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The waters hit the roughened wood as the waves shook and tempered the boat's balance. The candle light kept the energy up in Neteyam's mind as he swiped from one page to another. He was supposed to be asleep.
Yet the books around him and his notes were more attractive for him to look at. The storm kept rising and he looked outside of his suite. It was a long journey. He only saw flashes in the dark rainy sky as the lightning once or twice showed the way.
The lightning looked like tree's roots. He sometimes counted how many roots it grew as it flashed before his eyes. He closed his book and leaned closer to the window.
Leaning his cheek against his hand as the sea seemed so interesting to him. It was unpredictable, wild, short tempered. Everything he wished from his own quiet, academically expected, calm life.
Everything counted by the millimeter. The foam of the sea hit the ship's windows and Neteyam wondered those who just sail the waters so courageously.
He looked far into the horizon; he couldn't make out any more of the clouds and a flas hit before him.
Black like the ocean's bottom and its shirred fabric from its edges.
Skull, crisscrossed bones underneath it.
Pirates.
Pirates…
"Pirates!!" Someone on the ship screamed. Neteyam lifted his head as chaos ensued in the deck. So he wasn't the only one staying up. He got up in his hot steamed pyjamas and opened the door to the hallway. Ladies and gentlemen running in their gowns and jewelry all over the place as the staff tried to calm everyone down.
"Please stay where you are! I am sure everything will be all right!"
Neteyam looked at the man who wore a life vest. They changed glances and he went to search for his family.
He opened the main suite door and first thing seeing her grandmother in shock as his mother held her hand.
"Neteyamur!" She screamed seeing him.
"Everything alright mama?" He asked as the whole family had gathered around Mo'at.
"Just shock, did the staff tell you anything? Were you woken up? You don't look tired."
Neteyam's cheeks rose up as he remembered he wasnt supposed to be awake.
"Uh I– I was getting some water mama, that is why." Neteyam moved his eyes elsewhere as his father gazed at him. Either way the eyes moved back to their dear grndmother.
"Oh dear…" she kept mumbling.
His younger siblings comforted her as well as the panic was arising. Neteyam felt a tug to his sleeve.
"Let's go get grandmama some water." Kiri whispers to him, Neteyam nods.
"Were you staying up again?" As Kiri filled the bottle with ice. Neteyam flashed his face of fear. He looked elsewhere.
"Don't tell."
"I won't, just know you need the sleep? The engagement–"
"THANK YOU Kiri, but I am already well aware." Neteyam clenched his jaw.
Stupid affair. His mother told him it would be good for him.
"All marriages start with an arranged one! So did your father and I!"
Neteyam disagrees.
If he is supposed to spend a life with someone he didn't even know, how would it work?
Even if he got to know her, he wasn't so sure he would fill the exact qualities of a husband. He circled the thought as he did with the glass in his hands.
Suddenly the whole ship shook. Trembling even, Neteyam took a hold of a wall as the hallways, the floor and the roof shook. He turned eyes wide and ran to the closest window. He sprinted to it as he watched outside.
"They've reached the ship!" Neteyam announced. His whole family's faces freeze in fear.
"Oh!"
"Mother!!" Neytiri yelled as Mo'at grabbed her chest from suspense.
"Get the deck's doctor 'Teyam." He looked at his father.
"Fast!!" He yelled. Neteyam turned and started running through the crowds of panicked people. Some were already asking for the lifeboats, the captain, god.
Neteyam ran all the way across the B deck as he tried to find the ship's doctor. He reached the staff department of the ship as an alarm went off.
They've come inside the ship.
Fuck. Neteyam needed to hurry. He searched the empty hallways that were already emptied out of fortune, people, and money.
"Hello!! Is anyone out there!!" He ran across the halls desperately breathing heavily.
"Hellooo!!!" He screamed. Neteyam felt like giving up, he was probably already on the other side of the ship and no doctor to be found.
Oh his dear grandmother's heart.
His own did the same beat as it hurt. He catches his breath once more and decides to return back; defeated.
He ran again across the halls as he tried to remember the way back. He sees the crowds moved outside, meaning the lifeboats are being packed.
He needed to be faster. His heart hurt. He tugged his pyjamas as he ran back to his suite. His family's suite.
He opened the door and took a breath. They were gone. No one was there anymore.
"No…" Neteyam mumbled.
"Hello!?!" He yelled.
He heard scrambling from his side of the suite. Someone running.
Hiding?
Neteyam came to a stop and halted. He listened carefully as few minutes pass and the scrambling starts again.
One of the pirates is here.
Fuck.
Fuck fuck fuck.
He swears under breath and looks around.
They can have a gun. A knife. A machete. He gulps at the thought of being killed by a filthy pirate. He scans his surroundings and finds his mothers old dagger. It was always a family "fortune" not for combat. It was dull and never sharpened after its original use.
But he thought it might as well work as a threat. He breathed as he snooped around the living room to his left. Making a round turn as he quietly walked to his suite. The pirate wasn't in the main area but by the living quarters, his bedroom.
Now he was really pissed off.
His diary, his books.
He takes a deep breath and stomps to his death.
He sees the thief by his bedside table. Neteyam stops at the entrance.
"Stop right there!" He yells. He points the dagger, brave and a bit afraid inside. The pirate stops. Neteyam can't see the corner of the bedroom. The lights weren't put on but he saw as the shadow turned to him. Turned their body as they stood up.
Neteyam stretched his breath as his face twitched whether this was a great or a VERY bad idea. He switched the lights on as he glanced at it and looked.
It was a pirate.
But definitely not the one he was expecting.
Their hair was long, curly, untamed. Lifted up by a bandana that had markings on it. Eyes that pierced Neteyam's soul.
Jewelry around their neck but not by his family. The slight chest appeal under the flowy shirt and a vest, unbuttoned. Bandages on both of their hands.
Neteyam couldn't tell by the darkness whether they were shaking as well, or just still. He lifted his eyes finally.
Long, long eyelashes. Over their sunset set eyes. Neteyam stared at them the most.
They were shorter than Neteyam expected. Was he taller? The pirate flinched. No he was shorter. The silence was nothing like Neteyam's experience before.
Wasn't the pirate supposed to kill him by now? Kidnap him? Steal his belongings? They just stared back at him. Were they trying to read his soul too?
"Um–" Neteyam started.
The pirate hopped over his bed to the other side and ran away from the back.
"Wait!"
This was going wrong in all the wrong ways. HE was chasing this pirate. A very fast pirate might he add. He felt fatigue get to him as he tried to chase this tall thief in the suite. He arrived in the living room as he breathed and tugged his chest again. He saw fabric in the corner of his eye–
"Sir!!"
Neteyam flinched.
"Sir, what are you doing here? Please get to the lifeboats immediately!" Neteyam, taken off guard as the ship staff exited with him outside. Glancing back at the door and the long gone pirate.
Neteyam tried asking about his family, but at this point in the rising chaos, there was no use. He watched as fathers said farewells to their daughters and sons. Waving their hands as they were lowered to the water.
"Many of the lifeboats have been left off already. Here!" The staff guided him as he was put to a boat mostly of women and children.
He was about to be taken in as a fire hit the deck. The ship shook as Neteyam fell back. Sliding against the floor as the ship was sinking. He hit his head as well as his back and blacked out.
Neteyam tried opening his eyes a couple of times but only heard and saw the fire and chaos ensue as the rest of the pirates hit the main deck. No one gave a thought to him as they probably assumed he was head. The way he hit his head, you certainly would have thought that way.
But someone grabbed him. They tried to shake him but not fully conscious yet so he felt like he was being lifted up and carried on back. The screaming became louder and louder but it grew more muffled as Neteyam batted his eyes.
He dreamed of the calm sea. The sun started to go down as its light widened and the water surfaced. The sea was finally calm and tamed. The sun went deeper and deeper into the sea as the light was completely consumed by the water.
Next thing Neteyam remembered was as he floated in the water. His oxygen was ending and he turned his eyes around as he was now underwater. The sea seemed so deep. He needed air, but he was already too deep.
He let out bubbles as he tried to swim, but the sea kept him still. Seconds later he sees as a light source comes all the way under him. So bright, so pure, as it arises more and more until Neteyam was blinded by it. He puts his hands in front of him as a protection and the light goes through him.
And he wakes up.
His eyes snap open as he stares at the wooden ceiling. He felt himself go from side to side.
Still in the sea.
But the ship wasn't the same. Perhaps a boat? He tried to get up but his head started to remind him why he was still at bed rest. He felt the spot with his hand and a bandage was out over it.
Now he really feels like a pirate. He laughed even if the situation wasn't amusing.
He wondered how his family was holding up. He thought of Lo'ak, Tuk and Kiri. How they were holding up. He crossed his hands and prayed to god to save them.
The door creaked open and Neteyam suddenly was asleep again. His back was turned to the figure. He didn't see them, but he could see their shadow. He felt a sigh as they walked inside, closing the door. Neteyam didn't open his eyes but he knew they stayed inside the room. He heard clanking and opened just the slightest bit of his eyes. He saw a shadow bear the window.
Lean… curly hair…. short?
He widened his eyes as he recognized the jewellery and slowly got up sitting. The person didn't notice him yet but Neteyam almost got out of bed before the person turned.
"What are you doing here?" Neteyam asked and they jumped. They turned around and the jewellery around their neck swung around. Neteyam kept looking at it. And they were clearly a she.
"You're supposed to lie down. C'mon." She advised. Neteyam furrowed his brows. Trying to see any facial features but his vision only got flawed. She pushed him back to bed. They took a new set of bandages and cleaning liquid.
"Stay still, I will reapply it." As she took it out. Neteyam was confused. The tone, the mannerisms seemed somehow familiar but…not? He stayed still 'till the rest of the procedure and once done she put the extras out on the tray.
"What am I doing here? Why wasn't I left to die?"
She turned to him at the doorway.
"You need to ask that from someone else." And closed the door. Neteyam dropped his head down the mattress.
"The family is rich, if we keep him here we can get a much larger payment."
"I think we should just let him go, they might only think he died."
"That is only if we don't reach their refugee ship! It is only two clicks out so we should–"
"Ao'nung!"
His father snapped. He kept his tongue.
"It was foolish of you to bring that boy here."
Ao'nung squeezed his fists. His throat caught up as the humiliation hit him like a truck.
"Now Tsireya has to treat him because of your greedy ambition!"
"I just wanted to–" Ao'nung spat and his father slammed the table.
"Go. You are on nursing duty today. With Tsireya."
Ao'nung widened his eyes.
"But father–"
"It is decided. You bring him here, he is your responsibility." He clenched his jaw as Tsireya got up from the table.
"Now go." As he swished his hand.
"I should've never brought that fool…" Ao'nung mumbled. He was drying the towels and bandages in the west deck as Tsireya took medicine from their mother.
"I'm sure father saw where you were coming from but brother… sometimes you are too reckless, before you think." As she put the bottles in order.
"I just wanted to make him proud! Seeing me take a hostage and get great money should've been a great achievement! You weren't there! You didn't see how rich their quarters were."
Tsireya looked at him empathetically, leaning her head.
"I did." As Ao'nung said truthfully.
They walk down the corridors to the one where their so-called "hostage" was. Tsireya opened the door as Ao'nung held the medicine basket. The door became unlocked when light was given to the room. His sisters eyes widen and gasp. Ao'nung put the basket aside and came beside her.
"He's gone." She breathed.
"I– I was certain I–" She panicked. Ao'nung acted fast. He glanced at the hallway.
No one to be seen. He closed the door behind them as he pushed Tsireya more in.
Ao'nung grabbed her shoulders. If their fsther was furious when Ao'nung brought him aboard… to think what he could do when he is unchained on board.
"Okay… listen to me. Tsireya." He pressed and her sister looked at him.
"He can't be far away. Best assured he is on the boat and doesn't even know where the boats are. Go check the east and I will take the west, yeah?" He said comforting her. She nodded quickly while taking her things. They compromised to leave the health kit here so no one would grow suspicious. She left while Ao'nung stayed inside the room. He tried to look for clues where he might've gone… or how the hell he got out, if he did.
He checked the cabinets and scanned the shelves. Rustling the sheets to check for droplets of blood as a trace.
"Where the hell did you go…"
Ao'nung got up and started to walk towards the door. At the edge of the exit as his hand was yanked back. Pulled right in as the door came locked and Ao'nung was pushed to the bed. A hand was on his mouth.
"Mm–!"
He shook his head and tried to fight off the figure. They were strong, that's for sure. He kicked and finally hit the man's head and got off him.
Ao'nung in shock as he tried to find the switch back on, and his knife when he heard similar grunts behind him.
"Ow…"
Ao'nung turned back, angry.
"You!"
Light finally reached the room.
"You're shorter… how's it possible that you're shorter…"
"What?"
"You didn't check the bed." He laughed a bit. Blush came all over Ao'nung's cheeks. He pulled him up and on the bed.
"You're some pirate if you don't even check the bed." He laughed some more.
"Quiet! You were supposed to be on bedrest, why did you get up you fool."
"I knew if someone came up and saw me gone, I could've found you again." He giggled.
"What?"
"Can you now finally tell me why am I here? Am I a hostage? Or are you going to ignore me again?"
What on earth was he talking about?
After a second of silence Ao'nung scoffed and got the medicine into his hands. He needed to clean the wound.
"You are. But not for long."
"Why? Is my family already looking for me?"
"Yes, and no. We will find them and make them come to you."
The prisoner scoffed.
"Wow, what a plan."
"It works!"
"Sure."
Ao'nung replaced the bandages as he got up now.
"Stay in bed. So no other trouble will find you."
"Will you come back?" Neteyam asked.
Ao'nung shook his head.
"Why not?" It sounded like he was sulking. It amused Ao'nung.
"You sound like you're disappointed." As he got up.
"Well I– sort of." Neteyam panicked. Ao'nung was almost at the door.
"You're the only person I know around here!"
Ao'nung scoffed.
"So?"
"I won't let myself be treated by anyone else if it isn't you!" He threatened. Ao'nung was holding the door handle. He looks back and sighs.
"Yeah, okay."
The door closes behind him and double checks as he locks it. Feeling it before walking away.
"I found him."
Tsireya exhaled air.
"Oh thank god. Where?"
"He was under the bed when you left."
They were eating dinner in the open sea air.
Tsireya coughed up food as she choked on a laugh.
"You didn't check the–"
"NO I did not check under the bed, don't you start." He took a bite of bread.
"And he seemed… odd." Ao'nung mumbled.
"Why so?"
"Did you speak to him by chance? Seemed like he mixed me with someone else." As he glanced at the lowering sun.
"No.. I do not think so. I only changed his bandages that time?"
Ao'nung nods, "I see…" he played with the crumbs that fell onto his lap.
Tsireya smirks, "Are you perhaps…" she starts and Ao'nung looks at her.
"…falling for him?" She coos.
Ao'nung felt insulted, he gently slapped his sister's arm as he got up to clean the crumbs off.
"I'm gonna go mop the deck." Strutting off as Tsireya knew she got to him.
Neteyam watched the window as he tried to rub the rope knots together. It was tighter than he thought. After getting an affirmative nod to his health he decided to be tightened against one of the bed corners.
The food was brought to him, the bandages, everything as if it was some special treatment. Almost everything he had to do himself while traveling on a literal cruise.
He laughed at the thought of his fiance panicking at him not suddenly arriving at her.
He rubs the rope again until the door unlocks again.
He waits impatiently to see if it was her again. For sure it had to be.
The door was opened and by an unfortunate accident it was her little sister. Neteyam's light defloated.
"Time to change it again." As she brought the essentials forth. He watched as she got it and got it off him.
He pindered to ask the question that he itched for but not sure whether it was appropiate.
Neteyam, you are on a pirate ship. Everything you could ask IS appropriate.
He cleared his throat and felt her eyes move to him.
"So…. is… she coming around?"
"Who?"
"You know… her?"
The look on her face was all confused and Neteyam blushed.
"You know… the one with the bun?"
Tsireya sat there a second.
Oh.
OH.
She let out the most horrendous laugh. Oh this was going to be exhilarating. She tightened the knot over the bandage and packed her gears.
"Dunno… I could give her a shout from you? She doesn't like to do these kinds of duties, rather… more of the physical ones." She gleed.
She watched as Neteyam was thinking.
"If I surrender myself to you fully, could I…. do any possible chores?" He asked and Tsireya was just having more and more fjn after each second.
She put her kindest smile and turned around at this school boy.
"I could. But I can't promise anything."
Oh this man's eyes were asking and she giggled as she turned around.
Tsireya almost hopped around the main deck as she went and saw her brother wiping the floor while the sun burned through his skin.
Ao'nung turned around and saw his sister so.. happy. Very happy. He furrowed his brows and waited for her to speak.
"What made you so joyful?"
"Just made an interesting observation today, nothing more." She walked past him as she entered the office of their father.
Ao'nung layed down on his bed as he tried to calm his mind and body.
"Father asked you to take more of my tasks and that I'd do more of yours."
He scoffed.
"No way. I'm not spending any of my time with him."
He heard Tsireya shuffle.
"But you were the one who–"
"Yeah? But it didn't mean that I'd carry or be around him like a guard dog or something."
He could feel Tsireya's pout.
"I will tell mama."
Now Ao'nung opened his eyes. He got up to look at her in the upper bunk.
"No you won't."
"Yes I will."
"No!"
"Yes."
"That is unfair."
"So was your decisions but here we are." She poked her tongue out and turned to sleep.
Ao'nung, furious, got back to his, as he kicked her bunk.
So it was then decided.
Ao'nung grumbled and mumbled as walking against his will to the cursed cabin again. He carried all sorts of applications from his sister who maybe gave all of their medical supplies.
He got the keys out and opened the door slowly.
He poked his head in as he saw their precious prisones sit by the window, the seals were up.
It was like he wasn't even a prisoner at all. The room just got cozier and cozier everytime Ao'nung visited inside it.
"Sorry I will close them in a.." Neteyam turned around and suddenly forgot the words.
Ao'nung seemed uncomfortable, he twitched in his place as he walked forward and put the supplies down.
"We have to apply some serum and cream to it…" he said quietly. Neteyam smiled kindly as he waited patiently. Ao'nung felt his hands tremble as he grabbed anything in his hand. He tried to grab it with his other one but it didn't help the tension.
"Close your eyes!" As he turned around. And the man listened?
He schootched closer and took the bandage off to look at the bruise and soon to be scarred around it. He got some serum as he spread it and Neteyam's ever felt so calm.
He was a little mischievous and opened his eyes just a bit. Her flowly shirt and chest was close to his face as she got up to apply the serum. He felt like leaning in but the moment was ever so short as she retreated back. Neteyam closed his eyes again.
Ao'nung closed the lid of the cream and put it all back into the basket.
"I am done." Ao'nung got up from his seat now, going for the door.
Neteyam opened his eyes fast and batted his eyelashes.
"What?" He asked genuinely. He didn't even get a proper minute to be with her?
"Look I have other duties so Tsireya will–"
"But I don't want her! I want you!" Neteyam has never felt so selfish. But here he was. The captured commanding the captor.
Ao'nung stopped. His hand was grabbing the knob. He turned around to look at the man.
His cheeks reddened.
"Tsireya will come by next time." Ao'nung hurriedly closed the door. He breathed outside the door. Want..him? He must be out of his mind. What the hell was he thinking? He let go of the door and stormed off.
Neteyam watched her shadow disappear and groaned at his impulsive behavior. Next time he would be more gentle. He felt the spot she once touched and layed down the mat.
Ao'nung power walked to Tsireya. She was making shell decorations to her hair when he interrupted her.
"What did you do?"
She doesn't lift her head.
"I don't know what you're-"
"What did you do?"
Tsireya stitched another shell to the rows of shells and Ao'nung dropped the supplies.
"Did you say something to him about me?" Tsireya lifted her brows. Was her brother panicking? She grinned and turned her head.
"I didn't." She spoke truthfully. Ao'nung clenched his jaw and walked a circle until sitting next to her.
"He seemed like under a love potion… like I was some god to him"
Tsireya mumbled, "or rather goddess.."
"Xcuse me?" Ao'nung turned around.
"Nothing!" She abruptly yelled and lifted herself up.
"Mama asked me to get Neteyam some food so–!"
His name was Neteyam?
"How did you get to know his name?"
"Father mentioned it when I spoke to him, I will go now bye!"
Tsireya glanced back as her brother stayed there to think. She smirked and continued on her way.
"Neteyam…" Ao'nung whispered.
Neteyam opened his eyes as the door was unlocked. He got up and straightened in case it might've been her. It wasn't his smile disappeared as he turned his back and layed down again.
"You said you could arrange something…"
"I said she can be a bit hostile."
"More than that to be fair." He mumbled as Tsireya put the food tray down. She poured some water onto a glass and almost dropped it when Neteyam turned around.
"What about me working with the crew? Did your captain say anything about that?" He asked desperately.
And Tsireya almost felt so bad as she was having too much fun with this.
"I.. mentioned it." As she put the glass down. Neteyam grabbed it.
"But it's hard work Neteyam. If you haven't done the things–"
"I can do it." He said rather very confident. Tsireya cocked her brows and nodded slowly.
"Okay then, I will.. talk to him and ask some basic arrangements for you to start with."
Neteyam smiled sweetly as took a gulp. They shared some secret baked goods afterwards.
Ao'nung returned a bucket of dirty water over the edge when his father walked to him. Ao'nung stopped for a second but noticed he came to also observe his work. So he continued. He had to adjust the canvas and started to roll the rope in his hands. His father's eyes didn't leave him yet.
"Remember to stiffen your muscles or you will have a backache." He reminded him.
Ao'nung nodded as he pulled the rope more and more. After a few rough puffs of hair he successfully made a knot as the sail was up. He turned to his father and he nodded acceptingly. Ao'nung grinned. He felt a pat of his father as he gave him more water to drink.
"I know you've been working hard to show me you want to apologize. And I see it." He says kindly.
"And you've earned your work… just with one last task."
Ao'nung's smile withered as he didn't wish it was something worse than this. His father laughed.
"Do not worry. There's a stain on the lower deck and it needs to be cleaned up. Otherwise you're done and can go on with your duties as you wish." His father said.
Ao'nung nodded eagerly. That doesn't seem so bad?
He filled a bucket of warm water with an inch of soap and ran down the lower floors.
After working like no end, his final task and he earned his father's forgiveness. He felt happy, only a small stain and he will be done and could go on his adventures as he wished.
He even had an idea for–
"You."
Ao'nung stopped. He lifted his eyes. He dropped the water bucket.
"No."
Neteyam smiled.
"What are you doing here!?"
Neteyam with a wet scrub in his hand, sleeves rolled up, pants all the way to his knees with no shoes on as he was scrubbing the wall in front of him.
This was a nightmare.
Ao'nung wanted to turn around.
"No wait! You're supposed to help me!"
Oh now Ao'nung was pissed. He stomped forwards, his shoulders swinging.
"Help you?"
Neteyam gulped.
"Help. You. Seriously?" Ao'nung glanced at him up and down in a vile manner and Neteyam did too, in his own way.
"I'm not here to help you– I didn't even know you were in here?! This is my last task and it will not be ruined by your absence!" He spat. He grabbed the sponge and started scrubbing the wall. Neteyam only watched.
She was so beautiful. He grabbed his own and the extruding silence began.
She didn't say a word to him after that. It was so cruel. It was like heaven was given to him to be in her presence and yet she wouldn't utter. A. Word. It was unfair.
But at least they were almost shoulder to shoulder.
And Neteyam tried. He truly tried.
Speak of anything, and yet she didn't even acknowledge him.
He felt vile as it didn't even make him sad whatsoever. But it came up to his mind and the idea was crushing.
"Do you perhaps have a man?"
Just keep scrubbing.
"Is that why you won't talk to me?" Neteyam turning himself to him.
This stain is literally ingrained to the wall–
"Do you love someone else? Am I not good enough?"
Okay fuck it.
Ao'nung threw the sponge back into the water and turned to the brown eyes.
"Are you playing with me?"
Neteyam furrowed his brows.
"What–"
"Is this another game? Do you listen to what you're saying?"
Ao'nung laughed.
"Like, do you know who you're speaking to?"
Neteyam stuttered, "Of– of course I do! You! Did YOU listen to what I just said?"
Ao'nung glanced his whole presence up and down. "There is seriously something wrong here. You cannot be involved with me." Ao'nung chuckled as he grabbed the sponge again.
Neteyam felt speechless.
"What. Why? I just–"
"Because– because you come from a place where that is not accepted, you should yourself know that!" Ao'nung yelled.
Neteyam looked at her eyes. He stepped a bit back.
"Wait, what are you talking about?"
"Your family would never accept a man like me! So stop your stupid games and help me get this stain the fuck off!" Ao'nung said, bit hurt. Neteyam's breath stuttered as he finally said it outloud.
"You're….not a woman?"
…
"A what?" Ao'nung said.
Was this schoolboy completely a lost cause?
"You're… you're a man?"
"What on earth are you-"
"But– but I heard you! I saw you!"
"Saw me where?"
"In the morning! The day you brang and changed my bandages! It was you!"
"No it wasn't– you seriously thought I WASNT a dude?" Ao'nung kept his one hand on the wall as the other was let go. His body was now turned to Neteyam who was more or less closed all of a sudden.
"But– but you said–"
"Oh my GOD that was my sister! Tsireya! She changed your bandages, you idiot!" Ao'nung scoffed as his hand came to his forehead. Now it made all sense.
"She tricked you! Oh my god I am going to throw her overboard." As he shook his head.
Neteyam was having a crisis.
"You– you're–"
"How on earth did you think I was a WOMAN even with this voice!?"
"But you sounded so soft!"
"Because I was– I was fucking shy okay!"
"Even your name! It sounded like–"
"Like WHAT!?"
Two idiots stared at each other as Ao'nung felt himself become embarrassed again.
"Oh my god this is unbelievable… I almost let your words even get through me and you–"
Neteyam double checked him twice as he heard those words.
"Wait you would've–"
"I'm done now. This whole… conversation is done!" Ao'nung scrubbed the rest of the stain off. Threw the sponge to his bucket, grabbed his belongings and started walking.
"Guards!" He heard him yell in the hallway.
He walked away and Neteyam watched, again.
When Ao'nung disappeared around the corner Neteyam stood there silently. He looked as the soap water from his sponge leaked to the floor.
Ao'nung pushed amongst the people as he tried to find the criminal for this whole mess. And finally; he found her.
Tsireya talking to her friend when someone grabbed her.
"Brother!"
He let go as they were more on a private area.
"I was just talking–!"
"You seriously suck, y'know that?" She stopped as she looked at her brother. His eyes were red. Was he crying? Her eyes widened.
"Oh… oh no brother I'm so– it was just a silly prank I didn't think he– oh my god!"
He nodded painfully, smiling back. She tried to hold him but he refused and yanked his hands away from her.
"I don't want to see you tonight in our room. Find another place to sleep in." Ao'nung said hurt. He turned around and wiped his eyes as he walked past his father as well. He, who was confused and changed looks with his daughter. She pouted and her father sighed and walked to her.
"I am mad."
Neteyam circled around his cabin. Couldn't even have a courtesy of calling it a "prison" anymore. He circled it around and fiddled with his lip.
What were you thinking Neteyam? How on earth could you assume such a thing?
Was his voice not seriously deep enough to be recognized as a man's? Neteyam questioned it. He questioned himself.
Why didn't you realise it?
I don't know.
He never stated it and yet here you assumed–
I was– I was occupied.
That is bullocks.
You never even wanted to marry her. You hated the thought of being married to her. And Ao'njng was the perfect escape for you–
That is not true.
And yet here you stand, completely saddened over the fact that Ao'nung felt hurt by you.
Did you lie?
Did you lie about your feelings?
I don't know!
Yes you do.
You lied to yourself because that is who you are. You like him. You are utterly invested with him.
You are not who you blame yourself to be.
You are only sad because the cover of your bubble has been bursted. You decided to believe her, because you knew if you realised your actual feelings towards him; you would've broken. You accepted this horrid lie and went with it. Played with it.
Now, say it.
"I like him…"
Him.
Not her.
Him
Neteyam turned as he heard someone unlock the door.
Ao'nung stormed inside his quarters. He dropped down the bed and grabbed the pillow. He wasn't a crier, but this hurt him. Hurt him alot.
So stupid and felt like he was insulted. He turned his back against the door.
He dreamed of the stormy waves in the sea, they galloped over him, swallowing him. He was drowning and didn't want to swim to the surface again. He watched as the dark blue sky was above and below.
He woke up to a gentle knock on the door. It was night now. In the middle of the night to be exact. He grumbled and got up. He leaned against the door.
"Who is it? If it's you Tsireya I don't want you here. Find somewhere else to sleep." Ao'nung said. The sadness in his tone was still heard.
He turned slowly back to bed when an answer wasn't heard. Thinking he managed to keep her away.
"This isn't her."
Ao'nung stopped.
"It's me."
Oh god.
Ao'nung didn't want to turn around. He didn't want to turn around and go through the painful conversation of something he is too used to by now.
"I don't want to hear it. What are you even doing up anyway? Who let you out?" While Ao'nung felt the pillow in his hands.
"Your father let me out."
Ao'nung flashed his head.
"What!?"
He stormed to the door, unlocking it, and there he was. Standing.
"You're shorter than what you were on the ship." Neteyam whispered. Ao'nung felt burning up again.
"It's because I wore heels…" he mumbled angrily. Neteyam showed the slightest smile as he stared at him.
"So…"
Ao'nung started.
"What were you going to say? Say it now so I can get this over with." He said mean.
Neteyam sighed.
"I'm sorry Ao'nung."
There it goes.
"I'm sorry I misunderstood."
And one last sentence…
"And I beg your forgiveness."
Ao'nung lifted his head.
"What? My… forgiveness?"
Neteyam nodded eagerly.
"Can I come inside?" He asked, whispering.
Ao'nung struggled to stay still in his menacing presence.
"I don't know if it's a good idea…" he mumbled.
Because I don't want to hope.
And then Neteyam grabbed his hand. He stroked it with his thumb.
"Please."
They stood there for a second.
Then Ao'nung moved aside.
Letting space for him to get in.
And Neteyam did.
He closed the door behind him slowly.
And embraced him.
They took the seconds, minutes, hours – slowly. Ao'nung only stood there. He felt Neteyam watching him. He scanned every corner of his being and just watched him. Not that Ao'nung knew what else to do other than just keep standing there. He felt himself become more on edge as the seconds passed by.
Yet, so gently, Neteyam lifted his hand. He caressed it across him. Like a silky touch he caressed it. Starting from the tips of his fingers he caressed them, bringing them slowly up, up the arm and felt the skin burn underneath them. Ao'nung felt himself gasp.
When did he ever gasp so… shyly?
It felt too sensitive for him.
Neteyam kept going. He continued to feel the warmth and skin under them as he lightly felt the tense muscles. He squeezed kindly Ao'nung's bicep and he whimpered. Neteyam gasped quietly at the reaction. He looked for proper discomfort from Ao'nung, but he didn't see any. Yet he leaned closer. If anything – he wanted to make himself clear.
The braids tickled Ao'nung's skin.
"Say and I will stop." He whispered. Ao'nung couldn't answer back. He nodded. Urgently. He heard Neteyam chuckle and hardened like candy. Neteyam watched his fingers go apart and slide up to Ao'nung's chest.
The shirt was between him and Ao'nung's skin making a proper connection. So he parted it. Feeling the warmth more underneath. He will never trade anything for this.
Nothing could make him want to leave this room this instant. If it was up to it; even his dear mother couldn't rip him apart from his burning desire to feel this man's every muscle and skin on his body. He would wish nothing more but the night to continue for an eternity. The lust and love for a feeling of warmth is untradeable.
"It is so smooth." Neteyam made a statement.
He asked with his eyes for an answer but everything from his eyes told him all he needed to know. He leaned closer. He decided to cross fingers, hands clasped together. Neteyam leaned inches apart from the man's lips he desired to feel on him. And he waited again.
"Can I feel you?" He whispered.
Yes, feel every part of me.
It was vulgarly said, but it got the message across. Ao'nung gasped. He felt the kisses spread his face and come closer and closer to the parts he wanted them to be felt the most. He felt breathing more through his chest. Nose, chin, neck, cheek,
"Kiss me already." He finished.
And they did.
They let go of each other as they bring their hands in unison to each other's faces. Hold close so dearly. It made their breath take away. Fulfilling their mouths and minds. Gasps gasps gasps. The air was drying out. Neteyam pushed it more in after a tough battle and Ao'nung choked.
They stopped. Ao'nung had to leave. He turned embarrassed and hid his mouth and face from him.
"I'm sorry." He could only say.
Did Ao'nung not know how feral this man was? Only a voice like that urged him to continue. Do more, feel more, touch more. A silence, and Ao'nung felt Neteyam's fingers trail his back now. He placed a kiss on his spine and stars formed in Ao'nung's mind.
"I liked it."
He trailed his fingers at the frail fabric between him and his desires. He held the hem of the shirt and leaned closer.
"May I continue?"
Ao'nung gasped, Neteyam's touch felt like cold water on a burning stone.
"Yes." He whispered back.
He lifted his arms as Neteyam pulled it all the way up.
Now, he could feel everything. Like a sculpted masterpiece.
"I need to kiss you. Every part of you." He spread his fingers on the muscles and squeezed. He brang his face closer and kissed his back. And again. And again. And again.
"I can't…"
"Lay down for me." Neteyam whispered.
Gently guiding him as he seated him on his stomach. The muscles are still in the light. Getting his own shirt off, Ao'nung glanced secretly. But Neteyam saw it. He leaned closer and sniffed and kissed it again. Nibbed it.
Neteyam's chest touching from skin to skin made Ao'nung dizzy. The poking was absolutely insane. He felt becoming more and more drowned in the dark brown skin over him. He could drown forever.
He moaned while the love was only getting started. Neteyam kissed after each bone, each twitch in Ao'nung's back. Reaching the hem of his pants and Ao'nung was already nodding along.
As he kissed them while pulling them down, he lifted his hips all the way up.
"Perfect." He kissed the other cheek and squeezed them both.
"You're being so focused." Ao'nung thought outloud.
"If this will be my first and last with you, I need to take it all in." He kissed the other.
"So I can use the memories in my sleep." Did Neteyam groan?
Ao'nung yelped as a slight bite too on his bottom.
Neteyam apologized and licket the spot.
"Turn me around, I want to see you." Ao'nung begged. His wish was granted.
Neteyam looked so kind, so engorged with him. He caressed Ao'nung's face as he did the same. Getting lost in their own galaxies. Ao'nung moved and it ended their long stare off. It poked out. Neteyam was still indeed wearing his pants. He looked at him, asking and Neteyam answered yes. He made him stand up so he could pull them all the way down.
He took his time, placing pecks after every two pulls. He felt his hand on his hair and it made Ao'nung blush.
And so they reached his ankles. Ao'nung lifted his face up as he watched Neteyam.
This angle was doing wonders for him, Neteyam thought. He felt himself feel and become more vulgar with thoughts.
"If you stay that way I might overflow already." Neteyam whispered. Ao'nung felt devilish. He leaned closer, not to his crotch, but to his thighs. They were lean, sculpted perfectly. He kissed them. Slowly parting from him as he looked up from time to time. Neteyam stroked Ao'nung's hair gently as he slowly crouched down to his eye level.
He caressed his face as he did his. They kissed again as Neteyam warped his hands around him. They both got up as Neteyam led him to the bed. Their lips never departed. A few gasps in between and sensual touches that squirmed around their bodies.
Neteyam laid him down, getting on top of him. The braids tickled Ao'nung's face as he moved them a bit apart while getting a hold of his face again. Neteyam smiled when he giggled. They laughed together and collided their foreheads into one.
Ao'nung moved his hands further down, he felt the skin and looked into Neteyam's eyes.
"Oh.." he answered.
"What? We– we don't have to if that's what you're–"
"I wasn't!" Neteyam interrupted him.
"I want to, it's just…" he squeezed his palm into the mattress.
"I just don't have the…" he glanced to the side…
"I've never um–"
Gosh did he feel embarrassed. Ao'nung lifted his palm. He swiped the freckled skin and was the most reassuring to him.
"It's all right." He said.
"I will help you." He told him. Neteyam glanced back at him again. He kissed him. It went fervent in a quick matter of time.
"But do you–" Ao'nung started.
"Should I–" the words only slipped out as Neteyam's mouth was ferocious.
"I know that." Neteyam answerd back, as he went down on Ao'nung's neck.
"That is, if what I do know of." Ao'nung felt the burn come up again. He nodded acceptingly.
The sensual touches leaned more down as did the gasps go more high up. Ao'nung took hold of the wall behind him. The plight of space was getting to him as he couldn't stretch his arm any further. He pressed the palm against and hit it everytime Neteyam struck his nerve. He gasped loud as the moves got more dirtier and vile.
"Neteyam–!"
Seeking words that were hard to find. His only word out was pleasure. Ao'nung moaned. He was near indeed, he could hear Neteyam moaning as well.
Ao'nung banged the wall, slamming it with his hand as he couldn't handle it much more.
"Mhm–!" He whimpered. And there it was.
Neteyam strided up to him again; he was more than proud of himself. Ao'nung batted his eyelashes as he was clouded by ecstasy.
Neteyam laughed.
"Want to sleep already?"
Ao'nung shook his head.
"You are just… too good. Better than I expected."
Neteyam smiled at the compliment, he leaned down kissing Ao'nung. The taste of him spread through their lips.
"You tasted good." Neteyam whispered. He felt a slap to his shoulder as Ao'nung was soon enough not blinded no more.
"Should I–"
"No, no need, I– I already did…" he exclaimed.
Ao'nung cocked his brows and Neteyam glared at him embarrassed.
"Don't–"
"I wasn't! Truly! I wasn't!" He tried to say comfortingly but Neteyams own face made him laugh.
He kissed it better, smooching until again they were down the mattress.
"It feels fine now."
"You're sure?"
Ao'nung nodded fervently.
"Yes." He whispered. He looked into Neteyam's eyes, he looked back. He started to shift forward and Ao'nung banged his head against the pillow.
His mouth was gasped and Neteyam was sure he nearly died.
"Should I sto–"
"No don't!" He felt as if the pleasuee was now strangling him. He could barely speak.
"Don't stop." He said with hard words. Neteyam kissed his lovers mouth and the corner of his eye and moved again.
Sighs and warm breaths as both became clouded by the feeling.
Ao'nung rubbed his stomach.
"You're here." He whispered. Neteyam put his on top of him.
"I'm there." He smiled.
They took a good silence and Neteyam waited for instructions.
"Now what do I…" he questioned.
Ao'nung got slightly up kissing his lips, "Move with me." as he caressed Neteyam's face. He nodded and the dance began.
Again the corners of their confindment started to fall up on Ao'ung again. He needed to slam all of the walls open. He slammed his hand many many times as the feeling got higher and higher. Neteyam never spent his eyes anywhere else, he moaned as he looked at the mess and love he was creating. It was like a gift from god.
Better than any engagement he would've had. This, this was so much better.
"If my family…" he said as he moved against Ao'nung.
"If they were… to find me… I don't think I could wish to go back."
Ao'nung moaned.
"If it means I could stay with you, in here. Stay as your lover." He moved more and more fervently as he felt after every thrust his skill getting better.
"I could only stay here, as yours. And yours only."
"You are…insane–!"
Neteyam came closer, he grabbed Ao'nung's chin lustly.
"You've captured me. So keep me." Neteyam begged.
Ao'nung slammed his hand against the board. The more Neteyam begged the more aggressive he became.
"Please." He asked.
Please please please please please.
Ao'nung hugged Neteyam's head as he buried himself to his neck. Still pleading, asking, BEGGING.
As if Ao'nung became a siren. His voice called and entranced this man to stay. To stay here like this. Caught him in and before he realised it, he didn't even want to leave.
Ao'nung couldn't handle the thrusts anymore, so he yielded.
"Yes." He gasped. Neteyam moaned.
"Yes, you can." As he came to spurt. He could finally breathe again as he waited for Neteyam to finish. Like an eager man he was, he kept at it for a while. Kissing his neck, thanking him, caressing him.
He slammed against him and he finally gave up. It was warm and full. And it became a part of Ao'nung's being. He collapsed on top of him, exhausted.
"Thank you… thank you…." He whispered– cried?
The feeling of something against his neck. Were they the tears of pleasure or sadness?
Or perhaps regret?
"I feel content."
Oh.
Ao'nung stroked his hair. Whispering how well he did. They complimented each other and Neteyam felt like this is where, if anything, he wanted to stay.
Among the rollercoaster of waves and unhinged spirit.
He felt alive.
He felt free.