bound - avatar oc x oc

part 14

Akaia was furious.
She stormed away from the marui, her feet pounding across the netted bridge until she jumped down onto the beach, kicking at the sand in frustration.

"Akaia, my girl," Neytiri's voice called behind her.

The girl ignored it, her rage blinding.

Neytiri quickened her steps and gently caught Akaia's hand, halting her.
"Akaia, please."

Akaia stopped but didn't look back. Her breathing was shallow, fists clenched. She knew her temper—knew it was inherited—but this time it felt like fire under her skin.

"I just need to cool down, Ma," she muttered, prying her mother's hand away before walking off into the distance.

Neytiri watched her go, a pained sigh leaving her lips. Jake was going to hear about this.

⸻

Back at the Ikran roost, Sar'zoo raised his head the moment Akaia returned. The bond between them was so strong that even from afar, he had sensed her distress.

"Come on, boy. Let's go," she whispered.

She mounted, formed tsaheylu, and took off. The wind in her ears and the open skies gave her a moment of peace. She didn't know where she was going—only that she needed to be far away.

After half an hour, she spotted a small island covered in trees. It reminded her of home. She landed Sar'zoo on a thick branch and climbed down, relishing the feel of solid earth beneath her feet.

Crouching, Akaia scooped up a handful of soil, rubbing it between her fingers. The scent of wet earth hit her, raw and nostalgic.

She missed this. The forest. The dirt. The freedom.

⸻

Hours passed.
Akaia sat on a fallen log, carving a new bow from a thick branch with her grandmother's knife. It kept her hands and mind busy, and that was what she needed.

A sudden snap startled her. Her knife slipped, slicing into her palm.

"Shit," she hissed.

A Prolemuris peeked out from the trees, watching her with curiosity. She glared at it, then scrambled for something to stop the bleeding.

Spying a familiar moss on a nearby tree, she ran to it, tore a strip, and wrapped it tightly around her wound. She tied it off with a cut piece from her loincloth.

It would do, for now.

She whistled for Sar'zoo and waited until he landed nearby. He immediately scented her blood and pressed his head to her chest.

"I'm okay," she whispered, forehead pressed to his.

They took off.

⸻

Back near the village, Akaia was heading to the water to clean her bloodied hands when yelling made her ears twitch.

At the cove, she spotted Neteyam and Lo'ak locked in a fight with four Metkayina boys.

Growling, Akaia stormed over, shoving the boys apart with barely contained fury.

"This ends. Now." Her voice was sharp, commanding.

Heads bowed slightly in response to her tone. She grabbed her brothers' arms, ignoring the sting in her wounded hand. Kiri moved to her side silently.

Aonung's eyes dropped to her hand. Lo'ak and Neteyam followed his gaze.

"I don't want to see you touch my family again," she snarled, jabbing a finger into Aonung's chest with each word.

A hush fell as a crowd gathered—then parted as Mak'korro appeared.

He took in the scene quickly. "This is over. Everyone, go home. Now."

Akaia pushed her brothers forward. "Kiri, get them home."

"You're hurt," Kiri said.

"I'll be fine. Go." Akaia's gaze lingered on Mak'korro. She walked over as the others left.

His eyes locked onto her hand.

"It's not as bad as it looks," she said.

"Did my brother do this?" he asked, anger flashing.

"No. It was me."

He frowned deeply. "Kaia, come with me. I'll help you."

The nickname made her heart flutter.

"It's okay, fish boy. You've got better things to do."

He rolled his eyes, stepping closer and gently taking her good hand.

"You're more important."

Akaia blinked up at him, butterflies dancing in her stomach. She nodded, allowing him to guide her toward the Tsahìk's tent.

⸻

Inside the tent, Mak'korro gestured to a mat. "Sit."

Akaia did, watching as he rummaged through his mother's supplies.

"Do you even know what you're doing?" she teased.

"I'm the Tsahìk's son. Of course I do," he replied smugly.

She laughed. "Sure, fish boy."

He knelt in front of her and unwrapped the makeshift bandage. His touch was gentle but firm, and she bit back a groan as he cleaned the cut.

"What happened?"

"Was carving a bow. Got startled. Slipped."

He applied a healing paste, her fingers twitching at the sting. She winced.

"Sorry," he murmured, brow furrowed in concentration.

She smiled at the sight of it—his focused, caring expression.

He looked up, catching her gaze. "Why are you smiling?"

"It's nothing."

He didn't push. Instead, he grabbed a cloth wrap and secured it around her palm with practiced care.

"There. All done."

His hand landed on her thigh without thinking. Both of them froze.

"Thanks, Mak'korro," she said softly, placing her hand over his.

Their eyes met. Everything else disappeared.

He reached up, gently brushing her chin, tilting her face. His gaze lingered on the faint bruises still visible on her neck.

"Who did this?"

"Dream walker," she whispered. Tears welled in her eyes.

He held her gaze. "I won't let them hurt you again."

"They're stronger, better equipped—"

"I don't care. If they want to hurt you, they'll have to get through me first."

Tears slipped down her cheeks.

"I see you, Akaia."

Her heart clenched. She smiled through the tears.

"I see you, Mak'korro."
—————

a/n

omg stop they are so cute i cant 🫠

thank you guys so much for 20k views, I am honestly so surprised people are even reading this book! But I appreciate each and everyone of you guys. 🥲