Counting Stars - Aonung x Neteyam

Part 1

- It's nice too. - I said going over the lines and shapes drawn all over his body. Aside from the cloth hanging from his hips, the rest of his body was in full view and every inch covered in white paint. I looked away feeling a warm sensation spreading through my body.

- I also take a memory of that day with me. - he spoke, running a hand across his chest. His eyes were lost in his thoughts again. I hated seeing him do that lately. He looked like he was still on that damn boat, still bleeding. I wanted to grab him by the shoulders and shake him. Scream at him that he is here and that he would never go back to that horrible place. In this case I opted for a calmer and much less physical way.

- We'll get you a tattoo when it's done healing. - I said gently nudging him by the shoulder. - Right on top. And it will mean immortal. So, you'll remember every time you look at it that you're alive, that you're still here. - He looked at me with an expression I didn't recognize. His eyes scanned my face and ended up settling on my lips. His expression was serious but relaxed. His cheeks glowed with white freckles. She looked so good I almost forgot what I was thinking. I swallowed hard, feeling the blood start to rise in my cheeks.

- Will you do it to me? - he asked in a low, gravelly voice. His body moved almost imperceptibly towards me. I opened my mouth to speak, but the words choked me. My first thought was that if he didn't kiss me, I would, but something inside me told me it wasn't the right time. Even though just imagining it made my heart race in an almost unnatural way.

- Yes. - I whispered almost without making a sound. He shook his head and his lips formed the word "well" but no sound came out. I stayed there for a few seconds, in his silent lips.

Or that's what I wanted because the shouts from the beach made us jump at the same time. Someone had started singing and people had gotten excited, jumping around the fire.

I closed my eyes gently turning away from him and sighed. I took a step back and pointed the way, beginning to think that maybe Eywa didn't want anything to happen. Every time it seemed like I was going to tell him how I felt, something happened. I frowned beginning to doubt even my sanity. We walked in silence until the sand touched our feet. I almost said something about ten times, but nothing seemed important enough.

- Come here, my son. - Neteyam's mother appeared out of nowhere and pulled her son into a hug. - You look gorgeous. - she whispered, holding his face. He blushed and looked a little in my direction, drawing the attention of the rest of his family to me.  I stood there for a few seconds with my eyes a little wider and cleared my throat nervously.

- Well, you're here now, I'll see you around. Enjoy the celebration. - I said quickly trying to walk away without running. I was still red when I arrived next to my sister and my mother who were relaxing at one of the bonfires talking and laughing.

- Here you are, I was beginning to think you had run off with that foreigner of yours. - laughed my sister offering me a bowl with a sweet drink. I just looked at her rolling my eyes. My mother had been distracted talking to other women and now I had my sister's undivided attention.

- You know I could say the same thing about you. - I told her a few minutes later as we stared into the fire in silence.

- I wouldn't run away with him, I think he would be ready to stay here forever if I asked him to. - she answered me with a half-smile. - Besides, someone has to take care of you brother, you look like you have a fever. - she approached putting a hand on my cheek. I pushed it away making a sound with my throat.

- If mom finds out...- I whispered, shaking my head.

- She'll congratulate you and start making plans for the union. Or do you think she doesn't support you in this? Come on brother, she can be tough, but don't forget that she also ran away from her fiancé to marry daddy. I don't think she will ever tell you who you have to fall in love with. - His hand ended up in my hand and he gave me a squeeze.