FORGOTTEN CHOICES
words: 4.5k words
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
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