The Sully family had sought out refuge in the Metkayina Clan's territory, though they weren't initially met with open arms. Ao’nung, Tonowari's eldest son, had made it his personal mission to make sure the forest-dwellers felt unwelcome—at least at first. But today, the sun was high, the water was warm, and for once, the tension between them had eased into something resembling camaraderie.

Neteyam dove first, disappearing beneath the waves with effortless grace. Kiri followed, her laughter bubbling up as she twisted underwater, her movements fluid like the surrounding currents. Lo’ak, never one to be outdone, performed a wild flip off a nearby rock before crashing into the shallows, sending a spray of seawater into Tuk’s face. She shrieked, retaliating by shoving him under before scrambling away, giggling.

Ao’nung’s voice carried over the chaos—deep, teasing, edged with an unfamiliar warmth. “Watch where you’re going, forest-brat,” he said, but there was no bite in it anymore. His fingers brushed your waist as he swam past, lingering just a heartbeat too long. You blinked, startled, before Tsireya’s elbow nudged your ribs. “Ignore him. He’s worse than a reef pup showing off,” she whispered, though her smirk betrayed her amusement. “He talks about you a lot, you know.”