bound - avatar oc x oc

part 22

Akaia sat outside her home. Her entire family was inside, watching over Kiri.

She couldn't bring herself to go in.

She couldn't cry, couldn't speak, couldn't move. Her body felt numb—like she was still underwater, still connected to the spirit tree, caught between then and now.

She stared at the horizon, letting the distant hush of the waves muffle the sound of Neytiri's sobs and Tuk's frightened cries. She should be inside, holding her family. But all she could do was sit there, frozen.

She kept seeing her mother's face—twisted in panic as she ran toward her, arms outstretched. The weight of Kiri's body still clung to Akaia's arms. Her scream still rang in her ears.

She hadn't been able to move. Jake had spoken to her—asked her something, maybe—but she couldn't remember what. Her body had gone cold.

Neteyam had taken Tuk inside, briefed their father, and then they all disappeared into the marui.

And she just... stayed.

Alone.

⸻

Mak'korro saw her from a distance.

His parents had told him to stay back—to let the family grieve together. But no one had gone to her. No one had held her.

He waited as long as he could. Then, when he saw her shoulders begin to tremble, he made up his mind.

Mak'korro walked softly across the sand, approaching her like she was a wounded creature—gentle, slow, unthreatening. Her eyes met his when he was still a few steps away, glassy but aware.

He didn't speak. He simply sat down beside her.

She didn't turn away.

They sat like that for a long time, the eclipse fading into starlight. The breeze carried the scent of the sea, and her fingers were curled tightly in her lap.

"I should've done more," she whispered. Her voice cracked. "This is my fault."

Mak'korro's chest ached at the sound of her pain.

"Akaia... no." His voice was soft but firm. "You did everything you could. You acted faster than anyone. You saved her."

She shook her head, burying her face in her hands. Her body shook with silent sobs.

"I didn't know—" she choked. "I didn't even notice something was wrong."

"You were there for her," he said gently. "You breathed for her. You brought her back."

He shifted closer, lifting his hand slowly to her face. His fingers brushed away her tears, his touch light, reverent.

"You were so brave." His voice caught slightly. "She's alive because of you."

Akaia looked up at him, her cheeks wet, her mouth trembling.

He saw the guilt in her eyes—but deeper than that, the fear. The weight of responsibility she'd carried alone.

And in that moment, neither of them could hold it back.

Akaia leaned forward, and Mak'korro met her halfway. Their lips touched—softly, quietly—like an unspoken apology, like a moment of stillness in the storm.

It wasn't a kiss of passion. It was heavy with sorrow and comfort. A small, fragile promise that neither of them had to carry this pain alone.

She breathed out against his lips, and he leaned in closer, one hand on her jaw, the other gently brushing her braid behind her ear.

When they finally pulled apart, their foreheads stayed pressed together. The world felt quiet again.

"I see you," he whispered.

Akaia closed her eyes, feeling the warmth of him, the steadiness. Her heart steadied too.

"I see you, Mak'korro," she whispered back.

They stayed like that under the stars, hands entwined, not saying another word. And for the first time all day, Akaia didn't feel completely alone.

———

a/n

i bet none of yall were expecting that

neither did i tbh

sorry this is such a short chapter, i will post another today which will hopefully be longer