Chapter Text
Endorphins: , the feeling that follows a run or workout is often described as "euphoric." That feeling, known as a "runner's high," can be accompanied by a positive and energizing outlook on life.
〰 ☼
“Get ready, set…GO!” With a sudden burst of air behind his feet, Neteyam ran. His braids were tied up in a ponytail—too long now, to have down, the traditional beads on each braid jingling together. His uniform skin tight to his body with the University’s logo in bold over his chest ‘ASU’ Awat’alu Sports University; which he’d worn with pride. Arms moving back and forth, his speed increasing rapidly.
This is what he lived for. The adrenaline from his endorphins, the wind pushing against his body, the droplets of sweat beading down his body.
The heat of California’s rays had strung down on the athletes body, as he finished his last 100 meter dash for the day.
“11.02. fantastic job, Neteyam.” His coach patted his back, as the boy smiled in triumph.
Five seconds less than last time.
Calling Neteyam a perfectionist is more than an understatement.
He created perfectionism.
According to his siblings, that is.
Grabbing his towel, water, and duffle, Neteyam headed off the track toward the Athletic Center’s lockeroom and showers. He quickly took a shower and gathered himself, and his things.—Wearing a pair of school-provided sweats, and a stolen military crew neck from his father.
The Showers weren’t far from the lockerooms, so his walk was short.
The Swim team had just finished practice as well, Neteyam figured by the mess of water, goggles, and sunscreen layed outside of their sections lockers. He heard laughing and banging—which concluded his assumption.
The Track team’s lockers were right beside the Swim teams, only seperate by a gridded wall and gate.
To which, Neteyam had to unlock.
Holding so many things, he fumbled with the keys.
Growing frustrated he dropped them, dramatically sighing in annoyance.
Until a large figure beside him reached down for it.
Tan skin, freckles, gorgeous blue eyes, messy curls framing the boys face—Not to mention his godlike-physique, and that god awful smile.
Neteyam, and majority of the University could recognize a description like that.
Ao’nung.
They’d been best friends for years, ever since they had their first fight—which was started by his younger brother, Lo’ak. When they first moved to the West Coast, they’d made their first enemy and now friend.
Needless to say, they’ve been inseparable since then.
“Careful, Tree-rat, can’t have you bending in front of my team like that.” Ao’nung laughed as Neteyam sneered, snatching the keys out of the others warm, callused hands.
“Aye-Aye, Captain.” Neteyam muttered, finally unlocking his locker rooms gate and entering.
Ao’nung, persistently followed in.
“You shouldn’t be in here, Captain of the swim team” Neteyam announced, as he opened his locker, gathering the rest of his things.
“But Star-runner of the Track team, I’m your closest and bestest friend.” Ao’nung dramatically announced back, leaning against the locker beside Neteyam’s, His face close and personal to the others.
His face was so attractive it angered Neteyam.
Ao’nung had full lips, a tall nose, and because he was an islander, traditional tattoos along his arms, his leg, and along the left side of his face. Not to even mention how he looked at the moment, his hair not tied in its usual half bun, those long black spirals of hair messily over his broad, strong shoulders, the grey sweatpants that hung low to where the islander’s v line showed prominently. Far too low for Neteyam’s liking, and well being, his staggering height, too. A 6’3 island genetic giant towering down over a 5’11 Neteyam.
It irked Neteyam that his best friend could be so openly hot.
Neteyam suddenly sneered at Ao’nung, turning his head away, shutting his locker abruptly.
Ao’nung who had knew him too well, assumed Neteyam just got annoyed by something Ao’nung couldn’t even control.
They were just toxic like that.
To which, Ao’nung thoroughly enjoyed.
“You’re not Tsireya” Neteyam teased, as Ao’nung’s expression quickly soured.
He hated being compared to his little sister.
Especially when it came to Neteyam’s attention.
“What are you up to after practice?” Ao’nung asked, Picking up Neteyam’s duffle, walking out of the lockeroom. Neteyam followed, not even half aware at how’d they looked to others passing by. They’d taken so long that the locker room was now vacant, only them to fill in the vast space.
“Heading home to visit the family. It’s Payakan’s birthday, you know how Lo’ak is about his dog’s birthday.” Neteyam laughed, remaining at the entrance of the room, as Ao’nung entered the Swim team’s lockers, throwing on a white tee, tying his hair up and grabbing his own duffle, not once handing back Neteyam’s for him to carry.
“Let me join. I know how much your mom loves me” The taller smirked, sticking his tongue out playfully, as the shorter slapped his arm. hard.
“ fuck, Neteyam!” Ao’nung winced, as they headed to Neteyam’s black Jeep Wrangler in the Athletic center’s large and now empty, parking lot.
“Don’t tease me using my mother, dick.” Neteyam scolded, taking both his and Ao’nung’s duffle bags and neatly placing them in the trunk of the vehicle.
“So I am tagging along after all.” Ao’nung smirked again, Leaning against the driver’s door of the car. Neteyam rolled his eyes, Ao’nung tagging along for any family function was normal now. Just as Tsireya joining is not any different.
“Hurry up and move so I can drive.” Neteyam pushed the other, to which, he failed as Ao’nung stayed completely still.
“Let me drive. You can drive us back to campus after.” Ao’nung offered, snatching the car keys out of Neteyam’s hand with just as much aggression as the other had done earlier.
Only, he had a playful grin plastered on his wicked face.
“You’re literally pain in my ass.” Neteyam grumbled, hopping into the passengers seat of his own car.
“A pretty ass, that is.” Ao’nung remarked, as Neteyam nearly punched the living shit out of the other’s arm, if he wasn’t already starting the car to drive.
“How would your little bitches feel when they find out you’re obsessed with me?” It was Neteyam’s turn to tease, to which Ao’nung simply shrugged, his demeanor unaffected.
“They’ll still want me. And who says i’m obsessed with you, rat?” Ao’nung laughed whole heartedly, as Neteyam scowled in defeat.
〰 ☼
“Ao’nung! so nice to see you!” Neteyam’s mother had brought the islander to her arms, with a tight and happy hug.
Ao’nung turned his head, mouthing a ‘Told you so’ to his best friend, which caused Neteyam to nearly pluck the other’s eyes out.
A loud, dramatic, wail had emerged from the family’s living room.
Lo’ak, who had been sitting with his girlfriend, both Sophomores of the Univerity their older siblings attended—who happened to be dating Ao’nung’s younger sister, was the owner of the sound.
“You brought fishlips?!” He wailed again, as Tsireya giggled at her boyfriend’s antics.
“And you brought Tsireya, it’s only fair that both siblings join, little bro.” Neteyam messed with his younger brother’s braids, as Ao’nung followed close behind,
“Everyone loves me, Tree-hugger, sorry to break it to you.” Ao’nung laughed, as he and Neteyam greeted the rest of his family.
“Ao’nung come play with me!!” Tuk, The youngest, had tugged on the boy’s arm, as he smiled at her adoringly.
Tuk was secretly his favorite, and Neteyam wasn’t going to even bother fighting for that spot in Ao’nung’s heart.
“This is Payakan’s day, Tuk!” Lo’ak grumbled, the little black and white spotted dog barked in agreement on his lap. Tuk let out a ‘awww’ as she ran over to their father, who had just finished a virtual meeting on his computer for the Marines.
Jake Sully, the head of the household, had been in uniform, with the name tag ‘Toruk Macto’ for his code name out in the fields. Standing tall at 6’0, a buzz cut, and a piercing gaze, he inquisitively looked at the boy next to his oldest son.
“How’s it been, Ao’nung?” He asked, sitting down on his reclining chair with a dad grunt,Tuk sitting on his lap, to which everyone has already chosen their spots in the living room.
“Going great, sir. Just took home a gold medal at my most recent swim meet, prepping for Football’s spring try-outs.” Ao’nung smugly looked over at the younger Sully brother. They were teammates much to both their dismays.
Ao’nung being quarterback and captain, and Lo’ak being running back.
They’d been a famous duo ever since they joined the team, winning championships every year for the University.
“Good..good. Lo’ak, I wanna see you getting along with your Captain, stop picking fights with all your teammates it’s an earache from the Uni.” Their father scolded, as Lo’ak huffed, annoyed and embarrassed. Ao’nung on the other hand, silently laughing. Earning a middle finger from the younger.
“Track going well, Neteyam?” Neytiri had asked, their mother was currently an Air Force pilot, though, her love for running and track never faded.
It clearly had passed on to her oldest son.
“Yeah..my times are shorter, and my stamina’s building. Getting ready for the big track meet at the end of the semester.” Neteyam nodded, as his parents approvingly nodded.
“So..anyone catch you boys’ eyes..?” Jake began, but everyone in the room dramatically groaned.
Their father might have been a high ranked Military member, who could budge even the most stubborn of enemies, was famously known for not knowing how to talk about ‘girls’ and even ‘guys’.
Jake was also well aware of His kids orientations, Neteyam being openly gay, Lo’ak being straight, and Kiri being Pansexual.
Ao’nung however, he wanted nothing to know about in that topic.
(Both Sully boys had ranted to their father behind the islander’s back ever since they’d met him)
“Uhm…no i’m already so busy..” Neteyam admitted. He hadn’t ever really dated since high school, which he’d had a girlfriend at that time.
Ao’nung kept his mouth shut, knowing full well nobody wanted to hear of his..activities.
“Ugh enough about him let’s sing Payakan’s happy birthday!” Lo’ak stood up, sick of his brother’s attention hoarding, holding his dog up, recreating the famous ‘Lion King’ Pose.—Everyone laughed as his foolery, as he proudly stomped to the family’s dining room.
As everyone headed toward the dining room, Kiri, the oldest Sully girl and Lo’ak’s twin sister, had silently walked up to her older brother, with something in her hand.
“Hey I made that belly chain you asked for, with all the little star charms?” Kiri had handed the jewelry to the older nonchalantly.
Neteyam would have been perfectly fine with this, if it weren’t for his best friend’s eyes amusingly staring into the side of his face.
His face burned with hues of pink and even red, as Kiri, who had not bothered to read the situation, walked away.
How long can he keep this up?
How long are these feelings bubbling in the pit of his stomach, going to arise?
Slapping his cheeks suddenly, trying to push away the tint of pink on them, he stuffed the jewelry into his pant pocket; making his way to the dining room.
Lo’ak had a comically large birthday hat on, holding Payakan who had a matching one, stood in front of the homemade dog birthday cake.
Neteyam’s adrenaline was still flowing high, as Ao’nung stood dangerously close beside him.
His best friend, for once, had not been doing it intentionally, as he had been clapping and singing along to the birthday song.
It had to have been all in Neteyam’s head.
Ao’nung was his best friend, and His brother’s teammate.
Ao’nung was your average college athlete, who loved to fuck, swim, and ball.
All these years they’ve known each other, and they couldn’t be more different so why is he so drawn in?
〰 ☼
“Drive home safe, Ma’Neteyam! “ Neytiri had yelled from the front door, holding a tired and grumpy Tuk. Neteyam, who was now sitting in the drivers seat of his car, could see his father’s shadow behind his mother, his smile shining through.
He missed home so much, and wished he could visit more often. His mother’s cooking, the warmth of his home, him and his siblings bickering over the smallest of things, and even his father’s grumbling in the mornings when he hadn’t gotten enough sleep the night previously.
He missed it all.
Lo’ak, Kiri, and Tsireya had taken a seperate car to the dormitories already, as Neteyam and Ao’nung were just about to do the same.
“Bye Mama! love you guys!” Neteyam exclaimed through his car window, as his parents waved.
He started the engine of his car, and began to drive.
Ao’nung, who had been silently on his phone, connecting the car’s bluetooth to it, had his attention focussed on choosing a song for them to listen to.
“You really shouldn’t be flirting with me like that.” Neteyam mumbled, wondering if he had said it loud enough for the other to hear.—he’d somewhat wished the other hadn’t, but to his disappointment, he did.
Ao’nung had pressed on a song to play for the car, his attention now fully on Neteyam.
“It’s nothing serious. Does it really bother you?” Ao’nung had asked sincerely, the rare moments where his playful demeanor was nowhere to be found.
Neteyam nervously swallowed, not wanting to admit the wrong words. He couldn’t tell Ao’nung that those words were affecting him, that they were making him think twice about their friendship.
That they were actually into each other.
Which, was obviously not true.
The darker-skinned boy’s golden eyes were set on the road, as he began,
“I really don’t mind..it’s just I was serious about those girls you tend to fuck around with. They’re onto me. Same with your teammates.”He laughed, finding it amusing, until his eyes glanced over at Ao’nung’s.
Ao’nung wasn’t amused at all. He actually looked quite annoyed. angered, even.
“Tell them to fuck off, they should know you’re off-limits.” Ao’nung gruffed, crossing his muscular arms. His face was strained and frown lines formed.
Neteyam’s eyebrow quirked at the statement.
“Off-limits?” he questioned.
“You’re my best friend, Teyam’, other than Rotxo, of course, but don’t let people trample all over you.” Ao’nung had admitted to his observation of the other that nickname rolling off his tongue so languidly, which Neteyam had shrugged, unable to deny, he was a big pushover.
“If they fuck with you again, just tell me.” Ao’nung’s brows furrowed, as Neteyam laughed.
He was so serious.
“What?”” Ao’nung exclaimed, confused.
“Nothing. You’re just funny to look at, Fishlips.” Neteyam had used the nickname Lo’ak had made for the island boy, since he in return, always came up with jungle and forest nicknames.—The Sully’s were stationed in the vast forests of the East, before moving West.
Ao’nung’s eyes had widened, playfully offended.
Neteyam had successfully broke the tension.
“Only your brother calls me that, at least be creative with the nickname.” Ao’nung slightly poured as Neteyam laughed even harder.
They’re still friends over everything.
“Okay, Nung’ “ Neteyam had made the nickname on the spot, He’d figured since Ao’nung used the last part of his name, he’d do the same.
Ao’nung stared at him, with a grin so wide, that he barely managed to process what he’d done.
That fuchsia blush over came his cheeks and face all over again. His eyes barely managing to stay on the road.
This was only a 25 minute drive, but with the way Ao’nung had stared at him, it’d felt like he’d been on the road for hours on end.
A silence passed by.
“Say it again.” Ao’nung softly said, his head tilted, his hand reaching out to pinch The other’s cheek.
“No-“
“I wanna hear it again.”
“No-“
“I’ll buy you that disgusting strawberry shortcake protein drink from the vending machine you like so much, for a week.” Ao’nung had bargained, as Neteyam’s lips firmed into a line, his eyebrows furrowed.
He loved those protein shakes, and they were so pricey, he couldn’t buy them often.
But, Ao’nung was loaded with money, his parents were real estate investors along the West coast and even owning property in the Islands of Hawai’i.
Neteyam concluded instantly, pulling into the parking lot of the Athletic Center, it was dark outside, the stars and street lamps being their only source of light. His Jeep was parked next to Ao’nung’s Sleek white Ford Bronco; ridiculously rich asshat. Ao’nung, beside him, not moving an inch, had been patiently waiting for the nickname to roll off his best friends lips once more.
Neteyam grimaced,
saying that nickname one more time for a weeks worth of his favorite drink had to be worth it.
“Nung-“
Sudden loud banging hand emerged on Ao’nung’s side of the car.
It was Rotxo.
Ao’nung, annoyed, rolled down the window.
“What..”
“You left me! you actually left me! you were supposed to drive me back to the dorms after practice! here you are with Neteyam, which, i adore you Neteyam, really, but fuck, man!” The Short male rambled angrily, as Ao’nung nervously turned his head to the driver.
“You’re actually the worst” Neteyam laughed, as Roxto furiously nodded in agreement.
“Get out the car we have laps tomorrow morning.” Rotxo sighed, as Ao’nung simply shrugged, not a drop of empathy in his bones. He quickly grabbed his bag from the Jeep’s trunk, throwing his, and Rotxo’s things into his own car’s trunk.
Neteyam had slightly slumped in his car seat, his eyes resting just for a little bit, University life was draining him quite a bit. Especially with his Brother and Best friend being two of the biggest figures on campus.
tap tap tap
It was Ao’nung.
Neteyam rolled down his window, as Ao’nung leaned in, never not smiling.
“You owe me that nickname. Expect a Drink outside your dorm’s door tomorrow morning, Teyam’ “ Ao’nung winked, leaning away and hopping into his own car.
Neteyam was left a bit shocked.
Ao’nung’s commitment to things always boggled his mind. To Swimming, Football, even his grades, his commitment was surprising.
“He’s actually insane..” Neteyam laughed, reversing his car efficiently out of the empty parking lot, driving towards his Dormitory building.
‘What am I going to do with him?’