#atwow fandom

[lunamochii]

Love Story || neteyam x omatikayafem!reader

cw // chilhood friends to lovers, fluff, start from childhood to adulthood, humans returned to pandora but no quaritch and his minions in sight, no use of y/n, bonus part on the end, one shot story.

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"What is wrong ma'ite?"

Your mother ask when she notice you're staring intently at her and to your father.

"Sa'nu do you love sempu?"

Both of your parents looks at each other soon they broke into a laughter, your mother bringing you closer to her. Her arms wrapping around you, your father's arm rest at the waist of your mother and resting his chin on your mother's head.

"Ofcourse I do ma'ite. Soon when you grow up you'll find someone you love too."

You giggle at her words and snuggle closer to the hug between your mother and father.

"Olo'eyktan Jake Sully, Neytiri te Tskaha Mo'at'ite."

Your parents greeted the leaders of your clan, you stood between the legs of your mother and father trying to hide yourself. You notice someone behind the legs of your clan leaders too, looking directly at you. The staring contest you had with that person broke when your mother introduce you.

"This is our daughter. Say hello to your elders ma'ite."

Your mother lightly push you upfront and you look up, the couple infront of you both have a smile on their lips.

"I want him! Sa'nu can I love this man?!"

You said and latch on towards the man's leg that is infront of you.

"Ma'ite! I'm so sorry olo'eyktan. Come here child!"

Your mother smiles apologetically but Jake can only laugh and when he was about to pick you up, another small pair of arms wrap around his leg

"No! My sempu is only mine! Go love someone else!"

Another child that is just around your age, maybe a one to two years older than you. You puff your cheeks and hug Jake's left leg tighter.

"I want him! Go away you narvä'"

"Who you calling ugly?! You're more uglier!"

"You look like a prolemuris!"

The child who you're bickering with gasp and tears are already pooling on his eyes. You stuck your tongue out and both of your parents can only gawk at your exchange bicker.

"Oh eywa! I'm sorry for her harsh comment Neytiri."

"It is fine. Neteyam, you should not call a woman ugly."

"She called me ugly first mother! Also, she's not a woman! She's a little girl!"

Neteyam huff and you giggled as if you just won a big argument by just having his mother on your side.

"Okay okay, kids settled down. Why don't we join the other clan members, hm? Up we go!"

Jake effortlessly lift you and Neteyam placing the both of you to his shoulders as he walk towards the big bonfire at the center. Your parents and Neytiri followed while conversing.

"Mister, I can love you right?"

You ask once again whwn Jake put you and Neteyam down, Jake laugh softly and make a mess of your nicely comb hair

"Hey! My mother spent a good time combing my hair."

"Sorry babygirl, I will and only love Neytiri. Don't worry, I know you'll be a good and strong woman when you grow up."

You pouted and cross your arms then you smiled and cling to Jake's arms

"Are you sure mister? I want to be a warrior then!"

Your mother and father who just arrive heard what you said and felt proud. You are so young but your eyes held so much determination. Neytiri put one hand on your mother's shoulder and smiled at her. Neytiri's eyes look at you then to her son and she silently chuckle. Eywa really does work in mysterious ways.

》》 [ neteyam is 14, you are 12 ]

*thwack*

A groan escape from your lips seeing how your arrow landed too far from the red dot you are aiming. You heard several chuckles behind you, turning around you place your hands on your waist

"You haven't shoot your arrow, Neteyam."

The boy before you smirk and got down on the log he was standing on together with his friends. You watch how he stretch his arms before picking up his bow and arrow.

"Don't blink syulang."

You were about to retort when he let go of his arrow and it hit the red dot. His friends cheered and Neteyam went to them smiling and doing a fist bump. He turns to you and a annoying grin is plastered on his face.

"What now? Are you going to stomp your feet like the little girl you are?"

You can feel your face heating up and push him hard before marching away and you can hear his laugh and it made you more annoyed. When you got back to the camp, you're greeted by his younger brother, Lo'ak.

"Oh Lo'ak! How I wish you are the one who is training me."

"Pfft- it's still early in the morning. Did Neteyam already annoyed you sevin.."

"Him and his friends! Argh!! I wish I can punch him straight in the face."

Lo'ak laugh and told you that his visiting the scientists lab and you immediately nodded. Being with Lo'ak is an escape from the tormenting grasp of Neteyam. Ever since he pass his iknimaya, he became more cocky towards you. Seeing a single strand of his hair is enough to make your day miserable.

"Heya Spider, Kiri!"

You greeted the two when you entered the lab, grabbing a mask you went at the side of Kiri. She greeted you with a smile before turning her attention to the avatar inside a container.

"Shouldn't you be practicing your bow skills?"

You heard Spider ask

"Fuck that! I suck at it because Neteyam sucks at teaching."

The choice of your words made Spider, Kiri and Lo'ak gawk at you before laughing, hard. You look at them with a confuse face.

"Holy! If your mother or father found out that you use such vulgar human words, they will skin you."

"Psh it don't matter if they don't find out, right?"

You sheepishly answered and now all of you are laughing, you stayed there for an hour before all of you decided to leave. You walk at the side of Lo'ak, your handd wrap around his as you both talk about your rendezvous tomorrow. He have been planning on sneaking out and going to the old shack, a place where Jake specifically told you and his kids not to go.

"Bro bro!"

Spider frantically tap Lo'ak's arm and when the boy turn around he immediately got rid of your hands wrap around his arm as if he just got burn.

"So you skip practice to slack?"

You recognize that voice that you hate down to your deepest core in you, you gathered all your strength and turn around. Greeting him with a fake smile.

"Oh hello there Neteyam!"

"Wipe that fake smile of yours."

Your rolled your eyes and cross your arms beneath your chest, you can feel his glare. Why is he mad? You should be the one who's mad!

"Glaring at me? Is that how you treat your student?"

"If that student of mine is hard headed and skips practice. Then, yes. You deserve to be glared at."

You gasp hearing his answer

"You- wasn't it enough when you shame and laugh at me together with your friends hours ago?! You're horrible!"

You shouted and walk away and Neteyam was left standing there dumbfounded. Lo'ak shrug his shoulders before walking away together with Kiri and Spider. Neteyam let out a low growl before making his way towards their family's hut.

When he got inside he saw his father and your father discussing something and the both of them stop and look towards his way.

"Back so soon? How's the training?"

"It was okay.."

His timid answer got the attention of the two adults but they just ignored it. Neteyam sat down at a corner and grab a small pouch that was place on top of his other knife. He grab the bracelet, made by you and was given to him during his 10th birthday. He smiled when he remembered how you gave it to him, you waited for him to be alone and when he was you sneak behind him and tug on his tail. After laughing at his reaction you step closer to him and slip the bracelet on to his arm.

Neteyam was smiling from ear to ear when suddenly the image of you clinging to his brother cross his mind, he immediately got irritated. He was about to place the bracelet back on the pouch when you suddenly entered their hut.

"Oh, I didn't know you guys were busy.."

You shyly said and look down, you are always hunted by the memory of you 'confessing' towards your olo'eyktan when you were just a child.

"Don't worry babygirl, me and your dad is just finishing up. What brings you here?"

You look at the side and saw Neteyam staring at you and you just rolled your eyes at his

"My mother wish for my father to be back a little bit earlier today. If it's possible..."

"Why? What happened ma'ite?"

Your dad immediately ask and you reassured him that everything is fine.

"Well, we can continue this tomorrow."

"Thank you olo'eyktan. Come now 'ite."

You nodded and followed behind your dad but before you can step out from the Sully's hut you glance at Neyeyam and his eyes are still on you, it made you feel weird so you ran towards your father.

"You look like a fool, son."

Jake stated

"What? I don't like her!"

Jake stop what he was doing and stare at his son then Neteyam just realise what he said and immediately hid his face with the use of his palm and that earn a laugh from Jake.

"Whatever you say, son."

》》

"I'm pregnant."

The mat that you were holding drop down on the floor and the meat your father is holding also drop down on the floor. None of you dared to move and your mother let out a groan

"What's with the reaction of you two?! I said I'm pregnant!"

It was your father who move first and immediately hug your mother, showering her kisses and telling how much he loves her.

"Aren't you going to hug me, ma'ite?"

You broke into a sob and immediately went to hug your mother as you cried out. You silently thank Eywa for the gift she have given your mother. Your father presented himself to be the one who'll cook and you also decided to help, you spend your dinner with your family full of love and smiles.

Soon after your mother and father decided to rest early for the night and you told them that you'll be just outside. Looking at the stars, they didn't forbid you since you have always done this since you were young.

Just right around the corner of the camp there's a small way that will lead you to the top and you'll be greeted by the shining stars that adorn the night sky. You sat down with your legs cross and your right elbow resting on your lap as you stare at the vast of the forest. You were enjoying your peace when you heard someone going up

"Haaaa what a peaceful night, I hope that person who came up here falls."

"Is that the right way to greet your superior?"

"Superior my ass.."

Neteyam softly flick your forehead and that made you hiss at him which he just laughs. You scoot away when he sat down beside you. The two of you never bothered speaking up again but Neteyam can't handle silence that much. Maybe his used on the daily bickering of his family.

"So, are you going to attend the practice tomorrow?"

You turn to him and look at him straight in the eyes

"The day you'll stop treating me like a little girl and teach me properly, maybe I will."

He can sense the irritation on your voice and he wants to get rid of it. His body act on it's own accord and reach for your cheeks

"Oh yawntutsìp, How will I teach you if you keep on missing and skipping your class?"

"Stop calling me that! Will I stay on your class when all you do is tease and make fun of me with your friends?! Ugh, you ruin my night!"

You spat and stood up as you hurriedly left the place. Your cheeks burning up when you can still the warm of his fingers against your cheeks.

Neteyam runs a hand through his hair and laid down as he stare at the sky, he wants to be at your side at all times. He knows his attitude sucks when his near you but can he help it? You make his heart beat faster that he fumbles on his word and keeps on messing up. He stared at the fingers he used to touch your cheeks and brought it closer to his lips and kisses it.

》

"Look at this!"

You went to where Lo'ak is and saw him pointing at something and you squealed seeing a not very large nest and there rest three ikran babies. You are on your way up to the highest part of Hallelujah Mountain, to try once again on taming a ikran.

You guys couldn't even sneak out to go towards the old shack since the momen Lo'ak woke up his father was already on his trail.

Together with Lo'ak, Kiri, Neteyam and Jake, all of you climb towards the top and you felt your stomach turning at the sight of the ikrans. You gulp down as your eyes wander around the area

"Here, let me help you kid."

You felt Jake's hands rest at your waist and help you get up. Once on your feet you were grinning but it was soon wipe from your face when you saw Neteyam looking at your way.

"Now remember, taming an ikran is not easy. You need to be patient. Understood?"

"Yes sir!"

You beam and Jake chose Lo'ak to go first, you gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and you heard someone snicker at your back, you turn around saw Kiri nudge her older brother.

"Go get your ikran bro."

Neteyam can only blurt it out as he cross his arms, it wasn't easy for Lo'ak. Seeing how this ikran before him almost bit his arm off. He got a rope on his side and slowly walk towards the side and when he did he immediately wrap the rope on the ikran's mouth and made the bond.

"Woah!!"

"Go Lo'ak!"

"You can do this boy!"

Everyone cheered for him and he kept telling the ikran to keep calm, it took him a couple of minutes to get it calm. Soon after Lo'ak instructed the ikran to fly and it did. You were practically jumping while cheering for your friend. It was Kiri's turn but all of you were dumbfounded on how the ikran she chose was calm all the way even after she did the tsaheylu.

"You are amazing Kiri!"

You beam when she landed back, her hands pat your shoulders as she smiled at you

"You can do this sister, I know you can."

Right, the three of you failed together at your first try so maybe you'll pass this one too? Unlike them, once you pass this you'll be no more a warrior-in-training. You'll become a full pledge warrior and will be helping the clan.

"Look out!"

"Huh?"

You wince when you felt a surge of pain on your stomach that almost made you stumble on your feet. Your head snapped towards the ikran who just whip you, you hiss at it and ran towards it and jump to get on it's back. Grabbing your braid you were struggling on forming the bond and when you successfully did the bond, you soothe the ikran, letting your breath go slower and when you felt it calming down, you instructed it to fly and it flew beyond the clouds.

"Woah..."

You were amaze on how pretty the sun looks, you fly around at the top of the clouds for a minute before landing back again. When you got off from your ikran, a strong pair of arms engulf you into a hug. You were about to push him off when you felt him trembling, you look at the people infront of you and all of them just silently told you to let him be.

To let Neteyam embrace you.

》》 [ timeskip ; neteyam is 19 , you are 17 ]

"Hell yeah!"

You scream when the demon ship you just struck with your bow crash, the warriors beside you also cheered as you grin flying up again to hide on the clouds. It has been years now ever since the humans are back on your planet. With your every own eyes, you saw how they destroyed your home. Now, you live at one of the mountains in Hallelujah.

"We have secured a lot of items, fallback!"

You heard Jake's voice on the intercom and you immediately redirected the flight of your ikran towards the homebase. Upon landing you were greeted by your little brother who was waiting for you to get back.

"Tsmuke!"

"Hey there!"

You beam and immediately hug him, you notice your parents standing on the side and you hug them too. Your father and mother both step down being a warrior and decided to do another task that can still help the clan.

"How is my little sister?"

You cooed while gently rubbing your hand on your mother's belly. Yes, she is pregnant once again. You even joke to your father that maybe he just step down as a warrior so he can have moments with your mother.

"You got some bruises ma'ite. Why don't you get yourself treated first?"

"Oh it's fine. It's not that deep."

You said then you heard Jake's loud voice as you turn around and saw him scolding his two sons.

"Mother, I'll just go look at the things we gathered."

Your parents nodded as you pat the head of your little brother. You may be oblivious to it but anyone can see how you care for Neteyam. Maybe it was the day where he didn't leave your side after seeing you get hurt while passing your iknimaya or maybe when he saw a man trying to win your favor. Throughout these years a silent mutual understanding can be seen on the both of you.

"The both of you are supposed to be lookout!"

"Sir I-"

"Stop. I don't want to hear your excuses. Go get yourself patch up Neteyam. For you Lo'ak, you're grounded."

You watch and listen at the sides trying to tidy the things the clan have gathered. Seeing Neteyam about to walk past you, you hurriedly put the things down and catch up to him.

"Why do you disobey his orders? You must really like getting lectured."

Neteyam groan and rolled his eyes

"Not you too. I had enough of my father's scolding, I don't need one from you."

He said coldly and brush you off, you were taken back at his actions but didn't bother walking with him anymore. You know better than to annoy or talk to a mad Neteyam. Walking back to where you were sitting down, you went over to Lo'ak who was tending to the ikrans.

"He has eyes everywhere. You better not stick close to me or this small bruises of mine will get bigger."

You scoff at his statement and help him on tending to the ikrans, you're not dumb. You know Neteyam is the reason why you don't have anyone courting you. You know how he snakes his arms around your waist whenever you guys walk past to a group of eligible men. How he rest his fingers on your thighs when the both of you are sat down next to each other during some feast.

"His grumpy. I mean, isn't it his fault? Sometimes, I don't understand him."

"You guys grew up attach to each other's hip and you still don't?"

"Time change Lo'ak. We are not kids anymore, Neteyam's mind works in a very mysterious way."

"His grumpy because his self proclaim mate were flying with some other warriors and not him."

Lo'ak whispered his answer to you and thank eywa that you didn't hear it. When the both of you were finish, you told him that you'll just go to Mo'at's hut to get treated because your wounds are starting to hurt.

When you got there you were greeted by a Neteyam who is hissing in pain and it made you laugh seeing how he is flinching away from the touches of his grandmother.

"I see you, Mo'at tsahik of our clan."

"Mhm, Kiri go and patch the girlfriend of your brother."

"What?!"

"Grandma!"

Mo'at simply hum and Kiri giggled, you sat down across Neteyam and instantly his eyes are fixated on you. You were the first one to look away and let Kiri treat your wounds. Neteyam was the first one to get done on getting treated. He left immediately that he didn't even said a another word. You sat there in silence as Kiri finishes her treat with you.

"Thank you"

You bowed slightly before exiting the hut but you were shock seeing Neteyam sitting on a box just outside. When he saw you he got up and walk towards you.

"Next time, fly with me. You'll be safer when you fly closely to me."

You arch your eyebrow and lightly get rid of his hands that is place on your shoulders

"Why should I? I am safe even if I don't fly with you. Also, I'm getting to know my soon-to-be mate."

You smirk at him before walking towards your home and Neteyam is just standing there as if he was struck by a lightning.

'Mate'? You? The woman who he watches everyday manage to found herself a man? The woman who he shoo's away the men lingering around her? You?!

He storm out of there and went towards his home, he ignored Tuk's greet, his youngest sister, if he was grumpy moments ago then his more grumpier right now. He decided to sharpen his knife, maybe he will keep sharpening till dinner.

Night came and the clan decided to have a grand feast since they have took down another base of the humans. You are currently sitting down with your friends, chatting and sharing moments on each other's life. While Neteyam, he feels his losing himself. He can't take his eyes away from you because he thinks once he do you'll be gone from his sight.

"Really?! I am very happy for you sister.."

You said towards one of your friend, knowing she'll be mated before eywa tomorrow makes you happy. The man she loves and loves her are finally presenting their self to Eywa.

"Don't worry, Tay'lin likes you. Why don't you give him a chance?"

One of your friends said, Tay'lin is also one of the best warriors. Actually, you know he likes you but everytime you want to strike a conversation with him, Neteyam always, ALWAYS, shows up.

"If Neteyam allows. I mean, he didn't even allow you expressing your love towards the olo'eyktan?"

"Hey! Stop that!"

You laugh when you were once again reminded about how silly you were during your childhood. Even now, you can't look straight at the olo'eyktan.

"But you're right. Even now, I can feel his burning gaze on the back of my head."

"Pfft- just go. We also know you want to sit next to him."

You laugh before standing up and bidding a goodbye to them. You turn towards where Neteyam is and you almost broke out into a laughter when you saw how he shove Lo'ak on the side to make a space beside him.

"What the fuck bro?!"

You heard Lo'ak burst before walking away and going towards a girl which you hunch he has a crush on.

"Hey"

You greeted and sat down beside him, his one arm instantly around your waist pulling you closer to him.

"If you keep doing that, Tay'lin won't have a chance with me."

"Good. He should know."

You smack him at the back of his head and he took away his arm but it was replace by his tail. You sigh before staring at the bonfire at the center of the camp.

"Neteyam... what are we? You act as if you don't want other men to be near me. Or do you just do all that because you still view me as a little girl who needs protection?"

Neteyam look at you widen eyes but then he immediately look away and you let out a sigh before standing up.

"Where are you going?" He ask

"Away from you. I don't need a man who doesn't speak for himself."

You said and began to walk at the back part of the camp where you have put up the hut that you made. Usually you and the others uses this as a hangout spot. Laying on the mat that was place there, you felt someone sit down behind your back.

Neteyam followed and found you laying down on the mat, he sighs as he squat down facing your back.

"Look at me"

He softly said, his fingers caressing your arm. You close your eyes and relaxes on his touch.

"I'm no idiot Neteyam. The way you touch, hold, and look at me means a lot more.."

Still not looking at him but you can feel his gaze on you, sighing you sat up and look at him straight in the eyes.

"I know we had our ups and down while growing up, we bicker a lot but we'll aways find solace to each other's presence."

You held his hand and you notice his breath hitching but you didn't pay any attention to it. You rub his knuckles and smile softly at him

"Do you remember when we were building this hut? You told me in the most meanest way you can that I can't finish this but later at night, I found you fixing the things I scewed up that in the next morning I found you sleeping inside."

"The foundation wasn't enough so I had to fix it."

You laugh remembering how he always come at day time to bother you but then when you sneak out from your home, you found him tidying it up.

"What I'm saying is somehow, we always found our self tangled to each other... I like you, Neteyam."

His eyes found yours and he saw you smiling, your smile that made your eyes shine. He purse his lips before pulling you towards him. Your head against his chest, his hands on your back rubbing it. You let yourself be immerse to his warmth but you had to pull away. His hand immediately cup your cheeks, his lips stretch into a grin

"Who knew my most annoying childhood friend likes me?" He said, teasing.

"Hmp! For all we know, you're the one who's been crushing on me. I even thought one time that I'll grow old since no one is courting me."

Neteyam laugh and showered your face with kisses and it made you giggle, he stop just above your lips and you close your eyes.

"I love you, yawne."

He whispered before letting your lips and his touch. His one hand place at the back of your neck as he use his other free hand to guide you on sitting on his lap. You can feel all the unsaid feelings througout the years spilling at every second that passes. Your fingers playing with his hair as you let out a moan when he bit your lower lip, parting your lips he slid his tongue in and you let out a sigh when his tongue get tangled with yours.

You were the first one to pull away and his kisses trail down towards your neck. Grazing his teeth on your soft flesh, he slowly pierce his fangs through your skin and it made you whine. Seeing the bite marks he grin to himself before licking it.

"Nete.."

You called out and he kiss you again on the lips, you can practically melt into his kisses. Though your kiss stop abruptly when you heard the horn, it means that the feast is coming to and end and the olo'eyktan will be saying a few words before ending the event.

"Let's join them!"

You said and stood up while tugging on his arm, Neteyam wanted to bask in your presence more but for sure his father will be looking for him. He stood up and snake his arm around your waist and kiss your cheeks as you both walk out the hut.

"Is my hair okay? How about my top?"

Neteyam chuckle and tuck in a lose strand of your hair behind your ear

"You look beautiful, syulang. If we didn't just do all those things back there and declared our love. I would think you're trying to impress my father."

The both of you are already nearing where the others and you snickered at what he said. Slipping away from his grasp and walking ahead of him you turn around while grinning.

"Maybe I am? Your father still looks good even- Neteyam!"

He didn't let you finish and carried you like how he carries his catch when hunting. He only put you down when you guys were few meters away and his father is already giving out his speech.

"You're so cute when I tease you."

Neteyam rolled his eyes in response and captured your lips for a another kiss

"And you look cuter after I always kiss you."

He wink and the both of you sneak back on to the crowd, both sitting down on the empty seat. Your head resting on his shoulders, your hands and his intertwined to each other.

"To my son, Neteyam, who'll be the next olo'eyktan!"

You pulled away when he stood up and greeted the clan. You can't help but feel proud looking at him, then he looks at you and made you stand. Blush creeping to your face knowing what he'll do.

"I have chosen my mate, the future tsahik."

He turns and look at you and even if your attention is only on him, it's hard not to notice everyone's attention are on you.

"Oel ngati kameie."

You both said at the same time and it made you laugh, the whole clan cheered and you even saw your parents clapping while your mother is tearing up. You hug him tight as he did too.

"I love you."

○ bonus part! [ neteyam is 25 and you are 23 ]

"Neteyam!!"

Your voice boom and your mate immediately went to you leaving all the weapons he has been sharpening.

"What happened? Are you all right? Do you need-"

"Shut up! Help me with this baskets."

Neteyam immediately did what he was told to, you told him to put it inside your home. You can feel yourself growing tired as you rub your round stomach. Who knew pregnancy can be this hard? You can't even hunt on your own now. Well, it's not like Neteyam will let you.

"How about you sit down, hm? I will take care of this."

"It's fine. Just put the baskets on the table. I will chop the fruits."

"No, I can chop them."

You glared at him and he pouted.

"I will chop them and your fingers if you won't let me."

"But you love my fingers..."

"NETEYAM!"

Your mate immediately exited your marui pod while laughing, you shake your head in disbelief, a smile can be seen on your lips. When you were about to begin chopping you felt something wet trickled down and your eyes went wide when you see a pool of water at your feet.

°°

Your scream can be heard throughout the camp as you use every bit of your strength, your hands gripping tightly on your mate's arm.

"Breathe, ma yawne. Breathe, follow my breathing.."

"I will really kill you after this, Neteyam!"

Neteyam wince at what you said and wipe the sweat on your forehead

"Tiyawn if you'll kill me then we can't make a another Neteyam junior."

You scream your frustation and when your head fell back again on the pillow, you heard a cry. A cry of a newborn baby. Your tired eyes darted to where the voice is coming from and Neteyam is already holding the baby, your baby, his baby.

"She looks so much like you..."

Neteyam cooed as he place the baby on your chest, you can't help but broke into a sob as you hug your baby. He felt his heart swelled at the sight of his family. He lean down to kiss you on your forehead and kiss the cheeks of the baby.

"Thank you, yawne. Thank you great mother..."

He muttered softly as he hug you and the child of you both. This is his family now, the one where he always dream of having it with you. You, him, and the childrens you guys will be raising on the future. This is everything he could ask for.

[hyperfixatedfandomer]

Saw someone on Twitter say that Spider is listed under the “Na’vi” category on Pandorapedia characters and had to check it out. Indeed, he’s there, while the recoms didn’t make it 🥹🫶 child of the sky in skin, a creature of Pandora in soul 💖

[marymary-diva17]

the dreamwalker of the sea

tonowari x reader x ronal

You had come to Pandora to join the avatar program and as one of grace helpers, during your time there you had made great friendship and see wonderful things as well. When the war had happened you had helped fight in the war, but you had been lost as you and your ikran had been hit. Everyone had thought you were gone as they couldn't find you, but eywa had saved you and soon brought you to safety within a reef clan where you had started your second journey in life.

y/n " Noiey" you are standing the sallow water as you looked at your son playing with his wooden toy.

noiey " mama"

y/n " yes mama is making sure you stay very close to her I know you are a good swimmer like your dad, but you need to be careful sweetie" noiey had smile at you as he went back to playing as you were studying some shells.

noiey " mama mama"

y/n " yes sweetie what the matter" noiey was pointing up at the sky when you saw some ikran, you soon picked up your son as you as the ikran getting closer to the village.

y/n " what in the world is going on ikran never some this far ... unless it bad news" the group had soon landed, on the beach as crowd had started surrounding them.

noiey " mama"

y/n " it okay honey let go find your siblings along with you mom and baba" you soon walked towards the group who soon landed. You had been trying to get a better look at them.

????? " we come in peace we mean no harm" you knew that voice so well. it was the voice of your friend Jake it had been many year since you had seen him.

???? " ma Jake"

???? " Jake are you sure that this a good idea"

????? " yes brother we have to make sure not to upset them" you had soon heard three other voices you had knew well. The voice of three friends as well.

Jake " it will be okay trusted me" You had soon got a good look at them to see it was them along with some kids with them. The kids seem to be around the age of your oldest kids, speaking of your oldest kids they soon showed themselves. They seem to be having a good interaction with the new kids that arrived.

y/n " children" you soon made you way towards the kids they soon smiled while seeing you.

tsireya " mama there you are do you know why they are here"

y/n " I'm going to ask but I need one of you to hold noiey and watch him"

aonung " I will mama"

y/n " good thank you" you soon handed noiey over to aonung he laugher had drawn the attention of the kids with the group.

???? " hey look at her she looks like just like us"

neteyam " tuk it rude to point but yes you are right"

lo'ak " hey dad are you sure there are no avatar here"

Jake " yes I'm sure what makes you ..." Jake soon looked to where his kids were looking and soon saw, you walking toward them.

Jake " y/n"

y/n " hey there Jake to good to see you again"

norm " y/n"

y/n " hey norm it been very long" Jake and norm soon hugged you happy to see you, as it has been so long since they last saw you and thought they lost you.

neytiri " ma Jake what the matter ... y/n"

y/n " hey neytiri sister and brother Tsu’tey"

Tsu’tey " sister y/n" neytiri soon hugged you happy to see you after so long, you soon felt Tsu’tey place a comforting hand on your shoulder.

y/n " I has been so long"

neytiri " yes it has sister we had thought we lost you"

mo'at " hello y/n it good to see you again you have been missed"

y/n " hello mo'at"

y/n " I was lost for once but arrived here I couldn't get in contact with you all, until they retuned and I wished for no harm to come to anyone"

Jake " we understand hey meet our kids neteyam, lo'ak, kiri, and tuk"

sully kids " hello"

y/n " hello"

norm " meet I and tsu'tey son spider"

spider " hello"

y/n " hi"

Jake " we have come here seeking help from tonowari and ronal"

y/n " I will help you all as well wait there is ones here I will love you all to meet and there something I need to tell you ..." you had been cut off when a call had been heard, soon tonowari and his warriors had come back. Soon enough he had landed in the water and soon walked onto the beach and towards the group.

Jake " I see you olo'eythan tonowari"

everyone " I see you olo'eythan tonowari"

tonowari " ma y/n"

y/n " husband"

Jake " wait you are tonowari are a couple I thought he was with ronal"

????? " ma y/n" soon ronal voice had been heard as she made her way through the crowd, and soon looked at you.

y/n " hello my wife"

norm " I'm confused right now"

y/n " tonowari and ronal are my mates when I washed up here they found me, and while I was healing here I learn the ways and started a new life here"

neytiri " that amazing the great mother has really blessed you"

y/n " thank you"

y/n " ma ronal and ma tonowari these are my friends I have told you about, and the stories you have heard"

ronal " oh yes it good to meet you all but if you don't mind me asking, why have you all come here"

Jake " we have come here seeking uturu"

ronal " uturu"

Jake " yes for our families please"

y/n " we should help them we can't send them away"

tonowari " yes we will be helping them ma y/n" you had nodded your head, as it was good to know the guest who came will be given help and refuge here.

???? " mama" you had soon looked at your kids and soon waved them over, they soon walked towards you.

y/n " these are my kids aonung, rotox, tsireya, and noiey"

kids " hello" noiey had soon himself as he was not good with new faces.

neteyam " you have a wonderful family"

y/n " thank you and you have a wonderful family as well, now come on lets get you all settled in here and talk more"

later that night

norm " so you become the dreamwalker of the sea"

y/n " yes I have they had been told about dream walker like us and with me coming here, they thought me as that"

Jake " you have a good life here y/n we are proud of you and grace will be as well"

y/n " thank you but I think she will be proud of us all" you are holding a sleeping noiey in your arms.

Jake " you seem to be doing well with motherhood"

y/n " thank you and fatherhood seem to be doing well for you two as well"

norm " yeah I never thought it will be a father but it seems like, life had other plans for me"

y/n " yes that is very true but now we have to make sure to keep our families and home safe once again"

Jake " yes but we will not be fighting the battle alone"

y/n " good" the three had spent some time caught up with each other, and enjoying some time until they had wet home at night. You had been greeted by your mates when you came home, they were happy to see you.

ronal " my love is everything okay"

y/n " yes everything is good I'm just happy to have my old friend back in my life, but I have the feeling of worry and fear"

tonowari " we are here ma y/n we will make sure none of that happens"

y/n " thank you"

????? " baba"

tonowari " come here my boy your mama has been hogging you all day"

y/n " no I haven't" tonowari had soon taken noiey and walked off leaving, both women alone as they looked at each other and smiled. You had gone to bed that night feeling good and happy to have the ones, from the past you had thought you will never see again but it seems like eywa brought them back to you.

[torukmaktoskxawng]

tsamsiyu ta'em - returning to your roots

Masterlist - part fifteen

Summary: Spider's decision leads to a brother and a sister's worst argument yet. Some things come to a head.

Pairing: Ronal/Tonowari/Original Female Character

Tag: #tsamsiyu ta'em fic

posted on ao3

Word Count: 20k+ (I am so sorry 🙏)

Overall warnings: mentions of torture, trauma/ptsd, vomit, slight body horror, canon-compliant, mature language, slow burn, polyamory, found family, cool aunt agenda, rushed, time skips, fluff, angst, major character death, child endangerment, etc.

Taglist (bold indicates "could not tag"): @motheroffae @undeniableadrenaline @mooniequeen @shit-i-say-shit-i-think @heart-an0n @amiets2 @slutforsmut4ever @yeosxxx​ @im-in-a-pansexual-panik @sucker4angstt @inolaphoenix @ilovechickenwings @tojisleftarm @andyfromku @ivysully @lightandshadow31 @jamie-poopoo @brittney69

A/N: Here it is... the ultimate Spider appreciation chapter. I couldn't afford to split this chapter into two parts like I did last time... so if you think some things aren't rendering on Tumblr, please please please click the link to the ao3 version. Enjoy!

Kayla would be the first to admit that she wasn't good at making her kelku feel like a home. Still a soldier at heart, she retained the mindset to keep her quarters clean, organized, and empty of any clutter. The only thing she owned was the weapons with the safety on, cleaned, and tucked away from sight, along with the little necessities she first packed for her trip to the reef, such as the hammocks that are always packed away every morning after a night of rest. As for Spider, all he had was the breathing mask on his face, the loincloth he wore, and the few packages of human rations Kayla and Jake had found for him in a drifting harpoon boat after their battle with the Sky People. 

So, needless to say, the marui pod Kayla was so graciously given by the clan leaders of the Metkayina looked more like what the Sky People would call a bachelor pad back home. At least, that's what first came to mind when Kayla took one look at her new home and decided something needed to change. She had a new place of residence and she even had a teenager living under her roof, a teenager who barely had anything growing up that he could proudly call his. Kayla decided that she needed to make this place look and feel more like a safe space Spider could come to when he needed to get away from the world, which is how Spider found her hours later.

"What's that supposed to be?"

Kayla looked up to spot the teenager in the entryway, staring oddly behind his mask at the object she was trying to put on the far opposite wall of the pod. She looked between him and the large branch which she had spent dedicated time to cutting and molding into a flat surface, before her ears lowered in embarrassment, "Uh... a bookshelf?"

Setting the long wooden board down on the ground for Spider to get a better look, Kayla huffed in exertion and decided she would have to find an easier way to hang up the makeshift piece of furniture she had created. 

Spider's expression only grew more confused as he looked at the warped plank of wood before stating the obvious, "You don't own any books."

"Yeah..." Defeat was already evident in her voice, already aware she had spent hours of wasted time on this project but had stubbornly hoped it would pull through. She stared longingly at the wood piece, ears still drooping with shame, "But I was hoping that putting other stuff on it would liven the place up. I guess it's not as homey looking without any books."

"Wait, what?" He cranes his neck up to look at her, puzzled as he crosses his arms over his chest, the knife cut barely even a scar now, "What are you trying to make it look like?"

"Nothing," she mumbled, now staring down at the makeshift shelf as if it had offended her. She was mentally kicking at it and herself for not succeeding in one stupid little piece of home decor. Realizing that Spider was still oddly watching whatever was happening to her face as she had these thoughts, she decided to straighten her back and head toward the exit, motioning the kid to follow her.

"You know what? You and I are always out of the house anyway. It doesn't need to be fancy. Let's go. I'm thinking of taking you kids out exploring."

Spider takes a moment to watch her leave before glancing back at the 'shelf.' Squinting his eyes, he shrugs and turns to follow her outside, "Cool, sounds like fun."

~~~~~~~~~

Kayla brought Spider to Jake first and asked about taking the kids out into the jungle, expressing how she wanted to show them the waterfall she had previously mentioned to her brother. Before he could reply, Jake was interrupted by Tsireya, who just so happened to be stopping by to see Lo'ak and Kiri. The reef girl expressed her excitement and claimed she knew the spot Kayla had mentioned and how she would love to go with. Of course, Kayla wasn't about to say no to sweet Tsireya, and that made Jake cave in and agree to let his children go with them. 

He watched the group leave with a small smile before getting back to work on strengthening a newly woven sheath for his hunting knife. He wasn't left alone for long as Neytiri had come home from a morning hunting trip she flew around the island. 

She had been silent at first, before looking around and asked, "Ma Jake. Where are the children?"

"They're exploring out in the jungle with Kayla," immediately, he felt the tension in the air, peering up to spot his mate looking fearful, her eyes glossed over in a way that made his gut hurt with guilt. He realized he should've waited until she got home to discuss whether or not she would be okay with letting their children venture out after everything they've been through, but he was hoping this would be a good step forward for all of them.

"They'll be fine, baby," he encouraged softly, "It's just like what we do on date night. It's not like I left them alone."

"I do not like the idea of them being so far away from the village."

"I promise it will be no different than when Kayla watches them at home. She's bringing them to a well-known spot to take a load off and have fun. Tsireya mentioned that she knew the place so it's not like anyone would get lost. They're in good hands."

Neytiri sucks in and lets out a shaking breath but eventually closed her eyes and nodded once in solemn agreement. Jake wanted to feel relief that she wasn't up in arms about this, but he couldn't find it within himself to feel that way. He knew exactly where she was coming from, where her thought process was. He couldn't blame her for being worried, the two of them both thinking the same thing as heavy, grieving silence filled the air. Jake immediately reached out to grasp Neytiri's hand and she clutched tightly onto him.

"Jake-- Devil Dog, do you copy? Jake?"

The sound of the long-range radio abruptly breaking the silence brings both Jake and Neytiri's ears and tails to perk up in alertness, and their eyes immediately harden to ones resembling warriors. Recognizing the voice patching through, Jake reaches for the radio and presses the device close to his lips,

"Dirty Falcon, I read you. What's going on, Norm?"

"Jake, we have a situation."

~~~~~~~~~

It ended up feeling like a school field trip as Kayla found herself with not only Spider and her nieces and nephew, but the other reef children they claimed as their friends. Once Tsireya had been invited, so were Ao'nung and Rotxo, making Kayla the single chaperone of six Na'vi children and one human.

At first, everyone could tell both the suspicious and curious nature the two reef boys felt upon being officially introduced to Spider, but at least they were civil, and they even looked surprised when Spider greeted them in perfect, proper Na'vi. It also helped that both Tsireya and Kiri were adamant about making Ao'nung and Rotxo converse with Spider, determined to make them all friends. 

Rotxo didn't appear to mind Spider at all, being the more curious one and asking the human teenager obnoxious questions that got Spider to laugh. Ao'nung, however, was a different story. He kept his distance and ignored Spider entirely, only nodding once in greeting the human boy and sticking close to the other kids he knew better. Even though the chief's son wasn't hostile toward Spider, Kayla still kept a close eye on him anyway. Tsireya and Kiri were good mediators of the group and took the lead as they traveled further and further into the jungle. Tuk was a breath of fresh air for everyone, constantly laughing and running circles around the group with excitement as they ventured further toward the center of the island, ready for a new change in scenery. 

It was Lo'ak who appeared to be the most estranged out of all of them. He had been quiet the whole way to the waterfall and only spoke when spoken to, faintly smiling whenever it was Tsireya who addressed him. However, Lo'ak was acting more closed off than usual and strayed away from the group as they walked. Kayla made sure to keep an eye on her nephew as well, knowing that his situation at home wasn't the most ideal. Lo'ak was purposely spending time out of his family's marui as of late, either seeking Spider out and hiding away in Kayla's hut with his childhood friend, or he tried blending in with the reef children and was constantly hunting or helping out with chores around the village. He was practically doing anything to keep him away from his family and especially his father, only returning to the Sully marui to sleep and eat.

Kayla noticed how Jake didn't address this as a problem, which is why she was keeping an eye on her nephew. Even though Jake claims to finally See Lo'ak, he is still treating his son much like before. If Kayla was anyone else, she'd leave it the hell alone, but she wasn't. And if she needed to be harsher to her brother about it, then by Eywa, she was gonna do it. She'd do anything for these kids, and that even surprised her to admit that.

It was easy for her to reach out to the children. Her nieces and nephews gave their hugs and trust to her willingly, without trepidation, almost immediately upon meeting her for the first time. Maybe because of that, it was easier for Kayla to accept their hugs and trust when she confidently knew they thrive on receiving touch as well as giving it. Even children who weren't as familiar with her, like the reef children, gravitated toward Kayla, either because she was unique-looking as an avatar, or she was just more laid-back and unserious compared to most adults they knew. For Spider, it was a healthy mixture of both.

For adult humans and Na'vi, it's different. Mature and aware of how the world works, Kayla would rather try to shield the children from the horror of life for just a little while longer if no other adult was going to do it. 

The waterfall was tall and led down into a quiet, beautiful lagoon. Animals scattered from their water hole when the Na'vi children appeared, and Tuk laughed as they ran away. Immediately, the reef children encouraged the others about what to do by shoving one another to get to the water first, jumping high, and splashing into the lagoon. Spider and the Sully kids laughed and soon followed, even climbing up to the very top of the waterfall to jump down from once Kayla was confident that the water was deep enough to do so. 

Kayla watched the kids play in the water while also exploring the waterfall herself, venturing into and standing in the small alcove hidden behind it. Curious, she whoops and lets her voice echo off the walls of the small cave, and the sound rang in her ears. She smiled as an idea struck her, heading back out of the alcove and rejoining the children. None of them appeared to notice anything until she approached them, first going to Little Tuk and pointing out the waterfall.

"Go behind there and scream and laugh as loud as you can. Come back and see if your sister heard you or not."

Tuk giggled excitedly at what she assumed was a game her aunt had in mind and ran toward the waterfall. The teenagers look between Kayla and Tuk curiously but don't mention anything as they watch the youngest child of their group disappear behind the waterfall. It took a few minutes, but Tuk reemerged, out of breath and grinning as she skipped over to her sister, "Kiri! Kiri! Did you hear me?" 

"No, I didn't," Kiri smiled encouragingly at her sister before taking a glance at her aunt.

Kayla smiles, tilting her head toward the waterfall, "You next, Kiri."

"Yes! You next!" Tuk drags Kiri out of the water by the hand, "I'll come with you! Let's try to scream as loud as we can, and if anyone out here can hear us, then we win!"

The Sully girls go behind the waterfall while the rest of the teenagers stare questionably at Kayla. She only shrugs, flashing a smile of understanding at each of them, "You kids have been through a lot lately... I thought maybe you'd like a place to scream out your frustrations without anyone hearing you. Only if you want, but I think you need to let some things out."

When Kiri and Tuk return, the other teenagers glance at each other with knowing expressions. Spider whispered Kayla's intentions to Kiri when she still looked confused, and in response, a grateful look took over Kiri's face as she nodded at her aunt.

Tuk was none the wiser as she ran up to Kayla, "I wanna do it again!"

"Go ahead, sweetheart."

"Will you come with me, Auntie?"

"Of course."

After that, one by one, each of the teenagers decided to slip away while the others were playing in the lagoon to have a few minutes alone behind the waterfall. When each of them returned, they appeared relaxed, lighter than before, and acting their age. Kayla internally pats herself on the back, calling it a success, especially when Ao'nung had loosened up and shared a short conversation with Spider.

If anyone noticed Lo'ak's eyes were puffy and red when he returned from behind the waterfall, they didn't mention it. They only smiled because he was smiling again.

They must have been there for hours, but eventually, Kayla called it a day and everyone was much too tired to argue. On the way back as they trekked through the jungle, Spider kept close to Kayla's side, instinctively keeping a watchful eye out as they walked through the trees, in case something decided to try and grab at the weakest link in the group which at the moment was Kayla with a sleeping Tuk on her back, making her slower than the teenagers. Something caught his eye while they walked, and it was Kayla's songcord swinging in the wind from side to side each time her leg moved forward. He noticed the cord was longer than he had last seen it, the end now sporting a wooden bead and a shell soon after.

"That's new," he simply states. 

Her ear flicks in his direction, and he watches as she looks down to see what he is referring to. Sunlight was right above her, casting a shadow over her face, but even Spider could catch a sudden shift in her expression. If he had blinked, he would have missed the shift. It was there one moment and gone the next, but he noticed a smile on her face, full of fondness, before she shook herself out of it relaxed her expression, and replied, "Yes."

The shift was all he needed to know, "Who gave it to you?"

She squinted her eyes curiously as she looked down at him, "What made you think it was given to me?"

"Answering a question with a question. Isn't that what you soldiers call 'deflecting?'" He smirked.

He didn't expect her to laugh, but he felt secretly pleased with himself when she did, "Touché, kiddo."

~~~~~~~~~

As they reach the village, the reef kids realize what time it is and decide to depart, needing to return home to their families. Kayla and the Sully children thanked them for their company and the fun day before waving them off and returning to their own marui.

Only, it wasn't much of a warm welcome. Upon entering the home, Kayla immediately noticed Neytiri's absence... and the murder set in Jake's eyes.

He huddled near the radio, waiting for the rest of his family to return home as he tried to figure out how he was going to break the news to them. In the meantime, Jake had sent Neytiri away to let out her rage and grief. He knew it wouldn't have been a good idea if she had stayed for this conversation. When Kayla and the children entered the kelku, Jake's murderous gaze immediately greeted Kayla. She froze when she was the first target of that glare, and once the teenagers saw Jake, they froze in the doorway as well, immediately scared with their backs straight.

Kayla kept still as she watched Jake's eyes. She only relaxed a little as she came to the conclusion that Jake's anger wasn't directed at anyone in particular, but he looked vengeful and was aging beyond his years. He looked like a broken man, a father who lost it all. He looked so grim with his eyes nearly staring up at Kayla through his forehead. She knew that whatever happened... it wasn't good.

She sets down Tuk and quietly asks Kiri to take her. She walks up to Jake and keeps her voice down in case he wants this kept between them, "What's wrong?"

His eyes flicked to the kids standing around behind his sister, all of them looking confused and worried other than the bleary-eyed Tuk. He glances back at Kayla and deeply sighs through his nose before deciding to keep his voice at a normal, steady tone. He thought the kids deserved to know, too, 

"Norm just called. They intercepted some RDA radio chatter. Quaritch is alive."

No one dared bat an eye as the news sank in, frozen in place and staring at Jake as if he had murdered a puppy right in front of their eyes. The air turned rigid and eery all around Kayla, the air sucked out from her lungs as though a bucket of ice water ran down her back. She swallowed thickly, trying to react as neutrally as possible... hoping that out of all the times Jake could possibly read her like an open book, this wasn't one of those times. 

Kiri's voice was the first thing that rang out, "Spider?"

Kayla's spell is broken and she immediately unfreezes, whipping around in search of the human boy in question. She finds him instantly as he reacts fast to Kiri's question, pulling away from the group and backing up toward the door. Spider looked frightened and ashamed, his breath irregular as he took one hand and grabbed the opposite elbow, eyes wildly flicking between everyone in the room, Kiri, Lo'ak, and Jake most of all. He looked cornered, despite the doorway now being directly behind as he would not stop backing away. He looked absolutely horrified, and the guilt only ate him alive when his two best friends stared at him with worry and confusion, unaware of the damage he had done.

"I-- I'm sorry."

Jake's eyebrows furrow and his tail twitched, "What--"

"It's not your fault. Spider," Kayla consciously places herself between Jake and Spider, finally finding her voice in the growing tension of the room. Spider turned his body and gazed to the doorway, ready to bolt as Kayla found herself raising her voice, "Look at me--"

The order makes his back stiffen and Kayla internally lashes at herself for ordering him around so formally like a soldier when that wasn't her intention. Slowly, however, Spider finally peered back up at her, and she tried to soften her gaze and voice, "Don't." 

Jake finally rose to his feet, his presence right behind his sister and making the hairs on the back of her neck stand up, "Kayla, what are you-?"

"It's my fault."

All eyes return to Spider, and he forces himself to stay still, the smallest one in the room. He keeps his eyes on Jake, trying to relay what he is trying to explain with just one look. Jake analyzed him, eyes slowly squinting in confusion until Spider could see something click behind those dull, yellow eyes. He saw the denial set in first, then the bargaining, then the anger... and then it stayed that way. Jake's eyes begin to harden, and Kayla is suddenly very aware of the raging volcano slowly starting to brew behind her but she refuses to look back. Goosebumps ran down her back and every instinct told her to run, but she kept her feet planted and her eyes on Spider, trying to talk him down from his ledge with just one look.

Lo'ak is the first to ask. He wasn't known for being observant, but as Tsireya had claimed, he was a quick learner. Lo'ak looked between his father and his friend and realized that something had happened. Something unforgivable. Despite possibly already knowing what it was, Lo'ak had to ask... in case he was wrong, "Spider... what did you do?"

Kayla felt a large hand completely envelope around the circumference of her arm and she winced when that hand gripped on tightly and spun her around. She bites back the yelp that nearly escaped her lips as she's being stared down by the enraged Toruk Makto.

"You knew?" Jake accused in a low, deep voice.

She couldn't help it. Her eyes widen in fear, for once, of her brother. As much as she wanted to lie to prevent him from glaring at her like that... she couldn't afford for that rage to turn onto Spider. She rolls her lips, her voice raspy and betraying her bravery, "I... Yes, I knew."

Something snaps in place inside Jake's eyes, a harsh growl eliciting from the back of his throat, "Come here." 

His grip only tightened further around Kayla's arm as he dragged her out of the marui, away from the children who now shook in fear of their father and for their aunt. Kayla wished she hadn't just been paraded around in front of them like that... secretly afraid as though she had angered her own father.

He pulls her out and harshly shoves her in front of him to confront her. Kayla immediately tries to bargain and plead her case before he could get any bright ideas, "But-- you don't understand--"

"Yeah? Enlighten me then," he snarled.

"You can't just ask a kid to leave his own father to die-!"

"You're not his mother, Kayla!" Jake finally roared, the volcano bubbling over.

"I don't care!" Kayla roared back as her fear gave way to anger. Suddenly the volcano was met with an unforgivable tsunami, "He's just a kid! All of them are just kids! You can't expect them to fall in line and be your perfect little soldiers for a war that YOU started!"

Jake seethed and pushed back, "He's old enough to know that he's responsible for his actions."

"Maybe, but even grown-ass adults refuse to admit their faults, present company included," the intended lashing hit dead-on, earning Kayla a wince from her brother. She didn't want to claim that victory over him, however, as the tightening viper in her chest began to unravel, "You say I'm not Spider's mom, and you're right. But you're not his father. Hell, you barely even father your own kids, so why should you father a kid who's not even related to you?"

"Don't you start--"

"You're a good dad to your daughters. Fine. I'll give you that. But you're too hard on Lo'ak, now more than ever. He just lost his brother for fuck's sake, Jake. You of all people know what that feels like!" She screeched.

"Lo'ak is the older brother now. He needs to learn to be responsible for his sisters."

"Oh, like how you were such a great, responsible brother after Tommy died?"

Even Jake's anger gave way to a slight feeling of discomfort and maybe even fear as Kayla suddenly began to laugh in such an unhinged manner, the maniacal grin she gave him sent chills down his spine, "Really? We're adding lying to the list now? Did you treat Lo'ak like a failure because he's reckless or because he's just like you? 'Cause, that's what I see. He's just like you, Jake, and that terrifies you because you know he'll screw up again and again. Just like you."

She took a step forward and Jake took a step back. He wished he hadn't, as his fear only made Kayla smile more, "So tell him that. Tell him the truth. Tell him how Tommy was the golden son, not you. You were never the golden son, not even when you became a marine and lost your legs for your dedicated service. Tell him how you were always the disappointment. Tell him how low you got in life when your brother was murdered and how you abandoned your sister when things got too hard."

Jake tried to regain the upper hand, needing to get this conversation back on track, "This isn't about me or Lo'ak. This is about Spider--"

"I wasn't finished," his jaw clamps shut when his sister's eyes bore into his, the viper in her chest now baring its venomous fangs, "You left me to die on that god-awful planet. From my experience, I know that Lo'ak and Spider would never even think of doing that to someone, let alone their own sisters. I believe Spider saved his father for the sake of being kind, compassionate, and merciful—three traits I doubt he inherited from the sperm donor. Spider is no savage. His doesn't kill as needlessly as you once did."

"He spared a monster's life--"

"Can you blame him? After what Neytiri had recently put that kid through?" Jake's ears lowered at the mention of his wife, and while Kayla wanted to be proud of her brother for always wanting to defend the woman he loved, she couldn't abide by that. She continued before Jake could even try, "Quaritch tried to save Spider from your wife. Can you honestly blame a child for saving the life of someone who was actually looking out for them for once in their young life? Yes, Spider may be young but he's also good. He wouldn't just let someone die, no matter how terrible and not if he could help it. That wouldn't make him any better than Quaritch."

"Kayla, I don't think you're hearing what I'm trying to say. Spider saved the man who promised he'd come after me and kill my whole family if I didn't kill him!"

Kayla's physical fangs made an appearance as she placed the blame entirely on a third party, "Then maybe you should've done a better job at killing him! I was there, Jake! I heard him loud and clear."

She finally closed the distance, prodding an angry finger into the center of Jake's chest as she seethes out, "You don't get to tell me how to parent. You don't even know how to parent, so you don't get to tell me when and where I can protect Spider. You can't even protect him from your own wife, so why should I trust that you have his best interest at heart?"

Moving around him, she definitely shoulder checks him on the way back into the marui, unaware of the wince that briefly succumbed his face, but he didn't react apart from that. He didn't even turn around. He only listened to the sound of her stomping feet, growing further and further away from him.

Kayla was on a mission as she sped back to the marui, only stopping her charge when Spider cut off her path, the human teen storming away as both Kiri and Lo'ak were seen exiting the kelku to chase after him, "Spider, wait!"

Kayla panics a little inside when Spider doesn't even react to his friends calling out for him. She reached out and gently grabbed his shoulder before he escaped too far, "Heyheyhey-- Spider? What's wrong--"

"Just leave me alone!" He screams and Kayla's instant reaction is to let go of his shoulder as if she had injured him. She took a step back like she had been shocked, frozen as she caught a glimpse of his face through his breathing mask, seeing the obvious red cheeks and angry tears uncontrollably slipping down his young face. 

Kayla tried her best to relax, regain her patience, and hide her anger toward her brother so Spider wouldn't misunderstand. Breathing deeply, in and out, she tried to speak in her best, soothing voice, "... Okay."

At first, Spider looked shocked before it immediately melts into anger and frustration, his teeth seething out his aggravation as he glared at her, "Shit-- Why do you have to be so understanding?!"

"I just-- I want to help you, kiddo--"

"Just leave me alone! Please!"

He had raced off without ever giving himself the satisfaction of seeing Kayla's expression crumble into defeat. Kiri approached her aunt at this moment, briefly grabbing her hand as she moved to follow her oldest friend, "I got this, Auntie. Spider, wait!"

Kiri continues to chase after the human teen, while Kayla helplessly watches them both eventually disappear into the center of the village, beyond her sight. 

Spider wasn't expecting Kiri to continue following him. He thought he'd lose her in the village, but by the time he reached the edge of the jungle and moved further in, he knew his attempt to escape detection was futile. Eventually, he caves in and waits for his friend to catch up, all the while he tries to calm down, his conflicted emotions fueling his panicked, harsh breathing.

"Please, Kiri, just go--"

"Sucks for you, Monkey Boy, 'cause I'm not going anywhere," Kiri immediately starts off when she finally caught up to him, placing a hand on his shoulder, "We just got you back--"

Spider huffs in disinterest, "After how long? Weeks? Months? Why couldn't-- Why didn't--"

Kiri could see Spider struggle with his next words. She could tell how angry, betrayed, and confused he was trying to express, and eventually, she figured out what he was trying to say and managed to voice his questions for him, "Why did we run instead of going to look for you?"

He didn't say anything, just trying to catch his breath. His silence was answering enough for the Na'vi girl as she continued, "I wanted to. Badly. But Dad believed you would be safer as long as you were away from us. And if we left, you would be even safer."

"That's bullshit." He glowered, still seething behind his mask.

Kiri's ears lower, a sentiment she felt in regard to Spider's statement. She had once thought the same when her father relayed that same excuse to her when he first told her that it was impossible to save Spider and that they were leaving the Omatikaya.  

She nods in agreement, "... Only a little. Dad thought that if we took off, then you couldn't tell the Sky People where we were."

The betrayal wins over control of Spider's expression, staring up at her with such pain and disbelief, "I would never--"

"I know. I know," she was quick to reassure while taking another step closer. She managed to pull him further toward her until her arms were fully wrapped around him, her chin resting on the top of his head. She lowered her voice to something soft and soothing, "I wish we tried harder, Spider. I really do, and I'm so sorry."

She moves her hand up to gently grasp the back of his head, "But Kayla didn't give up. No, she stayed in the forest and kept looking for you, even after we had left for the ocean. She was so determined to find you, especially after she earned her ikran. Dad said that she even wanted to go after you, alone, when they heard you were sited at reef villages in the south."

Silence followed and if he currently wasn't standing stone-stiff in her arms, Kiri would've thought he had fallen asleep. The sounds of the flora and fauna around them were calming all of Kiri's senses, and she tried to bleed that feeling into Spider, gently tightening her grip around him.

Finally, Spider caves in, his shoulders slouching in defeat until he finally allows himself to lean into his best friend's embrace. His thoughts sounded far away as he spoke, "I... I wish she found me sooner."

The words haunt Kiri, her mind trying to wrap around everything that those words could possibly mean. She squeezes him a little tighter as she mumbles into his hair, "Spider... what did they do to you?"

Silence filled the air once more until he managed to settle on one word, "Nothing."

Kiri pulled away and Spider winced thinking he had upset her. But she doesn't move very far, only so that she can meet his eyes, her hands resting on both of his shoulders, "War orphans stick together, remember? You're my brother, Spider. You may not be able to see it, but I wholeheartedly believe that. You can tell me no living being will ever know."

He wanted to tell her everything. So badly it almost felt like it could burst out of his chest at any moment. He wanted to share certain parts he initially left out when he tried catching her and Lo'ak up on everything he had seen while captured. He wanted to explain why he has nightmares, and why he's afraid of waking up in a cold, sterile room. He wanted to tell Kiri that he saved Quaritch for more than just pity or kindness. How the man, no matter how terrible, saved Spider's life more than once, or at least saved the boy from unimaginable pain and torture.

The thought of those white lab coats immediately sends Spider's mind into a spiral. That awful, bright, and blinding machine, spinning rapidly around his head, his eyes forced open to watch as he began to feel the blood drip down his nose... his memories forcefully being ripped away from him...

The only thing that stops his nightmares from continuing is the thought of Quaritch, the man who stopped that machine from eating away at the boy's mind.

Spider wanted to tell Kiri everything... but the fear of her not being able to understand was much stronger, "I... I can't... I'm sorry."

She squeezed his shoulders reassuringly, "Don't be."

"No, Kiri--" He corrected himself, letting out a shaking breath, "I'm sorry for letting Quaritch go. Neteyam-- Quaritch-- He held a knife to your throat."

"And my mother held a knife to yours. We're even."

It was meant to be a joke, but it quickly fell flat on her tongue once his posture changed right before the last of the sentence even left her lips. He bristled like a scared cat, eyes hard with a flat tone of voice that made Kiri instantly regret her words, "That's not funny."

"You're right. I'm sorry..."

He pulled away despite the hurt expression on her face. He pointedly avoids looking her in the eyes, "I think I need some space... please..."

"Okay. Just... whatever you decide to do, at least tell us first... Please?"

"Yeah... okay..."

~~~~~~~~~

Surprisingly, Spider finds himself alone for the first time in who knows how long, sitting comfortably up on a large branch while watching day turn into night over the entire island. He's met with the familiar silence he often found himself in back at home in the Hallelujah Mountains, but lately, he hadn't been familiar with the concept. It was likely that the last time he was by himself was when he found Quaritch at the bottom of the ocean and lifted him up to the surface. Ever since then, he was always in the company of someone else, either Kayla or the Sullys.

He wasn't sure if he liked it or not, if he was being honest with himself. He wasn't sure if it was because of his time spent with the Recoms, but it almost felt as though everyone in this village was keeping a close eye on him, even the Sullys, people he knew he used to trust with every fiber of his being... but now that trust has been questioned. 

He wasn't blind. He noticed how on edge Kayla always appeared when he and Neytiri were in the same room. 

He didn't want to believe he was a hostage, especially not with his childhood friends and companions... but it honestly didn't feel that different compared to when he was with the Deja Blue Squad. Spider didn't want to make a comparison, but much like the Sullys, Quaritch never let him out of his sight.

So, he took this breath of freedom to his full advantage, climbing from tree to tree, swinging from branch to branch until his arms and legs ached. He felt alive again, even laughing to himself. When he finally sat down to watch darkness slowly encompass the island and the bioluminescence come to life, he was able to finally breathe his own air, even if it was only through his mask. A moment of freedom, to be himself without walking on eggshells around everyone he was with. Then again, he knows it's not real freedom knowing that no matter where he went, he was stuck on this island with the Sullys, and maybe they knew that, too, which is why they're letting him believe he's alone, even if only for the night.

The paranoia was going to eat him alive, he was sure of it. The fact that he could no longer blindly trust the family he's always desperately wanted to be a part of was killing him. And now that they knew he spared Quaritch's life... he felt as though he could never let his guard down around them ever again. 

Apart from Kayla. Spider felt safe enough around her to believe she'd understand, and she did. She didn't fault him for his choice when he initially told her. Kayla was the only one who didn't truly understand the full extent of Spider's parentage, even though she had been told, but since she wasn't ever hurt by Quaritch the way everyone else who lived on Pandora before her was, she didn't have that pain that kept her from fully accepting Spider. 

Not that it was any excuse to neglect a child for the sins of their father. Spider knew that. He knew it was wrong, the way he had been treated, but up until recently, he couldn't fault anyone for it... or maybe he just never let himself believe he could on the off chance everyone would fully accept him one day. 

Hearing Kiri talk about how Kayla never gave up on him, how she searched for him relentlessly even when she had no reason to, made Spider feel both relieved and guilty. Relieved that there was at least someone out there who pitied him enough to know that he didn't deserve this and needed to be rescued, but guilty that she had to be the one to do so. She wasn't family to him. She had no ties to Spider and no reason to care for his safety and well-being, but she did, nevertheless. He wasn't sure how to feel about an adult who didn't have any familial relations to him all of a sudden give a damn about him, mainly because he didn't want it to be out of pity. 

Kayla clearly wasn't his mother. Spider had a picture of his mother taped to the ceiling above his bunk when he was living with his foster family for years. He knew his mother's face and he knew her name. Kayla wasn't Paz Socorro, back from the dead. 

... But he would be lying to himself if he didn't think about it. He had wondered a time or two if Paz were alive, would she be like Kayla? Worse? Better? He didn't know when he started comparing his mother to Kayla, but once he realized that he was, he was ashamed of himself and forced himself to stop. Spider didn't have a mother anymore. He wished he did, and that's why he knew he was allowing Kayla to look out for him a little too much.

In the eyes of the Na'vi, he could be considered an adult... but he wasn't Na'vi, as much as it pained him to admit it. He was human, and from what he's learned, kids his age barely had to worry about anything past schoolwork and who was going to take them to prom... whatever that was. He heard Kayla mention a prom once but wasn't fully listening. Whatever it was, it made Norm and Jake laugh, reminiscing their old human lives back on Earth for a little bit.

Kayla was a firm reminder that Spider was a human child and should be able to act as such. She's been trying to drill that into all their heads, adults and children alike. She wasn't exactly hiding it as she continued to berate how Jake parents his children and how he makes them grow up too quickly. Spider admired her for that... but almost despised it whenever she came to his defense because he knew he didn't deserve it. He didn't deserve to be treated or coddled like a kid... not after what he did.

He didn't deserve to be loved and cared for.

He sucked in a sharp breath, horrified by his own thoughts. Suddenly he was too scared to be left alone, and so he raced through the jungle and back to the direction of the village. 

It was late, so he thought if he snuck into Kayla's kelku, she would be asleep and he wouldn't have to try and explain himself. The thought of her catching him after he snuck out was both terrifying and... strangely domestic. He actually felt himself smile at the idea of Kayla berating and lecturing him for sneaking out and not coming back until the late hours of the night.

But that didn't happen. Instead, when Spider walked into the marui he'd been calling home for a little while now, Kayla was nowhere to be seen. He wasn't sure if he was relieved or disappointed. To ignore his conflicted emotions, he took the time to fish out his rations when his stomach rumbled in protest. He takes a deep breath as he switches his breathing mask out for the cannula nose tubes that are always stashed inside the exo-pack for emergencies, slowly breathing back out and in through his nose once he feels the familiar tickling feeling of oxygen run through his nostrils. 

He eats his dinner in silence, looking around the marui to find that Kayla's failed project of a "bookshelf" is still lying there, looking pathetic. His chewing slowed as he remembered how embarrassed and frustrated she looked when she wasn't able to make this pod feel "homey." He had been confused by her attempt to make this place feel more comfortable and home-like, and now, after everything Kiri told him, Spider wondered if Kayla was trying to do all this for him? For his sake?

It was suddenly hard to swallow his food and Spider relinquished the idea of eating, setting his rations aside and brushing his hands together. Something settles in his mind, determined and unrelenting. He forced himself not to overthink as he marched over to the sad excuse for a plank of wood and lifted it up, inspecting it. No, he wasn't known for putting together furniture that didn't come with instructions, but he wasn't thinking about it anyway. He was pretty sure the shelf was a lost cause and he could show Kayla how to properly decorate a Na'vi home tomorrow. But for now, he fetched his knife and began to carve out a small shape into the wood.

He had been crouched over his small project when Kayla had finally returned home, exhausted and after nearly spending all night worrying herself sick over the kid she placed in her care. She stopped in the entryway, however, when she recognized the small human painted in blue stripes, casually working on something in his hands whilst he rested on the heels of his feet, as if he had never left. Spider looked up at her entrance, and when Kayla peered down, she noticed his knife in one hand and a small, rounded bead in the other.

Sighing in relief, she stepped forward and knelt beside the teen, reaching out to gently hold the back of his head but stopped once she reminded herself not to do so. She pulled her hand back and Spider watched her carefully, trying not to appear cautious or worse, appear as though he wanted Kayla to reach out and comfort him.

"Spider..." She eyes him down with a careful inspection until she's satisfied that he's not physically hurt, "Are you okay?"

He nodded because he wasn't sure if he'd be able to lie properly if he spoke up.

Kayla relents after that, leaning back and breathing out another sigh. He goes back to work on his bead once he realizes she won't be asking any further questions. She watched him work instead, now curious once he successfully finished the bead and was now moving on to adding it to a familiar piece he kept on his loincloth.

"Is that your songcord?" She asked.

Spider nodded again, "Yeah."

"It's beautiful. What's the significance behind the new one?" She indicated to the new bead.

Spider paused, trying to figure out how to answer without actually giving it away. He briefly found himself glancing back over at the bookshelf he left in the corner of the room, the one Kayla had tried to make with her bare hands, the one she was trying to use to make Spider feel more at home, the one that now had a chuck missing because Spider wanted to commemorate it onto his songcord. Finally, he answered what he knew would be vague, but it was still the truth, 

"Safety." 

He bowed his head in shame, following up with a soft mutter under his voice, "I'm sorry."

With his songcord forgotten, she somehow knew he was talking about the events that transpired today and she immediately reassured him, "You have nothing to be sorry for, Spider."

"Yes, I do. I was such a jerk. Like you said-- you're only trying to help me. But I keep getting you in trouble with Jake--"

"Nope," she immediately shut that thought process down, anger blooming inside her, but not because of the teenager in front of her. She made sure her reassurance was heard loud and clear, firm and confident, "You're not. What Jake and I have going on has absolutely nothing to do with you, kid."

He carefully peered up at her, "... Family differences?"

She snorts dryly, "That's putting it lightly."

"Still. It's a little annoying that you won't accept an apology from me. You're a bit too understanding."

Kayla smirked, "Tough."

"I'm almost convinced I could get away with murder in front of you."

"I mean-- If it's necessary..." he's startled into laughing and Kayla smiles at the sight. She finally gains the courage to reach over and pat his knee, "I'm only human. To be human is to be flawed."

His laughter dies down, but the humor remains. He flashes a fox-like grin, his voice teasing, "Sucks for you humans, doesn't it?"

Kayla laughed through her nose as she feigned a stern, motherlike voice, "Okay, smartass, go to your room."

"This is my room!"

~~~~~~~~~

Kayla wasn't sure if Neytiri had been told that Spider saved Quaritch, but just in case, Kayla made sure that Spider was nowhere near the Na'vi woman and none the wiser so he could enjoy a good fishing lesson with the Sully kids and Tsireya.

Well, the Sully kids minus Lo'ak. Jake decided it would be a good idea for his son to join the adults in this discussion, much to Kayla's distaste. She wasn't sure if Jake was just being petty and rubbing it in her face, or if he genuinely believed that Lo'ak was grown up now and needed to be a part of this instead of being outside and hanging around other Na'vi his age. 

Nevertheless, as Kayla stands near Lo'ak in their family marui, Neytiri tries discussing what measures they'll need to take to send Spider home and Jake silently listens. Kayla made the smart choice to keep Spider away from the kelku today as Neytiri was nearly ready to go out on a tirade... hence why Kayla stood close to the door. Neytiri wanted to scream and curse when she initially discovered who was responsible for Quaritch's life, and then she proceeded to ramble about sending Spider back to the Forest, whether to leave him with the Omatikaya or have the Sky People deal with him.  Whichever option they choose, Neytiri follows up with the comment that Spider couldn't stay here anyway because he will run out of much-needed resources soon.

While Kayla knows that Neytiri is just trying to get rid of him, the Na'vi woman makes an excellent point. Spider needs human food, medicine, and of course other supplies such as spare masks, none of which are provided here and are limited to what she had stashed away in her own marui.

"What if they capture Spider again?" Jake tried to reason with his wife, though it wasn't for the same reason as Kayla, which angered his sister, "Now that he's been to this village, he'll know where to lead the Sky People for the next assault because they're not going to stop just because we took out the Recoms."

Kayla snarled, her arms tightening around her chest as she glared at Jake, "Spider didn't give away the Omatikaya and he's not going to give away the Metkayina."

"Of course, he would!" Neytiri hissed back, pointing an accusatory finger at Kayla before Jake could retaliate, "He's the reason my son was--"

"No, Mom. It was me," all eyes turned to Lo'ak and the poor boy looked as though he was holding back tears. His voice shook as he forced himself to continue, "I convinced Neteyam to stay and help me save Spider. If... If Neteyam didn't come with me, it would've been me instead. I had the gun. It should've been me."

Kayla carefully turned back to catch Jake and Neytiri's reaction, and she was not disappointed. Both of Lo'ak's parents appeared horrified, staring down at their son as if he said the most horrific thing imaginable. 

Lo'ak lowered his gaze, not wanting to read into what their expressions meant, whether his parents were horrified that he got his brother killed or if they were horrified that he would blame himself and wish the roles were reversed. Either way, he couldn't stand being in that room for a second longer, sheepishly tilting his head toward the exit as he peered up at Kayla, "Auntie... can I talk with you outside for a minute?"

She nods and doesn't spare a second glance at Jake and Neytiri as she follows her nephew out of the marui. She thought they were just going to step right outside the home, but didn't question it when Lo'ak decided to lead her further away.

Once they were walking along the beach, Kayla decided to be the first to address why he brought her here, "What's up, kiddo?"

"I... wanted to thank you for what you said to my dad yesterday. You stood up for me."

Kayla stopped in her tracks, dread prickling down her body, "You heard that?"

Lo'ak weakly chuckles, "You weren't exactly quiet. I didn't mean to snoop, I swear."

She paused to think about this before realization hit her, remembering how Spider stormed out the second she returned from her argument with Jake, "Was Spider listening, too?"

The Na'vi teen's ears lowered as shame crossed his features, nodding with hesitancy, "Spider... he was pissed at me."

"Why?"

"Because I wasn't angry at him."

Even that statement shocked her, tilting her head down to him, "You're not?"

"No, I..." Lo'ak exhaled slowly, guilt wracking through his mind while forcing himself to speak, "I want to hate him... I want to be angry at him for letting that monster live."

"But you're not."

"No. I'm not."

"Why?"

"I don't know," when she appeared unimpressed by that answer, he simply shook his head, "I'm serious. I don't."

She watches her nephew for a moment, his mannerisms as he looks down at his feet to hide away from the world. Slowly, she opened her mouth, "I might know. Because you already lost one brother and you can't afford to lose another."

Lo'ak's head shoots up in her direction, yellow eyes wide with eyebrows scrunching together. Kayla watched as his face began to crumble and shatter before she took a step forward and gathered the boy in her arms, shushing him softly as Lo'ak's body was wracked with soft, silent sobs.

He held on tightly to her, his voice so quiet and small, "I want to wake up, Auntie. This all feels like a bad dream; something I can't wake from. It hurts all the time and it won't stop. It should've been me... I wanted it to be me..."

"Lo'ak-- hey... hey. No," she softly comforts, her heart breaking at the state of her nephew, scared of what he was saying about himself but trying to be supportive, "Don't say that. You don't mean it."

"But I do! I convinced him to come with me to save Spider! He would still be here if it weren't for me!"

"Do you regret it?"

His cries stutter for a moment, shocked by the question as he tilts his head up, "What?"

"Do you regret saving Spider?"

"N-No."

She pushes back the stray braids he kept on one side of his head, "Even though he saved the man who was behind your brother's death?"

"I don't get it. Why are you trying to make me angry?"

"I'm not, I swear," she shook her head as her eyes started to warm and blur, the sight of her nephew so broken and grieving was a harsh reminder of the other nephew she lost, "I'm just saying... if you don't regret it, then I'd say it was worth it, and I'm sure Neteyam would, too. The fact that you would rather trade places with Neteyam than regret saving Spider tells me you don't blame Spider for what happened."

Her words both shattered and mended his heart, his cries slowing down with silent tears still running down his face. He squeezed her waist before letting go, stepping back to wipe his eyes, his breathing still shaking as he nodded, "Spider's my brother, too."

Kayla smiled gently even as her own tears slipped down her cheeks undetected, "Do you think Neteyam felt the same?"

"I think so. I just... wish nothing happened the way it did. One of the last things I said to 'Teyam before everything went to shit was how determined I was to save Payakan because he's my brother. Neteyam probably hated me for that..."

"He didn't. I'm sure of it."

Lo'ak huffed quietly, taking one hand and clasping it over his opposite elbow, "You don't understand..."

"How come?"

"Because you've never lost a brother."

Kayla's eyes widen, feeling as though she had just been slapped in the face, "Lo'ak... has your father never told you anything about your Uncle Tom?"

"N... No?"

She had never, not once, ever felt the kind of rage that just rolled in her gut, rumbling like a cornered animal. Kayla would later pat herself on the back for how quickly she had managed to shift her face into a clean slate before Lo'ak even noticed the shift in her eyes. Instead, she keeps her voice leveled, "You should ask him. Because I can tell you right now... he and I know exactly how you feel."

Either Lo'ak didn't catch onto what she was saying, or he was wise not to venture further into that viper nest. While his sobs had vanished, one stray tear still managed to slip past his detection, "Brothers forever. We should have been brothers forever..."

"Lo'ak, look at me," he does so, barely blinking when she reaches down to wipe away the tear. She managed a smile, one that showed her age as she expressed what she's known for a very long time, "The word 'forever' is not meant for people. People can't live forever. 'You know what does live forever? Memories. Stories. Songs. Those last forever, just as long as there's someone who will remember them. You and Neteyam will always be brothers, forever, even when you're no longer around, as long as there are still people here who remember you. Okay?"

~~~~~~~~~

The communal meal that night was lively and honestly, it was something the Sullys needed. For the time being, they kept the newest sign of danger to themselves and Kayla hoped that it wouldn't eventually bite them in the back. She knew eventually she and Jake would have to tell Ronal and Tonowari about Quartich-- then again, she could just have Jake do it. She technically didn't need to get herself involved as her brother could speak for all of them, but somehow, she had become the spokesperson between her brother's family and the clan leaders of the Metkayina. Kayla didn't volunteer or even detested it, but one day it just happened and she's been playing along ever since. So now that the responsibility fell onto her, she had been thinking of when would be a good time to speak to Ronal and Tonowari. 

Now would definitely not suffice as Kayla spots the clan leaders across the way, toward the head of the line of Na'vi eating amongst each other. Ronal and Tonowari were speaking to an elder, all serious and respectful, until Tsireya and Ao'nung joined them. Both leaders spot their children at the same time before gently dismissing the elder and moving to converse with their son and daughter, likely to hear about how their day went. Kayla watched openly, knowing that neither of the clan leaders could see her from her spot. It was a bit cowardly to watch them when she knew she wouldn't be caught, but she allowed herself to be selfish in this moment.

That is, until Jake interrupted her. He hadn't noticed what his sister was distracted by as he moved to sit beside her with his plate of food in hand. Once he's crouched next to her, the spell is broken and Kayla is suddenly aware of his presence and pointedly only staring down at her meal laid out in front of her. 

Jake takes a moment to settle in before speaking at a low level, "Whatever you said to Lo'ak... thank you. He looked more lively than before."

She hummed, unimpressed, "Believe me, he would've looked better if it was you."

"Yeah, well... according to you, I don't say the right things."

"As a brother, sure," she shrugged, uncaring and a bit too brutal with her words. She didn't have the energy to put a filter on it, "But you can't afford to be like that when you're a father. Unless you're trying to be like our old man."

"... That was low."

Her ears pinned back against her skull, pausing the small wooden cup of water she held to her lips before taking a sip and lowering it back down, "Yeah, I guess it was. You... never told your kids about Tommy."

Jake winced, and suddenly he was aware of the storm beginning to brew as if electricity was radiating off his sister's skin. He could feel the charge and resisted the urge to move away, "... No, I haven't."

"Are you going to now?" Her question wasn't curious or sarcastic. It was surprisingly calm, but perhaps that's what made it all the more terrifying, "They might open up to you if they knew you lost a brother once, too."

Jake found himself opening his mouth despite knowing it was a bad idea. Grace always did call him a jarhead for this, among other things, "I thought you'd be angry that I never talk about him."

"Oh, believe me, I'm furious," she eyed him up with malice in her eyes, a fire that couldn't be doused by any ocean as her own voice dropped low into something quiet yet venomous, "No one gets to defile my big brother's memory like that. No one. How would you feel if Lo'ak decided to never mention Neteyam again? How do you think his sisters would feel?"

Jake watched her face with what could be described as guilt, "You're right..."

And there they were again. At a stalemate. For a moment, things looked as though everything would get better between siblings. Now, it was back to square one. Kayla thought she could move on from what she felt regarding her brother, but when she's always so close to forgiving him, something always reels her back. Kayla was sure he was tired of this as much as she was, but neither one has been able to find equal footing, no matter how hard they tried to mend what's been broken.

Instead of trying to mend it even further, Kayla spoke as if she was resigned to it, "I'm sorry it's come to this."

He didn't need to ask. He knew what she meant, and he nodded in agreement, "Me, too. I was out of line the other day."

"You were scared. It's hard to blame you..." She shrugged, "Quaritch is still out there. He's your demon as much as Ardmore is mine."

Jake processed that for a moment, staring off into space before letting out a long sigh through his nose, "Well, the good news is we have the element of surprise. Quaritch doesn't know about you."

He didn't miss the way her tail rose to alertness or the way her ears suddenly moved to attention. She even looked guilty, eyebrows scrunched together as she cringed, trying to hide her face behind her drink as she spoke,

"Jake... Quaritch knew who I was."

He was just as alert now, "What?"

"On the ship, when we were fighting, he found out who I was."

"How?"

She reached for her collar, gently grasping the chain around her neck before lifting it up into the air, letting her dog tags slip out from underneath her crop top. They glimmer faintly in the firelight as Jake reads her name from the tags loud and clear in his head. 

"You were wearing them?"

"Old habits die hard."

Jake couldn't argue with that. He knows he was just as guilty about old habits. His hand rose to rub his eyes when he felt the muscles in his brows twitch from stress, "... I guess we're all going to have to be careful then."

"That's an understatement."

~~~~~~~~~

Another nightmare. Another night of trying to convince himself he was safe. Spider doesn't like the fact that Kayla is always so willing to talk to him about it, even though he knows that she's just doing her best. He knows he'll eventually have to talk about it, but for now, he'll continue to wake from his nightmares and refuse to talk about them when Kayla asks about them at the moment. 

This particular night was bad, worse than the rest, and by morning, Spider was definitely short with his tone and his patience. He kept to himself, not willing to talk or indulge anyone by proxy. Kayla decided that further irritating him wouldn't be a good solution, so she offered to leave while he stayed in the marui, stewing with his ill temper.

Kiri must have tried to draw him out because a short while after trying to talk to Spider, she found her aunt in the shallow water of the reef and helped her with the net she was throwing out while she shared her concern, 

"He was tortured... wasn't he?"

Kayla glanced at Kiri out of the corner of her eye, wishing she could lie to her. The only reason she didn't was because Kiri already looked confident that she knew the answer. As young as she was, she had already been through so much-- she wasn't naive about the world, which hurt to admit.

Kayla returned to her task, taking a deep breath, "Yes, I'm pretty sure he was. But he hasn't said anything to me."

"Not to mention what my mom did to him..."

It honestly shocked Kayla that it took this long to have this conversation with Kiri. She had secretly dreaded this moment that would eventually have to happen with her niece, knowing that it would be hard to comfort her while also trying to explain her mother's actions as neutral as possible, despite her own opinion, "That woman who held a knife to Spider's throat... that wasn't your mother, sweetheart."

"You haven't spoken to her very much." Kiri simply states.

Kayla's lips drew a thin line, "No."

Not only that, but Kayla had been actively avoiding Neytiri, only tolerating the other woman's presence if she knew Spider would be forced into the same vicinity as her. Kayla knew it wasn't entirely Neytiri's fault and it wasn't fair to blame all of Spider's trauma on her, but it was easier.

Kiri accepted her aunt's short reply before quietly admitting out loud, "I was scared."

"Of your mom?"

"Yes, but mostly for Spider. For years, I tried to convince myself that my mom loved Spider in her own way, and I tried to convince Spider, too. But then she held a knife--" She winced, lightly hitting the palm of her hand against her forehead, "I feel so stupid--"

"You're not stupid, Kiri," Kayla quickly reached out to take her niece's hand, drawing it away from her face, "You're an optimist. That doesn't make you stupid. Listen. Your parents love you. They'll do anything for you."

"Yeah," the thought of all those dead bodies, the fire, the explosions, the sinking of the ship, and of course, the fear in Spider's eyes, "That's what scares me."

"It is a scary thought... but I understand how they feel. I mean-- I know I'd do anything for you kids now, as cheesy as it sounds."

"It's not cheesy," Kiri faintly smiles, "You're family, Auntie. We know you only want what's best for us."

"Yeah?" She huffs in amusement, "Someone should tell your father that."

"Would... Would you have done the same thing? If you were in my mother's place?"

Kayla peered up at the sky, a little thrown off by the question but wasn't at all surprised that Kiri was curious. She had never thought about it before if she was in her brother's position. If she was in Neytiri's position.

"I'm not sure I can imagine being in your mom's place, sweetheart. I can't imagine what it's like to lose a son. It's possible Neytiri wasn't entirely aware of her actions. Or she was. Who knows? I just know one thing. If it were me, Spider would've never been in harm's way to begin with, I promise you that."

Kiri tilts her head up and watches the sky with her aunt, not entirely at peace, but content, "I think I can live with that answer."

~~~~~~~~~

Another nightmare and Spider couldn't take it anymore. He needed to tell someone something, and if it wasn't about what he endured within Bridgehead, then it could at least be something useful. After all, while the Recoms were learning how to be a Na'vi from him, Spider had been learning a thing or two from the Sky People as well.

He searched and found Jake and Kayla on top of the large mangrove trees, attending to their ikran, not wanting their banshees to feel neglected and unloved while they lived their new lives on the water. Everyone with eyes can see that the older Sully siblings are at odd ends with each other, but that's nothing new to Spider and the family. It wasn't any different from when Kayla first arrived on Pandora, so... even though it wasn't anything new, it was a little concerning that she and Jake were still at odds with one another. Although, maybe they were trying to get past it as they tasked themselves with the ikran.

Kayla smiled to herself while running a single hand down Thena's snout before she caught movement out of the corner of her eye. Looking up, her alertness melts into an open-minded smile once she realizes who it is, "Hey, Spider."

Jake looks up at Spider's name and nods in a short greeting before the boy steps closer, hesitant, "I... have to tell you guys something. I know why the Sky People are back. I know why they're here and I know what they're after."

Despite their disagreements, Jake and Kayla are still very much the first generation of Sullys on Pandora as they both turn to look at each other at the same time, then proceed to do the same as they look back at Spider.

"We already know they want to take this world as their own," Kayla replied.

Spider simply shook his head, "It's more than that."

Jake's eyebrows furrow, "They're not mining again?"

"No. Worse. They're hunting tulkun with a purpose. Not just to piss off the Na'vi. There's uh... a liquid substance found in the brain matter of tulkun called Amrita. Apparently, it completely stops human aging in its tracks."

"What?" Jake frowned. 

"It's worth millions of dollars. They told me that Amrita is what's paying for RDA's whole operation on Pandora. The military, the city, the labor force..."

Jake stares off at the distance, deep in thought with a grim expression on his face. Kayla doesn't appear phased by the news, unsurprised by the Sky People's motives. When Jake turns to her, she voices her resigned thoughts, "I told you. Earth was dying by the time I left. Things must have gotten even worse since then if they were getting this desperate."

Jake watches her carefully before nodding in agreement, "The olo'eyktan and the tsahik should know about this."

"I'll talk to them," Kayla volunteers before Jake could even move. She pulls away from her ikran and moves to the human boy, an arm out to guide him forward, "Spider."

The teen followed her lead without question, and Jake couldn't avoid the wary, cautious glances both his sister and the boy managed to glance back at him before they went back to the direction of the village. He's left alone to his thoughts and his attention-seeking ikran.

When they reach the chief's marui, Kayla insists on speaking her piece first, telling both Ronal and Tonowari about who Quaritch is and why he is dangerous being left alive, then she lets Spider talk as he explains why the Sky People were after the tulkun. Both clan leaders listen to both of them intently, and when Spider mentioned witnessing the death of a familiar tulkun and her calf, Ronal's hand instinctively rests on her pregnant belly, horror slowly dawning on her face.

"My Spirit Sister and her baby were murdered... for this?"

Spider's eyes widen, unaware that the tulkun he witnessed being butchered was actually the tsahik's Spirit Sister. Guilt rattles in his chest at the thought of Ronal's distress, unaware of Tonowari's large hand gently encompassing his small shoulder until the olo'eyktan spoke,

"You have done well to bring this to our attention, boy," Tonowari spoke gently, waiting until Spider peered up at him before he gracefully nodded once down at him, "Irayo."

Spider nodded back, unable to think of anything else to say other than an apology when he saw how broken the once stern tsahik looked, "I'm sorry I couldn't do more."

He says this while looking up at Ronal, whose ears pin back as she tries to contain her composure. She almost couldn't stand the pitied look the tawtute boy graced her and she had to look away. With whatever Ronal didn't say, Kayla made up for by placing her hand on Spider's other shoulder, opposite of Tonowari's,

"You did what you could, Spider," she gently consoled.

"She is right," Tonowari adds, much to Spider's surprise and Kayla's gratification, "You would have endangered yourself if you had tried putting a stop to the murder of Ro'a. You are small and have no weapons."

Spider didn't take the chief's observation of his size to heart, still caught up on the name Tonowari called the murdered tulkun. Spider didn't know her name, and somehow that made him feel worse. 

Kayla saw the look on his face and thought he was hung up on the idea of not having any weapons, "Something that I promise we will fix. Soon."

Spider simply nodded, still distracted by the memory Ro'a and her calf while absently muttering, "I miss my bow."

"We'll make a new one," Kayla squeezed his shoulder, "A better one, okay? Why don't you head back home? I'll meet you there."

He looks up at her, then Tonowari, then Ronal. He must have seen something curious as he tilted his head ever so slightly to one side. Spider looked as though he wanted to ask a question, but instead, he just nodded in agreement and moved out of Kayla and Tonowari's space, walking out of the marui while only occasionally looking back over his shoulder.

Kayla watched him leave, a little wary that she was sending him alone through the village until she couldn't see him anymore before turning back to the clan leaders. She doesn't appear phased about the fact that Ronal and Tonowari were already expectedly looking at her as she rolled her lips, 

"The other reef villages should be told the reason behind the tulkun hunting."

Tonowari bows his head once in solidarity, "I will send word."

Kayla nods and makes a step out of the pod, but she froze with one foot still in. Hesitant, she turns back to the pair, not making eye contact as she opens her mouth, "I need to bring Spider home soon. Back to the forest. He's defenseless and he needs supplies in order to survive on the reef... should he be allowed to stay here."

When she hesitantly glanced up through her eyelashes, she was met with an untelling expression on both of their faces. Ronal is the first to answer, taking a deep breath, "... Do you vouch for the boy?"

"I do."

They exchange a look that Kayla is too exhausted to decipher before Tonowari speaks as he turns back in her direction, "He's a good child. Loyal and brave. If he wants to stay here, he will need to learn our ways."

She feels a tightness in her muscles that she didn't know was there begin to deflate and relax, her lungs expanding more than usual. Her faint smile grew more, gratitude evident in her eyes, "Copy that."

Ronal purses her lips to refrain from smiling back, "Let me know when you intend to leave. I will be sure to provide any provisions you need."

"Thank you."

~~~~~~~~~

A few days flew by with not much to call home about. There was still a live mine of an aura around Neytiri, so everyone purposely kept Spider away from her. Instead, the Sully children would go to Kayla's marui to visit with him or to take him away for lessons or explorations. Spider was delighted to learn he would be taught more about the Metkayina's way of life after Kayla explained Tonowari and Ronal's acceptance of him. He didn't want to get his hopes up, knowing it sounded too good to be true, but he didn't want to let the clan leaders down, let alone Kayla, so he didn't say anything and eagerly followed Tsireya and the Sully children to any lessons they were just as eager to teach him.

Kayla tried her best not to chaperone these lessons, knowing that being a helicopter... guardian wasn't what Spider needed. So, she'd see him off every day to wherever his friends had planned for him and leave them to it, at least comforted by the fact that the Sully children wouldn't let anything happen to Spider, and Tsireya and the other reef children were starting to feel the same way.

That afternoon, she found herself running her thumb over her songcord, sitting down to finally come up with the lyrics to tell her life story. She struggled and didn't get very far by the time Tuk pranced up to her kelku.

"Hey, Auntie? Max is on the radio. He's asking for you."

Kayla smiles and gets up, placing a hand on her youngest niece's head, "Thank you, sweetness. Is your dad around?"

"He's out fishing with mom and the olo'eyktan."

"Alright. The other kids are just down the beach. Go on ahead and I'll see you later."

Tuk runs off excitedly while Kayla makes for the Sully marui. She finds herself alone when she gets there and she crouches down in front of the long-distance radio, pressing it to her lips, "This is Desert Fox, you have the green light."

"Hey, Kayla, it's Max."

"Hey, Max. Everything alright?"

"Everything's fine except for, uh... except for one thing. You haven't broken your link in a while and your body's vitals are... well, I don't feel comfortable with how low they are.  You need to come back, and I don't mean just breaking the link and waking up. I need you to bring the avatar back so I can get a proper assessment of both bodies."

She taps her finger against the talking piece as she chooses her words before responding, "Did Norm put you up to this? Normally, he's the one to call."

"Right now, Norm is... pissed off, to say the least. He figured I would have a more level head when talking to you."

"I understand," she sighs heavily, a headache already forming at the idea of having to face Norm's wrath, "I need to bring Spider back anyway. Tell Norm we'll be there tomorrow at about 1600."

"Copy that. Over and out."

~~~~~~~~~

When Tuk had mentioned Max's call to her father, Jake couldn't afford to wait to hear from Kayla about it and went looking for her, concern at the front of his mind. He finds her in her marui and stands in the doorway with hesitance when he notices the bags full of necessities on the floor in front of him. Kayla looked up as she was neatly placing Spider's rations in an easily accessible pouch, to which Jake's ears fell,

"Are you... packing?"

She nods, "Max had called while you were out. He says I've been away too long. I'll take Thena and fly back in the morning."

"Oh... are you sure that's a good idea?"

"I gotta go back. I shouldn't have stayed away from my human form for this long, you know that. I'll take Spider with me." 

When Jake flinches and looks as though he wants to argue she immediately adds, "He needs to recuperate and Norm and the others need to see him. They've been so worried, Jake. You need to share the boy with the people who actually raised him."

"No, it's fine. I understand that part. It's just... with Quaritch out there... and now that he knows who you are... it doesn't feel right. He'll have every reason to take both you and Spider."

"I can take care of Spider and myself. I've handled worse than Quaritch, and he wouldn't harm Spider. I'll bring him back, but for the time being, he needs to go home and I need to stretch my human legs."

"So you will come back?"

There's a hesitance in his voice, a small hopeful tone that makes Kayla look away out of awkwardness, "Jake..."

"Right," he corrects himself with a nod, "Don't talk about it."

"No. Do talk about it. But not to me," she managed a small glare in his direction, "I'll come back and I better hear that you and Lo'ak talked."

"About what exactly?"

"Jesus Christ-- Anything, Jake," she snarls out of frustration, staring up at the ceiling as if begging Eywa to clean her brother's ears, "Everything. And make sure he knows that he's not just a replacement."

His eyebrows furrow as a growing need to defend himself begins to form, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"I mean... when exactly did you first start to See Lo'ak? Before or after his brother's death?" Jake's eyes slowly widened as his sister's words bore a hole in his chest. Kayla makes sure her disapproval shows as she continues, "He might not think your parenting is genuine at the moment because you're probably just nurturing Neteyam through him."

"Shit. Okay. I'll talk to him... Are we good?" He motions a finger between the two of them.

"We're getting there," she answered simply, not in the mood to open up another can of worms before she had to leave. She didn't want to say how long it might take for her to finally see eye-to-eye with Jake, but she wanted to. Not enjoying the silence that lingered after her short reply, she took a steady breath in and out of her nose, gaining the courage to look up at him, "Do you... want me to tell everyone about Neteyam?"

His eyes widen a fraction more before he averts his gaze, the broken expression almost unbearable for his sister to see as he stares off at the wall beside him, "If... If you could. I understand if you don't want to."

"It's fine. Leave it to me."

~~~~~~~~~

Thena wasn't overjoyed by all the weight she would have to carry over the ocean, and she showed her distaste by gently nibbling Kayla's shin as her rider was strapping the bags of supplies onto her back.

"Ah," Kayla hissed as she moves her leg out of her ikran's reach, batting her softly with the end of her tail, "Frickin' drama queen. You're going home so quit complaining."

The banshee squawked in retaliation, shaking her neck before huffing loudly through her nostrils as Kayla would say-- dramatically. The ikran was resting on the beach of the village with a small crowd of Metkayina standing around to see Kayla and Spider off, their friends and family included. 

Jake was on the other side of Thena, pulling and testing out the saddle, harness, and straps to ensure a safe flight, "Remember to take more frequent stops on the way back. She's not used to carrying so much for such a long distance."

"You got it."

"Still got your compass?"

"Check," she expresses as she indicates to the mentioned object, resting against her leg at the end of her songcord.

"Alright. Fly safe. Have Norm radio us when you get there."

He makes a step toward Kayla, then stops, his hands hesitating at his side before he just decides on firmly nodding. It almost looked as though he was going in to hug her, but decided against it when her shoulders hunched up at the idea. The siblings awkwardly stare at one another before Kayla walks around him and mutters, "See you later."

"Yeah..."

She moves to join Spider where he stands in the sand, his arms folded in front of him as he cautiously watches the Sully children out of the corner of his eye. Kayla peers over at her nieces and nephew, and can see how downtrodden they look, watching both her and Spider. 

She offers them an encouraging smile before standing before the human teen. Kayla pinches the bottom of Spider's mask where his chin would be, making him look up at her as she gently whispered, "Hey. We'll be coming back sooner than later. I promise it won't be long. So chin up and go tell them that you'll see them soon. You don't have to say goodbye."

Slowly, he nods and walks away, toward Lo'ak, Tuk, and Kiri. Kayla watched as the siblings all surrounded Spider in a warm, tight hug before she heard the sand moving behind her. Turning around, she was met with Ronal and Tonowari approaching her, and she courteously greeted them by pressing her fingers to her forehead and lowering her hand down in their direction.

Tonowari mimics the motion to her as well with his free hand, his other one gripping his tall harpoon. The olo'eyktan kept a straight face, though Kayla was getting better at reading his eyes, those light blue orbs with specks of green. While he appeared to stand tall and proud over his people, his eyes told a different story, at least to Kayla. She could see a small hesitance in his gaze, trying to remain strong as he solemnly addressed her,

"Safe travels, Makayla te Suli tsmuke te Toruk Makto. Your home here will anxiously await your return."

Kayla bows her head respectfully, forcing down any color threatening to spread up her face. Her eyes dart to the woman standing next to him, catching Ronal's green orbs with specks of gold. The tsahik kept her face firm and blank, though her eyes briefly glanced Kayla up and down in a way that sent the avatar woman down a tunnel of yearning. Ronal's gaze alone was almost enough for Kayla to change her mind and decide to stay on the island for another week.

She quickly regained her words when her mind stuttered, her lips feeling dry as she spoke quietly, "Thank you, ma olo'eyktan. Ma tsahik."

It took a lot of willpower not to step back as Ronal boldly stepped into Kayla's space, grasping the avatar woman's hand in both of her larger ones. Kayla retained eye contact with the tsahik, trying not to crumble under the heat radiating off of the other woman's body, or at the very least, try not to visibly show how both of the clan leaders' presence affected her. 

Ronal didn't even blink at this violation of unspoken space between them, lowering her voice for only Kayla to hear, "Eywa ngahu."

Kayla did her best to swallow her nerves and smiled ever so slightly once the words translated into her head. Almost regretfully, she finally steps away from Ronal, gently pulling her hand out of hers and swiftly turning her back to walk toward her ikran. Even as she walked away, Kayla could feel two pairs of eyes on her, causing the hairs on the back of her neck to stand up, but in a more... exciting and promising way. Not like the discomfort she once felt when the clan leaders had first laid eyes on her.

Spider had already finished talking to the Sully children and patiently waited for Kayla beside Thena... but at a safe distance since the ikran was eyeing him a little funny. He wasn't entirely watching Kayla as she approached him, his eyes distractedly flicking between her and the clan leaders watching her depart. He doesn't say a word as Kayla encourages him to climb onto the banshee. He does so, while repeatedly looking back curiously at Ronal and Tonowari. Kayla followed him up onto her ikran's back as she reached her tswin out to form tsaheylu with her loyal steed. Kayla looks around the crowd one last time, from her brother and his family to the clan leaders who had accepted her into their village. She looked away and got comfortable on the saddle, making sure Spider was hanging onto Thena's neck from where he was situated in front of Kayla before ordering in her head for the ikran to take flight.

~~~~~~~~~

By the time the island of Awa'atlu disappeared behind them, Kayla and Spider silently prepared for their long journey ahead. They had to find rock cliffs all throughout the flight so that Thena could rest, more times than when Kayla first flew her out over the ocean, but neither avatar nor human complained, taking the breaks to stretch their legs before they would eventually have to hop onto Thena's back once more.

It was getting dark by the time they began to glide over vast trees and floating mountains, but the world of Pandora was just as bright at night as it was during the day, if not more beautiful, so Thena had no problems as she flew up higher into the Hallelujah Mountains, already knowing her way home.

Even though the mountain appeared inconspicuous, Kayla knew they were at the right spot. She heard a horn blow before she even noticed a single Na'vi, but once the horn had sounded, a chorus of yips and cheers gave away the High Camp's position. A cave was spotted along with torches beginning to light up to beckon her in the right direction, so Kayla grasped Spider's shoulder and instructed Thena toward the cave where she had begun to make out shapes of Na'vi waving her in. 

Thena quickly lands the moment the landing zone is cleared, too tired to continue carrying all that weight for a second longer. Spider got off first before Kayla followed suit, breaking the tsaheylu and immediately tending to her ikran, running her hands up and down the beast's neck as thanks while supplying the banshee with plenty of raw meat. The floor of the cave felt cold and familiar beneath Kayla's feet as she looked around at yet another familiar growing crowd as they swarmed around her and Spider. The Omatikaya are all chatting around one another as they stare the two newcomers down, but they appear more relaxed and even happier to see them than ever before.

In the back of the crowd, Kayla caught an accent that wasn't Na'vi, "Look! It's Spider!"

And like dominos, other voices reacted as they drew closer, gently pushing the Na'vi out of the way to get to the human teenager who now perked up at the sound of familiar voices,

"Spider!"

"You're okay!"

"Good to see you, kid!"

"We're so glad you're safe!"

The allied humans, scientists, military, and everyone in between, with smiling faces covered in breathing masks, surround Spider to inspect him and hug him. He faintly smiles at all the familiar faces, adults he had known his whole life, greeting him like he was visiting for the holidays, marveling at how much he's changed.

One of the humans broke away from the group when she spotted the familiar avatar woman beside Spider, a young woman with dark, curly hair as she waved up to the avatar in question, "Kayla!"

"Hey, Jocelyn," Kayla's smile widened into a genuine joy to see her friend, "How's everything?"

"Doing well. It's so good to see you!"

"Makayla Sully!"

"Shit," Kayla mutters when she hears that familiar voice behind her, sounding pissed off. She sheepishly spins around and smiles as if she had just been caught stealing from the cookie jar, "Hi, Norm."

"'Hi, Norm.'" The man in question scoffs mockingly in his avatar form. For someone so lanky and overall nice, Norm Spellman can come off as terrifying when he's pissed, yellow eyes narrowing onto Kayla, "'Hi, Norm?' What the hell is wrong with you?"

"Listen, Norm, before you chew me out..." Kayla cuts off the tirade he no doubt had for her, hand out to stop him while looking around, "There's something I need to do first."

Norm nearly opened his mouth to protest, but then he looked down at Spider and noticed a grave expression on the teenager's face. Spider's gaze meets Norm and shakes his head, all the while Kayla continues looking around the crowd until she finally spots who she is looking for.

Amidst the chaos of everyone greeting Kayla and Spider, she hadn't seen Mo'at approaching until now, and whatever expression Kayla had on her face made the older Na'vi woman very cautious upon walking up to Kayla.

"Ma tsahik," Kayla bowed her hand to her respectfully, despite the grave expression on her face. It felt wrong to call her that. It felt like she was disrespecting Ronal somehow by calling Mo'at that, despite everything the Omatikaya woman had done for her.

"What has happened, Makaylasully?" Mo'at doesn't bother greeting, not once she saw something terrible flash in Kayla's eyes.

"I'm so sorry, Mo'at... I wish I wasn't the one to tell you this."

~~~~~~~~~

Mo'at's cries of anguish could be heard all throughout camp, shaking the very foundation of their stronghold, and once word spread throughout the clan, more cries rang out, mourning over the loss of who was once their future olo'eyktan, who was still a child, echoing off the cave walls. 

The Omatikaya had all flown off to the Tree of Souls to mourn Neteyam, while Norm and the other humans attended to Spider and Kayla.

Along with the heaviness in her heart, Kayla felt almost ill when she opened her eyes and was met with the soft-glowing ceiling of her link gurney for the first time in-- god, how long did she stay in her avatar form? Weeks? Months? It's all beginning to bleed together for her now. She waited until the gurney's lid hissed and opened before she removed the censor cage keeping her body in place, taking her time sitting up. 

Which she immediately regrets as her arms threaten to give out when they push her torso up into a sitting position, cold and shaking. She wasn't able to restrain the weak groan she let out as her eyes strained and a headache formed right away, her vision dotted and dizzy. When looking down at her feet dangling off the side of the link bay, the woozy feeling in her stomach makes itself known, and suddenly her mouth begins to fill with saliva.

'Shit!'

Kayla leans further over the side of the gurney and vomits all over the floor around her, continuously gagging until her stomach contents are emptied. She spits and gasps for air, now suddenly aware that someone is standing beside her, holding her hair out of her face-- when did her hair get so long?

"Dumbass," Norm mutters, now human and now keeping Kayla's hair up as she continues to dry heave. He's still pissed at her, but it's somehow lessened from both the news of Neteyam and the state Kayla was currently in. 

She had to agree with him when she felt her body begin to shake and a thin sheet of cold sweat started to form on her skin. Eventually, she's unable to vomit anything else out and just gasps for air, tears running down her face from how forceful that episode took over her body. 

It takes a few minutes, but once she's calm, Norm helps her stand on her own two feet. He hands her an oversized zip-up hoodie, and when she questionably looks at it, he explains, "You're a mess, Kayla. If you don't want to freak Spider out, you need to wear that."

Once she catches her reflection on a nearby surface, she finally understands why. She's horrified by what she sees.

For one, she wasn't ready to see a human female with pale skin, a pointed nose, and light eyes staring back at her, nor the lighter shade of hair compared to the dark, braided locks she had on her blue-skinned avatar. Her human hair was greasy, knotted, and had grown down her back, unlike the kept hair she used to have cut to her shoulders when she first arrived on Pandora. What was more terrifying with how much weight she had lost. Her pants were loose around her waist and her muscle shirt was now baggy, her arms definitely less toned than she remembered. While she had always been pale, she now looked too pale, almost sickly.

By the time she was able to process her appearance, Norm had cleaned up the mess. When he was done throwing away the soiled rags and washing his hands, Kayla finally snapped out of it and zipped the baggy hoodie up over her form, quickly brushing her hair out with her fingers and pinning it up in a tight ponytail. Once she's straightened herself out and is fine with walking on her weakened legs, Norm gives her a disappointed look but says nothing, leading her out of the lab and down the hallway. He stands off to the side of the small medical room the human rebels made as the doors slide open, letting Kayla in first before himself.

Spider and Max look up from whatever conversation is interrupted by Norm and Kayla's entrance. Spider was sitting up on the slab meant for "patients" while Max was asking him concerned questions, questions that Spider wasn't all too happy talking about and was remaining closed off for the time being. He was thankful he didn't have to wear a breathing mask at least.

"Hey, Max," Kayla croaked before quickly clearing her throat and smiling to mask the hoarse tone in her voice.

"Good to see you, Kayla," Max smiled warmly, though she didn't miss the way his eyes shined with concern behind his glasses. Her vitals must not be the only thing he's worried about now.

Kayla quickly looks away and expertly ignores the tension in the room as she approaches Spider, "Hey. How 'you doing?"

"Alright." He responded robotically, eyes squinting at her human form once more and a little cautious about what he saw. 

She remembers that he always preferred her avatar over her human form and huffs with amusement, shrugging in her baggy hoodie which made her look so small, "Yeah, I know. I look weird."

"You're not the weirdest-looking human I've met."

She snorts, "Charming."

"But you look different from usual," Spider's eyes scanned her face knowingly, "You look sick."

Guilt rumbles in her gut, realizing she couldn't exactly hide anything from Spider, the ever-observant kid. She feigns a smile of reassurance, "I just need a bit of sun. It's exhaustion from being stuck in that can for too long."

Norm scowled as he moved to join the group forming around Spider's spot on the cold slab. He wasn't impressed with Kayla trying to lie to the kid and playing off the fact that she was vomiting all her internal organs out mere moments ago, "That 'can' is the exact reason why you look miserable Kayla. That weeks-long stretch of neuro-link that you just pulled was stupid and unhealthy. You should've come back the second after you guys defeated the Sky People. I should've pulled your plug the second I realized you hadn't come back in weeks. You shouldn't be separate from your body for that long or you'll start to deteriorate in that gurney," he reaches out and shoves his pointer finger into her forehead to make sure she got the picture, "This body needs to eat, drink, and move just as much as your avatar or you'll eventually wither."

"Okay. I'm sorry," she bats his finger out of her face, sighing in defeat, "I promise I won't stay away that long again."

"Yeah, and just to make up for your stupidity, I recommend staying here for three weeks."

"What?" Spider exhales, eyes widening in distraught.

Kayla's eyebrows shoot up, "Three weeks?"

"Until the both of you are properly evaluated, rested, and healthy again, you're not going anywhere," Norm sternly ordered, glaring between the woman and teenager. Kayla seems to understand that this is the consequence of her actions and nods in hesitant agreement, while Spider, on the other hand, appears a little defiant. 

"But... I want to go back." Spider found himself saying, even shocking himself when he did so.

All eyes turn to him and Kayla is the first to open her mouth, eyes shining with sympathy, "Spider--"

"Hold on, you wanna go back to the reef?" Norm speaks up, his grim expression replaced with a surprised reaction as he stares owlishly at the boy, "Why would you? Jake and his family will come back in time, won't they?"

He turns his attention to Kayla, who shrugs, "As far as I know, they plan on staying in Awa'atlu."

"Do you?" He asked.

"Yes."

"But... Spider--" Norm cracks his neck from the number of times he's looked between Kayla and the teen in question, "You'll be the only human."

Kayla frowns at the implication that Spider would be alone, "I'll keep him safe."

"It's not about that, Kayla," Norm shook his head, "I trust you. We all trust you. It's just... the islands are hundreds of miles away and he's human. The seawater is low on the pH scale and can be acidic if a human is exposed for too long. He can get chemical burns."

Doubt clouds her eyes as she stops to think about this, realizing that she has never thought about it before. She cautiously peers over at the other scientist in the room, "... Max, is this true?"

Max was watching the interaction silently up until this point, and while he shared the same concerns as Norm, he was more optimistic in his explanation, "Only if the pH scale is super low and only if Spider doesn't immediately take precautions after getting out of the water. The Metkayina's tsahik likely has something to treat him with. It's also very likely that the kid is immune to most potentially dangerous Pandoran elements after the amount of exposure over the years. He's got tougher skin than even you do. He might be fine."

"He's still not immune to Pandoran air," Norm counteracts while sternly looking between the other two adults in the room, "He needs his oxygen mask on at all times and has to have several spares on hand should something happen, you know that. He can't eat Pandoran food, and he doesn't have a kuru. He's unable to connect to the land, water, and animals unless he's with a Na'vi at all times."

"And he will be," Kayla confidently replies.

"Does he want that?"

Kayla's eyes narrow back at Spellman, "Ask him yourself."

All eyes return to Spider, and while he doesn't like it when people talk about him as if he's not in the room, he hates when all the attention is turned onto him even more. He lowered his eyes to watch his lap as if it was the most fascinating thing in the world, all the while admitting under his breath, "I want to go back. Kiri, Lo'ak, and Tuk need me. And I need them. Kayla wants to go back, too. She wants to stay with her brother's family."

A thought crosses his mind and his lips turn up into a smirk. He raises his head and knowingly grins at the woman in question as he jokes, "It doesn't hurt that the olo'eyktan and the tsahik show an interest in her." 

The room deafens with silence, Kayla's jaw nearly falling to the floor in shock by Spider's boldness. Both Norm and Max glance between the two and each other, interest and surprise forming on both of their faces.

Max voices his interest with a faint, equally teasing smile as he glances over at the only woman in the room, "Oh, really?"

Kayla was trying to figure out when and where Spider made such an assumption, her eyes never leaving his until she realized he did this on purpose to get the attention off of him. Finally finding her words, she screwed up her face and playfully snarled at the teen, "Boy, shut up. That's not true."

"No?" Spider's grin only widens, "So gifting beads and shells for your songcord isn't a form of interest? Or taking you out on a date?"

"It wasn't a date. And I never said Ronal gave me that seashell."

The smugness practically radiated off of Spider as he raised a single, knowing eyebrow, "I never implied Ronal was the one who gave you the seashell."

Realizing she had been caught, she felt heat spreading over her face as she frowned, "Has anyone ever told you you're too smart for your own good?"

Spider laughed as Norm's eyes widened further, his mouth opening and closing as he struggled to find the right words to describe where his head was at. Instead, he shakes his finger at Kayla before looking back at the teen in front of him, "Okay, we're gonna put a lid on that conversation for just a minute. Spider, you're welcome to choose where you stay, but don't choose on anyone else's behalf but your own."

The amusement falls from Spider's face, looking away to avoid Norm and Max. He was glad he got a choice, but the fact that Norm appeared so hesitant made the teen feel a little angry and betrayed, remembering all the times he didn't have a choice and when he was captured, "Kayla kept looking for me. She actually tried. Where were you?"

Norm's face falls, "We did try, Spider. We really did."

"But we're just a small group of scientists," Max adds, his voice quiet and soothing.

At first, Kayla could tell that Spider didn't look all that convinced, so she came to her friends' aid, "It's true, kiddo. They tried to help me find you. Norm went out searching with me whenever he could after I earned Thena."

Only when he got Kayla's reassurance did Spider relent the anger and betrayal he felt, glancing between the two men he'd known all his life, "Okay, fine. But I know I'll be safe as long as Kayla is there. She's always had my back."

When he spared a glance over in her direction, Kayla looked surprised and touched, a smile threatening to take over her face as her eyes sparkled at him. Spider looked away, but internally he felt himself smile as well. 

~~~~~~~~~

A couple of days go by and Max and Jocelyn are tag-teaming to run as many tests as humanly possible to make sure Kayla, her avatar, and Spider are healthy and able to make the long journey back out over the ocean. 

Kayla got the diagnosis that she expected. Her human form was weak from the little use of movement, eating, and drinking. Norm was never going to let her live this down as he continued to berate her throughout the duration of her stay. She was given strict instructions to follow a proper diet and exercise, practically forbidden near a link bay until she regained a healthy weight. 

Spider, all things considered, is a picture of health. That is... until he mentioned the vivid nightmares he had been having during one of Max's assessments of him. When asked if he wanted Kayla in on this conversation, the teenager caved and accepted, realizing he would rather tell the woman who had his back than the scientists surrounding him. Kayla was summoned and Spider finally talked about the torture he went through at Bridgehead, mentioning the machine they forced him into called a NeuroSect scanner. He described what the scanner did to him, how it spun quickly around his head with blinding lights, making him dizzy and scared. It felt as though it was probing his mind, collecting brain data while Ardmore questioned him about Jake's location. He described how his head throbbed to the point his nose began to bleed, then Quaritch turned the machine off and Spider blacked out for a split second, his eyes having rolled to the back of his head.

Kayla kept her expression neutral, but on the inside, she felt as though she could scream at the top of her lungs, wanting nothing more than to stomp back into Bridgehead and throttle Ardmore until the bitch's own eyes rolled back and her nose bled. See how she liked it.  

But instead of giving in to her anger, Kayla gently thanked Spider for trusting her to know this, and he smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes as he sheepishly asked, "Just... don't ever tell Kiri, okay?"

After the vivid description of Spider's torture, Max confirmed that the nightmares were probably a lasting symptom of what his brain went through. Once Max had Spider confirm that he wasn't suffering from any more nosebleeds or migraines, Max was relieved as he stated that he should be fine. When Spider asked about the nightmares, Max assured him that with time, they'd go away, and that visibly got Spider to relax.

~~~~~~~~~

The conversation that Kayla was dreading had finally come up one night when Norm had her accompany him over to the edge of High Camp, overlooking the vast drop below them, accentuated by large waterfalls. With both of them wearing breathing masks and carrying lab equipment, Norm instructed her on how to take a sample off of a plant near the edge of the cliff, watching proudly as Kayla didn't even bat an eye as she crouched over the cliff, hovering over the plant in question. He remembered her first day at High Camp and how she was nervous to even be near the edge, knowing there was nothing below to catch her. 

As they worked, Norm nonchalantly asked, "So. Tonowari and Ronal have been giving you gifts, huh?"

Kayla groaned, lowering and shaking her head in defiance, "Spider is exaggerating. They brought me to the Spirit Tree so I could visit Neteyam and gave me a shell to add to my songcord."

"Kayla. That's no ordinary gift," Norm scoffed, amused at how naive she sounded, "Na'vi are gifted songcord beads or items when they succeed their Iknimaya or if another Na'vi was trying to court them, otherwise, they collect those items themselves or their parents do before they're old enough."

She stayed silent for a moment, continuing with her task of taking samples of the alien plant. She didn't dare look up to meet her friend's gaze as she finally spoke, "I'm trying not to think about it."

"Why? 'Cause it's too good to be true?"

"No, because I'm not-- I... I'm not..."

"If you're about to say 'not worthy', I'm going to dropkick you off this cliff." Norm threatened with a frown, arms crossed in front of him as he faintly glared down at her.

Kayla finally looked up then, a small smile visible on her lips as she tried not to laugh, "Threatening people is my love language, stay off my territory," she offhandedly commented before she looked out over the vast view of the forest below the floating mountains, her mind as far away as the ocean she couldn't even see but knows it's there, waiting for her, "Even if Ronal and Tonowari were interested, it's a bad idea. What would their people think of their leaders if they shacked up to someone like me? And it's not just their people. What about their kids? Ao'nung and Tsireya are around the same age as Kiri and Lo'ak, not to mention they have a baby sibling on the way. Norm, look at me, do I look like I know anything about children?"

He squints at her as if she grew a second head, "Is that a trick question?"

"Infants," she further reiterates, standing up to semi-meet his height, "Do I look like I know anything about infants? I was the baby of my own family. Even after my parents died, Tommy and Jake raised me. I have never learned how to be a caregiver."

"That's the dumbest thing I have ever heard."

She scoffed at how quick he was to reply, rolling her eyes, "Oh, and you hear a lot of dumb stuff in your profession?"

"Kayla, I was working alongside your brother years before you ever showed up. Your brother was the dumbest thing in the world next to the large group of scientists he surrounded himself with. Up until now, I thought he was gonna die still claiming that title."

She deadpanned at his teasing expression, "You really know how to make a girl feel special, don't you?"

"At least Jake wasn't afraid of getting with a Na'vi. What's stopping you from one-upping him and getting with two?" She snorts at the joke, looking away again as he continues, "And so what if they have kids? You're clearly great with children-- don't deny it," she clamps her mouth shut nearly a second after she opens it. 

Norm carried on, "It's not like every first-time parent goes in knowing exactly what they're doing. Who knows. You might have your own kid at this rate."

She squinted her eyes with suspicion as she slowly turned her head back in his direction, "If you're talking about Spider--"

"I'm not this time. I mean, obviously, Spider looks up to you as his guardian, but I was talking about you having your own rugrat with Tonowari and Ronal if you so wish."

Kayla's eyes briefly widen behind the glass of her mask before the shock quickly disappears. Norm felt his whole body grow cold when his friend reacted negatively to the statement, her eyes hardening to something grim and impassive as she crossed her arms and looked back out over the wide open sky,

"It's not possible."

Norm's concern was heard in his voice when she didn't look back at him, "Why not?"

"Because Ardmore made sure that was never a problem," Kayla robotically answered, having memorized what she had been told back at Bridgehead until it was engraved into her mind, "My avatar form was sterilized when they created her in a lab. Ardmore had always been thorough and checked off everything on her potential threat list and she made sure that this was one less thing to worry about."

She didn't see the way Norm's face dropped, eyes widening in horror as the news sunk in. He looked as though he had just been punched in the gut, watching Kayla as she already looked so... defeated, as she had already taken the time to accept this fact about herself. Norm was starting to wonder if she was ever going to tell anyone about this or if she was going to take it to her grave. Either way, he didn't want to squander the trust she had in him if he was truly the first one to know about her secret. He wanted to feel honored that she told him at all, but it didn't exactly feel like a secret worth being proud of.

"Oh. Oh, Kayla--"

"Don't," she sternly replied as she turned back to him with fire in her eyes, "Don't you dare pity me. I knew about it this whole time and I didn't care, so don't pity me when this was a choice that I made."

"Did you though? Did you make that choice or did Ardmore make it for you?" He was almost afraid to ask, but he had to know. 

"... At the time I didn't care. Kids weren't a priority for me. I came to Pandora to help Ardmore with her little experiment and in return, I could find Jake's remains to bring them back to Earth. That was it. I didn't want kids."

He caught onto her words and stated bluntly, "You keep using the past tense."

Kayla's eyes lower beneath her mask, "... I don't need a child."

"But you want one?"

"I already have one," she finally declares, now a small smile on her face when she comes to terms with it herself, "I have Spider. I have Lo'ak and the girls."

"... You can have Ao'nung and Tsireya, too. And someday, maybe even Ronal's baby."

She appeared to ponder this for a moment before sighing, "Nevertheless... I have more than enough. I have more family now than I thought I'd ever have back on Earth."

~~~~~~~~~

Three weeks went by a lot faster than both Kayla and Spider could anticipate, and once Max gave Kayla the all-clear to link back to her avatar, both she and the teen she was in charge of were starting to get excited to return to Awa'atlu. 

While she had been spending so much time on being healthy and gaining weight, Kayla felt as though she completely neglected some people around High Camp. Apart from Jocelyn, Kayla never got to catch up with Txe'la and Meui and how the three of them have been. Once back in her avatar, she didn't want to miss any more chances and took the two Na'vi men back out hunting like the good old days, and even managed to convince Tarsem to go with them when he was free from olo'eyktan duties. 

While hunting, the Omatikaya men were catching Kayla up to speed on recent events. Apparently, there's a resistance camp full of humans who had come to Pandora in the second wave of the Sky People invasion. There was an avatar and even Na'vi living among them, one of whom came to visit the Omatikaya. Tarsem spoke of a Na'vi who was originally born from the Sarentu clan, a clan known for their stories and democracy but had since been wiped out by the Sky People. However, a small handful of Sarentu survived and grew up, now fighting to protect Pandora from the same people who murdered their families. 

The Sarentu Tarsem spoke of sounded brave and determined to protect their home, jumping from clan to clan to ensure their alliance. The Sarentu's words moved Tarsem when he spoke to them, explaining to Kayla the importance of seeing a clan believed to be extinct suddenly return to bring the clans together. Kayla was amazed by the story, faintly thinking in the back of her mind how she would have to tell Jake about this.

Another individual Kayla felt as though she was neglecting was Mo'at. After everything the Omatikaya tsahik has done for her, Kayla wished she could somehow return the favor. She had started by mourning Neteyam with the older woman, knowing that the grief was fresh in Mo'at's mind and she shouldn't be left alone with it. Kayla did her best to tell Mo'at how everyone was back across the ocean and how they were thriving among the Metkayina. Once Mo'at was told how Neytiri was struggling, she stomped down her grief and got to work, half listening to Kayla's stories as she worked on her project.

Spider was waiting outside the lab for Kayla when she returned from visiting with the tsahik, the teen casually lying across one of its support beams as she approached, swinging one leg off the edge of it. He kept his face blank while staring down at the avatar form he was far more familiar with than the human one, 

"How's Mo'at?"

"A little better," Kayla sighed heavily, "Though she's been working tirelessly on a shawl for Neytiri so that I could bring it back to the island with me." 

"A mourning shawl?"

"Not exactly. She knows Neytiri already has one but she wanted something specifically for her daughter... a gift from one grieving mother to another." Kayla didn't miss the way Spider ducked his head at her words, avoiding eye contact, "What's wrong?"

Spider slowly sat up, watching his legs swing down over the side of the support beam as he hesitantly muttered, "I... I know I shouldn't... but I miss Neteyam."

Her heart squeezed painfully at those words, sad to see this child so conflicted over the loss of someone so young, "Why shouldn't you miss him?"

"Because I don't deserve it, especially after I let the one responsible for his death get away."

"Spider, we've been over this--"

"I know. But-- still."

She sighed, looking around before deciding to pull herself up onto the beam and sitting down beside the teen, looking up at the cave's ceiling, "You know... for at least the first week without 'Teyam... I felt the same way."

Spider turned his head to look up at her, "Really? Why?"

"Because I wasn't his parent... or his sibling... I was the estranged aunt who only entered his life a year prior. I wasn't extremely close to him as maybe you and Lo'ak were... so I felt as though I didn't have the right to miss him."

Pain passes through Spider's face as he lowers his head again, "... Neteyam and I weren't close."

"No?"

"I mean... when we were younger, sure, but we haven't been for a while. That's why I didn't feel as though I had the right to mourn him."

"Can I... ask why?" She questioned carefully.

"I want to say it was because he was starting to learn all the responsibilities of olo'eyktan, but I know I would be kidding myself. I think he started to distance himself because he wanted his parents to be proud of him."

Kayla caught the hidden meaning immediately, forcing down a wave of rage, "His mother, you mean."

"... Yes."

"I'm sorry, kiddo," she spoke softly, her hand rising to move a dread out of his face, but immediately placed her hand back down before she gave into that impulse, "If it's any consolation... I know he still cared about you."

She didn't miss the way his chin quivered underneath his mask, his eyes stubbornly staring dead ahead as his vision blurred, "It's not."

"I know."

~~~~~~~~~

Rations, masks, mouthwash...

Kayla was going over the list Max gave her several times over, making sure she had all of these essentials for Spider packed and strapped to Thena's back. There were human drinks, food, medicine, and so much more that even she guiltily forgot about. She was ashamed to think she was ready to let Spider stay in Awa'atlu when the kid actually needed a lot more than the bare essentials she managed to scrounge up for him.

Double-checking her harness and straps, Kayla gently places a hand over Thena's nose before stepping away, joining the crowd that wishes to see her and Spider off. Spider stood beside Max as Mo'at was handing him down some healing properties.

"Koaktutra," the tsahik placed a small wooden cup covered in a matching lid in Spider's hands.

Max noticed Kayla's confusion so he elaborates, "Goblin Thistle. Antibiotic balm."

Mo'at nodded to Max's explanation then handed another small mixture to Spider, "Pxorna'."

"Episoth," Max explained, "It's got amazing skin rejuvenation properties, and I think it'll help Spider when he goes into the water."

He takes the mixture from Spider and holds it up to the teenager's face, "As long as you remember to slather yourself in this stuff every night after a long day of swimming, it should help prevent skin cancer and chemical burns. These salves have proven to be safe for human use, I promise. If I happen to visit the island again and I don't see any changes to your skin, then maybe we'll be able to cut the episoth back to once a week and eventually even less so if your skin grows immunity to the pH levels. Until then, every night, bud. 'You got it?"

Spider huffs and rolls his eyes, "Yeah, yeah. I got it."

"Good. And just in case--" Max then holds up a remedy of his own, a small plastic yellow tube that makes Kayla snort with amusement at the sight of it. Sunscreen. 

Spider's upper lip twitched at the sight of the tube and half glared at Max, "Seriously?"

"Humor me."

"Fine."

Kayla laughs at their antics and takes the remedies from them, bringing the supplies over to Thena and safely packing them away in their bags. Mo'at takes a moment to place a gentle, withered hand on top of Spider's head and they both exchange a warm smile.

Norm, in his avatar, approached Kayla to help her out and hugged her when they were all set, "I am going to give you a week before I start calling and nagging at you to break your link again, got it?"

"Yeah, yeah," Kayla huffed as she pulled away, unaware of the knowing smile Norm bore as he looked between her and Spider, clearly thinking how similar they already were in words and mannerisms.

"And-- tell Jake everything's okay here. Tell him not to worry."

Kayla smiled then and nods, "Of course. I'll see you in a week."

She moves to say goodbye to Mo'at, the two women gripping each other's arms in departure as they silently speak to one another. Kayla then fistbumps Max and waves to everyone else before gently knocking her knuckle against the glass of Spider's mask, 

"You ready?"

"Yeah." Spider grins.

"Alright. Then let's go home."

A/N: I… don't think I have anything to say. I mean, it's a lot all in one chapter so I'm sure there's plenty to say but I can't think of anything ;) stay tuned for more soon!

[vivid-ink]

Faces to Names

When I say I feel like I struck gold on Pinterest today - I discovered AI Na'vi 'face claims' this afternoon, and I tell you my heart absolutely soared when I discovered I could find a 'face' that suited each of my leading ladies in my various Neteyam x Reader/OC works! 😍 A lot of these AI renders are free-to-use, but none of them are mine, so kudos to the original creators!

This first one made me cry almost. 😭 This could absolutely be Ria from 'Violet Eyes', complete with her lovely violet eyes! It's probably just a coincidence, but I could KISS the creator for this. 💕

2. This next one just screams Naia to me, the childhood sweetheart who Neteyam returns home to the Omatikaya for in 'To Know You Again'. 🥰

3. This third darling has all the innocence in her expression of Seyla in 'Show Me & Teach Me'

4. One of my younger reader/OC characters is Kalia in my oneshot 'Your Best Friend's Brother'. Apart from the seashells, this render is spot-on for her.

5. And of course, probably the reader/OC ya'll are most familiar with: Neyomi from 'The Love Shack'. She's very sexy in my head and this render captures that nicely.

6. From my Kinktober #31 Omegaverse prompt 'I See You', this could be Leiko. 🥰

Of course, as readers you're all welcome to imagine yourselves/these characters however you wish. These are just renders that suit the visions of how I see them in my own head. And I'm just amazed at what AI renders can come up with now. Just WOW. 🤩

[anxiousdreamcore]

Hi’ze of the Tawkami

25 years

Heir of the Tawkami clan, a clan of deep-forested herbalists.

Curious, playful, nurturing.

Not a fighter, but strangely fearless.

Seeking unique knowledge of medicine and ritual herbology, she leaves her clan to travel the world and learn ways of other clans, as well as new flora and their many uses. On her way to what used to be hometree however, she finds a strange boy dwelling in the trees above. He seems to be of the sky, yet his heart is that of a pure Na’vi. He grew up with Omatikaya, he tells her, they’re at war, he warns, but Hi’ze is not one to run from danger and is lead to the high camp. From that point on, her medicine knowledge becomes crucial, and the strange boy “Spider” becomes her closest friend. Perhaps something more. Perhaps family.

So what choice did she have, other than defend him when demons dressed in blue arrived to take him and his siblings away?

.

Anyway, made a quick drawing of an OC and decided to post her 🤭 she wants to adopt Spider and take him back to her clan real bad but he friendzones her constantly bc he’s endlessly loyal to Sullies LMAO

.

(Do not repost my artwork on any other platform, with or without credit. I DO NOT give my consent to do so and I will find it🥰)

[frogletscribe]

Happy New Year!

Little Loreya kiss while i play with procreate brushes

[neteyamsoare]

˚₊‧꒰ა avatar masterlist ໒꒱ ‧₊˚

recent broadcast ! what am i doing wrong? : jake sully

౨ৎ welcome to my twitch channel ! ᝰ sfw & [n]sfw will be marked in each masterlist. all characters are written as adults / aged up. minors & ageless blogs dni with 18+ content or you will be blocked!

( last updated: april 17th 2024 )

⊹ ࣪ ౨ৎ˚₊ FRONTIERS COLLECTION ₊˚౨ৎ ࣪⊹

eetu, etuwa, nor, ri’nela, so’lek + teylan

⊹ ࣪ ౨ৎ˚₊ HUMAN COLLECTION ₊˚౨ৎ ࣪⊹

jamie flatters, sam worthington, spider socorro + trudy chacón

⊹ ࣪ ౨ৎ˚₊ METKAYINA COLLECTION ₊˚౨ৎ ࣪⊹

ao'nung, ralak sepwan, ronal, rotxo, tonowari + tsireya

⊹ ࣪ ౨ৎ˚₊ OMATIKAYA COLLECTION ₊˚౨ৎ ࣪⊹

jake sully, kiri sully, lo'ak sully, neteyam sully, neytiri sully, sully family, tarsem + tsu'tey rongloa

⊹ ࣪ ౨ৎ˚₊ RECOM COLLECTION ₊˚౨ৎ ࣪⊹

miles quaritch

⊹ ࣪ ౨ৎ˚₊ SPECIAL COLLECTION ₊˚౨ৎ ࣪⊹

kinktober 2023, 2k subathon, kinkmas 2023, romancing pandora 24, mating season, pandora’s glow + summers in pandora prompt list

— all rights reserved © NETEYAMSOARE 2022-2024. all fanfics belong to me, do not copy, translate, repost nor recommend on tiktok any of the works seen here.

[atxxokirina]

Im just saying this right now, if you support Neteyamfromwish - unfollow and block me.

The amount of people I've run into on this app who still try to excuse his disgusting behaviors is just so telling.

For those who don't know, he was caught gooming multiple minors, using women/his fans for their bodies, leading them on, etc. There is even a whole Google doc with proof, so the mfs that say they don't believe it.. ?? You're defending a p3dophile. It's that simple, really.

He used me for my body, as well as leading me on. He did the same exact thing to others on this app, (which I won't name for obvious reasons.)

And it is SO crazy, how when I tell people what he did, they try to defend him and say "he's learned his lesson" , or "sorry he did that to you", and then turn around and still support him, or stay on his side.

But once again, those who are choosing to turn the other cheek, and ignore the absolutely vile things he's done; you're fucking ignorant, and I don't like you. YOU are what's wrong with the world. If this is how you act online, god I can't imagine how much worse it'd be in real life.

That's all.

[dilfsyndrome]

Because I don’t feel like I did it right the first time

[heart-an0n]

so off topic but can everyone talk about how atwow fanfic writers always write so beautfully? like they over-analyze and over-exaggerate but in the best way possible

[lunamochii]

ageup!Lo’ak&Neteyam x fem!human reader

Their first time seeing you in a bikini, obviously they were taken back. Seeing you without you usual clothes, seeing your skin. It made them feel something. Throughout their life they are surrounded by omatikaya women but you… you’re different.

content warning; just a little intimate moment, implied threesome.

Lo’ak told you that at the end of the forest there’s a ocean. He knows you love the sea, you always mention it. Him and his brother always listen to your rambling that the river isn’t enough for you

“Who do you want to ride with?”

Neteyam ask as he form tsaheylu with his ikran, he heard Lo’ak scoff

“Obviously me, right ma Y/N?”

The older one rolled his eyes and they turn to look at you who is still checking your bag, Lo’ak instructed his ikran to nudge you to get your attention

“Oh! Sorry guys, Just making sure I bring the exact clothes I’ll be wearing! Can I ride with you Lo’ak?”

The younger one smirk and cheered sticking his tongue out towards his brother. Neteyam just scoff ignoring his brother. Lo’ak help you get on, placing his big hand against your stomach as the three of you took off

The moment you got off, you ran through the sand if not for the mask you’re wearing, you would have love to feel the sea water on your face. You were full of envy when Spider, your so called brother, told you that he once went to the ocean with Lo’ak knowing you’ve always loves to see it. It was introduced to you when Max was teaching about you things, not your fault for growing up here in Pandora. Well, the story Norm told you about ‘Earth’ and how that’s where you and Spider supposed to live, you didn’t really like the thought of it. You love it here, more peaceful and everything never fail to amaze you.

Plus you have Lo’ak and Neteyam. What’s there to ask for more?

“Hey! You two turn around! I’m gonna go change”

“Please, we are used to seeing women now”

Lo’ak reasoned but you just raised your eyebrows at him, you smirk and started unbuttoning your polo. You stare at the two of them and they were looking at you intently

“If stares could kill, I will be laying dead now.”

“Tsk. Just get it done”

Lo’ak responded and went to sit on a rock as he averted his gaze to the sand. Watching little crabs crawl. As for Neteyam, his eyes never left you. He watch you as you took off your polo and revealing a black cloth, good enough to cover your chest and then his eyes followed your hands when you took off your shorts, his eyes went back up and saw you now only wearing a black underwear

“W-What are you wearing?” He manage to blurt out

“Hm? This is called bikini! I found it from Norm’s magazine! I decided to make this since it will be easier to swim in these”

After putting your clothes on your back, you moved the little box which helped you breath through your mask. You jog up towards Lo’ak and put your hands on his lap and he immediately look at you. His jaw dropping

“Do you like it?! I know you like it!”

You beam and Lo’ak rolled his eyes as he lifted you up effortlessly and settling you on his lap, you blush feeling how your bodies are close together

“You look sexy, wouldn’t want anyone see you in this. This is for our eyes only.”

Lo’ak whispered on your ear and kiss you on your neck, you felt other hand wrapping around your waist and place a kiss on your shoulder

“Yeah, your too pretty and sexy to be seen by them.”

You almost let out a moan when Neteyam suck on your skin. If you let this go on, you will end up on their own pace again!

“Guys! Please! Can we enjoy the ocean first? Isn’t that why we went here?”

Lo’ak and Neteyam look at each other and bursted to laughter as Neteyam hoisted you up and place you on his shoulders, your legs dangling at each side of his shoulders. He scream before running towards the water with Lo’ak following behind and laughing

Well, they have to let you have this day to you. You were practically worshiping their cock days ago, begging that they would take you here and who are they to deny their woman’s needs? A good girl like you deserves a good reward.

[hyperfixatedfandomer]

GUESS WHAT AVATAR NATION

WE’RE GETTING 12 EXTRA SCENES FROM THE MOVIE!!

@meenawrites @ao3gobi17 @dirtytransmasc @imintoomanyfandomscuzihaveadhd @cyren-myadd

[marymary-diva17]

when someone insults you (child)

There are many ways to cause problems and tension, within the clan and between Navi themselves. One way would be insult someone of the clan and thinking their family and friends, will not do anything about it. Once that insult had come out of their mouths there was no, taking back what had been spoken.

Jake x Neytiri

demon blooded girl

Those words had been said toward you by an older Navi women, you had been carrying some basket when a group kids had ran into you. resulting with the kids fall to the ground and getting some scraps of their keens and arms, you and rush to help the kid up. Taking the kids to healer hut, and have the kids attend to as well. The children were okay after the tears had ended but that didn’t save you from the rage of their mothers. As they had been told and thought you had pushed their kids. They had started scolding your outside of the hut, one od them hissed at you tried to grab you arm, soon throwing the insult at gained everyone near by attention.

women “ you demon blood child you have cause not only my kid pain but all these other kids pain” the women soon had came at you with her blade making you doge her and soon, fall down into ground.

Y/n “ please stop and hear me out there a misunderstanding” the women was looking down at you as she was standing tall, but she was not standing tall for that much longer until someone had attacked her.

neytiri “ don’t you dare lay hands on my daughter” neytiri had come right away soon kicking the women away from her child.

???? “ sister” you had been helped onto your feet by Loak and spider, as neteyam had stood between you and the other women.

Kiri “ you are bleeding”

neytiri “ you dare make my child bleed I will make you pay” before neytiri could do anything else Tsu’tey and Jake had stopped her.

Jake " neytiri no justice will be handed out in another way"

moat “ my granddaughter what has happened”

y/n “ there was accident with some kids and I took them here to get healed … ahhh”

Kiri “ grandma her injury”

moat “ come inside I will attend to you” you and kiro followed moat, as the rest of your siblings stood outside waiting. It easy to hear neytiri voice as she yelled at the group, as Jake tried his best to make sure she didn’t do anything else. Your grandmother and norm had been able to heal you up after the incident. They are mad as well and so are your siblings, the mother had been sent to their homes and away from you and everyone else.

neytiri " daughter are you okay"

y/n " I'm fine mom the cut will go away in days"

neytiri " how dare that women lay a hand on you if I was not for your father, and uncle I will taught her a good lessons"

neytiri " I will make them pay for what they have done to you my daughter"

y/n " mother please no we don't need anymore trouble"

Jake " sweetie I and your mother will handled this but you can share you side, of what has happened"

y/n " yes father"

Jake " good and your are not in trouble some witness had told us what happened, but we wish to hear from you as well"

y/n " yes father"you had nodded your head and told them everything, this had made your mom even more mad. As the women and her friends had no good reason to fight you a child and insult you as well. The mothers had been forbidden by your father and mother forming coming near you, for a very long time. They had been in major trouble with your family and the clan, for what had happened today. Their husband had came by your home with offers for forgives and to repay you as well, they had been checked careful by your mom and grandmother. You had forgave the husband and kids but stay away from their mothers for some time.

Jake x neytiri x Tsu’tey

Demon spawn

The day had started off normal for you as you had been doing your task, for the day as you had done every other day. It seems like your day was not going to stay normal. As you had been doing some fishing for your family and grandmother, by the river when some tension had came around. As you are about to hit a fish when you spotted another group arrive, you had smiled and went back to fishing. The group of kids had been to close to edge of the river bank, worrying you as you had called out to them and told them to move a bit. You even help them find a good place to fish and good position to use while fishing, and they seem to love your advice and help. You had been able to caught some big fish and started walking home, you had been that far from home when someone shoved you to the ground.

y/n " hey"

Navi teen boy " don't your dare speak to my brother and his friends like that demon spawn' You had got up not wish for a fight right now and tried to collect your fishes, when the boy had shoved you again onto the ground as the other kids came.

navi teen boy 2 " you heard what you told me demon how dare you tell them what do to do"

y/n " I was helping them that all and making sure they didn't get hurt, and making sure they were able to bring some fish back as well"

navi teen boy 3 " you are a freak and have no right to tell us how to live and do anything, and you dare lay your demon hands on my brother"

y/n " leave me alone so let walking away or this will become a bigger problem"

navi teen boy " we will never obey the words of demon girl that ...." the boy had been punched in the face by no one other then, lo'ak who was mad right now.

lo'ak " hands off my sister" the second boy had been kicked by someone who was spider.

spider " hands off of her"

????? " y/n" neteyam had been seen as he soon helped you stand he was mad as well.

navi boy teen " " the demo. Spawn started it first"

lo'ak " don't your dare call her at and or speak to her like that"

navi boy teen " demon spawn" A fight soon broke out between the boys.

???? ' enough " your dads had shown up with the other kids fathers breaking up the fight.

neytiri " what the matter here"

lo'ak " this boy was looking over my sister as she was laying on the ground, as him and his friends yelled at her fathers"

Tsu’tey " what"

spider " they insult her and called her demon spawn" soon all eyes were on you and it easy to say that you had been shoved to ground.

Neytiri " you dare lay a hand on my daughter to hurt you, you boys are shameful"

Jake " what happened y/n"

y/n " I was walking home when I was shoved to the ground, all because I help their younger siblings with their fishings"

tsu'tey " this that true"

boys " ....."

navi father " olo'eythan Tsu’tey our boys ......"

Tsu’tey " I was speaking and they will answer me"

boys " yes"

Jake " how dare you all do this over our daughter being helpful, and then you insult her as well"

neteyam " insult our sister is insult us all" the boys who were once acting like they were all that, were now not saying anything as all eyes are on them.

Jake " you boys will stay away from my daughter and my kids, after the events today until you came come up with a good apology to her" no one dare say anything else boys and their fathers had been escorted home by some of the warriors.

y/n " I'm sorry but it seems like dinner for us and grandmother is gone" your family looked at the fish they there was no saving them for later.

lo'ak " I will caught some later with the boys" you had nodded your heads as your mother had taken you and your boys to healer hut, to get checked out and soon enough home as well. Your brothers and spider had been able to caught new fishes for the family, but there was still tensions as your whole family had become mad about the insult tossed your away. They soon clam down after dinner but there was still issues here and there, the boys had stayed away from you until they came to say sorry with their siblings and your siblings there as well.

Tonowari x ronal

shameful girl

since the arrival of the sully family and their clan life in your clan and village changed, dramatically and you enjoyed it. You had made sure to be helpful for your village and the new arrivals, even learning some stuff from the humans as well. Soon become close friends with the sully kids and spider, along with the rest of the humans as well. You had given them a chance to show they are good and will be allies during the fight with the evil humans. One day you are walking to meet with your siblings and friends, when you had walked pass some of your clan members who were that happy with you.

Y/n “ good morning” you smile and look towards the group as they didn’t say anything else.

Navi women “ are you proud of yourself child” you had stopped and looked at the women.

y/n " proud of what if you don't mind me asking"

navi women 2 " proud of yourself for being friends with the family and clan, ruining your reputation and image by being with them"

y/n " I know we all have our own feelings about them and I don't blame you, but they are not like them and if you give them a chance you can see that"

navi women " you are such a shameful child and the whole clan knows that, It good you are out the tshaik and olo'eythan as you will be ruining their blood"

y/n " I'm going to leave right now before anything else is said"

navi women 2 " Such a shameful child you will ruin our clan and your family" You did nothing as you soon started walking away from them right away.

Navi teen girl " You will never be their daughter just some shameful child that will never be loved, and once I become mates with your brother you will be gone ... no more freaks and no shameful ones as well like you and them"

y/n "It will be best if you stop talking and following before anything else happens"

Navi girl 2 " you shouldn't be speaking to your future tshaik like that, it rude and you have nothing to hold over us we all know that freak"

navi girl 3 " no more freakish girl good I love that"

????? " what going on here" everyone had gotten spooked when they hear someone speaking up, they soon saw your siblings and older sully kids and spider there. none of them looked happy your sister and brothers went to you.

tsreyia " sister are you okay did they hurt you"

navi girl 3 " we will never hurt her"

rotxo " my sister was not speaking to you she was speaking to y/n"

y/n " I'm good they aeee just speaking their minds"

neteyam " they were being rude and disrespectful towards you y/n for no good reasons, and you being the olo'eythan and tshaik daughter"

lo'ak " yes they were coming from what we heard and saw"

kiri " you all are rude for being mean towards y/n"

spider " yes"

navi women " we were telling her the truth how dare she ruining your family and our clan by being friendly towards them, we were doing your parents a duty by dealing with this freak girl"

aonung " you have no right to speak to her like that"

navi women " my daughter and you are arranged I'm doing what bets for both, our family your parents will thank me"

???? " that is lie I will never thank you"attention had soon changed the parents who arrived, and ronal along with tonowari are very mad.

navi women " ronal I was ...."

ronal " don't your dare utter another word right now hoe dare you speak to my daughter like that, you are foolish women and rude as well"

navi women " I was doing what I thought was good for my daughter future"

tonowari " well now you have done something for your daughter future, my son and her are no longer promised to each other"

navi girl " no that not fair"

ronal " yes it fair you have not rights to become tshaik and have failed, to prove yourself as well as my daughter have done that perfectly"

navi women 2 " that clan will not love this"

ronal " the clan will understand what has happened now you will never go near my daughter again, after today until I deemed your worthy along with the great mother as well"

navi girl 2 " we didn't mean no harm we will telling her the truth"

Jake " you all were acting like green eye monsters .... jealousy is ugly things to have I came here to thank y/n for being helpful to my family and clan"

navi women 3 " we are sorry lease this will look bad on our families"

navi girl 3 " please"

Neytiri " it to late to be sorry you most learn from this"

ronal " now leave my husband will speak to your mates later on and we will see what happens later on. but there is no more promise of marriage"

tonowari " get them out of our sight" the mothers and daughters had been taken away. As they had been given glares by everyone else for what they had done.

tonowari " my daughter dont listen to them I love you and you make me proud"

ronal " yes your father is right my daughter"

y/n " thank you mom and baba but please don't punish their whole family"

tonowari " yes I can make that happen" you had nodded your head feeling better about everything that happened, your siblings and friends had spent the day with you making sure everything that you are good and happy. True to their word the promise between aonung and the girl had been called off, and when the mother made a scene to the whole clan the truth was revealed to everyone which made matter worst for the mothers and daughters. They had been official told to stay away from you and if they dare do anything else, there will be trouble and they were already in enough trouble with your family and clan.

[torukmaktoskxawng]

Just wanted to say that I cannot wait to see what is next in store for Kayla and spider

I found a picture of them from a different universe while you're waiting 🥰

[lil-mamas-obsessions]

need a sad neytiri edit to the song pearls by Sade