bound - avatar oc x oc

part 23

Mak'korro and Akaia sat together outside the marui. Her head rested on his shoulder, his arm wrapped protectively around her. The warm sun glowed overhead, casting soft light over their still forms.

She was sleeping, finally, and he dared not move, afraid to wake her. He sat in silence, lost in thought, his mind returning to the kiss they had shared only hours before.

It hadn't been like he'd imagined—not shy or sweet or timed just right—but it had been real. Raw. A quiet, aching press of lips laced with grief, fear, and the need for comfort. And somehow, it had meant more because of it.

A sudden rumble overhead pulled him from his thoughts. A loud, unfamiliar sound echoed through the sky. Akaia stirred beside him, her ears twitching as she slowly woke.

"What is that?" Mak'korro asked, his brows drawn in concern.

Akaia blinked toward the clouds, spotting movement overhead. Her heart dropped. The villagers were already gathering, staring upward.

Then her father came bursting out of their home, his eyes locked on the sky.

"What's happening?" she called, jogging to meet him.

Jake glanced between her and Mak'korro. "It's Norm and Max," he said quickly, eyes tracking the descending aircraft. He didn't wait for more questions—just sprinted toward the beach to signal them in.

"Who are they?" Mak'korro asked, grabbing Akaia's forearm as the whirring grew louder.

"They're friends of my dad. Scientists. Norm's in an avatar body like Dad used to be. Max is... human." She swallowed, her eyes flicking toward the villagers, who were already murmuring and backing away from the strange craft.

Mak'korro's stomach twisted. His mother was not going to take this well.

The aircraft landed. The villagers stared. Jake waved Norm and Max down toward the marui. Inside, they began examining Kiri, Jake forcing Neteyam and Lo'ak to give them space. The boys exited, tense and silent, taking their spots beside Mak'korro and Akaia.

They waited.

And waited.

More Metkayina gathered. The crowd outside their home swelled with uneasy whispers. Akaia's fingers twisted together in her lap, her nerves fraying. Mak'korro placed a steady hand on her thigh, grounding her. She leaned into him, ignoring her brothers' pointed looks.

Then the crowd parted.

Ronal.

She walked through the villagers like a wave through water, her eyes locked on her son and the girl beside him. Akaia stood immediately.

"She is inside?" Ronal asked, her voice clipped.

Akaia nodded and stepped aside. Ronal entered without hesitation, and they followed behind.

Inside, the tension thickened. Ronal's eyes swept the room, landing on Norm and Max with clear disgust. Her lips curled.

"I see I am not needed," she muttered coldly.

"You are Tsahìk!" Neytiri snapped, catching her arm before she could turn away.

Ronal looked down at Kiri. Something shifted in her eyes. Softness. Worry.

Then her face hardened again.

"Remove these things," she commanded with a wave toward the equipment.

"Out! You have done nothing!" Neytiri hissed at Norm and Max. The men, pale and wide-eyed, scrambled to gather their things.

Akaia dragged Mak'korro to the corner, sitting down beside Tuk as the two mothers began the ritual. Mak'korro wrapped an arm around Akaia's shoulders, holding her close while she held Tuk's hands tightly in hers.

Time passed. Slow and aching.

Tuk eventually sat beside Kiri, her tiny hand resting on her sister's unmoving arm. Mak'korro never left Akaia's side. From across the room, Neytiri watched quietly, her expression soft. She was grateful—he hadn't left her daughter alone for even a second.

Then—

"Kiri! You're awake!" Tuk's voice rang out, bright and shrill with joy.

Heads turned. Eyes widened.

Kiri blinked up at them from the mat, dazed but conscious. She was alive.

The marui erupted. Neytiri rushed forward, tears falling freely. Jake collapsed beside her, pulling Kiri into his arms. The other children crowded in close.

Mak'korro stood immediately, rushing to his mother's side where she sat slumped in exhaustion. He touched her shoulder gently, helping her sit back with care.

Akaia didn't move. She stayed where she was, eyes fixed on her little sister, tears streaming silently down her cheeks.

She could finally breathe again.

———

a/n

sorry another short chapter, i am going to post another tonight tho so be on the look out 🤭

also these two chapters were really hard to write for some reason so i apologise if they are really bad 🫠