Heart Like a Machine

Chapter 53

"Get some rest," I whispered to her as I pulled away, seeing her good eye close and she rolled over onto her side.

I got up and walked out of the room, the door closing behind me. I looked to see her mother was in what was once her room. I headed in and knocked on the doorframe.

"Is everything ok?" I asked her.

"Yeah," she said.

I walked over and sat beside her, "She's going to pull through. She's tough."

"Wonder where she got it from," she chuckled.

"Her injuries are a bit on the severe side, especially her eye."

"What happened to her eye?"

"This is going to be a bit graphic, but they scooped it out with a Clawstrider claw."

Her mother grimaced as I told her. She let out a sigh and shook her head, "You both have been through your fair share of injuries and scars. I think you two have had enough."

"With what we're going to be facing soon, it'll be much worse. I hope not."

"I hope not either."

We sat in silence for a bit before she noticed I was a bit off.

"You seem on edge, Aloy. You usually don't come and sit with anyone."

"I'm trying to get better at that. Y/N and Erend has helped me, same with Varl. Honestly all of them helped me come out of my shell a bit. I don't know," I let out a sigh. "I was really worried about Y/N today."

"What happened while you were out? We thought you'd be back by sundown."

"We were planning on being back by sundown, but she was taken by rebels while we were trying to clear some of the outposts. I was at our meet up point so we can go together to clear out the camps. She didn't show up, only her Sunwing did. I knew something was wrong and found the last outpost she was supposed to go to. There was nothing so I figured that she was at one of the camps. The leader behind them was working alongside a group that Sylens created. So I went after her with the help of Erend and we found Y/N was still alive. They put her through hell and back. I just," I pushed down a sob as I stared at the floor.

"I just wish I was there to help her. To do more."

"Aloy, you did all you could. You went and saved her. What's important is that she made it back alive and as safe as she could be. They don't call the Forbidden West dangerous for no reason. Aloy, look at what you have done for her, too. You have helped her whenever you could."

I shook my head, "She's been there for me more than I can count. She did her best to save Beta at Gemini, took a hard hit when we were fighting Tilda, and even saved me from when I almost drowned."

"But look at what you did for her back at the tribe. You saved her from her father."

"She almost died then."

"But she didn't. Your quick thinking saved her from almost dying. I knew her father was going to shoot her no matter what. But you stepped in to save her. Sure you might not have always been there to step in and save her, but you still saved her nonetheless."

I nodded, letting a fear tears slide down my face, "I care so much for her that I don't want anything bad to happen."

"I know you do. So does Y/N. I think you two are wonderful together. You both care for one another and you both want to protect each other, but in doing so, you set yourself up for more pain than just physically. While it's good and all to want to protect one another, there may be a time where you need to run and protect both you and her. The same goes with Y/N. You both are so alike with wanting to make your way through. But sometimes, sometimes your best option is to run if you're outnumbered or outsmarted.

"I tried to teach that to Y/N when she was growing up and getting ready for The Proving. She tried to take on another Thunderjaw by herself. She ended up breaking her arm and had to take about a month or two to heal. You two are wonderful fighters and I know you, more so than Y/N, are tougher than you look. But you're also smarter. So if the time comes where you need to run to save both yourself and her, do it. No one will fault you. That just means you need to take a step aside and prepare. Make sure you both get out safely."

I nodded my head once more, "Thank you."

"Come here, Aloy," she said and opened up her arms.

I leaned over and hugged her, feeling the similar warmth of Y/N's hugs.

"Is this what it feels like to have a mother?" I asked.

"Warm?" she asked.

"Yes."

She chuckled, "Yes and no. But you know, if you do stay around much longer with Y/N, I will be considered your mother. Hell, even if you two don't end up staying together, you can still consider me your mother. The same goes with Beta."

"Thank you. I-I can't thank you enough for your kindness," I said pulling away. 

"If there was one thing I learned from this," she pointed to her Focus. "And anything about the Old World, some kind gestures were paid forward. That's all you can do, Aloy."

"I will certainly try my best."

"You should go get your rest. You deserve it after the rough day you had today."

"I will after I get these overrides finished and backup the data onto Y/N's new Focus."

"Don't stay up too late, Aloy. I think the others who are still here have fallen asleep. Except for Sylens."

"I wish he would sleep sometimes," I said. "I'm afraid what he's doing near the fabrication devices."

"I'll keep an eye on him. So will Sona."

"Thank you. It was nice talking."

"It was nice talking as well, Aloy. Have a goodnight."

"You as well," I said and walked into the other room, making the overrides and finishing backingup the data onto Y/N's Focus. 

Once I had finished doing that, I gave her the data for the overrides and added a small device to help her on her spear. Not wanting to get up from where I was sitting, I slumped over against the desk and fell asleep there. 

I slowly walked out of the room looking for Aloy. It was hard to see with only one eye. I made my way over to where Sylens was usually working. He was asleep in the corner and I looked over to see Aloy was asleep on the desk. I chuckled to myself before heading into our room. I came back and put my boar cloak over her shoulders to keep her warm. Leaning down, I gave her a small kiss on the head and walked back into our room.