~~~Superstes~~~UNDERGOING MAJOR EDITING

Sephora

Neteyam and Fe'ya's friendship definitely caught the attention of his parents. When the pair started staying together late into the night, Neteyam would hear his father and mother whispering among themselves about how Neteyam was "growing" and how he was "of the age to be searching". Of course, the second he overheard that he internally scoffed at his parents for even thinking that. 

But Neteyam's internal mockery backfired when his father watched him leave the marui to meet Fey'atsi for breakfast. But the second he was about to disappear and find his friend, Jake stopped him.

They stood in the bright lighting of the marui. Father and son. This was the first time Neteyam had direct contact with his dad since their fight. 

"You're aware that we're gonna be heading back to Awa'atlu soon, right?" Jake stated.

This was news to Neteyam. His eyes widened. "When?" 

Jake sighed, "Two days. We've been given the green light, and I don't think Tuk can spend another night without her mother." 

"So... I'm better?" 

"No, not 'better'. Just stable enough to go home."

Jake waited for his son to respond. All Neteyam could think about was if he left, when would he ever see this place again? The battle was over. There wasn't a full reason to stay at the reef anymore. He didn't want to leave, but he did miss his siblings. There were so many questions running through his head--what about Feya? 

The words tumbled out of his mouth before he even realized what he was asking. "Can we bring Feya?" 

His father's brows knitted together in a frown like he didn't hear what was said. "What?" 

Neteyam paused for a moment in order to get his thoughts arranged. He was really asking if he could take his longtime friend to the reef with them. But it made sense--Feya didn't technically have parents, so there wasn't a real reason why she couldn't come. 

"Please, sir? I think--I think she would appreciate going to the ocean." he tried to make his explanation sound professional in hopes he wouldn't sound like a desperate child. "She's not really staying with anybody these days."   

Jake seemed to be stumped, but he looked as if he were actually considering the suggestion. "Neteyam, that would be really spontaneous. I'm not sure how that would look--and you know I'm not particularly happy with you recently." 

Neteyam's heart sank into the depths of his stomach. "Yes, sir. I know." 

"But," Jake began, causing his son to perk up. "If you can convince her guardians, I don't have a valid argument against why not."

Tail swiping wildly and his face brightening, Neteyam could only feel grateful towards his father, the memory of their conflict dissipating for now. He did his best to not act immature and childish, hiding the fact that he was secretly an excitable kid. "Thank you, sir." 

When he turned to leave, preparing to run off and tell Fe'ya the great news, he was stopped by the now tender voice of his father. 

"Neteyam, wait." 

He shifted back around, praying that his dad's mind had not been changed. "...Yes?" 

Jake sighed. "You know I love you, don't you?"  

Neteyam's ears slowly swerved backwards, and his wide eyes softened into warm circles at the sudden affection that his father rarely showed. "I--I love you, too, Dad." 

"And I just want to keep you safe." 

He nodded warmly. "I understand, Dad. I shouldn't have yelled at you."