*Excuse my grammar, spelling, etc. English is not my first language.*
PLEASE READ BELOW

[ Quick Message❗️: I am a queer myself. Personally, I don't like labels! There's nothing wrong with shipping two same sex characters as long as it feels right. We can ship any characters we want and there is no shame in it at all. <NONE AT ALL> Thank you for reading. This is only supposed to be for me but I would like to share this to all. ]

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Today is gathering day with the Metkayina clan. Everyone is to welcome the new comers to their new home and have a feast together around a bonfire. Before the great event commenced, the hunters of clan gathered as much abundance as they can so everyone can share meals together.

The afternoon before, the Sully kids were asked to hunt with them within the reef. Lo'ak and Neteyam went with Rotxo, Aonung, and his friends to hunt while Kiri and Tuk went with Tsireya to go get shells from the coral reefs together with Tsireya's mother, Ronal.

Kiri always gets distracted with the sea creatures and Tuk was also getting distracted from everything. Ronal noticed how Kiri can easily manipulate the creatures and her being extremely suspicious but at the same time Ronal was also amazed.

Lo'ak was handed a scissor like weapon and so did Neteyam. Aonung explained to them how to catch fish and it was easy. All they need to do was to stay still and aim for the fish. Of course they have to target the edible ones.

"Just point it to aim and release the string once locked to the target." Aonung explained as he and his friends began to catch more than one fish in just a few minutes while Lo'ak and Neteyam struggled to even keep their target close.

Both of them moved too much underwater making their prey swim away. Roxto came to Lo'ak so he can help him. Meanwhile, Aonung saw how Neteyam struggled. He rolls his eyes, smirked and came to him. He grabbed the boy's hand as they float above water.

"Hold your weapon like this. Don't strain your wrist and keep it steady." At this point, Aonung is holding his arms from behind showing him how to do it. "Do you know how to tread lightly? If you keep moving so much, your catch will swim away." He said as he looked at Neteyam from behind.

Neteyam can't help but feel himself getting hot again. He then pushed Aonung aside lightly. "Thank you, I can do this." He took a deep breath then swam underwater, obeying what he was taught and stayed calm. He aimed for the big fish near the coral reef and he shoots his target smoothly. Aonung smiled underwater as he watch, so did Neteyam.

"Aye, nice catch there prett—forest boy!" Neteyam tilted his head a little hearing it again. "I did it, it's a huge catch Aonung!" Rotxo looked at Lo'ak in weird knowing way and Lo'ak smirked. He seemed to know what was going on but did not make any more assumptions. Aonung and his friends caught almost a dozen and even more fish while Lo'ak caught none and Neteyam caught only one but it is huge. Definitely a plus for him.

They all swam back to shore to get ready for the big gathering event tonight, dragging their large net of caught fish, all to be cooked and prepared. "Aonung?" Neteyam nervously called for him. Aonung looked down and raised his eyebrows since Neteyam is shorter than him. "What is it, forest boy?" He asked. "Can you, well, first you should stop calling me 'forest boy' from now on, you skxawng." Neteyam sucked his lips and laughed softly. "Oh? What should I call you then?—Pretty boy?" Neteyam stood still and looked at him quietly with his eyes a little wide open.

Aonung stopped walking and they both just stared at each other about to smile. "I thought you already noticed it for a lot of times now?" Aonung said. "Noticed what?" Neteyam asked. "So you didn't?" Aonung asked again. "You mean, you almost calling me 'pretty boy'? You think I'm pretty, Aonung?" Neteyam playfully hit Aonung with his shoulder and they both cackled looking down on their feet, not even looking at each other for more than a second.

"What were you going to say before though, pretty boy?" Asked Aonung. "Skxawng, now you're going to keep calling me that?" Neteyam sighed and Aonung just kept holding his smile. All he felt was butterflies roaming around his belly as he talks with Neteyam.

"Can you ride with me? On my Ikran, tonight. It is the best time to ride." He asked nicely and Aonung was kinda hesitant at first knowing damn well he is not used to riding in tall heights and especially an Ikran. "With you? Sure, I can do that." Aonung tapped Neteyam's head. "Later then." They both went their separate ways to help the clan on the preparations.

It was time for the ceremony to start. The Sully family are all gathered together near the bonfire to be welcomed by Olo'eyktan Tonowari and Tsahik Ronal to stay. They are not officially Metkayina but it is crucial to make this ceremony happen for the newcomers.

"Toruk Makto and his family are now welcomed in our clan. We as Metkayina should show our respect, introduce our culture, teach them the way of water and make them part of the people." The ceremony continued on until it was time for the big feast and the dance. The best singers, and composers were to do their part as the people unite and danced around the bonfire.

Kiri and Tuk danced together. Neytiri and Jake smiling and holding hands while they move around making every moment count. Lo'ak and Tsireya from a distance talking and touching their skins. Neteyam saw them and smirked looking at Rotxo. "Gross." Kiri saw it as she playfully rolls her eyes. "You think Kiri would like me?" asked Rotxo. "What?" Neteyam looked at him in shock. "You like Kiri?" "I do. I think she is cute." Neteyam put his hands on his face and laughed. Everything went well but Aonung was no where to be found.

Neteyam searched the trees and everywhere until suddenly a huge pair of hands grabbed his shoulders behind the plants and bushes. He jumped and made a slightly deep sound of surprise as he places his hand on his left chest.

"Aonung! Skxawng, what are you doing?" Aonung just laughed as he puts his arms around him. Both are slightly away from the event near the bonfire. "Are we not going to ride?" Aonung asked. "Yes we are, but why are you not at the dance?" Neteyam asked, Aonung smirked and looked down. "Why pretty boy? You want to dance with me?" Neteyam pushed him playfully, both laughing again. "Shut up, you skxawng."

Before Neteyam could say anything, Aonung grabbed his arms and sprung him around and he accidentally pulled the boy close to him with their faces so near to each other again. They both looked at each other, examining each other's eyes while Neteyam glanced at Aonung's lips for a second and they broke off. "Come on follow me, let's ride my Ikran." Neteyam called for Ti'li, his magnificent Ikran.

"Woah, she is beautiful." Neteyam mounted Ti'li, and reached for Aonung's arms pulling him in front, he softly run his hands on the creature. "Why do I have to be in front?" He asked. "Skxawng, so you won't fall off, I can keep a hold of you." Without anything else to say, they flew high up in the sky traveling above tall trees and seeng the people below dancing and getting together.

They made twists and turns while the cold air brushed their faces. "Aooooohh!" Aonung turned his head around to see Neteyam and their lips almost touched, almost brushed against each other. Neteyam chuckled and leaned closer to Aonung. He felt it. They both felt each other's skin. Aonung thought it would be one of the scariest thing to happen to him but with Neteyam, no, it was the most beautiful moment.

They got off the Ikran laughing and telling each other every moment that happened while they were above the sky. "Someday, I will teach you how to ride and tame an Ikran. It will not be easy. It is ten times harder than an Ilu or a Skim Wing." Neteyam said. "Ahh, if it's you who will teach me then it would not be so hard." "I will teach you."

They both walk side by side at the edge of the ocean quietly looking down and not saying a word. Their hands naturally touch as they walk towards the bonfire. Aonung gave him a side eye, so desperate of wanting to hold his hand but he should not do it or everyone will know. Yet, both of their hands continue to touch as the walk. "Race me to the bonfire!" Aonung exclaimed tapping Neteyam's chest with the back of his hand. Both ran as fast as the can.

"I got here first." Neteyam panted. "Fine prett—forest boy, you win. Way faster than me, obviously with those forest feet, whatever." Aonung loosing his breath.

"Where have you two been? Dad was looking for you everywhere then mom saw Ti'li flying and assumed it was you. The ceremony is finished, everyone is expected to be at home now" Kiri asked. "Neteyam!" Tuk came running towards her big brother. Neteyam picked Tuk up and carried her.

"Brother! Where were you? Father is calling for you. It's been a few minutes." Tsireya asked Aonung to come with her. "Right, I'm coming. See you tomorrow forest boy." Neteyam looked at him one last time as he smiled at his feet. "Skxawng."

"What have you two been doing?" Kiri asked again. "I was flying with Aonung." Kiri stood still and looked at Neteyam funny and then started smiling. "Flying, I see." "Yes, we were hanging out just like dad said. Make friends?" Neteyam explained clearly. "Make friends, right! It is friends with an 's', Neteyam." Kiri bumps her shoulder to his and smirked. "Yeah, It is not what you think it is." "Not yet." Kiri said with a huge smile on her face.

It was a long day together with Metkayina people. The Sully family were finally welcomed to the clan. Not permanently but it is now considered their new home after the tragedy and sudden war between them and the sky people. Lo'ak is not home yet and for sure Neteyam knows he is with Tsireya. "Neteyam, your knuckle-head brother is out there again. He needs to come home and leave everything else for tomorrow." said Jake. "Go get your brother." Neytiri said. "Yes mom, Yes sir." Neteyam went outside to where Tsireya and her family stays.

He arrived with Olo'eyktan Tonowari, Tsahik Ronal, Tsireya and Lo'ak in front of him. "I see you, Olo'eyktan Tonowari, Tsahik Ronal. I am here to pick up my baby bro." Neteyam asked nicely. Lo'ak looked at Tsireya to say good bye for the night. "Come now baby bro, mom and dad is looking for you and they want you home, now." Neteyam grabbed Lo'ak. "I'm going!" Lo'ak pulled himself away and head towards home. "By any chance, is Aonung around?" They all looked at Neteyam but Aonung just got back and is behind him just about to get in. "

There he is. Why?" Tsireya asked. Neteyam looked back seeing Aonung smirking at him. "Looking for me?" He said as Neteyam began to feel extremely nervous and his face grew hot every second. "Uh, I just—was only asking, good night." Neteyam left before Aonung could say a word. The whole family smiled at Aonung except Ronal. "What!" "Making new friends, son?" Tonowari asked. "No. Not with a forest boy. They have not learned how to properly breathe!" Aonung exclaimed with his ears tucked behind.