bound - avatar oc x oc

part 8

Akaia woke in the early hours of the morning, long before her family.

Nightmares had haunted her dreams, leaving her tossing and turning until rest was no longer an option.

She sat up from her mat, glancing at Tuk curled up beside her. The night before, her little sister had insisted on sleeping next to her. Gently, Akaia brushed Tuk's braids from her face, her expression softening for a moment.

After a few minutes, she quietly rose and slipped out of the marui.

The netted bridge beneath her feet bounced lightly as she made her way across it, the ocean breeze brushing her face. She reached the beach and stood still, watching the bioluminescent waves lap gently at the shore.

Voices and heavy footsteps caught her attention. She turned to see a group of Metkayina hunters passing by, nets and spears in hand. They barely acknowledged her presence. Akaia watched with quiet fascination as they entered the water, mounted their creatures, and vanished beneath the waves.

Soon, silence returned.

She sat on the sand, hugging her knees as she stared at the horizon. The first light of morning began to creep across the sky, chasing the darkness away.

Behind her, footsteps.

She turned—and froze.

Ronal.

Akaia stood quickly and bowed her head. "I see you, Ronal."

The Tsahìk regarded her with an unreadable expression, then nodded once in return. "I see you."

A beat of silence passed. Then, Ronal's gaze shifted to Akaia's neck.

"How did you get those bruises?"

Akaia's breath caught. Her hand instinctively touched the tender skin. She had almost forgotten they were there.

"The Sky People," she said quietly. "They ambushed us. One of them tried to kill me."

Her voice wavered, eyes dropping to the sand. She hated feeling exposed like this—vulnerable beneath the Tsahìk's piercing stare.

Ronal studied her for a moment. Then, unexpectedly, she stepped forward and gently cupped Akaia's chin, tilting her face up.

Akaia tensed in surprise, watching as the older woman's fingers lightly brushed the bruised skin. Their eyes met. Neither of them spoke.

Then Ronal stepped back.

"Come. I will give you ointment for the bruising," she said simply, already turning toward her marui.

Akaia blinked, startled, before following.

Inside the tent, she lingered near the entrance until Ronal pointed to a mat in the corner. "Sit."

She obeyed.

The Tsahìk moved with quiet purpose, gathering ingredients and tools.

"What is your name?" she asked without turning.

"Akaia."

Ronal hummed in acknowledgment as she began grinding herbs in a bowl.

Akaia hesitated, then said softly, "I wanted to apologise for yesterday. I shouldn't have acted out like that."

Ronal paused mid-motion, then slowly turned her head to look at the girl. Her expression softened, just slightly.

"You were trying to protect your family," she said. "I respect that."

She walked over and knelt in front of Akaia, holding a small bowl of green paste.

"The paste will go on green but will dry clear. Don't get it wet until it's fully dried."

Akaia tilted her head back, giving Ronal access to the bruises. The older woman carefully applied the ointment in silence.

When she finished, she handed Akaia the bowl.

"Here. Apply it for the next few days."

Akaia accepted it with both hands. "Thank you. But... why?" she asked, looking into Ronal's eyes. "Why are you helping me?"

Ronal sighed, then rested her hand gently over Akaia's heart.

"It is my duty as Tsahìk to care for my people. And whether I like it or not, you are one of us now."

Her fingers lingered there.

"You have a strong heart. A strong soul. You shouldn't have to carry the marks a Sky Person left on you."

Akaia smiled. Ronal returned a small smile of her own before standing and returning to her work.

"Go now. Your family will wonder where you are."

Akaia stood and clutched the bowl against her chest. Just as she turned to leave, a figure blocked the entrance.

"Mother, have you seen Father? I can't find him."

Both Akaia and Ronal looked up.

Mak'korro.

He froze, clearly just as surprised to see her as she was him.

They stared at each other in silence, neither sure what to say.

Ronal raised an eyebrow at her son, then stepped beside Akaia. "He joined the hunt this morning."

Mak'korro nodded slowly, but his gaze never left Akaia.

She finally broke eye contact and turned back to Ronal. "Thank you again. I'll return the bowl once I'm finished."

She smiled softly, then walked past Mak'korro, brushing close enough that he caught the faint scent of sea-salt and herbs.

He watched her go, eyes locked on her figure as it disappeared down the netted path.

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sorry for not posting, ive been really busy 🫠

this is kinda a boring chapter, but im sick of people hating on ronal so im giving her my own redemption arc

plus shes a hella milf sooo

1018 words