Everyone needs someone's care and tenderness sometimes, at least occasionally, in between the series of events rushing one after another. And Ao'nung was no exception. Being the son of a chief is a great honor, but at the same time it is a huge responsibility, and it was incredibly tiring. Tonowari demanded a lot, and Ao’nung always needed to be ready for work, study, complete all assignments on time and certainly have time to develop himself in order to become a worthy replacement for his father in the near future. Ao'nung coped with this, and very well, but he didn't get any return. He didn't expect this return from his parents, but he still sometimes quietly dreamed of tenderness. Not from his parents, though — they were not particularly fond of tactility so were clearly not the ones in whose arms Ao'nung could feel better. He wanted someone closer, simpler, so that the age difference would not be so huge, after all.

Ao'nung received that very care he expected from a completely unexpected, in his opinion, person — the son of Colonel Quaritch. Miles Jr., a boy with golden hair and warm chocolate-colored eyes, was like a living embodiment of a ray of sunshine. He was too smiley in light of everything he had been through, too caring for someone who could mercilessly deal with an opponent without blinking an eye.

Ao'nung had witnessed it once, and he still remembered. He remembered how one day, back in their early childhood, they, the children, playing together in a small flock on the shore of the bay, were attacked by a viperwolf who had wandered into the territory of the Metkayina clan out of nowhere. He remembered how everyone ran away screaming when the wolf attacked one of them, and Miles, without thinking twice, threw the beast off himself and with a skillful movement of his hand cut its throat with a miniature army knife that he carried in his belt. His father did not waste time, and even at seven years old this human boy was able to stand up for himself, giving a head start to the Na'vi children, who were larger and stronger than him due to their racial characteristics...

But he was braver.

That moment has been stuck in Ao'nung's mind for a long time, perhaps because he didn't even think that a simple human child could be so fearless and capable of such courage in the face of danger. Ever since that time, Ao'nung was somehow intrigued by this golden-haired boy, curious about his character, especially for someone his age. And there was something more, something that he wasn't ready to admit to himself just yet.

Ao'nung remembered that moment as if it was yesterday. Miles, just a child then, yet so brave and quick-witted in the face of danger. He had been amazed by the boy's composure and skill back then. It was a trait that Miles had carried into adulthood, and it only added to his allure in Ao'nung's eyes.

Ao'nung didn't even realize how often he was looking at Miles, observing him, imitating him in some ways, like a person imitates an idol or a role model. And maybe, just maybe, there were some more feelings mixed there, feelings that he was not even aware of, but which were making him behave towards the boy in a peculiar way...

For example, Ao'nung never told anyone, not even Tsireya or Rotxo, but he loved spending time alone with Miles, doing absolutely nothing, just relaxing and enjoying each other's company. And he didn't even know why, but Ao'nung felt very comfortable around Miles, more comfortable than around anyone else...

He didn't understand it, and didn't want to understand it, but he simply liked being with Miles, and he didn't care if it was strange or not. Maybe it was because Miles was the only one who didn't treat Ao'nung as a future leader, but just as a regular boy, with whom you can joke around and have fun, without any expectations from him. Maybe it was because Miles was the only one who could match Ao'nung not only in physical activities, like in swimming or running, but in his studies, too.