Counting Stars - Aonung x Neteyam

Part 1

Suddenly there was confusion all around me, but I didn't know why. My mother's hand disappeared and someone grabbed my shoulder. It lifted me carefully and whispered something to me. I just groaned, I wanted it to stop hurting, it was unbearable.

- Come on, you have to drink it. It will help, just open your mouth. - the voice, masculine, made me open my eyes suddenly. The eldest son of the clan was holding me firmly as he brought something to my lips. I tried to pull away, but he stopped me. - Don't be stubborn. - he murmured, putting the bowl to my lips again.

- My mother...- I started, but the pain blinded me again. I made a tearing sound and put all the weight of my body on Aonung's arm.

- She's went to see your sister; she's had another seizure. She has to stabilize her before treating you, my mother can stitch you up in minutes, but you have to drink this. - he finished in a firm tone without taking his eyes off me. I opened my mouth and let the liquid slide down my throat. It had an acidic taste that made me grimace, but the warmth that spread through my chest made me forget the taste. The pain disappeared almost instantly. Or so it seemed to me. Anything other than pain was welcome.

- Thank you...- I whispered hoarsely. I threw my head back and ended up lying on his shoulder. He said something, but I assumed he wasn't talking to me. Something cold touched my back and more hands appeared out of nowhere. I felt my father grab my hand firmly and I knew something was going to happen. A second later I felt the needle go into my skin and I couldn't help but scream.

- It's okay, Neteyam, it's okay, you can handle this. I'm here my son, I'm here. - My father's voice sounded broken and a part of me wanted to comfort him. But it was all pain, it all burned, I couldn't make my mouth work.

I don't remember exactly when I lost consciousness, but I remember waking up in the middle of the night. It could have been jumping, but my body didn't respond as my mind did. Just opening my eyes, I felt my heart race, the pain return and my whole being was back in the boat fighting again.

- You are safe. You are safe. Don't move, you're going to hurt yourself. - Aonung's voice came from somewhere, I felt his hand on my shoulder, but in the darkness of the marui I could hardly see anything.

- Kiri...- I asked in a low and raspy voice.

- It's okay, my mother was able to bring her back again. She is stable, now you have to rest. - he answered me quickly. I lay down again, noticing how the place where I had laid down was soft and cool.

- Be careful, it seems as if you care about me. - I whispered several minutes later, saying each syllable slowly. My brain is still not up to speed and everything was taking three times longer than usual.

Aonung laughed, but it sounded more like a cough and ended in something like a sob. It made me open my eyes and look at him worriedly.

- You almost died. - he said as if I was an idiot and he was explaining something simple. - You were lying there, like a corpse. Your sister wouldn't stop screaming and there was blood everywhere. - He kept talking looking at me as if I was a memory.

Something inside me felt warm. I didn't know what it was, but seeing him so worried made me feel safe. Tiredness made my head ache, but I kept my eyes open a little longer.

- I am here. - I whispered taking his hand. - I'm alive. - He looked at me shaking his head and frowning. I smiled at him as best I could and squeezed his hand. He seemed to live a thousand emotions in a few seconds.

His other hand ghosted across the bandage covering my chest. He didn't touch me, but it felt as if he was. The moment ended quickly. He pulled away from me, making a noise with his tongue.