bound - avatar oc x oc

part 30

Akaia followed silently as Ronal led her along the beach, the Tsahìk's hand still gently gripping her forearm. The salty wind whipped around them, but neither spoke. Akaia could tell Ronal was still irritated about what had happened with Lo'ak.

"I'm sorry about my brother," Akaia said finally, glancing at the sand beneath her feet. "He's a good kid... he just has a habit of getting into trouble."

Ronal nodded, offering no more than a small hum in response. Another silence stretched between them as they walked until, finally, the Tsahìk stopped and turned to face her.

"I have a question for you, Akaia."

Akaia's brows rose. "What is it?"

"If your family got the chance to return to the forest... would you go with them? Or would you stay here?"

The question struck something deep. Not long ago, she would've chosen the forest without hesitation. But now?

She had changed.

So much had changed.

Akaia exhaled, her voice steady but quiet. "I would love to see the forest again. It will always be my first home. But... I have a life here now. Mak'korro is my mate—he's part of me. And he's the future Olo'eyktan. I would never ask him to abandon that." She looked down. "So if it came to that choice... I would stay."

Ronal studied her carefully. "Even if your family left?"

Akaia hesitated. The thought of leaving them behind tightened her chest, but still she nodded. "Yes. My place is here now."

The Tsahìk's gaze softened. "He would follow you, you know."

"What?" Akaia blinked.

"If you truly wanted to leave, Mak'korro would go with you. He'd give everything up—for you."

Akaia sighed, a quiet ache in her heart. "I know. But I wouldn't let him. I know what it's like to walk away from duty, from everything you were raised to be. It's painful. I couldn't let him carry that burden, not for me."

Ronal gave a rare smile. "You're a good woman, Akaia. Strong, selfless. My son is lucky to have you."

"Thank you, Ronal," Akaia said sincerely, bowing her head.

Ronal returned the gesture, then waved her off. "Go. I'm sure my son is sulking somewhere waiting for you."

Akaia laughed, shaking her head as she turned and began walking back toward the village.

Sure enough, as she neared her family's marui, she heard the sound of Tuk's unmistakable giggles. She peeked inside and smiled at the scene before her—Mak'korro and Tuk were sitting on the floor surrounded by a pile of animal figurines.

Mak'korro grabbed an ikran toy and swooped it down toward Tuk, making her squeal with laughter. Akaia bit her lip to stifle a laugh of her own.

He looked up, catching her gaze. A grin spread across his face.

"Akaia! Come play with us!" Tuk called.

"Come on, Kaia," Mak'korro added, holding his hand out to her.

Smiling, she took it and sat down beside him. His tail instinctively curled around her as if it belonged there—which it did.

Mak'korro resumed making dramatic ikran noises, earning a giggle from Akaia. She leaned over and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek.

He glanced at her with a lovesick grin just before Tuk scolded them, "No kissing! You have to focus!"

Akaia rolled her eyes playfully and grabbed a figurine of her own. "Yes, ma'am."

And just like that, the three of them played—peacefully, joyfully. As if the whole world had paused just for this little moment of happiness.

———

a/n

yall im so sorry this took so long, ive been so insanely busy 🫠🫠

also thank you all so much for all the birthday messages on the last chapter i love yall so much!!!

also also, we got to number #1 in the avatar tag, thats so freaking amazing!! thank you guys so much!!!! 🫶🫶

also also also, i recently updated chapter 25 and added smut because heaps of people wanted it, its really not that great so please don't expect to much but i just thought id let people know ☺️☺️