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Being cooped up in the base all day was no one's idea of a fun time, well, except maybe for Beta. But for you and Kotallo, base was usually the last place the two of you wanted to be. Not that it wasn’t cozy, it just wasn’t what you were used to.
Plus, you missed nature. Despite the blight taking over and machines attacking everyone who comes within seeing distance, it was beautiful seeing the machines roam and do what they were programmed to.
Kotallo knew this, and even though he tended to keep to himself, he decided that a day out of the base would be good for both of you, at least that is what he told himself. In reality, he just wanted to see you smile.
He had found you directly outside the base, standing over the cliff’s edge, watching the wildlife below. You didn’t seem to mind the morning chill or the snowflakes landing on your skin, and if you did, you never showed it.
The sound of the door opening caused you to look over your shoulder, your expression lifting slightly. “Kotallo,” you began, turning back around to gaze at the sunrise, taking notice of his footsteps getting closer. “Today’s a beautiful day so far. You can hear the machines and creatures so clearly.”
The Marshal hummed, stopping in his tracks once he had made it beside you. “Follow me.” Without another word he began descending the mountain side, and with a raised brow, you began to follow.
By now, you knew how he worked and understood that he was a man of few words, so his short demands never bothered you like they used to when you had first met him. He waited for you at the base of the mountain and only started walking again once you were by his side.
“What adventure are you taking me on today?”
You noticed his lips lilt slightly before returning to his usual brooding expression and thought you were going to get a silent treatment the entire way until he finally answered. “We’re going machine watching.”
“Oh? Are we finding some to hunt?” he never got enough training, so you figured he was going to scope out machines to fight. “No.”
Eyebrows furrowed, you stopped, prompting him to turn and face you. “No?” you questioned, “Just... watching?” he nodded, turning back around.
After standing still for a moment, you shook your head and jogged to catch up to the Tenakth warrior, following him in silence until you reached a meadow of wildflowers on top of a hill. He made it to the edge of the hill and crouched down before waving you over to him.
The meadow was absolutely beautiful and had yet to be touched by the blight, but what was even more stunning was the group of Lancehorns in the fields below, grazing away at the soil. You kneeled next to him and for the first little bit you both sat in silence, you admiring the machines, him admiring you.
“Thank you for bringing me here. It’s beautiful.” You turned to him and felt your cheeks heat up once you saw him already looking at you.
“I knew you would enjoy seeing the machines in a more... peaceful environment.” Chuckling, you nodded in agreement and soon the two of you fell into another comfortable silence. Though this one didn’t last nearly as long as before. Kotallo had startled you out of your trance, “When I was a child, after my parents had died, I spent a lot of time watching machines from a distance.”
The revelation shocked you. In all honesty, he always seemed like the type to train nonstop as a child. “Really?”
He nodded, his focus returning to the Lancehorns. “I always wondered what their purpose was and how they worked, so I would watch them and try to learn from them.”
Humming, you turned to face him completely. “Did you have a favorite machine to study?” He hardly ever spoke of himself and his past, so you were determined to keep him talking about it. Anything to hear him speak.
“Yes, you’re looking at them. There was always an abundance of them in the nearby forest, so they were the most convenient. And... they had a beautiful song.” he held his finger to his lips in a shushing motion, moving your attention from him to the Lancehorns that were now communicating back and forth. Their calls to each other sounding like a melodic chorus.
The sound brought a smile to your face and as you faced Kotallo you saw that he had a smile pulling at his lips too. You reached your hand out, gripping his in order to get his attention, before whispering. “It’s amazing.”
He squeezed your hand in return and the two of you listened as the Lancehorn’s sang their song and grazed until the group finally moved on and the sun began to set behind the mountains.
“We should return to base.” he stood up, reaching out to help pull you to your feet. “I had fun today, and I hope you’ll tell me more about your past whenever you feel comfortable.”
“I didn’t think you would be that interested in my past.” he spoke honestly, and you fought the urge to roll your eyes. “Of course I’m interested in your past. I’m interested in you. Every part of you.”
Kotallo’s eyes widened slightly at your bold statement but hid it behind a smile. “Perhaps I’ll indulge you... if you beat me in a game of strike.”
Smirking, you dust yourself off and begin to back away from the marshal. “Well, all right then, let’s get to it.”
“So eager to lose.” he chuckled, following behind you. “No, Kotallo. Eager to win. Even if it means I have to get tips from Erend just to be able to hear your stories.”
“Hm, we shall see.” You didn’t realize but at that moment, Kotallo decided to purposely throw the game of strike. Just to see the smile on your face.