Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

He was floating. Nothing could beat the feeling of drifting.

Drifting just beyond the ground it was heaven and it was his. His time to himself. A reward for being whoever he had to be. Wherever it was being an older brother. A perfect son. A brilliant student. In times like this he was just another skater.

He let his foot roll on the ground one more time before he glanced up at the night sky admiring the stars. How they shined effortlessly. He envied them to a fault.

He looked back down seeing how the streets lined up. How they got stepper the closer he got to the stars. The trees littered the small walkways, a bunch of fruits had dropped on the side step and it reminded him how close winter was. He loved winter more than he could ever love summer. The cold breeze, the cloudy sky, everything about it was just beautiful. Summer was hot and sticky and annoyed him to a fault.

He watched as the trees got thicker and it was harder to see his way in the night. He stopped the skateboard letting it skid on the floor before he picked it up. Letting it rest under his arm. He lowered his purple hoodie taking his key from his jeans as he opened his house. By the time he got in all the lights had been turned off.

He threw the keys into a bowl as he removed his shoes. Pushing them into the corner.

“I’m home.” He whispered into the empty corridor. He was careful with his steps, mindful to make little noise. He walked gently against the wood making his ways to the stairs. He took notice of the kitchen lights being on. His mother was strict about stuff like that and Lo’ak always left them on. He clicked his teeth before walking towards the kitchen only stopping when he heard soft whispers.

“So what do we do?” His mother's voice rang out like a quiet storm. The noise was little but she had powerful intentions. His mother was a person who spoke with meaning. She was reserved but when her voice rang out it could command a thousand armies. Despite that when she spoke gently it felt a warm hand, a hug. He hardly got to hear the voice that commanded and he was grateful for it.

“I don’t know but they're threatening us, Neytiri.” His father's voice was similar but he heard that voice all the time. The voice that was sometimes robotic or just downright cold. His father was a good person but a good dad… he fell sometimes on that. More than some, now. Ever since a year ago when mum's hometown had been bombed there had been a steadily rising tension amongst the family. Fear that if mentioned they wouldn’t ever be able to escape it.

Neteyam knew the basics of the whole situation from what his parents chose to tell and what he got to research but most of it was unknown to him. He was a person who always knew things, effortlessly. Not knowing something like this scared him. Scared him so much that he would lose his mask. A mask that had been formulated and created through years of work. It couldn’t be destroyed because he was too scared.

“So we leave?” She had changed to Jake's home language. Her accent growed thicker as she stood up.

“What do you want us to do? They bombed your home. And got away with it with everything pointing at them. They are much stronger than us. If we go to war with these people I don’t know if we will win. We need to think about another option.” It was obvious even through the small crack on the door that his father was breaking. Slightly. Just a little losing his composure.

“You were named ‘Toruk Macro’ by my people. My people. What do we do? We leave them. We leave them to fend themselves against these people. By Eywa name I am not going to do what you ask of me.” His mother walked towards the door opening it with such force it rattled the house.

“We are not going to discuss this anymore. We will talk with my mother and the council tomorrow.” She stopped before she turned back to her husband. Putting their foreheads together.

“Ma Jake. I-.” She opened her eyes slowly to take in the man's brown eyes and light complexion. She took a deep breath before walking up the stairs wrapping her shawl together tightly.

Jake hit his hand on the table, he groaned quietly before he turned off the kitchen lights. Leaving the conversation and leaving Neteyam under the stairs. Living in the house for so long meant he knew all the best places to hide. It wasn’t the first time he had heard his parents argue.

He waited a few minutes letting the sound of his parents getting ready for bed and the lights turning off before he walked up the stairs. He kept quiet trying not to make any noise as he passed his parents room to get to his bedroom.

“Did you just get home?” He heard his mother's voice from the end of the bedroom as he stepped in. His mother's voice was calm and even though he couldn’t see her face he knew she would have a small smile. Her eyes crinkled just a little.

“Yes, mama.”

Without knowing where to put his eyes in the darkness he settled on the small light passing through the balcony. The night sky gave a tiny bit of light.

“Neteyam.” At the sound of his fathers voice his back straightened. His mindless arm swaying was gone as he focused on the sound of the direction he thought the sound was coming from. He placed his skateboard behind his back.

“Yes sir.” he said, letting his voice lose all emotion.

“Go outside and wait there.'' Without hesitation he went outside not before hearing a small sigh escape his mothers lips.

Jake had got up from the bed putting on his slippers. As he lifted himself up he felt his wife's hand bring him back down onto the bed. She was always somehow stronger than him.

“Be gentle with him. He is your son. Not your soldier so please talk to him. Please.” her eyes softened looking at him, or as much as she could.

“I… will try.” he looked back at her. He found his balance quickly looking down at his legs. No matter how many years passed he still couldn't believe that he was walking. Something he had always thought was far, far away.

He closed the door gently looking at Neytiri's resting stance before glancing down at his son. Jake noticed how he fidgeted under his gaze despite his head being held high.

“I…” he thought about his next words, wanting to give him some sort of love. Reassurance but when he stared at him he saw him. Even through his mother's eyes and face he saw him. Him, his brother. His brother who was the better half of him. Who was a peacekeeper and ended up getting shot because he had enemies. He had been bound to a wheelchair chained down. He couldn’t save him. He couldn't save the last person in his family. So those nice words, those words that would make him happy but not safe went out the window.

“I want you to be smarter. No late night skating. No clubs for you or your siblings. You pick up Tuk fast with your siblings. I want you home in thirty minutes. No less. Anybody ask you, you lie, quickly. Then get out. You see anybody following you, you run. Promise me you’ll run.” he looked at his father letting the words sink in.

“Yes sir.” He said, turning around to his room.

“And-.” Neteyam walked back to him holding his breath.

A word. A short small word would probably ease this tension between them. Make it more alright to face each other but all he could do was was turn his eyes away.

“That B on your chemistry test is not acceptable. Make sure it doesn’t happen again. Go to bed and get ready for school. I'm dropping you all.”

“Sorry sir. Yes sir.” he nodded once before turning and walking back to his room being careful to not slam it. He dropped his skateboard on his tidy floor.

In a second he had crossed his bedroom, had taken off his ill- forming hoodie and had yelled into the pillow. Screaming with every inch of his soul until he felt his voice wear out. He looked at the small clock on his stand admiring the way it lit up. It was a clock with a bunch of mystical ‘banshees’ on them. It had been a show he had watched as a child and had introduced to Tuk. She had got so obsessed with it she demanded everything. The clothes, the dolls, even the damn clock. It had taken his father a lot of money and time finding it. But nothing could beat the smile on her face when she got them. She woke up every day and morning with that small smile for two weeks.

‘1:26, earlier than usual,’ he thought. He looked towards the ceiling. The sudden urge to put the pillow to his face and see how long it would take to run out of breath compelled him. If he couldn't skate he could drown. Drown for a long time. But he closed his eyes. This time he decided to close his eyes and dream. Dream just for a while.

…

“Neteyam, Neteyam! Lo’ak stole my toy from Ikra’ cereal.” He looked back from tying his shoes. Glancing at his bouncing sister before looking at her feet.

“Where are your shoes? We have to go now.” he leaned over and took the small pink shoes. He got it on her feet and immediately started tying them on.

“And Lo’ak give her back, her toy you skwang. Kiri!” He yelled back to his siblings watching how Lo’ak shovelled the rest of his food in his mouth before tossing the plate into the sink. There was a loud crash that made him wince and his brother. He finished the bow on Tuk’s shoe and immediately opened the door for her to get to the car. She looked back at her brother and stuck out her tongue.

“Lo’ak leave it and get your shoes and your bag please. And Kiri get down here.” he yelled before he heard light footsteps down the stairs. His sister finished up her last braid of two. She rolled her eyes as she walked down taking an apple from the corner of the kitchen counter.

“I heard you the first eight times you said it. And I don’t want to stress you out anymore than you already are but there is a broken plate in the sink.” he let out a sigh as he pinched his nose.

“Let’s go, please.” Kiri walked towards him slowly slipping on her shoes and walking out. Lo’ak despite having his shoes on and a bag attached to his back lingered in the doorway. Neteyam only noticed because Kiri was already out the door.

“I have a bad feeling about today, bro.” he looked behind at Lo’ak giving him a small grin.

“Yeah? Why are you going to start trouble?” he put his hand on his brother's head shaking his braids.

“No and get off of me.” he said, shoving him off before he walked out the door.

Neteyam looked back at the house. Glancing at the picture at the back of the wall just two years ago. When Tuk brown yellow eyes were just a little bigger and Lo’ak had a rounder face. He admired their growth but missed their infancy. Some sort of innocence they had.

He heard the car honk and with one last fleeting glance he walked out. If he knew this would have been the last time he saw his home without all the chaos, maybe he would've taken a picture a memory with him.

…

“No clubs today.'' The car was filled with deadly silence but was broken so quickly that he swore he saw onlookers trying to see the commotion.

“But dad, there's like two weeks until the championships. I can’t just skip.”

“I hate agreeing with Lo’ak as much as the next human but he’s right. I’m a week away from facing off in ice skating. This is big for me, my coach said if I do well I might just get to qualify for entering nationals. I can’t skip and for what?” she said, finally putting her phone in her pocket before looking at the driver seat.

“Mummmmmm please. My coach said I was really good at running down other kids and if I skip Lie’tai will make fun of me. Then I’ll bite her. Please?” she said smiling with her white teeth and missing tooth.

“Sa’nok?” Lo’ak said, turning back to the passenger seat. She looked back at the kids watching how they all except Neteyam looked like they were going to raise a mini hell.

“Not today.” With that even Tuk reclined in her chair not interested in losing a battle that couldn’t have been won in the first place.

Neteyam watched how his siblings' faces fell. The silence being achieved again. He hated times like this.

By the time they had arrived Lo’ak and Kiri had escaped before the car had even properly stopped. A small bye and love you coming from one of them or both. Neteyam got out as fast as he could, walking to the other side of the car to get Tuk out.

“Neteyam is alright with it, Tuk. So please my beautiful daughter don’t bite anybody today please. As much as mummy loves seeing your face today, I'm going to be very very busy.” she turned back to her youngest and oldest. Giving them a small smile before she blew a kiss to them. Jake turned around and held his daughter's hand tightly.

“Your mothers word. I love you.” She smiled back as Neteyam undid her seatbelt.

“I love you too mummy and daddy. Bye bye.” she had jumped down from her seat forgetting her bag and running to the nearby elementary school.

“Take care of her and yourself, okay Neteyam. Love you.” Jake nodded tightly before looking forward again.

“Love you too, mum… bye.” he held the bag and walked away from the car running after the girl. When he caught up to her he gave her a tight hug before giving her the bag.

“I’m going to pick you up right after school and if you're here we might even get ice cream. But only if you're here early.” She nodded her head fiercely before running in. Just when he was about to turn away he felt a slight pressure on his legs.

“Bye bye Neteyam. Love you.” she giggled before turning back to the school.

“Bye Tuk. Be safe and good.”

…

The day had gone surprisingly well. Lo’ak hadn’t gotten in a fight. His classes were going well. He had no homework forgotten and the day was coming to an end. Something felt off.

“What’s wrong bro?” Abat’nte said. They shared a PE class together every Monday and had naturally just become close. Abat’nai was a gentle soul. Someone who thought about others. It was easy to get along with him and they were best friends .

“Just… realised I’m not going to be able to go to skating wars with you tonight.” The boy hummed in return and tied up his hair. Putting it in his natural half up and half down hairstyle. Neteyam took a braid of his hair and twirled it around his finger.

The boy looked up at him and suddenly they both realised how empty the room was. Neteyam removed his hand from his hair and cleared his throat. He watched the boy pull down his shirt.

“Is that it or are you lying so you don’t ‘worry’ me.” he put his fingers as air astrix.

“I’m just thinking more lately about now being a freshman.” he said looking down at his hands.

“We’ve been freshmen for three months. C'mon just tell me we have all the ti-.” the bell rang at that moment leaving both of them laughing at the ironic situation.

“I have to drag my sibling’s home now, I’ll see you tomorrow. We’ll talk about it, I promise.” he gave him ‘the’ look, the look that said ‘I know you're lying’.

“Netey-.” the boy in question held out his hand.

“ ‘Nte I need to go but I will tell you tomorrow. Promise.” The teenager gave him an apprehensive look and gave a small laugh. Connecting their hands together, one last time.

“See you tomorrow, I’ll call you later about the skating match.” he nodded in return and walked out the dressing room.

He walked through the hallways admiring the intricate street style design it had. Cultures in each corner of the doors and walls. It was home. By the time he got to the end of the halls he had reached the doors. With a slight push he had opened them. Cursing them for being so unnecessarily heavy. He was half surprised to see his siblings waiting. Kiri and Lo’ak were looking at something on their phones and were at peace. A rare sight for them both.

“Hi bro.” Lo’ak said with a small grin as he took in his tied up hair.

“Why don’t you tie your hair up more, you look regal.” he smiled at his siblings as he took his headband out.

“Not today. Let's go pick up Tuk.”

…

Tuk had gone to the club or half of it anyway. It had taken ten minutes of arguing, pleading and bribing to get her to not only get out of the football uniform but to get out of the damn school. At that point she could have gone to the club. It would’ve saved the siblings a lot of time and money. By the time she had gotten out of school she had begged for ice cream meaning they had travelled an extra 10 minutes. Then Lo’ak wanted ice cream, then Kiri wanted gelato. It had been about an hour and twenty minutes by now and they were running late.

The sun had set slightly letting the orange rays grace the horizon. The siblings walked down the empty road together. One great thing about the place was that it was quiet. One bad thing about the place was that it was quiet. It was nice on a sunny day but when the wind was stronger. The sun was a little bit lower and there was something heavy in the air. It got scary.

Tuk had been on Neteyam’s waist licking the rest of the ice cream while making faces at Kiri. Occasionally laughing when Kiri had returned a face. Lo’ak had gobbled down his ages ago and was more concentrated on his phone.

“Lo’ak get out of the street before a car runs you over.” Lo’ak looked up his phone and rolled his eyes at his brother's words.

“Nobody can run me over. I’m invincible, isn’t that right Tuk. Who could ru-.” in a second notice a car came speeding down the road. Just passing him but Kiri had already taken his arm and dragged him out the road.

Neteyam looked at the car down the road watching it drive away.

“Hey! Watch where you're going, dipshit.” He heard Kiri shout at the black sleek car. He turned back to look at her to see Lo’ak putting his middle fingers up.

“Idiots.” Lo’ak shouted back at the black car. Neteyam smile at the scene before he turned back around. He took a step and noticed how the car stopped. Then turned. That fear, that thing holding over them wasn’t nothing and it made him so angry he was right.

Everything turned quiet in the moment. The birds made him aware of how loud the car was and how it broke the atmosphere so quickly.

He held Tuk tighter, looking her in the eye as her eyes widened with fear at the car coming back to them twice the speed.

“Kiri, Lo’ak. Run!” On the word Lo’ak took Kiri hand running down the hill. Neteyan ran down with them immediately going in front of them. Everytime he looked back the car got closer. He just ran faster and checked back for siblings seeing how both Lo’ak and Kiri were catching on. They all did various sports so they had a lot of stamina but stamina was doing nothing for them.

He looked around at the end of the road noticing how the shops grew closer and he immediately started looking for an exit. He had been here since he was five. He knew this place like the back of his hand and took great pride in his knowledge.

“Follow me down the alley.'' He ran past a shop and took a right down the alley. Looking behind to see his siblings catching up to him.

He heard the car stop and a bunch of guys shouting. A few twists and turns and they could all hide where he was sure they wouldn’t find them. A small place disguised as a sewer where skaters normally hanged out. But by the time a turn was left he heard a piercing gunshot ring right pass him.

“Kids, kids stop.” a low country voice spoke. It was a voice that rang shivers down his spine and one he knew out of fear.

He immediately turned around looking at the way they were cornered. The people that surrounded them were dressed in all black. Each having a gun on their side. The only thing that gave these people away were the little tags right above their hearts. RDA.

“Lo’ak, Kiri get behind me.” They looked at him and without hesitation went behind him. Neteyam gave Kiri, Tuk. His youngest sister looked back at her older brother one more time before instinctively closed her eyes.

“Big bro what are you going to do?” Lo’ak whispered walking back into the wall.

“Nothing because Neteyam knows better than to try and do something. But I’m not a monster or a bad guy. Just want to talk to you all a little. Besides, you're my son’s friend, no? …Get in the car.'' The closer he walked towards him the more that Neteyam spread out his arms trying to keep them together.

“Shit, is that Spider’s dad.” He heard Lo’ak whisper and if this wasn’t the time it was he would’ve made a joke at him for it. It wasn’t a surprise. They hadn’t seen the guy in person but the accent was pretty much everything to tell from. Besides, one day they had walked to school with Spider and they saw a picture of him, dangling right above an old cafe they loved that was graffitied with words like monster, murderous. It was obvious by the way that Spider stopped and stared at him. It was like if he was near him he would strangle him. They never mentioned it again.

“I’m not a monster and I’m not gonna hurt y'all but getting in the car is the best option. Or I might have to retract my statement.” His blue eyes tore into them all. Neteyam looked back at his siblings and walked a step further. Just a step.

“Tell them to all back off and just us and you.”

“And the driver.” Quadritch said, putting a small smile on that face of his.

“… and the driver.” Neteyam said begrudgingly.

“Really, Netey-.”, He looked back at Kiri trying to remain calm while she could see her feet leaning from one side to the other.

“Please both of you. We’ll be safe, I promise.” He didn’t know if they would be safe. But he could easily tell the other option. They both glanced at each other before they walked forward. He turned back every couple seconds or so to look back at his siblings' faces.

Lo’ak was glaring at everybody but it was obvious that he was scared. Kiri held Tuk so tight he was scared she would break her. Tuk only lifted her head to look back down when she saw the people dressed in black. And Neteyam, Neteyam hoped it wasn’t obvious that he was pressing his SOS button.

Ever since this Cold War started his parents had given each of them a way to connect with them. Just in case. His father had his phone reprogrammed for his power button after being pressed three times to send an emergency message to him. The moment he knew they were going to run he had wanted to do it but Tuk was on his waist. He could only thank Eywa that he wore hoodies that could never fit him.

“Come in.” Quadritch had already entered the car and sat down. Neteyam gestured to his siblings to get in before he got in himself. He watched as the door closed and the suit people stayed where they were watching them.

“You kids run fast.” Maybe it was because they were away from all the guns but he realised that he was speaking English to them. What scared him just a little bit more was that he understood the Na’vi he responded with.

The car started and they all remained quiet for at least five minutes before Neteyam took up the courage to respond to him.

“Do you want…- he stopped to think about his words. How much should he say in front of his siblings? His father always said that if they were captured they should shut up and answer the question how they wanted.

“… to kill us?” Lo’ak finished. Neteyam turned towards him and saw how he hid his hands. Tuk buried her head in Kiri's shoulder. Seeming on the verge of crying.

Quadritch let out a long laugh. Biting his knee as he leaned back into the seat, looking out the window with some sort of disgust.

“Son, now what would I get out of killing you. Though it would definitely be fun. Boy you look like your father. It’s a… sight. And you- he said pointing at Neteyam- look horribly similar to that mother of yours. It makes me want to tear your faces off.” He said slowly looking the boys up and down. Neteyam kept as much of a straight face as he could. But, he could tell Lo’ak was breaking. His fear was long gone and a seething boy was left. A boy whose family had just been threatened.

“You. Miles talk about you a lot. Or whenever I get the time to meet him, a busy schedule. You must know with your parents and all. You don’t look anything like them. Pretty obvious. I would comment on the child but her face is hidden. Why is it because I’m scary?” Neteyam immediately put his hand on Lo’ak shoulder. Holding him down before he could even think about it.

Before the younger boy could even comment the car pulled up to the house. Their house. Their safe haven. He immediately reached for the door trying to get out quicker than humanly possible.

“Son why don’t we have a small talk while the kids go inside.” He half thought that he was talking to Lo’ak but when he turned to reach him he saw in his eyes who he wanted. He gave a small nod. He exited the car with his siblings following after him.

“Go to the basement and you guys know where to hide. Don’t open it until I do the knock, okay? I’m coming in just a second.” Kiri looked stuck but then Tuk’s tears became aware to her and she ran to the house. Opening the door without even closing it. Neteyam was always thankful that Kiri prioritized Tuk in these situations.

“Cmon bro what are you going to do actually talk to him. Please just come.” Lo’ak grabbed his upper arm pushing him towards the door. Neteyam took his hand and pushed it off gently.

“Go to the basement.” Lo’ak glared at him planting his feet into the grass.

“Please. If not for me, for Kiri and Tuk. Go protect them. I’ll come within five minutes.” The stubborn boy looked at the car then back to his brother.

“Be careful, okay I’ll give you three minutes or I’m coming out.” Neteyam nodded at him watching him walk inside the house and lock the door. He let out a small breath entering the stuffy car again.

“Good you came back. Taking a long time to get done with that conversation.”

“If you're not here to kill us, are you going to kill my parents? You killed Kiri's mother. You bombed our home. Almost killed my grandmother.” Neteyam tried to let his accent go a little more. Try to speak more like this country man.

“Allegedly.” He leaned towards him and suddenly Neteyam realised he was stuck with a man. The man who had chased them down the street and cornered them. He hoped his siblings were safe.

He saw his gun peek out and his eye’s immediately darted to the object he looked back at the man but he already knew he saw the action.

“This?” Quadritch took the gun from his pouch and he flinched. The man smirked at the action and turned the gun in his hands several times.

He opened the barrel, rolling the six bullets in his hand. He let five drop on the floor holding one. He spun it around his hand. He put it back in forcing the barrel in and rolled it.

“There is this game people on Earth use to play called Russian roulette. It’s simple, take out all the bullets in the gun, leave one and roll the barrel. Up to God or Eywa whatever you guys call it. I always loved the game because there was one sixth chance that you were dying. Life is easy to take away like that.” The boy willed his hands to stop shaking.

“Guns are a man’s natural resource. You just hold it up…” He held the gun up pointing it to Neteyam's chest. The boy gripped the leather car seat, not daring to move.

“And boom.” It clicked. Neteyam hadn’t even processed the gun and he held his hand to his chest. Clutching it. He could feel the pain that would’ve erupted, he got a sense of deja vu.

“Listen son here. I’m not going to lie to you. So this is what I want you to tell your parents. Back down. This little game that they are playing trying to get us to shut down won’t work. Never will, never did. If they do… next time we see each other or any of your siblings believe me it won’t end this pretty. Understand boy or do you need me to write it down for you.” Neteyam bit his lip. The gun sat at his side and suddenly he couldn’t take his eyes off it.

“Are you threatening my family?” He knew it wasn’t a question the way the man glared at him told him all the truth he needed. He could see his mouth open again but then the door was thrown open.

He instinctively reached for his bag planning to throw it at the person but was met with the sight of his father. His brown eyes softened once they met.

He immediately hopped out of the car. His father hugged him for the first time in a while. He saw Lo’ak with a bat hugging their mother too. He hadn't realised how scared he was until he was within his fathers arm, the fear threatening to make him cry.

“Da-.” His dad immediately turned him around inspecting his back and his face.

“Are you hurt? Did that bitch hurt you?” He shook his head slowly as his mother came up to him. He immediately buried his head within her neck. Breathing in her scent.

He hadn’t even heard Quadritch come out of the car. Only realising by the way his mother gripped his arm and held him tightly behind her

“So you did send a SOS. Smart move son. Most people would be too scared to do that.” Jake moved in front of them, both his hands spread out.

“Go before I kill you. You are on my land, Quadritch.” The older man only seemed to shrug as he held up his hands in mocked defeat.

“Neteyam.” The boy flinched as he heard his name. His mother's hand just gripped him tighter. He knew it would leave marks on his skin.

“Remember what we talked about.” He looked back at his parents with distaste before he got in the car and drove away. His parents didn’t stop looking at the car until the man was out of eyesight.

“Neteyam, Neteyam.” He was pulled back into reality by his father shaking. Realising how his whole body was shaking. He felt a small tear roll down his cheek as he glanced up.

“Where are-.” As if on cue his remaining siblings came running out. Kiri dropped Tuk to run to him and Tuk catched up within seconds, wrapping her arms around his leg. He faintly heard his mother words with ‘back away’ and ‘give him some space’.

His father wiped away the small tear and he wanted to collapse into the ground. Tuk being the only thing holding him up.

“What did he say, son?” Neteyam grimaced at that word. Quadritch had ruined that word for him, taking it from its highest value to another common word. It sounded like a slur when it was directed to him.

“He said…- even his voice shook. He saw Tuk look up at him and tears swelled in her eyes. When he broke she broke so he willed it within himself to bring it all back down. He picked her up and gave her a hug. At some point in that conversation he thought that would’ve been the last time he ever saw any of them.

He held half of Tuk's head to his chest, muffling her ear while he covered her ear with his other hand.

“He said something about if you and mom don’t back down that he will come and hurt us. And… he held a gun to my chest.” Jake's eyes filled with anger, rage and hurt. His siblings looked at their parents and then to their older brother looking for some reassurance. Neytiri hissed in response.

His father grabbed Kiri and Lo’ak and wrapped them up in a hug. Neytiri took the hand of Neteyam dragging them both in the hug as well. They stayed together for at least ten minutes. Just being in each other's embrace.

Their parents shared a look with each other in the hug, their oldest catching their unspoken words. Neteyam just wished he kept quiet.

…

After the incident his father checked the house at least five times looking for anything. Bombs, cameras, tracking devices. He checked the security system to find them untouched. But even then his mother didn’t want to get back in the house.

It took a lot of convincing. The only thing that got her moving was that Tuk was cold. Lo’ak never once let go of the bat even when he packed up his stuff. Neteyam handed Tuk to his mother before he started packing with Kiri.

Neteyam had packed anything he could fit in the duffel bag. Smuggling his skateboard at the very bottom of his clothes.

This time when his parents argued they made sure all the kids were upstairs but that didn't stop them from coming down to listen. They stayed half way down the stairs.

“We can not leave!” His mother yelled. She dragged out each word and he felt her exasperation.

“He had our kids under his knife. He chased them down a street and cornered them. We can’t stay here and risk their lives.” His father raised his voice back. His father respected his mother so much he saw it in everyday life. So him even beginning to change his tone made his eyes widen.

“We had Neteyam because we thought we had a place for him to be safe. To be raised without war.” Her voice grew even more with the onslaught of words.

“We adopted Kiri because we thought we wanted to give her the life Grace had always wanted. Peace. We had Lo’ak because we were sure we were out. Tuk was a symbol that we had a family. A family not a bunch of soldiers. If we leave now we have failed those children. We admit we brought them into a war. They will never forget this fear. This pain.” Her voice broke on her last words. Tears pouring out.

“Then we have. But I’ll be dead before I watch us fail them again.” His father let out a single tear and Kiri ran up the rest of the stairs. Shutting her door so hard that he felt the stairs shake but his parents didn’t realise.

“This is their home. The only thing they’ve ever known. Where would we even go?” At that question Tuk ran down the stairs into the kitchen. Clawing at her mother as she cried out.

“I don’t wanna go. Don’t make us go, please.” She shouted so loud that Neteyam cringed. His parents looked at the stairs to see their two boys sitting there looking lost.

“Take your sister please and stay upstairs.” His mother said. Neteyam took Tuk begrudgingly. The young girl argued and fought to go back to her mother as he held her tight. Swaying her from side to side to reassure her. Lo’ak his hand on the wall in return as he went and knocked on Kiri's door.

Lo’ak always said that he thought Kiri room was weird. The random plants and crystal ‘unnerved’ him but now he took solace in the place. Neteyam entered just behind him. Kiri looked up at her brothers and took her sister. She patted her back gently before sitting her on the bed. Her oldest brother put her in a tight hug. Lo’ak looked at the scene before joining.

“We can’t leave.” He heard Lo’ak mutter over and over. He just held on tighter.

…

He didn’t know where they were going but they were going somewhere fast.

He briefly heard his dad calling a friend of his. He didn’t hear the specifics but within two hours they had packed everything they could carry. Neteyam had helped his father pack up the bags in the car. He was so enamoured in the activity that he had forgotten to even glance at the house again. To admire the picture on the wall. To laugh about the hole right next to the fireplace that was caused by Tuk’s helmet.

His youngest sister had repeated several times where they were going as she played with her iPad. Leaning back and forth in the car. She didn’t cry much but when she did it was for a long time. So her eyes were red and she was obviously tired.

“Tuk… kids… me and your father have decided we should go somewhere.” Neteyam nodded at that he had already guessed. He figured they were going down the county or visiting his grandmother. His grandmother and their people had found a new home not too far away. It wasn’t the same but it was still beautiful and home.

“Where are we going?” Lo’ak asked as he pushed his phone in his pocket.

“And for how long? I didn’t even get to say goodbye to Spider.” Neytiri kissed her teeth in response to that name. From the get go she never liked the boy, yes he was Quadritch's son. But that meant some sort of him was his father and it unnerved her. She never hid it from the kids so they did their best to avoid the topic. But Kiri never ever got social cues as much as other people.

Jake decided to respond as he watched his wife’s hands tremble with anger.

“We’re going to a place near the sea. And me and your mother hope it will be temporary.” Neteyam had almost said something back. His grandmother didn’t live near the sea and it was hope. His parents told him they didn’t believe in hope.

He understood they were being hunted but how long would they really be gone.

“I don’t want you contacting Spider, Kiri. Any of you contacting your friends. So, can you all block their numbers? We can't have them knowing our location.” Lo’ak sat up quickly.

“But da- Sir. This… this is not temporary is it.” When he said the words everybody in the car stiffened up. Even Tuk seemed scared to say something. His mother looked back at them with hurt. Pure hurt. She grabbed Tuk’s hand, maybe to stabilise herself.

Neteyam took out his phone, scrolling through his limited contacts. Most were people he tutored for extra cash. Three, were people he was kinda comfortable with. Then there was Ate‘nte. His profile picture was that of a blue bird. He loved nature more than life itself. Neteyam loved that about him.

He was quick to block the others. His finger lifted on ‘Nte and he closed his phone. Scrunching his eyes up and hoping it was a bad dream.

“Neteyam.” His mother's gentle voice came to him and he opened his eyes to find her sadness. All of these rules applied to his parents as well. They were all in the same boat.

He looked up at her one more time before he proceeded to press on the chat. His last words to him were ‘bye, see you Monday’ suddenly he wished he told him everything. How he loved his face when it smiled. He loved the way he tied up his braids. The way he would also let Tuk paint his nails. He loved his two toned lips. Because they were so beautiful to him. His soft hands that were destined to do something great. He wished he told him he liked him. He hit his head back on the chair before he blocked him.

“Give me your phones.” Neteyam was quick to comply, not wanting to be holding the thing anymore. Lo’ak groaned in response and his sister gave it up after a few seconds. His father looked at them and threw it out the car window.

Neteyam watched his phone break right in half while his siblings rolled elsewhere.

“Dad!” Even his mother seemed surprised but she glanced at his father again. They were in this together she repeated. She got her own phone and broke it in half throwing the pieces out the window.

“Tuk give me your iPad.”

…

They had to deal with an hour of crying and kicking. But even that didn’t seem as bad as the ride. They were long past any buildings or signs of civilization, just a road. A road right through grassland. They had been in the car for at least seven hours and he was tired. Tuk tears had long dried up and now she was sleeping on Neteyam’s lap. Only twitching every few seconds.

He felt a sudden turn that woke Tuk up immediately she darted up looking at the new scenery. Rubbing her eyes constantly. She looked around, rolling the window down. It wasn’t much to look at. The grass was short and there were a few planes littered around the place.

“Where are we?” Kiri opened her eyes. Gripping her shawl tighter as she spoke.

Jake and Neytiri looked at their children before they took a glance at each other.

“Let’s just get our bags, okay?”

The moment Neteyam left the car his legs shaked from sitting in one position for Eywa knows how long. He quickly shook it off, picking up his bag and Tuks. He had carried one duffle bag while Tuk had two. The second one filled with things Tuk refused to leave without. A couple toys and books. Especially their picture books from Neteyam’s right down to hers.

He immediately realised how slippery the grass was and how the mud dug into his shoes. He looked up to hear his dad shouting something.

“Trudy!” The woman in question walked up to his dad hugging him like he knew him as an old friend. She wore cargo pants and it was obvious by her build that she must have been in the army. She glanced at the family, giving them a sigh at their tired expression.

“I’ve been able to get you on this cargo plane. When you land another plane will be there so you can fly wherever you need to go. It has enough to hopefully land you as far as you need to go but I can't help you any further than where the cargo plane lands. The plane has 345 Sterling in red. You’re going to be alone, okay?” He put her hand on his father's shoulder.

“That's more than enough, thanks Trudy.” she gave him a smile. Looking at his mother and nodding to her.

“Come, we need to go now.” His mother picked up Tuk walking in sync with the women. His father adjusted his straps walking behind them. He heard his other sister groan, loudly while she looked at the sight.

“What are you doing?” he turned around when he heard his sister's words, watching how Lo’ak ran back to the car. He opened the passenger seat and opened inside the small pocket. Rummaging for ten seconds before breathing out.

His small braids bounced up as he met next to his brother showing him the picture.

“I couldn’t leave this behind.” It was the big picture but in a minute version. It was smaller and had faded in the corner but still held a memory. Kiri looked at the picture with fondness before walking. The brothers shared a look and hurried to catch up.

…

“The guy flying this plane is an old friend of mine so he’ll help you get out. I’m sorry you have to do this Jake. And with your family.”

The family had gotten all of their bags on the plane. They had laid out their blankets making a makeshift place for them to sleep in.

“It’s okay Trudy, say hi to Norm for me. I’ll try and contact you both when I think we're safe. Thank for all of this.” Neteyam debated how long that might be.

“Trudy, thank you.” his mother said gently. His mother did not express gratitude a lot so when she did it was because you deserved it.

“Thank you.” Neteyam said as he held a blanket around his youngest sister. All the siblings followed suit, even Kiri whispering one out. She responded with a small nod glancing at Jake one more time.

“Be safe, you know Quadritch- the oldest son didn’t miss her whispering the name- won’t give up, easily.” Jake put his hand to her shoulder. She walked off the plane waving bye to them. A small salute to his father which he responded with quickly.

Trudy watched as the plane doors close up. Hiding the family up. The plane rolled out 10 minutes later. She wanted to say more, apologise for even being a part of that cult of an agency but she knew Jake wouldn’t have it. She walked back to the car. Looking inside for anything they may have forgotten. All she saw was a few crumbs and a small burn mark. She recalled a story of how Jake briefly mentioned how his younger son almost burned the car down.

She opened the gas tank hoping it had enough fuel in it. She lit a cigarette taking a deep inhale of the content before she threw her lighter towards the car slowly moving away from the car as it burned and exploded. She would be damned if Quadritch ever found them so soon hoping the family would go somewhere far. Far away.

Chapter Text

The flight had been long but not once did he truly accept the fact that they had fled his childhood home in fear. It left him alone, distracting himself with the rumble of the plane's engine. The first hour he tried to sleep in but between the ever changing weather and turbulence he was barely able to close his eyes.

Kiri on the other hand didn't wake up once, her fatigue had worn her down. Her body laid still next to a pile of containers, several blankets surrounding her like a cocoon. Barely a metre away from her brother.

He and Lo’ak had played with Tuk for hours on end, trying to keep her from fully comprehending the situation. Going from princess, to banshees, to anything her little mind could think of. It was exhausting but was worth it, despite Lo’ak nearly vomiting from the intense exercise in the air. But in the eighth round of hide and seek she was found to be sleeping behind a stack of boxes giving the two brothers a rest.

Lo’ak had drifted in and out of sleep, waking up to only adjust his position on his brother's stretched out legs. Grumbling small words as he held his small blanket close to himself. Neteyam remained awake, overflowing with fear of the blackness behind his eyes but his own tiredness grabbed him. Quickly and quietly.

It was bright and sunny. Not a shadow in sight despite the numerous trees that surrounded him but Neteyam didn’t care. He was home. Beautiful home. He smiled as he walked up the small hill breathing in the fresh air of the forest.

Suddenly it was gone. Quickly no warning or even a sign. The air turned thick and stale. The sky fell empty, nothing to be seen.

He opened his mouth in an attempt to call out but not even air escaped his voice. He hit his chest as he tried to cough out a word, a syllable or just a sound. It was useless, he was useless in the face of his world’s horrors acting against him.

Suddenly, a roaring ,deafening sound filled the area. It was like a supernova had burst the way the leaves exploded from the branches and the birds ran.

The ground tore open, lava spewing as it erupted around him, trying to grasp him into their depths but he avoided them narrowly. Running down the jagged hill. He tripped as the ground ripped open again. He banged his head against the hot stone forcing realisation to stir in his mind.

He forced himself to get up even when his head filled with a noise that warned him to abandon. be a coward. To turn away.

But, he ran even when the ground tried to eat him. He always ran even when his world was falling apart. It felt like he had been running for days, the way his legs burned as he tried to avoid the collapse of his world.

Then, there was his house, untouched except one black car at its front. He could hear his heartbeats now hammering against his chest. He couldn't run anymore, his body slowed down into a slow jog.

Suddenly, he felt his body dragged out of the setting like a puppet on a string as he was placed in a chair. Momentary confusion hit him before the sound of action music came. Then terror filled him, clawing inside each corner of him. A wave of chilling terror filled his bones.

He was a viewer sitting in a cinema surrounded by others and he could do nothing as he watched himself wail against the door trying to pry it open on the screen. Hitting against the windows, calling to his parents and his siblings. He could hear the obnoxious breaths of the people surrounding him. Suspense filling the air. He whispered a small sound, something inconsolable to even himself but he knew it was pathetic.

The people around him were laughing at the scene, so loud and unsettling. Then, he yelled. He didn’t know what word it was. His own ears death to his suffering but they turned. The ones beside him, the ones in front, behind, all eyes were on him. Their faces were blank but their bodies dressed in a tailored suit. RDA perched right on their chest. He slowly slowly shook his head, another gust of panic flowing through him like a cup crammed with water.

He looked back at the screen, the person swinging as their fist bled, agonising pain coming from his own chest. He stood up out of desperation but he was quickly pulled back down. Arms wrapping around his torso, neck, legs, arms. He tried to fight against them as the music grew louder and louder. His arm stretched out towards the screen before even that was held captive.

He was rendered silent.

They looked back at the screen as if he was an insect that relinquished to its death. Everyone remained on the edge of their seats as the music pierced his head. The drums, viscous guitars, making all their ears bleed but they didn’t care.

Neteyam tried to close his eyes as if that could block the music before it stopped. It reminded him of when he would sneak into the living room. Hanging at the hinges as his father watched an old horror movie. How the music would rise, then fade before the killer would pop out, always successfully scaring him. But, his dad would hear his cries and hug him tig- a loud bang resounded from the screen.

The blank faces looked at him. Their faces tore open revealing their eerie smiles. The person on the screen stopped banging on the door. A blank expression on his similar shaped face, only a smile. His familiar beaded braids framing his face. Everybody rose to clap as a second gunshot came.

He heard the faint childish laughter in the background of the third gunshot.

The man on the screen waved like a king to his subjects. Then sound escaped him. He screamed as white roses were thrown to the screen. A fourth gunshot came in turn. The man stepped out of the tv dropping in front of the audience, this time his hair held up with a recognizable hair tie. Braided with the initials L- A fifth gunshot came.

Blood dripped down from the ripped screen. The arms that surrounded him were non-existent as they all ran to the actor. Heavy footsteps filled the room yet they did not cover the sight of him to Neteyam. He raised his hand facing it towards the boy like a gun.

A wave of pain came through him. He went to hold his chest looking down yet nothing. When he looked up the person was dead. Blood seeping from his head, they all looked at him lunging their twisted bodies toward him.

His eyes opened forcefully as he looked around the plane. A sheen of sweat spread across his forehead. He breathed harshly as he looked at his father’s figure resting against an edge of the containers. Then Lo’ak gentle curses on his legs. Kiri with Tuk next to them. Then his heart stopped.

Mu-. Neytiri was only a few metres away from him to his left. He breathed out a sigh as he took in her restless face. Like she had been in the same nightmare or knew the consequences of sleeping.

His mother had been awake the whole car ride, seemingly nervous. Like they were going to be attacked from out of nowhere. Checked every turn, fiddled with her hands, always looking back. She hadn’t gotten a wink of sleep even when his father had let his own tiredness overcome him. She seemed like she was running on pure adrenaline at points still waiting for something to overtake them.

Neteyam watched his mother calloused hands grip her blanket as if it was her own safety. Her green eyes wide and staring at her family. The moment she realised her oldest son was awake she let her hand slip from her purple shawl and motioned to him. He got up carefully, adjusting Lo’ak’s head next to his sisters.

He made his way to his mother taking a seat next to her. He wrapped his arms around her strong one, finding comfort in her strength. Breathing in the familiar scent of fresh spring as her braids fell over his head.

“Why are you up?” he shrugged as he buried himself closer to her. As if she would protect him from his night terrors.

“Dreams.” he lied. She pushed her free hand through his hair. She remained quiet for a minute before she started a braid on the side of his hair.

“Are you scared?” he whispered, breaking the silence, her hands stilled. When the words came out he wanted to grab them and throw them off the plane. Letting them feel the heat of the earth before splattering on the ground.

“When you sent that SOS me and your father were in a meeting. The whole day I had been thinking of fighting,revenge.” she said as if it was a sin.

“But, then I saw the message and-. The thought that you were in trouble had me thinking about kicking your father out of that driver seat. And you know I hate that stupid machine of his.” a small smile came onto her face as her son laughed.

“Halfway through the drive your brother called explaining the situation. To hear that you were alone with that- her face grimaced automatically - man. I…” she gripped his face. Not hard, just a gentle caress on his cheeks.

“I am so proud of you for protecting your siblings but if you ever find yourself in a situation like that again. Run. Don’t be the confident older sibling that you’ve been raised to be.” her beautiful features were knitted together, as if in searing pain.

“Please.” she stopped looking at her son, her eyes suddenly filling with hurt.

“You. You, my son, remind me of my sister always doing stupid things in some hope to protect me. You are my son, my first born. Do not die on me. I love you too much to not follow you if you do.” his mother held his cheek and he wrapped his arms around her neck. Holding her as tight as he did when he was little.

“Promise me.”

“I promise, mama.” He hated lying to her.

…

When the plane landed, true to Trudy’s word the man led them to a small jet that would house them all. They had stopped on a tiny island that only housed planes and shipping cargo, even fewer people.

He gave them a bag of food, water and a basic map of the region. When his father had offered to compensate him he shook his head. Calling it an old favour, looking almost bittersweet as he left the family about two hours before anybody would come checking.

“Okay folks let's get this show on the road. I have an old acquaintance of mine who already has a place for us to live. It should be less than five hours.” He heard Tuk groan out against his sister's lap. Her hair ruffled in multiple places and her clothes crumbled.

“How far are we going to go? At this point we're going to start getting closer to home than farther away.” Neteyam quietly chuckled at Kiri’s words, finding her dry sarcasm to be reassuring.

“Not too far, now.” he responded, as he pushed himself up from the duffel bag they had made as makeshift seats. Neytiri looked at Kiri and grabbed her hand as she held it up to her own warm cheek.

“Be a little stronger, my children, please.” Kiri rolled her eyes at her mothers exaggerated action but proceeded to get up with her bag, throwing her container of food in a small plastic bag.

“Okay, but if Lo’ak says something I will strangle him.” his mother nodded in return, wiping the grass from her trousers.

“That is fair.” Lo’ak let out an over dramatic gasp as he walked up to the girls. Wiping his mouth from the crumbs that surrounded it.

“I didn’t even say anything.” Neteyam laughed as Tuk jumped up, launching herself to Lo’ak. He caught her pretending to go down as his younger sister ‘wrestled’ with him.

Jake towered over them grabbing Tuk under his arm.

“What are you doing you little rascal? She gone feral, Neytiri quickly get the rope.” Tuk laughed as her father shaked her, holding her to his chest as she tried to push herself away.

Neytiri watched the sight, a fond smile spreading across her brown lips before getting up to join the fight, tickling at her sides.

“You are right my husband, this one is dangerous, they are all dangerous.” she said, shouting to all her kids as she tickled Kiri sides. The girl let out a loud laugh as her ribs got tickled before she tried to move away. Jake let go of Tuk as they both went in for the attack.

Lo’ak let out a loud sigh as he sat up wiping his hair from the grass. They all locked eyes on Lo’ak, Tuk jumping on him again and even Kiri joined in on it. Neteyam let out a huge laugh as Lo’ak yelled.

Eyes darted towards the fifteen year old.

“Of course the mastermind. How could we let you go?” his mother said as she walked up to him with a grin on her brown lips.

“Mother don't,” he said, moving back.

“I’m not ticklish and I’m not a child anymore.” his mother nodded slowly.

She crossed her arms as he felt two pairs of arms wrap around his chest and waist. His mother automatically went for his neck making him immediately laugh out loud. His younger sister and father joined his mother right after. The children had soon gotten their revenge on their parents. Making their father laugh to the brink of tears. His mother was less ticklish but laughed as every time they tried to reach her she countered.

It was perfect. Or at least theirs.

…

“We’re going to be landing soon.” Jake directed to his family.

The plane ride Neteyam had made an effort to not fall asleep again, keeping up with his family conversations.

He was happy to see his family enjoying the moment away from war. Tuk laughed as she looked at people's cards, Kiri and Lo’ak made nonsensical competitions. And all he could do was envy them. Wishing he could forget as easily about what was slithering behind them.

Neteyam had decided to spend a majority of the flight looking at the controls or having his father test him on several of the motors. When he was younger, Jake would travel to Earth and he would come back with boxes of the weirdest of things. One of them had several books of aeroplanes before they had even got shipped to Pandora. Neteyam being five and learning how to read English was interested quickly. He found the very concept of something in the air so beautiful despite his siblings teasing him on the subject.

When his father announced that they would be landing soon in the middle of a horribly losing game with Kiri, he could only sigh in happiness.

“Thank Eywa.” he heard Lo’ak mutter before he collected everybody's cards.

“Guess no-one won that.” He shrugged. Kiri only smirked before she moved to her window seat. Admiring the lengthy sea.

“How are we close to landing? We are still over water.” Lo’ak said to his father as he pushed Kiri face out of the way.

“Well we are living next to the reef.” Neteyam looked to his father. His serious expression as he started turning switches.

“Why the fu-.”

“Lo’ak.” his mother responded quickly. Tuk looked up to her mother with a questioning look. Letting Neytiri pull her from the aisle as she placed her on the plush sweet.

“What's a reef?” she said as she pulled on her mother's hand to get her attention as she buckled her seatbelt. Before his mother could even respond Lo’ak had collapsed into his chair putting his belt on.

“The sea, Tuk, we are living in the sea.” He dragged out his last words as he looked away from the blue, deeming his sister's head too big to get a good enough sight.

“But how can we live in the sea? We can’t breathe underwater.” She said, twisting her head to look at her brother.

“Well of course not, genius. Did you not pass the second grade?” Tuk responded by sticking her tongue out. Neytiri didn’t even get to reprimand their son for it before Kiri responded.

“Shut up. Lo’ak.” Kiri said, as she turned to face the boy, her attention finally being taken away from the beauty.

“Yeah, shut up Lo’ak.” Tuk copied blowing on her tongue which made her spit splatter next to Lo’ak. The boy automatically moved himself back as he looked at his mother laughing in the small gap.

“Your friend lives on the border of an island?” Neteyam said as he collected the loose cards, handing them to his brother before he settled in alone at the other front, his family opposite him.

Jake only muttered a distant confirmation before the plane descent started. Tuk kicked her legs as she felt her body fall and both Lo’ak and Kiri held onto each other for support. Neytiri, much like cars, hated anything that forced her into a small machine.

It was a little rough but they still landed in one piece contrary to Lo’ak and Kiri reaction to the situation.

“Thank you for flying with Sullys. Please be cal-” Tuk immediately detached herself from her seat at the start of her father's long speech.

Neteyam bounced up from the chair leaning over Tuk’s previous seat as he smirked at his siblings' curled positions.

Kiri cowered over herself while she muttered out incomprehensible words. Lo’ak was shell shocked holding his handles so tight Neteyam was sure they would break.

“What are you doing?” he said to the girl.

“Praying.” She whispered, as she kissed each of her knuckles before kissing her crest on both hands. Kiri out of all the siblings had grown the most religious or more accurately close to Ewya. Even Neytiri thought her connection was oddly close for such a young girl almost competing with their Tsahik grandmother.

Neteyam looked at his brother rolling his eyes as he slowly dragged himself from the chair, his legs wobbling. He looked over as he heard rustling.

“Tuk move back.” Neytiri said, the little girl followed quickly moving to her siblings as her mother forced the door open.

A sudden unexpected gust of wind hit them all pushing Tuk to the floor but it didn’t deter the girl from getting up again. She was jumping so much his mother had to stop her from jumping off the jet.

Neteyam was quick to drop down, helping his mother in pulling Tuk off the plane. Without hesitation, she pulled away from Neteyam's arms running around the small airport. It was less of an airport and more of where you parked planes.

Jake dropped down after him, his hands on his hip and took a deep breath of the air.

“I’m going to go make a few calls, inside” he yelled into the plane. The man looked around spotting his youngest child on a sugar run before he made his way towards the small building, opposite from his youngest child.

Tuk locked eyes on the horizon, catching the edge of a town, so she ran. She screamed excitedly as all her pent down energy was dedicated to running to the very edge of the cliff. By the time she got there she had to stop her momentum by crashing on the floor, even though she scraped her knee she pushed herself up. Her eyes practically glowing as she idolised the sight of the surrounding water and the traditional town.

Kiri had gotten out next, stretching her legs as she admired the new scenery. Breathing in the salty air. She walked to where Tuk was, their new home.

She thought Ewya was beautiful in all the forms she came in but she hadn’t been able to see them all. Her life being stuck in the flourishing forest but looking at the sea she had grown a bit fond for the change. Despite the devastating circumstances that had forced them out.

“It's beautiful. Isn’t it, Kiri?” the older girl nodded as she looked at her little sister feeling the harsh wind before she covered Tuk with her own shawl.

“It's out of this world.” she whispered to her sister as she covered her body with the thick fabric.

…

The town was quite progressive in the sense that people not only had phones but taxis. Albeit few ones, but it seemed Ewya had taken enough pity on them because the diver came quick. Jake had decided to leave the plane, he covered it with a fading blue blanket letting it blend in among the few others. He called it insurance, he didn’t need to explain why he did it or why he left a few items within it.

It was less than a two minute drive down the rigid cliff before they had entered the town.

Neteyam rolled down his windows as the fresh air rolled in his face. The buildings were old but seemed full of life as children laughed at the moving car. Some even waved their hands as they caught sight of the boy. The nature wasn’t as visible as home but it was still flourishing. It was still Pandora.

“So why are you guys here? You tourists?” the driver said as he looked at Jake.

“No, we're moving here.” his dad's smile turned on.

“This is good. To have some fresh blood in the area. Awatula village has been here forever and so it remains very traditional but everybody is very friendly. You should visit the beach as soon as you can. The food around the beach is amazing. Shopping-.” he started to ramble.

“Wait!” Jake said before pulling his bag.

“I’ve got to write it down.” the man laughed as he turned another corner. Rambling again when Jake had caught up. They talked for the rest of the hour to the town much to the rest of the family's dismay.

By the time they got to the café, his father and Oaylu, the driver, had talked for so long about dad things they were practically married. When his father tried to pay the man, he shrugged him off saying his company was all he needed. He was sure his mother hadn’t seen his father laugh and smile that much before.

They were surrounded by several small shops when all their luggage had been dragged out with only a few people stopping to glance at the new family's troubles. When Oalyu drove away, Neteyam was sure he saw a piece of his father die.

They were left in the afternoon sun standing in front of a corner cafe. His father took out a small paper glancing at the white then back to the diner.

“My contact should be here soon. Who wants to sit down?” Kiri rolled her eyes at the statement immediately entering the desolate place. The family followed in sitting in a large booth as they dropped everything to the floor.

They had barely settled into the booth when a young girl walked over to the table. She ripped the first page of her notebook, stuffing it into her skirt. She mumbled incoherent words as she moved a loose strand back.

“Hello, welcome to the ocean's treat. Would you like som-.” the girl stopped and looked at the family taking in their position.

At the voice Neteyam looked up at the girl. Her face was just losing her childhood chubbiness and her skin was a light shade of golden brown. Her eyes shone a caribbean blue, the kind he would imagine the ocean would glow in its brightest of days.

His family on normal days would have immediately said something back but his father was still grieving the loss of the taxi driver. His mother seemed to be dealing with the consequences of protecting her family. Tuk was too busy playing with the menu and Kiri never talked to anybody if she could avoid it.

Just before he could answer, since he seemed the least affected by the girl's sudden appearance he caught her eyes landing on his brother. He turned his head to look at the boy, only to almost laugh at his expression. The way his eyes were widened, Neteyam was sure he must have just seen Ewya or the scariest clown in the world. The boy was star-struck. Dazzled. Hit by a wave of light because all he could do was gape at her.

“Hey.” he whispered. The girl's smile grew a little more and she stared at the flustered boy. They must have gawked at each other for what felt like minutes before his father responded with a no thank you.

She apologised immediately when her eyes went back to the family’s amused features and she ducked her head going to the back. Without hesitation Neteyam glanced at his little brother.

“What was that, lover boy? Already got a crush?” his brother looked at him hissing in return while he pushed his shoulders down. Before Neteyam could even speak again his mother hit his arm.

“Be nice.” he nodded in return, slowly turning his head away. It was by coincidence that he managed to catch the man walking into the shop.

Much like the girl he had tanned skin but it was covered by his tattoos, the deep black ink swirling to make patterns on his face.

“Jake Soolly.” His father stood up quickly, crossing over to the man. He put his hands on his forehead and placed his fingers down.

“I see you, Tonowari.” he said, lowering his head for a second.

“I see you, Jake” The man said back.

“I am so sorry my son was being… well a teenager and I got late because of it. The house is only a minute walk from here.” Jake picked up his bag and Tuk’s as he followed the eager man. Lo’ak hanged around the booth for longer than necessary as his family started to trickle out.

“Y-.” he barely got a word out before Lo’ak walked past him. Not allowing himself to be the butt of the new joke.

The man was true to his words because they did walk for a minute. A minute for looking out for the house to come across a pile of wood. The blue had faded away ages ago and there were several weeds growing out of the front garden. Birds were perched around the whole house, not the ones that flew around his home town. These ones were different yet so familiar because the buff man didn’t blink an eye as he turned towards them all. An elated smile on his face.

His mother dropped her bag on the floor, causing the whole family to look towards her.

“Great mother.” She whispered in English. Dad’s foreign language.

“I’m very sorry about this. I know it isn’t much but-” he said, his voice falling from its bright tone. Jake shaked his head resting his hand on his shoulder.

“This is more than enough, thank you Tonowari. Isn’t that right, Sullys?” his father glanced at the children Tuk responded with a brisk nod.

“I…love it.” Tuk shrieked. Tonowari's smile came back at full speed as he watched the girl bounce in front of the house.

“It's something- his father caught eyes with Lo’ak- something good.”

Kiri rolled her eyes and grunted as a response. Neteyam didn’t think it looked good but it was a house. A house where they could be safe and in that moment it didn’t need to be home.

“It’s beautiful, sir.” Tonowari clapped his hands at the family.

“This is good. When you get settled in, my family and I would be honoured to help you fix the place up. Paint it up, install a few things?” Neteyam's father looked at his mother as she slowly nodded. He looked back at him giving him small confirmation before he thanked him one more time. Tonowari gave his father a key, a warm golden colour.

“We will be next door neighbours. My house is just opposite. So just come knocking if you need something. Anything.” he said, his tone turning serious.

“I have business to attend to now but once you get your gadgets do not hesitate to call me.” he left the family standing at the door. They watched him walk away escaping from the horizon.

Their father took a breath as he chugged his duffel bags dropping them on the floor after he walked up small steps. He rattled with the key for a minute before a resounding click happened. It only took three shoves from Jake's large body to push the door open. Dust bunnies flew out of the house and he heard his mother curse again this time in Na’vi.

Neteyam was the first to follow him in. The house was big, bigger than his home, anyway. There was a hallway and a big sitting room that connected to the kitchen. The stairs almost spiralled before they stopped at the second floor.

“Those stairs do not look safe. Lo’ak go try them.” Kiri said as she entered the house like she was ready to run out at any chance. The stairs were old and half of the second step was missing. The rail was chipped and the paint looked non existent.

“No, I’m going to be nice for once you go.” Before the two could bicker more Tuk had run up the stairs like a wild animal. Going past them before any of them could realise.

“Tuk!” Neteyam shouted before following, hating the way the stairs creaked after every step. When he reached the top he noticed three doors. Each rusty and worn out.

Tuk looked at the rooms before her eyes landed on the closest one. She reached for the handle pushing the door open as she looked at the wonderland. Neteyam followed her in watching the girl squeal as she spun in the room.

The room was big enough for an adventurous little girl who could make stories from nearly anything. It was obvious from the children's name carvings and the badly repaired holes that it must have been an area for kids to play. Once full of life and laughter being reborn again.

“Neteyam look.” Neteyam followed the girl’s pointed hand to the balcony. He was hundred percent sure that his father would have queries with the fact she had access to such a tall height.

“My toys are going to love this.” she said her smile growing as she ran down the creaky stairs again. He only heard her shouts for her father before he caught his brother in the next room. Pushing his duffle bag to one side while he muttered to himself.

“You got this one, already?” his brother had taken the room with one large window. Right in the middle between the two rooms.

“You snooze, you loose.'' Neteyam almost laughed at the statement, reminded of the days where he would beat his brother at every possible competition imaginable, and his ending catchphrase to piss the little boy off.

He moved with his duffel bag into the next one before Kiri pushed in through him, already pointing to her duffel bag.

“This one's mine.” Her room was situated in the corner of the house that had several windows. Neteyam peeked inside glancing at the area, out of all the rooms it was the smallest but he could already imagine Kiri making the space hers.

“My plants are going to flourish, Neteyam.'' They stared at each other before he smiled at her. He couldn’t even pretend to be angry that she took the room. Her happy smile as she started opening the windows.

He stood with his duffel bag looking around as he glanced up the new pair of stairs, just opposite Kiri's room.

He walked up the stairs, they were about half of the old one and far more dangerous with the way they twisted back into the house. When he reached the top he was shocked to see the small hallway and the two doors. One was slightly opened, highlighting the bathroom. The other was closed and he approached the fading green door. His hands roamed over the wood before it was pushed open. It made a small creaking sound as he forced it to push back.

He let out a low whistle as he stepped into the room. It was by far the biggest he had seen out of the three rooms and he knew his sibling would kill him to get to the room. It had one big window and two surrounded it. Just below it a slab of wood which looked like it was originally a seat.

It was much bigger than his last one and he knew he could make it work. Despite, some sense of dopamine hitting him about the new room he could feel it fade away quickly. The quietness of the walls threw his mind back to the nightmare.

He felt his body float towards the dream like it was throwing him back. The sounds, screams, even smells were so real to him. As if- he released his nails from his arm. He drifted out of the sequence moving his duffel bag to the side.

He opened the curtains letting in some light into the room.

He immediately came face to face with a window further down. He figured it was the nice man's house. Neteyam had only seen a bit of the neighbourhood but he was sure he had the largest house and garden.

“You like the room?” He turned around and faced his mother. Her body leaned on the door edge.

“Yeah.” she stared at him as she pulled her hand from beneath her back. Throwing the large blanket to him. He barely catched it, letting it fall on his body.

“Be up early, we're all going shopping. Food and basic things.” she smiled as he moved his duffel bag the middle of the room.

“Goodnight.” she said as she closed the door. He wanted to tell her it was too early to sleep but instead laid his blanket on the floor, his head sinking into his duffel bag. He fell asleep again this time dreamless.
…

Ao’nung didn’t do anything wrong but even his own mind was against him creating this horrible sense of guilt through him. Then again, he would never apologise for actions he barely committed in front of the principal and his father. He didn’t need another angry sigh or tired face. Ao’nung was convinced by the fifth time he got in trouble during high school his father's love and patience had fallen short of him.

He knew he would ask questions but he wouldn’t really want the answers. So when he said:

Why?

He would shrug, make his shoulders lower and put his face towards the red carpet. But think:

He didn’t know his friends would be stupid enough to leave him in there for longer than necessary.

He didn't know the boy already had a weak immune system.

He shouldn’t have said anything about Tsireya.

But his father wouldn’t listen, he would rather find every reason to avoid his son than ever try to understand him and Ao’nung did the same.

So when they exited the principal office and he took his car keys and forced him to be the safety guard for the kids pool for a month he almost laughed. It was as if in that moment all the bitterness escaped his throat and made its way to choke him to death. So he nodded, not meeting his eyes and stared at the pavement. The next time he looked up his dad was in the distance, Ao'nung's mind recalling one of the many phone calls he had in the meeting.

The walk home was torturous because everything was good. Everyone was good. The sky was this beautiful blue and pink, the kind you only see on those special days. The world had this smile on it and there he was brooding as he walked up the hill.

His mother as always was quiet, now that she was pregnant her working weeks had been cut in half. Painful for the whole family because it caused them all to have to spend even more time together. He was glad her back was turned even when he opened the door.

He didn’t stay long in the house, grabbing his always pre packed bag of swimming gear before he left as inconspicuous as he came.

His house was out of two, closest to the sea and he had never been so thankful for it. The walk was short and the minute he saw his familiar spot he dropped his bag. He changed so quickly only to be engulfed in the coldness of the blue.

The sea was so unforgiving yet kind and he couldn’t understand it. He couldn’t understand how it was the very thing he was born with, something that would always be the biggest part of him and yet was so cruel.

He knew until Ewya gave her judgements and the marks on his hand and neck faded away he would be cursed to wish for a star. Something so beautiful that even the sea couldn’t hide its beauty, its silver mist shining through the ocean but that was an old tale. It was what his father told him when he asked too many questions. That maybe we will never know why the moon truly reflects off the sea but our minds will create the stories that will help us comprehend. Yet, Ao’nung had known his family since his eyes opened and he didn’t know what story he could tell that could properly highlight the falling of theirs.

By the time he had escaped the oceans cold his fingers were wivered and his skin was prickled. He threw his towel over himself drying whatever water clutched onto him and covered himself with his hoodie. He leisurely made his way back to his humble abode, the biggest house in town and one of the biggest in the city which only added to the space they felt between each other.

“Where have you bee-.” Ronal took a breath as she properly looked over her son's dark silhouette in the hallway. He looked bluish as if he had become sick in the last hours he had disappeared and she felt the need to remind him that it was winter and he always caught colds. But, she didn’t.

“Tomorrow schools out so go in the morning and buy me some yaru root and honey gel.” Ao’nung nodded as he dropped his towel using his feet to clean the leftover liquid that had spilled from his hair. It was obvious by his mother's book it was the same one she had been stuck on for weeks since her announcement despite her extensive knowledge of being a doctor.

New families it read. In this bright pink colour. New family.

Ao’nung picked up the towel again, throwing it over his shoulder as he walked up the long stairs. He had reached the first level before Tsireya just happened to be waiting there, her long curls draped all over her shoulders.

“I heard what you did.” she said as she closed her door as if the walls would listen.

“What?” Tsireya looked at him. Her eyes crinkled but not for her a toothy smile.

“You locked him in a cupboard and he fainted, Ao’nung. Do not realise how messed up that is? You do know he was on the boys volleyball team and now he's dropped out. I heard he might be changing schools and weren’t you two fri-.”

“The boy volleyball team was shit anyway and he deserved it.” he said tiredly not a hint of energy left within his tired bones.

Sometimes he wished he never climbed out of the ocean. It felt like he was left with nothing at the end when he escaped its liquid confines and entered an even cruller world.

“What happened to you? What happened to-.”

“Tsireya, you are in high school now. You have to stop whining and complaining about everything. I didn't change, I grew. You're not going to be everyone's star girl forever, people will get bored.” Ao’nung walked away because he knew he would immediately apologise.

He always knew why his father loved Tsireya more than him. Everything good about his father, everything he loved, his mother's beauty, her confidence, his kindness and the perfect thing that dragged people in. He was not that, people hanged around him because they were afraid they would become his next target. He was much like his mother in that aspect.

His room was on the third level, the only room on it. He was grateful he had an entire floor to himself because he didn’t think his family would take kind to his throwing and screaming. He wondered how he said so many things and said nothing at all. By the end of his throwing he was left with three of his trophies broken and his head buried in his sheets. He didn’t dare sleep too afraid he would dream of something beautiful and wake up to the same reality. He was alone and he had caused his family to deal with the sin of it.

…

Lo’ak was holding things with his hands, under his arm and under his chin. Neteyam wanted to laugh at the sight but he couldn’t because he looked exactly the same. His mother had already filled the shopping cart and now they were being used as personal bags.

Tuk laughed as she poked her brother back, enjoying his inability to do anything.

“Mum, can I get this?” Kiri said, suddenly appearing from a random aisle.

“No you don’t need another plant.” she answered without looking back, her eyes locked in on two dark blue curtains.

“I’ve never had one like this.” His mother looked back rolling her eyes automatically at the sight.

“It’s moss, Kiri.” She only grumbled as she walked away into another aisle.

“Sugar cane or peanuts?” Neytiri said, speaking to no one in particular as she picked up another snack.

“Ro-” Lo’ak started off.

“I’m not buying those overly sugar sweets, Lo’ak. I can’t even -Neteyam.”

“Yes ma.” he said in his sweetest voice trying to hide his fatigue.

“Buy those healthy cookies I like.” she said, turning around to look at her sons.

Neytiri let out a short laugh before coughing it down at the slightly angry looks of her sons.

“Okay.” Neteyam said, as he threw half his things over his brother's head and threw the other in the small hill that had seemed to grow in the two shopping carts. Tuk giggled as a mountain of fabric came over her head, contradictory to their brother who grumbled at the same motion.

Before Lo’ak could shout a group of insults to him, he went down a random aisle looking around for the snacks his mother desired.

…

“Sa’nok doesn’t want that one.” Ao’nung said as she put down another pack of sweets.

“Then which one does she want?” she said, her anger seeming to nearly crush the packet of crisp tighter.

“I don’t know, I'll tell you when you touch it.” He muttered, as he mindlessly scrolled through his phone. Tsireya let out a long sigh and put the crisp back on the wooden shelves, her eyes glanced at her next option. Ao’nung looked up at his baby sister feeling her radiating anger.

His mind had been plagued with all the things he had said to his sister but now he couldn’t even spit out an apology.

“Why are you even here?” he huffed out as he put his phone in his pocket leaning off the tall shelf.

“I can do whatever I want.” Ao’nung watched her tan hand touch another packet before stopping at a brightly coloured green packet and throwing it within the small shopping cart.

“It’s not that one either.” She turned back, spinning on her heels and pulled the packet out of the bag before launching it towards his head. Ao’nung dogged at her particularly good aim before picking up a jar and throwing it at her. The girl gasped as she ducked.

“You know what one of these days I will ki-.” Her voice stopped abruptly and Ao’nung followed her trailing voice leading it back to a boy.

“You!” Neteyam looked down the aisle as he heard the loud voice. The girl in question had a bright smile on her face as she peered down the aisle. It was within his first step that he pieced together the girl's curls and her blue eyes.

Neteyam and Tsireya both walked halfway down the aisle meeting each other just where the dry fruits started. He looked down as she realised the initial situation, her cheeks growing with a noticeable tint.

“I am so sorry for yelling so loud. That was rude.” Tsireya said, trying to somehow catch her words and put them back in her mouth.

“No, I was just surprised you remembered me.” he said trying to reassure the girl she hadn’t committed a crime.

“I ran before I could meet you with my father. The man with tattoos, I am his first daughter. Tsireya.” her tone was lowered significantly as if she controlled every variable that fell from it. She still said it with a sense of pride in her voice, not obnoxious but that she was proud.

Neteyam's eyes widened as he looked over the girl but then he spotted similarities. Her smile and her eyes shared that deep sea colour and they both seemed like happy, carefree people. He wondered if he looked like his father, that people could tell he deserved to be his son.

“Nice to meet you. I’m the first son of the man who spoke to you.” Tsireya immediately recalled the memory. His voice was tough and gruff and his skin was much lighter. He also bore no marks or had a feature she could spot that belonged to a nearby clan.

“I’m-.”

“Tsireya.” Neteyam looked away from the younger girl as Ao’nung made their way to the duo.

Ao’nung made no attempt to hide his judging stare. Recording every bit of information on him. His tall legs. His almost bird-like crest hands. A hidden body under a thick jumper. The lightly freckled cheeks and his meadow palette eyes. And, weirdly braided hair.

“Your a foreigner?” Ao’nung scuffed out not a gentle tone or word accompanied it, just the sharp taste as it left his mouth. The word foreigner to Metakyinas meant you didn’t belong. To call somebody that was calling them an outcast. To have it ever labelled on you meant the community didn't accept you anymore and never would. Generations of family had been excluded on just the rumours of belonging somewhere else. The city wasn’t as traditional for the word to hold any weight but the town was and so followed the behaviour accompanied with it.

Tsireya immediately hit her brother at the said slur.

“Ao’nung.” she whispered a warning tone to stop his any next words from rolling out. Neteyam looked at the image devoid of any real context to know the painful history.

“My dad is from Earth. So I’m half, I guess.” It didn't escape Neteyam the way he said the word to know it was more than just a distasteful question. But, he wasn’t the first one to already judge him on sins he had yet to commit.

The duo looked at his growing smile, the amusement appearing from the cracks of what Tsireya thought was an already unredeemable situation.

“Obviously.” Ao’nung said ignoring his lack of a real reaction.

“Obviously” Neteyam repeated his tone a bit stronger. Netyeam looked over the boy; he seemed like the model fit in for the town. He just exceeded Neteyam's height and used all of the extra inch to look down on him.

Tsireya glared at her brother before another smile appeared on her face.

“Before my brother interrupted you, you were going to say your name.” Neteyam was about to answer before it was cut off with an obnoxiously loud voice.

“ ‘Teyam.” Lo’ak yelled as curtains and bags hung from his arm.

“Why are you just standing ther-.” his voice cut off the moment he noticed the beauty. His hands fell from the stretched out position they had originally been in and clung to his side, as if their father was doing another military drill on them.

Neteyam sighed as he looked away from the boy losing their staring competitions.

“Hi.” he said a metre away from the girl. Tsireya blinked slowly before her cheeks rose to her eyes.

“Hi.” Ao’nung face grimaced at how his sister voice fell. Barely gracing a whisper in the near empty aisles.

Ao’nung was no fool as to why the quiet had taken place between the group.

Ever since Tsireya had started school it seemed boys and girls were just naturally attracted to her. Like honey to a bee. Alluding and needed for survival. Since, Ao’nung had been forced to grow up with his dearest sister, he knew quickly when somebody had a growing interest for her. They never hid it well.

He slid his hands into his pocket as he checked the time. He had less than an hour before he had to go to the kiddy pool and stay there for the next lonely, most belittling four hours of his life.

“Tsireya.” Ao’nung said, as he hit the girl on her back gently. This only encouraged her to move a step closer.

“Lo’ak.” Neteyam said, knocking his brother out of his trance as he picked up a bag.

“I’m Lo’ak.” He said as if it was a reminder of his name and not the mess he had created around him.

“I’m Tsireya.” she breathed out, twirling her finger around a curl. Ao’nung looked at his sister with hate then back at the boy who had grabbed her attention. Lo’ak was obviously different. From his lighter skin to mixed brown eyes. He oddly enough had only one side of his head shaved and an odd braid hanging alone. His castings on his hands did not shine as bright as what Ao’nung assumed was his much better dressed brother.

“Thats a- cool- i mean- go- funny, no- great name.” Neteyam cringed as picked the last curtain.

Ao’nung watched Tsireya stupidly smile again.

“Thanks. I think your name cool as well.” Neteyam walked over looking at his brother's blood rushed face, sure that if he was a little lighter he would look like their father after eating one of his mother's spicy dishes.

“Are you done?” Ao’nung said as he picked up a packet of honey gel. He walked away with the object all his care in the world fading as he let the older boy escape his eyes. His last memory of him, the gold that hid in the corner of his iris.

“What school are you going to?” she asked Lo’ak.

“Local one. Next monday.” he said back immediately.

“I go to that one too. You're probably going to have to visit the office. So I can be your guide if you want, I’m the freshman student welfare advisor.” Lo’ak eys brightened as he twirled his feet.

“Yes please.” she nodded as she made the small note in her head, looking back at her brother retreating form.

“Bye ‘teyam and-.” Tsireya took a step backward her curls forming around her face.

“Bye Lo’ak.'' The boy didn’t function for another minute before he went on about the whole encounter as they got the cookies. Then as they walked back to their mother.

As he grabbed the last of the shopping bags his mind drifted to the boy.

His tied up hair and piercing blue eyes. His lean face and light pink lips that perfectly blended with his golden face.

Tsireya's brother had… a staring problem.

…

Neteyam hissed as his mother brushed out his wet hair again trying to detangle the knots that had grown in her absence.

Out of all their siblings Neteyam had been blessed with the least comparative and the hardest to tame. Which left their hair days being a challenge to sustain for just one rising sun.

“Mother!” he said exasperated as she took another bunch of hair.

“You are the one that decided to start braiding your hair without properly detangling it. Why didn’t you come to me?” Neytiri brushed the end of his hair before trying to separate the two strands.

“Becau-.” he let out another hiss as his mother seemed to tear at his scalp again.

“You cry out as much as Tuk.” Neteyam felt his shoulder drop as his mother started to rub oil into his scalp releasing the tension that had been growing ever since they had started the heinous task.

They remained in a relative quiet silence, Neytiri braiding her son's hair in her and Jake's new downstairs bedroom before Neytiri took a quick glance at her son's face.

“Why do you look so pained?” Neteyam looked away as he met his mother's golden eyes.

“School… I guess.” Neytiri let out a short gasp of disbelief before she parted his hair again.

“I expected this out of Lo’ak, most likely Kiri. I thought you liked school?” Neteyam nodded his head as if he was trying to believe that himself.

“I did. I do but… it's a new town… again. Means new stares and we look so much more different from anybody here. We will stick out like sore thumbs. Lo’ak will find some way to start trouble. And Kiri always has trouble adjusting to a new situation.” Neytiri hummed out a response as she put her index finger in a small black box, wiping the cream on the back of her hand before continuing.

“Wheres does the problem come in for you my son? You will handle whatever trouble Lo’ak will start. You will be there for Kiri so tell me why don’t you want to go to school?” she said, tucking a small braid behind his pierced ear.

Neteyam thought about telling his mother of his crush. She would certainly have no problem in it if they were back home she would have encouraged him to pursue it but now.

Now it was just a reminder of all the things the children had been forced to leave to survive the world. And even though his mother hid it well, hid it much better than most people. He could feel her anguish. She could not contact her friends, his grandmother. Her mother. Neteyam could not even possibly grasp a world where his mother wouldn’t be just a call away if something was to go wrong. Sometimes it was easy to forget that before his mum was his mother she was a daughter, a child. Somebody who sat on the floor of her home and let her mother do her braids and complained when she pulled too tight.

“I’m just not ready to face a new term of school. Having to gain people's favours and have friends since it's so far in the school year for me.” Neytiri stayed silent, her hands going still as she heard his words like they were half of a package.

“You will find friends again. People you can like again, share a laugh with and trust.” She muttered her last words leaving the boy wondering but too afraid to ask, like knowing the answer might grow a line of thorns around them. Neytiri briefly wondered as she completed another braid if her son would ever trust her again.

…

“This is such a stupid room.” Lo’ak said as he walked in. Kiri rolled her eyes at her brother.

“Then go.” Lo’ak sat on one of her new bean bags adjusting his positions as he took out one of her random books.

Kiri smiled as he opened the book muttering to himself as he read the title. It was a habit of Lo’ak to read every word that entered his mind. Kiri suspected that's why he was so opinionated. But she enjoyed it when thousands of words could be said yet not.

“I bet school is going to be okay.” Lo’ak said thirty minutes into their almost peaceful quiet. Kiri shook her head as she flipped to the next page of her botany book.

“No it won’t.” she said gently as if she was reprimanding a child for having a non achievable dream.