When They Loved

Neteyam stared at his friend in disbelief. He blinked slowly before his head snapped over to where Ayelýn sat a few feet away, then back to Aonung as if trying to understand.

All the while the wheels turned in his head, Lo'ak sat back with a smug smirk, enjoying every second of Aonung's annoyance toward him.

Lo'ak had slipped up- and Neteyam being no idiot had pried, causing them to have to tell him the truth.

"Nope. No." Neteyam shook his head. "You're both fucking with me." He looked at his brother as if asking for confirmation, and at Lo'ak's nod, he scoffed in bewilderment. "It's all an act? You and her? All fake? She- Ayelýn isn't-"

"Like I said, it's all part of a plan."

"Mm." Neteyam clicked his tongue and Aonung felt an uncomfortable stab of guilt at the disappointment shining in the man's eyes. "And when's this plan of yours ending exactly?"

Aonung's brow crinkled. "We agreed after the celebration of Lo'ak and Tsireya's bonding ceremony."

"That's less than two weeks away."

"I know."

"Whatever happened to what we talked about? I leave and you what- just jump at this moron's reckless idea?" he asked, gesturing to his younger brother.

"Hey- I'll have you know it's a full proof plan, alright?" Lo'ak defended. "If anything, Fishlips here should be thanking me."

"Thanking you? For what exactly? Lo'ak if anyone finds out, Aonung could-"

"Relax, bro- sheesh." He rolled his eyes. "Definitely didn't miss this," he muttered under his breath. "Look, 'Teyam, if I didn't come up with this plan, our poor sorry assed friend here would have never met his one and only Gorgeous Lýn and fallen in lo-"

"I met her before the plan," Aonung interrupted. He knew what Lo'ak was going to say, and he really wasn't in the mood for this conversation. "What does that matter though? Can we just talk about something else?" he snapped.

Lo'ak groaned into the palm of his hand. "Brother, do you see what I have had to put up with? I wish he'd wise up already. I'm getting tired of his shit. I should just go over there and tell Lýn-"

"Would you shut the fuck up!"

Neteyam bit the inside of his cheek as he observed the metkayina male. Aonung glanced over at Ayelýn as if making sure she hadn't heard his outburst.

"You're in love with her," he stated, ignoring Aonung's attempt at a scoff of indignation and continuing with, "Tell me you're not sleeping with her."

Aonung didn't answer and that was all the clarification Neteyam needed.

"You're an idiot, you know that? I've been here all of two days and I know for sure that if you let that woman go, it's going to be the biggest regret of your life."

"We have an agreement, Neteyam," Aonung mumbled, not even putting up a fight. "...She doesn't feel the same way."

Lo'ak snickered, and through a fake cough he muttered a rude remark that earned him a deadly glare. Thankfully his brother interrupted whatever Aonung's retaliation would have been.

"She doesn't?" Neteyam stared at him as if he was mad. "Cause from what I've seen- it sure doesn't seem that way... You two sure fooled everyone- including each other... Have you even talked to Ayelýn? Have you told her?"

"No... But just last week she screamed her head off telling me she couldn't wait for this to finally be over."

"Right. Now was that before or after you did something stupid?"

The skxawng couldn't even hide it. He snorted at the memory of Lýn's fiery gaze as she yelled at him for the stupid prank he, Kaii and Khalhan had pulled on her.

"Would you quit pissing off the woman you love? No wonder she can't wait to get away from you."

"Don't think I could if I wanted to. Brother, every time she gets mad, her face morphs into the prettiest scowl I've ever seen, and then after that I just want to fuck her to make up for being an dick."

Lo'ak snorted.

"So you are in love with her then."

Aonung paused, only just registering Neteyam's love comment. "I'm n- I don't know," he lied.

"You don't know..." Neteyam shifted on his haunches and pointed over to where Ayelýn sat. "Look me in the eye and tell me you don't love that woman over there."

Lýn sat a few feet down the beach, chatting with a large group of women. Perched between Tsireya and a breastfeeding Xilä, she was all smiles at whatever the conversation was.

Aonung's eyes tracked Lýn's movement.

And as if she could feel his stare, she glanced over at him. Brow raising, she and Aonung proceeded to have some sort of unspoken conversation that only the two of them could understand.

Lýn's head tilted in silent question and Aonung responded in turn, cunning gaze and quirked lips making the metkayina woman roll her eyes in faux annoyance. She was fighting a smile but it broke through right before she returned her attention to the women surrounding her.

Neteyam and Lo'ak who had watched the entire thing unfold, shared a knowing look.

"Yeah, alright... Totally not in love with each other... Got it," Neteyam said sarcastically as Lo'ak smothered his laughter. "What do your parents think of her? Have they caught on?"

"My father hasn't- thank, Eywa... but I'm pretty sure my mother has her suspicions. They both like her though- my mother especially."

"Huh... Thought she hated everyone."

"Nope... She dragged Ayelýn around yesterday, officially introducing her to our council as her daughter-in-law. And she's even meddling. The woman went and offered Lýn a new role here at Awa'atlu. A mender's apprentice."

"That's good though. Lýn would be closer to you now, no?"

"If she takes it, then yeah."

"I don't understand."

"He's being stupid again," Lo'ak chimed in. "Tell him what you did, idiot."

Aonung shifted. "Lýn asked me whether I think she should accept the role or not... I told her I'd think about it."

Neteyam groaned as if in pain. "Oh you poor, stupid soul. All she heard you say was don't take it."

"And then what, 'Teyam? I'll have to see her around here all the time and I won't have any claim to her! Honestly, the fact that she wasn't taken before baffles the fuck out of me. I have eyes- I see men watching her when they don't think I'm looking. The second we're through they'll swoop right in! I mean have you seen her?!" Aonung was losing it now.

"She is very pretty, yes," Neteyam agreed with an amused smile.

"She's stunning. She's sweetheart when she's ready, but she's also got this little attitude that just makes me fucking crazy... And she's so stubborn and she works herself tired everyday and all I want-"

"All you want?" his friend pressed and this time Lo'ak had no snide comment- this time he stared at his friend with true concern.

"All I want is to take care of her, alright," he snapped.

Neteyam smiled. "...Alright... So, what are you going to do to make that happen?"

~

Strolling along wet sand, Lýn's mind plagued her.

She had but a handful of days left with Aonung. With desperate measures, she tried to formulate a plan for how she'd handle the separation.

Her heartbreak was not the only one she worried over. As a consequence of her own actions, she knew the news would also be hard on her family.

Her parents had grown fond of Aonung- her father even called him son. Kaiiff would take it the hardest of course- Ayelýn knew he looked up to Aonung.

Thankfully, a gleeful shriek and excited squeal pulled Lýn from her thoughts.

Her attention drifted to Zyden- Neteyam and Xilä's son- the baby walking on slightly wobbly legs as his uncle Lo'ak held one of his hands- helping him stomp and splash at the gentle waves rolling on shore.

She smiled at the little one's baby talk, jumbled babbles filled with the few words he knew- mamas and dadas and fishies in an odd but cute mixture of both English and Na'vi.

The Sully family were amazing people.

Her time spent with them had been surprisingly wonderful, and while they were the ones visiting her home, she felt very much welcomed by them.

Accompanying the Sullys were Neteyam's in-laws.

There were Xilä's parents- Jxo, who Lýn found to be extremely intimidating- even when he held his grandchildren and Sal- her mother, who looked as if she'd give Slwen good competition for who could be the rowdiest.

D'avi- Xi's sister, who had a little baby bump sprouting, was hilarious in her own way. She teased Lýn constantly about Aonung once she found out they were courting. Thankfully Yalnïk- D'avi's husband rescued her countless times by interrupting- bringing their children along- the most adorable twins Lýn had ever met.

Xilä was who she especially had become fast friends with however.

Lýn had friends, but very few of them made her feel the way Xi did. Xi had an energy that made just about anyone love her instantly.

As the days went on, Lýn stuck close with D'avi, Kiri, Xi and Tuk throughout the different ceremonies- each one more elaborate than the next.

Guests from all over Pandora arrived at different times- some visiting for a feast or two, whilst others stayed for it all- each of them bearing grand gifts for the soon to be mated pair.

Lýn had no idea that the celebrations would be this big, but when she really thought about it- of course it would be.

It was the union of the offspring of two esteemed Olo'eyktans; Jake Sully- the legendary Toruk Makto and Tonowari- leader of fifty villages- the largest clan spanning the seas.

~

A few days later, as night crept slowly, Lýn approached Aonung and the small group he sat with on the beach.

With a friendly, "Hi," she tried to crouch next to Aonung, but he scooped her up instead, seating her between his propped thighs.

He was pleased that she didn't mind this and instead settled comfortably against his chest without a fuss.

"Zyden is adorable," she complimented Neteyam and Xilä, smiling at the baby who was currently rather entertained with the sand.

Little toes and tail wiggling excitedly, he was grabbing tiny handfuls and dropping them into Lo'ak's waiting palm. The two of them had been inseparable since the Sully's arrival.

"Thank you," Neteyam replied, and Xilä smiled in thanks from where she was leaning on her husband. "Are you and Aonung planning to wait long after your ceremony to start trying?"

Ayelýn frowned, not understanding, whilst Aonung gave Neteyam the dirtiest glare he could muster over the top of Lýn's head.

"Children," Neteyam confirmed. "Having your own little ones, I meant."

"Oh. Oh." Ayelýn's cheeks bloomed bright. "Um-"

"Aonung told me he was hoping to have at least five the last time we visited."

Ayelýn coughed, choking on air as she knocked her chest. Aonung fussed over her in serious worry, rubbing her back whilst Lo'ak laughed his ass off- even little Zyden joined in as if it were the funniest thing in the world, despite not understanding.

"You've gone and traumatized the poor girl, handsome," Xilä murmured to her grinning mate, chiding him lightly yet unable to hide her own amusement.

"Sorry..." Lýn cleared her throat, patting Aonung's thigh in reassurance that she was okay. "We um- haven't talked about children yet."

"Gorgeous, he's just messing with you," Aonung said, soothing his hands down her arms, and then to Neteyam he mouthed, "Fuck off!"

Thank Eywa the conversation changed after that.

~

As the night wore on, their little group grew.

Rotxo arrived first, followed by Tsireya who instantly cuddled up with Lo'ak. Kiri and Spider joined soon after, then a couple others Lýn hadn't had much interactions with; W'aote and three other men who were all part of Lo'ak's patrol team back at Home Camp, and Tasam- Kiri's courting partner.

Little Zyden was all tuckered out and slept sprawled on his father's chest- sleeping deep enough that the noise around him didn't seem to be a bother.

It was a fun, rowdy group. They talked about everything, from stupid, silly stories to serious conversation on matters that concern their clans.

"You've gone quiet," Aonung whispered to her, tugging her hair to the side to kiss her exposed neck.

She shivered from his touch.

"Are you ready to head back home?"

Home.

Aonung probably hadn't realized what he was saying Lýn thought, but she'd picked up on his words over the past week and some.

Everything he said hurt her just a little bit- our bed, our home, our hideaway, our, our, our.

"Lýn."

"Hmm?" She blinked away her thoughts, head tilting to catch his gaze, not surprised when he kissed her the second her lips were within reach.

"Ready to head home?"

She wanted to... more than anything. But they were two days away from the end of their plan. They were supposed to be distancing themselves- in a fight.

"I shouldn't," she whispered back. "The plan-"

"Shh," he kissed her again, palm cupping her cheek. "Not tonight. Please just stay."

And of course, no matter how many times she'd said no to him, she always gave in.

"Okay."

~

Two days later, on the morning of the final blessing ceremony, before Lo'ak and Tsireya's mated bonding, as Ronal led the congregation in harmonic chant... Lýn cried.

~

Ambling around Aonung's little marui, Ayelýn collected her things, item by item. She did so with a heavy heart however, knowing that the end had come for her and Aonung.

They'd put it off time and time again, but this round was different. This round was the end.

While she shoved a simple tweng into her satchel, Aonung entered and stopped short at the sight of her- stomach instantly sinking in dread.

At a quick glance around, most of her things were already missing. He hated it already- his home looked empty without her things mingled with his.

"What are you doing?"

"Oh- hey," she greeted, unable to turn around and face him. Her throat burned and eyes stung. "I'm packing."

"I see that... Why?"

"What do you mean why? This was the plan," she said, trying to keep the bite from her tone. Lýn walked over and knelt on his messy sleeping mats, lifting and feeling around as she searched. "Have you seen my shell necklace?"

"Lýn."

"Could have sworn I took it off before falling asleep last night," she mumbled. Giving up, she stood and resumed the packing of her bag.

"Lýn-"

"How do you want to stage the fight, by the way?"

Aonung rubbed his temple and fought to keep his irritation at bay. "Fight? What fight?"

"Mm. The argument you suggested? Don't tell me you forgot. We've had this planned for months now, Aonung. I'm supposed to break your heart, remember?"

"Ayelýn-"

"And of course you've forgotten, but come on Aonung, this was your plan."

In truth, it was her fault for not bringing it up last night- her fault for not asking him to clarify the plan for today.

Instead she had selfishly basked in everything that was him- fucking away her sadness and clinging on to the little time she had left with him.

"Ayelýn!" he yelled. "Look at me."

Fingers clenched tightly around the handle of her satchel, she released it and turned. Slowly. Keeping her expression as closed off as possible.

"You want to stage the fight? That's what you want?" he asked, eyes tracking every inch of her face for a telling lie.

"It's what we planned to-"

"I didn't ask you that, Ayelýn."

She blew out a frustrated breath. "What do you want from me, Aonung? I don't understand why you're asking me that?"

He clicked his tongue. "I think you should take that role my mother offered you."

Ayelýn blinked. She shook her head in confusion, feeling a distinct feeling of whiplash.

Why was he bringing that up now?!

"Um... Are you sure? You didn't seem pleased about it when I first brought it up."

"I wasn't."

"...Can I ask why?"

"Because at the time I was being selfish to protect myself. Because if you did, then that would mean I'd have no choice but to see you everyday after this- after we ended."

Lýn looked away, pretending his words didn't hurt. She failed to keep the bitterness out of her tone when she asked, "What changed your mind then?"

"I found out something quite interesting," he replied as he approached her slowly.

"Did you?"

"You're in love with me."

Lýn's jaw fell open, then snapped with an audible click of her teeth while a sense of dread that he'd found out, flooded her.

"I'm no-"

"You aren't?"

"Aonung-"

"Tell me something, Lýn... What am I going to do if you fall in love with someone else one day?"

She folded her arms with a scoff. "I think you'll survive," she snarked. Her walls were all the way up and she hated that he was still able to rile her up this easily.

"I won't." He shrugged, still creeping towards her. "What about you? Hm? What are you going to do if I fall in love with someone else one day?"

She said nothing to this, expression confused as she tried to keep up with the conversation.

"Will you really be okay pretending you never cared about me at all?"

She froze, not only at the question, but realizing how close he'd gotten to her, had her panicked.

"Admit it. Tell me you love me."

"Where is this even coming from? I don't love you."

"Liar."

"Aonung-"

"I heard you, Ayelýn. I heard you and Xilä talking a few nights ago."

'Fuck.'

"It was just talk, part of the act," she mumbled.

"I don't believe you."

Lýn's face scrunched as she prepared for rejection. She wasn't even given a second to think because he was talking again, and this time his words had her head spinning.

"Maybe you'll admit it to me then, if I said it first?"

She inhaled sharply.

"Will that work for you, gorgeous? If I said it first?"

"You- you don't love me."

"I don't?"

"Do you?"

His gaze was intense and Lýn felt annoyance bubble in her chest from the sight of the stupid smirk playing at his lips.

This was probably some big joke to him.

"It doesn't matter," she said, turning her back on him to add the last of her things in her satchel.

That was not the reaction he was expecting.

"It doesn't matter?" His brows narrowed in upset. "The fuck does that mean, Ayelýn?"

"No... Because then what?!" She rounded on him, eyes fiery and full with hurt. "I'm not so naive to think that you actually- ! The whole point of me pretending to court you was-"

"Are you serious?" He stood straighter, disbelief and distress radiating off of him. "Look I'm not sure at what point exactly that things officially changed, but be honest with yourself, Ayelýn. Did any of that feel like pretending to you?!"

"Aonung-"

"I want you."

"N-"

"I want you, Lýn. No pretense. All real. Everyday. Forever."

Ayelýn was not a crier, but his words hit her so powerful, everything inside of her crumbled.

Hesitating, she took the bait.

"Including courtship? For real."

"Is that what you want?"

"Yes. I'm not a stupid plaything."

"You aren't," he agreed gently, forcing himself to not push her too fast- hope still there. "Courting gifts?" he asked in slight teasing.

"Yes... you never did actually get me any."

He bit down a smile. "Meeting of the families?"

"Yes."

"Those long overbearing, traditional bonding ceremonies?"

"Yes."

"...Mating? Tsaheylu mating?"

Lýn bit her lip, trying not to crack a smile. She failed. "Is there any other kind of mating?"

"Hey. I'm only trying to be clear with your demands over here."

A breathy laugh escaped her at that. "Then yes, tsaheylu mating."

"Okay."

"Just like that...? You're going to give me everything?"

"Just like that, gorgeous." He stepped into her space. "But you have to agree first."

It was that tone again. The one that confused her to pieces sometimes.

"Aonung. I'm not playing a game right now."

"That's good, cause neither am I." He was a hair's breadth away from her now, fingers coming up to tangle in her hair- thumb tracing her jaw.

"You're annoyingly difficult to stay away from, you know that?"

His forehead fell onto hers. "Then don't make it difficult. Tell me you want me forever and I'm yours. Tell me you love me and I swear, I'll do my best to be the best mate I could be. I won't be perfect.."

Lýn swallowed.

"But I'll take care of you, and you can boss me around like wives normally do sometimes- kind of like what you already do when you tell me I'm being stupid whenever I get in my head and start behaving like an ass."

"Aonung-"

"And I'll keep you, Lýn."

She sniffled.

"You say it all the time- as a joke, I know... But I'm dead serious right now... I'll keep you and love you. And I'll take care of your family- and Keftxo."

He swiped away her tears.

"I'm a good man now because of you."

"Hush... You've always been a good man," she croaked.

"Better now, I should say."

Aonung cupped her face with both hands, lifting his head to see all of her.

"I love you, Ayelýn. Pretty sure I have since the first moment we met when I found you kicking and cursing at that damn deathtrap of yours."

"Canoe," she corrected through a teary laugh, eyes swimming in adoration for the man before her.

He chuckled too, a tad choked up himself. "I love you and I want you forever, Lýn."

Index finger hooking and tugging him down by the cord around his neck Lýn nodded- a sweet smile playing on her lips- the action causing their noses to brush.

"...I love you, Aonung. Every part of you, inside out. I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

Aonung's face split into a wide grin. In one fell swoop, he scooped her up by the thighs, lifting her high up his waist as her legs and arms wrapped around him.

"You want me?"

She laughed as he nipped her lips playfully.

"Yes."

"I'm half expecting you to tell me you have rules," he teased.

"Ohh I do. I am telling you right now, I am not popping out five babies."

He cackled at that, head tossed back in pure glee.

"Fair enough," he agreed. "Hey, Lýn," he called.

"Hmm?" she hummed, pecking that little birthmark on the corner of his mouth.

"Say it again... Tell me you want me."

Lýn kissed him first. A feverish kind filled with a dose of desperation that came from raw and excessive longing. The kind that was long overdue- the kind that released all the pent up energy that came from avoiding their true feelings.

"I want you, you skxawng."

"I want you too, gorgeous."

~

And that's it folks!

Another one complete!

Thank you for reading, commenting and liking! Thank you for your patience and a special thank you to one of my Tumblr followers-  for the inspo for this fic to come to life!

It was a joy writing my very first Aonung story, and so much fun creating Lýn.

As always, please let me know what you think and I hope to see you in my next one. 

💛💛💛