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Lo'ak walked into the marui where everyone was hanging out. His heart was pouding because today was the day he'd offically court Tsireya. It wouldn't be like how they flirted and teased one another.
"Hey guys!" He shouted but not too loud.
They all turned to him and groaned.
"What do you want Lo'ak?" Spoke Kiri.
"Can someone please please PLEASE braid my hair? I'm going to finally court Tsireya!"
In unison they all said no not wanting to deal with him but laughing as well. It'd be funny if he went to court Tsireya looking the way he did now.
An unexpected voice than spoke up.
"I'll do it for you."
Well that was shocking, Ao’nung offering to do someones hair? Especially it being Lo'aks.
Silence fell into the air before a tch sound was heard while Ao’nung got up to leave.
"W-wait! Ok, please do my hair." He said awkwardly.
Ao’nung simply hummed and nodded his head before telling everyone to get out the room so he could concentrate.
He sat down while Ao’nung sat behind him.
"So like I was wondering if you could-"
"No."
Lo'ak ear perked up confused.
"What do you mean no? I'm just telling you what-"
"I've already got what the hairstyle I'll do in mind."
His tail flicked irritated but he simply let the other boy do what he wanted.
"Alright fine.. you better not be playing around with me tho'."
Only a smug look was seen on Ao’nungs face before he turned Lo'aks face towards the ocean. Now that got Lo'ak worried.
The waves swooshed across the shore and sand, back and forth. Ao’nungs hand being surprisingly nimble and quick despite it's size.
"So uhm, where'd you learn to braid?"
Trying to make small talk seemed to be a mistake because the awkwardness only increased.
He didn't answer but before Lo'ak could sigh a response was given.
"While I was younger, whenever me and Tsireya needed to braid our hair we'd have our parents do it. Our hair got messy easily so they made us learn how to do it so we could whenever they weren't available."
He was surprised he answered but grateful for it.
Silence fell once more but rather more comfortable than exasperating.
"So, anyone catch your eye around here? You're going to become Olo'eyktan soon."
Ao’nungs hand stopped for a second before continuing.
"Why are you asking? Don't you have yourself to worry about, with my sister and all."
He immediately blushed despite him knowing how obvious Tsireya and he were.
"Hey! I'm just asking, plus, don't you y'know... kinda need a mate?"
He hoped he wasn't pushing any buttons but it seems he did not hope enough.
The teal boy response was tugging tighter at his hair and smacking his head softly.
"Well for your information tree-hugger no. I don't plan on finding a mate anytime soon."
"Why not?"
"Don't you think you've asked enough questions? Tsk."
He let out an empty hiss and continued braiding his hair.
"Ok sorry bro... moving on, do you think your sister will want to be my mate?"
Lo'ak was nervous, he wanted to look good for Tsireya since he was officially going to try and court her.
An overly dramatic sigh was let out.
"You are such a skxwang... so oblivious to how my sister sees you. Just don't worry, she likes you all the same anyway."
A chuckle was let out but it was filled with relief rather than amusement.
"Hold still... I'm almost done."
So he stayed still, patiently as he watched the sky turn darker and the waves going calm.
The silence lasted long but not until the end.
---
The silence was broken after 3 insufferable hours.
"Remember when you asked if someone caught my eye?"
His voice was nervous and a hesitant.
"Yeah of course, I'm still curious."
A hesitant breathe was taken before the light blue na'vi spoke.
"Well... someone didn't exactly catch my eye at first but I caught theirs. It was after some time that they did catch my eye."
Lo'aks lips turned up happy for the other na'vi.
"Oh, well isn't that good-!"
He was quickly hushed.
"No. It wasn't. Because now I'm left longing for them. They're gone with Eywa."
"..."
Lo'ak wanted to turn his head around. The realization of who he was talking about hit him. It'd been 2 years without Neteyam.
"I.. really loved him. Before he left he had me do his hair, he reassured me and kissed me before he left. He promised me he'd come back, that he wouldn'.."
His voice was cracked up and he was unable to say the last word but the other did not comment at it. He only sat still listening.
"The hair style I'm doing as of right now is the one I gave him before he left. It's in our culture that this exact hairstyle meant giving yourself to a loved one. When Tsireya sees this she will understand what you feel for her."
He was silent not knowing what to say to comfort the boy, not even sure if there was anything to be said for him to comfort him.
"Lo'ak, if you really love my sister, treat her right. Please, don't let her or yourself die. I give you my blessing."
Ao’nungs voice was pleading and soft. Lo'ak didn't know how to feel.
"I won't."
That was the only response he could mutter. He felt Ao’nungs forehead rest on his nape and his hands clenching before he recomposed himself.
"Then go and make her happy."
Those were the only words he needed to hear before he quietly left. A soft sob was heard and Lo'ak ears lowered.
----
Quickly, Lo'ak ran towards Tsireya who had been waiting at the spot they agreed to meet at. He smiled upon the sight of her.
Tsireyas eyes widen when she saw his hair. Her hand covering her mouth as her face was now tinted with a dark blue hue.
He walked closer catching his breathe before he took out a beautiful necklace with an Akula tooth that he caught while hunting with the rest of the clan.
He handed it to her nervously and she took it without hesitation. She carefully wrapped it around her neck and smiled softly at the boy.
"Thank you."
Comfortable silence filled the air around them. His hand softly slithered to her waist and her hand slowly cupping his face.
"Tsireya, I see you. Will you-"
Her webbed hands cut him off.
"I see you too."
That was all he needed to hear. Pulling her into a hug while pressing their foreheads together, he felt joy pulse through his body.
He quickly pressed a soft kiss and looked at her.
"I promise I'll never leave you behind or die. I promise."
Tsireya looked at him questioningly but smiled while pulling him into another kiss.
Lo'ak internally promised he'd never let her experience what her brother was going through. It pained him seeing him like that, he couldn't imagine what would happen if he'd left Tsireya all alone one day.
He won't let history repeat itself.