Luminous Nights [Neteyam x Aonung]

Luminous Days : Part 23

A while later, nearing the afternoon, Tonowari returns home with his wife and youngest daughter.

The moment they walk in the door, they lay eyes on Aonung strolling across the room with a wet trail behind him, as if his mother hasn't told him countless times to dry off in the pool room.

The boy freezes at the sight of his mother's death glare, then looks to the butler and snaps his fingers. After a glance at the wet floor, the man goes to get a towel to dry it up, shaking his head all the while.

Tsireya descends the stairs, having heard their parents' arrival, and immediately takes her sleeping baby sister from her mother's arms to go lie her down while Aonung speaks with them.

Tonowari sighs softly, then gestures towards the dining room. As they follow his silent instructions, Yonohan stands from his spot in the living room, doing the same.

Once they're seated, with Aonung sitting across from his parents, and his grandfather on one end, Tonowari allows his mate to begin their discussion.

Ronal- Don't you ever do any dumb shit like that again, or so help me, I will lock you in your damn room, boy.

Aonung- Sorry, mother.

Ronal- Sorry doesn't cut it this time, Aonung. You scared the hell out of me! And your father!

He almost rolls his eyes at the thought of his father being anything other than cross with him after that. He can't picture that image on the man's face.

Ronal- If you drink, do it responsibly, and preferably with someone who won't let you wander the streets and potentially fall into the stream.

Aonung- I'll be careful, then.

Ronal- And if you have a problem with your father then talk it out! Don't just disrespect him without knowing his side, I taught you better than that.

Aonung- But-

Ronal- Don't you "but" me! We cut you some slack because Eywa knows what else you've been through that we don't know about, but I'm done pampering you.

Abruptly, she stands from her spot, still aiming a stern look at her son and points a finger at him.

Ronal- Take responsibility for your actions. Talk things out with your father. Hand that old man his ass. And learn something for once.

Tonowari- Rona-

Her gaze snaps over to her mate.

Ronal- Don't you dare try to tell me to calm down. He never tells us anything, the least he could do is try to understand where we're coming from in all this.

Tonowari- Yes, that's true, but-

Ronal- I don't want any "buts" from you either. You know, people always said we should be more firm with him, but no, you wanted him to be the free little bird you never were, and after hearing your past I wanted the same thing. Well look.

She gestures to Aonung, who's frozen at this point by her intense anger.

Ronal- That's our little bird, Tonowari. We've created a monster. He'll become an alcoholic, or turn to drugs, or just run away from home again, all because we raised him wrong!

She slams her fists on the table, making him flinch, and it's at that moment that Aonung realizes where his mother's anger is truly directed; At herself. Her and her mate. They think they've made some sort of mistake that led to what he chose to do.