Chapter Text
Mechanical sounds went off with a hiss of hydraulics. Lights cut through the mist, illuminating the familiar chaos of Hell’s Gate forklifts whining, techs shouting over each other, the air thick with fuel and metal. Jake Sully rolled forward in his wheelchair, hands gripping the rims like he needed the anchor. Pandora. Real this time. Not a screen, not the briefing, not even a lie told to make a broken Marine feel useful. As he wheeled across the base, his eyes flickered the image of Quaritch’s scarred grin, half-expecting that the briefing's information would do him nothing at all. But then…
?: Jake?
A voice cut through the noise like a memory snapping awake.
Jake: *Frowning, turning slightly* Yeah? *Pauses when he sees who his name came from.*
It… was a kid. No, not a kid, not really anyway was jogging toward him, dodging two techs hauling crates. College-aged. Brown hair swept over his forehead, glasses thick framed and crooked, backpack slung over one shoulder like he hadn’t quite grown out of it yet.
Jake: *Breath hitched.l* No way…
The kid skidded to a stop, hands braced on his knees, grinning like he’d just pulled off the world’s dumbest miracle.
Kid: Okay, so uh… Hi. This is either the worst or best place for a reunion, and I’m really hoping it’s the second one.
Jake stared. The people, the base, Pandora itself faded into background noise.
Jake: Peter?
he said, disbelief rough in his throat.
Jake: *Starting to smile* Peter Parker?
Peter: *Straightening up and pushing his glasses up with one finger.* In the flesh. Mostly human. Slightly jet-lagged.
Jake let out a sharp laugh, half a bark, half a breath he didn’t know he’d been holding.
Jake: Holy hell. You grew up.
Peter *Shrugged* Yeah, well *Glancing down at Jake, then back up quickly, careful, respectful, the way Jake remembered.* So did you. Just… sideways.
Jake: *Snorted* Last time I saw you, you were a senior in high school crying goodbye to me right before my first deployment.
Peter: Tommy filled my head with all of the bad things that have and could happen in the military. You can't blame me!
He said automatically, then faltered. The grin on Jake's face faded. The surrounding noise suddenly felt louder. They didn’t talk about it right away. Later in the cafeteria, after the hum of the base settled into its night time rhythm they sat on either side of each other barely eating as dinner hours were coming to an end and lights out was approaching. The lights were low, the walls thin, Pandora’s alien night humming faintly beyond reinforced glass. Peter’s hands twisted together elbows propped on either side of his tray.
Peter: I- I heard about Tommy. *Saying quietly* Aunt May told me before the official notice hit the news. *Swallows* I’m… I’m really sorry, Jake.
Jake: *Nods* Thanks, kid.
There was a beat. Then Peter inhaled, steadying himself.
Peter: So… *Forcing a lighter tone* You’re probably wondering why your former babysitting victim is suddenly on another planet?
Jake: *Arched a brow* It crossed my mind.
Peter: *Hesitates then says it straight* The RDA sought me out.
Jake stiffened
Peter: They were looking for genetic specialists who could think outside the box. Biochemistry, bio-mechanics, systems repair. Turns out if you publish enough papers on adaptive protein bonding, someone eventually slaps a corporate logo on your future.
Jake: *Mutters* That doesn’t sound ominous at all.
Peter: *Winces* Yeah. I’m… trying not to think too hard about that part. *Can't help himself and adds* Oh- and MJ’s here too.
Jake: *Blink* MJ?
Peter: Mary Jane Watson. The girl I've literally had a crush on since the first grade.
Jake: *Jaw drops with a smirk* That MJ?
Peter nods with a small smile tugging at his mouth.
Peter: She’s with the comms and media outreach team. Suits her; she's always been louder than regulation.
Jake: *Shakes head slowly* You apparently brought your whole life to Pandora. Is what your saying?
Peter: Guess so… Seems better than leaving it all behind.
After that talk dinner came to an end it was now lights out and the two parted ways to the rooms. The next morning, Jake was strapped into his avatar rig, eyes wide with wonder as his new body breathed for the first time.
Peter watched from the window in the observation room, utterly transfixed.
Peter: *He whispered* Oh my god. You’re blue!
Jake: *Laugh's loud enough to crackle over the intercom.* You should see your face, Parker.
Peter: Your nervous system is mapping to an alien body. *Rambles as he scans the tablet already pacing.* Do you realize what this means for neural adaptability? For prosthetics involving conscience transfer? For-
Jake: Kid! *Cuts in, amused.* You’re geeking.
Peter: I am absolutely geeking!
Hours later after Jake decided to test out his new body before even getting dressed in something that doesn't show his bare ass. Peter was back where he belonged neck-deep in his microscope and notes, the lab humming softly around him. Samples from Pandora’s wildlife glowed faintly under sterile light, beautiful and unsettling all at once. He finally sat up straight and stretched only for frowned as his eye caught one open enclosure that wasn't open before.
Peter: Huh… *Looks down at the label*
The info tag read “ARACHNIDAE VARIANT – CAPTURED 6 HRS AGO – ESCAPED.”. Peter adjusted his glasses, leaning closer.
Peter: Okay, little buddy. That’s not great lab etiquette.
The spider in question was crawling on the ceiling above him and was coming down on its own butt silk thread slowly descending onto Peter's desk lamp and crawling on to his desk and straight to him. The sound of something shifted beside him. Before his brain could catch up, there was a sharp sting on his hand.
Peter: Ow!
He yelped, jerking back as a small, iridescent spider skittered away, its legs shimmering faintly green-blue before vanishing into the vents.
Peter stared at the bite mark—a tiny red dot already fading.
Peter: …Okay. *Mutters* Its tag didn't say anything about any venom so it's probably not poisonous. Probably…
He flexed his fingers. Everything felt… fine totally fine. The lab lights hummed off Pandora, unseen and listened. And somewhere deep in Peter Parker’s cells, something strange and alien began to make itself at home.