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Neteyam knew that something was off when the neighboring tribe came to visit. He should have done something when they started to tease Lo'ak, but his brother was more than capable of handling himself. He should have done something when they laughed at Kiri, but he was helping his father. And now, he's going to do something about them beating Ao'nung black and blue. All that pent up anger, all of it, will be released as soon as it can be.
Neteyam had decided to try and fly to cool down, but he saw the other tribe's kids holding down Ao'nung and he had to do something.
Ao'nung could have sworn that two minutes ago, no one was sitting with him on the beach, the next he was being beaten into the ground by some assholes who think that they're good enough to become tribe leaders.
Two seconds ago, he could have sworn he heard Riti flying in the air. And oh how bad this would end.
The boys started to get antsy, wondering why an Ikran was out this far. So Neteyam wasn't with Riti.
He heard a, arrow go flying and a harsh cry above him. The cry was loud, so loud that it got the attention of the other Avatar who were eating.
It all went in a blur, and everyone saw. Neteyam, the most level-headed being he knew, had beaten the shit out of the others. Probably- no, definitely- broke a few bones.
No one moved, Neteyam was fuming and standing victorious. Then, he was By Ao'nungs side acting like a mother.
"Are you hurt? Anything painful? Do I need to get somebody to help?" His face was in his lover's hands, gently being cupped and prodded at. When Ao'nung looked up, Neteyam had tears down his face.
"I'm fine, see?" He smiled and pulled Neteyam down into a hug, not caring about the obvious bruises coating his skin.
The other Avatar had never seen Neteyam act in such a way, but they were back to yelling and shoving. He heard a few orders barked out, and the other kids being pulled up. He heard a gasp from the boy in his arms as he felt the blood from a cut on Ao'nungs back.
This would be a while for him to explain.
In the end, the neighboring tribe was no longer allowed at theirs, and Neteyam didn't leave Ao'nungs side for weeks to follow. If a beating all it took to get Neteyam's protective side out, it had to be worth it.