Chapter Text
“I see you.” A high pitch voice resounded around the wildlife. The trees swayed peacefully unbothered by the noise. Blond hair bouncing due to the heavy wind and soft squish sound by small feet digging into it.
“I see u.” It was repeated again and only the birds chirping responded though it didn’t mean much. The young boy huffed that he wasn't getting it right, pulling the strands of his dreads to release the hot warm of frustration. He desired for it to be perfect, it would help him immensely be better accepted. He even founded a perfect spot where no one was around to practice his language. He still struggled to formulate the words properly out his mouth, his accent too foreign, too human and he hated it.
“I see you.” The attempt made him stutter and he groaned, squeezing his eyes shut as he pulled hard. The sounds of his breathing more apparent through the mask.
“Little one, speaking to the tree won’t make your na’vi better.” He jumped back, heart beating fast to see another figure walking towards him. Someone blue and tall, his braids slapping against his back each step he took. It was magical the way his hair floated and his footsteps were graceful.
He wished he was like that.
“I know Neteyam and stop calling me that, it’s Spider.” Spider turned away, his cheeks feeling boiling hot and his chest hardly containing his heart beat. He moved his hands from his hair to his cleavage, praying to Eywa to calm his body down.
“You know but still do it? This is like the fifth time I have caught you, little one.” Neteyam brushed against his shoulder and stood in front of him to place his hair to softly massage his scalp. He didn’t need to look but he knew his eyes were fueled with the type of love only he gave to his family.
Spider wasn’t his family.
“Hey! I’m older than you.” Spider shoved his hand off his head to which Neteyam cackled. He pouted, buffing up his chest to appear more older.
“Technically you are the little one.” He clenched his fist, pouting at the way Neteyam looked over at him in amusement.
“Physically, you are not.” Neteyam chuckled again when Spider suddenly rushed towards him to bring him to the ground, the skin of their bodies clashing together loud enough to be heard by Eywa. He stood at the same spot and watched as Spider struggled to push him even a few inches. He brought his finger to brush against his neck since he wasn’t occupied by the mask he had to wear.
Spider stopped his attempted tackle, his neck growing hot and his stomach taking flight. He pulled himself away instantly and internally confused why his body acted this way. It was unusual and he didn’t like it, something told him it wouldn’t end well.
“You’ll see, I’ll be taller than you someday.” He stated confidently after a moment of silence, attempting to take his attention off of his body’s unique behavior. He didn’t want to be reminded of the differences between him and Neteyam, a human and na’vi. Neteyam cocked his head, a knowing smirk stretching himself beneath his cheeks.
“Even then you will always be my little one.”
*****
Without his brain’s consent, he was forced to reminisced on that memory once he witness Lo’ak flirt with Tsireya instead of making nets. The scene of Lo’ak touching Tsireya’s neck and Tsireya refusing to look at him in embarrassment triggered it. He didn’t understand the reason and doesn’t want to understand why it came up. It was long ago, a very long time ago and he doubts that he would remember it.
“Hey…” Lo’ak said pathetically and Tsireya giggled, Spider could gag.
He only hung out with them to pull his weight around the reef. He acknowledged he was quite fortuitous to be allowed in the metkayina, to be accepted even so he did what he could do so they wouldn’t regret the decision. Though the consequence is hanging around the growing couple and being the victim of third wheeling. Though it wasn’t really a choice since Kiri was busy being tsahik with Ronal, he was never good with healing and herbs anyways. Jake and Neytiri were doing duties around the village, it was evident they wanted some alone time since they rushed away in giggles. Spider shuddered knowing where that possibly was going to go, another tuk running around might come around sooner. Speaking of Tuk, she was playing with the other metkayina kids with her ilu. It was a beautiful sight to experience with how Tuk was getting the hang of the ocean environment and making new friends. He could say Spider was proud of the little girl. There was one last option but it had to do with him and the other one.
He would never regret not taking that option.
“You idiot, stop slacking off and make yourself useful.” Lo’ak threw him out his thoughts by throwing a pile of rope for him to tie and he stuck his tongue out. He had some audacity talking about his work ethic when he was too busy sucking up to Tsireya with his lame jokes. It was only a few moments he was in his head while it was a few hours Lo’ak was kissing ass. He had half a mind to call him out on it but he kept his mouth shut and went to work.
“Aren’t you older than me?” Lo’ak raised his eyebrows to the childish antic and Spider simply shrugged.
“Lo’ak!” Spider worked his way to the ropes harder than necessary, his hands shaking slightly which resulted in missing a few loops. He recognized who the voice belonged to and why is he coming now. He didn’t miss Tsireya eying him and Lo’ak furrowing his eyebrows though it was short when the culprit got closer. He prayed to Eywa for this not to happen, he wasn’t ready yet not after-
“Shouldn’t you be recovering?” Lo’ak rushed to his brother to inspect the white cast that surrounded his shoulder and arm. Spider slightly flinched to know how he got it and who he got it for. Neteyam gently pushed him away, scoffing at Lo’ak.
“And shouldn’t you be doing your duties?” He scolded, the brotherly tone appearing with no moments lost. Lo’ak mockingly gasped, holding his chest in foreign offense.
“I am doing my duties, Spider and I are helping Tsireya.” Spider could see from his peripheral vision Neteyam peering over Lo’ak shoulder to stareat them. The girl waved while Spider could only handle nodding, refusing to meet his gaze through it. Neteyam always maintained an unreadable expression when necessary, an attribute he learned from Jake but his yellow eyes were soft and open. It reminded him when-
“-It seems to me you're on a date with your girlfriend and leaving Spider to do all the work.” His voice grew eerily sweet when saying his name and he paused. The same tone of when he used to called him that nickname. Lo’ak yelped, shouting in disagreement while his tagged wagged anxiously. Tsireya covered her mouth immediately, looking away as her face turned a darker hue.
Spider would have found it comical if it wasn’t for the fact he was too busy holding on tight to the longing for that name he was bestowed by the eldest sully when they were kids. He didn't desire to let his true emotions out and resumed his course of tying the ropes, ignoring the three. Out of the corner of his vision again, he sees Neteyam iris deflate from it’s usual shine. He waved it off as something his mind created because it wouldn’t make sense otherwise. He should be happy since Neytiri never wanted him around her kids anyways and he chose to be away from him too. Putting distance from the eldest would certainly grant less animosity from the tall Na’vi woman.
“Neteyam.” How amusing it would be if Spider could have screamed. There is another one he didn’t want to encounter and he is heading their way in a hurry. He didn’t mind that his childhood best friends made new close friends. He was proud they integrated into the metkayina traditions and was now a part of the clan. It’s just now he has to deal with new people who didn’t need to hide their disdain or dislike of his presence. One of them being Tsireya’s brother who didn’t care enough to conceal his disgust over him being granted permission to reside. He always found ways to make Spider feel like an inconvenience since the sky people have to visit every two weeks to provide his batteries for his oxygen tank.
Ao’nung.
“You better go, your boyfriend is calling you.” Lo’ak mocked which earned a shove from Neteyam who sputtered out insults in a few seconds. Spider choked and swallowed the sound to not alert the others. It couldn’t be, Neteyam never seemed to take interest in boys and once found a na’vi woman back at their previous home cute.
Was Ao’nung to Neteyam like Tsireya was to Lo’ak? Did they get that close when he was gone? When he was kidnapped by the RDA for a few months?
All these inquiries rushed through his head that garnered him a headache and painful bangs to his chest. It looked like everyone was building connections and moved on with their lives without him. What was he doing here anyways? He didn’t have time to ponder due to heavy pounding against the sand. The audible sound of a sneer he knew Tonowari's son finally arrived. Spider didn’t need to look to know Ao’nung’s vocal discomfort was for him.
“Lo’ak, Tsireya and..demon.” He spat his name out, Lo’ak opened his mouth to possibly defend Spider but stopped short when Neteyam smacked his chest aggressively earning a glare.
“Don’t.” Neteyam warned through clenched teeth, his finger prodding his chest roughly and Spider couldn’t contain his shock. He didn’t mistake that protective growl he strictly used for those that bullied Lo’ak back in the omaticaya clan. Back in their old home.
Ao’nung and him had a stare off, one that went on for far too long until Ao’nung put his hands up in surrender, a little smirk growing on his face.
It was a few moments of awkward silence where Lo’ak stared at the two in outmost confusion and Tsireya stared over at Spider as if he knew what was going on.
As if he knew anything about this. This was new to him as well.
“Okay…” Lo’ak eyes brought back and forth between the two.
“What is it you need bro?” Ao’nung stared at Lo’ak over his question then back at Neteyam.
“I need Neteyam to do-“
“Me?” Lo’ak finished and shouted hey when when Neteyam shoved him again. Ao’nung smirk morphed into a frown.
“Do me? What does that mean?” Ao’nung asked and Spider couldn’t contain his chuckles, the volume rose in size when Ao’nung glared at him. Lo’ak laughed right after him and Neteyam couldn’t help to snicker himself.
“Why is he laughing? Is that an insult to when you best me on the reef?” Ao’nung seemingly asked out in the open but his eyes pouring into Neteyam said something different. He expected Neteyam to answer him. Lo’ak chuckled harder than before, clutching his stomach.
“It’s nothing really, just Lo’ak being a skxawng.” Neteyam smiled, clapping Ao’nung shoulder. Spider catched the way his thumb softly wiped his collar bone back and forth. It was intimate and affectionate to which Spider looked away from, gripping his half made net.
“It doesn’t matter then. I need you to help me with my village work.”
“He should be resting.” Lo’ak pointed out and Neteyam huffed.
“I’m a warrior, I can handle village work.” He pat Lo’ak on the back.
“I will find you.” Ao’nung nodded and bid goodbyes to Lo’ak and Tsireya, ignoring him completely but he didn’t mind. He didn’t care for him much either.
“See you.” Neteyam prepared to take his leave, gaining acknowledgement from his brother and Tsireya. He patiently waited for Spiders but it never came from him. He portrayed an act that he was actively focused on finishing his net though it was too obvious he didn’t want to speak to Neteyam. The eldest stayed a little longer, staring over at him then breathed deeply and left.
“What’s with you and our brother?” Spider almost laughed at forgetting he was adopted by the sullys after the whole ordeal. Strange he didn’t get the intense emotion of happiness from the fact, rather an empty feeling. The cut Neytiri suddenly being itchy. He didn’t feel he was family not when his decision to save Quaritch…he knew it would only be a matter of time.
“Nothing is up, just busy picking up your slack.” He said after lapses of silence, smiling at his freshly made net. He sees Lo’ak squinting his eyes at his answer.
“Whatever it is, talk it out. He missed you a lot too when you were gone.” Lo’ak went back to work, talking with Tsireya as if he didn’t reveal something entirely impossible. Spider couldn’t believe that for a second. Neteyam missed him?
He had many questions regards to that but asking would be suspicious. Why would Neteyam miss him after abandoning him?
“What do you mean?” His impulse had the better of him, he had to know and Lo’ak sighed, taking away his attention from Tsireya to Spider.
Lo’ak shifted his eyes when he only does it when he is uncomfortable.
“It’s hard to explain unless you are close to Neteyam.” Spider held in his flinch, suppressing the memories shared with the eldest sully. In the family’s perspective Neteyam and him never spend time together, even more so when he was trained to be the golden child. They didn’t know the entire truth and no matter how much his chest weighed, it was for the best. He never was close to the demon child in their memory.
“He would sometimes stare at the spot near Kiri that you always would be in since you were always up her ass.” Lo’ak took a slight dig and chuckled when Spider punched his shoulder.
“He would bring you up at times and Neteyam trained more than usual to the point where he got snappy when even Dad told him to take a break.” Lo’ak shrugged.
“It shows he accepted you like family a long time ago. So I advise you to talk with our bro.”
“Since when do you use big words like advise?” Spider mocked, to take away the seriousness of this topic and Lo’ak playfully hissed. The topic changed into how intelligent Lo’ak was with Tsireya chiming in from time to time. Still Spider couldn’t disregard what Lo’ak said, when did Neteyam start caring for him again?