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Quiet whispers. A shuffle. The camera readjusts focus as black blobs lift off of it.
“Is it filming?”
“Yea, go.”
“Okay, hey guys!” Tsireya waved both her hands, leaving them paused in the air as she thought of her next words. In her left hand was a boxy, black object. “We’re outside Aonung’s house right now. Well, technically, it’s my house too, ‘cause his house is still on my parent’s property? It’s just his own private area, I guess… say hi Lo’ak!”
A muffled voice behind the phone responds. The phone tilts. Lo’ak’s voice was much closer and clearer than Tsireya’s.
Tsireya takes out her own phone. “It’s--” She shoved her phone screen towards the camera. It takes up the entire recording. Blurry lines reading the time came into focus. “2:39 am right now.”
Tsireya puts her phone back down. The camera shifts away. She was outside, her back pressed against the lemon walls of a house. A couple of moths blurred around a singular lamp above her. It cast a downward shadow, consuming only the undersides of her eyes, nose, and lips.
“We’re gonna prank his asssss,” The camera holder breathed into the phone, his excitement disturbing and malicious. “We dousing his room in lighter fluid.”
Tsireya shot a disturbed look at the man behind the camera. “No, we have this.” She lifts a bluetooth speaker. “I’m putting this under his bed, and Lo’ak wants to stand in the corner and make noises too, I guess.”
The recording shifted to the right as Lo’ak walked towards the entrance of the house.
Lo’ak turned the camera back behind him, filming Tsireya again.
“Yea Aonung,” Tsireya mean-mugged the camera, staring directly into its lenses. “We’re gonna get you.” She let out a hmph, satisfied, as if she totally owned her brother.
The camera tilts down into black. A door creaks open.
“Hm,” Tsireya questions. “Why is it unlocked?”
The low light from outside faded as the door clicked shut. Now, there was no light, and nothing for the camera to film.
Lo’ak whispers to the phone. “Level one-- complete. We’ve infiltrated the hive, boys.”
Floorboards creak. The quiet, continuous sound of buzzing appliances. The microphone muffled unpleasantly; Lo’ak pressed it against his sweater. “Tsireya, where’s his room?”
Silence.
“...Tsireya?”
A faint voice responds. A very low voice. “Lo’ak.”
The phone hits the floor. Floorboards rasp, louder and more urgent this time.
“AH-” Lo’ak’s attempt to scream gets cut off by a slap pressed against his mouth. The flailing of limbs smacking at anything around him; the body behind him attempts to keep him still.
“Calm down, it’s your father.” A pause. Stillness. Ragged breaths as a hand peels away from Lo’ak’s mouth. “What are you doing here, boy?”
“I-” Lo’ak catches his breath. His whisper is high pitched and erratic. “No, why are you here? I’m here with Tsireya!”
“Here with Tsireya? Doing what.” His father’s voice grows suspicious and hardened.
“Hi Mr. Sully!” A squeaky, awkward female voice butts in. “We were gonna prank my brother. How’d you get into his house?”
“Ah. Well I was just…” Jake’s voice dies off.
“I’m here too.” A female voice, more calm and annoyed sounds out behind them.
Lo’ak and Tsireya gasp.
“What the hell, Kiri?!” Lo’ak sounded almost offended. “Why are both of you here?”
“...You’ll see.” Kiri’s smile sounded out in her words.
Fingers scrape the floorboards, drawing closer towards the camera until they tapped something colder. The phone. There were clicks and scuffs as the phone was lifted from the floor’s embrace.
“Well,” Kiri’s voice much clearer now. “Go on with your prank.”
A grumble from behind the camera. Tsireya’s awkward laugh.
Quietness as four wordless figures navigated the dark maze of a house.
Another creak; this time slow and agonizing. No breath was exchanged, no move was made. Time seemed to still, as if nothing had disturbed the quiet slumber of the night.
Light footsteps furthered, before the bluetooth speaker was shrouded quietly under the bed with a light thump. The small blue emanating off of it signaled its life-- it was the only light in the entire room.
The camera shuffled further into the room, but away from the light. Lo’ak found a comfortable place in the corner to stand in.
Through the open bedroom door, Tsireya, Kiri, and Jake stood, glancing at a dim white gleaming from Tsireya’s phone. She scrolled a little bit, looked up at Lo’ak, nodded, then clicked.
First, there was silence. Then footsteps, faintly growing louder and louder. A polite and curt knock; a child’s voice, barely distinguishable-- Hello?
The bedsheets shuffled against each other as someone shifted in it. Springs creak in a cascade.
Then, came three loud, pounding knocks. The child starts off giggling, then laughing, then finishing off with a sinister scream.
“What the?” A low, raspy voice grumped.
Tsireya finishes the audio off, extending a shaky, tensed hand towards the open door, and slamming it shut.
“What the fuck?!” An alert voice jumps at the door slam.
“Ooooooo…” Lo’ak let out breathless giggles behind the camera. “I’m inside your houseeeeeee…”
Emerging from the corner he resided in, Lo’ak stomps towards the bed, increasingly putting more force into his steps to maximize the scare level.
He stopped at the foot of the bed, positioned the camera right in front of his eyes, and….
Flipped the light switch.
.
“What the fuck?”
-.-.-.-.-
“What the fuck?” Lo’ak lowered the phone in dismay. Sitting in Aonung’s bed, wearing Aonung’s t-shirt, was… his brother? Neteyam was staring at him, wide-eyed and more confused than scared of Lo’ak’s and Tsireya’s antics. He blinked slowly as he woke up from sleep, eyes beginning to register the lit up room.
The door behind him shoved open, and Lo’ak twisted around in horror to Tsireya, Jake, and Kiri. Tsireya and Jake peeked from the doorway, in utter shock, while Kiri lousily let herself in, swinging both arms as if she’d known all along. Jake blinked hard, and gulped like he got flashbacks to the war.
Lo’ak turned back around just in time to see Neteyam wake up from his post-sleep dream. His once glossed over eyes blinked in recognition. A blush crept onto his cheeks, lips descending into a pout. His shoulders squared, paled knuckles protruding as his hands death-gripped the blanket covering his waist. Unfortunately for Lo’ak, the scrunch of the blanket revealed just enough of Neteyam’s waist for him to see Aonung’s forearm slinked around it.
“Nope.” Lo’ak pressed the red circle on his recording before throwing his hands into the air. “We’re not doing this. I’m out of here.”
Lo’ak did not need to know why his brother was cuddling up in bed with his girlfriend’s brother. He also did not need to wonder what other intimate things they had been doing before cuddling…
As he turned towards the door, Jake blocked his exit. Lo’ak shot his father a confused look, just for his father to not be looking at him at all. Instead, Jake’s eyes were locked onto Neteyam and the teal blob with frizzled pointed hair next to him.
“Dad!” Neteyam looked super embarrassed now. He slipped a leg off the bed, preparing to stand, but instead, accidentally pressured a hand on Aonung’s side.
“Augh!” Aonung shot up from bed. Although he was in a deeper sleep than Neteyam, he registered and woke up faster. And the worst part, at least to Lo’ak, Aonung was shirtless.
His eyes darted between Lo’ak, Jake, Tsireya, and Kiri. “What the hell are you guys doing in my room?”
“We were gonna haunt the shit out of you!” Lo’ak responded. At the same time, Tsireya intercepted, “Me and Lo’ak were just going to pull a little prank for the channel!”
Tsireya inched into the room, standing by Lo’ak’s side. “Sorry…we didn’t know, this, was going on.” She looked Neteyam up and down.
“...So you and Lo’ak,” Aonung rubbed an eye. “Didn’t plan this with Kiri and… Mr. Sully?”
Lo’ak shook his head.
“Unacceptable.” Lo’ak stood a little straighter at his dad’s piercing voice. Jake was scowling at the two. “This is who you were sneaking off to?”
“Dad…” Neteyam gleamed with fear and embarrassment, “You were following me?”
“I just wanted to see where you were going so late at night!”
“So you decided to stalk your son? How’d you even get in here? Did you guys break in?”
“I lockpicked.” Kiri swung in circles on Aonung’s chair, way more interested in the figurines lining his desk. She removed one of the figures from its base and removed its arm.
“I…ugh.” Aonung grimaced.
“Dad, you could’ve just asked.” Neteyam frowned.
“Well even if I did,” Jake closed his eyes as if he’d made up his mind. He beckoned for Neteyam to stand. “I don’t accept this.”
“Jake Sully is homophobic?!” Aonung gasped in horror.
“Wow dad,” Lo’ak shook his head in disapproval. “Love is love.”
“What, no!” Jake grumbled. “I don’t support this--” He opened his palm towards Aonung and Neteyam. “I don’t support him!”
“Um, I’m 18,” Neteyam stood up and brushed his shirt down. He was only wearing boxers. Lo’ak swore he saw a vein pop in his father’s forehead. “I think I can make whatever decision I want.”
“I know him, Tonowari’s son.” Jake slapped a hand on his forehead. “Can’t you just, like, pick another guy?”
Now Lo’ak could see Neteyam’s vein pop.
“Yall,” Aonung interrupted. “Could we talk outside? So I can put something on…”
“Fine.” Jake’s face toughened as he walked out. Not even a second passed before he paused, made a 180, and peaked his head through the doorway. “...Where's the restroom?”
Lo’ak pulls his phone back up from his side before shuffling out.
Recording stopped at 21:36s.
-.-.-.-.-
“Next time, just fake your reactions…” Lo’ak muttered to himself. He was propped up on a high chair, watching the recording on his phone. Both elbows were nudged on the corners of the kitchen island.
“That was way more interesting than anything you’ve artificially produced.” Lo’ak yelped. He turned behind him to see Kiri hovering over him.
“How long have you been standing there?” Lo’ak whipped the phone away from her view.
“Long enough to rewatch your reaction to dad ambushing you in the dark,” She walked into the kitchen, leaving every cupboard open in her attempt to find snacks. She located a bag of chips, popped a chip in her mouth, and turned back to Lo’ak with a satisfying grin. “And I got to relish it.”
Lo’ak was sooooo going to prank her next. Should he replace her three year candle supply with unscented wax? Or pour slime all over her private bathroom-- and sprinkle an entire thing of glitter for good measure. Lo’ak was just such a giving and gracious man that he had to find the perfect early Christmas gift for his sister.
Just then, he felt a hand on his shoulder. This time, he didn’t flinch. It was Tsireya, who probably knew the evil brewing in Lo’ak’s mind. She gave him a small smile, brimmed with affection yet dazed with tiredness.
“Hey,” Lo’ak said casually, clasping a hand over hers.
“Hi.” Tsireya’s eyes went all over his face.
“You tired?” Lo’ak caressed her hand with a thumb.
“Mmmm,” Tsireya blinked slowly. “A little.”
“You can lay your head on my shoulder if you want.” Smooth, Lo’ak thought. Even at 3 am, he couldn’t be stopped.
“Yuck.” Kiri groaned and dragged both her hands over the counter. She leaned her head into the marble and closed her eyes. Everyone was pretty tired, but was too shell shocked from the secret relationship Aonung and Neteyam had.
A door opened and shut. Lo’ak took his eyes away from Tsireya. HIs father was drying his hands on his shirt, staring at Aonung’s closed bedroom door. There was some sort of internal battle in his gaze.
Just then, Neteyam stormed out, huffing, as Aonung followed slowly behind with a flustered laugh. Lo’ak’s eyes followed Neteyam’s face as he yanked the high chair to Lo’ak’s right and sat on it. He was mad, but Lo’ak couldn’t tell what. There wasn’t many things that made him mad.
Aonung shuffled beside Neteyam as Jake got into position from across the island where the high chairs were. He stared between Aonung and Neteyam, crossing his arms expectantly. Neteyam stared back. Aonung stared at Neteyam. Lo’ak just wanted sleep.
“Sir, I don’t know what Tonowari tells you--” Aonung shrinks into his chair. “--but Aonung is wonderful to me. I’m not letting you stop that.”
“Yea, sir!” Lo’ak chimed in. “Aonung is sooooo decent! He helps me a lot in basketball and even promoted my channel. Do you know how many Lo’gangs I have on YouTube now?”
“That’s great, Lo’ak,” His father narrowed his eyes on his sons. “I know more than enough about Aonung’s behavior.”
Jake continued to challenge them. He turned towards Aonung, cold lacing his voice. “How are your grades, boy? And what happened to that poor kid you beat up? What was his name-- Nitay?”
Aonung froze, fixating on the cupboards behind Jake. Neteyam shot his father with a panicked and desperate look.
“Dad, stop!” Neteyam practically was shrieking. Lo’ak’s eyes flicked between the two. Kiri lifted her head with a distant expression. Tsireya awkwardly put a hand on her brother’s back, rubbing circles into it. “He’s not a bad influence on me. Don’t do this…don’t break us up.”
Lo’ak’s eyes widened. His brother’s lower lip trembled, eyes pulled upward as his eyebrows furrowed. Neteyam took a deep swallow.
“Don’t take away my happiness.”
The room stilled yet again, but this time, instead of pitch darkness, lighted bloomed from the ceilings and shined on the traces of life. It wasn’t like Neteyam to grow this angry, much less be at the verge of tears. And yet, here he was, sounding everything out perfectly for his father. Aonung made him happy. Jake wanted to take that away.
His father clenched his jaw. Shifted his arms down to his sides, clenching them too, before going back to crossing them again. He took one final glance at Aonung, who was eyeing Neteyam with concern. Neteyam stared down Jake, his chest expanding and falling in fast paces as he catches his breath.
“Fine.” Jake grumbled. “But from here on now, you need to tell me when you’re hanging out with him. And if he does anything to hurt you, if he messes up again, I’ll be the first to know.”
Aonung nodded slowly. Lo’ak scoffed. He won’t be beating anyone up anytime soon.
“Oh, and…” Jake turned towards Aonung. Aonung jumped a little under his gaze, but still offered hope with an awkward smile. “Come over to our house sometime. I’m sure my wife would love to meet you.”
“Yes sir,” Aonung smiled, but his expression gave the impression that he was less than excited to meet Neteyam’s mom.
“Come on kids” Jake ushered them towards the front door. He took one final glance at Aonung before leaving. “We’ll all talk more about this when it’s brighter out.”
The room enveloped in silence as the five remaining watched Jake file out.
“Welp.” Kiri brought both palms onto the counter, heaving herself up. “That was fun. See ya at school, Aonung and Tsireya.”
The two Metkayinas exchanged weak byes with her before she, too, shuffled into the cold darkness.
Lo’ak turned to Tsireya. As tired as he was, he didn’t want to leave her. Tsireya turned towards him and gently smiled.
“That was fun,” She sighed. “I hope it turns out nice, if you decide to upload it. Stands for good clickbait, you know.”
Lo’ak grinned. His girl was just so nice to him, supporting his lame ideas in the dead of night. “Thanks for doing this with me, Tsireya.”
He extends a hand, brushing curls away from her face, before bringing it back around to cup her cheeks. “Sleep well. Call me when you’re up.”
“That’s only if you’re up to respond.” Tsireya cocked her head into his hand.
“Then,” Lo’ak grinned mischievously. It was too late to play these flirting games, yet he couldn’t stop himself. “I guess I’ll have to stay up all night waiting for your call.”
She giggles. She brings the hand Lo’ak had on her cheek near her waist. “Then I guess I have to call.”
Tsireya leans forward, lips lightly brushing his cheek. Her eyes squinted shut, nose partially scrunched. Lo’ak never failed to freeze in ecstasy every time. He was about to cup her face and kiss her lips before his eyes caught something in the distance.
Aonung, eyeing him with a deadpanned expression while wrapping Neteyam in a deep, tight hug. Well that wasn’t fair, Lo’ak thought. He gets to cuddle together in bed with his brother while Lo’ak can’t even show some love towards his girlfriend? He was definitely going to have a talk with the others about this later.
As Tsireya walked him to his father’s car, Lo’ak turned around just in time to catch two shadows standing in the doorframe, wrapped in one another. The shorter shadow slowly cranes his neck upward and the taller places a palm onto his face, before…
Lo’ak turned around. Nope. It was way too late. This was a conversation for another day.
Neteyam finally filed into the passenger seat. Lo’ak was all over his phone behind Jake while Kiri lightly slept behind Neteyam.
The car ride home was quiet and calming. Lo’ak was about to fall asleep before his father’s final lulls called him awake.
“...Tell me about you guys. About him.” Jake’s voice is soft and quiet as he stares at the road in front of him. “Does he treat you well?”
Neteyam steals a glance at his father. Red and yellow lights blur by behind him, casting momentary shadows on his contemplating face. With hands fumbling over each other, he opens his mouth.
“...Yes. He treats me well. Almost too well. Sometimes, I feel like I’m not doing enough. When we first met by coincidence, back when we were still new here, he took me to his favorite spot. It was amazing, this little hall filled with restaurants near the beach. He asked to teach me surfing, and…”
Lo’ak turned towards the window, a hand pressed against his mouth. He slowly smiled to himself in the backseat.
-.-.-.-.-
Lo’ak flicked his phone into position, checking himself out in the recording, then hitting play. He quietly started his video intro in a low murmur, careful to not let the others in the car hear.
“Wassup Lo’gang! Guess who just caught his brother and his girlfriend’s brother in bed together! They were doing whaaaattt?” Lo’ak emoted a shocked face obnoxiously into the camera.
“Make sure to hit that like and subscrAH-” Neteyam was leaning over the front seat, pushing Lo’ak’s head down, a finger covering and almost poking an eye.
Kiri watched from Lo’ak’s right, pulling out her phone and pumping her fists, yelling fight fight fight! Jake muttered from the driver's seat, eyes filled with flashbacks from how his war buddies used to fight.
Recording stopped at 0:19s.