Chapter Text
War reaches Awa’atlu. Ao'nung is promised off to Neteyam, Toruk Makto's first born son as a means to strengthen the connections between the tribes of the Metcayina and the Omaticaya.
Neteyam never thought that one day he'd be shipped off to a foreign land, one so unfamiliar that they had no connections with the people. Even more, he never thought he'd be making this journey on his own, ikran carrying him and his belongings.
It had been a sudden decision, and it caught him off guard — but Neteyam would never deny his father's requests.
So even if he longed for freedom, he allowed his wings to be clipped if it meant the safety of not only his people, but of another tribe as well.
Perhaps Neteyam had hid high up in a tree for a few hours to let loose a couple of harmless little teardrops about the matter before he could accept his fate.
As an omega, it was no surprise that he was chosen for this. The rarity of his being meant an even greater sacrifice than if they had sent either of his sisters.
Still, Neteyam was glad his most recent heat has just ended days prior to his departure. He was certain nobody would force a mating on him, as such an act was a direct attack on Eywa's ways. Even so, Neteyam wanted some more time before he had to carry out his duties.
The young na'vi could see a great village in the distance as he glided along the strong winds above the ocean.
Nerves clawed at his heart. Neteyam longed for company — he wished desperately that at least one parent would have come with him, but his own home had been under attack.
Eventually, he has to land, and when he does, strangers crowd around him. The crowd parts like the sliced by rocks, and who Neteyam suspects to be the Tsahik walks forward towards him.
The young male dismounts his ikran and lands in the soft sand
A male follows her, distrust clear in his eyes.
Ao'nung is not thrilled to be married off so soon, and by the looks of things, neither is Neteyam.
"You are Neteyam, yes?" The Tsahik asks, voice firm and pale blue eyes trailing over Neteyam's body, lingering on the scar adorning his chest.
"I see you, Tsahik," Neteyam greets her, bowing his head in a show of respect. "I am."
She nods. Neteyam knows from his father that her name is Ronal. "Come with me. We must discuss matters in private."
Neteyam isn't given a chance to respond, she's already turning away and walking through the crowd. They part a bit further for her than they do for Neteyam, curiosity shining in their eyes.
Ronal leads him inside a marui. The young male follows them in, sitting down beside his mother, head tilted, eyes raking over Neteyam's figure, inspecting him.
"You are aware of the situation with the sky people," Ronal declares.
Neteyam nods in agreement. "Yes."
Ronal hums, satisfied by his answer. She motions for him to sit in front of her. Neteyam complies. "Then you know how important it is for our people to know they have found a trustworthy alie in your clan."
Neteyam nods once again, golden gaze drifting to the young male for a moment.
"I am aware you were a capable warrior among your people, but that shall not be your role here." She holds out her hand, a red berry in her palm.
Neteyam holds back a grimace.
Once he takes the berry, she gives a short, firm nod. "I am aware your heat has just ended but matters are urgent. Take the berry and fulfill your duties to my clan. Do you know what they are?"
Neteyam glances towards Ao'nung again before clenching his teeth. He takes a deep breath and places the berry in his mouth. "The clan expects heirs from me. I must show my loyalty to yours people by binding myself to your son."
Ronal hums, a hint of sympathy shining in her gaze. "It will not be so bad if you can accept why this must be done."
Neteyam keeps his eyes dry, chewing on the little red fruit that will change his life before the day ends.
"I understand the reasons," he exhales deeply, wrapping an arm around himself. "I will do anything I can to prove to you that my father has been sincere when he pledged his alliance to you."
"Good." The Tsahik stands. "Ao'nung, make sure Neteyam is comfortable and help him get settled in."
"Yes, Mother."
"And then complete your duties." She leaves no room for argument as she exits the marui.
Neteyam takes a shaky breath, lips purses as Ao'nung leans over him, nudging his legs apart with his knee.
Despite the heat coursing through his veins and the slick smearing the tender skin between his thighs, he can not help but close off his true self.
He is nothing but a body here — at least, it's what he feels like.
Ao'nung watches him, pale blue eyes searching his gaze. The heir frowns, sighing softly through his nose. "We do not have to do this right now."
Neteyam waves him off. "It's okay. Go ahead." It is what's expected of me.
Ao'nung doesn't seem convinced, but nods slowly. Neteyam shuts his eyes, swallowing thickly. Ao'nung trails a hand up his inner thighs in an attempt to help him relax, but all it does is remind Neteyam that this is a choice that had been made for him, not a choice he himself had made.
Ao'nung settles down between his legs and gently lowers his hips against Neteyam's, chewing on his lower lip.
Neteyam bites the inside of his cheek and reaches between them, ears pulling back, wrapping slender fingers around the Metcayina's length, guiding him to his entrance carefully. Ao'nung lets him, holding his breath.
Neteyam just wants to get this over with. He clenches his jaw when Ao'nung presses forward, tip pressing against the omega's rim firmly.
It is a foreign feeling. Nerves flutter in Neteyam's chest. His eyes stare up into the night sky. At least the clearing was pretty and the blankets under his body soft, caressing his skin.
Neteyam's breath hitches, entire body tensing as Ao'nung's member slowly presses into his body, stretching his entrance in ways it's never been before. Ao'nung only pushes in about half-way, before he pauses, panting quielty from above Neteyam.
Neteyam lets his arms fall to his sides, fingers grasping at the blankets for support.
"Are you okay?" Ao'nung asks softly, worry seeping into his voice.
Neteyam lies through his teeth. "Yes. I'm just nervous. It's fine."
Truth is, it's not fine. It hurts in a way that Neteyam just cannot find pleasurable. Just for a singular reason, he hopes he falls pregnant from this, not to keen to do it again if he doesn't.
Ao'nung nods, inhaling deeply before pressing into Neteyam's body further, bottoming out.
Neteyam throws and arm over his face, gritting his teeth. Tears prick at his eyes, but he refuses to let them escape.
Ao'nung stays still, observing the smaller male quietly. He purses his lips before shaking his head. "It hurts, doesn't it?"
Neteyam shakes his head hurriedly. "No. I have just never done this before. It's strange."
Ao'nung takes a deep breath and slides a lazy hand across the length of Neteyam's thigh. Despite not wanting to do this, Ao'nung doesn't want to hurt the omega under him, no matter how much he hates Neteyam for having to marry him.
Pale blue eyes rake over the Omaticaya’s skin, tracing the stripes and glowing dots. Ao'nung's gaze settles on the runes adorning the slim waist and pain twists his gut cruelly.
It dawns on him that he's not the one who had to leave his home only to be bred by a stranger.
Ao'nung pulls back slowly until only his tip is inside, not missing the held back sob threatening to break free from Neteyam's lips. The Omaticaya uncovers his face, revealing glossy eyes. For a moment, Ao'nung thinks they're staring into each other's eyes — but they aren't.
Neteyam is staring at his nose, right between Ao'nung's eyes to give off the illusion of strength.
Ao'nung doesn't think it's an illusion. Neteyam's sacrifice requests a strength Ao'nung knows he himself doesn't possess.
Ao'nung presses his hips forward slowly, pushing into the soft body lying under him slowly. He lets his hands roam over the legs caging his hips loosely, kneeling the muscle.
Neteyam, despite his heat, is only half-hard between them.
Resolve breaking, Ao'nung pulls out. He flinches when he sees blood smeared on his thigh. "Why didn't you tell me you're hurt?"
Neteyam closes his eyes, silent. "It doesn't matter, please just get it over with so I can go."
Ao'nung has to take a moment to rid himself of the burn behind his eyes. "Neteyam, we can wait."
"The people want me to prove my clans loyalty to yours," Neteyam replies quietly, turning his head away. "We cannot wait. Time is not in our favour."
"Eywa would never support this," Ao'nung hisses, gritting his teeth. "It's a crime against all she represents!"
Neteyam sits up slowly, wincing. "You've already taken me. It does not change a thing if you finish what has been started, Ao'nung."
Ao'nung grunts in disbelief. He's about to hiss out a harsh response when Neteyam presses a kiss to his shoulder, leaning over to him. Ao'nung pauses, cheeks dusting with colour.
Neteyam settles on his lap, straddling him. With a guiding hand, he leads Ao'nung's member back to his entrance, carefully lowering himself onto the length until he's taking all of the alpha.
Ao'nung gives in, shoulders sagging. His hands settle on Neteyam's waist, leading him.
Neteyam moans softly, pain fading into a calmness that takes him by surprise. Slowly, Neteyam lifts himself up, letting himself sink back down Ao'nung's length a moment later, panting quielty.
Ao'nung squeezes his waist in warning. "Are you in pain? Be honest."
Neteyam shakes his head, resting his cheek on Ao'nung's shoulder as he grinds their hips together slowly. "No. It doesn't hurt anymore."
Ao'nung hums in relief and lets out a shuddery breath. He rocks up into Neteyam's body languidly, arms wrapped securely around the smaller male's form.
Neteyam moans quietly as Ao'nung rubs against his prostate repeatedly with each drag of his hips. Tingles shoot up Neteyam's spine as he finally accepts his situation and lets his body submit to his physical nature.
Ao'nung senses the change in their dynamic and flicks his tongue over his lower lip to rid it of the dryness.
Neteyam whines out as Ao'nung's tip pushes into his sweet spot. The Metcayina doesn't bother picking up the pace, satisfied with the slow drag of his member as he takes Neteyam.
Something shifts in the omega's mind. Ironically enough, he's glad he's here with Ao'nung. A whimper breaks free from the cage of his teeth. He lets Ao'nung lay him down again, legs spread around the Metcayina's waist loosely.
Neteyam gasps softly into the darkness, serenity washing over him like a cleansing wave. His hand ghosts over his stomach, tracing the soft skin absent-mindendly before laying his palm flat against his stomach.
Ao'nung watches his as he slowly rocks into his body, stretching him open almost deliciously now that they have both calmed down.
"I'm sorry I have to do this to you," Ao'nung whispers into the night.
Neteyam allows a small smile to settle on his features. "I appreciate it."
Ao'nung nods firmly and shudders when Neteyam clenches around him, hips shifting restlessly as Ao'nung rocks into him.
A welcome heat coils in Ao'nung's stomach, building up rapidly. He wraps a hand around Neteyam's member, stroking slowly and running his thumb over the tip, making Neteyam curl forward with a broken moan, goosebumps littering his skin.
The smell of their desires taint the pure air of the forest, a couple of glowing bugs flying by them with a low buzz. Neteyam watches them, glossy-eyed and burning with the intensity of his heat.
His scent calls to Ao'nung invitingly; the alpha can feel his blood rushing down. He leans over Neteyam and presses their foreheads together. "I'm close."
Neteyam nods in understanding, feeling Ao'nung steadily swelling inside him.
The omega's eyes flutter shut, sweet sounds escaping his lips as Ao'nung's hips still, knot catching on his rim and keeping them locked together. A gentle tickle settles in Neteyam's stomach as the alpha's release coats his insides, filling him with an unfamiliar warmth.
Neteyam's toes curl, organs washing over him. He spills into his own stomach with Ao'nung's hand still wrapped around his length.
Ao'nung whines helplessly as his orgasm wrecks his body, ropes of his semen shooting into the omega lying under him.
Neteyam's fingertips graze against the runes on his stomach; he whispers a vulnerable prayer to the Great Mother. Ao'nung averts his gaze, giving as much privacy as he can in such a delicate situation.
Eventually, once his knot calms, Ao'nung eases himself out of Neteyam, eyes wondering over the pretty body of the Omaticaya. For a moment, Ao'nung let's himself imagine what he will look like carrying their child under his heart.
Neteyam pulls away from Ao'nung, sitting up carefully, eyes soft and cheeks flushing as he feels the alpha's release slip from his body, staining the blanket under them.
Ao'nung doesn't touch him, unsure if it would be welcome.
Neteyam swallows down the lump in his throat and turns to Ao'nung. He holds his hand out and Ao'nung blinks in surprise before offering his own hand. Neteyam laces their fingers and squeezes gently.
"I do not regret this, Ao'nung." Neteyam peers into the alpha's eyes, gaze honest and open. "I will do anything to keep our clans safe."
Ao'nung nods slowly. He squeezes Neteyam's hand back. "I know you will."
Neteyam smiles softly and lets go of Ao'nung's hand. The Metcayina pushes down the guilt eating away at his soul and reaches for the robes prepared to clean themselves up. He holds one out to Neteyam and turns away to let him do as he pleases.
Neteyam's gaze roams the Metcayina's back curiously before he wipes himself down, nose scrunching in distaste at the mess made of his body.
His lower body tingles almost pleasantly but he still holds a hint of resentment towards the demons that put him in this position.
Ao'nung turns back to him once they're both dressed. He offers a hand and helps Neteyam get to his feet.
Neteyam purses his lips and stares down at the ground, lost in thought.
Ao'nung frowns, watching him. "Neteyam."
Neteyam hums to show he's heard him.
Ao'nung Metcayina places a hand on Neteyam's lower back. "Will you be alright?"
Neteyam's gaze softens. He steps closer to Ao'nung and laces their fingers again. "I told you it didn't hurt."
Ao'nung shakes his head hurriedly and presses a hand to Neteyam's chest, right over his heart, covering the scar left by man. Neteyam looks taken aback, lips falling open in a silent gasp.
"Will your heart be alright?" Ao'nung asks quietly, voice small.
Comfort settles over Neteyam's shoulder like a silk veil. The omega's lips tug upwards fondly.
If Ao'nung is who he's pretending to be, Neteyam believes he will be alright.
"I will be."