Work Text:
“Woah, there tiger. That’s a big knife you got.” Quaritch teased as the boy struggled hard to get out of his father’s tight grip. His arms were basically glued to spiders two biceps and he couldn’t move but only kick in hopes to get out somehow.
Varang then revealed herself, he didn’t even notice from where but as he watched her slowly move forward and towards him.
Is this it? My dad Quaritch would let this just happen?
Spiders eyes followed her as she calmly grabbed his kuru. His eyes widened more with fear. He saw what she did to the Tlalim. She would cut of his connection with Eywa just as she did a day before to the other Navi clans. Lo’ak saw it, he saw it. All spider could think about is if Eywa will truly accept him. Maybe this is how it ended for him, in his father’s Quaritch’s big arm as she cut off his kuru.
He witnessed Varang grab hers and connect their kurus together—tsaheylu.
His mind. His memories. His head. Everything hurt. He cried loud but felt drowsy immediately as he tried to open his mouth once more but his body shut down completely.
Quaritch smiled as the knife slipped softly out of the young boys hands and tossed him quickly on his shoulders.
Quaritch muttered, “Thanks, baby.” Varang didn’t hear, but it’s the thought that counts.
“Quaritch, we can’t just come for the boy.” Varang began to argue as they flew back to the RDA missionary.
“We’ll get Jake Sully, alright. But we aren’t going no where until my boy is safe.” Quaritch reassured. They’ll get Jake Sully later, but for now, his focus was on the boy. His boy.
They continued to fly awaiting to surprise every one of his son he succeeded to capture with little to no men needed other than Varang and himself.
“Where will he be? He cannot room with us.” Varang’s sternness in her voice made it hard to not feel a bit intimidated. Maybe even a bit turned on.
”Yeah, definitely not. The kid will go nut’s, but I don’t want him being captured by the lab rats for testing.” Quaritch thought fast to speak before he could disappoint.
The couple parked their Ikran and nightwraith. Quaritch hopped off holding Spider tight. This woke the boy up but his energy declined instantly. He felt so tired—so weak. Quaritch walked, adjacent to Varang as they held hands.
Time felt so fast but slow at the same time, Spider was too tired to even react to anything, even if he did..Varang would probably go through his head again and play her mind games.
Quaritch and Varang walked past the lab rooms, nobody questioned them. Nor did anybody even dare ask to take Spider in for his miracle.
Varang noticed the boys eyes slightly open and close. Spider gave up completely. He drifted in and out of sleep—not knowing if he was going to be left with this witch, or what so Neytiri called her.
Spider fought to stay awake, fighting his eyes as they begged to be closed. Fighting, he saw Varang in the corner of his eyes. If he wasn’t awake two minutes ago, he is now. His eyes filled with panic and widened as he noticed he’d been “caught” .
Varang smirked. She opened her mouth to tell on the boy, not losing eye contact with Spider. Unexpectedly, she then closed her mouth and continued to follow Quaritch. Spider didn’t know why she did this, but at least she didn’t torture him, for now.
He didn’t like this, he was fully aware now—feeling the demons hand touching his side as his stomach rested on the murderous man’s muscular shoulder.
He hated how he sank into Quaritch’s touch. Yeah, they did spend time with eachother for months, two—three weeks before this moment.. he didn’t really, mind?
Had Spider liked this the whole time? Did he like his father’s unnecessary spoiling, touch, and questions. No, he didn’t. This is part of the manipulation. Yes, he’s his father—he’s a demon. He ruined the soul tree, he’s against his home, the Navi. He’s against his family!
“Alright, tiger.” Quaritch muttered as he coddled Spider for a moment before placing him down on a cold mattress. Spider tried to stay stuck, he didn’t have the strength or energy to fight against this. He hated it. Why did Quaritch want him to be with him so badly?
Quaritch pulled a thin blanket over him. Spider tried to steady out his breathing and form a quick-plan to escape or annoy. Quaritch wouldn’t do anything to him. But, Varang. Varang was fucking terrifying. He dare do anything against Varang. He didn’t know what was up for him. He would probably die.
Quaritch stayed seated at Spiders knee, on the edge of the bed. Quaritch rested his hand on Spiders temple—rubbing shapes into it gently.
“This air-breather, is yours?” Varang questioned, voice low.
Quaritch stayed admiring his son. Spider was tense, he could feel his father’s staring down his neck.
Quaritch moved his head to look towards Varang, “He’s my first and only,” Varang came closer looking at both the humanoid and half-Latino boy that rested on the thin mattress.
Quaritch added, “I’d be damned if he went back to the Sullies. He belongs with somebody who loves him, like me.”
Spider winced at the sound of that. He’d barely been in his life and immediately thought he would gladly accept him as his dad. Bullshit. Spider hated this man, Jake did, so did Neytiri. He had to hate this man, even if it was his father.
Quaritch noticed the boys uneasy breathing and small flinches as his hand caressed his head. “Miles, you awake?”
Shit. Spider froze up, he tried to stay as still as a rock. But Quaritch had other ideas. Quaritch knew the boy was awake. Quaritch wouldn’t get mad at him for it, but he wouldn’t fall stupid for it either.
Quaritch poked at the boys side, attempting to make him react. Spider yelped, “Asshole,” the boy cursed.
Varang didn’t understand. She couldn’t tell what they had been saying. She didn’t speak English, only fluent Navi.
“Do I get my people to protect the boy from himself?” Varang asked in Navi, not knowing if Spider spoke Navi fluently.
“I don’t need none of your hellish help!” Spider argued back, properly pronouncing every syllable and pause the Navi language held.
Varang hissed, “Sky-boy, it’s for your own good. You leave; my people will kill—”
”—Your people are not killing my boy. He will stay in here, nowhere else. Until he behaves and understands.” Quaritch corrected, speaking Navi. It suprised Spider but he had no time to really think about Quaritchs improvement in less than a month.
”Fuck you, I’m not staying here! I’ll leave and kill the both of you!” Spider screamed looking at Quaritch and directing it at the two.
Varang quickly grabbed the boy by his kuru, “You dare threaten me or your father, and I will…”
Spider stopped resisting, oh he was pissed. Spider let go and dropped his guard, he didn’t want to lose his life. He knew he wasn’t, but he didn’t want to test the theory.
Varang let go, backing up away from the boy. She was angry as fuck. She’s probably just a mad woman.
“Miles, I know this—”
”—That’s not my name!” Spider spat back, kicking Quaritch to get off the mattress he laid on.
Quaritch grabbed both of his ankles before opening his mouth, “Yes, it is. Your mother and I gave it to you, now, behave.”
What the fuck was Spider doing? Why was he listening, why was he even here. Why didn’t he run out of Quaritch’s arms when he’d been drifting off on his shoulder.
Spider stopped fighting. He was tired, but now he’d felt adrenaline run through his veins. He felt all the blood balancing throughout his body.
Spider went still.
Not limp. Not relaxed.
His breathing slowed deliberately, jaw clenched tight enough to hurt. He stared at the wall instead of either of them, eyes unfocused, like he’d checked out. Like he’d decided they weren’t worth the energy.
Quaritch stayed keeping an eye out for him.
Varang watched him with narrowed eyes. “You’re not intimidating either of us,” she said flatly.
Spider snorted. “Not tryin’ too.”
Quaritch tightened his grip on the boy’s ankles, then released them slowly, standing. “Miles—”
Spider shot him a glare. “Stop.”
One word. Sharp. Understood.
“I’m not fighting,” Spider continued, voice low now. “That’s what you want. That’s what she wants.” He flicked his eyes briefly toward Varang, then away again. “So congrats. You win. I’m sittin’. I’m listening like a child. I’m not trying to argue anymore.”
Varang stepped forward. Spider didn’t flinch—and that was the point.
“You think this makes you strong?” she hissed. “Laying in my territory, threatening gods you do not understand?”
Spider finally looked at her fully, eyes cold. “No. I’m listening to my biological parent.”
That made the couple pause. Spider knew, everyone did. They just didnt think he’d admit it. Ever.
Quaritch exhaled slowly through his nose. “Kid—”
“You said you’re here for me all those months,” Spider cut in. “You said I do what I want.”
Quaritch hesitated. Just half a second.
Spider clocked it immediately.
“Yeah,” Spider said quietly. “That’s what I thought.”
He swung his legs off the mattress and sat upright despite the way his head swam. His hands shook—so he tucked them between his knees where neither of them could see.
“I’m not your son,” Spider said, not raising his voice. “And I’m not going to listen to this lady like she’s Paz.”
Varang studied him like a puzzle she didn’t enjoy. “You are human,” she said. “Fragile. Alone.”
Silence.
Quaritch rubbed a hand over his jaw, looking over at Spider. “You done?”
“For now,” Spider said. “You gonna get your girlfriend to assault me again, or can I get some water?”
Varang turned away first. “He stays,” she said. “But he is watched.”
“Fine,” Spider muttered. “Love that for me.”
When she left, the room felt heavier. Spider wanted to say more. Quaritch knew that.
Quaritch lingered.
Spider finally turned his head to look at the other prescense.
“You can tell me when she pushes it too far for you,” Quaritch said quietly.
Spider shrugged. “I don’t need your help.”
“…You okay?” Quaritch asked.
Spider laughed under his breath—short, bitter. “Seriously? You fucking kidnapped me.”
Quaritch winced. The boy was some-what right.
Spider kept closing and opening his eyes. His eyes were tired, sharp, but somehow very awake. “I’m not bonding with you. I’m not forgiving you. And I’m not playin’ house.”
“Well clearly—” Quaritch tried to add on.
“But I’m not stupid either. So if you’re gonna keep me here… don’t make me regret not running when I had the chance.”
Quaritch held his gaze. “Son, we got along all the months we had together. You liked having me around.”
“Not when you’re killing and ruining the lands of the people.”
“…Get some rest,” he said, defeated.
Spider lay back down, turning his face toward the wall.
“Yeah,” he muttered. “That’s what I’m doing.”
But his eyes stayed open long after the lights dimmed.
Quaritch still stayed in the room. Spider felt it, he didn’t know what he could possibly be trying to attempt.
Spider finally closed his eyes, but the feeling of Quaritch staring him down couldn’t help but make him angrier.
”For Eywa’s sake are you going to fuckin’ leave?!” Spider yelled, using all his energy.
Quaritch smiled. He adored everything Spider did for some odd reason.
That really pissed Spider off.
The room stayed dim, the low hum of machinery pressed into the silence. Spider could feel him there—not looming, not moving. Just present. Like a weight he couldn’t shrug off.
“I’m not leavin’,” Quaritch said finally. Calm. Too calm. “You’re exhausted. You pass out, someone else might decide to check on you.”
Spider rolled onto his back hard enough to make the mattress creak. “So what, you’re my fuckin’ nightlight now?”
Quaritch huffed quietly. “You always been this mouthy?”
“Yes,” Spider snapped. “And what if someone else checks on me? No big deal.”
Quaritch responded fast, “I don’t trust them.”
Spider sighed, he was so tired. He hated how he found comfort in all of this. He hated that he trusted the man whose hands have so much blood he could never fathom.
Quaritch shifted closer, stopping just short of the bed. “You don’t gotta be on guard every second.”
“Yes, I do,” Spider replied. Voice timid—low. Slightly out of breathe from the exhaustion.
Quaritch didn’t answer right away.
Spider was enflamed. (Yes, I’m aware Spider is lwk a yapper in this fic)
“Son, I have a lot of patience for you, I don’t wanna’ put you on the spot, but I gotta ask, why you so grumpy,” Quaritch waited for a second to continue, “you always engaged in our talks on board. Hell, you even would tell me your stories with the girl and boy you always hung around.”
”I’m tired. Shut the fuck up.” Spider retaliated. He was so tired. He was mad. Mad at himself for liking this secretly, but more mad that he had a point. Spider loved the Sullies, he did. But Neytiri, no matter how much he tried to impress her, “He will never be apart of this family.” Spider understood the venom and hatred in her voice. He heard it very well.
Spider didn’t realize how long he’d been in his thoughts for before getting interrupted.
Quaritch sat on the edge of the mattress again—slow, deliberate, like he was giving Spider time to bolt if he wanted.
Spider didn’t move.
Spider’s breathing evened out despite his fight to stay awake and argue. The anger burned lower now—still there, but duller. His eyes stung, heavy and tired.
“Fuck,” Spider muttered, mostly to himself.
“What is wrong, Miles?” Quaritch asked.
Spider groaned loud, sounding far young than his 16 years.“Why,” Spider snapped. “Cut it out with your bullshit. I see what you’re doing, I’m just so fucking tired. Just tell me—” He cut himself off sharply, jaw tightening. “Just don’t say anything, okay?”
Quaritch stayed quiet. Still seated by his sons side. He found the bickering quite annoying, he hadn’t said nothing to even make the boy retaliate. He learned months ago that he rather stay quiet and let Spider win and throw a tantrum. Still, he couldn’t be mad at the boy, his boy.
That made it worse.
Spider swallowed, throat tight. “I’m so tired. I want—” His voice wobbled, and he hated it. He cursed under his breath and squeezed his eyes shut. He wanted Quaritch’s touch; his pestering questions. Why didn’t he bother him with hundreds of questions. “Fuck you. I don’t want you here.” That wasn’t true.
“I’ll be here all night. Just let it out.” Quaritch said quietly.
Spider let out a shaky laugh that didn’t sound like it belonged to him.
“Let it out?” he repeated hoarsely. “You kidnapped me. You let her crawl around in my head. And now you wanna play therapist?”
Quaritch didn’t rise to it. Didn’t correct him. Didn’t reach for him either.
“I’m sayin’ you don’t gotta keep performin’,” he said. “You’re safe right now.”
Spider’s jaw tightened. “Don’t say that.”
“Why?”
“Because you don’t get to decide that,” Spider snapped. His eyes burned, unfocused. “You don’t get to say ‘safe’ like it means anything.”
Quaritch leaned back slightly, elbows resting on his knees. “Fair.”
That threw Spider off more than an argument would have.
Silence stretched again. The hum of the base pressed in, too loud, too steady.
“I don’t belong here,” Spider said suddenly. Quieter. Not asking. “And I don’t belong with the Sullies either. So congrats. You won.”
Quaritch frowned. “That ain’t the truth.”
“It is,” Spider cut in.
“That’s far from what I want, kid. You’re my son, you think your daddy would want his son too far from him after years?”
“I think you don’t know how to want something without takin’ it,” Spider shot back. His hands curled into the blanket again, knuckles white.
Quaritch stared at the floor for a long moment.
“…Maybe,” he admitted.
Spider blinked. That answer didn’t fit the script in his head.
His shoulders sagged. The adrenaline finally burned out, leaving only ache and heaviness behind.
“I hate you,” Spider muttered.
Quaritch shifted, hesitating—then slowly rested his hand on the mattress near Spider’s hip. Not touching him.
Spider swallowed. His breathing slowed again, anger leaking out of him in small, tired exhales.
“…I’m still pissed at you,” he muttered.
Quaritch almost smiled — but didn’t. “I’d be disappointed if you weren’t.”
Spider closed his eyes.
Not because he trusted him. He did.