I know you're one for spider and Lo'ak but the on paper potential for spider and neteyam is immense - the idea that they drifted and Spider thinks it's because neteyam is agreeing with neytiri, but really it's because neteyam knows that a future chief could never be with a human. Just the idea of neteyam watching kiri Lo'ak and Spider from afar with something that can only be described as yearning - I need it
Oh anon, don't worry, locorro has a special place in my heart but I am an equal opportunity Spider rarepair shipper. I am even a Spiri shipper don't even question me. I've read Rotxo/Spider fics, I'VE READ THEM ALL. I'm not usually flexible when it comes to ships but for these guys theres so much potential because none of it is canon yet and they're all so important to each other okay I'll cry.
My special Spider and Neteyam shit I've mentioned before, but Spider is older than Neteyam and I like to think Neteyam could confide in him more than he could his younger siblings, who relied on him and he felt so much responsibility for. He did not feel like he could show them any weakness. Spider would be able to empathize in a way that Lo'ak never could, always feeling like he can't measure up. Neteyam clearly cared for Spider; he died to help rescue him and they were comfortable and friendly. Spider even teases him at the beginning. I think he just naturally had to spend his time learning from his parents and just couldn't fool around with them as much, I'm absolutely sure he missed being with them all the time and indulging their silly ideas and letting loose. I can totally see this idea of Neteyam trying to distance himself to try to keep his feelings to himself because he knows it can't work.
For me, Neteyam and Spider is this image of them up on the mountains where Neteyam has taken them just so he can vent about the pressure and not feeling like he can live up to the expectations of being perfect all the time, being a leader. What if he fails, when everyone thinks he wont? And Spider is just like "you won't fail, but if you do it's fine. No one will love you any less. And even if somehow they do, I won't, I fail all the time."
Ugh, I love it. Good ask anon, good ask.
