Thunderjaw Heart - Horizon Zero Dawn Fanfiction

Two beasts in a circle

"You were incredible. Where did you learn how to fight like that ?", Damarko cheered as Kïma was coming back, her arm around Aloy's neck.

"Actually, I think I learnt alone, against machines. Aloy, your turn ! Have fun, I've fought this one, he is a strong boy."

The redhead highfived Kïma, walking in the circle. She never thought that fighting could be so funny. She watched her adversary and let him attack a few times to understand how he was operating and finally threw her first kick, strategically placed.

"So, how did you two meet? You're so cute together.", Damarko said to Kïma, pointing at Aloy.

"What ? Uh... I helped her with bandits a few years ago, we spent some time together but we haven't seen each other since that. We met again yesterday and we uh... We are not together."

"I don't believe you. I saw the way you look at her, sis. Same goes for her."

"I'm not attracted to her... She is just a strong, smart, nice and beautiful woman who... Smells really good, that's all."

"You're crazy about her. You sure you're not together? You would make a great couple."

"Shh, boy, if you want to talk about crushes and stuff , let's talk about the way you look at Vala.", Chuckled the collector, using her elbow to hit him kindly in the belly.

"Oh, man, is it that obvious?", He sighed with a smile.

"Couple ?"

"No, it's not possible.", He said sadly.

Kïma asked why. He answered, desperately :

"I'm sterile. And you know how the tribe is... like 'Make babies'. If we are together, it would dishonor her, and I don't want to be the cause of that."

"Shit, I had no idea the Noras thought that ! But that's stupid ! If you love her and she loves you, then you should be together ! There are plenty of children in the Sundom with no parents, you could surely adopt a few of them. Everyone would be happy, then."

He glanced at her, with the same expression :

"I'm sure the Matriarchs wouldn't allow an outsider kid in the tribe... We thought about everything, but yeah... I guess we were just not meant to be together."

"Shut up and come with me.", She said, grabbing his arm firmly.

Even if he was very muscular, she caught him by surprise and he was forced to walk behind her, pulled by the wrist. His guts froze when he understood she was bringing him to the tiger.

"Stop, Kïma ! I can't..."

"You will talk to her or I'll fight you again, a lot rougher this time. And then this little chat I'm taking you to, it will look like a small walk in the woods."

He stopped walking and it required all his strength to stop her as well. He looked her in the eyes and said :

"If I talk to her, I want you to talk to Aloy as well."

Kïma grimaced and replied :

"I just talked to her five minutes ago."

"Kïma."

"Okay, I might give it a shot one day... But this is not the question right now. Go and love each other.", She ordered, pushing him towards Vala, who was watching him curiously.

Without looking at them anymore, Kïma turned back and tried to find her way in the crowd, to go back around the circle.
As she was staring absentmindedly at the ground, she heard a new fight beginning. The crowd was cheering and laughing, shouting one particular name : Bast.