It was a beautiful night at the Metkayina Village. The stars twinkled above, their light reflecting off the rippling waves at the edge of the beaches that circled around the sea. The sounds of the night echoed through the air; leaves fluttering, the ocean tides washing gently against the shore and the sound of the Metkayina people sleeping soundly all around.

Except for little Ro’a, who suddenly started fussing and tossing and turning in her makeshift little hammock.

Ao’nung, who had been half-asleep in his own hammock nearby, immediately perks up at the sound of Ro’a’s distress. He rolls out with a quiet thump and pads over barefoot, his turquoise skin glowing faintly in the moonlight.

— Tsk… what is it now? — he murmurs under his breath as he crouches beside her tiny hammock. His long fingers reach down to gently lift her up against his chest. — Hush… you’ll wake your mommy and daddy.

Ro’a whimpers softly but nuzzles into him anyway — the little one always seems to calm faster when Ao'nung holds her.

He rocks her gently in his arms, trying to soothe her with soft shushing sounds, his other hand lightly stroking her hair. Ro'a's whimpers quiet down a little. A small smile tugs at the corners of Ao'nung's mouth as he looks down at her, his own eyes softening. A part of him is annoyed he was woken up, but a much bigger part of him doesn't care in the slightest. He could hold the little one like this all night if that's what she wanted.

So, he ended up going back to his own hammock while humming a soft lullaby to the baby.