bound - avatar oc x oc

part 28

Mak'korro's eyes fell on Jake's figure standing at the end of the dock, his back to the world, watching the waves roll gently toward shore. The young warrior exhaled sharply and forced his trembling hands to steady. He was nervous—but he had to do this.

He walked toward the man cautiously, the wooden planks creaking beneath his feet. Jake didn't turn around, but he clearly sensed him coming. There was no anger in his posture, only heaviness.

"I'm sorry for disturbing you, sir," Mak'korro said softly. "I know I'm probably the last person you want to see right now, but... I think we should talk."

Jake's jaw clenched slightly. His eyes stayed locked on the ocean, but he gave a short nod—permission enough.

Mak'korro continued, stepping closer. "I love your daughter, sir. More than anything. Since the moment I saw her, I haven't been able to stop thinking about her. She's strong and kind and fierce—and I know I'm not perfect, but I swear to you, I'll never hurt her."

Jake's eyes finally shifted to him, and for a moment Mak'korro braced for another outburst.

But it didn't come.

"I don't hate you," Jake said, his voice quiet, almost resigned. "You make her happy. That's the part I can't fight."

The silence between them stretched as both looked back out at the ocean. Jake let out a long breath.

"She never cared about boys, you know," he said. "Not back home. She was all duty, responsibility, always helping look after her siblings. But since we've been here... I've seen her smile more than I have in years. And that scared me."

Mak'korro furrowed his brow. "Scared you?"

Jake looked at him, eyes tired but soft. "When you're a father, your kids are your whole world. The idea of someone else becoming more important than you... it hits you harder than you think it would. I felt like I was losing her. And that's a hard thing to admit."

Mak'korro said nothing, only nodding, heart heavy with understanding.

"But," Jake continued, resting a hand on the boy's shoulder, "I see how you look at her. How she looks at you. You have a good heart, Mak'korro. Strong. And that's what she needs."

Mak'korro blinked, taken aback by the words. "Thank you...sir.."

Jake gave him a crooked smile. "You don't have to call me sir anymore. Just... take care of her. That's all I ask."

"I will," Mak'korro said without hesitation. "Always."

Jake chuckled. "You've got guts, kid. I was ready to throw you off this dock yesterday."

Mak'korro laughed, relief washing through him. "I was praying you wouldn't."

"Come on," Jake said, giving him a nudge. "Let's go face the rest of the pack."

—

Inside the marui, Akaia groaned dramatically and dropped her face into her hands.

"Mum, stop. Please."

Neytiri raised an unimpressed brow. "I'm your mother. I deserve to know."

"You'll find out soon anyway," Akaia muttered, barely above a whisper.

Kiri strolled in just in time to catch the end of the conversation. "Uh oh. What's this about?" she asked, plopping down beside them.

"She won't tell me how it happened," Neytiri said with a huff.

Kiri grinned. "You mean the whole spontaneous mating thing?" She turned to her sister. "Seriously, I want details."

Akaia groaned again. "Eywa help me."

"You may as well tell us before Dad comes back," Kiri teased.

Akaia sighed, glancing between Neytiri and Kiri. "It just happened," she said quietly. "We were alone on the island, talking... and everything we felt just came to the surface. We didn't plan it. We just... knew. And we chose each other."

Neytiri reached for her daughter's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Then that is enough."

Kiri, for once, didn't joke. She only smiled.

Just then, the marui curtain rustled—and Jake entered, with Mak'korro just behind him. Neytiri's hand tightened slightly on Akaia's, but she remained seated.

Jake walked up slowly, eyes sweeping over his daughter's face. "We talked," he said, voice gruff but calm. "We're good."

Akaia stood and met him halfway. "Akaia, can we talk outside for a moment?" Jake's voice was quiet—gentler than she'd heard it in a long time.

She hesitated for a second, her heart thudding in her chest, then gave a small nod and followed him out into the night.

He led her to the edge of the dock, where the moonlight shimmered across the water. With a quiet sigh, he sat down and patted the space beside him.

Akaia sat slowly, her hands clasped tightly in her lap until Jake reached out, taking one of them between both of his.

"I owe you an apology," he said, voice thick with emotion. "I let my fear speak louder than my love. I was angry—controlling—and that's not what you deserved."

He paused, eyes locked on the dark horizon. "You're not my little girl anymore. You're a woman now. A strong one. And I need to let go of the idea that I can protect you from everything."

Akaia's breath caught in her throat, tears already pricking her eyes.

Jake looked at her then—really looked. "After all the pain you've carried... after everything you've fought through, you still lead with love. And now you've found someone who sees you for who you are. Someone who gives you peace. That means more to me than you know."

She blinked, and the tears spilled over.

He pulled her into his arms, wrapping her tightly in his embrace like he used to when she was small. "I love you so much, Akaia," he whispered. "And I'm proud—more than proud—of the woman you've become. Mak'korro is lucky, Eywa-damned lucky, to have you by his side."

Her tears soaked into his shoulder. "Thank you, Dad," she whispered back, voice trembling. "For still seeing me. For trusting me."

He held her tighter, his own eyes stinging now. "I never stopped seeing you," he said softly. "I was just scared of losing you."

They sat there in silence, wrapped in each other's arms as the waves lapped gently beneath them.

———

a/n

sorry this took so long guys, this was a bitch of a chapter to write 😖😖

i struggle so much writing about men talking to each other, im 90% sure its because im a woman lmao so im sorry if it sucks.