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This thing between them was so new he hardly wanted to touch it. It was like freshly frozen ice, beautiful but too delicate to stand, risking the spiderweb of cracks that would shoot out under the weight.
They’d kissed, on a mountain overlooking the clan lands, blood pumping from the honor of flying on the Wings of the Ten. It had been gentle and unsure, but so full of want and longing it had made his knees weak.
When they’d returned to the Base that night, it had been like bliss, this bubble between them holding out all the other worries of the world. For a moment, the threat of NEMESIS did not loom, and Kotallo felt at peace. Somehow, this flame of a woman had chosen him, chosen him to share her soul with.
He was well aware this was new territory with her, that she did not have the history or practice that he did, how she treaded more nervously than he’d ever seen her. He was determined to take it at her own pace, so as to not make her uncomfortable with his presence. In the Base, they’d been more at ease, she’d been more accepting of his touches and brushing kisses, but here? In the Grove? It was changed.
It’s not like he could blame her, there is a staunch difference between your friends and a whole lot of strangers. He too was unwilling to share the intimate details of this new budding relationship with the world. But yet, deep down, there was that desire, the one to loudly proclaim that he loved her, that she loved him back. He wanted to reach out to her, to wrap her in his arms and press soft kisses at her hairline as he did at home, but he could not.
Kotallo could see the stress on her shoulders here, how she steeled herself with the news of even worse machine attacks from the Lowlands, with the rage of HEPHAESTUS broiling through them. How she closed herself off from others, touch becoming few and far between as she surrounded herself with people she didn’t know.
He thanked the Ten he was one of those lucky few who had the privilege of doing so.
Her eyes met his across the room and he froze, her smile erupting across her face before she looked back. How could such a glance cause his heart to flutter so?
Ivvira knocked his shoulder with her own, “Please tell me you two acted on that tension between you two.”
Kotallo froze, suddenly unsure how to answer. Would Aloy want to share their relationship with the world now? Or would she want to keep it a secret for now? His silence, however, was far too telling as Ivvira’s grin grew wider.
“Oh I just won so many shards!” she whispered in glee, eyes sparkling.
“Please keep it to yourself,” he murmured back, just short of begging, “It’s just between us right now.”
Ivvira nodded, but still had that damn grin clear across her face, “I’ll keep it on the down-low, but I wouldn’t count on it, the way y’all look at each other, it’s damn near obvious.”
Kotallo flushed, thankful he had on his paint to hide his flaming cheeks and shoved Ivvira, who cackled as she walked away. He made out towards Aloy, who shot him a relieved look as he pulled her away.
“I hear a cook from Salt Bite is staying in the Grove,” he said by way of explanation, and let go of her as they rounded the corner.
She gave him that soft grin she so rarely shared, like the sun peeking out during a storm. “I guess I could eat,” Aloy said, eyes flickering up and down his body. Kotallo tried not to think of it, of the heat he could feel from her gaze, and instead nodded, leading her towards the cook.
As they walked, the sounds of the Maw of the Arena grew louder, various squads training and the cheers of warriors in the ring pitching high into the air. Soon they would once again be surrounded by Tenakth, shackling him from the comfort this incredible woman gave in such trying times. Kotallo was so wrapped up in his thoughts he barely felt the brush of fingers against his hand and he paused, glancing down at Aloy who smiled nervously up at him.
“There will be many eyes watching,” he said lowly, attempting to placate his rushing heart. “I do not want you to do anything you’re uncomfortable with.”
Aloy’s lips thinned into a small smile, and she nodded wordlessly before walking at his side once more. As they neared the entrance, her fingers brushed his again and he damn near fell over at his beating heart, at what her touch signified. They rounded the corner, and rather than pull away from their closeness, her fingers found his, holding lightly together.
Kotallo thought he could die. How could this woman make him feel so out of sorts, like he was floating in the air, his brain muddled, with just a simple touch? Her hand slowly snaked and grabbed his own, only slightly hesitant. She shot him a nervous grin and he found himself smiling.
“You are a menace Aloy,” he grumbled, eyes flashing with mischief. “You have no idea what you do to me.”
“I may have some idea,” she snarked back without heat, “but I think I was promised food.”
He let out a small laugh, causing the heads of several warriors to turn their way, and he could practically see the moment their eyes zeroed in on their hands. Aloy was fidgeting next to him, but he didn’t let go, this time pulling her towards the cook with barely contained glee.
“Here, sit. Zo will have my head if she finds out how little you’ve been resting.”
She opened her mouth to protest but he was off, determined to get her some food and return promptly. He could feel eyes following his every step, and he knew exactly what it looked like. Though he’d left the initiation of contact up to her, he was determined to show his care for her in ways that were most comfortable. That included taking care of his partner, and gathering food for her was perfect.
It was also a very noticeable Tenakth courting custom but at this moment, he could not care. Their mission demanded every part of her and she could not take on the stars if she did not eat. But also, that need deep down resurfaced, as he wanted to show himself as a dutiful partner.
He returned with their steaming food on wooden plates, and he could see how she perked up at the sight, eyes narrowing in on the food, mouth-watering. He handed her a plate, her fingers reaching out and brushing his before taking the food. He settled next to her, space between them, only for her to scoot closer, pressing their legs together.
He gave her a look, and she raised her eyebrow in response. She knew exactly what she was doing. Kotallo felt his heart beat harder in his chest and he turned back to his food, eating slowly, fully aware she was watching him with every bite. She finished her plate, but rather than getting up, she scooted closer, resting her head on his shoulder.
Kotallo stiffened at the touch, skin sizzling. There was no way this casual intimacy would go unnoticed by the Tenakth, but even more so, it was unexpected. Aloy was not one for touch, though she’d been slowly opening up in the Base to the fleeting touches their squad gave freely to one another. But by all accounts, she was reserved and hated touch.
It was known throughout the clan lands, if Aloy recognized it or not, to greet the champion with a bow or salute, rather than a clasp of hands. No one smacked her shoulder after a good fight or brushed fingers when handed food. Aloy was not comfortable with touch in the way the Tenakth were, yet here she was, leaning her body on his. Every point of contact between them was on fire, and Kotallo felt himself taking even breaths to quell his racing heart.
“Aloy,” he growled out, low and to her ear. “You do not have to do anything you do not want.”
She flushed pink, head glancing up at him. “I-” she paused, jaw working through the words she wanted to say. “I want them to know,” she whispered softly, a confession. “You’re mine, I chose you, I want them to know.”
Kotallo felt like preening at her words, but he didn’t, rather setting down his plate, resting his hand on her knee. “If that is what you wish, you will hear no complaints from me.”
Aloy grinned that devilish smirk of her, though her eyes betrayed her nervousness. Her hand crept its way up to his jaw, tracing his jawline with faint touches that caused him to shiver. “Can I kiss you?” she asked breathlessly, cheeks pink.
“Always,” he murmured, before tilting her chin up to meet his, hand snaking from her jaw to the back of her head. Aloy’s hands still cupped his jaw, skin aflame where they touched. The kiss was slow and careful, a delicate flower in the first frost, but Kotallo felt nothing but warmth.
Aloy broke away first, flushing a pink that Kotallo knew went all the way to her toes. Her breath came out in short puffs, but she was grinning at him. Kotallo also knew he had the most dumbstruck look on his face that he was helpless to replace, fully letting her lean onto his shoulder. There were several whistles in their direction, and Kotallo was not lost on the exchanging of shards happening around them. Aloy blushed even harder, burrowing herself into his side but Kotallo could feel nothing but pride.
They stayed like that, chatting with several Tenakth that came their way and he could feel Aloy ease into his side as the night wore on. Kotallo felt nothing but ease, content to forget about NEMESIS and the world, more than happy to be joined by the camaraderie of fellow warriors and wrapped in the touch of his lover.
The moon was high in the sky when he felt Aloy waning next to him, her yawns deep with exhaustion. She’d burrowed her head deeper into his chest, the two of them wrapped up in each other’s embrace.
“Come, let’s go to bed,” he whispered down to her, and to his relief, she did not protest. She needed her rest, and even the small break of tonight seemed to have lifted some of the world off her shoulders.
The sounds of the fire slowly were left behind them as they made their way towards the marshal’s quarters. He pushed open the door, and Aloy all but collapsed into the bed of furs. She slowly pulled off her armor, Kotallo doing the same, before he wordlessly climbed in bed with her, wrapping her up in his arm. Only the sounds of the cicadas could be heard, buzzing in the trees, and the distant voices of the Maw.
“Why did you freeze every time I touched you today,” Aloy said softly, so softly he barely heard her.
“What do you mean?”
“You froze when I touched you as if you were surprised. And you never reached for me.”
Kotallo let out a breathy chuckle, “Because I was surprised Aloy. Not at your touch, but at your willingness to give them with so many people around.” His hand ran up and down her arm and she shivered. “When I said we’d go at your pace, I meant it. I was not going to initiate touch until you yourself felt comfortable enough to do so.”
“Oh,” she said softly, before rolling over to look at him. “I- thank you Kotallo.”
Kotallo hummed, pressing a kiss to her hairline. They stayed like that, Aloy’s eyes drooping lower and lower until she slipped off into sleep. Kotallo watched her, pleased to see her getting rest when she’d been so exhausted with NEMESIS. She seemed unimaginably soft when she slept, curled on her side in his embrace, one hand underneath her, the other curled up by her chest. It was a sight he was blessed with, and he thanked the Ten that he was somehow chosen by her, by this magnificent woman.
He pressed another kiss to her forehead, pulling back only slightly, so that they were close together, his breaths warming her head. The night called to him, to rest, and he slowly slipped into sleep, the image of Aloy at peace the last thing he saw before the night claimed him.