Neteyam worked through his braids, undoing the clips and beads.
He smiled as he felt familiar fingers rub down his scalp.

He opened his eyes, turning to see Aonung behind him.
Water dripping from his body, credit to his Ilu.

He knotted his hand in Neteyams hair, feeling the thin strands slip through his fingers.
"You should go without braids more often."

Neteyam stood, wrapping his arms around his neck.
Ignoring how cold the boy felt against him.
"Yeah?"

Aonung leaned down, giving him a long kiss before pulling away, his hands rubbing up and down his side.
"Yeah, very much so."
Neteyam laughed, bringing him closer.

They both turned their heads, seeing someone walk in.
Neteyam soon stepped away, his face holding confusion at why Tonowari had come to see them.
"The ceremony will be held tonight, so Aonung please make your way to the Sully's. Neteyam? Come with me."

They both nodded, giving each a few more quick kisses before heading separate ways.

°^°^°^°^°^°

Aonung watched intently as Tuk showed him every bracelet she made. Explaining where she found the beads and what it reminded her of.
Lo'ak and Kiri sat across from them, both cleaning a group of fish.

Netiryi and Jake sat beside him after putting the fish to cook, starting a conversation.
"So, Aonung, how do you enjoy your own hut?"

Aonung knew both his mother and Netiryi would ask similar questions. But he didn't know if there was a right or wrong answer.
However, the way Jake is eyeing Netiryi shows him there is a wrong answer.
"It's nice, having privacy. But it's weird not hearing the baby or Tsireya."

Lo'ak joked quickly, earning a small laugh from everyone.
"With the way Ronal hands Fruno to Neteyam, you might soon have another person."

Jake carefully began to clean his knife, holding eye contact with the reef boy.
"Have you talked anymore on children?"

Aonung froze.

Neteyam and himself had not talked about what to tell their families. Especially their mothers.

He sighed, holding out his hand for Tuk to use as a baseline for new bracelets.
"We did. I mean, we have. We-...we aren't actively trying to have kids. It's just something we know could happen in the future."

Jake nodded, Netiryi crossing her arms to stare at Aonung.
"You know, Neteyam is very good with children. You'd make beautiful children."

Aonung felt his mouth hand open, Tuk looking up to him.
She furrowed her eyebrows, lifting a hand to close his mouth.

Finally, the conversation seemed to register in her head. She jumped off of Aonung's lap, looking to her dad.
"Wait- is Neteyam having a baby?"

Lo'ak and Kiri covered the mouth in a fit of laughter.
Aonung covered his face, knowing the conversation he would already have to have with his mate.
Jake brought Tuk to his chest, carefully explaining while Netiryi only watched Aonung with a smile.

Aonung looked out the doorway, a silent sentence hitting his head.

'oh, how I miss our hut'

°^°^°^°^°^°^°

Neteyam closed his eyes, Ronal beginning to braid his hair.
Tonowari carefully cleaned his spear and nets while Tsireya held Fruno.

Ronal set a hand on Neteyam's shoulder, eyeing a prominent bite mark at the base of his neck.
She smiled, keeping her voice a whisper.
"Does the marks on you mean I should expect another baby running around soon?"

Neteyam flushed, cursing Aonung for his actions.
"We aren't trying for kids yet."

Ronal turned Neteyam to her, handing him a vegetable to help her cut.
"Neteyam, is there any other reason you are hesitant to have kids?"

Neteyam grabbed a knife, beginning to cut the purple food with delicate hands.
"I just see no reason to rush."

Ronal nodded, dropping her eyes to Neteyam's stomach.
His hand was skimming over the scar on his hip.
"Is it about what the Sky-people now know?"

Neteyam stilled, looking back to the other two in the room.
"I was out for a long time. I don't know what they did to me."

Ronal narrowed his eyes, trying to decipher what he meant.
She finally hummed, closing her eyes.
"You fear they made it where you can't."

Neteyam nodded, sliding the cut vegetables to a bowl. His hands finding another one just as fast.
"Olo'eyktan's have to have children. Aonung and I are already mated in Eywa's eyes. If I can't do something so important for us..I don't know."

Ronal smiled, placing her knife down. She took Neteyam's hands in her own.
"Do not worry until there is something to worry over. Everything will work out."

°^°^°^°^°^°

Aonung and Neteyam sat at a table, their siblings around them.

The whole clan came for the celebration, wanting to show support for the two.
Fires were lit, decorations through the bushes and trees, children running around.

Their parents stood Infront of everyone, waiting for the noise to fade until they spoke.

Tonowari rose his hand, the people around them sitting wherever they stood.
"Tonight, is a wonderful night!"

Lo'ak smiled, bumping Neteyam's arm with his shoulder.

"Not only has Neteyam returned to us- he has returned, as my son's mate!"

Aonung smiled, his ears twitching at the people's congratulations.
He leaned down, giving the top of Neteyam's head a kiss.

Ronal stepped forward, holding a hand out to the two mates.
"Aonung, Neteyam. Join us with your family."

The siblings walked forward, each standing with their chosen partner. Kiri leaned over, taking Rotxo from the crowd and pulling him next to her  with a smile.

Ronal turned to Neteyam, handing Fruno to him.
Aonung smiled at their closeness, wrapping an arm around Neteyam's waist.

She turned back to the crowd, her hands clasped Infront of her.
"Eywa has witnessed their love and both clans support this union. We welcome Neteyam into our family, as his welcomes us."

Tonowari and Ronal turned towards the two, giving them both a bow.
"We pray to Eywa that your life is full of happiness."

Neteyam and Aonung flushed as everyone shouted around them. Some bringing their own mates into an embrace.
The families exchanged hugs and words of encouragement.

Neteyam looked up to Aonung, pressing their foreheads together.
"I see you, Aonung."

Aonung smiled, leaning down and giving him a fast kiss.
"I see you, Neteyam."