and the bead that her late mother had passed onto her was shattered into pieces.
Ta’ney begged for him to help fix it, which seemed odd. Ao’nung never had a knack for fixing things. Tsireya was much more inclined for a task like this. But when Ao’nung watched his best friend hold the broken cord in her hands, tears streaming down her face. He let out a sigh…of course he had to help her.
The day slipped out of his hands. He went back to her marui, helping her mend the broken beads. It was easier than he thought it would be. The breaks were so clean, almost as if they were done purposely. But the thought didn’t linger in his mind.
Ao’nung glanced outside of the opening of the marui, the light spilled across the woven floor, the sun had shifted more a sign of the day passing. The cool that lingered in the early mornings had transformed into a soft warmth that felt heavier trapped inside her marui.
You would be awake soon. He knew you would be sleeping late, having celebrated all night before.
The thought pressed against his ribcage uncomfortably, in a way he couldn’t quite name. His mind drifted to thoughts of you, snuggled tightly under your woven blankets, your hair splayed across the bedroll as your eyes were shut tightly locked in your deep slumber.
When you would inevitably wake you would expect him there. Next to you. Sea urchins split open on a board he had adorned with your favourite fruits. It was a tradition. One he had never broke.
“I should go.” He murmured.
She didn’t seem to hear him…or blatantly chose not to listen. Her fingers softly tracing the repaired beads, as if she was testing if they would break again. When she looked up Ao’nung’s stomach shifted, her expression not sitting well with him.
“I don’t know what I would have done without you Ao’nung.” The way she said his name rolled off her tongue with a sharp edge. It didn’t sound as sweet as it did when you sung his name.
Ao’nung shifted in his position as she leaned onto him, her head cradling into his woven chest piece.
The chest piece you had worked for weeks to make, weaving it so carefully that your fingers ached by the end. The memory made something pang inside his chest. Deep and sharp.
Outside the village began to get busy, the day passing on without him. Your day passing on without him.
Ao’nung let out a long steady breath, an awkward hand placed on the top of her back, soothing her sorrows.
Just a little longer he told himself.
Just until she calms down.
He let her cry, holding her in his arms as her tears soaked the woven kelp chest piece. He held her just a little too close, and a little too long than you would’ve liked.
The sobbing slowly transformed into talking about old memories, reminiscing of the days when they were young and reckless. Free of their duties, free of the grief that had overwhelmed them in their teen years.
He went to leave multiple times, foot halfway out of the door when she would start crying again. Claiming that her songcord would never be the same and that she was so stupid and naïve to break the precious item.
The day turned into night quickly as Ta’ney brought out a large bowl of kava. The strong earthy scent filling the room.
“I really shouldn’t Ta’ney, I have to go.” He said putting a handout refusing the drink.
But suddenly her eyes teared up again grabbing onto Ao’nung’s thick arm, her delicate fingers wrapping around his rough skin. “Just one…a celebration? For fixing my songcord…It’s barely the afternoon.”
Recklessly he sat back down, agreeing to her negotiation. Her breath steadying too quickly for someone on the verge of tears.
Just one drink.
Just one drink turned into two, then four. By the end he could barely remember what they were talking about anymore. His body buzzing, pupils shot as Ta’ney poured him countless drinks that were making him too drunk to refuse another.
By the time Ao’nung stumbled back into the marui he was barely able to keep himself standing. His hands fumbling with the tent flap, a drunk smile plastered on his face. As he tumbled in, he was ready to give you a warm hug, and ramble about the stupid day he had.
“Babe…you won’t believe the day I had.” He chuckled, his words slurring off his tongue. He brushes the sand off his body as he moved closer to you in the tent. Ready to flop next to you on the bedroll and turn in for the night.
“Ta’ney broke her songcord! She’s so clumsy that girl- Came sobbing to me this morning…what was I even doing up that early? I can’t remember.” He let out a drunken snort, the bright colours of the marui whirring together as he moved around the room. Trying to stabilize himself on a wooden shelf.
“Had to spend half the day fixing the stupid thing! Still don’t know why she asked me, I have never once been good at crafting things.” His mouth babbled on as he was headed to the bed, his eyes still not finding you in the blurred room.
Finally, he glances towards you. You were sitting in the corner of the marui, hands holding onto sea urchins, red and sore, the shells uncracked. You looked as if you had been crying, eyes red and puffy as your breath came out in fevered sighs.
The smile on his lips dropped as he wobbles closer to you, trying to get a better view of you. A flicker of doom impending in his chest.
“Baby why aren’t you asleep yet it’s late.” The smell of flowery herbs and alcohol invaded the space between them.
All of a sudden it clicked.
The day. Today. Your birthday.
A knot forms in his stomach, hands becoming clammy. His eyes dart past you to the room. There were no gifts, no special foods, nothing. The plans and promises he had made weeks ago crumbling in front of him. He felt his body go cold, his heart plunging down to his feet.
He was suddenly stone cold sober.
He turns back, staring at you. And for the first time today he sees you. He sees the day you spent alone. He sees the disappointment that lingered in the room. He sees the unopened urchins that were no longer fresh, only warm and disappointing. He sees what a perfect day with his mate could’ve been. The plans he had made, the trip to the cove of ancestors. He sees the small box in the corner of the room. Inside was a woven chest piece. He had spent weeks with Tsireya learning how to make it so you both could match. All of it going to waste.
Then as he closes his eyes he sees the day he actually had. Holding Ta’ney too close. Letting her cry onto him. Pouring countless drinks until the hours slipped away. Laughing at memories while forgetting the new ones he should’ve made with you.
Ta’ney who knew it was your birthday today. Who somehow appeared bright and early. Whose beads were broken with too much precision. Whose sobs seemed to die down too quickly. The pieces start to click in his mind. A move was made in a game he didn’t know he was playing. Yet he chose it. He forgot it. He forgot you. His mate. His wife. He chose her over you…on your day.
So now he stood there awkwardly, arms stuck to his sides, his ears flat against his head. Standing in front of you. Smelling like another woman, your birthday ruined all because of him. His words stuck in his throat like stones.
“Baby…” His voice was weak, slowly edging towards you. “It’s a misunderstanding I promise…”
He had to do something. Explain. Deflect, Apologize, Anything.
“Ta’ney, she needed me.” As soon as the words he knew what they sounded like. Weak and useless and he knew he was going to watch them break whatever was left.
Your eyes tilt up to him. Ao’nung felt his chest tighten as he gazed at you. There was nothing in your eyes, completely devoid of any emotion.
“Then go to her.” Your words are flat. Monotone and final.
Ao’nung feels like he is physically pushed back from the blow of your words. “Baby that isn’t what I meant-”
You cut him off abruptly, eyes sharper now, no longer devoid. “You chose her all day. Why stop now?”
Ao’nung shakes his head stepping closer, reaching out to grabs your hand. But you retract away, as if his touch would burn you. He looked down at the space you made between them. A physical manifestation of his mistakes.
“No, please baby let me explain.”
“Hm? What pretty words can you say to get yourself out of this huh?” You stood taller now, chest puffed out, eyes twitching as you stared daggers into him. “Did you have fun? Spending my birthday with her? Was it worth it?”
Ao’nung shook his head feverously. He had never seen you like this before. So mad…so livid. Yes, you have had arguments before but nothing that felt as drastic as the rift that was forming between you. “No! No it wasn’t. I messed up.”
But you weren’t hearing him. Anger clouded all of your thoughts, adrenaline rushing through your veins. You had to take a cautious step away from him, scared of the rage bubbling inside of you.
“And then you have the audacity to come into our home. Our home! And reek of that bitch!” Your tail lashed behind you knocking over the plate of sea urchins. A sick display of your shared traditions being broken because of his mistakes.
“Coming home drunk! You smell horrid! You can barely stand up! You spend my entire day celebrating and drinking away as I sit here…alone! I woke up with no one next to me and spent the day wondering when you would return!”
Ao’nung took in a deep breath his ears turning down as your voice proceeded to get louder and louder. With every word that came hurling towards him he doubted anything he could say would make up for the atrocity he had committed. “Baby I’m so sorry…I never meant for this to happen.”
“Or did you just not want me to find out.” You hiss, teeth baring in front of him. Ao’nung feels his body go numb, pins and needles snaking up through his limbs. What were you insinuating?
“What? Find out what?” Ao’nung was stunned, did you truly think that he would ever cheat on you. That he would commit such a sin against his beloved.
“No wonder you carry her pungent scent.” You scoff, head turning away as you put your hand out maintaining the distance between you two. “Was she good huh? Better than me? Better than all of this?!” Your hand pointed around the room.
Every bit of your lives was inside this marui. Your shared gifts, your hunts, your furniture, your memories.
“What? You think I fucking cheated on you?” Ao’nung stood taller now, the alcohol still flowing a warmth in his body. “You think after everything I’d do something like that?”
You scoffed again, an unnerving smile morphing onto your face. “Then what else does it look like huh? You come home drunk and reeking of other women. Spending the entire day with her? You must’ve kept busy somehow!”
Ao’nung freezes, the warmth of the alcohol curdling inside him. He felt it burning, twisting into something sour and sharp. He opens his mouth to say something, but the words falter in his throat.
“I didn’t.” His voice finally giving in to his will. “I swear baby, I didn’t touch her.”
You let out a hollow laugh, a sick smirk on your face. “That’s your defence?”
His shoulders drop, a shuddering breath escaping his mouth. “I should have never been there. I- I’m so sorry. I should’ve left the moment my mind went to you.” He drags a hand down his face, trying to stop his emotions from spilling out of his eyes. “I knew it was your birthday. I didn’t forget. And I stayed anyway.”
His words are a final blow. Hurting more than anything he had said.
An unnerving silence stretches between the both of you. It was thick and suffocating.
You take another step away from him, your body collapsing into the shelves behind you. Items clattering to the floor. Ao’nung leaped to you, scared you were hurt but you struck a handout making sure he stayed away.
“So, you chose to forget about me.” You whispered weakly.
Ao’nung shakes his head violently “No. No I didn’t- Please baby I’m sorry. I just- fuck. Please let me make this up to you.”
“You need to go. I’m sure she would happily take you in.”
“No baby I don’t want her. It’s you, I want you.”
“I don’t want you here. I need you to go.”
“Please baby.” Ao’nung was defeated, wet tears staining his cheeks as the consequences crashed down on him.
“Just fucking go away! Go!” You lunge forward pushing his chest weakly. Ao’nung stumbles back his hair falling in front of his face. He just wanted to hold you. Apologise profusely for what he had done. He would never betray you like you thought he did.
But his body failed him, he was frozen. Stuck in place unable to defend himself. To fight for his relationship.
“Why aren’t you going?!” You cry out a shaking hand coming up to cover your face.
“I can’t” he says hoarsely
You look up at him startled, seeing the tear streaks on his face, the devastation in his stature. A part of your heart clenches. You hadn’t seen him so distraught in a long time. The only time you’d seen him cry was at his mother’s funeral.
“I can’t- I can’t leave us. I can’t leave you.”
He takes a step closer, then another. His breath touching your face. His arms fall to your shoulders, resting his forehead on yours. Everything about him was stripped bare. There was no pride, no bravado. Just him.
“I fucked up.” He chokes out. “I know what this looks like and I know that I fucked up. But I’d never hurt you like that. I know I ruined your day; I ruined your trust.” His hands clutch at your shoulders, scared you would run away.
“Please don’t make me leave.” He sobs, his eyes glassy and sorrowful.
Your chest aches hearing the devastation in his voice. Were you too harsh on him? Did you anger cloud your judgement.
“I never touched her, baby I didn’t.” the words rush out of his mouth. “I swear on my life, on Eywa, on us. I was stupid and naïve. She poured me the drinks until I couldn’t refuse them, her beads were never truly broken…I was too fucking stupid to see it. It’s no excuse for what I did to you.”
His voice drops, his hand clasping around your chin tilting it up so he could stare into your eyes. “You’re my mate, my wife- I had so much planned and I just- fucked it. I don’t want you to forgive me…but I can’t let you think I’d betray you like that.” He pauses, his breath hitching as a broken sob escapes him.
“Please don’t send me away.” Silence stretches between you as he waits for you to answer him. Holding his breath as his heart bleeds out for you.
You don’t pull away from him. Sitting in the silence feeling the way his hands desperately clinged to you.
“I know you wouldn’t touch her- I was just…angry” You say quietly
Ao’nung feels a wave of relief crash over him.
“But this still hurts Ao’nung.” Your eyes flick up to him, hands trembling by your sides. “You still chose her” You whisper, the anger inside you slowly disappearing and transforming into disappointment. “You chose to stay with her; you chose to forget me.” Your voice cracks despite your best effort. “On my birthday.”
Ao’nung mouth opens to say something, but you lift a hand silencing him.
“I know it wasn’t intentional…to some degree.” Your eyes burn as you try to hold off the incoming tears. “But I sat here and waited and waited. Telling myself you must be planning something great, that I shouldn’t be doubting you. Just for you to come home stinking of another woman”
His face crumbles, his breaths becoming short and laboured.
“I love you Ao’nung.” You say, your voice bare audible “But it really fucking hurts.”
“I love you too.” He rushes out trying to say something, anything to try and save himself from his choices. “Baby I love you so much.”
You step back from his grasp, the space between your bodies is small but devasting.
“I just need some space.” You took a breath “Just for tonight.”
His hands fall from your shoulders slowly, as if he’s afraid letting you go may be permanent. “Okay.”
And deep inside you, as you watched him fumble with the tent flap, stepping outside of your home. You began to regret your request.
Ao’nung wakes before the sun. He slept in Tsireya and Lo’ak’s marui the night before. Though sleep is a strong word.
For a short moment he forgets where he is. The different surroundings, the dull ache in his skull. It comes rushing back quickly. The fight, the distance.
He pushes himself off the bedroll quick and determined.
He was knee deep in the ocean as the first spill of light filtered onto the shore. Hands moving on instinct as he fished for the freshest sea urchins he could find. He splits them carefully, laying them out on a wooden board with the specially chosen fruits he picked for you.
His hands work quickly, racing the rising sun. He wanted to be there when you woke. To do what he should’ve done yesterday. To try fixing this rift between the two of you.
He almost sprints back to the marui, his heart stuck in his throat as he slowly opens the tent flap.
His eyes flick over the room. It’s still messy, items still toppled over, gifts untouched. But then he notices something.
It’s empty.
There was no sign of your presence anywhere. Panic flashes hot through his veins. Had you left him? Could you simply not fathom being in a space you both shared? Was this rift beyond repair?
Suddenly a growing commotion near the village centre caught his attention.
Ta’ney laughed first, sharp and ugly stabbing right into you. “Did you wait like a good loyal mate all day while he was with me?”
Your ears flick back a growling hiss escapes out of your mouth. Then something snaps. You lunge forwards into her, body slamming into her hard enough to knock the wind from her lungs. She yelps as she stumbles back of a platform into the sand.
“Shut your fucking mouth.”
Ta’ney recovers quickly, letting out a loud hiss as her face twists in rage. She shoves her hands out as she stands pushing you down onto the sand. You hit the ground hard, groaning in pain as she sits on top of you pulling your hair tightly, making your scalp cry out.
“He came to me!” She spat, eyes wide as she held your head back tightly. “He stayed with me! He held me while you sat there like a pathetic bitch!”
Your vision goes red.
Your hand surges forward grabbing a fistful of her hair, yanking it with such force that she comes toppling off you, small bits of her hair ripping off her scalp. She claws at your arm as she rolls off, leaving bright red marks on your arm. You end up on top this time, pinning her arms below your knees as you sat on top of her.
“He’s my mate!” You hiss, fist raised. The crowd murmurs, circling as chaos unfolds around the two of you. “He’s mine! Not yours! And he never will be!”
Your fist landed on her face.
Once.
Twice,
Ta’ney shrieks in pain as she bucks you off her with surprising strength. You tumble off her crouching on the ground as you flick her blood off your knuckles.
Ta’ney stands as she wipes the blood from her split lip, her eyes crazy and wild.
“We were meant to be together!”
You scoff in her face. “Then why aren’t you?” You tilt your head up as she hisses at you. “Why did you have to break your own songcord hm? Pour him the strongest drink you could conjure just so he could put up with you?!”
Ta’ney stumbles back, her deceit coming to light.
That was the opening you needed.
From your crouching position you rushed into her tackling her onto the ground with a loud thud. She cries out as you land on top of her. You grab onto her kuru holding her head tightly so she couldn’t move.
“You wish you were me.” You lean down, a fury burning in your eyes as the words fall out of your mouth like venom.
She thrashes beneath you helplessly. “He chose me!”
“No.” You cut her off, voice shaking with rage. “You tricked him!”
Ta’ney hisses again head moving as she bite your arm hard, fangs piercing your skin. You let go of her kuru grasping onto your arm in burning pain. Ta’ney quickly tries to land a punch on your face. Your heart beating out of your chest you dodge it bringing your forehead to hers as you slam them together. Your head rings for a moment as Ta’ney cries out in pain, her nose starting to bleed.
You shove her away quickly, baring your teeth as you stand above her.
“He wouldn’t be so fucking miserable if he was with me!” She hisses, trying to stand but her legs give out making her collapse in the sand.
You scoff as you stalk around her, like an animal about to devour their prey. “He loves me.” You say calmly, head cocked to the side. “He chose me everyday until your little games got in the way.
You crouched down your blade out of its sheath. It’s sharp edge reflecting the morning sun as it pointed to her throat. “You don’t get to touch what’s mine.” Your voice was menacing, an imminent threat of what would happen next.
The village went silent as you bent over her.
“Baby!” Ao’nung voice cracks through the silence like lightening. He barrels through the crowd, his chest heaving. His eyes widen as he takes in the scene. Both of you bloodied and feral. A blade stuck against her throat as your eyes were wide with primal anger.
You turn to see him, your entire demeanour softening. You let out a long exhale. “I had to deal with something.” You say softly, a little chuckle in your voice.
“I can see that-”
“Ao’nung! She almost killed me-”
“Shut up.” He snarled, his voice snapping while not sparing a glance. He couldn’t take his eyes off you.
His hands go to the small of your back, the first time he had touched you since the fight. He felt like his body could melt into yours. “Come. There is breakfast at home.” You both slowly walked out of the crowd back to your marui.
“Is it my favourite?”
“Of course it is.”
It took awhile for Ao’nung to patch you up. He offered to get Tsireya but you refused. You just wanted him to be by your side.
You both sat in a comfortable silence as you ate your breakfast. The juices of the fruit slipping down your hands and fingers. A sign of a meal truly enjoyed.
“I’m sorry you got hurt.” Ao’nung says softly looking up at you.
You shrug nonchalantly. “Should’ve seen the other guy.” You snort at your own joke, still impressed by your own performance in the fight.
“No baby. I am sorry.” He moved closer towards you wiping some fruit juice off your cheek “You shouldn’t have had to prove to her that we are mates…I was naïve in thinking she had no ill intentions.”
You shrug again clasping his large hand in yours. “If I’m being honest. It was quite fun.” You let out a laugh as did Ao’nung, shaking his head at your antics.
“It was kind of hot” Ao’nung tilts his head gazing at you. “Being so territorial over me.” His voice became smoother, hands dropping from your cheek to your waist.
“Mhm, I don’t think anyone else is going to try anything with you anymore.” You grinned, your hands travelling to lay on top of his.
“They wouldn’t dare.” He whispered, his head tilting down to rest next to your ear.
“I’m exactly where I want to be.”
a/n: thankyou so much for reading!!!! i got a lil carried away but i needed to make the girls fight LMAO plz leave a comment or a reblog i love to know what u guys think!! ilyyyyyyyyy
A/N: I had to write something that wasn't hexes and hushes if you've seen my posts I'VE BEEN DYINGGG
Summary: A single misunderstanding and argument came between you two, and that was all it took for silence to bloom between you and Ao’nung.
You stop speaking to him and Ao’nung acts like it doesn’t bother him like your silence isn’t driving him insane but it’s hard to keep pretending when you start growing closer to another Na’vi who’s far too hopeful for his own good.
Every shared laugh, every swim without him, every glance you refuse to give… it all sinks deeper than he ever expected. The ocean may be vast, but jealousy has a way of closing in.
╰┈➤ ⸝⸝★ Avatar ୭ ˚.
The sun was already high when you climbed out of the water, droplets clinging to your skin like scattered pearls. You shook your head once, sharply, sending beads of saltwater flying as your curls fell forward in damp spirals. The breeze was warm carrying the scent of sea salt and mangrove sap. A soft sigh came from your lips smiling.
You wrung your curls out slowly, water dripping between your fingers, then spread them across your shoulders to dry. Your hair was thick, dark and tightly curled, the kind that always held onto the ocean no matter how long you stayed out of it. Ao'nung loved it. He loved tugging gently at the ends, teasing you where the curls sprang back at him...Ao’nung.
You smiled without thinking at the sound of his name in your head. You had been swimming earlier than usual, restless, unable to stay away from the water. Ao’nung had gone on a hunting trip before dawn, and you’d half-expected him to find you afterwards like he always did grinning, cocky, salt-crusted and loud as he told you about the hunt.
So when you spotted him near the ilu pens, your chest warmed yet that warmth didn’t last. Ao’nung stood with his back half-turned to you, shoulders broad and familiar, his skin still marked with faint scratches from coral and hunting-lines. In his palm was a bundle of shells smooth, polished, clearly chosen with care. The kind used for songcords. Courting gifts causing your breath to still for a second a smile reaching your lips.
It was known by everyone in the village, even the girls who wanted to date the next olo'eyktan, that Ao’nung had always had his eyes on you even when you were children. You were the only one outside his family who could touch him without consequence, the only one who could tease him, mock him, tug at his braids or flick his tail and not have him snap back with sharp words or bared teeth. Where others earned his temper, you earned his smile and his warmth.
No matter where you went, he always seemed to find you. So when he finally offered to court you, your heart had nearly burst from your chest. You had dreamed of it of the moment he would press polished shells into your palm, of seeing the care in his eyes as he told you he had chosen each one himself. You imagined their weight, their color, the way they would gleam against your songcord as proof that he had thought of you with every tide.
Your eyes were already sparkling at the thought when you saw him. Then you saw who stood in front of him. A girl from from your village she was known to be one of the best artisans in your village. Her hair braided tight and adorned with beads she stood close as Ao’nung held out the shells. Her expression bloomed with surprise, her smile bright as she accepted them. You slowed to a stop, frozen where you stood, the breeze tugging gently at your curls, forgotten against your back.
She laughed, said something you couldn’t hear over the rush of the sea, and then leaned forward quick and easy and pressed a kiss to Ao’nung’s cheek and just like that, your day dreaming shattered.
Ao’nung stiffened the moment her lips brushed his cheek. His ears twitched sharply, instinctive and betraying, and heat rushed beneath his skin in a darkened flush that crept across his face. For half a heartbeat, he didn’t move at all caught somewhere between surprise and something dangerously close to embarrassment. Then he laughed, quick and awkward, rubbing the back of his neck as if he could shake the moment loose.
She was already walking away, shells cradled carefully against her chest, her laughter light as foam on the tide. The sound of the ocean rushed in all at once, swallowing everything else.
Your breath caught, the world narrowing until all you could hear was the water pounding in your ears. The reef, the laughter, the ilu calls, the warmth of the sun blurred into nothing. You didn’t wait to see if he would look for you. You didn’t give him the chance, you turned sharply and dove under water once more.
Cold water closed over your head, shocking and unforgiving, stealing the air from your lungs as you kicked down hard. You swam fast, powerful strokes tearing through the reef, coral and shadow streaking past as your body worked on instinct alone. Your chest burned, lungs screaming for air, vision hazing at the edges but you kept going.
You didn’t stop until the ache in your chest was louder than the one breaking open your heart. When you finally surfaced, gasping, the water tasted bitter on your tongue. You didn’t cry you went silent.
Your chest rose and fell as you climbed onto one of the buoyant walkways, water dripping from your curls and limbs. Your fingers curled into the damp rope as you steadied yourself, breath still trembling. The world felt too loud, too bright, every sound scraping against your nerves.
You kept your eyes down, quiet and distant, not even offering a greeting when Lo’ak passed by with Tsireya, their voices light as they spoke to each other. For once, you didn’t have the energy to pretend you were okay.
Ao’nung noticed almost immediately. At first, he brushed it off. You swam past him that afternoon without a word, eyes fixed ahead, your tail cutting cleanly through the water like he wasn’t even there. He frowned, watching you disappear into the reef, but told himself it meant nothing.
Maybe you were tired. Maybe you hadn’t slept well. Fine, he thought, jaw tightening. She’ll talk later, but later never came. You stopped sitting beside him during meals, choosing places across the circle or beside Tsi'reya instead. When he spoke to you casual, careful, pretending everything was normal you answered someone else, your voice polite and distant. When he swam too close, you shifted away without looking at him, always just far enough to make the distance undeniable.
Ao’nung laughed it off when his friends noticed, rolling his shoulders loose, flashing that familiar sharp grin “She’s just being stubborn,” he said once, waving it away like it didn’t matter but it did. It gnawed at him relentlessly. You had always been expressive your face an open book, emotions written plainly in the flick of your ears and the warmth of your eyes. Your laughter had always come easy, bright and unrestrained, the kind that made his chest feel too tight in the best way. Now your silence followed him everywhere, heavy and inescapable, like a shadow clinging to his heels.
He caught himself watching you when you thought he wasn’t looking. The curve of your back as you surfaced. The smooth sway of your tail through the water. The way your curls sprang and bounced as you shook the ocean from your hair, and he hated hated that you wouldn’t look at him.
Days passed, and the reef carried on as if nothing had changed. The ocean remained vast and glittering, its tides shifting endlessly beneath the sun, indifferent to the ache settling deep in Ao’nung’s chest.
The Metkayina moved through their days with practiced ease nets cast and mended along the platforms, songs drifting lazily from the seawalls, laughter rising and falling with the breeze. Ilus still glided through the shallows, sleek and graceful, their calls echoing softly through the water.
Life went on. Only Ao’nung felt like he was drowning in plain sight. Then Talu appeared. Talu was kind and patient in a way Ao’nung had never learned to be, calm where Ao’nung burned too hot and too fast. He was a capable hunter, not the most skilled in the village, but steady and reliable, the sort others trusted to watch their backs. Broad-chested and grounded, with a quiet confidence that didn’t need to be loud. His eyes softened every time they landed on you, as if seeing you was enough to still something restless inside him.
He began swimming with you in the early mornings, when the water lay glassy and untouched, the reef hushed and silvered with dawn. Ao’nung watched from a distance as Talu guided you through hidden reef tunnels and unfamiliar currents, places Ao’nung had once claimed as yours alone.
He watched. Watched as Talu said something low and gentle, slowing beside you as the water grew calm, sunlight rippling over the coral below. “Nga lu fpom srak?" (Are you well?) You hesitated, gaze lingering on the shifting blue beneath you before nodding faintly “Oe lu fpom… tsnì.” (I am well… mostly.) Talu drifted closer, careful, respectful never crowding your space.
“Nga ke tslivam lu txur, slä oe srung si nga.” (You don’t have to speak much, but I hear you.) Ao’nung saw your lips twitch despite yourself, the smallest crack in the silence you had wrapped around your heart. “Irayo, Talu.” (Thank you.) Talu gestured ahead, toward a break in the coral where the current softened and the water shimmered gently.
You followed him without hesitation, side by side, tails moving in quiet sync. Later, Ao’nung watched as you rode ilu together, bodies close, tails brushing in easy, unspoken familiarity your silhouettes cutting cleanly through the sunlit water as though they belonged that way and when Talu spoke again, his voice barely more than a breath “Oel ngati kameie.” Ao’nung felt it like a blade sinking deeper.
Every shared swim without him hurt. Every glance you refused to give him burned like salt pressed into an open wound. He told himself he didn’t care. Told himself it didn’t matter but as the reef carried on around him, bright and unchanging, Ao’nung knew the truth. He was lying to everyone else, and most of all, to himself.
The others in your friend group noticed it before Ao’nung did or maybe they noticed it before he was willing to admit it.
The reef shelf was lazy with afternoon heat, the tide rolling in gentle breaths that lapped against sun-warmed stone. Rotxo lounged half-submerged, flicking water at Lo’ak whenever he got bored. Kiri sat cross-legged nearby, fingers deft as she braided sea-thread into a loose charm, Tuk watching every movement with wide, fascinated eyes. Tsireya lay stretched near the edge, elbows propped beneath her as she watched the horizon, the ocean reflecting quietly in her gaze.
It was the kind of afternoon that usually pulled you in without effort. You always came in these moments. You would’ve slipped in beside Ao’nung by now, shoulder brushing his, head inevitably finding its way to rest against him as if it belonged there. Your fingers would’ve found the braided string of his necklace, tracing it absently while you listened to the others talk warm, familiar, present but you weren’t there.
Ao’nung sat apart from the group, arms crossed tightly over his chest, tail twitching with sharp, restless flicks behind him. His gaze skimmed the water again third time, maybe fourth, eyes narrowing every time the shallows rippled without you emerging from them. The empty space beside him felt louder than any of the others’ voices.
His jaw was tight, lips pressed thin, irritation simmering just beneath his skin. He tried to ignore the dull ache in his shoulder, the phantom weight of you leaning there, curls brushing his collarbone, your warmth seeping into him like it always did. His fingers flexed once, unconsciously brushing the beads at his chest, as if he half-expected to feel your touch there already.
Rotxo leaned closer to Tsireya, voice lowered just enough to be private. “She hasn’t been around much lately.” Tsireya hummed softly, pretending to adjust the arm band on her bicep while her eyes flicked quickly, knowing toward Ao’nung. “No,” she said lightly. “She hasn’t.” Ao’nung’s ears twitched. He scowled. “She’s busy.” The word came out clipped, defensive.
Rotxo lifted a brow, lips quirking. “Busy enough to avoid all of us?” “She’s not avoiding,” Ao’nung snapped, a little too fast, a little too sharp. That earned him a look. Tsireya and Rotxo exchanged a glance quick, amused, perfectly synchronised. Rotxo bit back a grin. Tsireya’s mouth twitched despite herself.
Kiri looked up from her weaving, head tilting slightly as she studied Ao’nung. “You’re louder when she’s not around,” she said, thoughtful, not unkind but Ao’nung shot her a glare. “I am not.” Tuk, sitting cross-legged beside Kiri, grinned brightly. “You are,” she chirped. “You’ve been grumpy for days.” “I am not grumpy.” “You are,” Tuk insisted cheerfully, swinging her feet. “And you keep looking at the water like you’re waiting for someone.” Lo’ak snorted. “She’s not wrong.”
Ao’nung’s fingers curled into his palms. He stood abruptly, sand scattering beneath his feet. “Eywa,” he snapped, “can all of you stop talking?” Tsireya turned fully toward him now, expression gentle towards her brother but sharp in that way that made it impossible to lie. “Ao’nung,” she said calmly, “did you do something?” He bristled immediately. “No.” Rotxo coughed, poorly disguising his amusement. “You sure?” Tuk leaned forward, eyes glittering with mischief. “I know something you don’t.” Ao’nung groaned. “You’re a child.” “And you’re bad at courting,” Tuk shot back without missing a beat.
That did it.
Ao’nung hissed under his breath and shoved to his feet. “I’m going for a swim.” Tsireya watched him stalk off toward the beach, tail lashing irritation behind him. She sighed softly. “He really is a skxawng”, Rotxo laughed under his breath. “A doomed one.” Ao’nung barely heard them. The sand felt too hot beneath his feet as he crossed it, irritation buzzing under his skin like trapped lightning. The sun hung low enough to turn the water gold, the shallows deceptively calm but his chest felt tight, restless, hollow.
He rolled his shoulders once, a sharp, restless movement as if the ache might loosen if he could shake it hard enough. It didn’t. Ao’nung missed the quiet weight of you beside him. Missed the way you leaned into him without thinking, like it was instinct rather than choice. Missed how your head fit so easily against his shoulder, how your fingers would drift to his necklace thumb brushing the string, and tugging gently as you half-listened, half-lost in your own thoughts. You never noticed when you did it but he did.
It grounded him in a way nothing else ever had and now it was gone. Every shared swim without him hurt. Every laugh that didn’t turn in his direction burned like salt pressed into an open wound. You passed him without looking, without pausing, like he was just another face in the reef. Ao’nung told himself he didn’t care. Told himself it didn’t matter.
But as the reef carried on around him bright, living, unchanged he knew the truth. He was lying. To everyone else. And most of all, to himself. That was when he saw you.
You were in the shallows with him. Ao’nung slowed instinctively, heart slamming hard against his ribs, breath catching before he could stop it. The water was warm and clear, sunlight spilling through the surface in soft, golden ribbons that traced your curls and bare shoulders. You were laughing quietly, unguarded at something Talu had said, and the sound struck him harder than anger ever could.
You looked… at ease. Talu drifted close beside you, his posture careful, hopeful. Ao’nung watched as he hesitated, then lifted his hand. Fingers brushed your wrist, light, tentative as if he were asking permission without daring to say it aloud.
You didn’t pull away. Something inside Ao’nung snapped. He surged forward through the water before he could think, strokes hard and furious, sending ripples tearing through the calm shallows “What is this?” he snapped, voice sharp enough to cut. You turned slowly. Your curls floated around your face, expression cool too calm and it hurt more than if you’d shouted at him. Your eyes met his without warmth, without welcome “What does it look like?” you replied.
Talu stiffened beside you, shoulders drawing tight. “Ao'nung. I was having a moment-” "Stay out of it,” Ao’nung growled, teeth bared just slightly, tail lashing behind him. Before Talu could hiss back, you lifted a hand and rested it against his arm. Gentle. Reassuring “It’s fine,” you said softly. “Go.”
Talu hesitated, eyes flicking between the two of you, hope still clinging stubbornly to his expression. Then, reluctantly, he nodded and swam away casting one last glance over his shoulder before disappearing into the reef.
The water felt heavier once he was gone. Ao’nung rounded on you, words spilling out rough and unfiltered. “You ignore me for days,” he snapped, chest heaving. “You won’t look at me, won’t speak to me and now you’re letting another court you- touch you like I don’t even exist?” Your ears flattened as you hissed “You didn’t seem to mind touching her.” The words landed like a slap.
Ao’nung froze. “What?” “The shells,” you shot back, hurt sharpening your voice. “The kiss on the cheek. The way you blushed and laughed like it meant something.” Realization hit him hard and panic followed immediately. “No,” he said quickly. “No, that’s not- Eywa-” “You promised me you were courting me,” you snapped, the words breaking free at last. “You didn’t have to string me along if you wanted someone else!”
“She’s my cousin,” he blurted, voice cracking. “My cousin. I brought the shells for you- they were perfect, but rough, not clean enough. I asked her to polish them, to make them shine the way they should for my future mate. She kissed my cheek. She thought it was cute because I was nervous. After all, she knew who they were for. I didn’t want that. I didn’t ask for that-” He dragged a hand through his braids, breath uneven. “Eywa, I was so excited to give them to you.”
Your anger wavered. Confusion slipped through the cracks, but the hurt stayed sharp “You could have told me,” you said quietly. “I tried,” he shot back, frustration flaring. “You wouldn’t even look at me. You walked past me like I didn’t matter. I thought-” His voice dropped, rough and bare. “I thought you were done with me.” Silence fell hard between you, thick and suffocating, broken only by the gentle lap of water against the reef.
Then you laughed. Soft. Broken. Nothing like joy. “I thought the same,” you admitted. Ao’nung’s shoulders sagged, the fight draining out of him all at once. He stepped closer now, movements slower, careful like he was approaching something fragile. His hands trembled as he reached for you, stopping just short. “I’m sorry,” he said, voice low and raw. “For not chasing you harder. For letting silence grow. I see you, and I choose you. Always.” Something inside you finally gave.
Your shoulders slumped as the tension bled away, exhaustion replacing anger. You leaned forward, pressing your forehead to his chest, curls brushing beneath his chin “I hate silence,” you whispered, "and I hate ignoring you" His arms wrapped around you immediately, firm and warm, holding you like he was afraid you’d disappear again. “Me too,” he murmured, cheek resting against your hair.
Later, as the eclipse dipped low and the ocean softened into shades of gold and deep blue, you rode an ilu together. The reef glowed beneath the surface, bioluminescence beginning to stir as the day gave way to evening. The world felt quieter now like it was giving you both space to breathe.
Ao’nung kept close behind you, his presence warm and steady. No rushing. No words he was afraid to say wrong. Just the slow, easy rhythm of the water and the familiar comfort of being together again.
Your laughter came back in small, hesitant bursts at first, like you were testing it then a little brighter, a little freer. Ao’nung felt something in his chest finally loosen, the tight coil of days unwinding with every sound. As you drifted, one of your curls brushed his fingers. He reached out without thinking, gently tugging it once, playful and familiar.
“Still wet,” he murmured, a crooked smile in his voice. You smiled and leaned back into him, fitting against his chest like you always had he huffed a quiet laugh and rested his chin against your head, arms settling more securely around you. The motion was instinctive, protective, affectionate, like his body already knew what his heart had been too clumsy to say before. “I’ve got you,” he said softly, more promise than words.
You hummed in response, eyes half-lidded, fingers finding his necklace again without thought. This time, he noticed and instead of aching, it made him smile. His hand covered yours, grounding both of you. The ilu glided on beneath you, smooth and unhurried, the ocean humming low and steady around you.
Talu watched from one of the floating walkways, the gentle rise and fall of the reef doing little to soothe the weight in his chest. The woven necklace sat clenched in his hand, thumb brushing over the smooth beads as he stared out toward the shallows toward where you and Ao’nung had been moments before.
Too late, he thought. He let out a slow breath, shoulders slumping, when a light tap landed on his shoulder. Talu turned.
Ao’nung’s cousin stood there, balancing a shallow basket of polished shells against her hip. Eclipse caught in her dark braids, shells woven through them chiming softly as she smiled warm, curious, not unkind “Too late?” she asked gently. Talu followed her gaze back toward the water, then nodded once. “Yeah.” She hummed, not pitying, not prying just understanding.
“That happens sometimes.” She shifted the basket and held out her free hand. “I’m Seyli.” Talu blinked, surprised, before taking her hand. “Talu.” Seyli’s smile widened, bright and easy, and she laughed softly when he looked away, suddenly shy. “You look like someone who could use company.”
From farther out on the water, balanced easily atop Ao’nung’s ilu, you spotted them. The way Talu’s shoulders eased. The way Seyli leaned closer, laughing at something he said. The basket of shells forgotten between them. You smirked. “Well,” you murmured, tilting your head, “looks like your cousin may fancy someone.” Ao’nung followed your gaze, eyes narrowing briefly before he scoffed. “Good,” he muttered, arms tightening slightly around you. “I’d rather have him fancy my cousin than my betrothed.”
You laughed, soft and fond, leaning back against him as the ilu glided forward, the reef glowing gently beneath you. Behind you, Ao’nung pressed a brief kiss to your hair content as you sighed before pushing him off the ilu snickering "Don't make me panic next time skxawng!" Ao'nung popped his head from the water, snickering before pushing you off his own ilu as laughter filled the water.
