Chapter Text
The first thing Neteyam noticed was the pain in his head. Like a horde of Yerik trampled over it. The second was the pain in his shoulder. Like an Ikran was attempting to rip it out. Between the two he couldn't decide which was worse.
He vaguely recognized the healing tent. But it wasn't their tent, not really at least. It wasn't Mo'at's tent in the forest with the Omatikaya. It was a Metkayina marui. And he was scarily unfamiliar with it.
Everything from the patterns on the ceiling to the mat under him felt unfamiliar. And wrong.
The one thing he recognized was the chaos. Healers running around, weaving between families to get to the next injured. The mix of shouted orders and whispered prayers and pained noises was just the same.
…
He couldn't quite remember how he got here. There was a battle, that he knew. And a ship. A big one. But all the details evaded his mind. Including what happened to him.
…
And his family. What happened to his family? He can't see them or hear them. Where are they? Do they need help? Are they injured too?
He tries to sit up and look around, pushing back the endless waves of pain searing through his body and mind like a raging fire. But he can barely lift himself up on his hands.
"Neteyam, don't," a kind voice interrupts him, before Tsireya suddenly comes up next to him and gently pushes him back down again. He doesn't have the strength to fight her. "You shouldn't move yet, your wound is still fresh." She sounds worried, but that shouldn't be a surprise to him.
"What…" he tries to ask, but his voice is raspy and shaky and a sudden coughing fit ends all his attempts to speak.
Once the coughs stop, Tsireya holds a small bowl to his mouth. He hasn't even noticed her getting one. "Here, drink slowly," she says, before lifting the bowl just enough for a small stream of water to enter his mouth. It tastes beautiful and he swallows it eagerly.
He feels better after the whole bowl is empty. The dryness of his throat that he hasn't even noticed before now gone. More confident in his voice now, he tries again, "What happened?" It's still shaky and not as steady as it used to be, but it doesn't sound like he is dying anymore.
There is a compassion in her eyes, deep as the ocean, but her voice is almost neutral, like she is trying to imitate her mother. "You were hit by a bullet," she clearly struggles with the foreign word, "it went right through your shoulder and you lost a lot of blood. I brought you back here as fast as I could and luckily we could stop the bleeding in time. However you will still need to stay here for a few days, so that the healers can fully treat you. And even afterwards you likely won't be able to do anything strenuous for a few weeks."
That does all sound good, but that's not really what he's interested in. "The battle?" he rasps and despite his best attempts he can't manage to say more than two words before his voice gives out again.
Tsireya puts her hand over his chest, almost encouragingly. "We won the fight. All the demons fled and their metal ship broke apart and sank to the ground," she answers, but now her voice has a slight shaking to it, less sure than it was before. "The demons will not hurt our spirit siblings anymore, but… we lost six of our warriors in the fight." And as much as she tries to remain composed or optimistic, she cannot hide the sadness from her voice.
But her words spark a memory in him. He was with Lo'ak and Spider. They were rescuing Spider from the ship. From the demons. They were trying to escape from the ship and from these false dreamwalkers. And one shot at him. At them all. Did they make it? Were they hit too?
"Lo'ak? Spider?" he croaks out, already fearing the worst. He tries to look around for them again, to find them lying between all the injured, but he's too weak to even move his head.
"Your family is fine, they are all safe," Tsireya is quick to answer his plea. And this time her voice is truly optimistic. "Your brother is with the warriors, cleaning out the reef from the remains of the demon ship. And the… sky person", Neteyam does not miss the little pause in her words, "is with our fathers. Kiri and I are helping the healers. She is teaching us how to best treat the bullet wounds. The elders are watching over all the children right now, so Tuk is with them. And your mother is on her Ikran, watching out for any more demons in our waters."
Neteyam relaxes. Finally hearing how everyone from his family and the Metkayina is safe drains the last bit of worry from his body. "Good," he sighs with the last of his strength, before his eyes fall closed again.
The second time he woke up he already felt a bit better. His shoulder was still hurting just as much, but the pain in his head has receded somewhat and is now no more than a throbbing pulse. At least he doesn't feel like his head will burst apart soon.
"Neteyam!" Tuk delights, immediately pressing to hug him tightly. And despite how happy he is to see his little sister healthy and excited again, the pain from her reckless pursuit feels like someone stabbed a knife in his shoulder and he can't help but to groan.
"Tuk, be careful. Neteyam's wound is still fresh," his mom gently chides, pulling Tuk away softly. Though Tuk clearly only lets go of him begrudgingly, holding on until the very last moment. And Neteyam is sure he can see her pout.
Neytiri comes forward, putting her hand on his cheek and stroking it slowly. He leans into the touch as much as he comfortably can. It's so familiar and warm and just right and he already starts to feel better again. Neytiri is looking directly at him and her eyes are tear-filled with so much love and relief. "It is so good to see you awake, my son. How are you feeling?"
"I've felt better, but I'm okay," he answers and is surprised by how steady his own voice is, barely even breaking. So much better than before. He even managed to put a light teasing note to it.
And it works, judging by the smile on his mother's face now. "That's good. I'm glad." The concern in her voice is not totally gone, but it's lesser now. She leans down to him and presses a small kiss on his forehead, before moving away with Tuk and making space for the others.
Kiri and Lo'ak are sitting on opposite sides of him, their knees touching his arms. They aren't as teary-eyed as Neytiri, but it's obvious they were scared too. He can't really imagine what shock they must have gone through after he got shot, but it must have been hard for them all, the possibility of him dying so close.
"We were all so worried," Kiri begins, "Even after the healers stopped the bleeding and bandaged your wounds you just wouldn't wake up. You slept through the entire night and day. Even Ronal didn't know if you would make it and there was nothing we could do to help."
Lo'ak is lightly punching his non-injured shoulder, speaking in a mocking tone, "Yeah, when did you become such a sleepyhead? The sun is about to set again. You missed three entire meals!"
Neteyam smiles again. He is barely even awake for a full minute and Lo'ak is already making fun of him. He actually seems to only try to hide his own worry, but Neteyam can see right through his weak facade. It's kinda funny how horrible Lo'ak is at pretending. "Well, maybe I should take your portions then to make up for it?" Neteyam replies in that same mocking tone.
Lo'ak feigns offense, reeling back with a gasp. "Don't you dare, Skxawng!"
And Neteyam has to laugh at his poor theatrics. Just having this childish banter again feels so good, so relieving. And just a moment later the others join in.
Only after they have calmed again, does his dad come up, sitting himself next to Lo'ak. He's putting one hand over Neteyam's chest, right where his heart is beating, and smiles at him. "I'm proud of you, Neteyam," and his voice is so full of honesty and warmth, it stuns Neteyam. When was the last time their father has spoken to them that way? Before the war?
But as he continues, Jake's expression gets suddenly more serious again, "But please never do something so stupid ever again, okay?" And Neteyam doesn't know if this is an order or a plea. But for the first time since the war Neteyam actually feels like their father is truly speaking to them as a father again and not just as their general. For once not concerned with the success of the next mission, just with their own safety.
Neteyam nods. Still too stunned to answer with words. This is too unfamiliar to him. He has to get used to it again. But he thinks he could. If it lasts.
"Okay. Good," Jake smiles again. "That goes for you too, understand?" he throws his free arm over Lo'ak's shoulder, lightheartedly pulling him into his side.
Neteyam almost expects Lo'ak to aggressively wriggle himself free again, but he doesn't. Instead leaning closer into their fathers side. "Yes dad," Lo'ak answers somewhat unsure, but his voice isn't annoyed or depressed, it's almost happy and Lo'ak smiles too.
And surrounded by all his family, laughing, smiling and joking, Neteyam truly feels happy again. But something is still missing. "Wait, where's Spider?" he asks and already prepares himself for the worst. He's used to it. He had to prepare himself too often for that already.
"He's over here," Kiri says while shifting aside, revealing Spider just behind her.
He's lying on a mat just like Neteyam's, perfectly still and with closed eyes. So unassuming, Neteyam hasn't even noticed someone was there before. Out of instinct Neteyam checks him over for injuries immediately, but beside some scratches he can't find anything out of the ordinary. And even those aren't really uncommon for Spider.
There's a panic rising in his voice that he can't keep out, "What happened? What's wrong with him?" Spider was fine the last time he saw him. But now it almost looks like he just dropped dead. The small rise and fall of his chest is the only thing convincing Neteyam that he isn't.
He looks so small now, lying on a mat that is considerably too big for him and without any of the usual energy he normally exudes. Even his stripes have faded into a dull light blue. Neteyam has never before thought of Spider as small or weak, but right now he can't find any other word to describe him.
He can feel his father's hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, it's nothing serious," his father tries to relieve him, "After… everything he's just exhausted and simply fell asleep during a counsel meeting."
It dawns on Neteyam that he has no idea what even happened to Spider during all those months in captivity. Why was Spider even on that ship? There is so much he doesn't know right now. So much is going on and he can't do anything. It makes him uneasy.
So he tries to focus on the things he knows: "Counsel meeting?" he asks.
His father nods with a strange determination in his eyes. "Yes, Tonowari has called all the Olo'eyktans of the eastern sea here. To discuss what to do against the sky people threat, now that they are openly hunting the Tulkun. Spider has been telling us what he knows about them. But don't worry about that, just focus on recovering, okay?" It's not unkind, but there is a finality in his voice that forbids any further questions.
And Neteyam knows that tone quite well, so he just nods and says "Okay." But that feeling of unease has not left him one bit. And his father is keeping something from them.
It's dark inside the healing tent. But not quiet. With this many people it's never really quiet. Even if everyone is sleeping. Or should be sleeping.
Neteyam for his part can't. And he knows he should be sleeping too. There is no reason not to. His family left shortly after they all ate dinner. The sun set hours ago. And it's not like he isn't tired yet. He is very tired. And he knows his body needs rest now. But sleep won't come to him.
There are too many thoughts circulating in his head, keeping him awake. Some are on Spider. Some are on the demons and their ship and the battle. And some are on his family.
Now that the demons know where they are hiding, will they have to leave again? Will this be their life from now on? Running from clan to clan to escape the war? And if they do, what will happen to the Metkayina and their spirit siblings? Are the demons gonna create more false bodies to hunt them again?
His dad has told him not to worry, but that's just not Neteyam's nature and so the thoughts keep coming. Endlessly. And a part of him hates it, wishes they would just go away. Wishes everything could be as peaceful as their childhood again.
And so he lies. Still. Awake. Wishing.
Even now the smell of blood and infection still stings strong in his nose. Some of it comes from himself, he knows. But the burning incense and herbs make it at least bearable. This is not a ward of death anymore. There is life here now, in every exhausted rustle and calm breath. Some of it his. Some of it Spiders. Hopefully at least.
Because almost four hours after sunrise, Spider is still sleeping. His body bears the marks of a deep exhaustion and fatigue, even beyond what Neteyam can see. He is alive, his chest rising and falling softly with every breath. And sometimes he stirs in irregular waves. But he does not wake.
The healers cannot help him as they can with the others. There is no injury to treat, no gashing wound, no broken bone. For all that they know, he is just resting. And all they can do is wait.
Neteyam keeps his hand on the smaller boy, taking note of every breath and twitch. There is still a dull pain in his shoulder, one that flares up and sears through him every time he moves, leaving him tired and out of breath after just seconds. But Neteyam refuses to lie down and rest and miss even the smallest sign from Spider. He will bear this.
And so he doesn't miss it when Spider starts to move around on his mat. His ears twitch slightly as Spider weakly groans. He is finally waking up.
Neteyam freezes, holding his breath and his eyes fixed on Spider. Seconds pass with nothing and Neteyam almost thinks he must have just imagined it. But then, slowly, Spider blinks.
And despite being clearly awake now, his eyes are almost vacant. He is only staring upward, seeing, but focusing on nothing. A deep, cold fear gnaws at Neteyam. "Hey, Spider?" he asks softly, as if Spider could break away again at even the smallest sounds.
But Spider reacts, slowly turning his head to Neteyam. But his eyes remain unfocused. Neteyam can't tell if Spider is even really looking at him or just seeing through him. "Spider?" he repeats, just as careful as before. And he tries really hard not to sound desperate or pleading, but even to his own ears it doesn't work.
There is a long moment of stillness between them where Neteyam doesn't dare to even look away, too afraid to break, to lose this again. It feels like a heavy weight pressing down on him. But then something Neteyam cannot name, something almost similar to recognition, appears in Spider's eyes. "Ne… Neteyam," Spider says. And even though his voice is devoid of any intonation, any feeling, that simple response has Neteyam overflowing with joy and relief and so much more.
The next moment he has his healthy arm slung around Spider, holding him in a hug as best as he can with his injury. Just like his siblings before.
At first Spider remains still, but then suddenly he shifts and grabs onto Neteyam and presses himself closer to him. "Neteyam," Spider repeats again, his voice now filled with emotions. Too many for Neteyam to distinguish. And despite the pressure on his chest, Neteyam's next breath comes easier.
And he doesn't want to let go again. It feels right. Like everything will be okay again.
…
Even if it's not. Neteyam can feel it. Under his arm, Spider is trembling and his breaths are coming unevenly. And Neteyam knows. Something is not quite right.
…
When, after a while, Spider moves out of the hold again, it feels too early and Neteyam immediately misses the contact. Out of instinct he moves his hand to Spider, tries to grab onto him and retain some form of physical contact. But Spider is suddenly just a little too far away. He tries to look at Spider, tries to smile at him. But Spider's gaze avoids him, looking only onto the ground between them.
"Hey, what's wrong? Is everything alright? Do you need a healer?" Neteyam asks, worried, because he doesn't know what else to do.
"No, I'm fine," Spider's voice is quiet, quivering. But he does lift his head, just a bit, almost meeting Neteyam's eyes now, "How… How are you?"
"I'm good now. My shoulder still hurts, so I can't really use my arm, but otherwise I'm fine. Their Tsahik, Ronal, is pretty good. Different from Mo'at, but still good."
But Spider doesn't seem to take that answer well, his eyes downcast again and his response slightly mumbled. "Oh, that's… That's good then."
Neteyam waits for more, but Spider doesn't continue, doesn't say anything else. And that worries Neteyam. Like some form of protective instinct that scratches at his sides.
"Hey, are you sure you're alright? You can tell me, you know?" Neteyam tries again, softly, but insistent.
"Oh… yeah. Just… you know, tired. And exhausted, I guess." There is no real emotion in Spider's voice and Neteyam scrunches in irritation, unsure what to make of it.
And the silence between them lies heavy. He doesn't really know what to do here. He doesn't even know what the problem is. Spider isn't usually this… evasive. But there is something. Something wrong.
"That meeting. With the clan leaders. What was it about?" he asks Spider, trying to sound as inconspicuous as possible.
Spider only shrugs his shoulders, responding nonchalantly, "You know, the demons. How they fight. What they want. How their ships work. … And how to defend against them."
"But dad knows all that. Shouldn't you rather… rest?" He tries to not make it sound like he is babying or dismissing Spider, but a bit of worry comes through anyway. He can't really help it.
"It's the least I can do," Spider answers, almost sounding uncaring. But there is something else in his voice. Something Neteyam can't fully place yet.
"What do you mean?" he asks, confused.
And at that Spider seems to stop. For a moment he doesn't seem to even breathe. But then he looks straight at Neteyam, his gaze somehow hurt. "Do you know about the Ta'unui clan? A bit west from here?"
That was not what Neteyam expected. What has the Ta'unui clan to do with anything? "Vaguely, I guess. I heard it was attacked by the demons and some dreamwalkers."
Spider's fumbling nervously with his hands, his gaze drifting over the floor aimlessly. "Yeah. … I… I was there when it happened." Spider hesitates, the words stuck in his throat. Neteyam doesn't interrupt, allowing him the time to find his voice.
And Spider's next words come out rather more carefully, nearly hesitant, "I translated for them. But then they started to burn down their homes and kill their animals. And I didn't stop them. I just watched it happen. Without doing anything." Spider's voice is so filled with dread, growing quiet and dim with every word. He's crumbling under his own guilt.
And Neteyam is unwilling to just let Spider be as he breaks apart. "Spider, what they did was awful, but that's not your fault. You couldn't have done anything. And it's not your responsibility to stop these demons." He tries to sound reassuring, not really knowing how to right now.
Spider looks up, directly at him, something akin to desperation in his eyes. "But it had to be someones! And I was the only one there who could. And I failed." Neteyam can't tell if Spider is angry or disappointed with himself. Either way, it almost scares him.
"Spider…" Neteyam tries again, but he can't even get another word out.
"I should have never been with them. I shouldn't even have been on that damn ship! Then you wouldn't have gotten shot at!" Spider is practically trembling at the words, yet his voice is oddly steady.
And Neteyam hesitates. He doesn't know if he can fix this. If he should be the one to do it. Lo'ak, Kiri and Spider were always more in tune with each other, helping each other in ways that Neteyam simply can't. It always made him feel a bit left out. It makes him feel left out right now.
But right now Kiri and Lo'ak are not here. He is. And he wants to do something! Even if it will end up fruitless. He has to at least try.
"Spider," Neteyam reaches out slowly, holding onto Spider's shoulder with all the strength he can. Trying to pass some sense of comfort. He's not sure if it's working. "You didn't shoot me. This isn't your fault."
"But you and Lo'ak were only there because of me. How could this not be my fault?" Spider argues with that same desperation still seeping from him. Wanting to, but almost unwilling to accept anything else.
"Because you weren't the one who aimed a gun at me. Or the one who burnt the village down. You weren't the one who ran into danger. You didn't make these choices. The demons did. And I did, when I decided to get you out of there. But I knew it was dangerous. And I knew what I was risking and I decided it was worth it. So it's not your fault. None of this is your fault." Neteyam smiles as he says these words and something in Spider's gaze seems to mellow out with them. Just a bit at first, but growing. But he's not responding, only looking back down at the floor.
Neteyam continues after a short moment, less serious now, "Hey, look. I'm still alive, okay? And the healers say I'll be fine again. Worst thing I get a cool battlescar." An almost inaudible chuckle can be heard from Spider. And Neteyam can feel how he relaxes under his grip. "All the people of these villages are alive. And whatever was burnt down can be rebuilt. So it will all be alright and there's no point in dwelling about it, okay?"
And Spider looks back up at him, not happy, not really, but better now. "Okay."
"Oh, hey, you're both awake already, that's good!" Rotxo interrupted them. Quite harshly in fact.
Suddenly ripped out of their moment, both Spider and Neteyam turn their heads to look at the Metkayina, too stunned to speak. Neither of them had taken notice of the boy until now. Not that they have payed much attention to the constant commotion in the healing tent either, but still the boy surprised them.
Rotxo seemingly wasn't bothered by their unresponsiveness, as his gaze quickly locked onto Spider. "Oh wow, you have stripes! I didn't know sky people have them too. And they look just like ours!"
"Uhmm…" Spider was unsure how to respond here. None of the Metkayina so far had paid any attention to his stripes.
But Rotxo didn't slow down to give Spider any chance to respond. Instead he kneeled down right next to Spider, wearing an overly excited grin, and just continued onward undisturbed, inching closer to Spider with every new question. "Do all the sky people have stripes? And do they all look like this? I heard the sky people have all different colors of skin and hair, so do your stripes vary too? I've never seen the stripes of the sky people before, all the other ones are always covering them up with cloth. I don't understand why they would do that, are they embarrassed about their stripes?"
By now Rotxo was practically hovering over Spider, who looked totally overwhelmed by the sudden closeness of the larger boy and his unending barrage of questions. And it is at this point that Neteyam has to seriously question Rotxo's sense of atmosphere. "Rotxo, you're overwhelming him," Neteyam interrupts before Rotxo can get any more intense.
And against all odds, this actually gets Rotxo to stop. At first he looks honestly surprised, but then his face morphs into a more apologetic one as he realizes that Spider is too startled to even speak and he backs off. "Sorry, I'm just a bit excited. You're the first sky person I ever got to meet," he apologizes.
Spider visibly relaxes, his shoulders slumping down and he takes a deep breath. "Oh, um, it's okay," he answers, a bit nervous still, but not by much.
At this reassurance Rotxo's face lights up again and Neteyam decides to intervene before he can get back into his endless questioning again. "Rotxo, is there something you need?" Neteyam asks, possibly a bit harsher than he needs to be.
"Oh, yes!" Rotxo responds, suddenly more formal than before, "The Olo'eyktan and Tsahik said that I should bring the sky person to them."
Neteyam has to think back to his father and his earlier conversation with Spider. Spider, allegedly, fell asleep during a meeting and now he is immediately requested back, right after waking up. Something about this irks Neteyam the wrong way. "Have they said why?" he asks, not hostile but certainly more stern.
Rotxo only shrugs, "No, just that I should bring the sky person as soon as he wakes."
"Okay. Let's go then," Spider chimes in and agrees easily, standing up and ready to leave. But his tone is surprisingly neutral and Neteyam can't tell what he is really thinking.
"Wait, I'm coming with you," Neteyam adds while getting up too.
"Oh, actually, the Tsahik said I should only bring the sky person," Rotxo responds before Neteyam is even standing.
It's not unkind in any way, but somehow Neteyam can't help but feel a bit offended at this blatant dismissal. And there is no way that he just let's Spider alone now. Especially when he doesn't even know what the Olo'eyktan and Tsahik want. "What? No. I'm not gonna let him talk to the clan leaders alone," he protests.
Surprisingly it's Spider that turns him down, "It's okay, Neteyam. I'll be fine. You should probably get some more rest anyway." Spider smiles at him and then he turns around and walks out the healing tent with Rotxo, not even waiting for Neteyam's reply.
And now Neteyam is sure. There is something going on. His father. The Olo'eyktan and Tsahik. And Spider. They are all keeping secrets from him.
It is a good day. It is supposed to be a good day. The last of the Injured woke up at sunrise, finally leaving the uncertainty of death behind. The clan is healing, everywhere you look.
And Neteyam feels better too. Is supposed to feel better. His shoulder is not nearly hurting as much. But more than anything, he feels uneasy.
All the people are working hard, helping the clan, moving forward together. His family first among them. But he doesn't see it, can't join them and participate. He only knows what happens in the clan through murmurs and word of mouth. And he always feels a bit left behind, like he is missing something important. Like a secret everyone holds that he isn't privy to.
He knows that's not really the case, of course. But here in the healing tent, the only thing he is permitted to do is wait. He has more patience than both Lo'ak and Spider combined, but even he rarely does just nothing. And waiting when there is so much to do feels threateningly close to nothing.
It's multiple hours later before Neteyam sees Ronal again. She is going to every patient, one by one, and checking them all over personally. There is no rush in her movements and from what Neteyam gathers most receive only good news. Well, as good as can be right now. And after a few minutes, Ronal comes to him too.
"How do you feel?" she asks first, as she begins unwrapping the bandages from his shoulder with trained motions.
"Better. I'm not as exhausted. But moving still hurts sometimes. Not just in my shoulder," he responds truthfully. But in truth he's unsure how to really speak with Ronal. The last time he has really seen her she wanted to go to battle against the sky people who killed her spirit sister. And then these same sky people kidnapped her daughter. And afterwards she wanted to personally speak with Spider, another sky person. And Neteyam still has no idea about what.
Ronal does not respond directly, only nods her understanding silently while pressing and feeling at various places on his shoulder. A few drops of blood appear around the scabbed wound and Neteyam has to bite his lips to suppress a hiss. He doesn't want to appear disrespectful now. Or weak.
If Ronal notices then she doesn't comment on it.
Not knowing what else to say, or better how to say it, Neteyam lets the silence pass between them as Ronal finishes her inspection. She goes and grabs a light greenish paste from a tab behind her and starts carefully spreading it to the healing skin. It stings a bit at first, but not any worse than her prior probing, so Neteyam endures it quietly.
But with every moment that passes his time is running shorter and the uncertainty eats away at him. Eventually he can't wait any longer and he has to ask, without really thinking, "What did you want from Spider?"
Ronal's hand stills and she looks up, meeting his eyes now. She doesn't look mad or upset, but there is a scrutiny in her gaze that alone almost makes Neteyam regret ever speaking up. But he wills himself with everything he has to hold her gaze and not shrink back immediately. He wants answers. More than he is intimidated by her.
After a few seconds that felt much longer than they probably were, Ronal finally answers courtly, "That is nothing you should worry yourself with, child."
And without awaiting any more, she continues her work undisturbed. The message here is clear, even for Neteyam.
And in any other situation Neteyam would have dutifully obeyed and given up on the matter. But something, some familiar instinct, makes him go on. He wants answers and he is tired and sore of everyone around him keeping secrets. And he certainly won't just give up after one stern remark! Even if said remark comes from the Tsahik herself.
"Are you going to banish Spider from Awa'atlu?" he asks again, surprised even by his own sudden boldness.
Ronal lets out a quiet, resigned sigh and retrieves the remaining bowls of paste. Only afterwards does she meet Neteyam's gaze again. "No, we are not. Even if this had been our will, your father has given us to understand that he will not accept such a decision. The sky child has Uturu under the Suli name."
At that Neteyam feels an odd mix of relief and confusion. They have named his father as Spider's guardian. That is good, undoubtedly, but it only offers him more questions.
"What has…" he tries but is interrupted by Ronal's raised hand.
"That is nothing you should worry yourself with," she repeats her earlier words, more sternly now, "You will aid your family more by focusing on your own healing." There is a compassion hidden in her voice that wasn't there before. A strict, but genuine advice.
It reminds him of Mo'at. And his answer comes almost instinctively, "Yes Tsahik."
He can see Ronal nod and actually smile earnestly. "Good. Then, your wound is healing as expected. There is no need for you to remain here. You may rejoin your family, I imagine that will soothe you all quite well. But you will still come here every day and seek out the healers advice. And you may not go swimming for now and only partake in short and easy tasks, you understand?"
For a moment it leaves Neteyam stunned, unable to fully comprehend Ronal's words. He was sure Ronal would have kept him in the healing tent until his shoulder has healed properly. But now he is left overjoyed at the idea of sleeping and eating with his family again and he jumps at the chance without hesitation, "Yes, of course, Tsahik."
"Good. Then I will have my son escort you back to your home," Ronal concludes, satisfied, as she stands up and leaves for her next patient without any more delay.
Neteyam doesn't bother to hide his excitement as he waits for Ao'nung to come pick him up. Even if he has only been away from their home for a little over a day, right now there is nothing more that he wants than to just run back there, to his parents and siblings. But first there is still something he and Ao'nung have to discuss.
Coming home feels different somehow. Everything is still in his place, as if nothing had happened. And yet everything feels changed.
There is a melancholy here now. One that doesn't replace the usual comfort and warmth, but pulls on it. It's a feeling that Neteyam simultaneously remembers from his days at High Camp and also has slowly forgotten from his time at Awa'atlu. A reminder that nothing is eternal. Not even peace and quiet. Maybe especially not peace and quiet.
If this has to be his life now, a series of remembering and forgetting, then he thinks he could get used to it.
…
But he doesn't want to get used to it.
Night has fallen over Awa'atlu and the village is silent and still, safe for the few warriors that patrol the reef even now.
"You should really try to sleep," Neteyam whispers.
Across from him Spider opens his eyes, Neteyam's tanhi reflecting on the glass of his mask. Kiri has him snuggled tight against herself, just beside Lo'ak and Tuk, all sleeping tightly and Neteyam feels just a bit dejected that he can't join their little pile.
"I can't," Spider whispers back, even more quiet so as to not wake anybody.
"Why not?" Neteyam asks.
Spider seems lost in thought, blinking slowly and breathing quietly. And when he answers Neteyam can almost hear a note of discomfort in his voice, "It's… I'm not used to this. Sleeping with other people. There's always something. It's never really quiet."
Oh. Of course. Spider has spent almost all his days with them, but in the nights he was always alone in his room. Neteyam can't imagine sleeping like that. But for Spider it's all he ever knew.
"Hmm," Neteyam contemplates, "You know, I think I like hearing everybody else. It means that everything's alright. And we're all together. It's… soothing almost. Calming even."
In the darkness Neteyam can just about see Spider smile, "That sounds nice."
"Yeah," Neteyam smiles back.
"Yeah."
Spider blinks once more before closing his eyes again, his breath calming.
…
"Hey Spider?" Neteyam asks and Spider opens his eyes again, waiting, "I missed you."