bound - avatar oc x oc

part 19

Akaia was woken by the feeling of something crawling all over her.

"Wake up, Akaia!" Tuk shouted, jabbing her ribs.

Akaia groaned, rubbing her eyes as Tuk flopped across her stomach, giggling wildly.

With a sigh, Akaia sat up, causing Tuk to roll dramatically onto the floor. The little girl burst into laughter before scrambling back into her sister's lap.

"What time is it, Tuk?" Akaia mumbled.

"It's morning," Tuk said brightly, clearly proud of her very unhelpful answer.

Akaia rolled her eyes, stretching her arms above her head with a yawn.

"Can you carve me a new toy?" Tuk suddenly asked, lips pulled into a pout. "Lo'ak broke mine."

Akaia looked down at her little sister and softened. "Of course, Tuk."

Tuk squealed. "Can you do it now?"

"Alright, alright," Akaia said, ruffling her hair. "Let's go down to the beach."

Tuk took off like a shot to grab her other toys. Akaia shook her head, smiling, and began collecting her carving tools.

⸻

A short walk later, the sisters found a quiet spot under the shade of a tree. Akaia settled into the sand, examining a chunk of wood, while Tuk laid out her toy collection like it was the most important thing in the world.

"What do you want this time?" Akaia asked, eyeing her thoughtfully.

Tuk tapped her chin. "Hmm... Can you make me an Ilu?"

Akaia chuckled. "Another one?"

"Yes please!" Tuk beamed, bouncing in place.

"I guess I can do that."

Tuk dove into her lap, hugging her tightly. "Thank you, sissy."

They sat there for a moment before Tuk suddenly turned her attention to something behind Akaia.

The older girl twisted to see—and smiled.

Mak'korro was walking toward them, grinning and waving.

"Hey," he said. "What are you two up to?"

"Akaia's carving me an Ilu!" Tuk announced proudly. She grabbed his hand without hesitation. "Come sit! I'll show you my other toys!"

Mak'korro allowed himself to be dragged to the ground beside her. Akaia mouthed a quick sorry to him, but he just smiled, settling in as Tuk began explaining each toy in great detail.

Akaia watched quietly. He was so patient with Tuk, listening to her chatter, asking questions, even mimicking a few animal sounds which made Tuk burst into laughter.

It made Akaia's heart feel strangely warm.

She giggled softly when Tuk started imitating how each animal sounded. Mak'korro glanced at her and smiled, but was immediately pulled back into "toy inspection duty."

There was something comforting about the whole scene—simple, easy, and good.

⸻

Eventually, Tuk roped Mak'korro into actually playing with her. Akaia offered to spare him, but he waved her off, clearly enjoying himself. She refocused on her carving, the shape of the Ilu now taking form in her hands.

"Akaia!"

She looked up and saw Neteyam and Lo'ak waving her over. She sighed, brushing sand from her legs.

"I'll be back in a minute," she said, standing.

Mak'korro watched her go, eyes following her every step.

"You like her, don't you?" Tuk asked suddenly, snapping his attention back.

"What?" he blinked, caught off guard.

"You like my sister," she said with narrowed eyes, arms crossed like a tiny interrogator.

Mak'korro shifted awkwardly. "She's... cool."

"Cool?" Tuk repeated, unconvinced.

"She's strong, smart, kind," he added quickly. "And funny. And brave."

Tuk smirked. "Sounds like you like her a lot."

Mak'korro gave up with a quiet laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah. I like her a lot."

Tuk nodded, satisfied. "Good. I like you too. You're not weird."

Mak'korro laughed again, genuinely. "That's a relief."

"But if you hurt her, I'll tell mum."

His eyebrows rose. "Noted."

Tuk looked back toward Akaia, who was still talking to her brothers in the distance. "She's been happier lately, you know. Since you started coming around."

Mak'korro went quiet, heart thudding a little faster.

"She deserves someone nice," Tuk added simply, brushing sand off her toy Ilu. "So... don't be dumb."

He smiled. "I'll do my best."

————

a/n

tuk trying to set them up fr ☠️☠️

how are we all feeling from mak'korro's confession? dat boy is down BAD.