'Make it harder than it already was.' The words that had kept him up all night. They held so much meaning when you had said them. But right now, it felt like an excuse to him. He couldn't place why he felt like it was just an excuse. Those weren't even the words that had hurt him the most. 'This was a mistake.' Those words and the why you whispered them. Those four words came out like you had wanted to say them a while. It made him feel like you meant knowing him was the mistake. He couldn't shake them off. So when the morning came, he played the bags under his eyes off as if he had been stressed about his training.
You, on the other hand, had gotten into trouble in the morning. Your father knew you came home late, and when he asked why, you couldn't tell him the truth. You stated you were alone enjoy the forest at night. Your father didn't believe a word you said. "Dad, you have to believe me. I wasn't doing anything out of the ordinary." You argued, pleading that he would just trust you. "I know you well, daughter. So don't you try lying to me!" He said sternly, waiting on a truthful response. But he got nothing but silence. You could say anything else he would believe with getting punished. "If you won't tell me. I'll have no other choice than to punish you." There wasn't anything else you could do. If you told him the truth, he would have been disappointed and you would have gotten a bigger punished. You looked to the ground, waiting to hear your punishment.
Your father thought for a minute. He couldn't punish you with a lot at the moment. He wanted you to spend as much time with Lo'ak as you could. You and Lo'ak flew your ikrans a lot together. So, not flying your ikran was out of the question. Not seeing your friend, aka the sully kids, was out of the question too. That only punishment left would be Spider, which was a really tough one since he was close to Lo'ak too. "Your punishment will be.... No seeing Spider for a week!" It was the punishment your father had intended, but he didn't have much choice. You didn't argue knowing the only other punishment would be staying with your mother for a week, not seeing any of your friends. Even if that did include not seeing Lo'ak, meaning your father tried not to do that.
"Punishment? Why is she being punished?" Lo'ak stated as he walked in. You looked at him surprised, you didn't think he would show up. "She was late last night and won't tell me the truth." You looked down. He probably also wanted to know where you were. You didn't think he would defend you. "Didn't she tell you? I took her out last night to the high tree. We may have lost track of time watching the stars." He defended you, trying to get you out of your punishment. Who did he know about watching the stars? Had Neteyam talked to Lo'ak about last night? Your father looked at you questionable. You nodded at your father, agreeing with Lo'ak. "Then why didn't you say so?" Your father asked you while studying your every move. You looked at Lo'ak, who gave you a reassuring smile. "I... I find it a bit embarrassing telling you. Lo'ak and I have been out getting home late. I just hate to bother you by telling you I'm with him all of the time." You tried your best explaining. Your father glared at you before saying you weren't getting punished. He just wanted you to tell him the truth from the beginning next time. He ushering you out with Lo'ak, trying to set the peace.
"Why did you defend me? You don't even know where I was yesterday." You questioned when you're far enough from your home. "You getting punished is slightly inconvenient. Especially if you can't see Spider, we both spend a lot of time with him after all." He explained, making you grateful for his help. The two of you walked to the edge of the forest to go get Spider. "Watching the stars together. Where did you get that from?" You questioned softly, afraid of his answer. You tried to hide your nervousness, not knowing if it was working. "You like watching over the forest. I don't think you mind looking up a bit more." He chuckled as he scratched his neck. He wasn't wrong, though.
Spider walked over to you two, with a big smile. It was the first time he was being picked up by two of his friends. "Look here, the one that almost got punished for getting home late! If it wasn't for me you two would not be seeing each other for a week!" Lo'ak announced as you gave him a side eye. Lo'ak gave you a playful nudge as spider looked at you confused. "Shut it." You almost giggled. Spider was sure that you didn't drop him off that late, so why were you home late? "It wasn't that late when you left, was it?" Spider questioned still looking confused. You ears pin back just a little as you looked at him. "No, it's wasn't. But not being tired made me wander into the forest and do a bit of sightseeing." You answered.
Spider nodded, but he wasn't sure you were telling the whole truth. He couldn't help but think about the conversation you had last night. Had the reason for you being late something to do with the person you actually liked? You were hiding something and Spider knew it. He didn't like to think that this could maybe ruin your arrangement with Lo'ak. If that were to happen, it wouldn't be good for the friendship you all had. Lo'ak and you didn't have feelings for each other the way you needed to, but it could still ruin everything. It could end up hurting you both or your family's.
Neteyam was walking with Tuk while holding her hand. Tuk enjoyed spending time with Neteyam alone. It made her feel protected. "So why was not getting to hang out with me going to be your punishment?" Spider questioned you as the three of you walked into the village. This had gotten Neteyam's attention. 'Why were you being punished?' He thought. Neteyam was confused before getting worried. "My father didn't have many choices. After all he wants us to get closer." You answered, looking at Lo'ak as you said 'us'. Neteyam clenched his jaw while squeezing his hands a bit harder. He didn't like that you were getting closer to his brother by the day.
"Aahh Neteyam! You're hurting me." Tuk said trying to get her hand out of Neteyam's. All of you looked over to Tuk, who was beside Neteyam. This made Lo'ak stand closer to you with spider a bit further on your other side. You looked at Neteyam worried. He looked tired, your ears pinned back as guilt filled you. Spider looked at you, his eyes widened as he saw you looking at Neteyam with ears pinned back. He kept silent, now fully understanding your last conversation. "I'm sorry, Tuk. I didn't mean to hurt you." Neteyam apologized before picking Tuk up. Neteyam looked at you, his eyes shifting to his brother. He noticed how his brother had gotten closer to you. It made him feel kind of guilty for liking you. He had to let you go, if that meant his brother would be happy. Neteyam gave you a gentle yet tired smile before walking away. Tuk hugged Neteyam harder as if she knew something was going on with her oldest brother.
