Aonung X Oc - Tumblr Posts

A Drop in the Sea - Chapter 1: Pride

Aonung x F!OC

The Metkayina and the Ta'unui reef clans have long had a close relationship. Ever since Aonung was born, the clans have come together every two years for a fortnight-long celebration. Following the attack on the Ta'unui by Quaritch and his men, tensions have been high between the two clans. In hopes of righting past wrongs, Tonowari invites the Ta'unui back to Awa'altu for the first time in four years. With the celebration comes the reunion of friends old and new.

It has been four years since Aonung has seen Payiva, the second daughter of Ta'unui's Olo'eyktan. They have known each other all of their lives, but things are different now. Aonung is eighteen years old and learning how to be a good leader. How will Payiva react to seeing him after all this time? Will they be able to rekindle their friendship, even as his clan harbors the man responsible for the attack on her own people?

Being the Olo’eyktan’s son undoubtedly had its perks. Being the next Olo’eyktan meant that certain things could be … overlooked. Aonung was not too proud to admit that he used said privileges from time to time. 

Well, maybe Aonung was a little proud. He was definitely smug as he lounged on top of his ilu in the midday sun. It was almost too easy to convince the Omatikaya brothers that Ronal had personally requested their assistance in assembling new maruis on the edge of the village. 

The task, while not entirely difficult, was tedious, but Neteyam and Lo’ak feared no one more than they feared Ronal. With valid reason, Aonung thought to himself. His mother was intimidating on a good day, and she was still not entirely fond of the Sully family, even three years after their arrival in Awa’altu. 

The forest boys and their sisters have grown on Aonung, though he would never say that to their faces. Their friendship certainly did not stop him from taking the opportunity to pass off his chores and spend the day sunbathing on the water.

Aonung was not the most sociable of Na’vi and escaped to solitude whenever he could, which was not often. On rare occasions like today, Aonung usually took his ilu, Voxpor, to the far side of the island for a lazy swim. It was one of the only spots where he could almost guarantee that no one would find him. 

Aonung sighed, rolling back his shoulders to assuage the tightness of his muscles. Tonowari had woken his son before sunrise to take him on an early-morning fishing trip outside of the reef. Aonung had gone without complaint, happy to be of use to his father and eager to learn anything the Olo’eyktan had to offer. Not that Aonung would say anything otherwise - his father demanded too much obedience for that. 

Still, his body was sore from the bashing of the morning waves. While Aonung had gotten taller and filled out a bit over the past few years, Tonowari was still larger and better equipped to handle to rough water. Not to mention that Aonung had still not been permitted to ride a tsurak, much to his annoyance. Voxpor had to swim twice as hard to keep up with the Olo’eyktan. 

Checking the sun’s position in the sky, Aonung resigned himself to the fact that he would have to head back to the village soon. He could not stay out too long, or someone would catch on to his plan. As much as his mother might dislike Neteyam and Lo’ak at times, Ronal would have Aonung’s tail if she found out he had shirked his chores for sunbathing. 

Upon his return the village, Aonung was greeted by his sister. Tsireya stood on the dock, hands on her hips and lips pursed. Aonung groaned internally as he prepared himself for chastisement. Generally, Tsireya was the most tender-hearted of the family, much more soft-spoken than the rest of them. She had, however, inherited what Aonung termed the “mom voice” from Ronal. It meant Aonung rarely did anything without getting shit for it from his mother or sister. 

Tuk adored her older brothers. Tsireya liked to think that she was the oldest sibling. Aonung could only hope that Kawnu was young enough to always look up at him with the same awe that Tuk did Neteyam. The youngest child of Tonowar and Ronal was only three, but he had so far shown signs of sharing Tsieya’s calm disposition. The infant hardly ever cried, which Aonung had found concerning at first. 

Surely, babies should cry every so often. Right? 

It worried Aonung anytime he was entrusted to watch Kawnu. If the baby did not cry, how would Aonung know if he needed anything? His mother told him that all Kawnu needed was his older brother’s attention, and the rest would come naturally for Aonung. He did not believe her. Nothing about babies seemed natural to Aonung. 

Admittedly, after Ronal gave birth, Kawnu became Aonung’s favorite person in Awa’altu. Because the child never cried, and certainly never talked back, Aonung found it rather easy to spend time with him. 

Once upon a time, Rotxo had been Aonung’s closest friend. He still was, but when Aonung came into one of his “moods,”  Rotxo made it clear that he now had new, Omatikaya friends to spend time with. Plus, whenever they did hang out, Rotxo always found a way to bring up Kiri, whom he had a not-so-subtle crush on. 

Really, Aonung was surrounded by people he enjoyed, but only in measured increments. 

“Sister,” he said by way of greeting as he jumped onto the dock. Aonung proceeded to tie up Voxpor’s saddle, not needing to see Tsireya to know that she was glaring at him. 

“Aonung, did you tell Lo’ak and Neteyam that Mother asked them to build the new maruis?” Tsireya asked in that motherly way of hers. 

Aonung shrugged, walking backward toward the food storage. “I might have said something along those lines.” 

“Aonung,” Tsireya growled, storming after him. “They are your friends. You can not use them as your own personal workers.” 

Aonung rolled his eyes at his sister, though a tiny pinch of guilt strummed in his chest. Truthfully, Aonung did not know how exactly to have friends. Before the Sullys arrived, he had never really had friends aside from Rotxo or Tsireya - and Tsireya did not count. Neither did the group of wannabes that followed him around from time to time. They had been fun when Aonung was younger, like a built-in group of yesmen. After they did jack-shit while Aonung got his ass handed to him by Lo’ak and Neteyam, and then conveniently disappeared during Lo’ak tirst at Three Brother’s, they had lost their appeal in Aonung’s eyes. 

“Aonung.” 

Great Mother. 

“Fine,” he groaned. “I will say sorry to the forest boys in the morning. Happy?” 

Tsireya raised a brow. “Now, Aonung.” 

Realizing this was not something he could easily get out off, Aonung dragged his body in the opposite direction of the food he so desperately wanted, toward the Sully marui. 

Thankfully, it was just the brothers inside the marui. Just as Lo’ak and Neteyam feared Ronal, Aonung had no desire to be on Neytiri’s bad side, any more than he already was, anyway. 

“Look who decided to show his fish-kissing face,” Lo’ak drawled, looking up from his food. 

“Lo’ak,” Neteyam warned his younger brother, though there was not much heat behind it. 

Aonung waved Neteyam off, scratching the back of his neck. “No, I deserved that. I should not have told you to build those maruis.” 

Lo’ak narrowed his yellow eyes. “Is this you apologizing right now?” 

Aonung stiffened, feeling uncomfortable. “Yeah, I guess.” 

“Usually people say ‘I am sorry’ when they apologize,” Neteyam commented. 

Aonung was becoming annoyed. “Usually people do not believe obvious lies,” he snapped. 

“Aonung,” Tsireya said sternly from behind him. 

Looking to the sky, Aonung cursed under his breath. “I am sorry.” 

The brothers exchanged a glance, then promptly burst into laughter. Aonung scowled at them as they sat, bent over and holding their stomachs.

“Fuck off,” he muttered, pushing past Tsireya so he could finally get some fucking food.

“See you later, Fish Lips!” Lo’ak yelled.

This is why Aonung did not like spending time with other people.

A Drop in the Sea - Chapter 2: Enamor

Aonung x F!OC

The Metkayina and the Ta'unui reef clans have long had a close relationship. Ever since Aonung was born, the clans have come together every two years for a fortnight-long celebration. Following the attack on the Ta'unui by Quaritch and his men, tensions have been high between the two clans. In hopes of righting past wrongs, Tonowari invites the Ta'unui back to Awa'altu for the first time in four years. With the celebration comes the reunion of friends old and new.

It has been four years since Aonung has seen Payiva, the second daughter of Ta'unui's Olo'eyktan. They have known each other all of their lives, but things are different now. Aonung is eighteen years old and learning how to be a good leader. How will Payiva react to seeing him after all this time? Will they be able to rekindle their friendship, even as his clan harbors the man responsible for the attack on her own people?

CH1

The Metkayina was a peaceful clan, and Tonowari has done much to ensure they stay that way. Part of that was keeping good relations with neighboring clans, primarily, the Ta’unui - one of the only other clans in the Eastern Sea. 

Both Tonowari and Tsungetsa respected each other as Olo’eyktans. Both men came into power at a young age, and it was Tonowari’s idea to bring the clans together periodically to retain a close relationship. Tsungetsa agreed, so every two years, the Metkayina and Ta’unui came together in a fortnight-long celebration.   

The last occasion was cancelled, due to the events involving the Sky People. Seya’altu, the village of the Ta’unui, was attacked by the demon Quaritch and his soldiers in their search for Jake Sully. Tsungetsa, honoring his word to Tonowari out of duty and respect for not only the Metkayina Olo’eyktan, but Toruk Makto, did not tell the humans where Jake Sully was. However, Tsungetsa did not take lightly to his clan or his mate being threatened. Seya’altu had been partially destroyed in the attack, and they had not felt fondly toward the Metkayina ever since. 

Therefore, this year’s celebration was crucial to rebuilding that connection between the clans. All of Awa’altu was in a tizzy, preparing for their guests. As an offer of peace and empathy, Tonowari insisted that the Metkayina host the celebration this year.

Aonung felt as if Ronal was practically breathing down his neck. Lo’ak and Neteyam had done a shit job building the maruis for the Ta’unui, and Aonung was blamed for it. It took him two days to tear everything down and build it back up again by himself. Blisters covered his palms by the end of it. Aonung named each one after Lo’ak, Neteyam, Rotxo, and his sister. He took carnal pleasure in popping each one, imagining that the blister was the Na’vi after which it was named. 

The nerves hit Aonung the night before the Ta’unui were set to arrive in Awa’altu. It was not a common emotion for the Olo’eyktan in training, and Aonung wished he could say that it was due to the responsibility Tonowari had been pushing onto him for the past week. No, it was not the fear that he would fail or embarrass his family in front of Tsungetsa. Nor was it worry over the importance of this specific celebration. The nerves stemmed from the fact that tomorrow Ta’unui would be here with his mate, his children. 

Aonung was almost sick to his stomach over a girl, and it drove him out of his mind. 

It only became worse the following morning, making him distracted. Lost in the memory of the last time the Ta’unui were in Awa’altu, Aonung did not hear when his name was called. That was, not until a fish hit him square in the face. 

Aonung hissed, swiping at the offending fish and baring his teeth at his attacker. 

“Lo’ak,” Kiri admonished. “Do not waste the food.” 

That morning, Ronal ordered her eldest children and the Sullys to move all the prepared food to the largest of the cooking maruis. The Tsahik did not want to appear disorganized in front of her guest, or worse: lacking in food. 

They were currently organizing the baskets they have gathered throughout the village. Cooking maruis were primarily circular to allow optimal space for preparation and storage. Baskets upon baskets were stacked against the walls in order of when their contents would be needed. The salted fish that Lo’ak threw at Aonung was intended for tonight’s welcome feast. It now lay limply on the reed floor at Aonung’s feet. 

Lo’ak was too busy laughing to listen to his sister. “Bro,” he wheezed. “You should have seen your face!” 

Aonung stepped forward, ready to pound the leaner boy into the ground. Lo’ak dodged behind Tsireya, causing Aonung to scowl. Coward. 

“We said your name like ten times, bro,” Neteyam said as he hauled another basket of fish onto a stack. He turned back to Anoung with a questioning look, wiping his hands on the outside of his thighs. “Could you not hear us?” 

“Do not mind Aonung,” advised Rotxo. The short-haired Metkayina boy brought in the last of the food baskets, placing it in front of Kiri with a sweet smile. Aonung barely resisted the urge to roll his eyes. “He is just nervous about seeing the Olo’eyktan’s daughter.” 

Now Aonung had to restrain his scowl as he glared daggers at his friend. “That is a lie.” 

No, it was not. 

“The Tsakarem?” Neteyam questioned, looking intrigued. “Is she not already betrothed?” 

“And like ten years older than us,” Lo’ak piped. He gave Aonung an impressed look. “I didn’t know you were into older women, bro.” 

Aonung swung his head to Lo’ak, mouth agape. “I am not! Pxe’ali is only six years older than me, not ten.” 

Kiri tilted her head, shooting a questioning glance to Rotxo, who had made himself comfortable at her side. “Are you not already the heir of the Metkayina, Aonung? Do you plan to be Olo’eyktan of both clans?” 

Aonung groaned in frustration.

Rotxo shook his head. “No, he-”

“I can speak for myself, Rotxo!” Aonung snapped. He turned to the others. “I do not see Pxe’ali that way at all.”

Rotxo decided to chime in again. “There are two sisters. Aonung had been enamored with Payiva since we were children.” 

“Rotxo!” Aonung was going to strangle him. 

“What?” Rotxo shrugged, unperturbed. “It is true.” 

“Rotxo, do not tease Aonung,” Tsireya said. Rotxo’s ears bent back at the admonishment. 

“I am not ‘enamored’ with anyone,” Aonung stated. “Least of all Payiva te Tsyika Ley’ite.” 

Lo’ak bent forward to whisper in Tsireya’s ear, though everyone could hear him. “The use of her full name suggests otherwise.” 

Before Aonung could pounce on Lo’ak, Tsireya be damned, a horn sounded in the distance. Aonung’s heart rate picked up at the noise. 

Tuk came racing into the marui, her braids bouncing as she went. “They’re here! The Ta’unui have arrived!” 

“Shit,” Aonung muttered. They were earlier than expected. “We need to get to the beach.” Ronal would scalp Aonung if he and Tsireya were late to welcome the visiting clan.

They swiftly left the cooking marui, practically sprinting across the tightly-woven nets that connected the village together. Most of Awa’altu was already waiting on the sand. The Ta’unui party had already crossed the reef barrier. Aonung shoved past the others, shouldering his way to the front of the group. 

Soon enough, he was standing at the front of the gathering crowd, next to his father. Tonowari glanced at Aonung from the side, only giving his son a nod in greeting. On the other side of the Olo’eyktan was Ronal. The Tsahik held Kawnu on her hip, though she stared stoically ahead. Tsireya joined shortly after that, completing their pseudo-family portrait. 

Just as the Ta’unui began dismounting their ilu and tsurak, Tonowari bent toward Aonung, whispering in his ear. “Do not cause problems, Aonung.” 

Aonung simply nodded, keeping his eyes downcast. He could not keep his toes from burying in the sand, however. 

The Ta’unui Olo’eyktan and Tsahik stepped onto the beach, their eldest daughter positioned next to her mother. Aonung could not help but make comparisons between their family and his own. 

The Metkayina and the Ta’unui had much in common due to their close proximity to each other. They shared the same turquoise skin and bright blue eyes, as well as their broader frames that were so unlike the Na’vi of the forests or planes. Both sea clans rode ilu and tsurak, displayed intricate tattoos as signs of honor and prestige, and - most of all - they both made sacred connections with the tulkun. 

Tsungetsa was just as tall as Tonowari, though perhaps not quite as wide. Rather than being bare-chested, Tsungetsa wore a shawl around his shoulders. The Olo’eyktan kept his hair braided and pulled back, which was common for the hunters of his clan - something that Aonung had found odd as a child. 

Ley was every bit the Tsahik that Aonung remembered the woman to be, if not a bit colder than the last time he had seen her. The Tsahik’s coral necklace clinked with every step she took. Unlike her mate, who stared straight ahead, Ley’s eyes were searching the crowd. Aonung saw the change on her face the moment she found Neteyam and Tuk in the crowd. The swirling ink on Ley’s brow rippled so severely that not even the string of shells across her forehead could disguise her glower. 

Aonung was reminded that it had not been easy to convince the Ta’unui to come for their celebration. He wondered how much of that resistance came from Tsungetsa or his mate.

Like her mother, Pxe’ali te Tsyika Ley’ite was regal and held her head high. Her disposition was much warmer, and if she saw the few Omatikaya in the crowd, she did not balk at them. The Tsakarem wore a net-like shawl woven with shells that matched the ones in her hair. While the Ta’unui had a different braiding style than the Metkayina, her hair was similar to that of Tsireya.

Pxe’ali had always been kind throughout their childhood, and beautiful in a delicate way. She and Tsireya got along well, both girls having trained closely under their mothers. Aonung had never been sure how to interact around the Tsakarem. As young children, Pxe’ali rarely wanted to play Aonung and Rotxo’s favorite games. Then, by the time he was ten or twelve, Aonung believed himself to be too cool to spend his time with girls. 

The last time their clans came together, a year before the Sullys arrived, hormones raged through Aonung’s body and he could hardly look at Pxe’ali, let alone interact with her. Now Aonung looked at the young woman, six years to his senior, and he felt nothing. 

Any and all anticipation that Aonung felt was due to someone else entirely. Somewhere in between ignoring and running away from Pxe’ali, Aonung became entangled with her younger sister. 

If Pxe’ali was a nice, cool breeze on a summer’s day, then Payiva was a hurricane coming to ruin everyone's plans. 

Aonung never intended to become friends with Payiva, it just happened. He did not know when exactly, or which of the celebratory years Payiva had cemented herself into Aonung’s life, but he suspected that she had forced his hand. Even when Aonung declared that girls were frilly and not worth his time, Payiva had thrown him to the ground and shoved sand into his face, showing Aonung just how frilly she was. 

After that, Aonung decided that Payiva was not a girl, not a real one anyway. Such mentality made it easy to disregard any pretty features Payiva may have developed by the time they were fourteen, when Aonung did everything he could to avoid her older sister. Payiva and Rotxo had teased him endlessly for it, which only served to cement the certainty in Aonung’s head that he did not have any of those odd feelings for Payiva. 

That was four years ago, however. Aonung was eighteen now, as was Payiva. Much had changed since the last time they saw each other. Aonung had changed, and he assumed that Payiva had too. Their lives were about more than games now. Despite what Rotxo told the others, Aonung was much more nervous to see his old friend than he was to see a pretty girl.

Regretfully, he should have been concerned about both. 

Payiva walked a step behind her parents and sister, hidden so that Aonung did not see her initially. That was good, he thought to himself, because if Aonung had seen Payiva approaching, he might have found somewhere else to be. Only one word came to his mind at the sight of her. 

Stunning.

The girl had always resembled her father most, if not in her features, than how she presented herself. Payiva walked like a warrior, exuding grace, though perhaps not intimidation. She was shorter than Aonung remembered, but then again, he had grown taller. Like Tsungetsa, Payiva’s hair was completely braided, though she let the long braids fall freely, almost reaching the small of her back. 

The youngest daughter of the Ta’unui Olo’eyktan and Tsahik was not as intricately decorated as her family members. The only thing that graced Payiva’s upper body was a simple shell necklace. It was not unlike what Metkayina women wore every day, Tsireya included, but standing next to her parents and sister, the choice almost felt too bold.

Payiva’s eyes, one of the deepest sets of blue irises that Aonung had ever seen, examined the crowd. It was not the searching look Ley had done earlier, with a target in mind. Nor did Payiva have the same open curiosity that her sister did. She just appeared to be taking the Metkayina in, assessing the situation. 

When her gaze landed on Aonung, he instantly stood taller. His back straightened on its own accord, shoulders pinned back and chest slightly puffing. 

Her eyes moved straight passed him.

Aonung blinked. 

Payiva hardly glanced at him. As if he was not worth the time. 

Annoyance quickly took over Aonung’s confusion. Even if they had not known each other their entire lives, Aonung was the next Olo’eyktan. He was worth more than a simple glance, especially from some rebellious second daughter without an official title. 

“I see you, Tsungetsa te Tsyìka Lì'itan,” Tonowari boomed, bringing his hand up to his forehead and then away toward the other Olo’eyktan in greeting. Ronal and the siblings copied the gesture. “I see you, Ley te Tsyika Pe'ite.”

“I see you, Tonowari, my friend,” Tsungetsa replied, foregoing the more formal usage of family names. It was a silent message to Tonowari that their grievances were to be put behind them. “I see you, Ronal.” 

Aonung did not dare glance at his mother to see what she thought of the informal greeting. He doubted that Ronal would allow her reactions to show on her face anyway.

Tonowari reached out and grasped Tsungetsa’s forearm. “We welcome you back to Awa’altu, old friend. It has been far too long.” 

A smile spread across the other man’s face. He returned Tonowari’s grip, slapping his hand on the other man’s shoulder. “That it has. Your family has grown!” 

All heads turned to Kawnu, whose head was resting on Ronal’s shoulder. 

Tonowari grinned. “Kawnu, greet the Olo’eyktan and Tsahik.” 

Kawnu pressed himself closer to Ronal’s chest but brought his hand to his head in greeting nonetheless. 

Tsungetsa laughed. “A bit scary am I, boy?” 

Aonung tried not to tense. Kawnu was a quiet child, and unused to meeting new people, let alone someone who held the same rank as their father. He was only three. 

Ley stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on her mate’s shoulder. “Leave the child be, Tsungetsa. He is only small, and you are quite large.” She turned to Ronal with a sweet smile. “You have birthed a beautiful child, Ronal. Though that is no surprise to me.” 

Ronal did not easily smile, but still, she dipped her head in thanks at the other Tsahik’s praise. “I have glad you can now meet him.” 

“As am I,” Ley agreed. The Tsahik then proceeded to fawn over how beautiful Tsireya had gotten over the past few years. Aonung held back the roll of his eyes. Typical. 

“Maybe we should settle our people before interrogating poor Tsireya, yawne,” Tsungetsa suggested. 

“Of course,” Ley sighed, returning to her eldest daughter’s side. 

The sisters stood quietly the entire time, Payiva looking more bored than anything else. Aonung’s hackles continued to rise at her blatant lack of decorum. 

“Aonung and Tsireya will show you to your maruis. Then, of course, we eat!” Tonowari announced. 

Aonung groaned internally. His father was always offering him up as a tour guide. Nevertheless, he dutifully moved to follow Tsireya, who was already making conversation with Ley and Pxe’ali. 

Before he passed Ronal, Aonung’s mother grabbed his arm and yanked him down. She whispered into his ear, “Tell the Omatikaya to keep their distance from Ley. She will not take kindly to them.” 

Gulping, Aonung nodded. He could only imagine how well Lo’ak and Kiri would take that advice. Aonung could only hope that Lo’ak would not try to push any buttons this week. Eywa knew that it would come back to bite Aonung in the ass. 

A Drop in the Sea - Chapter 3: Contemplation

Aonung x F!OC

The Metkayina and the Ta'unui reef clans have long had a close relationship. Ever since Aonung was born, the clans have come together every two years for a fortnight-long celebration. Following the attack on the Ta'unui by Quaritch and his men, tensions have been high between the two clans. In hopes of righting past wrongs, Tonowari invites the Ta'unui back to Awa'altu for the first time in four years. With the celebration comes the reunion of friends old and new.

It has been four years since Aonung has seen Payiva, the second daughter of Ta'unui's Olo'eyktan. They have known each other all of their lives, but things are different now. Aonung is eighteen years old and learning how to be a good leader. How will Payiva react to seeing him after all this time? Will they be able to rekindle their friendship, even as his clan harbors the man responsible for the attack on her own people?

CH1, CH2

Awa’altu was larger than Payiva remembered. As a child, she loved to spend her days running around the village and its surrounding biome. There was always something new for her to discover, a new place to hide from her mother. 

Now, all Payiva could do was compare Awa’altu to her own home, Seya’altu. The Ta’unui village had always been smaller, though never had it been more obvious to Payiva than it did now. 

“We just built a new section of maruis for this year’s celebration,” Tsireya was telling Pxe’ali and their mother. “Everything should be prepared for you already, but do not hesitate to let us know if you need anything.” 

Payiva resisted the urge to assure Tsireya that it did not matter if there was a hole in the ceiling, Ley would not be complaining about a single thing. It was not in Ley’s nature to complain to her hosts, it was much too rude for the Tsahik. Instead, she would air her grievances to her family, who had no choice but sit and listen.

The rest of the clan trailed behind them, waving and calling out to old friends as they passed. Payiva was happy to see them so joyous, the past few years had not been easy for her people. This celebration was a well-deserved reward for the Ta’unui. 

Behave, Payiva’s father had whispered into her ear after they dismounted their ilu. And be nice.

Payiva was not as politely demure as her sister, or entirely concerned about decorum, much to her mother’s dismay. She had a track record of being blunt in the most inappropriate of situations and an issue of not knowing when to hold her tongue. On more than one occasion, Ley had been heard saying that the Great Mother had blessed her with two daughters and thankfully, Pxe’ali was first. 

Payiva was not fit to be Tsahik, and everyone knew it. 

“Aonung was actually the one who made most of the maruis you will be staying in,” Payiva heard Tsireya say. 

Tsungetsa clapped the boy on the back, rattling on about the importance of an Olo’eyktan knowing craftsmanship. The scene almost made Payiva nauseous. Aonung was the son her father wished he had, and Tsungetsa was nothing if not obvious. Ley was no better. Payiva was certain she heard her mother coo something at Aonung as well. 

They treated Sreng, Pxe’ali’s mate, the same way. The young male had been chosen to become the next Olo’eyktan almost ten years ago, and Ley still treated him like he was an Eywa-given gift. It bothered Payiva more than she would like to admit - the amount of adoration her parents gave to Sreng over their own child, but it allowed her more freedom to do as she wished. 

Aonung’s back was to her, so Payiva took the opportunity to observe the boy while he was not staring at her like an ilu watching a fat fish. 

He had grown, both in height and in muscle definition. The last time they had seen each other, Payiva was the same height as Aonung, if not taller. She now only reached his shoulders, and he was likely to grow more. Payiva could not say why, but this annoyed her. 

She did not quite know what to think of him. They had been friends as children, such was the nature of being the children of clan leaders: you tended to gravitate toward one another. Aonung was never friendly by any means. Payiva actually remembered him being ornery and selfish, unused to not getting his way. But he would play games that Pxe’ali had long since grown out of, and that was all that really mattered. 

He was handsome, Payiva supposed, in the way that most Metkayina warriors were: tall, strong, and proud. Aonung had long curly hair like his sister, though his braids led back to a topknot, with half of the strands falling freely. Payiva rarely wore her hair unbraided - something that bothered her mother. While she liked the typical fashion with which Ta'unui women wore their hair, wearing her own hair like that annoyed her more often than not. Payiva could not understand how Aonung or the other Metkayina hunters dealt with their long tresses outside of the reef. 

Aonung glanced back over his shoulder at her, but Payiva quickly turned her gaze toward the village. The last time they had seen one another, Aonung practically overflowed with pride and arrogance. There had been times, between just the two of them, that he had been open - vulnerable even, but Payiva was not sure that she wanted to test those waters again. She most certainly did not want to add to what was likely an already overinflated ego.  

Tsireya led them to their maruis, which Aonung supposedly built by himself. Payiva would have to make sure the structure was sound before she could comfortably fall asleep tonight. 

Their party came to a stop. “We will let you settle in before the feast,” Tsireya said, her cheeks dimpling with a sweet smile. “Welcome back to Awa’altu.”

As the Metkayina siblings departed, Payiva did not gush over them as her parents did. She gave Tsireya a kind smile, but gave no such gesture to Aonung.

Truthfully, Payiva had no reason to ice the young man out. They had parted on good terms, but she did not know how to interact with Aonung anymore, and it was an awkwardness that Payiva did not appreciate. It felt like she was in unfamiliar territory. Being overly friendly with the next Olo’eyktan was not looked upon the same way at eighteen as it was when they were adolescents. 

Payiva had already squashed a number of rumors two years ago, when she became an adult, about her friendships with the young hunters in the clan. While she recognized the fact that she would likely end up mated to one of the young men eventually, Payiva did not intend for that to occur any sooner than necessary. 

Admittedly, the rumors were not helped by the fact that Payiva occasionally liked to experiment with one or two of the boys. 

Either way, Payiva was still deciding if resurrecting her friendship with Aonung was worth the potential hassle. She did not have as much patience for spoiled princes as once before.

Ley would have a field day if she heard that her youngest daughter was sweet on the Olo’eyktan’s son. Having not only one, but two daughters as Tsahik would be a dream come true for Payiva’s mother. Payiva’s ability to be a spiritual leader be damned.

The last thing that she wanted was to be shackled to such a position. Payiva had seen the life of a Tsahik through the eyes of her mother and sister, and it was not for her. Payiva lacked the patience for healing and the discipline for leadership. Even skills like weaving and cooking evaded her. 

Hunting, however? Payiva was born to hunt. She relished in the feeling of an early morning hunt, the cool waves beating against her skin as she cut through the water, and the silent moment right before catching her prey. Payiva did not care if she was using nets or spears, hunting was the one time she felt right.

There was no joy in killing the creatures, as Payiva once explained to Pxe’ali. It was more the thrill of being in the water and providing food for her clan. The knowledge that her people would not go hungry because of her handiwork was something that no one could take from Payiva. 

By no means could a Tsahik not be a warrior - Ronal was a prime example of such. But being Tsahik would always come first, and Payiva could never do that.

“Stop being so grumpy,” Pxe’ali whispered. “We are here. Let us enjoy the celebration.” 

Payiva took a deep breath in, then nodded. Being cordial and standoffish were two different things, and it would do her no good to be the latter. 

She put her things down in the marui before turning to her older sister. “I just hope our sister clan makes food as well as I remember.”

taglist:  @holysaladapricothero 

MODERN AO'NUNG HCS.

pairing. human!aonung x human!fem reader

summary. modern au, ao'nung in highschool + boyfriend headcanons

notes. boyfriend ao'nung headcanons, human & in high school. ao'nung & reader are both 18.

warnings — swearing, mentions of blood! making out, implied smut but nothing too far

masterlist. pt. 2 pt. 3

A lot of his peers from school assume he's just some muscular, hot headed guy with an ego so big, when in actuality he's not.

He was, until he met you.

People change, people don't change. He was the first factor.

People naturally assume Ao'nung is the type to just buy you expensive shit that have no meaning, but he really puts thought into every little thing he buys or crafts himself.

Also assuming that your relationship with Ao'nung was going to end after one month.

How could that possibly happen if he is head over heels for you?

Mans is caught off guard by the thought of you, even when you're not there with him physically

Brags about you, his kind and sweet girlfriend 25/8 just because.

"Bro my girl is so fucking cute, she met my mum yesterday and brought her flowers. like??? if you want me to get on my knees, just say so babe. My dad and Tsireya love her already... AND OH MY GOSH, my baby sister, Luna, Y/N held her for five seconds and Luna was already so smiley and giggling. Like yeah Luna, I get the same feeling,"

"We've heard this shit for the last 10 minutes" his friend rolls his eyes playfully.

When he's playing basketball with his friends, he's the type to shout "Oi, this is for my missus" before shooting the ball, and making it in.

Laughs at Lo'ak when he attempts to shoot for Tsireya but misses the hoop completely 😹

"Mean ass airball" is all Ao'nung says while chuckling

Bites back to the mfs who want him, even when they know damn well he's got a girlfriend

He posts about you every hour of the day, how could anyone not know ☠️

rayraybae has sent you a message!

rayraybae: hey you got some fine ass back muscles

m.nung: i will literally make a film of my girlfriend leaving scratch marks all over my back, back the fuck up.

Ao'nung says before blocking the user that texted. Rolling his eyes, he places his phone on the night table of yours. Sitting up from his position, his arms wrap around your waist as you sat on the edge of your bed. He lifts you easily on his lap as you let out a soft squeal. "Ao'nung!" you softly say, blushing intensely.

"Let me hold you, baby," he says smirking into your neck, pecking along your shoulder trailing up. Whispering into your ear, "I want us to try something."

Grabbing your phone and press onto the camera icon before hitting record. Placing your phone on the side table while his phone lit up with notifications. Getting the perfect landscape angle of the both of you, as he lays on top of giving your neck slow and sensual kisses. From the corner of his eyes, he caught a glimpse of his phone repeatedly turning on and off, yet he ignored it as he was too busy with the lovemaking you were about to do.

That little thing he said before was half true and half untrue.

Truthful to making you scream his name while scratching his back, recording it all

The untrue factor was sending it.

He respects you and knows your boundaries (every relationship has boundaries ofc) he only really said it to her because bro just loves to argue and brag about his girlfriend

Every recording you make, whether on his or your phone stayed between you two.

Posts a lot about you. His insta story, his tiktoks, twitter acc = all about you. Lets you make tiktoks on his account to show you off

But sets his comments only for his mutuals, he doesn't fuck with the comments that talk about you as if you aren't his.

Hell, his bio on everything is "@y/nnnnn 💓" or "i love my girlfriend."

Trusts you 100%, doesn't force you to give him your passwords to anything nor asks to check your phone

Spams your camera roll so much, like a lot.

Once he sees your phone without you around, he's already on your camera roll

"Mama. Mama, come. I got y/n's phone, she's in the bathroom. Pose with Luna. Smile Mum." he says with a hushed tone, smiling with his arm around his mother's shoulder. Ronal chuckles at her son's actions, the newborn baby in her arms, she lays her head on his shoulder as she sees in the camera her newborn baby lying against her chest.

"Hey! Let me be in it!" Tsireya quietly whispers before making her way beside Ronal, kissing her cheek as Ao'nung presses the shutter button.

That happened last week because now Ao'nung was smothering kisses all over your face while you giggled after he saw your new lock screen.

He loves to send paragraphs

Loves typing (even writing letters) paragraphs all about you. From the way your laughter sounds like a melody from Eywa, how your smile along with your pearly white teeth make him also smile, how your soul ties him in.

He loves pda, but not the type where you both makeout with each other's tongue down your throat

(i have a couple from my school who does this & it makes me wanna cry cos literally stop & go to class pls.)

Holding hands, wrapping an arm around your shoulder, hugging, kissing your knuckles (uses you as an armrest to tease you but stops when you elbow his side.)

Forehead kisses, kisses on the cheek & pecks, that's how far he'll go in public.

in private, BROS GOING HAM DURING MOUTH TO MOUTH SESH.

"Nung," you let out a breathy laugh as you feel your boyfriend trail kisses from the side of your mouth down to your neck.

"Hm?" he mumbles, lightly sucking and licking the sweet spot of your neck. You moan lightly, too immersed in the pleasure. "O-oh!" you gasp slightly, your hands now on the back of his head, bringing him closer.

"Nevermind, keep going," you say as you feel Ao'nung smirk into your neck.

Loves to spoil you.

Whether it be with clothes, makeup, shoes, stuffed bears. Anything.

But his most favourite are handmade gifts

He loves it when you shyly hide your squeal of excitement to everything, but when he pulls out an origami rose that he sprayed with your favourite perfume rather than an expensive stuffed bear, he loves seeing the glimmer in your eyes

Since you're his baby, he's already got both the handmade and the expensive shit hiding in his bag.

As he pulls out the bouquet of paper-coloured flowers from behind his back, he watches as you hide your squeal with your small hand, a bright blush appears on your face as you bring him into a tight hug, your head on his chest. You pull away before rocking from side to side shyly as you look to the ground, hiding back a smile as you hold onto the bouquet softly.

"Thank you, Nung, they are absolutely cute. I love them," you say politely, your nose slightly red. You stand on your tippy toes as you kiss his cheek. He smiles gently at you, wrapping his arm around your shoulder, walking with you. "Well, I love you."

He will fight for you, doesn't care if the person is taller or more muscular (as if he's not already the tallest mf in school 🧍‍♀️)

Will never, ever bring up the fact that he got his ass beat by Lo'ak when he was 15

If Lo'ak were the one to bring it up to you, he'd definitely tell Tsireya about all the stank ass piss stains he used to leave on his bed when he was sixteen.

Neteyam told Ao'nung this because he just felt like it. Or maybe Lo'ak just pissed him off that day, who knows.

Safe to say that if they sparred now, Lo'ak's ass is 6 feet underground.

But they're best friends now, won't ever happen.

"He what? Where the fuck is he?" He angrily says, throwing his bag off his back harshly. You look around frantically, "Nung, really. It's okay," you calmly say as you grab his bag before following behind him, trying to grab one of his arms.

"No, no, no, he touched your thigh when you told him to stop."

He walks around the halls and finally spots the guy he was searching for. Rushing up to him as you call out his name from behind, stopping as you figured it was no use. Grabbing him by his collar, he harshly throws the guy up against a wall. As people surround the two, you can only watch as his friends try and pry him away from the poor, shaken up boy. Lo'ak who made his way beside you, grinning at the sight.

"I would've gotten my ass beat if I tried to intervene," Lo'ak snickers. You roll your eyes before push his shoulder roughly as a joke.

Both your faces cringed and heard the crowd grow loud as you heard something from the crowd crack. A few seconds later, you see Ao'nung being pulled away from the crowd as the guy on the ground holds his nose, blood staining his hands.

You look over to your boyfriend who had an angered expression on his face, his shirt being pulled at as four of his friends pushed him back. His shirt slightly riling up, revealing his define V line and toned abs. "Touch my missus again, I'll fucking knock you out." You hear him yell out.

"He deserves some good head," you blurt out. Lo'ak side eyes you so fucking hard.

He walks you to class <333

If you have a class together, best believe mans is seated next to you

But if he knows one of your best friend's in the same class, he rather you sit with them

He feels like you spend a lot of time with him & rarely with your friend group, so he feels slightly guilty

Although you feel the opposite as you've sorted a way to spend time equally with both him & your friends, you give him a soft peck on the lips for the lovely thought

If you do sit together though, it doesn't necessarily mean he'll be distracting you with kisses and secret whispers of affection

He knows education means a lot to you and knows when and when not to be affectionate

You do still hold hands under the table often, or link arms.

You both take notes, help each other out, ask each other on what you've misheard from the teacher

He does give your thigh or hand a comforting squeeze when he notices your brows furrow or a slight pout on your lips form, an overwhelming feeling taking over your body as you look stumped on a certain task

You both are mature people and can communicate, so he lets you speak your thoughts rather than going ahead and helping you immediately, if that makes sense

Only when you really feel like something is too much and you can't talk or communicate properly like you both usually can, that's when he drops his shit and soothes you.

"Would you like some help, baby?" he whispered soothingly, his hand comfortingly caressing your thigh, as he notices your confused expression. The rest of the class was too focused on their sheets of paper. You were too caught up in your thoughts that you let your hands massage the temple of your head. You shake your head, signalling no.

"It's okay if you don't know the answer immediately, sweets. You don't need to rush," His hand now on your back, sliding up and down slowly.

For a few seconds, he lets you take a breather, and you finally answer with a broken voice and a small whisper. "Can you help me please?"

"Of course, lovely," an arm around your shoulder and he kisses your temple. "Which part are you stuck on? We can break it down and solve it."

Doesn't give any care about who you're friends with, even if they're a guy. Will warn you or hint if he knows something is up with certain people.

Is protective, will always be there behind your back to defend you.

He has friends that are girls, but aren't close with them either. Even if he is close with another girl, bro never touches her. Just a simple dap is good enough to him.

As soon as he gets the "I got something to tell you." text from a girl.

Blocked. Sorry, but he literally blocks them.

He knows exactly what that six worded sentence means because those were the exact words he said to you before confessing.

He has a girlfriend and only has eyes for you, they should know better than to pull shit like that 🤷‍♀️.

my fingers hurt... from typing of course 🧍‍♀️ ANYWAY thats all i got, im tired LOLOL <333

theres this aonung fanfic where hes kissing the reader and shes like all giggly and shit, and the author recommends to listen to “Mine” by Alex Sloane… that shit was cute, IF ANYONE FINDS IT THEN MAY I PLS HAVE IT 😞😞

idk whats wrong w me and losing all my fav fics bruh im sorry