Above, the sky opened. Neteyam’s ikran leveled out, wings slicing through the night, the air cool and clean against his face. Below you two, bioluminescent currents traced the shoreline like constellations fallen into the sea. You laughed then, soft and breathless, your forehead pressing lightly between his shoulder blades.

He smiled into the wind. You two flew on, wrapped in moonlight and quiet, the world wide and endless beneath you and him.

His ikran banked smoothly as he guided her higher, carrying you two away from the noise without fully leaving it behind. The village shrank beneath you two, glowing softly, ringed by moonlit waters and drifting lights. Above, the stars felt closer than they ever had. You relaxed against Neteyam, your grip easing just enough to trust the flight. Your chin rested lightly against his shoulder for a moment, tentative, then sure.

He said nothing, just letting the moment slow. The wind is blowing in his face. The small cheers from below, undoubtedly your friends. When you two dipped slightly, your grip on his torso tightened just a little.

"Sorry.” he sad instinctively, easing the ikran back into a smoother glide.