#litx

There was something so soothing about the dark hours of the morning when things were quiet and soft. Like the world had slowed to wait for purpose with the early light.

It calmed his heart and gave him some time to just be before chores began and life continued on.

He dug his toes into the cool sand where he sat, just at the edge of where the water currently climbed so the waves occasionally swiped at his feet.

His ears twitched in question, head tilting at the sound of gentle steps on the sand. A pattern he'd begun to recognize.

He let his head fall back, long tresses nearly touching the sand as he did so to look up at the eldest Sully child.

"Ah. Its the Silent Sully. Care to join me, Litx?"

The azure navi padded across the way, giving a small nod and a cute reserved smile, ducking their head briefly and letting long braids line their face.

Litx had become a frequent and appreciated guest to his early morning moments. Nanui found himself seeking out that gilded gaze frequently , especially across the fire at meal time, considering it a victory when he could share a smile and occasional eye roll at their siblings antics.

Even if half of their gaze was often hidden behind a curtain of braids that Nanui's fingers itched to brush aside.

It was a shame, but he knew it was not his journey to make. There was a battle he didn't understand and he would respect it.

Nanui patted the sand beside him in invitation with a small chuckle.

"There is plenty of beach to claim, though I hope you don't mind the piece closer to me."

There was a flush riding high on the darker navis cheeks as they took a seat, tail twitching a little at the end and drawing an inquisitive blue gaze.

The omitikaya tails were so much thinner and expressive than their water counterparts. It was endearing if he was honest. To feel so strongly that your body follows suit. He could imagine it was probably frustrating at times that your emotions couldn't be hidden very well.

"Of course not..." The words were hushed, but sincere, accompanied by a shake of their head.

There was a hefty pause, something making the air thick with hesitation and worry.

Nanui gave Litx a moment to collect their words. In the time he'd come to know the quiet Navi, theyd proven time and time again their words were worth waiting for. He just took a moment to arrange them how he liked. Nanui had all the time in the world if it meant hearing more.

His eyes traced the subtle glow of scattered freckles, the gentle light that had only just broken through the dark night making them fade just slightly.

There was a particular cluster of them right at the curve of their chin and the metkayina often fought the urge to trace it with questing fingers.

"I have a question for you."

Nanui nodded, gesturing for Litx to continue.

"I...didn't know who else to ask. I want to swim better...but I'm struggling."

True enough, Nanui had noticed the omitikaya avoiding the water. He leaned to the side, bumping their shoulders together with a lopsided smile.

"No worries. We'll work on it together, yeah? My home is your home now after all. And our home is largely water so learn you shall. "

Litx seemed slightly startled at the touch, eyes wide in disbelief before settling into something grateful and soft.

"Thank you."

"Of course."

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The progress was slow, but that was okay as long as their was progress. Even if Litx was growing frustrated.

The scarring that dragged up their face and through his eye rendered it blind. Which meant the movement of the waves and reefs disoriented the forest Navi at times.

For someone who didn't have much experience in the water, he could understand it was probably frustrating.

But Nanui had taught many people to swim in his years and he was happy to help. He could be patient.

The sun warmed the shallow water they stood in, Nanui watched the water slide down the heaving chest of the dark skinned Navi with searching eyes. They had been out here for awhile and he could tell the navi was starting to get frustrated with themself.

"I don't know if I can do this."

Nanui's ears perked up, tilting his head in question.

"You are improving, not everyone makes progress at the same pace, Litx."

"I should not be this slow." He groaned in frustration, carding slender striped fingers through those skillfully braided locks.

"You are allowed to feel frustrated, but you shouldn't feel hopeless, I mean it when I say you are improving." Nanui waded through the water towards the frustrated Omitikaya, setting a large teal dappled hand on his shoulder.

"I have an idea that might help, if you trust me?" He asked, eyes wide and bright with his smile exposing dimples on either side.

He could see the small debate on Litx's face, eyes darting away for a moment before they gave a small nod.

"Good. Come." Nanui took the navis hands in his own, marvelling at the way his large hands encompassed the smaller navi's fully. He started walking backwards toward deeper waters, pulling Litx with him.

"You are having trouble with perception. It is hard beneath the waves to focus for you. Our goal is not finding that perception, but helping you manage not having it. I'm going to lead you, so you need not worry about where your going. Just look around you. Find your bearings, yeah?"

He lead them until they were up to Litx's chest, giving a small nod of encouragement for them to take a deep breath before they went beneath the waves.

Nanui still held firm to the Omitikayas hands, watching as the waters let the braids flow back and away from his face in a gentle sweeping motions.

The navi really was so pretty. Even cautiously squinting into to waters as they were led to the reefs.

Nanui took moved slowly, swimming backwards with long fluid kicks of his legs and winding motions of his tail. He kept and eye out around them, striking blue gaze dragging across coral and flora for anything dangerous.

He occasionally looked back and couldn't help the large smile on his face at the awed expression of the forest Navi. With Litx focused on taking in the bustling life beneath the waves, they'd relaxed enough for their kicks to be more reflexive and smooth. Nanui felt pride bubbling in his chest.

The light piercing through the surface of the water gave the darker toned Navi a beautiful back light, the contrast of deep azure markings striking.

Nanui grinned, happy and lopsided as Litx gave him a couple taps as a sign for air.

Nanui guided them both to the surface nice and easy, large hands cupping the entirety of the omitikayas waist as they kicked their way to the surface.

Soft laughter and a timid smile greeted him as they breached the waters surface, making his heart swell.

He gently reached out, pushing the smaller navis wet locks back from their face and smiling as Litx's cheeks flushed.

"Do you feel more comfortable?'

"Y-yeah...something like that."

"Good. We'll rest a moment so you can breath and then try again with less guidance."

The darker skinned navi nodded, their eye searching Nanuis expression as they breathed purposefully, their tail thrashing beneath the waves.