Disclaimer: I own no part of Horizon Zero Dawn

Warnings: I don't use a beta reader and this is the rewritten chapter 8.

Chapter 8: Descent

The art of romance was not a skill Ikrie had ever had to develop. Sex between her an Mailen had been a one sided thing and only at her former partner's behest. Theirs was a fractured friendship; the thing that bound them together was also what kept them apart. Ikrie knew that for Mailen to get the things she needed in life, a family and a community, it would have to be without her. Once she had them, she would have to learn to live alone because that was her destiny, right?

Aloy's accidental initiation of whatever was happening between them was forcing her to question where she thought life was taking her. The first time they had been together, the Banuk had enjoyed it, but for herself, she considered it to be functional. She was only an instrument of giving pleasure. When Aloy had tried to give back, it opened up hurt places inside of her that told her she was not worthy; couldn't the Nora sense how irreparably broken she was?

She couldn't understand how she ended up in this place, but she knew she could trust Aloy.

As they sat side by side and dined by the fire, she felt no need to hold back her feelings, nay, her desires. Her body was humming with anticipation; tonight, on perhaps their last night alive, they would only belong to one another. It made sitting so close together still feel far away.

"I miss your skin" she casually commented, placing a gloved hand on Aloy's clothed thigh. "I miss the sound of your voice as I touch you"

The red head sighed dreamily and let her mind wander into that image.

"Soon" she promised and took another bite of food.

Ikrie also spooned a mouthful of the well seasoned rabbit stew and silently gave thanks to the animal which would fuel her fervour. Her eyes turned to Aloy's lips and throat as she swallowed. The Banuk couldn't help but smile as her tongue protruded to lick the side of her mouth, not because it was sexy, but because it was precious.

"What?" Aloy laughed although it made her feel strangely shy to be so scrutinized. Ikrie swallowed her food then leaned over to softly kiss the red head. When they parted, she grinned and gazed upon her lover with admiration. A similar expression was returned.

"It pleases me to look at you." she admitted. "I also like the way you look at me. It makes me feel like I want to get you alone."

Aloy released the breathe she hadn't realized she was holding. Her heart was beating wildly beneath her chest, and all thoughts of appetite left her. She claimed another kiss from Ikrie and moaned softly into her mouth. "Do you think Lauvuk would be pissed of if we didn't finish eating?" She then whispered, causing the Banuk woman to chuckle.

"With you, no. But I feel like she would hold me accountable for us wasting food and feel like she would come bang on the door during an important moment. Let's just finish this quickly and go."

The meal didn't take much longer to complete, with their eyes alone, they dared each other to take large exaggerated bites and found humour in how ridiculous they looked to one another.

When they were done, Ikrie took their dishes and instructed the redhead to wait for her. Aloy watched her leave to rinse them off in Lauvuk's supply tent, but her eyes went to the fire before her once she was out of sight. Her forearms were bare and developing goosebumps, but she hadn't even noticed the cold when Ikrie was next to her. She would come back soon though, and then they could undress again and warm each other up. She chuckled to herself that she would use an expression so naively, but as she had stated earlier, she had no regrets.

Maybe if she had said it before her quests had ended, like others before, she would have pushed her away. Or maybe she wouldn't have? When they first kissed, something sparked inside of her to quickly ignite as her body awoke to receive the much craved affection.

Ikrie felt safe to let her guard down with and her touch was so confident. During her first orgasm, her body rocked so violently that her eyes began to water, but it had been such a revelation that she let her Banuk continue to pleasure her in different ways that made her question why she hadn't participated with other interested persons sooner.

Her introduction to the topic was when she was a child; she was hunting with Rost when they came upon a pair of lovers in the distant woods. A young woman was rocking astride a young man, and while it was fascinating, her stout father-figure wouldn't let her stay to watch. When she asked him what they were doing, he told her they were trying to create a child under the blessed eyes of All-Mother. It wasn't the last time she would see Nora coupling in the forest; various couples in various ways, but like Rost had taught, she would just go and hunt someplace else. It had stuck with her though, that intercourse was for making babies and everything else was just for pleasure. This was why she was surprised when Ikrie had asked to be inside of her, and being so drunk with lust, she could only consent.

Her womb quivered at the memory; the initial feeling of pressure giving way to eventual near blinding pleasure. It made her smile as she came up with the answer to the question of why it was good she hadn't become sexually active until now: How could she have continued on her mission when all she could think about was sex? On that subject, Ikrie had finally returned and held her hands to her.

"Come to me" the Banuk spoke while raising the outlander up to her feet. She pulled her in closely, Aloy's head became dizzy. She felt like she was shivering, but beneath, it was like a flame had been set beneath her skin.

"Ikrie" she whispered. Their lips were close together but not touching. Ikrie could feel the heat of her love's breath against her skin and the power of the desire in her eyes. Her own heart felt strength like never before, its song was true. Aloy the outlander and the legendary hunter; beloved of the Nora, the Carja, and the Banuk.

Aloy, the love of Ikrie.

The night was long ahead of them, she would deny her nothing.

She took a step back and pulled the redhead forward, their eyes not parting. With wordless understanding, they nodded to one another, accepting what was going to happen next.

The wait was finally over.

Ikrie couldn't keep her eyes off of Aloy who was quickly disrobing and carelessly tossing the matter on a bottom bunk. She on the other hand was taking her time; her jacket was undone button by button in a practiced manner. There was an anxiety in her chest, undressing with Aloy felt different than it did earlier. Her eyes drank in the sight of her lover becoming exposed, every inch of skin she needed to touch and taste and infuse with gratitude for sharing her beauty. It all beckoned her forward. She dropped her jacket carelessly to the ground and approached the newly undressed woman from behind and pulled her against herself.

"Ack" Aloy cried out in surprise but she was immediately soothed by the tender lips kissing the side of her neck. She sighed in delight for the enveloping warmth and hands caressing her breasts and stomach.

"More of you my Aloy" Ikrie breathlessly whispered, turning the womans body around. Aloy was frustrated to find the blonde woman still partially dressed. Her hands went to the waist of her pants as her eager lover's lips planted against hers. She pulled back and shook her head at the wanton Banuk trying to kiss her again.

"Take these off!" she commanded impatiently as she manipulated its button free. Ikrie smiled goofily and obeyed.

"Ya ya" she commented in a lustful haze as she pushed the pants over her hips and to the floor.

Aloy became excited by the revealing of pale blue skin and the promise of the soft warmth that would soon be up against her. Her eyes went to Ikrie's golden triangle and imagined how she would like to taste her again, although the slight pain in her neck reminded her she should do it in a safer position next time. She gave an approving, almost lecherous smirk. She wanted to describe to Ikrie what it was like to gaze upon her but the only sound she could make was a "hrrmm", the air leaving her as her breathe was taken away.

Ikrie chuckled and pressed herself against Aloy, making the redhead have to step backwards towards the furry bedding they had piled onto the floor before dinner.

"Lie down, I'd like to warm you up now"

Aloy pulled Ikrie on top of herself. As she wrapped her legs around the other woman, a feeling of wholeness filled her. As aroused as she was, as much as she wanted to have the throbbing ache soothed, the adoring gaze being placed upon her with their bodies united this way she could have been content to just lay this way for the night.

Her right hand was free. She reached up to caress a stray lock of hair and set it behind Ikrie's ear only as an excuse to touch her wonderous face. Her heart fluttered.

"Good Gaia, you are beautiful, Ikrie" she spoke earnestly causing the Banuk's brow to furrow briefly before she replied with a smirk:

"I'm glad the sight of me pleases you."

The northern woman then hips forward creating sweet friction against Aloy's centre. Her mouth fell open and Ikrie caught the sound falling out into her own mouth and she rocked against her again and again. Aloy's head fell back exposing her neck to be devoured. Ikrie took the opportunity to begin her descent down her love's body marking her with gentle bites, some of which would hopefully bruise, and were then covered by soft kisses. She figured that if they were to die tomorrow, when their bodies were found, it would be known at least that Aloy was loved.

And she did. Moreso every second she was allowed to worship this woman. She spent moments on each breast sucking and nibbling, Aloy placed her hands in Ikrie's hair.

"Oh my!" she exclaimed, the sensations sending shocks of pleasure towards her core which was getting more difficult to ignore. She was torn between wanting to pull the woman back up to kiss her, or to push her head down to do what her mouth was so very good at. "Krie, please" she begged, desperate for her lover to do anything, but uncertain of what to say. "I need you."

"I know" was the throaty voiced response. Ikrie was aroused, but she was accustomed to not having her need taken care of. She had no doubt though, that she would soon be handing over control of her body to her fellow huntress; she was proud to feel okay with that. There was a hesitation inside of her, yet. Towards the back of her throat, a song was begging to be released, not just words about her feelings, but of all her wishes for this evening and all the ways she wanted to them make love together. They had shared many words today, and it was all a preamble to get to this place. For now, she would hold back her words, but not her tongue. She quickly finished her journey south and placed one of Aloy's legs over back to give her greater access.

"Oh, yes!" The young Nora woman sighed happily as the woman's talented mouth made delicious contact making thirsty sounds. Aloy was incredibly wet and already half primed when Ikrie began to minister to her; she tended to her clit with rapid steady motions; strong thighs again threatened to crush the Banuk's head, but she kept her pace encouraged by the incoherent words calling out from Aloy's mouth.

"Ehm ya!"

"Kay, ummm, ummm, ummm"

Ikrie knew Aloy was close her the fingers in her hair dug into her skull and the woman clenched her stomach forward, her moans rising in pitch steadily;

"aai, aaai, aaaai-!"

Then her shoulders slammed back into the bedding creating an electric arch in her back. Aloy sighed loudly as Ikrie's attention continued until her unwinding was complete. When she could take no more, she pulled her Banuk beside herself and tasted herself on those generous lips. They held one another tightly for a moment kissing but soon Ikrie's hand found its way back down again. The red haired woman was still very sensitive, it wouldn't take her long to reach her pinnacle again but she wanted more. She used her strong thigh to top her Ikrie and sat astride her. The motion caused the other to sit up as well.

"Sweet Gaia, I can't get enough of you" Aloy spoke husky voiced as she guided Ikrie to her entrance. The blonde woman smiled mischievously and kissed her love once more before sliding inside of her with two slim digits. Aloy cried out loudly, Ikrie groaned in delight.

"My Aloy" she said softly as the other woman began rocking her hips against her "I want to make you feel so good."

She then tightened her middle and forefinger and presented a third finger. Aloy was still in motion when she felt herself being filled even moreseo; her mouth fell open and her eyes closed as she took in the sensation.

"Oh?" Her breath came out like a question as she pulled herself back, then pushed forward again to take Ikrie in deeply. "Oh!" Her second sound came out approvingly. She opened her eyes only briefly and saw in that darkened gaze that Ikrie was about to do something terribly clever; she had only to realize it when suddenly her fingers curled upwards and found the sweet spot.

"Ah!"

Ikrie needed to only be still as her beloved thrust against her taking control of her own pleasure very loudly.

Aloy's face and chest began to perspire causing her skin to glow against the blue light in the room. To Ikrie, it gave Aloy the appearance of being a source of light itself, and her voice, the uninhibited animality of it was the song of nature, the song of her heart. That small organ in her chest pulsed quickly and without realizing it, she had begun breathing at Aloy's pace. She pressed her thumb against the hard little nub and was rewarded by the reappearance of dark passionate eyes fixated on her own.

To the Nora, Ikrie appeared to be in a state of lustful delirium. By her breathing and the flush in her normally pale features, the thought that somehow Ikrie was also being pleasured and that they may come together enhanced her own excitement.

Two hearts together raced up to the top of the cliff where the diving platform would bring one down to safety, and when Aloy reached its edge she pulled Ikrie with her somehow, a harmony and chaos of voices and bodies looking to one another to ensure they both survived the descent down to earth. When they landed, Ikrie pulled Aloy on top of herself and giggled, completely giddy with the strange thing they had accomplished. Aloy had no idea what was so funny, but she liked the musical sound from her dear one's mouth, so she smiled and lay her head down on Ikrie's chest. She closed her eyes, only to fill herself with the feeling of being surrounded by the simple peace of being held by someone she could trust. Her own life was so complicated, the world she knew was completely different than the one she understood just a year ago. It would all be so difficult to explain, but if she had someone to share her own versions of the stories she had made, life would be so much less lonely. She still needed to build her home at where she would call "Elisbet's Vigil" and in time find a way to reawaken Gaia, but the thought of leaving Ikrie felt impossible at this moment. She clutched her lover closer at the thought of parting.

"Follow me" was her quiet plea before sleep swallowed her into darkness.

Note:

I originally planned for just chapter eight to be the romance chapter so I could focus on the adventure of chapter nine when they face The Claws Beneath. I think I will split this into two chapters because really, the night has only just begun and Ikrie hasn't revealed her secret yet.

I started the story not having a clue what to do with it, I just wanted to write a short story about Aloy's first time.

And then I discovered in my replays of HZD that I love Ikrie and I truly want these two characters to be together. So I spent more time inventing chapters until I figured out what to do with it.

I know now how I want it to end, and it will happen out of left field if I don't complete what happens here. Writing sex is difficult, but chapter nine will also be a romance chapter. I am going to go back and give each chapter a title. Chapter nine will be called: "Your wound is my wound."

Question,-the odds are good you've read this far without writing a review. Do you think you could drop me one now and tell me what you think of it so far? I am open to constructive criticism as much as glowing reviews...or even just a blurb. Seriously, anything is better than nothing :)