Beautiful Eyes (Aonunete)

Realization

"Sorry, Toruk Makto and Neytiri, my behavior was unacceptable" Ao'nung knelt at the entrance to the Marui with his head bowed and his ears folded down in shame. "I ruined yesterday's dinner and embarrassed your son, I hope you can forgive my audacity and let me continue being his friend."

Neytiri and Jake were looking at the Metkayina boy with indescribable gestures. Jake noticeably had his eyebrows furrowed and his arms crossed, despite having heard Neteyam defend Ao'nung, he still didn't trust that boy much, he knew the looks he was giving his son, however, he did not want to doubt the words of Neteyam.

Lo'ak and Kiri looked graciously at Ao'nung kneeling begging for forgiveness, they found it funny a Na'vi as big as him looking so vulnerable just to get their parents' forgiveness and permission to continue being friends with Neteyam.

"What's going on here?" Said Neteyam looking at the Metkayina to divert his eyes from him to his parents, confused to see Ao'nung kneeling and his parents with a scowl, looking annoyed and uncomfortable.

"Your friend is apologizing for his behavior." Lo'ak sneered, taking pleasure in the situation at hand. He really didn't like Ao'nung.

"Oh, for Eywa!" Neteyam exclaimed, placing on the floor the basket he was carrying with fruits that he had obtained from the forest to place one of his hands on the shoulder of his friend. "Stand up now."

Ao'nung looked quickly at Neteyam, who looked quite tired and his braids caressed his face with soft movements that coordinated with the breeze of the wind and Ao'nung couldn't help but stare at him mesmerized. Then he looked at Jake, trying to get his approval to stand up, when he noticed that he nodded, he slowly rose to his feet, clearing his throat as he noted that Neteyam had never taken his hand off his shoulder.

Jake swallowed with some annoyance when he had to look up to meet Ao'nung's blue eyes. He didn't understand how that Na'vi could be so tall and deep down he wished he could be just as tall. Ao'nung looked clearly nervous and didn't look at him, his gaze wandered all over the marui, which gave Jake some satisfaction, because he intimidated that boy who was almost two heads taller than him.

"What do you think, Neytiri?" Jake asked his wife with an expectant look, he wanted to keep watching Ao'nung closely and even, he was tempted to watch them train but he knew he couldn't invade his eldest son's privacy either.

Neteyam looked at his mother, silently imploring her to let the matter go and to save him from the embarrassment that he and Ao'nung were going through, knowing that soon it would be his turn to go and apologize to the Olo'ekytan and the Tsahik and that possibly would be just as uncomfortable or perhaps worse.

"This matter will be forgotten and over as long as you do not try anything suspicious with my son, Ao'nung." Neytiri threatened him without trying to hide it, she seemed proud of her words and of being able to make it clear to the boy that she would not hesitate to take action if her son was in trouble. Hearing Neytiri's words, Ao'nung inhaled deeply, rather nervous, tense and felt a shiver of fear run down his spine. Neteyam felt the boy tensing under his touch.

"If Neytiri agrees, so do I. But no funny business, again. Next time, if this happens, it won't be so easy to resolve." Jake agreed, not taking his gaze from Ao'nung. "Now Neteyam, go to apologize to the Olo'eyktan and the Tsahik."

Neteyam nodded eagerly, he still had his hand on Ao'nung's shoulder, he let go and bent down to pick up the basket he had left on the floor. The fruits were carefully picked up and it only contained the sweetest ones on the island, an excellent gift for a Na'vi who was with a child. Or so he expected. He really wanted the gift to be well received by the Tsahik. As Ao'nung and Neteyam left the Marui, Lo'ak growled loudly in disgust when he realized that Ao'nung would not be punished for his questionable behavior, nor did it seem to him that his parents were seeing the seriousness of the matter. Ao'nung really could be dangerous and Lo'ak couldn't help but feel unsettled that no one believed him. He was just being anxious and he wanted to protect his brother from a non-existent danger.