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“Yes! Haha, a Bilegut heart!”
Aloy lifted her fist in the air, clenching the prized machine part.
Seyka looked over her own machine carcass, a smile on her face, “Good, cuz this one is toasted.”
She pulled the slightly melted and sparking heart out from the Bilegut she had killed and grimaced at it. Sure she wasn’t exactly in need of one but it would have been nice to have. But the laugh that came from Aloy was enough to make up for it.
“Thanks, Seyka. I know you’re busy.”
Tossing the machine part aside she shrugged, “It’s nothing. You needed help and I was tired of being at Fleet’s End.”
“Are they still giving you trouble?”
“Well I did break a lot of laws and customs, but the Admiral is doing his best to keep the heat off of me,” she sighs, “I just wish people would acknowledge that I’m helping them instead of condemning me every chance they get.”
It’s only been a week since the fight with Londra and the Horus. Admiral Gerrit had ultimately decided to let Seyka continue using her Focus to reunite the Quen fleet with Alva. A decision that was met with a lot of disdain from her comrades. Despite it all she hasn’t given up, and if she’s being honest, the fact that Aloy had decided to stay a few more weeks helps.
She’ll never forget the sheepish look on Aloy’s face when she turned back around. It had only been a minute or two of staring out at the horizon overlooking the sea, when she heard rather loud footfalls in the sand behind her. Aloy was there, face flushed and a little out of breath, like she’d sprinted back after saying goodbye, almost like she had thought Seyka had left already. Lucky for Aloy she hadn’t and Seyka couldn’t stop the widening smile on her face when Aloy said she’d stay for a little while longer.
She looks up at Aloy. Standing in front of her. Prized trophy still in hand. She watches the other woman send her a wry smile.
“I can’t promise it will get better Seyka, but maybe once you’ve reunited the fleet you could…”
There it is. Aloy’s cheeks are turning rosy and she’s licking her lips. Seyka smirks.
“I could…?”
“You could come back with me.” Aloy clears her throat before continuing. “Just that you said a week ago that you weren’t sure where you fit in and that you might not return home right away, so I was thinking maybe you could join me on the mainland at my base.”
She watches Aloy fidget. It’s incredibly adorable. Such a confident and self-assured woman, and she’s a fumbling mess around her.
It isn’t like Seyka’s too much better though, just slightly better at hiding it.
“Well Aloy I have to say that is kind of bold.” She stands and makes her way towards her.
“When have I ever been subtle?” She shoots back.
“Good point.”
Silence falls over them, but only for a moment. Seyka can see another question forming along Aloy’s features. Probably a repeat of the one that was just asked.
“I think I will join you at your base.” She says before Aloy can ask again.
“Great.”
Seyka takes her hand and brings Aloy in for a hug. The other woman is warm and her arms are strong. They squeeze so tightly she can feel the air leave her lungs, but she doesn’t mind.
They eventually do separate. As much as they would like to just stand in the middle of the field and hold each other, machines are still roaming about and Scrappers are likely to come by soon.
They leave the Bilegut site. Making the trek back to their Skiff. By the time they reach it it’s nightfall, though Fleet’s End isn’t far and they board it.
As Seyka steers she occasionally finds herself glancing down at Aloy. She watches the redhead with a flutter in her chest. To think this incredible woman had a mouthful of sand when they first met. How surprised Seyka was when she saw all the other tricks she could pull. She enjoys spending time with her. Seyka’s mind drifts to their earlier conversation about the base. She can’t help the devious smile that forms.
“So, about this base of yours Aloy, how big is it?”
“It’s a pretty decent size, mostly metal though.”
Seyka hums. “How’s your room?”
“It’s nice I guess, but I’m not in it much. I’d be happy to show you around someday.” She glances over her shoulder to flash Seyka a smile.
“If I was in your room I guess you’d have more of a reason to go in there,” she chuckles, “you think there’s enough room in your bed for the both of us?”
Seyka can feel her cheeks warm at her own words, but she smiles through it, knowing that Aloy is absolutely burning right now if the surprised gasp, tense shoulders, and glare she’s receiving is anything to go by.
“Seyka!”
“What, I didn’t do anything?”
Aloy laughs. She brings a hand up to cover her face but Seyka can still see her bright smile in the moonlight.
“I didn’t think you’d be wanting me so bad so soon, Seyka.” Aloy shifts, moving to face the Quen Marine, “I mean all you had to do was ask.” Aloy quirks a brow to go along with the smug smile on her face.
Seyka can feel her heart in her throat and hear it pounding in her ears. She hadn’t expected Aloy to recover so soon, but of course Aloy would. She’s seen this woman do all sorts of unbelievable things, and from their conversations and the few she’s had with Alva, Aloy already has several other impressive feats under her belt.
She clears her throat and looks away. She can’t make eye contact right now and she uses the excuse that they’re nearing Fleet’s End to stay quiet. But she can feel Aloy’s stare boring into her. It’s like a hot iron hovering just above her skin. Much to her surprise she actually likes it.
Quickly she docks the Skiff and hops off. She can hear Aloy do the same and a moment later she feels her hand on her shoulder.
Seyka turns her head and notices that her face is barely a touch away from Aloy’s. Their lips meet before she even realizes it and all too soon the kiss ends. She barely represses a moan as Aloy steps away, but before she can truly get out of reach Seyka grabs her arm.
Aloy looks up at her quizzically, though she still smiles at her.
“Can I have you, Aloy?”
The answer she receives isn’t verbal, but she can feel it in the way her lips meld against Aloy’s and the weight of her arms on her shoulders.
Her lungs are burning by the time they separate. Aloy doesn’t say anything. She flashes Seyka a sheepish grin as she waves the Bilegut heart in her hand.
Oh. Yeah. That’s why they were here. It won’t take long for Aloy to sell it and be back.
Seyka nods at her dumbly and watches as Aloy jogs, well, sprints to the vendor she needs to give the machine heart to.
She grins to herself, for the first time in at least a year, she’s happy.