Counting Stars - Aonung x Neteyam

Part 1

- Oh, hello brother, I didn't know you were here. - I opened my eyes seeing how Lo'ak entered the marui. It was still wet and he were holding a basket full of fruit. Tsireya favorite.

- I was resting my eyes. - I replied pointing towards her basket.

- I went to pick some fruit you know, never be useless. - he smiled with a shrug.

- The fact that they are her favorite is just a coincidence. - I said straightening up, still smiling. He laughed out loud and plopped down next to me.

- You have no idea. - I sighed looking up at the sky. - She's perfect, brother, she's so smart and beautiful. She seems to know what I'm thinking and always listens to me, even if it's stupid things, - he looked at me for a second and his eyes sparkled like never before. - Sometimes I tell her about our forest, about what we know there that they don't know here. She listens to everything, remembers it and then tells it like it's an important piece of information. - I smiled back at him and let him talk. - I feel like there's nothing I can't do if it's with her, I could end up being anything for her. I never thought I could feel so much for one person. - he sighed heavily and lost himself in his thoughts for a few seconds.

- You don't know how happy I am for you, brother. - I put a hand on his shoulder. - Remember not to fuck up. - I added, pushing him a little.

- Never. - he shouted standing up and jumping out again. I looked where he was going without losing my smile. It was true that I was happy for him, it wasn't just a saying. There was nothing that felt better than seeing my brothers happy and safe.

After the fight on the boat there was a moment, I thought I would never have this again. My family reunited and living as they deserved. Now every moment was important to me, every memory, every smile.

I stood up slowly, putting on the chest protector they had made for me, so it would stay dry while it finished healing. I wanted to go outside, see the sun for a while, maybe swim if the pain would let me. Since I had woken up a couple of days ago from the fever, I felt a thousand times better. I didn't remember that night exactly, but I had never felt so safe and rested as I did when I woke up with his hands in my hair.

- I swear, if I see that brother of yours skipping out on his chores to go see that girl again. - My mother came into the marui talking in a low voice. - What are you supposed to be doing standing up? - she said in an angry tone.

- Come on mom, I'm just going for a walk, let me get some sun. - I said stretching a little. My shoulder was still throbbing, but the pain was bearable.

- You're not going anywhere until Ronal says it's safe. - she replied walking towards me with one finger raised.

- I just want to take a walk with Lo'ak, see people, do something. I'm drowning here. - my voice got a little childish but I couldn't help it, I really wanted to get out and maybe swim a little without going too far. - I'm fine. - I ended up sighing.

- I'm not going to argue anymore Neteyam, go back to sleep. - his expression was darkening.

- Would you please listen to me, I'm fine, I feel fine. I can't be here anymore mom, I'm going crazy. You didn't raise me for this, I'm a soldier, it's just a wound, I'm stronger than this. - I regretted it as soon as I said it. His expression froze.

- You're not a soldier. - he murmured in a neutral tone that I had only heard once before.

- Mom...I'm sorry, I didn't mean...-

- You're not a soldier. - he repeated with a frown and I could see his eyes sparkle. - You were dead Neteyam, you were dead in my arms. - she continued. I walked over to her and put my arms around her.