Counting Stars - Aonung x Neteyam

Part 1

That did not mean that he was the only one in all the islands who wanted a relationship like the one he wanted. Nor that he had to hide, because something bad might happen when they found out. It was simply that not being the perfect son he was supposed to be, he rarely attended the official meetings and of course did not listen to the elders when they told him about the different unions.

It wasn't until long after it became his problem that he began to listen. That he began to research and look for a way to realize the future he wanted. Because now it was clear that he was different, but that didn't mean he was alone.

- If dad sees you skipping out on your responsibilities again, it won't be words he'll say to you. - Tsireya whispered, slipping beside me in the water. I just shrugged. Lately something had been making me sleep badly and everyone knew that if I didn't sleep, it was even worse than usual. - Tell me what's wrong, talk to me. - she continued. - You used to tell me everything.

I used to tell my little sister everything, when everything was simpler. When my problems were not having enough time to do what I wanted to do or dad catching me doing what I shouldn't. When my only reason for not sleeping was not having enough time to do what I wanted to do or dad catching me doing what I shouldn't do.

When my only reason for not sleeping was because the next day my friends from other tribes would come. Now I had to think about the future almost non-stop, I had to teach and learn every day, care, support, listen. So many things I was not good at. I wanted to take my father's place, but every day I saw myself further and further away from that place.

- I don't know what I'm doing, I just pretend to know. - I replied after a few minutes of silence.

- I think we all do, brother. - she leaned her head on my shoulder and sighed. - I know what you're thinking and I understand, but please don't carry this burden alone. I am here. - she smiled looking up.

- You're there. - I replied pointing to one of the white tattoos Lo'ak had left her from the painting. Again.

- He is my future, Aonung, it is normal for me to spend time with him. - she said turning away from me.

- You don't understand, I don't want you to spend less time with him. But you are there. There is only me here. With the whole tribe, family and future behind me. As if I know what to do or how to do it. You can make mistakes, as many times as you want. My mistakes can cost lives. - I spoke in a serious tone, looking out at the water teeming with life.

- You are not alone, even in your mistakes, you will always have me by your side. We will learn together; we will make mistakes together. That's how it should be. - I looked at her for a few seconds, seeing how she had grown, how much she had changed. Her look was serene and clear. She had everything. Everything she had dreamed of. I smiled warmly at her and pulled her into a hug.

- I still don't like them, they're half demons. - I said, still smiling. And as if it had been a miracle from heaven, the eldest of them appeared on the stone path. He looked more serious than usual, with a frown on his face and a hard look on his eyes. Before I knew it, I copied his semblance, worried that he was sick again or was going to faint.

- Yeah right, keep telling yourself that. - Tsireya laughed beside me rolling her eyes. - I'll leave you with your half demon. - she whispered slipping into the water beside me and swimming towards our marui. Neteyam soon caught up with me.

- I didn't know they had let you out. - I told him when he was close enough. He looked up when he saw me and his face relaxed.

- Actually, the same person who had forbidden me to go out almost kicked me out of the marui today. - he replied, sitting down next to me. His movements were still slow and he grimaced a bit before settling in. - When it got dark, I heard my parents in the doorway, talking quietly about something, then my mother came in and practically kicked me out. - He shook his head, perplexed. - Just yesterday we almost had a moment at the thought of me even coming out, I have no idea what's going on. - I frowned again.