bound - avatar oc x oc

part 17

Akaia watched as Mak'korro summoned an Ilu toward them. He hopped onto it, extending a hand to her.

"It's okay, I can get my own Ilu," she said, waving him off.

Mak'korro rolled his eyes. "Why do that when you can just come with me?" he smirked, charming as ever.

Akaia rolled her eyes right back but made her way over. She took his hand and climbed onto the creature behind him, adjusting her seat until she was comfortable. Her arms wrapped around his waist, pressing her chest lightly against his back.

Mak'korro swallowed hard, a blush blooming on his cheeks as a flurry of inappropriate thoughts ran through his mind.

"I'm ready when you are," she said softly, pulling him back to reality. He cursed himself under his breath and steadied his focus, placing a hand on her thigh beside him.

"Alright, hold on," he said, and she tightened her grip around his waist. Eywa, have mercy, he thought, before they slipped beneath the waves.

He guided them toward a remote island past the reef, one he'd found years ago while exploring with his siblings. It was his secret place—a haven with a massive waterfall, completely untouched and utterly peaceful. It had always been his escape, but sharing it with Akaia felt right. He wanted her to see it, to love it too.

When they arrived, he disconnected his queue and jumped off, offering his hand once more.

Akaia took it with a smile, letting him help her down before the Ilu swam off into the surf. Mak'korro immediately tugged her by the hand, practically dragging her out of the water.

"Come on, trust me. This'll be fun," he beamed.

She let out a laugh and picked up her pace, letting him lead her deeper into the lush greenery. The sounds of rushing water grew louder with each step, and Akaia slowed down slightly, her ears twitching toward the noise.

Mak'korro stopped just ahead, his smile wide with anticipation. "Come," he said gently, squeezing her hand.

Together they emerged from the trees—and Akaia's breath caught. A towering waterfall roared ahead, pouring into a wide pool of crystal-clear water. Sunlight spilled through the canopy, scattering golden light across the mist. It was like something out of a dream.

"It's beautiful," she whispered.

Mak'korro wasn't looking at the waterfall. He was watching her. The awe on her face, the way her eyes sparkled—he could've sworn she glowed in this light. She was, without a doubt, the most breathtaking thing he'd ever seen.

"You okay?" she asked, noticing the way he'd gone quiet.

He blinked, clearing his throat. "Sorry, just got lost in thought."

She smiled, tugging him toward the water. He followed willingly, not caring where she led him.

They waded in slowly until they were chest-deep. Akaia turned to face him, the water lapping around them as they hovered inches apart.

Mak'korro could barely breathe under her gaze. Her eyes flicked briefly to his lips, and his hand instinctively found the curve of her waist. She didn't pull away. Instead, she stepped in even closer.

He waited, still and patient. Her eyes dropped to his mouth again—and then she splashed him in the face.

Mak'korro recoiled, sputtering as Akaia burst into giggles and darted away.

"You're going to regret that," he laughed, shaking the water from his face.

"I'm sorry! It was just so tempting," she said between giggles.

He dove under without warning. She yelped and took off swimming, trying to escape him, but he caught up easily, tugging playfully on her tail before they both resurfaced, laughing and splashing like children.

They played for hours—racing, diving, leaping from the rocks around the waterfall. For the first time in a long time, Akaia felt truly weightless. No war. No sky people. No responsibilities. Just laughter and water and Mak'korro's hand in hers.

When they finally pulled themselves from the pool, breathless and soaked, the sun was dipping toward eclipse. Mak'korro guided her to a soft patch of grass, and they collapsed beside each other, soaking in the last warmth of the day.

"That was fun," Akaia sighed, flopping onto her back.

Mak'korro smiled as he sat beside her. "It was. I had a great time."

"Thank you for showing me this place. It's... incredible."

He nodded, eyes fixed on her face. "Tell me about you, Akaia. I want to know more."

She blinked, surprised. Sitting up, she brushed her wet hair over her shoulder. "Well... I'm from the Omatikaya. My father was Olo'eyktan, my grandmother Mo'at was Tsahìk." She plucked at the grass as she spoke.

"After I passed my rite, I helped teach the young ones. My father let me sit in on war councils too—said I needed to learn if I was going to be the next leader. We planned raids together. I flew with my mother during the battles, shooting down aircraft with my bow."

Mak'korro's brow lifted. "You fought sky people?"

She nodded. "From the air, with Sar'zoo."

"Damn... So you're good with a bow?"

She smiled proudly. "I'm decent, but not as good as my mother. She was a legend with a bow. I hunted with her almost every day."

"You should teach me."

Her eyes lit up. "Really? You'd want me to?"

"Of course."

She grinned, falling back into the grass with a stretch. Mak'korro followed suit, lying beside her and gazing up at the stars just beginning to show.

"My dad came from one of those," she murmured, lifting a hand to point at the sky. "That one there... that's Earth."

He turned on his side to look at her. "Does he miss it?"

She shrugged, yawning. "He's never really talked about it."

Mak'korro watched her eyes flutter shut, her body turning slightly away from him. The sounds of the forest and waterfall whispered around them. After a moment, he lay beside her, curling his body protectively around hers. His arm slipped around her waist as sleep claimed them both—two souls tangled in something quiet, gentle, and deeply real.

————

a/n

ladies and gentlemen, we got close to a kiss but i am afraid yall with have to wait a little longer 😁😁😁

i like torturing yall tehehe

also tysm for for 43k views?!? that is literally insane, i love yall so much 🥲🥲