bound - avatar oc x oc

part 26

Mak'korro's eyes fluttered open as soft light filtered through the trees above. His body was still pressed against the cool earth, but warmth bloomed in his chest as his gaze fell on the girl curled against him.

Akaia.

Memories of the night before came rushing back—their whispered words, the way their bodies fit perfectly together, and the overwhelming emotion that had passed between them. They had chosen each other. They were mated now.

His face flushed at the thought, not with shame, but awe. He'd never imagined something could feel so right.

A soft breath tickled his chest, and he looked down to see Akaia stirring. Her forest-green eyes blinked open slowly, meeting his in that familiar, grounding way. Her pupils widened slightly as she fully woke, and then she smiled.

Without a word, she leaned in and pressed her lips to his.

He kissed her back gently, one hand lifting to cradle her face. They lingered there, letting the silence stretch between them as their foreheads touched.

Atokirina floated around them like a blessing from Eywa herself.

"I see you," Akaia whispered, her voice full of emotion.

"I see you, Akaia," he whispered back, just as reverent.

Then, suddenly, he pulled her over him with a mischievous grin, earning a surprised squeal from her as she found herself straddling him.

Mak'korro laughed, his hands sliding to her hips. "You're so beautiful, ma Akaia."

Akaia flushed, her fingers brushing through his hair. "And you're so handsome, ma Mak'korro."

They looked at each other, full of joy and disbelief. As they lay together, Atokirina began to gather—hundreds of them drifting down to land on their bodies, surrounding them with gentle light.

Their eyes widened in awe. And then, as if by instinct, they burst into laughter. It was too perfect to be real. But it was.

—

They returned to the village hand-in-hand.

Akaia's stomach churned. The joy she felt earlier was now tangled in dread. What would her parents say? What would his parents say?

Mak'korro squeezed her hand gently as if trying to quiet the storm in her chest, but even his presence couldn't fully soothe her nerves. Eyes followed them. Villagers whispered. She didn't dare meet their stares.

They reached his parents' marui first. Mak'korro took a steadying breath before leading her inside.

Ronal turned at once. Her eyes scanned them sharply, lingering on their joined hands and the way they stood so close. She didn't need to ask.

"Mother, where is father? We need to talk," Mak'korro said, his voice more tense than usual.

Ronal didn't move. Her expression darkened. "Mak'korro... you didn't—"

A shuffle behind them made them all turn. Tonowari had returned from outside, pausing at the threshold as he took in the scene. His jaw tightened the moment his eyes landed on Akaia.

His gaze shifted between them, then to Ronal, silently demanding an answer.

"They're mated," Ronal said bluntly.

Mak'korro winced.

Akaia felt her throat close. She hated the silence that followed.

"When did this happen?" Tonowari asked at last, his voice low and trembling with tightly coiled restraint.

Mak'korro straightened. "Last night."

Tonowari's face paled. "You should have waited. You are the son of the Olo'eyktan. You don't just—"

"I didn't rush anything," Mak'korro snapped, his voice rising.

"You've let your feelings cloud your judgment," Tonowari shot back, stepping forward. "You think this is about love, but it's about duty. You chose her over the safety of the clan. Do you even understand what you've done?"

Mak'korro's fists clenched. "Yes. I chose her. Because I love her. And if loving her makes me a threat to the clan, then maybe the problem isn't me."

Akaia flinched at the anger in his voice, but she knew this conversation had been brewing for days.

Tonowari's expression flickered. Hurt. Rage. Fear.

Ronal stepped between them, her voice gentle but firm. "Enough."

Both men fell silent as she turned to her son. She touched his cheek, her fingers trembling. "I see your heart, ma son. And I see the truth in your eyes. You love her. And so I will stand beside you."

Tears welled in her eyes as she turned to Akaia. "You are one of us now. You always have been. Come."

She extended her hand.

Akaia stepped forward, emotion choking her as she accepted Ronal's touch. The Tsahìk pulled her into the embrace. Mak'korro wrapped his arms around both of them.

Tonowari watched them, his face unreadable. He didn't move.

"I'm not asking you to understand right now," Mak'korro said, looking at his father over Ronal's shoulder. "But I need you to know—I'm not going to regret this."

Tonowari held his gaze. Then he turned and walked toward the far end of the marui, silent.

The rift between them still stood. Widening. Raw.

But for now, Mak'korro had Akaia—and that gave him strength.

And maybe, just maybe, that would be enough.

———

a/n

guys i am in desperate need of a jake sully fanfic, i think i have read them all.

i might update again tonight so be on the lookout 👀

also we are nearly at 90k reads.... im literally in SHOCK, tysm guys, i love you all 🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶