Archive of Our Own ^beta

Spider felt like he was breaking like the slow erosion of the rocks against the harsh tides, his body deteriorating little by little until he’d be left with nothing. Until he, hopefully, got to be with Eywa and Neteyam. Spider was letting it happen as well, caring for himself less and avoiding others in a way he hadn’t before. 

But as if by Eywa herself, the great mother refused him his end. Refused to let him give up, as annoying and dreadful waking up was for him. To be with the people as though he was one of them.

As if he hadn’t- As if he wasn’t-

Spider sucked in a shaking breath as he looked out at the waves, listening to the ocean's noise. It was Eclipse, dark out. He should really go back to the Marui. Even though that’s not his home, it’s where he slept, he was expected there and he didn’t exactly want a whole search party just over his Sky Person ass.

As he was about to get up though, he heard the crunch of sand under feet, turning to the person sharply with wide eyes. He was even more surprised to see the Tsahik, quickly giving a formal greeting to her despite the fear he felt. Ronal must have heard the human's heart as she was hesitant, a startling sight for Spider.

As far as he could tell, Ronal was not the type to hesitate in anything. She was a strong, mighty woman, with a love of her people while also of such strict nature no one argued with her words. This was of course expected, but still. Ronal was someone Spider could admire deeply from afar.

He said nothing though, even if he was confused by her silence. He was waiting patiently in wonder of what she was thinking, returning to look out to the ocean quietly as to give her time in her thoughts.

“When was your last meal?”

Spider quickly turned back in confusion despite the simple question, shock present on his face which made Ronal squint though not in judgment. More perplexed, as if trying to understand why the boy was surprised. 

To tell the truth, he didn’t want to say anything. He really didn’t want to. Because she’d just be disappointed or maybe even angry with him. Or maybe she’s asking to see how much resources he’s sucking up. Spider didn’t know what to think, making him fidget under her calm but expecting gaze. 

“I had lunch… and that was it.” He admits to her, flinching at the hiss of disapproval. So she would be angry. Spider can’t say he’s surprised, even if the context is odd. What he can say is he doesn’t like people mad at him, especially his elders.

He stiffened as he looked up at her, guilt on his face as he shook his head. “I am alright though, really! I just- Wasn’t hungry for the evening meal.” 

“Were you not hungry, or not offered.” Ronal muttered bitterly, though Spider slowly sat straighter when realizing her aggression was not at him. He stared for a moment before he looked down, ashamed.

And maybe a little worried, because if he said the truth then Ronal would do something about it. Spider didn’t really want anything done because it wasn’t a big deal, really. He swears. She seemed to take his silence as an answer though either way, sitting down beside him. 

When she did, the smell of something sweet wafted through the air almost instantly. Spider’s stomach growled angrily at him for the refusal of food earlier, and instead of disgust like he expected, Ronal chuckled.

“Do you have your… Ah…” Ronal paused, not exactly knowing what it was, just that it was important for the human boy. Spider understood quickly though as he rummaged through his small bag, nodding.

”It’s just another device to help me breathe, I wouldn't bother knowing the name of it.”

”I’d like to know though, I am Tsahik. You are a part of my people, so thus I should know. I need to learn to help you as well.” Ronal says firmly as she watches his shaking hands work to insert it into the box that supplies him oxygen and the other end into his nose, admiring for a moment the control he had with holding his breath during the transition.

Strong lungs, she notes to herself.

“…May I know?” She asked quietly, as though the softness in her voice was just for him. Spider looked at her with wonder and a hint of fear, Ronal feeling awful at the sight. What had this child gone through to fear someone like this? It was not just her, from what she observed. It was anyone.

Especially Neytiri. 

“It’s a nasal cannula.” Spider made sure to enunciate the word to let Ronal be able to hear the English way of saying it, though wouldn’t care if she mispronounced it or had an accent.

"It lets me breathe as I eat food, it supplies me with air I can breathe. I could use it more often in place of the mask but the tube is thin. Weaker than the hard plastic. So it’s not suitable for a lot of movement.” He explained as he looked at the bowl of fruit, eyes widening at the recognition of the Yovo fruit. 

“I see. You fare well on a planet not made for you.” She comments softly, handing the bowl to him and watching as he slowly eats. Ronal knew though that he wanted to scarf it down as if someone would take it from him, having seen how he eats when assuming no one is watching. She didn’t comment though because the boy was eating, that's all that mattered really. 

She figured he’d be a little on edge with her, however Ronal had to do something as it was her job, her responsibility. Many of her people had accepted the boy in with open arms, much to her surprise. Though life on Eywa'eveng had made him strong, much more than even the Suli family if she were honest. 

She had seen him out in the waters. He was frankly graceful with having no practice, no knowledge of how to properly swim. And Ronal had not missed just how deeply connected to Eywa the human boy was despite the lack of being able to make Tsaheylu, despite the great mother being unable to aid him in living with her children.

Ronal was so certain that he did have a bond, one that ran just as deep as any Na’vi. But from her observing, she noticed the distance the Sulli parents had with him. 

Their children were practically all joined at the hip, even before one of the eldest passed. Spider was no exception to this, all of them going to him when comfort was needed or when they wanted to get away from everything. However she saw the lack of bond, the lack of relationship between their parents and Spider. She had thought they’d be much closer, as his guardians, but they weren’t.

It angered Ronal in a motherly way, her heart aching as she watched the boy eat the full bowl of fruit at still a surprising pace. 

Has Spider been dishonest? Was the last time he ate even longer ago? And if not, then what had he eaten all day to be this hungry? She had thought she had cut too much fruit when walking to the beach, finding out from her daughter of Spider's estimated whereabouts. 

Clearly she was wrong when seeing him drink the remaining juice in the bowl, licking his lips and tips of fingers with a childish smile he seemed to allow spread on his face. He seemed to be thinking but looking over to Ronal, he quickly bowed his head.

“Thank you, for the fruit.” He says quietly as he hesitates to hold out the bowl, letting her gently take it from his hands.

Small hands, she thought quietly. She knew he was around her eldest son's age, 16 years old, but yet that was still young. Meant to be nurtured, even after one's Iknimaya. The mother in her wanted to yell he need not to say thanks. Being fed was not the most noble act one could do for a child, and yet he acted as though it was. 

“You are welcome. It is getting colder at night.” It was said as just a comment at the rushing wind around them, making both of their hair sway in the wind. He however looked to her confused, not knowing the meaning that was hidden in her words. Blunt she’ll be then.

“You could become ill, anyone could get sick out here. Would you like me to take you back to your Marui?” She asked as she looked down at him, giving him time as he was putting his mask back on.

”No-!" He shouts, covering his mouth when realizing his volume. "Um… I'll be fine. Thank you though.” He says stiffly, getting up and bowing his head once more. He turned to walk away with slow strides until Ronal saw them speed up, making her wince. She had seen enough from the boy. He was not some weak child to cradle, but he was alone here. Alone in a way that his siblings cannot fix or aid in.

So Ronal would be taking it into her own hands.

Mother had to be going crazy. She just had to be. Why Ao'nung suddenly had to watch over the human bothered the hell out of him, or so the Sulli kids would say. He's learned quite a few sky people slang, saying it exclusively behind mothers back though because she hated it. But still, focusing back to the thought of the short sky person made him glare.

Sure, the guy is not a demon. Admittedly Ao'nung didn't really need to be told he's not one. He may not be the next Tsahik, but he knew Eywa accepted him a long time ago. And Ao'nung's not so stubborn as to argue with a literal goddess.

What bothered him was that he was literally a year older than Ao'nung and yet mother was acting as if he was the same age as Tuk. And he wasn’t!

If anything his annoyance was with the fact that Spider was perfectly capable of taking care of himself. The small, tiny part of Ao'nung that he didn’t let show much, felt like it would be insulting and embarrassing for Spider to have essentially a caretaker. 

That was at least until he realized that Spider hadn’t gone back to the Sulli Marui. When he went there this morning, ready to check on the boy because his mom did ask and well…He didn’t exactly want to face her wrath no matter how he felt about it; He was met with the surprise that Spider hadn’t slept inside with them at all.

Confused, he started looking around for the human boy which really should not have been difficult! He’s HUMAN. He’s supposed to be sticking out like a sore thumb! Many joked playfully that he was pink even. 

Where he found him was even more surprising. In the forest. Of course it was the fucking forest, of course, because admittedly it makes sense for someone being raised there to like it more than say their beaches. What DOESN’T make sense is the fact he looks up to see FUCKING HUMAN FEET HANGING FROM BRANCHES!?!? AND SO DAMN HIGH UP?

Ao'nung can’t even stop the way his jaw drops and his eyes widen as he looks up to see Spider up there without a damn care in the world. Like this is just perfectly normal. He doesn’t seem to notice Ao'nung either as he’s looking out to the sea, seemingly munching on something but Ao'nung isn’t completely sure. 

What he is sure about is the fact that when he gets up there he is going to kill the little human for making him worry and now CLIMB. Metkayina’s do not climb, not this one at least, so here he was struggling. Spider seemed to notice his presence only then as he heard the grunts and clawing of wood, looking down at the next Olo'eyktan with a grin.

”Struggling?”

”You shut the hell up-”

”Awww, you look just like Tuk when she first tried climbing trees by herself.”

”YOU KNOW WHAT-”

Ao'nung promptly tried even harder as he managed to get himself up there without any assistance, glaring at Spider who just laughs as he bites into fruit. ‘So that’s what he was doing’ Ao'nung thought to himself as he looked where Spider was, out at the ocean. His surprised expression returns though much calmer, his eyes wide and while his jaw didn’t drop his face relaxed significantly.

It was actually really nice up there, if he’s honest. He looks out to see the whole clan slowly waking up and coming to life, people getting to work on chores and preparations. He glances at Spider to see he’s looking at him, suddenly embarrassed. 

“What?” He asked sharply, glaring at Spider who just chuckled. 

“Nothing, It’s cool though huh?”

”…It is.” He admitted, facing back to the ocean for a moment before back at the human. “Do you do this often?” 

“Climb trees?” Spider had asked with a snort, raising one of those strange brows. 

”No like… Avoid everyone?” 

That threw Spider way off midway through biting his fruit and turning to Ao'nung confused. 

He didn’t think he was. 

…Ok that’s a lie, but could you blame him? He saved Quaritch. Even though that’s his dad, or a copy of him, that’s still god awful to do. He killed Neteyam. He took his brother, the boy who made him his first bow, who taught him the same day how to shoot. The boy who taught him almost everything he knew now. 

He took his brother who would hold him when he cried about being alone and the only human child. When he felt so alien to everyone else, Neteyam would argue with him that he was just as Na’vi as his siblings. Neteyam even helped in making his waytelem.

Spider doesn’t know why the hell he even let him live. He should have let that fucker drown. He didn’t really care about him. He was just pretending. Using him.

And yet Spider hasn’t felt as accepted as he did when Quaritch called him son.

He’s shaken out of his thoughts though when Ao'nung is looking at him like he’s crazy, squinting at him in confusion of why Spider was taking a minute. 

“I just…” he looked down at his lap before shrugging, pointedly looking away from Ao’nung. “I’ve just been wanting to be alone now. Is that bad to want?”

”No, it’s only weird that it includes your siblings and even parents-” he responded matter-of-factly but Spider cut him off between a mouthful of fruit. 

”I don’t have parents.”

The words are out of Spider before he can even stop them, his eyes wide as he realizes the weight that holds with Na’vi. For a child to be alone entirely, no one claiming them, is shameful. All children are meant to be loved, nurtured, taken in by anyone who can.

He stops his chewing as he feels a wave of nausea, the effects his confession could cause with everyone. There was already so much going on, please don’t let him cause issues, it’s not that bad he swears it’s-

“You do now. And siblings, what did Lo’ak say that one time? Package deal? Package deal. Full box, no take backs.” 

“...What-”

”Brother, come, I want to go hunting. Are you done eating? We can go get fish for lunch now, come. It will be fun, I will show you how to use a crossbow, much cooler than normal bows. Trust me.”

There wasn’t exactly room to argue as he was done eating, and Ao'nung was already scaling the tree at a painfully slow speed. So Spider started his way down, somehow absolutely beating Ao'nung as he ran off to race him. It ends in Spider's victory and Ao'nung’s bruised ego, but also a small ounce of respect he holds for the boy now. He was a skilled hunter even in the water, managing to catch many fish right along with Ao'nung, as if he was raised to. 

Ao'nung liked his brother Spider, he decided. The boy was plenty fun and slowly popular if Roxto’s frankly embarrassing attempts to flirt and some Metkayina girls waving at him with blushed faces was anything to go off of. 

He felt pride surge in him for being his brother, smiling as he walked with Spider to go eat lunch. It’s not even weird to him that the boy couldn’t eat the side of sea greens that were cooked, he just simply scraped it off to his leaf, grinning.

”It’s a good thing your brother loves this stuff.” He didn’t, or at least not as much as he was claiming to. But the way Spider smiled appreciatively, as if he knew it was a lie as well was worth it. Spider even decided to bring them seconds with significantly more fish on Ao'nung’s to make up for him eating all of Spider’s vegetable portion.

All was good hanging out with his older brother, and he was glad he made Spider get down from the tree. 

Tsireya doesn’t need to be told to hang out with the human, she easily finds herself with him, grinning as she sees him walking along the shore.

“I heard from Ao'nung about your hunting trip. He didn’t give you much trouble, did he?”

Spider flinched slightly but when turning to see tsireya, he relaxed significantly. They had already been around each other a few times so she was glad it made him less nervous around her. "Nah, he was fine. It was fun though, learning. He’s not the worst teacher.”

”Oh your siblings and I would argue with you on that one. He’s…interesting in his methods.” She said with a grimace. That was putting it lightly. 

”In my opinion, you all must just be bad students.” He responds easily with a cheeky grin, Tsireya promptly gasping dramatically as she looks at him, eyes wide and looking hurt as Spider laughs beside her. 

“Oh how could you!” She whines, the back of her hand to her forehead as she’s seen Kiri do when teasing Lo’ak, which makes Spider laugh even harder. 

The two fall into comfortable silence as they end up sitting down, Tsireya laying back on the sand as Spider sits next to her. They both stare off into space with no words needing to be exchanged, simply enjoying each other’s presence. It was nice, Tsireya enjoyed playing with the sand as she basked in the sun, although it was close to Eclipse. 

“Would you like to find some shells with me?” Tsireya asks, breaking the silence but being rewarded with a smiling Spider.

”Sure, sounds fun.” He says as he follows Tsireya, the two spending the whole time now just hunting for shells. They both have their bags on their loincloths filled to the brim of shiny and unique shells, Tsireya promising him she’d help in creating something for the two of them. By then it was Eclipse and while Spider looked hesitant of where to go, Tsireya simply took his hand.

”Brother where are you going? We’re going home, come!” She says happily, dragging her confused brother off to their Marui. Once inside she unloads the shells into a bigger drawstring bag, asking for Spider's as well. He wordlessly empties it for Tsireya all while looking at Ronal, who simply attends the stew she’s preparing for dinner before they rest. 

“Spider, come here. Aonung told me you can not have certain foods. Is what I prepared edible for you?” 

The warm words are…odd, but also nice to Spider as he kneels beside her, looking down at the stew and smelling the delicious aroma. He’s surprised to find that it was entirely made of things he can eat, looking up at Ronal with curious eyes. He wondered how she knew, Aonung only knew of one food he had to avoid. How she managed to create a blend of spices as well that he could have was beyond him.

”Ah, yes! Yes it’s…I can eat everything.” He watches as she smiles just slightly with pride in her eyes at her success, nodding as she picks up bowls and begins pouring the stew into them.

In the corner was a covered up bio scanner from the last time Norm visited, brought (stolen) from the Suli Marui way earlier by Ao'nung. Spider and Tsireya hadn't noticed it though and Ronal didn't think she needed to mention it. It'll simply be the way she cooks for him now until she knows everything he can't eat. 

“Your father and brother will join us soon, Tonowari is talking with the Sulli’s and Ao'nung is…doing only things Eywa knows.” 

It makes Spider snort as he mutters a small thank you for the bowl, Tsireya watching him so she copies him in saying thank you. She actually likes how respectful and thankful he was with everything he's given, it was an admirable trait her older brother had. 

It also makes their mother chuckle at her children’s antics, picking up her own bowl. They eat in peaceful silence much like Tsireya and Spider’s time on the beach, not one word being said but so much understanding in the air. 

Spider doesn’t think he’s felt this warm in a while, or maybe even ever. At least not like this. Of course he had his wonderful siblings, always there to make him happy. But this was different. 

This…this truly felt like a family. Not a group of siblings off causing chaos or comforting one another. 

This felt like a home. One he didn't feel like he was intruding on. 

For the first time in forever Spider felt he belonged with this family as he finishes his bowl and is immediately offered seconds. 

"Who are Spider's guardians?" Tonowari does not care for simple pleasantries when it comes to the safety of children. He will ask what is needed to understand the situation, and respond how he sees fit. He is the Olo'eyktan, his people rely on him for their safety. Spider is his people now, so he comes to the Sulli family to understand the boy better. 

Jake Sulli at least has the correct response, guilt. His ears are pressed to his skull as he looks at Tonowari and then nothing, shaking his head. Neytiri however, is exactly what Tonowari didn't want to see, which is hardly any reaction. 

"He has no guardians." Neytiri answers for her mate, making him look frustrated. 

"We are the closest thing though, Neytiri. We're supposed to be at least."

"That demon is not my son." She grits out, glaring at Jake as he looks defeated at her. 

"That's enough. I will not hear you speak of the boy that way." Tonowari says sharply, eyes focused on Neytiri before looking at Jake. "So I am correct to think he's had no one?" He asks, admittedly more accusing than he wanted. But this angered him so greatly that it was difficult to see why his brother had done this, or more specifically not done anything at all. 

"Not exactly, it's just- no one took claim of him. No one called themselves his parents or decided on it. He was taken care of by everyone. Scientists, the Omatikaya people... Us." Jake explains as he watches Tonowari come closer. 

"Does he have a waytelem? Who carved his first bow? His first loincloth? Who was his sole caretaker?" He asks, more and more demanding as he wants them to understand the gravity of avoiding such topics and Spider himself. He wanted them to see the errors of their ways in leaving Spider to his own devices. 

"Neteyam made his bow, he learned from him and loosely from watching me. He joined our hunts, he kept up because of his siblings." Jake continued even at Neytiri's hiss of disapproval. 

"He had people on his side, he was loved. You can not come into our home and claim he had no one, he had everyone! He doesn't have a waytelem and no one to be just his but he is loved. I just- please, tell him he is loved by us." His voice grew thick with tears of regret and guilt, streaming his cheeks in a way Neytiri hasn't seen since Neteyam's funeral. 

A sob rips out of him as he covers his eyes in his arm, Tonowari quickly placing a comforting hand on his shoulder before he turns to Neytiri. 

"I do not understand your dislike of Spider, and I will not pretend I do. I do not wish to make you feel as though I look down on you. However, all Na'vi know the importance of children, even those of sky people. I hope you realize your mistakes as your mate has, and while I do not expect you to mother him, I wish you will learn who Spider truly is and not let the ugly emotions of your past plague that young boy's life. I hope you will see him as I and your mate have." 

With those final words he leaves, off to his own Marui, where he finds a nice sight that completely melts his anger away entirely. 

On the fire is a pot of stew, still steaming and likely left for him. His children and mate are all on their mats as usual though significantly closer in a way he hadn't seen in a long time. Ronal is to Tsireya's side, curled in close with a hand in her hair and one on her belly with their other child, Aonung in the middle and letting Tsireya cling to his arm. 

And on the other side is the human boy, Spider, with a large battery for his mask to his side for their sleep.

He clings to his brother in such an adorable way that it seems as if they all had been sleeping like this forever. Tonowari is quick to eat before laying down beside Ronal, waking her accidentally but she smiles gently at her mate. 

"Look at our children." She says softly, smiling with such pride. 

"I am. We have quite the family now, hm?" He asks with a grin, nuzzling into her neck as she chuckles warmly. 

"With the fourth, we'll have our hands full."

"That will be alright. They will have three wonderful older siblings to watch over them." He says it with confidence while reaching for his children, brushing hair out of the way and the tips of his fingers just grazing their skin. He's never been prouder of his family, including the new addition. 

Their sleep is interrupted by sudden whimpers and a shaking boy, Tonowari immediately sitting up as he looks to see Spider shaking in his sleep. His face is pained and he looks terrified, Aonung awake now as well and trying to comfort him quietly. 

"Brother, you are safe. Please, wake up, I don't know what you're dreaming of but it's not real, please!" Hearing his son close to tears as he whispers to his brother hurts Tonowari's heart so he steps up to help, scooting close and taking Spider in his arms. 

At first Aonung moves to take him back protectively until he sees his father was taking him, relaxing as he had been trying for a while. 

Tonowari cradles him like you would a child as he rocks him gently, Aonung sitting up to watch so he can try that next time. They all were much larger than Spider, it wouldn't be difficult. Father was trying to get the boy to sleep much calmer but he ended up jolting him awake, sitting up in his arms and staring at Tonowari with fear. 

His mask was beeping so loudly with a red light that woke up the rest of the family, along with his ragged breathing, as if air was difficult to find for him. Ronal was calm through her fear but Tsireya clung to Ao'nung as she voiced her panic to him.

"What is wrong, why- is he breathing? Does he need a new battery?" She asked quickly, looking at the large one already laying near their mats. That should have lasted all night though, why didn't it? 

"I do not believe it is that. I think he's simply struggling to, but his mask is not the problem.” He explained quickly to his daughter, focusing back to the boy in his arms. He was shaking too much, trying to get away. However Tonowari was strong. He cradled Spider and tried to use pressure to calm him. 

“Spider? Feel my breathing, come on my son, follow my breathing." He exaggerates his breath, slowing it down as he rests Spiders head to his heart. For a moment, he continues to try struggling out of his arms, until sobs are coming up and he forces himself to relax, looking up at his... His father when he's not feeling so light headed and hyperventilating. 

"Sempu- '' It's the first thing out of his mouth, tears flowing from his eyes as he reaches up to cling to Tonowari, and he lets his son. His own eyes are wide, the surge of love and protectiveness he feels overwhelming but he can focus and think on those later. His son needs him, and who is he to deny the boy his hug? Tonowari keeps a hand on Spider's back to hear his heart slowing down and Tsireya and Aonung are on him in seconds to join the hug. 

When he lays him back down he looks at Spider, who's looking off to the side and at nothing really. He wants to ask, wants to know if it's anything he can fix, aid in healing. Ronal beats him to it though, curling up close to Spider and getting his attention from that. 

"May I ask what you dreamed of?" She asked softly, rubbing her three fingered hand into his four fingered one. Despite that, Tonowari took note of the size difference and smiled to himself. 

"... I don't want you to do anything about it though." Spider mumbles this so quietly, they're all thankful for Na'vi hearing. 

"We don't have to if you don't want to. But that makes it sound like it's about something serious. Can you please tell us what happened?" Ronal asks again, holding his hand just a bit firmer and Spider sighs, nodding as he begins explaining. 

It's not any nightmare you'd expect, unreal, unlikely, nothing to worry about. This was a memory, a memory of desperation, fear, rage, and sacrifice. 

A son for a son. 

Ronal and Tonowari have both hardened their faces as Spider explains what happened on the ship and why he has a scar, he's teary eyed and holding onto Ronal and Tsireya greatly while Ao'nung is just as angry as his parents. When he's done, he's falling asleep from pure exhaustion, Tsireya not far off too. But the rest of the family? 

They were all boiling in their rage, Ao'nung letting out small hisses of anger as he paced the Marui as quietly as he could to not wake his siblings. But he had so much energy now that his parents let him expel it with his walking and hands tightening nothing in the air, huffs of frustration as he paced about. 

"Ao'nung, come lay with your brother. He needs your comfort now. Not your anger." Ronal says calmly when she thinks he's well enough, Ao'nung nodding along as he lays down. She can see the shine in his eyes though so she gently leans down to kiss his head, watching as he relaxes and closes his eyes.

She does the same to the other two, kissing their heads and smiling when seeing the slight curl of their mouths. Like they know their mother is there and loving them. 

When she looks back to her mate, her eyes soften the most as she sighs, seeing her mate so teary eyed and looking about ready to sob wasn't exactly her favorite image. She's quick, or about as much with her swelled body carrying their baby, as she wraps herself around him. She lets him cry silently into her body, feeling without asking the pain he has for Spider. 

The boy thinks his own brother's death was his fault. The boy thinks being threatened by what would have been his own mother was ok. Tonowari had a lot of words for Neytiri and her mate the next time he sees them. He just hopes he gets through it with no yelling. 

"Admit that you've been avoiding us!" Kiri shouts as she chases Spider, who is currently running through the forest to avoid her as she's been saying. 

Spider admits that this plan is stupid and childish, but listen he's never claimed to be the smart one out of them all. That was Neteyam, even though He was a year younger he was much more reliable and smart. Spider's more the fun brother, the one to cause shit. 

So it's not that surprising, his predicament, but it is slightly terrifying to have Kiri on his ass now. He runs about as fast as he can until he's scaling trees, only this slows him down even more.

He does admit, he lets out the girliest of shrieks he's ever had as Kiri pulls him down roughly, both groaning as they fall back together. Kiri still holds on tight to him as she glares, Lo'ak running up as well. 

"Bro! Why haven't you been to the Marui!? Or ANYWHERE we are!?" Lo'ak yells, folding his arms as he looks down at Spider, Kiri also looking at him expectantly. 

With Spider this cornered in, his eyes can't even help tearing up. This felt just like when they were younger and they'd chase him with Neteyam leading after Spider ate all the banana fruit or something. It was stupid, but he couldn't help his sniffles. Kiri immediately loosens her grip and Lo'ak sits down to their level, both frowning worriedly. 

"I- I wanna tell you guys but I'm just... I'm just so fucking scared it’s stupid." Spider is barely any loud, practically whispering it as he tears up even more, shaking in Kiri's arms. She holds him in a hug rather than grabbing him, Lo'ak joining as well as they both wait for Spider to even his breathing. 

"Whatever it is, it's ok. We'll understand, or try to at least. You... You can trust us, right?" Lo'ak asks quietly, his frown lessening slightly at Spider's rough nod. 

"I saved him." He mutters quietly, biting his lip to not let a sob rip out of him. 

"... Saved who?" Kiri asks quietly, though Lo'ak understood instantly. His grip tightened on Spider as if protecting him, his throat with a lump as he rubs his face into Spiders neck. Kiri pulls away when seeing Lo'ak practically take Spider into his arms entirely, her confusion clear. 

"Quaritch. I- I'm so sorry-!" Spider sobs out, immediately shushed by Lo'ak. 

"Shut up, of course you did. He's a manipulative fucker and when I see him I'm ripping his heart out. How dare- how DARE he hurt both my brothers." Lo'ak growls, hissing in anger though Spider has never been more glad it's not at him because it was vicious. Kiri's face is unreadable as she looks at the two, before sobs are ripping out of her. 

It startles the others as Lo'ak quickly pulls her back into the hug, looking back and forth at Kiri and Spider. There's questions in Lo'ak's staring, Spider's face crumbling as the two look at their sister. 

"I'm sorry, Kiri if I could take Neteyam's place I'd-"

"That's not it, don't you dare repeat that ever again." She hisses, sighing as she has to gather herself before explaining her tears. "It's just- it's not just that he made you feel bad for him... Is it? It's deeper than that."

"... Yes." Spider admits, making Lo'ak pull away to see them both, confused now. 

"You saved him because he was more your family than us, didn't you?" Kiri asked softly, her voice thick as more tears started flowing. Seeing Spider's defeated face was enough of an answer as she curls into him, crying into his chest for her parents not being enough.

She doesn't blame him though, she's always known this about them. They simply couldn't take him in, love him how he needed to be. It just hurt to see it all confirmed, Lo'ak tearing up as well at the realization. 

Spider is quick to wrap his arms as tightly around his siblings, letting them all have their cry together. There were so many emotions it was overwhelming, and they must have been loud as suddenly Jake was there. Watching in shock and confusion, Kiri glaring daggers as Lo'ak continues to hug Spider like he used to when younger. 

"The hell is happening here?" 

This is going to be a long day of explaining things, Spider realizes now. At least the first people he told listened and understood almost immediately.

Spider hates causing trouble, and sitting outside the Marui with all his siblings as he hears the yelling and hissing of arguing adults... It's all too much. He's practically toppling over from Aonung and Kiri both at his side and protectively covering him, as if Neytiri might hop down and attack him. Admittedly, they all aren't completely confident it couldn't happen. 

And as much as Kiri hisses that her mothers pain is not enough reason, it is an explanation for Spider. He sees Neytiri as more than her anger, he sees her pain when she looks at him. He sees the destruction his father had caused, both when alive as a Sky Person and Recom. 

He just wished she'd see him as well. 

They're all gathered underneath the Marui in the water on Ilus, not exactly the most secretive but it's all they could do. Lo'ak and Rotxo both keep watch of the adults as Tsireya is behind Spider on an Ilu, letting him ride with her. 

"I shouldn't have said anything. If he had shown up then- then maybe I could have lied-"

"You did good, brother. You were honest, that's an admirable thing about you. You did not wish to bring more pain, this is not your fault." Tsireya argues as she runs her hand down his hair, her body pressed to his back as she sighs against him, hoping to relax the hiss of Spider's mask. 

"Listen, if they so much as suggest you to be outcasted... I mean, you see all of us with you, yeah? We will fight for you, Spider. You are not alone like all those years before." Aonung says firmly, holding his arm tightly. Glancing at Kiri and Lo'ak, he looks a little guilty at what he said, looking down at the water.

"At least- I mean parent wise. You had people on your side always, it's just now you have more." He adds, making Kiri chuckle despite their situation because she really wasn't all that offended. Lo'ak was though, so he nodded at Aonung for his correction before returning to watch for the adults. 

"That DEMON SAVED ANOTHER. HE IS OUT THERE WITH THE BLOOD OF MY SON-"

"YOU WILL NOT CALL MY SON A DEMON-!"

"Neytiri, think about it, please. See Spider-"

There's a loud hiss from Jake's mate, making him back up with defeat on his face as he feels himself tear up. How was he so blind before? He should have known, should have tended to this so something like this would never happen. He was supposed to be their Olo'eyktan, leader of his people. Yet he left out one, allowing him to feel alone. 

And look what that did. 

"I do not need to see that demon! He is of his father's, through and through! Of COURSE he would save him-!" Neytiri growls as she looks to the others, glaring at them as Ronal looks ready to attack her. Tonowari raises his hand and with one calling to attention they all look at him. 

"He was taken, yes? To try and know more of the Omatikaya people? To know of where you all are?" Tonowari asks, waiting for Jake's slow nod before continuing. "And yet your Uturu was not interrupted. You all were able to get away as he- as MY boy went through Eywa knows what. And for who? Spirit parents who did not see him?" He asks, pressing for answers as he looks at the two forest Na'vi.

"Be ashamed. Be very ashamed you let the sky people turn your anger into that of theirs." at this Neytiri gets close to Tonowari, Jake having to pull her back and Ronal moving to try getting in front of her mate. 

"Your actions are like theirs. Disgusting. I know where his scar comes from! He has nightmares of it, did you know that? That he fears you just like those demons?" Tonowari growls, making Neytiri pause as she stares. 

He's surprised that gets her attention, able to see the words soak in and piece together in her mind. Ronal is quick to continue their shared message. "I know why you did that to him, that your daughter's life was on the line. I cannot lie and say I would not try something like that in my own desperation.” She admits softly but shakes her head at the thought. It's different now knowing Spider for her. 

“However, unlike you, I would make sure that child did not think I would truly kill him. You did not. Is it really so unimaginable that he would choose that demon, would choose to save the only father he's ever known?" She asks, starting to gather herself. She shouldn't need to explain this to someone. 

“Think of what you've done. Both of you.” Ronal emphasizes this as she gives Jake a cold stare before walking out of the Maru.

If she hears Lo'ak and Rotxo both cursing and jumping back in the water to lead the children away, she doesn't say anything.

Tonowari stared at them for a moment before shaking his head, looking down to the floor for a moment. “It is a concern of mine that he is alive. However I will not punish my son for doing something only a lonely child would do. Understand that, and Toruk Makto.” He addresses Jake, making him look straight ahead like a warrior. 

“Help our people prepare. War will be upon us, whether that demon was alive or not. You're people have been in conflict longer than us. Teach us the Sky People's ways and how best to avoid their destruction.” Tonowari tells him, and although he doesn't phrase it as a question, it is a desperate request. They have never faced something as unpredictable as Sky People.

So Jake nodding at him was everything to help ease Tonowari's shoulders. 

He left soon after, jaw clenched as he thought of that Quaritch. He wondered what he was like. Spider must have been so ready to take any comfort that a small part of Tonowari worries of what that demon could have done. Another is concerned he is too harsh on his son's biological father. He doesn't deserve a son like Spider, but perhaps he had moments of true care. 

He's not certain though when he heard how the other clan described the “recoms” as Sulli said. They did not seem any better than the Sky People, and they expressed concern for the child. He supposed information is in order to be sent out for their comfort. 

Spider stares at the Marui even as Tsireya leads the Ilu away, thinking about what he heard. He never had anyone to defend him that hard, so it felt weird. He didn't really know what to feel. So he leaned back into Tsireya as she pushed forward into his back as well, using one hand to hold him as she rested her head on his. 

Maybe he can get used to it.