Heart Like a Machine

Chapter 25

I woke up to hear a lot of commotion going on out in the main center. I got up and slowly walked out to see Aloy was talking with the others. I yawned and made my way over, still trying to wake up.

"What's going on?" I asked.

"I was able to get all of the necessary subordinate functions. GAIA is ready to merge. We just need to head over to the Cauldron and get the preparations ready. The Zeniths will be looking for us since MINERVA won't be cloaking us. So Kotallo, Erend, Zo, and Alva are going to be sending a shock wave to distract the Zeniths once we start the merge. As for Varl, Y/N, Beta, and I, we're going to the Cauldron to get the merge started. We've got one shot at doing this."

"We're ready when you are," everyone said.

"There's a few last minute preparations that need to be done," Aloy said. "Varl, Y/N, there's something I need to speak with you about."

"What's the matter, Aloy?" I asked.

"When I was talking to Beta, she seemed to be upset about going through with this. With some of the reassurance I gave her, I said that Varl, Y/N, and I will be there to protect you. Whatever you do, please protect her."

We both nodded. Varl went off to get his things ready and so did Aloy. I went down to where Beta was to see the door was fully open. She seemed to be reading up on the process of the merge. I walked in and she turned off everything.

"Hey, Y/N," she said.

"Hey, Beta. How are you?"

"I-I'm a little worried, but Aloy reassured me."

"Yeah, I'll be there and we'll make sure you're safe."

"Thank you," she said.

I was about to leave when Beta said something that made me stop in my tracks.

"Aloy missed you when you came to see me."

I turned and looked at her, "She said she missed me?"

"Yeah. While she's not talking about GAIA and everything else that has to do with the Zeniths and the mission, she talks about you."

"Why's that?" I asked.

"I asked her who you were since I looked at her memories and you came up pretty often. She said that you were her friend growing up. That you didn't treat her like an outcast. You made her feel special."

"I did that?" I asked, a little shocked.

"Yeah. She told me about some internal turmoil she was struggling with. It was also about you."

"Was it good or bad?"

"It was good. Don't worry. She has said nothing but great things about you. But her turmoil is her feelings towards you."

"What did she say?" I asked, growing more and more curious.

"She said she was struggling with her feelings especially when you brought it up the first time. When you two were sharing a moment in Meridian, that was where she was feeling some extreme turmoil. She didn't want to lose you as a friend by rejecting you so many times. When you saved her when she almost drowned at the HADES Proving Lab, that was when she felt a strong connection towards you. And then you carried her to that outpost and I guess she knew you were going to look after her no matter what."

"So does that confirm she has feelings towards me?"

"I guess, but I don't really understand that sort of thing. She did tell me she was too scared to say anything. But she did pick up on your hints. She was a bit worried to say anything, you two form a relationship, and then one of you die."

"That was the biggest of her worries when we talked about a relationship."

"She still worries about it to this day. Especially with the mission we're going on."

"Let's hope that we all make it out alive," I said and began walking back to the main part of the base.

"Beta."

She turned to look at me, "Yeah?"

"T-Thanks for telling me that."

"You're welcome. I-I thought you deserved to know."

I walked back up the stairs to see Aloy and Erend were talking to one another. I walked into my room and started to whittle some more wood. With Alva being a new addition to the base, I thought it would be nice to make her a small machine as well. I decided to make her a Tallneck. That one was hard to make, but I was able to. I walked into her room to see she was reading up on the Old Ones.

"Hey, Alva."

"Oh, hey, Y/N," she said.

"I made this for you," I said and handed her the little Tallneck.

"Oh, thank you. That's some fine whittling work."

"Thank you. I made everyone a machine to welcome them to the base. Since you're new to the base, it's like my welcome gift."

"Thank you. It'll be my little work buddy," she smiled and returned back to her preparations.

I walked out of her room to see Aloy was walking in to hers. I wanted to say something about what Beta told me, but I decided not to and walked into my room. I sat down on the bed and she walked in after me.

"Thank you for the Thunderjaw," she said and sat next to me.

"Oh, you're welcome. I figured it had a lot of signifcance to us."

"It certainly does," she said. "Are you ready for this?"

"As ready as I'll ever be," I said.

"Here, I'm already a drink in, but I thought you and I can share a drink. Like old times," she said handing me a cup.

"Thanks," I said and took it, drinking from it. "It this what Erend drinks all the time?"

"Yes."

"It's so strong," I said, but the taste wasn't all that bad. I took another swig and held the cup in my hands.

"I'm a little scared, Aloy."

"Scared? About what?"

"About all of this. Scared we might lose someone."

"Y/N," Aloy said and placed her hand on my shoulder. "We're all going to be fine. We're going to make it out ok."

I nodded my head, looking into her green eyes. 

"W-Why don't we sit outside? It's a bit stuffy in here."

We both got up and walked over to the exit of the base. We sat down on the hillside that was nearby. The sun was slowly setting and Aloy was facing the sun so it was right in her eyes. I did that on purpose so I could see her green eyes shimmer in the sun's rays. We sat in silence for a bit before I turned to look at her. She was looking down at the reflection of her cup. I could feel my heart wanting to beat right out of my chest. I reached over and placed my hand underneath her chin, gently pulling her to look at me.

"Look at me, Aloy," I said and looked into those captivating green eyes once more.

The sun made her freckles stand out and her red hair look like it was on fire. I reached up and put a few strands of hair behind her ear, really making her Focus stand out. I rested my hand on her cheek and caressed it. Maybe this was the alcohol taking control once more, but I didn't want this to end up like that night in Meridian. Where I was so close to her. I don't want to miss this chance I have with her.

"Aloy," I whispered.

"Y/N," she whispered as well.

I leaned closely to her. I looked to see her eyes were half lidded and our lips were mere inches from one anothers. But something made me stop. Maybe it was the thought and worries Aloy had of starting a relationship. I pulled away and looked down at the alcohol. I grabbed the cup and stood up, walking towards the entrance of the base. I walked in my room and closed the door. I looked at my reflection, getting angry with myself. Gritting my teeth together, I threw the cup at the closed door.

"Fuck!" I yelled before falling onto my bed.