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The yellow petals in his hand sat innocently, yet the sight of them was dreadful.
tiny and small, signs of the beginnings of the flower illness. The flower petal colors were rich, vibrant and bright. He wondered, briefly, what flower that it was. What beautiful flower was it that such an ugly curse deemed to befit who he loved?
The yellow petal was small, narrow and long. He could not name a flower that it would belong to, none, but Argenti was sure that it would be beautiful.
Argenti breath hitched brokenly, and gently placed the petals on his desk as he sat on his chair, a palpable heaviness in the air.
As a knight of beauty, Argenti had to know what death was, be prepared for it. His life has already been laid down for Idrilla, he wasn’t afraid of death.
(he was closer to beauty than he ever was far away from it, dancing with death would lead him directly to them , to beauty, to Idrilla. He didn’t seek death, but it would be his guiding hand, towards the light. Their light.)
The only thought that left him paralyzed, was Boothill being gone.
He was an honored knight of beauty, a devoted follower of Idrilla. His loyalty knew no bounds, he never gave up in his harsh but esteemed journey of spreading beauty around the vast universe. His determination burnt beyond any comparison, second to none.
He would never give up on who he loved dearly.
Whether that be them , and now, Boothill.
“My fate is to traverse this vast universe alone.”
His fate was to be alone, in finding the light, in finding his missing aeon. It’s a journey that he must take, no matter what. He had worked as hard as he could to get to where he was, tears, blood and sweat all mingled in his search. Argenti had killed monsters that were in his way.
But Boothill was no monster, and he was not in his way.
It was by chance that he had learnt of Hanahaki, Argenti had trusted what Boothill had said about handling it that he had stopped ever mentioning it before, yet, his ears had dropped on an unexpected conversation near him.
“-she started to spit out flower buds.”
At a garden shop, he had been needing fertilization for his plants back at the ship. He was planted in his place as he listened to a person talking to someone behind the counter, listening to symptoms that are too familiar, too similar.
“...petals, then suddenly, flower heads…”
“...it’s called…”
“...deadly…”
He had made his way over to the counter as quick as he could once they were finished, heart strumming. the girl wearing glasses behind it had been startled at his fast approach.
“My apologies, but, what was that you spoke of before?”
Aregnti was wrong, he was but a man, a knight of beauty under Idrilla’s light. He knew nothing of what fate would behold on him, after all, he didn’t know that fate would lead them into meeting one another so consistently, he didn’t know that fate would keep him alive this very moment, he didn’t know fate would land him this cursed flower illness.
He doesn’t know what fate would uphold, despite claiming it as his journey to traverse alone.
(his solitude was supposed to be of safety to him, accustomed to keep his distance. He only needed himself, his own devotion for Idrilla, his life long goal. He couldn’t risk seeds of doubts in his circle, he couldn’t risk his faith. He was a knight of beauty, he forever will be.)
(loving Boothill had nothing to do with his faith.)
And now, Argenti suffered the consequences of his words that led and pushed Boothill away.
He’ll fix it.
The knight of beauty eyes fell on the petals.
“They’re a sign.” an ugly monster whispered in his ear, feeling far too close that Argenti could hear it in his head. “It's already too late.”
And as always, Argenti killed the monster, the seeds of doubt. He would not trust what they say, what flowers from a forsaken curse tell him. He had loved Boothill despite the fact that the ranger had the flower illness, despite the fact Argenti hadn’t known at the time how deeply he felt for him. The illness was wrong and hideous, forcing oneself to kill such a beautiful thing as love.
He’ll only accept and hear from one person only.
Argenti stood up, resolve ablaze and anew.
He’ll find Boothill, whether it was with the help of fate, or not.
[4:23]argenti sent location
[4:24]argenti:
If you’re close by, let me know?
[4:50]boothill:
I'm nowhere near.
Voice message converted into text
It was apparent, judging by Boothill’s last message and lack of, the ranger was distancing himself. It was fortunate enough that the gunslinger hadn't blocked his number.
Searching actively for the cowboy was a challenge in itself, if the gunslinger truly wished to not be found, Argenti would struggle immensly.
He was struggling.
Tracking down his movements by itself was hard, he knew that Boothill often targeted the IPC and random bounties. He wasn’t one who’d wander aimlessly without a destination in mind like Argenti would, but his movements are erratic, unpredictable. It was one of his ways that he sparked at, he was thoughtful to never leave a trace of himself behind, to never let his enemy know where he will come from next.
Which is why, it was safest bet to leave the tracking as it would lead to nowhere, heavens forbid that it would lead him astray. Argenti found himself simply staring at Boothill’s contact on his phone.
It’s been days since the last message, and Argenti had once more tried to contact Boothill in a matter that seemed as if nothing had happened, yet…
[7:40]argenti:
How have you been faring my dear friend? There are no articles following out about the flower illness surgery, I have no plausible idea if you’re okay or not but I trust you would let me know?
[9:34]boothill:
I'm fine.
Voice message converted into text.
He feared if he had clung into the subject, demanded or even asked Boothill of his feelings, it would only push the ranger away. It would cause the drift that cracked between them to shift wider, to stray further. Argenti didn’t want to risk it, he had been cautious of his word choices, he didn’t want to push him more than he already did and lose the only winning chance he has.
( a knight should be fearless , a thought whispered. He's precious , he couldn’t help but think. Akin to encountering a battle, Argenti had to fight as he always did, win as he always did. It would be foolish, and unrefined to approach Boothill so suddenly in that manner.)
Boothill’s curt and short reply stung deeply. Argenti was used to seeing many notifications and messages from him, he found that reading them was his favorite time of day.
“I'm a blabber mouth, loud and forking proud. ya woulda noticed if i weren’t on your fudgin’ phone.”
Argenti noticed, and he missed him immensely.
His throat itched, and Argenti exhaled harshly as he felt the lick of a petal on the back of his throat. He cupped a hand on his mouth, as he looked down on the messages of before as he scrolled through his phone. The petals of the unnamed flower clung to his tongue, as he brought a handkerchief to cough them out on.
There needed to be something he could do. Idrilla, please . He shut his eyes, bowing his head to his clenched fist, the handkerchief in between, the petals. Argenti prayed to Idrilla, a silent plea in his head.
Then, a brilliant idea crossed his mind.
Thank you, Idrilla, he thought, relief flooding his chest. As he typed frantically on his phone with a hopeful smile.
[9:50]argenti:
Forgive my abruptness, but I'd like to talk about that debt you owe.
[9:54]boothill:
Shoot, did someone actually anger you this much knight? You got me someone?
Voice message converted into text
The message being far longer than any of the messages that Boothill sent before was a sign that this was the right path to continue on, Argenti took his chances as he sent the next message. His hopeful smile grew, as he could hear his own heartbeats.
[9:55]argenti:
I would like to discuss it in person.
The closest middle ground between them was a beautiful planet, their docks open and welcome to space ships from outboard.
It had taken three days to fly over, that was even after using a wrap. Boothill was right about being far away from him, despite not knowing where Argenti was.
(A sneaking suspicion told him that the ranger had purposefully strayed to move as far away, otherwise, how would he have known?)
The dock was bustling with people of all kinds, beautiful and unique, despite it being late at night and system hours. yet the only one Argenti tried to get a hold of was still not here. Patient as ever, he stood by his ship as he waited. It had been Boothill’s instructions that the gunslinger would come to him.
Argenti could recall reading the planet’s name when Boothill suggested it, when he had input it to his very dusty and unused global positioning system, yet he could not for the life of him remember what the name was. The only thing that he could care about was seeing Boothill after so long. It had been a month or so since he had last seen him, back when he just had him in one and only.
He could still see it, from the corner of his eyes back inside his ship abode. Remembering so clearly. Boothill’s handsome form sitting on his chair, comfortable and at rest, like he belonged there. It had only been his second time entering his ship, yet Argenti was glad that Boothill treated it ever so familiar.
There had been a thought back at their last encounter, to suggest to the gunslinger to stay for the night, to rest aboard his ship. For Argenti to sleep one night, knowing where Boothill exactly was and sharing the same roof in a sense, to have him near.
Yet Argenti never got to ask, Boothill had left quite quickly that day.
“Sorry to cut things short but I hafta go.”
Argenti blinked, puzzled at the sudden notice. Boothill had stood up from where he was sitting on the chair, his hat skewed over his face, enough so that Argenti couldn’t catch a glimpse of his eye.
“Is everything well?” Argenti asked, only because Boothill had just arrived. He had been sitting content and comfortable, asking him questions. Had he offended the cowboy?
“All ‘s good!” Boothill assured, chuckling to show for it. Though Argenti could tell it was forced, they did not sound as light as they should, heavily metallic. “Thanks for the company though, it was…great seeing ya.”
Argenti could only look at him with poorly concealed concern and confusion as Boothill headed back to the ship’s doorway, before pausing and turning to face him.
Boothill’s face looked troubled, conflicted in a matter inside of his head that Argenti itched to aid him in, and when the ranger spoke, telling him of something he wanted to say to him, Argenti listened deeply.
It hadn’t been the troubles that he imagined they were, there hadn't been any more questions.
Rather, Boothill had imparted him with his true name, his dead name, before leaving.
A safekeep that Argenti would take to the grave alongside himself.
The knight never imagined that there would be any more reasons to it, now that he knew. He had found a lost article on the web after hearing about the cursed illness, found the known contents of Hanahaki, and found that not everyone would survive.
Boothill had given him his name as means to give one last piece of him to him, to preserve his history.
Or, if he was simply overthinking matters, and it was just as he had said that very night.
“I just wanted to.”
As simple as that.
(it was his own words, fired back at him. Argenti could remember laughing under his breath as Boothill even used the same tone as well. when they were in a shabby inn and the cyborg slowly healing from his injury. It left him an airy light feeling in his chest.)
Argenti should have taken the sign of his own utter sadness of Boothill departure as a sign, should have noticed how he looked forward to seeing him and his messages, to how he gleamed in the light and how at each time that Argenti looked at him, he’d only get more beautiful.
How could a knight of beauty not recognize the beauty of love when it presented itself straight to his face?
His heart had been blind.
The sound of jingling spurs snapped Argenti out of his thoughts. A sound akin to soft bells that set his heart beating faster with a sense of exhilaration, a familiar lovely sound that Argenti grew so fond of.
Argenti turned his head towards the source, his breath hitched as he finally saw him after so long.
Boothill strided towards him, looking nothing short of his usual perfect self, more beautiful than before, though a frown graced his lips.
Argenti found himself meeting him half way through, moving hurriedly without noticing it himself, his feet light. Boothill had stiffly stopped in his place then, as the knight came closer. Argenti had the half mind to reach out and embrace the gunslinger, before realizing how crude it was so suddenly do so, and instead, dropped into one knee to control himself. He could hear a shocked sound from the gunslinger from above.
Composing himself, Argenti let out a sigh of relief as he pressed a hand where his beating heart was, beneath the armor.
“It is so good to see you my beautiful friend, words cannot describe how I feel at this very moment.” he said, looking up at Boothill.
Boothill's poorly hidden surprise and shock had him smiling.
Argenti gracefully stood back once more, straight posture as he met his friend face to face this time. His eyes scanned all over, the cyborg doesn’t look a lick of a difference than his usual self. Nothing to indicate about the cursed illness, nothing for him to pick up on with sight alone.
“Are you well? Is everything–”
“fudge,” Boothill waved him off, still reeling from the sudden bowing. “Everything is fine, I already told ya, no need to keep askin’.” he said, looking away and stepping back.
Argenti hadn’t realized he leaned close to him until that very moment, and the knight stepped back to give the other more space, mindful of himself now.
“apologies, though you must understand where my worry is coming from,” Argenti pressed lightly, then softly added, reminded the gun slinger. “I care about you, greatly.”
Boothill grit his teeth immediately, scowling for a split second before his face contorted back into something more controlled. closed mouth and a slight furrowed brow, his frustration apparent. Argenti did not let it hinder or falter his determination, he knew Boothill well enough to recognize haterd in his eyes. they were not there.
“Yeah, yeah, I get it.” he sighed heavily, dragging a hand on his face. “appreciate it, just give me the deets of the dead meat and we can move on.”
“I fear I have much more to say before I get to that,” Argenti smoothly replied, eyes unwavering as Boothill glared at him.
“...lookie here, knight, i ain’t got the time for this. If you wanna forkin’ dilly dally, you chose the wrong guy, wrong time.” Boothill said with a gruff. his eyes were like daggers to Argenti’s own, A warning in them, if his tone wasn’t enough to deliver. the red in them shined, like a striking light.
Despite his words, and despite his tone, Boothill was still here, and Argenti wasn’t going to let him slip by and away, he needed to say what he wanted to, must. Boothill needed to know, Argenti needed his answer.
Argenti placed a hand to where his heart was, underneath the armor, staring right into Boothill’s eyes, he confessed.
“I love you.”
Boothill's blinked, before his eyes widened as he gaped at him, clearly having not expected it.
“W-whatt the fudge are you–!!” Boothill glanced around them, remembering that they were in a public area, before grumbling and muttering under his breath as he took Argenti’s arm in a hard grip, not enough to hurt but to pull him along. Argenti could feel the lightest preasure, despite how Boothill had looked angry, he wasn't putting it in his strength at all. “Fudgin’ smarty pants! Out in the open and makin’ a whole scene! What are we, a soap drama!? You forker, can’t believe you just said that–”
Argenti, despite how much he wanted to focus on Boothill, he could only pay attention to the way his own throat constricted. A familiar grout made itself known, and Argenti placed a palm to his lips as he felt the petals on his tongue, the back of his teeth.
They were increasing.
Boothill stopped once they were finally alone in the dark space of an alley that was across the docks, their privacy illuminated by a light from a street lamp not further away.
“What the fudge is wrong with you?!” Boothill whispered, letting go of his arm and stepping back. the gunslinger pressed himself against the opposite wall, crossing his arms and tapping with his finger along his bicep. Argenti had always noticed his little tapping, ever since he first saw him do it.
“Look, I…” Boothill started, not waiting to hear Argenti, taking a pause as he looked away from the knight. his voice not as harsh, but still blunt. “I already heard your voice message, you don’t have to say it.”
(Argenti's voice message, where he had found out about the Hanahaki, where he had confessed.)
“Then, you know.” Argenti whispered. About his confession, about why he was here, why he called Boothill.
“And you’d forkin know why i’ve been like this too, don’t give me that coy crab! You already know about it, those fudgin’ roses…you don’t gotta keep me ‘round, i already know my place, it’s already fudgin weird as it is…” Boothill muttered the last bit, and Argenti had to hold himself back from reaching over to grab the ranger, to let him know where his place truly was.
it wasn't where Argenti couldn't reach, not at the bottom of the barrel. Boothill didn't know just how much Argenti valued him so, how he was on his mind every now and then, how his place was in his heart.
“I love you, Boothill.” Argenti repeated once more, stressing it out, and would do it as many times as he has to. He clenched the petals in his fist, pressed his other hand towards his aching heart in genuine act to offer it whole to him. The words yet again startled the gunslinger, snapping his head to look at Argenti with a scowl. sharp teeth revealed with taut lips.
“That’s it! That is right there why i’m trynna to do all of this,” Boothill said, his scowl wavered as his lips wobbled, and Argenti couldn’t tear his eyes away as Boothill face fell crestfallen. His poorly hidden guilt with false anger slowly diminishing. “I already told you, i got the roses removed, i got the fudgin’ seed taken out…they were for you , they…i…” he uttered in despration, the heat of his voice dwindling and looking down to where Argenti couldn’t see his face.
“It’s not too late, is it?” Argenti came closer, to the only one who he could get an answer from, not the illness, not himself. “Are your feelings really gone?”
“I don’t love you.” Boothill answered.
Blatant rejection.
Argenti had been prepared for it, it would only be foolish for a knight to expect one thing only, and yet–
Yet–
The words stung much more than he could ready himself for, he could hear his own breath hitch as his chest tightened incredibly.
(it was too late.)
That was enough, that was all Argenti had to hear. He wouldn’t listen to the flowers, to fear, to himself, he would only listen to Boothill, only his answer mattered. Only his rejection that Argenti would accept the inevitable from.
Boothill wasn’t suffering from the roses, any longer.
“...is that true?”
“Yes.” the cowboy figure hunched, Argenti could see a peak from where Boothill’s hat couldn’t hide the lower part of his face, where he was biting his bottom lip harshly with his sharp teeth.
(he wouldn't let Boothill suffer from them, either.)
“Then, that’s all I needed to hear.” Argenti smiled in acceptance, the petals in his hand were surely crushed with how hard he clenched his shaken fists. “That's all I needed to say.”
Boothill looked up at him, dumbfounded for a silver moment before he reigned himself, settling into a much more firm expression, though a little softer than before as he eyed Argenti, uncertain.
“...nothin else?”
Argenti shook his head, a tight smile.
“Just like that…?” he muttered, perhaps to himself more so than to Argenti. “ugh, is there actually someone I need to fudgin’ chase down or what?” Boothill asked this time, moving on quite quickly.
Argenti huffed a little laugh under his breath, discreetly dropping the petals from his hand to the ground in the shadows. Boothill knew all along what he had been planning, yet, he still came when Argenti asked him to. A kind soul, as he always knew he was.
“You’re right to assume that I do not.”
"Ha!" Boothill let out a loud laugh, grinning with his sharp teeth and leveled Argenti with a glare, “I forkin’ knew it, but I thought you out of all people wouldn’t lie.”
“Is it really a lie if I did not agree with the description of what you owe?” Argenti hummed, finally revealing what he had planned. His words are absolute and true, he didn’t recall ever agreeing for it to be debt towards the hunt. Though, it had still felt wrong to the knight somehow, using it like this, but he won’t let the opportunity pass for now. “I simply ask that what you owe me be paid by your presence.”
Boothill blinked, “whuh?”
“You’ve estranged yourself from me, Boothill.” Argenti simply stated, smiling at the adorable confusion, how the 'anger' quickly turned into bafflement, “I do not wish for our friendship to disappear.”
“Hey now, were we not on the same forkin’ page just a few seconds ago?!” Boothill pressed a finger to his armor chest piece, confused and irritated. “You really think…you–...” Boothill paused, pointing now at his face, as if pieces of the puzzles clicked for him.
“If you think I'm gonna fall in love with you again, it won’t work.”
“I know.” Argenti acknowledged, his voice was soft and meek of his strength. He was but a man after all, it hurt to hear. “That’s not my intention.”
“You still want me ‘round? Even…” Boothill whispered, faint of surprise, but shook his head, Argenti couldn’t tell if it was to him or himself. “Don’t ya reckon it be best for us to go our own ways? then ya could use what I owe ya to its true fudgin’ purpose.”
Argenti doesn’t even think about it, “no,” he answered, “I still wish for us to remain friends.”
(losing Boothill was much worse.)
("selfish.")
“...you’re one heck of a stubborn man.”
“So I've been told.”
“Why?” Boothill finally asked, it came out heavy, as if he had been holding himself back from asking. as it did, his body slumped over as well, his scowl dropped, the sharpness of his eyes softened, he only looked terribly confused, as if he didn't, couldn't understand why Argenti went out of his way. “Why do all of this? Even when I said I won't love you?”
“I just want to.” Argenti answered, repeating that same line that ran between them. the answer is deeper than that however, it didn’t matter if Boothill didn’t reciprocate, or if he had, he’d want him close. There was no guarantee of tomorrow for the knight of beauty, and he wanted all the little time he could have with him. Considering the curse that has befallen him as well…
“ Pfft -!” that got a startling laugh out of Boothill, and a sound that was like a snort if it hadn’t been for his metallic glitching disorienting it, surprising the both of them. The cowboy covered his mouth, glancing away.
Boothill stayed silent, all while Argenti hung on to the hope he would agree.
“...ah to heck with it,” Boothill sighed, dropping his hand and facing him. A long accepted defeated look.
“you’d be doin me a favor removing that hassle of a debt top of my head with the easiest shirt to do–also, don’t fudgin’ say i didnt warn ya, i wont, you know…so you better move on…” Boothill stopped, his expression twisting, unable to say it, no longer wanting to say it, but he gestured wildly with his hands. Argenti understood what he meant though, so there was no trouble.
“I know.” Argenti said, moving to grab Boothill’s hands that were in between them.
He held them softly, just in case Boothill wanted to pull away. The gunslinger hadn’t, but he stared at Argenti with a skeptical look and a frown, confused as to why.
Argenti wasn’t sure either, he had simply wanted to reach out and hold on to him. His heart fluttered, as Boothill fingers wrapped around his own in a shy tug.
He could take this opportunity to finally talk, now sure that the gunslinger wouldn’t throw any words and run. ask Boothill everything about the cursed illness, if he had suffered silently all while in the presence of him, if he had even felt anything for him other than one kind of love, if he was okay.
“It’s late,” Argenti said instead, “stay with me till you depart.”
Boothill blinked at him.
“That is, if you have the time.” Argenti added, remembering his composure and decency as a knight.
“...” Boothill huffed a chuckle, the corner of his lips raising a little. The sight of it sparkled something in Argenti’s mind. “this isn’t gonna be another forkin’ debt i owe ya, would it?”
A joking tone, the walls that Boothill had raised around himself lowered slightly, and Argenti let all the doubt that was in the back of his mind, telling him that it wouldn’t be the same, fade away.
“No, no.” Argenti breathlessly said, “it would be an honor to have you.”
His ship wasn’t particularly big enough to contain another cot other than his own, but Boothill had seemed fine enough to rest on the lounge.
Argenti had meant to leave momentarily to take off his armor, but he paused as he noticed that the ranger was staring at a particular spot. His monitor where he had spent days on, the only published articles of Hanahaki on display, his tracking of the ranger, his bounty opened and on the far right corner.
A messy sight that a guest should not have seen, especially when it seemed so–
“That’s fudgin’ creepy,” Boothill said, turning to face him but there was a small grin on his face.
“Forgive me.” Argenti blushed lightly, embarrassed, despite the ranger not looking like he minded it. “I must praise that you are indeed hard to track and catch, though I succeeded in the end.” a jest slipped out of his tongue without his notice midst his complement, but it made Boothill laugh.
Argenti found himself no longer caring of taking off his armor soon, finding a place in the lounge near Boothill instead.
Sitting down, seeing the ranger close to him, and now without fear that he would never find himself again, Argenti realized what felt wrong to him.
“I have to apologize for the way I treated what you owed to me, it wasn’t my intention to force you into this…” Argenti said, “if this only brings harm or discomfort to you, then ill take back my word–”
“Ah gee what’s the fudge with ya today?!” Boothill yelled out, kicking him in the shin from where he could only reach with his long legs. He flashed Argenti a sharp toothed grin, “I promise ya, if I didn't want in, I'd forkin’ do something about it, ros–knight.” Boothill stammered at the end, though he patted his side, where his holster was.
“‘Sides, I can't handle having unpaid debt, fudgin’ bothers me all day, you ain’t taking back your word.”
The threat was crystal clear, it made Argenti breathe easier, knowing that he wasn’t pushing for something that wasn’t genuine.
“I’ve missed you.” Argenti smiled towards him, and Boothill shrinked on himself at the attention. Glancing away before holding on to his stare with a frown, no, a cute pout.
“Well, as if ya didn’t make that any fudgin’ clear.”
It was easy, far too easy to fall back into what they had just been, that Argenti nearly forgot everything that he wanted to talk about. He opened his mouth to speak, before a flutter in his throat had him standing up from the lounge in quick motion.
Boothill blinked up at him, as Argenti smiled at him before turning around, walking to the direction of his cot. “I need to shed this armor off, if you’ll excuse me.” he said, a hand coming to his mouth to make sure the petals don’t drop to the floor.
They had used to climb their way once or twice a day, this had been the fourth time Argenti had to cough into his handkerchief.
It was a sign of the illness growing, it was a sign that it had already uprooted its place, that Argenti won’t simply ‘move on’.
It wasn’t like he wanted to, if even given the choice, Argenti wouldn’t ever revert back into never knowing how it felt to love Boothill. The only choices he has, was to either continue loving him, and suffer the inevitable. or do as Boothill had done, pluck the root out and kill it.
(it had crossed his mind, seconds staring at the fresh new petals that first dropped into his palm. To remove it, to keep living and spreading the word of beauty. But was there beauty in a knight who would do such a thing? To remove something as beautiful as love from himself, just to preserve his path and journey in finding beauty ? Would they be pleased with that?)
(“excuses.” a voice in the depth of his mind, that he deliberately ignored, sneered. “Selfish, you only wish to keep loving, do not bring them into such simple matter.”)
It would be cruel, to defy the beauty of emotion, of love. Immoral of a knight of beauty, to get rid of what he had been blessed with. It was only unfortunate that it came along with a curse.
He had already laid his life and soul to Idrilla, he wasn’t afraid of death.
(“pay your sins with your death.”)
If tomorrow wasn’t guaranteed, Argenti would take dying as a man who loved and stayed loyal to beauty.
“First fudgin’ serious question you ask me, and it’s this?”
Boothill leaned against the pillows of the lounge, he had already made himself more comfortable than he was before. His hat sitting beside him and off of his unruly and unkept hair, that somehow worked on him brillaintly, adding to his charm. Argenti was sure that he had some of the pillows far away from the specific spot he was sitting on, the only thing he could imagine was the cowboy getting up and gathering them all in one place.
“I’m worried.” Argenti simply replied.
“Clean them ears, as i said a hundred times before, and now, i am forkin’ fine.” Boothill stressed out, slapping his metal chest, the thud resonated around the room. “I’ll even pop these open for you to see!”
“I’ll take your word.” Argenti smiled, dissuading his mind from forming an image of Boothill doing that.
“Now you do, huh?”
“I’m glad that you are well,” Argenti smoothly moved on from the comment, making Boothill snort in disbelief. “Ever since I heard that it was fatal…” Argenti doesn’t dare to continue, the thought of it was dreadful.
“I ain’t lettin’ anything take me down that easily,” Boothill said, voice amused, assuring. His head against the large pillows, hair cascading beautifully around him. “Bunch of roses, or my fudgin’ metal heap?”
“A clear winner.” Argenti leaned back against the lounge, inspired by the comfortable sight in front of him, sinking into it as he sat content watching Boothill. This was not what he had imagined, when he thought of talking to Boothill about the curse, though Argenti would take it over anything.
he had feared they would fight more about it, a thought of challanging Boothill into a duel to win him over had crossed him mind many of times.
“The article…” Argenti began, trying to think of something else, something to say. his eyes flickering to where his desk was, the monitor, the research. “...it said that by going forth with the surgery, it would remove the root of the problem…” he had taken care not to say love, as Boothill seemed to look different at the mention of it.
Argenti noticed his guilt in his eyes.
“...that, and alongside, remnants…anything, and everything you feel would be gone…”
To turn into a stranger in Boothill’s eyes, and stay like that, essentially.
“Fudgin’ nonsense, don’t read that stuff,” Boothill tsk’d, frowning and tapping his fingers against a pillow that found it's way on his lap. “All Doc told me that it’s still ‘under study’, ain’t nothin solid about this mother fudgin’ sweet blessing.” Boothill said, then groaned lightly, “ blessing ? Really? You know what I mean.”
“A horrible curse,” Argenti hummed, he knew what Boothill meant. He knew from the way the ranger sat across from him, that he still cared, that not everything was gone. He could assume the Doc he had mentioned was a person who helped him, perhaps, the very same one Boothill had told of him before, the one who helped him gain his metallic unique body. he also knew that it was the synethsiea beacon that alternated the word, as well. “Thank goodness.” he muttered to himself, but Boothill caught on to it.
“...you’re not mad?” Boothill questioned.
Argenti straightened from where he sat, blinking at his friend across from him. “About what?”
“Ah, gee, forget i asked,” Boothill quickly shut it down from seeing how he reacted, turning to face away but Argenti had already moved closer, to reach for his arm. His metal limb was cold to the touch, Argenti would have relished from it if he wasn’t concerned about what Boothill had said.
“What do you mean?” he pressed gently, his hold was soft enough for Boothill to wrench his arm away if he wanted to. The ranger’s expression twisted into one that was conflicted, unsure if he should say, biting his bottom lip.
“You…i rejected you, i removed the darn thing, and you’re…still so nice, do you even love me?” Boothill half muttered, looking away from him.
“Boothill,” Argenti called, making the ranger face him, stare at him once more. “may i hug you?”
“Huh? uh, Sure?” Boothill stammered in his confusion without a thought.
Argenti wrapped his arms around Boothill’s frame, pulling him close and resting his head against the other shoulder. Boothill was stiff in his arms, before slowly, felt his arms encircling him back.
“I do love you,” Argenti said softly, close to the other’s ear, and feeling Boothill twitch in his arms. “I’m more relieved that you’re alive than anything else, why should i ever be angry at how you feel?” he could feel the tension seep from Boothill, and felt the way the ranger melted into his arms further. “I’m not mad.”
“That’s…you’re one of a kind, huh.” Boothill muttered, pressing his face to the side of Argenti’s neck. different to the way his metal arms felt cold, Boothill's cheek was slightly warmer, enough so that Argenti craned his head to press back onto him. chasing the touch, the warmth, like a starved man.
“I recall you mentioning that before,” Argenti giggled, moving to pull away despite how he ached to stay longer.
He had over welcomed his stay in Boothill’s personal bubble, and it was the appropriate time to bid his quest a goodnight, especially with how late it was. Boothill simply stared at him, as Argenti stood up, though with a small, familiar soft smile that he used to give before. Finally, it was back on his face, and directed once more towards Argenti. the walls that had been built before him were no longer there for a moment, a glimpse of what they were before, what Argenti hoped they would return to.
“Time has escaped me i fear, apologies for keeping you up.” Argenti said in the end.
“Huh?” Boothill tilted his head, “s’that all you wanted to talk about?”
“I wish to talk to you about many things, but one at a time.” Argenti replied, smiling softly at his friend. “Why? Is there something in particular you want to say?”
“...nah, maybe in the morning.”
That certainly won't keep him up at night.
“Is there anything I could get you beside a blanket?” Argenti asked, pausing however as he noticed just a tad too late. “Oh, I think you could fit into my sleep wear…”
“Nah, dont worry ‘bout that.” Boothill shook his head, “i sleep naked.”
“Oh!”
“Ha! Take it easy, all of me is metal down the neck.” Boothill laughed, patting his thighs, not noticing Argenti looking away. “Now, who would ever get excited ‘bout that…uh, rosey?”
Argenti could certainly feel his face heating up, and with Boothill's wide eyed look, it seemed he was as red as his hair.
“I-im just fudgin’ pulling your leg! I can sleep in this, fudge, wait, I gotta take the jacket off, but it’s just for the fans!” Boothill quickly said, all while Argenti silently prayed to Idrilla, trying not to imagine anything as he went to grab his friend a blanket, coughing petals along the way.
He noticed belatedly, as he grabbed a blanket from his drawer, that Boothill had finally used his old nickname for him.
“please don’t be afraid to wake me up if you ever need anything.”
“Got all i need, more than i fudgin’ deserve, goodnight knighty.”
“Goodnight, Boothill.”
“Hey uh, for the record…i’ve missed ya too.”
“...i’m happy to hear that.”
Washing down the taste of the petals with a cup of tea has become the norm for him.
It soothed his poor inflamed and dry throat, as well as getting rid of the taste that lingered on his tongue. Though, he couldn’t find himself to be bothered with them this morning.
Boothill stood with his messy bed hair, without his leather jacket and only has his red shawl around him. Argenti had politely looked away at first, until Boothill made himself comfortable standing near, uncaring by how he looked. The cowboy hadn’t want to eat or drink anything, however, to Argenti's dismay.
Argenti found himself too distracted to be annoyed that the tea tasted weird thanks to the petals that lingered on his tongue all night long.
“Man, haven’t slept like that for a long while…” Boothill grunted, running his fingers through his hair to try and tame it. Argenti watched with amusement as it only fueled the monster of a beautiful mess that it was.
“Do you not normally sleep at times?” he asked.
“Only when…” Boothill paused, seemingly remembering who he was talking to as he gave Argenti a glance, “it’s uh…a long process to sleep for me, like charging does. so I don't usually do it unless I charge. You know that sayin? Uh, fudge, two birds and one stone?”
“I see.” Argenti could recall a time when Boothill had once told him of charging, how he needed to be in a safe place. the memory of the shabby inn they both shared, thinking now of how easily Boothill went to sleep the next night after he had woken. His heart fluttered, as it did not pass him what it meant for Boothill to be able to sleep here, now, after everything, just fine. “I'm glad you slept well.”
Boothill hummed, and silence filled the room. The comfortable kind, where they simply enjoy each other’s presence. in the daze of wakiness, where sleep was just teetering around the edges. a soft lull in the air that Argenti dared not to break and bask in.
Argenti peeked a glance towards the cowboy, finding him running his metallic fingers through the knots of his hair.
“If you’d let me…” Argenti started to say without a thought, standing up with the intention of getting his hair brush. Boothill looked up at him in confusion, and now that he put himself in the situation, the knight braved through it. “I’ll brush your hair.”
“Pshaw, no need.”
“It would be criminal of me to let you treat it that way, at least, use my brush.”
“I got my own fudgin’ supplies back at my motor–”
“There is no way I'm letting you out like this.”
“What, do i look that forkin’ ugly or something?” Boothill laughed, but in reality all Argenti wanted was to keep this image, of morning dazed and messy Boothill, to himself.
“Nonsense, my dear cowboy.” Argenti chided simply, keeping it locked in his heart, between himself and Idrilla and heading quickly to where he had last put his brush at.
The second Argenti saw how Boothill attempted to brush his hair, he begged the cowboy to let him brush it for him instead. Sitting in the tidied up lounge, to which Argenti had fondly thanked Boothill for going out of his way to do so, the cowboy’s back facing him as Argenti helped to brush his hair.
“You start from the bottom, up to the top, and gently…” Argenti instructed, black and white strands held in his hand as he ran the brush through Boothill's locks and knots. “As to not ruin your marvelous hair, it would shed far quicker if you’re so rough with it.”
They were soft to the touch, well groomed, except for a few dead ends here and there. Argenti wished to cup the strands in one hand, kiss them and worship them. though, he settled for softly brushing it instead, as it was Boothill allowed him to do. carefully, even more so than to his own hair. he ran his fingers through the strands more than he had to.
“Can you feel this?” he couldn’t help but ask, noticing how Boothill was leaning against his touch.
“mhm…”
The ranger had fallen silent, simply humming along to Argenti’s words. The knight couldn’t really see his face, couldn’t deduct what he felt as he couldn’t really see him from where he sat behind him.
Though, his slouched form told him enough that Boothill was relaxed. oddly enough, it was reminiscent of a cat.
“Say, Argenti…” Boothill called out, and Argenti didn’t stop brushing but he hummed in response that he was indeed listening.
“Why do you love me?”
He momentarily stopped, not expecting the question. A memory of yesterday night flashed in his mind, Argenti remembered that Boothill had his own things to ask and say as well.
“We’d be sitting here all day long,” Argenti warned, smiling.
“Then cut the crab,” Boothill scoffed, no real heat behind it. another way of him moving past the flattery, despite how serious Argenti was. “there’s always a forkin’ short answer to a long one.”
“You’re beautiful,” Argenti answered simply, “in soul, body, and heart.”
“...don’t ya find everything beautiful?”
“I do, but everything has its own kind of unique beauty…How your determination never falters, how strong you are…you’re crude in the way you talk but still polite, you are one of the rare good people in the world, with a righteous vision and kind heart…” Argenti explained, there was more to it, but he kept it simple for his dear cowboy. Speaking of which, Boothill had shrunk under the weight of his words, posture tense.
“Are ya sure you’re talkin’ about me?” Boothill joked with a chuckle, though his voice sounded a little deprecating.
“Are you questioning a knight of beauty?”
Boothill's shoulders shook as he cackled, leaning back slightly.
“my bad! My bad, fudge…” he sighed, accepting the defeat and then turning to face Argenti with a lazy smile, “feel like a farm horse, yer makin’ me light headed with all this fudgin’ brushing, ain’t that enough?”
The knight’s hand don't falter, nor stop, as he continued to brush Boothill’s hair.
“won’t you give me a little more of your time?” Argenti whispered in reply, moving a bang from where it had fallen out of place, but to his slight surprise, Boothill reached to grab his hand.
His question went unanswered, instead, Boothill pulled his hand towards him, turning to face his palm face up. The cowboy’s grip was gentle, metal chilled to the warmth of his hand. Argenti watched and felt his iron metal fingers smooth over across his palm, as if searching.
Boothill stopped, rubbing a particular spot where his skin was heavily calloused and scarred, right under his pinky.
Where a rose thorn had been stuck under his skin for ages, and a young impatient Argenti ripped the skin off to get rid of it.
“And here I thought it’d be good to avoid ya…” Boothill murmured, “couldn’t even forkin’ stick to my own plan…you make a man weak.”
Argenti had to remind himself to breathe, as Boothill turned to look at him with a bittersweet smile, cold touch to his hand, and close enough to press against his back.
“Listen, rosey, this would only hurt you in the long run…”
“I’m fine with that,” Argenti breathlessly and quickly said, dropping the brush from his other hand to place a hand on Boothill’s shoulder, an assuring grip, whether it was for him or himself. “I’m not weak.”
Boothill smiled at him, “you know, i thought of somehow making you hate my guts, but now i ain’t sure if i ever could do that.”
“I’ll see right through you.”
“Ha! Right fudgin’ on, since when could you read me so easily, huh?”
“Foolish plan, what did you have in mind?”
“Well fudge, can’t really say it now, it’s a bit embarrassin’…but other than just blocking your number and ignoring ya, i couldn’t think of nothin at all, nada.”
“Well, I'm proud to say i left a galaxy ranger bewildered.”
Boothill laughed, and leaned to press against Argenti’s chest, closing the smallest of gap between them. Argenti wished this moment would never end.
But all good things have to.
Boothill stood at the doorway once more, this time, everything was alright.
“It was good seeing ya, rosey.” Boothill said, placing his hat on and adjusting it just right. He flashed Argenti a sharp toothy smile, as if asking if he look alright. Argenti could have simply nodded, but he reached over to move pat a non-existing dust on Boothill’s shoulders.
The cowboy huffed at him, but he grabbed Argenti’s hand when the knight tried to fall back into his place.
Argenti curled his fingers around, blinking at the cowboy.
“Listen, uh, i ought to apologize, bet it wasn’t easy for you with what i did…still don’t know how you’re not mad but, still, mighty sorry–”
“You don’t have to apologize,” Argenti assured, placing his other hand on their joined ones, squeezing Boothill hand in between. “You had good intentions.”
“I was a fudgin’ jerk.”
“You’re forgiven.”
“Clingy forker, You’re just impossible,” Boothill shook his head, but with a smile, pulling his hand away as he tipped his hat at Argenti. “See ya, rosey.”
“Until we meet again, Boothill.” this time, without uncertainty, he watched Boothill leave as petals gathered at the back of his teeth.
The illness was persistent, and the petals multiplied in numbers.
Argneti had nearly thought he was truly throwing up bile as he lurched over his handkerchief, a burning fiery sensation eating away at his throat as he coughed and hackled. It was a shorthand experience, but now, it felt longer, it felt as if he needed to force it out of his throat.
He could feel it already, sticking to the roof of his tongue, to the sides of his cheek. See it on his hand, where the yellow, and the white, laid on his already prepared handkerchief.
Argenti blinked his blurry vision, taking in the sight of the new color.
Was that possible? Two colors? Were they different flowers, or did it belong to one?
Argenti stood back on his feet, his breath staggering as he headed to wash his mouth.
His throat burned, his mouth tingled, and the weight was heavy.
But a simple look to his phone later, a notification, multiple ones, from a certain cowboy had made it all seemingly disappear for a moment.
[3:23]boothill:
Thought my sorry behind almost got caught by some of these fudgin’ bounty hunters, I’m telling ya rosey, i felt eyes on the back of my head from a mile away but as soon as i turn, ain’t no body there.
Voice message converted into text
[3:24]boothill:
Next thing i know, my hat got snatched by a son of a gun! Little forker thought he could outrun my legs! I swear to–why are so many shirt bags after my hat?! This ain’t the first time this happened to me!
Voice message converted into text
[3:26]argenti:
Someone managed to steal your hat?
[3:26]boothill:
Is it a fudgin’ crime for a man to relax? Muddle fudgers, i woulda robbed him blind too if he wasn’t a young’un.
Voice message converted into text
[3:27]argenti:
Aww, how kind of you cowboy!
Momentarily stationed on a beautiful planet full of greenery, Argenti took notice of an old lady struggling to carry her belongings.
With a simple bow, and an offer to help, Argenti found himself led into the old lady’s–named Iris, he found out–house. Trinkets of all kinds littered the place, a homely atmosphere surrounded the beautiful home.
“Please, do stay for a cup of tea.” Iris gestured towards her small table and chair, wrinkles of age surrounded her smile.
“I am grateful but I mustn't idle,” Argenti replied smoothly, setting her belongings down from his arms. “I shall impart to you words of beauty! As a fellow being of this universe, i must ask, are you acquainted with Idrila the beauty–hck-!” Argenti quickly covered his mouth, coughing into his hand as the familiar weight knocked itself up his throat.
“Oh dear, come in come in.” In the midst of his hacking, Iris took him by the arm and urged him to move. Argenti followed along, unable to deny her and push her away, still coughing in his hand.
Argenti found himself sitting in a chair, clutching petals in one hand and drinking water down his sore throat.
“I’ve never seen anything like this before, are you sure you’re alright?” Iris asked, helping him dispose of the petals. Her concern was greatly appreciated, and Argenti was touched by her kindness.
“I assure you, I’m fine, but this is something I must bear.” Argenti answered.
“Oh My, is there no cure?” Iris sat a cup of tea towards him, it’s aroma smelled rich of honey.
Argenti took the cup, smiling with gratitude towards the kind old woman as he brought the cup to his lip. Tentatively tasting it. It was good, a little too hot, he had to wait a little.
“There are, but the results are unsavory.” Argenti blew softly into the cup, as Iiris sat in front of him on the other side of the table. “I’d rather this than the other.”
“Oh, it’s one of those kinds, huh?” the old lady muttered, shaking her head. “You’re just like my husband.”
Argenti perked an eyebrow at her, slowly sipping the honey tea. Its effects were immediate, he could feel his dry throat burning slightly, soothingly.
“My poor fool was heavily sick, doctors said he only had a year to live, normally.” Iiris continued to speak, her voice soft and worn with age, though a smile on her face as her eyes seemed to stare at something from far away. “With the medicine, it would prolong his life, they said…but he won’t be able to walk…and dear, let me tell you, that fool loved his morning walks more than me!” she said, laughing. “he always brought me flowers, i had to buy vases because of him.”
Argenti had noticed the picture frames, the extra sets of culinary dishes that were out and on display, the coat that was far bigger than she was still hung from the doorway. She lived alone, but she wasn’t at one point.
“But, it all mattered that he was happy, I love him too much to beg him to stay bedridden…luckily, he managed to stay around for more than a year, but in the end…” she sighed, humming to herself.
Argenti bowed his head slightly, “it’s my pleasure to witness and hear of such sweet love you have for him, and I apologize if I brought up any sort of sadness in your remembrance.”
“No no, deary, it’s been so long since I mentioned him, so thank you for that.” Iris shook her hands, “don’t feel alone in your decision, and who knows, maybe a miracle would come your way like it did with him.”
(the creeping sense of doubt shrunk in the back of his mind.)
(a miracle?)
“I’m never alone.” Argenti smiled, genuine, and placed a hand to his heart, “for Idrilla’s beckoning will always be within me, they will always live with me, and–” he paused, Boothill’s name was just on the tip of his tongue. “-and…my precious friends, as well as my comrades and knights.”
Before he left her house, he taught her of Idrilla’s beauty, spreading their light onto the warmth of Iris’s house. She listened with a smile, clearly happy for the company and gave him a small jar of honey on his way.
“For your throat,” she said, and insisted once Argenti tried to decline.
“Thank you,” he said in defeat, taking it from her hands. But in return, he took a rose that he carried with him, placing it in a vase that was empty on the doorway.
Staring at the golden colored honey, Argenti thought of a miracle, and a prayer.
[11:04]argenti sent a picture.
[11:05]argenti:
I’ve visited such a lovely planet, the greenery was magnificent as well as the people. I’ve met a nice old soul, who extended her kindness to me and gave me this jar of honey. It’s sweetness is alluring, slightly bitter too, i couldn’t help but think of sharing it with you when we get the chance.
[1:06]boothill:
Ain’t that sweet? Haha! Nice thing you got goin’ on there. Man, it’s been a long while since i’ve had any of that sweet stuff, i'm more of a bitter kind of guy, can’t really handle suger.
Voice message converted into text
[1:06]boothill:
It felt like it was stingin’ my tongue, my folks thought something was wrong with me since as ya know, most kids love their sweets. I was the only one out of my siblings that liked it bitter and hot!
Voice message converted into text
[1:08]boothill:
Not that im declinin’! I’ll take a taste with ya, only if you got some of that good booze on the side.
Voice message converted into text
[1:10]argenti:
Splendid! I shall make sure to keep enough if we ever cross paths once more.
The honey helped greatly for his throat.
A spoonful of the golden natural medicine mixed in with either plain hot water or some tea became his remedy for the occasion of when the curse tightened its hold on him.
The petals were still small, long, yellow and white. There were no full buds yet, despite the fact Argenti knew he was far in too deep. His lungs should have been filled with fully blossomed flowers by now, but no. It was a slower process for him.
(was this Idrilla’s helping hand? A miracle to sustain his life just a bit longer?)
Argenti could only be thankful to them, adding along the kind old lady to his prayers as well.
The honey tea was sweet, tasty, and he couldn’t help but to wish he could share it with his cowboy.
Their paths have been crossed once more.
In a bar at a hotel he had just signed into, Argenti had caught a glimpse of a rather exquisite looking drink.
Once, before, he wouldn’t have bat an eye towards such a thing. Luxury drinks were not something the knights of beauty would dabble in, suffice from the occasional wine or cheap booze in battle’s celebration.
But now, he has promised someone something sweet, and he will get him something bitter along with it.
“It’s strong.” the bartender warned, his eyes flicked at Argenti’s form.
Argenti smiled, just as Boothill liked. “splendid, how much is the bottle again?”
It’s a good thing he hadn’t discarded his wine cups that sat in the back of his storage, memories of before had made him falter, even though there wasn’t anyone else but him for their purpose. Too many for one. Now, he thankfully didn’t have to buy another cup to own.
He hoped Boothill wouldn’t mind drinking out of a wine cup.
“You don’t look like the type to enjoy it,” a voice spoke from beside him.
Argenti spared a look to the source, a charming individual that was well dressed, sitting at the stool right next to him. The knight hadn’t even noticed someone managed to get close, too engrossed in his own head.
“It is for my dear friend,” Argenti answered simply, smiling, “though I would like and hope to find joy in it as well to share with him.”
“That’s sweet,” they cooed, half lidded eyes, “say, how about i buy us some drinks, get you accustomed to that kind of strong taste–”
A sound of familiar spurs made Argenti look away, his head already twisted to the direction of the sound except something greyish black was pressed directly on his head, blocking his sight momentarily as he gasped in surprise.
Hair ruffled and half smothered to his face, Argenti reached out to touch whatever it was–finding it to be a hat. A familiar hat with a feather. Argenti blinked to keep his long stray bangs out of his eyes as a lovely metallic voice called out.
“Well if it ain’t knight in shining armor! Didn’t you say you don’t drink?” Boothill’s voice echoed quite loudly, as if on purpose. He had a hand on Argenti’s shoulder, leaning over him from where the knight sat and nudged himself between the stools with purpose, nearly knocking his hip against the bar harshly.
Argenti blinked at Boothill, sharp grin and shining gleam in his eye. Breath taken away for a second, before grinning wide as his heart fluttered.
“Boothill!” the knight beamed, standing up as well to properly greet his friend. “Oh it is so good to see you my beautiful friend! I didn’t expect it to be so soon, but I am utterly delighted! You look good as always.” he laughed, patting the cyborg’s arm.
“Fudge, i’m happy to see you too, but keep it down will ya?” Boothill shrunk under the praise, though his grin was still as wide.
“This is such a nice coincidence, or rather, fate, for us.” Argenti expressed, grabbing the bottle he had just bought and showing it to Boothill. “I have just bought this for you.”
“Aw shucks, you shouldn’t have.” Boothill said, but the smile on his face was worth it. Even more so as he looked deeply into the bottle, smirked and whistled low. “Well I'll be…this looks like good stuff, you’re spoiling me rosey.”
“Only the best for you,” Argenti said, before remembering something. “Right, pardon me my friend but I was just talking to…” looking off to behind Boothill, where the other charming individual was sitting and talking to him, Argenti couldn’t find anyone anymore. The seat was vacant and empty.
“Huh, they must have left…” Argenti muttered, glancing around.
“Good riddance.” Boothill uttered back, and wouldn’t explain as Argenti shot him a confused look.
Instead, the cowboy reached to fix the hat on the red head, adjusting it carefully and well to sit on his head. Argenti didn't mind, and had felt a little shy to even remove it himself. it felt rude to touch it, consideirng how much Boothill loved his hat.
“Bet it taste delicious with company.” Boothill said, raising the bottle. “I’ve got one last day in my room.”
“How could I ever decline?” Argenti nodded, eager, before remembering his whole reason as to why he got the bottle in the first place other than gifting it. “Oh, but the honey is back in my–”
“Ehh, just keep it for next time.” Boothill shook his hand at him, moving to walk already and Argenti followed suit to be beside him. The silent promise of a next time filled Argenti with joy, that there would be a certain time where the cowboy would invite himself into his ship, if fate would let them.
Boothill had been here for a few days, staying low after a big blow to one of the IPC’s branches.
“Any leads so far?” Argenti asked, sitting on the couch of the hotel room Boothill reserved. Sinking heavily into it with the weight of his armor, but he was more consciously aware of the weight of the hat that was still on his head.
He wondered if the room he had was the same one as this one. Though Boothill had said he used some ‘fancy forker name’ to take it instead of his own, considering the bounty that was on his head.
“Fudgin’ nothin,” Boothill hissed, sitting beside him and kicking his legs on top of the coffee table in front of them. his heels clicking against it loudly. “But I feel like I'm gettin’ closer, intuition and all, if you'd like to call it that.”
“I hope you do.” Argenti reached over to the cups that were already prepared on the table, briefly flickering his eyes around the room if there were any fridge for ice. Before his gaze flickered over to Boothill, eyeing his state. “You weren’t hurt?”
Boothill simply smirked at him, and brought the bottle to his mouth, biting the cork with his razor sharp teeth off. “Nah.”
Argenti wasn’t sure what sort of reaction had just happened inside of him, but he couldn’t tear his eyes off from Boothill lips for a second, imagining those dangerous canines near him. “Huh.” he voiced dumbly, then busied himself grabbing the glasses to look poised, the image not at all disappearing from his head. Boothill laughed, and Argenti couldn’t tell if he was doing this on purpose or not, if he noticed Argenti's reaction at all.
He poured the cup for Argenti first, then his. Argenti stared at the swirling dark liquid, before catching a glimpse of Boothill reaching over with his own glass towards his, a small smile. Their glasses clinked together, and Argenti watched as Boothill took a huge gulp immediately. Tightening his hold on his own glass, watching the cowboy swallow and sigh deeply.
“Oh fudge, just what I needed.” Boothill leaned back, turning his head to look at him. Suddenly, Argenti became very aware of his own staring, and raised to take a sip of his own drink.
It was…certainly strong.
“HA!” Boothill cackled, loud and slapped his knee even. Argenti wondered if his expression had turned that bitter to get such a reaction. “You–you never drank anything this strong before, rosey?”
Argenti could already feel the heat on his face.
“I have,” Argenti tried to defend himself, but his voice came out sounding shy even to his own ears. He made another attempt to have a sip, pushing strong and drinking more. “It’s…been a while however.” he sighed, remembering the last time.
“‘S that so?”
“Mhm,” Argenti felt the burn on his throat immediately, he was thankful his throat wasn’t as inflamed as it usually were these past few days, slowly getting used to the crawling of the cursed petals. “My master liked to drink on occasions.”
“Oh?” Boothill leaned in, interested.
“At every milestone I made, he would give me a small cup, while he drank the whole bottle.” Argenti could still remember how hard he tried to not spit it out, he hadn’t expect it to be the way it was. “I’ve preferred grape juice over it when i was younger, but I grew to like the sweet wine.”
“So, not all knights of beauty are as strict as you?”
“It’s not a matter of strictness, it isn’t a sin to indulge in such activities as long as it is with proper grace and gratefulness. There is beauty in knowing one's self limits.” Argenti explained, copying a little of what his master's words of before, in the past. “I used to drink with the other knights, but…But after master, after…I didn’t have time to luxurite myself I suppose, I have more important matters at hand to do such things…it hasn’t become of great importance to me anymore.”
“...it wouldn’t really be as good when alone, yeah?” Boothill voiced, understanding what it was like.
The drinks of victories, of celebration, of holidays…it did not taste the same, it was simply bitter and cold.
Straying away from it had been his closure, memories of those who were precious to him now gone, the thought that they were unable to enjoy such things while he still could…
“Yes.” Argenti agreed, horribly missing his old friends, master, and sipping his drink.
“I feel ya,” Boothill muttered, taking another impressive swig of his drink, nearly finishing it whole. He moved to pour himself more from the bottle, then settled to lean closer against Argenti, their shoulders pressing slightly. even with the armor in the way, Boothill's thick leather jacket, Argenti could still feel it. the preasure of contact was enough.
It wasn’t so lonely now.
“I used to only drink with my folks. sometimes, i get my brothers and sisters to take the horses out in the middle of the night…get a bonfire goin’ with a bunch of cheap booze that can’t even buzz a young’un…never could find anything that taste like it.” Boothill's voice was soft, reminiscent of what was long gone.
“The past has its own flavor.” Argenti whispered, he remembered his master's strict but kind smile, the laughter of his fellow knights and brothers in arms, polishing armor together and sharing a cup.
He was slowly getting used to the bitterness of the drink, bravely gulping more.
“Cheers to that brother,” Boothill huffed a laugh, then softly added, “this one ain’t so bad tho.”
The drink was bitter on his tongue, burnt its way through his throat but warm. Argenti could feel the heat in his cheeks, how heavy his tongue sat on his mouth, the cotton-like feeling. The press of his shoulder against Boothill, the weight of the cowboy’s hat on his head, the precious feeling in his heart.
“Yes,” Argenti agreed, “it’s not so bad.”
In a swift thoughtless motion, he gulped the rest of his drink in one go. Beside him, he could hear Boothill encouraging sound at his side, hollering, and Argenti swallowed the bitter drink, it’s fiery taste burning something in his heart.
until he had to double over.
“Ghk–!”
“Oh shoot!”
Argenti coughed into his hand roughly, harshly, as something got stuck on his throat. Deeply feeling it from his chest, as his frame shook. He could feel Boothill's hand on his back, “slowly, easy there.” he was saying something, but Argenti could only focus on the dragging sensation in his throat that wasn’t like any other before, it felt different.
It was heavy.
“I’ll get you Water! wait shoot, where is that tiny fudgin’ fridge?” Boothill's hand that was pressed on his back had left, the weight beside him was gone.
Argenti saw him walking off to the other side of the room with blurry vision, as he finally felt what was dragging along inside of him settle on his tongue and then on the palm of his hand.
They were not petals.
Full heads and buds of daisies, yellow and white, stared right back at him.
Argenti blinked back his tears, the flowers that had been aligned to fit Boothill, were daisies . They were pretty, small, and cute. Argenti curled his fingers around them, crushing them in his hand.
Boothill had made his way back to him with a bottle of water, already unscrewed as handing it to him. “Fudge, let’s stop drinkin’ for now, you look out of it.” he chuckled, sitting aside and patting his back as Argenti drank the water carefully.
“pardon, I do not get easily intoxicated,” Argenti murmured in defense, voice slightly raw and placing his stiffly clenched fist pressed to his side.
“Whatever you say, rosey.”
Boothill had already moved the cups and bottle away, but then he threw something small towards Argenti’s lap. Argenti nearly fumbled clumsily, almost forgetting he was holding a water bottle in one hand, and the other something else.
“Not lightweight my ash.” Boothill laughed, but Argenti was rather focused on putting aside the water and picking up what it was that was thrown at him.
A small wooden figure of a horse sat on his lap, the edges were slightly rough, but Argenti was sure it would be smooth to the touch if he wasn’t wearing his gloves. He marveled at it, gaping at how tiny and cute it was as he picked it up, turning it around. there were intricate small clumsy details, like the carved out eyes, the spikes for the mane, and the crude linning of a saddle on it's back. he rubbed a thumb over them, finding utter delight in such a small beautiful thing.
“It’s a little shabby,” Boothill whispered from beside him, Argenti glanced at him to see the cowboy had turned to face the other way, his hair covering his face from the side. A bashful look of his, that Argenti could easily recognize. “Carved it down with a random dagger. if it were my old trusty one, i woulda knew how to hold it even with these metal hands…dunno tho, might've gotten rusty.”
“You made this?” Argenti gasped softly, as the thing in his hands suddenly, tremendously, grown far important to him.
“Ah well, had a little too much time on my hands waitin’ here…” Boothill scoffed, gesturing with his hand to the room as if to show that there really was nothing to do in a room full of luxuery. “My folks taught me how, said it was cheaper than buying toys. I reckon it woulda been expensive for the lot of us, ha!”
Boothill turned to face him this time, the small sweet smile on his face as he gestured over to the wooden figure. “I can’t keep it on me, gotta travel light, so i thought that a knight in shinin’ armor like you needed a horse.”
the figure was small, enough that Boothill could have placed it in his pocket. the obvious lie was there, Argenti could see it in his face. but he doesn't call him out on in it, it was rude to disrespect and decline such a gift.
“Thank you.” Argenti said, pressing the figure of the horse to where his heart was. I love you, he wanted to say, remind him, but he had enough self control to smile instead. But it must have shown on his face, as Boothill looked away again.
“Yeah yeah, no need for all of that, fudgin’ heck, you look like I've given you gold.” Boothill said. “use it as a fire starter or something, I don't care.”
Argenti almost gasped at the audacity to even think he would ever do anything like that, he might have actually.
“never! I shall treasure and cherish this gift for as long as I live!” he bellowed, the smile on his face was wide, as he stood up to show how true it was. “I love it! I will hold it dear to my heart, thank you my beautiful friend!”
Boothill huffed at him, but smiled back in the end. “You’re welcome i guess…You got a room right? I’ll walk ya there.”
“Ever so the gentleman, how kind of you, my heart is moved by your thoughtfullness! It is alright however, as a knight of beauty i cannot allow you to–”
“You’re extra loud when you’re happy rosey, and quit yapping, i was headin’ out of this hotel anyway so let me do this.”
“Oh! Then, I hope we meet again soon as well, it’s been such a pleasure, I hope the universe is kind to us again…you have to try that honey, it’s really delicious and sweet.”
Boothill had to grab him by the arm to pull him along as he talked, and held onto it as they walked out of the room, Argenti pressed against him with warmth that would stay with him till next morning. A wooden horse between his hands, fingers curled over it protectively.
The daisies sat crushed on the couch in a room long forgotten.
His master had once told him of a remedy for a hangover.
Argenti could not remember it for the life of him, he could only recall bits and pieces of something to make a drink. He remembered being concerned, and curious as his master hissed with bitterness after he had drank it.
Thinking of the past wasn’t helping his headache.
He had just drunk one tall cup of the bottle, was it that strong to get him feeling dizzy? Boothill had nearly drunk all of it, was he alright?
Argenti could only do what he was always great at, soldiering on and moving along until things got better. Live in the moment, and continue living in the moment.
His room was different from Boothill’s, it looked like the identity he took had been some important rich person after all. Though it was still a beautiful place to rest in, the decorations were extravagant, the colors muted calm, and the bed sheets were soft.
Argenti slowly breathed, and sat up. He could already feel it, just like yesterday.
Daisies were not what he had expected, but they were a beautiful mess nonetheless. They were small, so they came bunched up together. The curse was moving along, not even stopping for him with just the pain of petals. Argenti had taken it for granted, now knowing how much these ones hurt worse.
Would Boothill cut all communication with him, if he told him?
Argenti knew that the cowboy wouldn’t do it out of malice, disgust, or any of that sort. He was kind, he would do it to try and get Argenti to hate him. It was what he had said back then, he knew that the cowboy carried back up plans above one another.
Maybe, he would even try to persuade Argenti into getting the surgery.
Telling Boothill would be no good, it would only make him suffer, and Argenti did not want that.
Daisies were not great remedies for hangovers.
But they were beautiful flowers, despite it all.
[3:03]argenti:
Do you get hangovers?
[3:12]boothill:
One of my modification perks, fudge no, and i don’t miss them, Had my head feeling like i got ten or thousand of bolts and nails and screws in’em! well, wait, suppose i can say i do now, haha!
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[3:15]argenti:
You never cease to impress me, my beautiful friend.
[3:17]boothill:
Ha! You are fudgin’ light if ya got a hangover from just one drink! Next time make it a wine so we could even things out, can’t have all the fun now.
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There was a big difference between petals and full heads of flowers to how they affected his body.
For once, Argenti could feel it in his chest this time as he breathed a lungful of air. The weight and pressure pressing against his ribcage, it was heavy. His walking had to be cut short with breaks in between to take a breath. Swinging his spear had become taut and tight, instead of the loose practiced flow.
Weeds, the monitor on his desk had informed him when he searched the flowers with no goal in mind. They were considered a problem to most gardeners.
Despite that, despite the pain in his throat, Argenti spared a glance towards where he grew his roses.
There was a space on the side where he could grow them there as well.
They would go along with the roses.
[8:34]argenti:
What do you think of daisies?
[8:41]boothill:
Now where did that come from? Daisies…they’re just a bunch of fudgin’ flowers, weeds, whatever…but, I once found a little treasure in the middle of a heap of ‘em…i dunno a lot ‘bout them though, dunno why you’re askin me this, why? You tired of the rose shtick?
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[8:46]argenti:
Every flower is beautiful and unique in its own way. Daisies are cute, but roses remain a favorite of mine. They are under Idrilla’s light the most, they shine the brightest to my eyes.
[8:49]boothill:
Good call, otherwise calling you rosey wouldn’t work if you suddenly got into daisies.
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Thrown to his back, his breath was taken away by the force of the attack and something else.
Argenti had used his spear in a last ditch effort to defend himself from the assault of a swarm bug trying to barge its head on to him.
A small hive has been found in a small station, they were only hatchlings. The knight of beauty had fought many of them before, bigger. Ones who’s hallucinations could work on him, instead of these baby ones.
"Please help! Help! There are–monsters! Bugs!”
Argenti had heard the plea, a person had broken out of the weak hallucination of the bugs from the corner of the space station and alerted everyone.
The knight of beauty hadn’t hesitated, as he ran towards the source.
Yet Argenti struggled.
His strength was lacking, his breath labored, and he heaved with each step he took.
But his resolution never wavered, his determination still burned, and he had killed almost all of them but one, who was persistent on dodging all of his attacks.
It was evident, his exhaustion had won in favor towards the last thing.
Argenti had to get rid of it before it could duplicate, it would only mean more trouble for him.
He grit his teeth with petals in between, using his spear and the weight of himself to push the bug away and rise into a standing, nearly stumbling over his feet.
With a precise aim, and the best of his strength, he threw himself at the bug as it descended down to him with his spear aimed right at it. A prayer to Idrilla in his head, in his heart, as his voice had gone weak to speak thanks to the curse.
It was hard to breathe.
Even after getting himself forcibly checked by the kind people of the station, healed by their hands, the abundance had only cleared the bruises and cuts. The heavy press of the curse on his lungs were not lifted one bit, instead, it felt crushing.
He had to drag himself to his ship, to be at the mercy of himself and Idrilla as he collapsed into his cot, unable to move.
This rare sort of exhaustion, he had once experienced before, when he had almost fallen into the clutches of death. Where the light and trail of his beauty had been shown to him, where he had begun to hope to see them once more.
He was dying.
( “pay for your sins with your death.” )
At least, he hasn’t fallen to the hands of the omen of evil.
Argenti blinked, finding his vision blurry. tears sat unshed in his eyes. All he wanted was to see their light, to see them. He wanted to see a cowboy hat again, he wanted to see Boothill one more time, just once.
“Crying won’t prevail,” his master said, leaning against his wooden training bo staff. The very same one that knocked him to the dirty and harsh ground. “Only your strength and beauty could you pave your way, if you fall, then stand until you’re no longer able to. If you wish to be recognized as one of the knights of beauty, you cannot falter!”
Argenti held back his tears, standing on small shaky legs and in his hands sat his own smaller version of a wooden staff.
“For Idrilla.”
His breath haggard, as he grit his teeth.
Argenti rolled to his side with whatever strength left in him, rising himself on his forearms as he forced the curse that was choking him out of his throat. He nearly threw up, as he coughed, and coughed into the sheets. his hand pressed on his throat unconsciously, a futile attempt to stop the thorn like pain inside. the flowers did not feel soft, but like daggers to his flesh. Petals of white and yellow colored his body, blood mingled in between, and a bed of daisies sat before his shaking form.
yellow, white and red. only because they were drenched in his blood.
Argenti breathed, a desprate thing, as blood dripped down his chin and the last bits of petals made their way out of his mouth.
He wiped his tears, his mouth. The weight was not as heavy as it was, as threatening and looming, but it was still there.
Argenti stared at the mess, and couldn’t help but think that the daisies that were growing next to his roses were much more charming than the ones before him.
[3:58]boothill:
What the heck was the name of that drink you got me?? Can’t fudgin’ find it anywhere here, got a mad itchin and i need to scratch it. you son of a nice lady, just had to get me a delicious one. Can’t believe I even forgot to go back and get that last forkin’ drop back at the hotel, what a waste.
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[3:59]boothill:
Also what kind of wine do ya like? I reckon it might be one of these red ones, but the guy is offerin’ me white champagne and what not…real fancy soundin stuff, they might be right up your alley.
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[4:24]boothill:
Too late rosey, i got you this red fudgin’ bottle instead of all the others! Darn son of a gun was trying to make me buy the lot of em, he kept on talkin’ and talkin’. Luckily i got somethin’ that always shut em up real quick.
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[4:25]boothill:
For the record, i did forkin’ pay for it. Got kicked out tho just because they get spooked by a gun so easily. Fudgin’ wussies.
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[7:32]boothill:
You out in the wild or something? First time I got connection and you don’t! Oh yeah right, hope you got some wine glass or what not, don’t ya have to drink them out of these fudgin’ cups? Forgot ‘bout those.
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[2:05]boothill:
Think ’m bout to see another knight of beauty, found myself at this lil ol’ station and people here are talking and ravin’ about this knight. Doesn’t sound too shabby, they’re sayin a bunch of stuff about bugs and what not…[intangible]-huh? Wait a forkin’ second…–red hair? [intangible] wait, oh shoot, ha! it is you! I can see your ship from here! Fudge, I had to park my forkin’ motor all the way on the opposite side–would you look at that! Wait, if you’re here then why haven't ya answered any of my texts?
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[2:12]missed a call from boothill.
There was insufferable hotness when he woke up in his bed. dazed and confused, Argenti tried to recall what was the last thing that happened.
He had…stripped from the heavy armor, cleaned himself up, and the mess that he made. Argenti still felt like he was carrying a heavy weight, the sweat sticking the fabric of his clothes at his damped and hot skin despite the very cold shower he had taken. He had laid his head to rest for a moment, but he ended up closing his eyes to slumber.
Argenti turned his head, he still found himself lacking in energy. Sleep was still heavy on his eyelids. He shut his eyes, wondering what it was that woke him up in the first place, was it the curse? He could still breathe, but with slight struggle.
The drag of sleep was strong, and Argenti couldn’t deny it. He shut his eyes, blissfully unaware of someone stepping into his ship.
The first thing he registered as he woke once more was the press of something icey cold to his feverish temple, it made his body shiver, as he leaned into it. It soothed his terrible ache, a relief that Argenti soaked in. a pleasant sigh escaped him, then, the coldness moved away.
Argenti blinked his eyes open, confused, and then wiped his eyes to clear his vision to see if he was imagining things. But to his gratifying surprise, he was not imagining what was in front of him at all.
“You up, rosey?” Boothill asked, leaning over him from the side of his bed. His expression was easy going if not for the poor concealed concern beneath. “Never thought you’d get sick! You were this out of it you couldn’t even reply? I ain’t fudgin mad or anything but be careful. you even left the ship door unlocked, It’s like askin’ to be robbed.” he lectured, as Argenti sunk his head into the pillows and basked in his voice. “Hope ya don’t mind me bargin’ in, but you do look like ya need the help.”
“B–” Argenti tried to call for him, but all that came out was a pathetic attempt. His throat was dry and parched, it felt like paper sands rubbing against each other.
“Ah fudge wait, i’ll get ya water.”
Argenti blinked, before slowly raising himself to sit up. He pressed a hand to his head, still feeling that fleeting coldness, but also, the flushed heat that was eating him alive. A fever.
He rarely got sick, but Argenti could tell that this didn’t come out of nowhere. Was this the way his body decided to fight against the curse? Did it finally decide to detect it as something to burn away? He had read about it, the multiple ways a person can die from Hanahaki. It didn’t have to end on choking alone.
Though, perhaps it was because of his cold shower, sleeping with his wet hair? Or his weakened state doubled over with stress that made his body act up?
The sound of spurs echoed through as it came closer, Argenti looked towards the doorway, as Boothill came back in with a cup of water. The knight still couldn’t fathom that the cowboy was here.
Was this truly reality? Or some sort of dream before his life burnt before him?
“Here, and slowly.” Boothill gave him the cup, sitting on the bed and facing him. Argenti could feel the water slowly cascading down his throat as he drank, it wasn’t cold, but it wasn’t warm, just the right temperature to feel it cool him down immensely.
Then, the blissful cold chill was pressed against his forehead again. Argenti blinked his lashes to see that it was Boothill’s hand on his temple, his concern now clear and evident in his face.
“I thought you couldn’t feel…” Argenti muttered, but he leaned against the touch.
“Nah, can’t fudgin’ feel how hot you are...old habits die hard.” Boothill chuckled, pressing gently, “but it looks like it’s helpin ya.”
Argenti hummed, nodding slowly as to not make Boothill pull away, “it’s cold.” he said stupidly.
Boothill didn’t reply to that, sparing him. he brought his other hand between them before pausing, hesitating. Argenti, in his feverish state and entirely forgetting his manners, took his other hand, bringing it to press against the side of his heated neck. Surrounded in a cold that was gratifying, Argenti sighed in pleasure. not noticing the astonished look on Boothill's face.
He could feel Boothill’s hand twitch in his grasp.
“You’re out of it, huh?” Boothill whistled low, curling his fingers around his nape. The cowboy moved his other hand from his forehead to cup at his cheek. Argenti melted in his hands, he couldn't help but to grasp at the cowboy’s arms, chasing whatever touch he could have. “You–uh, don’t…get sick a lot, if it hits you like a fudgin’ truck like this.”
“Mhm.” Argenti nodded, it was true, he rarely ever gets sick. His voice rasped as he spoke. “The last time…I was with master, he took great care of me…I cannot afford to get sick after.”
“you’re only human, Argenti.” Boothill softly chided, rubbing Argenti’s cheek with his thumb.
“It would only remind me of my utter solitude,” Argenti whispered, and then his face was cupped between two cold hands ever so gently.
“I'm here, aren’t i?” Boothill said.
“Will you please stay?” A question he wouldn’t dare to utter if he was in his right mind escaped him, weakness that he had trained himself to strip off came out of nowhere. Argenti didn't regret it however, and doubted he that he would in the future, if there was one for him pray tell to Idrilla.
“I will.” Boothill promised, he hadn’t even paused to think about it.
Argenti closed his eyes, vulnrable, weak. he basked in the warmth of Boothill's cold hands and care.
After drinking some more water, and pills that Boothill had rummaged through his stuff to get. The cowboy had examined him thoroughly, Argenti silently enjoyed the attention in his drowsiness.
“Damn, sort of thought you got some inflamed wound ‘round, ya sure you don’t want me to see if there any forkin' abundance folk out there?”
“It is fine, they already healed me to their utmost abilities. wonderful people they are...their assist has been helpful.”
“Hm, well lay back and rest. 'm gonna get you something to eat, get some energy in ya. I'm sure the station got a food court somewhere round here, you reckon they sell soup? Right, fudge, uh, any preference?”
“I’ll be happy with anything…you can use my credits, they're at the–Boothill? Boothill, my friend, my wallet is right there…”
Argenti watched in dismay as Boothill blatantly ignored him, walking off already. A smile grew on his lips eventually, as he rested his head back on the pillow.
In a plastic container, a steaming delicious aroma of chicken broth wafted towards him. Argenti took a moment to appreciate the smell, before glancing over to his cowboy friend.
Boothill had dragged a chair to sit near, saying something along the lines of food tasting better in company as he did so. Argenti couldn’t argue with that. The cowboy sat with his feet over one knee, crossed arms and his hat not on his head.
“Where is your hat?” Argenti asked, failing to skip mentioning it.
“Hung it on one of your hooks.” Boothill answered, pointing off somewhere in the back.
Argenti was sure he did not own ‘hooks’ anywhere, though his chandelier decorations popped into his head. Shaking his head from the amusing thought, he obeyed his stomach urging him to eat as he brought a spoonful of the soup to his mouth.
“So, i’ve heard you taken out some nasty forkin’ bugs here. Ya think it got something to do with…” Boothill faltered in the end, but Argenti understood what he was trying to say.
“I don’t think so,” he said, voice sounding a little better. “They were merely hatchlings, the most they could do were weak hallucinations.”
Boothill whistled, a smooth sounding thing. “that's…fudgin’ bad.”
“They are annoying and ugly pests, beasts of evil in that kill beauty. fortunately i managed to take them down before they were fully grown, lest they cause unseemingly havoc.”
Boothill moved to pat him in the shoulder, congratulating him on a good job done, smirking at him with a look as if he was proud of him. “Yeah, when i came here i keep hearin’ all the people talkin’ about you. For a second, I thought i’d meet another knight of beauty, but luckily, the universe likes us.”
Argenti nodded, smiling at the praise and chuckling lightly as he thought of something.
“if by chance you met another knight, i’d still be your favorite?”
Boothill smirk widened, as he pretended to ponder about it. a finger tapping against his chin, leaning back and glancing around in mock humor. “I dunno…yer a little too clingy…but you got me that good booze…i do want it’s forkin’ name by the way, i forgot what the bottle looked like.”
“I’ll give you its name if you say I am your favorite.”
“Huh, son of a gun, you’re trying to win me over? Cheating your way? You think you can get over me?”
“Is it working?”
“It is, you son of a nice lady. deal, you’re my favorite.”
Their laughs mingled against one another, softening into short intake breaths. Argenti felt dizzy, but not the feverish kind, not the sick kind. Boothill placed a cold hand to his shoulder again, but this time, pushing him against the pillows.
“Now you sleep,” he ordered, and Argenti curled a hand over his, not wanting his touch gone. “I’ll watch over ya this time.”
Argenti shut his eyes, and smiled as he felt a cold soft touch to his head. Fingers made of metal dip into his scalp experimentally, and Argenti pushed against it in favor of him touching more.
Boothill listened to his silent wish, rubbing along his scalp carefully and Argenti couldn’t resist the fight of sleep, even with how hard he wished to stay awake and experience the moment more.
Argenti felt it first before he registered himself awake.
With a choked gasp, he sat up as he clutched at his chest. The fabric of his shirt scrunched between his fingers harshly as he twisted over, heaving dryly. He strained and struggled to expel the daisies that were stuck on his throat, breathless desperate coughs escaped from him before a hand, cold and familiar, pressed against his back.
In a shrill cold realization, Argenti remembered he was not alone. He covered his mouth, still not ceasing his coughing fit as he glanced at Boothill from beside him.
The cyborg was startled, his concern etched on his face. He was saying something, but Argenti couldn’t hear it, couldn’t focus.
He could only twist away from the cowboy’s hold, finally able to cough the curse that stuck itself on his throat into his hand.
“Argenti? Fudgin’ heck are you coughing your heart out!? Easy there–” Argenti wasn’t able to stop Boothill in time when he reached out to look at him, and watched the cowboy’s face fall into shock as he stared at the daisies in his hand. a disorientating gasp came out of him, ripped out of his chest with fear.
Boothill let go of him as he’s been burnt, flinching away as his eyes darted onto the flower and back at Argenti. His eyes were wide, mouth agape, unable to comprehend what he was seeing.
Argenti crushed the daisy in his hand, letting it go and coughing the little bouts of petals that were still stuck. All while Boothill stared at him in something akin to horror. He hadn’t wanted him to know at all, Argenti had feared that this would happen, and here it was, happening in front of him. (Boothill finding out would only lead to their inevitable parting, he wished to avoid it at all costs. But his wishes were unanswered.)
“That’s not…how are you…” Boothill stuttered.
“It’s an ugly curse.” was all Argenti could meekly say.
“...is it because of me?”
Argenti shook his head quickly, he wouldn’t let Boothill take the blame. “It’s not your fault, I love you but it’s not–!”
Boothill grabbed him by the shoulders suddenly, his grip tight, desperate as his expression was. “That’s not forkin’ possible!” he nearly yelled, gritting his sharp teeth, “you shouldn’t have it!”
Argenti wanted to reach over, press a hand to the cowboy’s panicked expression, soothe him. But he knew if he did it would only make things worse.
“I’m sorry,” He said instead, but it wasn’t the right thing to say either, as Boothill's expression was crushed regardless. “I intended to carry this to my grave, I didn't want you to suffer knowing.”
“No.” Boothill shook his head, “no, fork no, You’re not hearin’ me!”
Argenti blinked, as Boothill's grip softened.
“I still love you.” Boothill said, confessed, “I lied.”
It didn’t feel as shocking as it should have been, perhaps, Argenti knew all along, but played make believe. If only to soothe Boothill, if only to stay close to him. Still, he smiled at those words, something that he had thought only his dreams would say.
“It’s alright,” Argenti whispered, “rejection is rejection, the curse feeds off of that, afterall.”
“Then, get the surgery.”
“...” Argenti didn’t have to say it, as Boothill knew what his silence meant
“why the fudge not?!”
“It cannot guarantee that i would keep the blessing like it did to you.” Argenti finally reached over to place a hand on Boothill’s shocked face, cupping his cheek. “I won’t take that chance, not if it would mean offending them , you.”
“Offend!? You–how are you so sure that it would!? I would rather you alive!” Boothill clenched his fists around the fabric of the knight’s shirt, pressing hardly against him.
“Let me ask you this, Boothill,” Argenti moved his other hand to place ontop of Boothill’s grip, not to pull him off, but to touch. “If you dont wish to answer, that’s okay. If you also wish, I could leave, vanish and you won’t have to ever worry about me again.” it was about the time he let go of his selfishness, it was not fair for him to keep the love and company. If he had to have one, then…
“Do you really hate the idea of us?”
“–!!” Boothill clenched his teeth, searching for something in Argenti’s eyes before finally letting go of him, pulling away just enough for the knight to drop the hand that was on his face, on his hand.
“It wont work,” Boothill said in a defeated tone, not looking at him. “We both got something to do.”
“Maybe we can, despite that.” Argenti assured softly, reaching over to hold his hand. “Will you get sad at my departure, will you resent me for who I am now? Would you try to change who i am?”
Boothill blinked at him, slowly curling his fingers around his hand and shaking his head quickly. “No, fudge no, you got things to do–”
“And so do you,” Argenti leaned in, “I only wish for your happiness, that of which you can only achieve by what must be done. I won't stand in your way, as you won’t in mine. we march a path of solitude, but it’s not wrong if we did it together…we share an understanding. Isn’t that enough?”
That seemed to strike something in the cowboy, as he tried to speak but found no words to say.
“...it’ll be hard to love someone like me.” Boothill finally said.
“It’s the easiest thing I've ever done.” Argenti confessed. It was as easy as breathing was, it was as natural and as steady as his heartbeat. Slowly, Boothill finally looked him in the eyes, and Argenti rested his forehead against the other, smiling.
“If…” Argenti started, a whisper, like a prayer, “if you’ll have me, ill pledge my heart to you as i have pledged my soul and being to Beauty.”
Boothill stared at him with wide eyes, before snorting, laughing weakly. “You–you really…out of your forkin’ mind…”
“I guess I am.” Argenti smiled.
“We’re not gonna be lucky like this, we might never see each other again, we might…i…”
“I’m willing.”
“...you make me weak,” Boothill whispered, “you make me want the best for you and all I thought was staying away, that it was the best.”
“You’re wrong.”
“No need to tell me twice, I can fudgin’ see that.” Boothill sighed, but a hesitant meek smile grew on his face, “but uh, I don't hate the idea of us being…partners.”
Argenti sucked in a breath, his chest fluttered. “Do you mean…”
Boothill grit his teeth, scowling shyly. “Don’t make me say it rosey.” Boothill begged bashfully.
“You won’t get sick if i kissed you, right?” Argenti asked instead, and Boothill looked at him stunned before he cackled. The cowboy’s cold hand met Argenti’s nape, the cold press against his hot flushed skin made Argenti shiver as Boothill pulled him close enough for the smallest gap between them.
“Still a forkin’ gentleman to boot, c’mere!” he said, before closing the gap.
Their lips met softly, almost hesitantly, a light pressure that still sparked the desire burning in Argenti.
The cowboy tensed in his hold despite the fact that he was the one who pulled Argenti into it. The knight did him a favor by leaning further into the kiss, as it turned from a tender one into a passionate one.
With the tilt of his head, and a hand on Boothill’s jaw, they relaxed into it. It was sweet, it spilled everything that Argenti wanted to say, his devotion, his love, his want. He could feel it as well from his beloved, the way Boothill tugged at his hair near his nape, the small gorgeous sound he let out. Something untwined in his chest.
It was short lived, as he had to pull away to breathe.
Argenti loved the sight of it afterward, the look of affection and wonder on Boothill’s face was worth seeing.
The sheen on his lips, the way he also gasped for a breath argenti knew he didn’t need. He couldn’t help but to lean in once more, pressing a kiss to the corner of his lips that stretched into a soft shy smile, his cheek, his nose, his eyelids and the metal dots underneath until the cowboy laughed and pushed him away with a wide smile.
“I love you,” Argenti confessed as he breathed, their hands held together and intertwined.
Boothill didn’t look away from him this time, his eyes full of fondness and adulation as he replied with a smile, “I love you too.”
Argenti breath hitched, and reached to kiss him again before he felt it. forcefully made him pull away, bending off to the side as he harshly coughed. Something burnt in his chest viscously, enough to warrant a cry from him. It was different, far more different than every single time before, and he could feel the acid stinging in his throat. Familiar urge to throw up, bile sat at the end of his tongue and Argenti clasped a hand over his mouth quickly.
“Argenti!” Boothill called out in alarm, as the knight roughly stood up on his legs and ran off to the bathroom.
Boothill had followed along, as much as the knight didn’t wish for him to see him in such a pathetic state. Throwing up daisies and vines in the waste.
His beloved was too good for him, sitting beside him, rubbing his back and pulling his hair aside.
“M’sorry,” Argenti tried to say, coughing away.
“Don’t fudgin’ worry about it, just get it outta your system, rosey.”
“It’s gone.” Argenti said with a slight rasp, after washing his face and sitting back down on the bed. He took a sip of the water that Boothill brought him, the silver cowboy sitting right beside him, holding his other hand.
He could feel it, or more accurately, no longer feel it. With how long the illness had lingered, it made a noticeable absence now in his chest.
Taking a full breath has become foreign to him.
Argenti was free from the curse.
“thank goodness, but...Just like that?” Boothill asked, bewildered, “how’d you know?”
“I can feel it,” Argenti answered, squeezing their joint hands but turned away to cough dryly. While it was gone, his body was still weak, he’ll take time to recover. At the sound of that, Boothill had stood up, letting go of his hand to push him further along into the pillows of his cot.
“Right, fudge, you’re still sick, stay here!”
Boothill was far too good for him.
The cyborg had insisted that Argenti would stay in bed, going as far to make him a warm drink. Even in his cot, Argenti could hear the clatter where his kitchen unit was. Imagining his beloved rummaging around had been dangerous for his heart.
He felt better, far much better now. The dizziness of his feverish state was gone, and all was left was his strength to be regained and a sore throat to recover. Argenti thanked Idrilla, couldn’t help but think it was a miracle, far from a sudden coincidence. If Boothill hadn’t come, he would have never gotten to…
If he was left alone to his own devices, Argenti wouldn’t be sure how he’d be able to fare. He’d try his best, that’s for sure, but it was certain that death loomed over him at that moment.
So when Boothill arrived once more, carrying a mug over to him with a smile, Argenti couldn’t help but repeat.
“I love you,” Argenti said one more time, now that he was free to do so, taking the mug from the cyborg’s hand carefully without looking at it, focused on staring at Boothill’s expression.
His silver cowboy shrunk under the attention, though a smile grew on his face as he looked away, “ya don’t hafta say it all the time now…love ya too, now drink, your voice is as wrecked as shirt.”
“Thank you,” Argenti continued to talk despite Boothill's glare, “I appreciate it, everything you’ve done…”
“Bah, don’t worry about it…you’ve done the same for me, after all.”
Argenti blinked, confused for a moment before remembering. That time he had spent with Boothill, staying at that shabby inn on a planet he forgot the name of. How funny, how it all came around. Ironic as well, considering the curse that Boothill once had, that now Argenti did–,well, had.
The knight laughed breathlessly, nodding his head as he brought the mug to his lips. “You’re right–!'' he paused, Just now, noticing the smell of honey as the mug came close, Argenti frowned as he turned to Boothill.
“Boothill, have you used the last bit of honey that was in the jar?”
Boothill tilted his head, raising an eyebrow but nodded. “You told me about it, thought you’d like it?”
“I do,” Argenti agreed with a frown, eyes downcast, “but the last spoonful was for you…”
“H-huh?” Boothill stammered, “it’s fine, you need it more than me.”
“But I kept it for you.”
“N-now don’t say it like that, you’ll make me feel guilty.” Boothill huffed, sitting down on the bed beside him, the chair that he had brought earlier was forgotten. Not that Argenti minded. “Ah fudge, I'll drink some too if it makes you happy.”
Argenti smiled at the brilliant idea, handing the mug over to Boothill immediately. Eagerly watching his reaction, and under the intense stare of the knight, Boothill looked away as he took a tentative sip, he grimaced slightly and then drank just a little more.
“...”
“So?”
“It’s sweet, it sure is fudgin’ honey.” Boothill said bluntly, and Argenti couldn’t help but laugh as he took back the mug. His reaction was the same as he expected it to be. The taste was sweet, if not sweeter thanks to the one who made it.
Argenti made sure to drink from the same spot Boothill had, smiling as the cowboy leaned in to press a kiss to his cheek.
“I did promise you a drink after it, but…” Argenti sighed after finishing the mug, placing it aside. As a knight of beauty, a promise must be fulfilled no matter what it was. Boothill waved him off, a smirk on his face as he moved a little closer.
The sheets under him ruffled, and their thighs pressed against each other's sides as Boothill's face was mere inches from his own. Argenti’s hand latched onto Boothill's arms when he got close, his eyes flickering to the cowboy’s lips.
“It’s alright,” Boothill said, a glint in his eye. “ya can make it up with something else.”
Argenti was no longer feverish, but heat gnawed at his skin, flushing his cheeks. The cool press of Boothill's body against his was striking, and the soft press of his lips against his maddening. The curse may have struggled to suffocate him but Boothill had easily made him breathless. Argenti’s hands rested on the cyborg’s waist, while Boothill rested a hand on his jaw, and the other over his heart.
If Boothill could feel from his fingertips, he would have known how fast Argenti heart was beating. The knight didn’t doubt if the cowboy could even hear it with how close they were pressed. As he could hear the fans whirring, alongside the sweet sounds Boothill made.
It was passionate, it was beautiful.
Much later, when they’re both sated, Argenti had dragged the cowboy fully into the bed alongside him. He felt the press of hard chill metal arms around his waist, the weight was comforting, solidifying. Boothill’s head rested against his chest, where his heart was, black and white hair tickling him in the neck. as Argenti curled around him, kissing the top of his head.
Argenti was sure Idrilla knew and recognized his beloved by name, with how much he prayed and thanked in gratitude.
The daisies grew quite fast, their colors strikingly vibrant but not quite clashing against the roses beside them.
Like the weed it was, it grew on him. While it might not be his first choice, his favorite, if ever asked for his second, Argenti would mention them.
He felt the daisy that was tucked in his ear, a parting bestowed to him by his beloved silver cowboy.
“I just wanted to see ‘em and it snapped under my forkin’ finger,” Boothill grumbled, twirling it in his hand before leaning in, placing it ever so carefully between his hair and where it rest against the top of his ear.
“Looks good on you.” he had said, before flashing a smirk, “ya ain’t gonna chase me with a spear if i handed you daisies, right?”
Argenti laughed, and despite the fact that Boothill was leaving after staying for long enough, his smile couldn’t be diminished.
He was alone in his journey, but he knew, somewhere out there, a precious someone carried his heart. Now, Argenti was carrying his as well.
“A gentleman has bought you this drink.” The bartender said, sliding a mini vintage cup towards him.
Argenti almost declined, as he had already got what he came in for. The very same bottle that he had once brought before sat in his hands. Just in case, if fate was kind again.
Though he spared the glass a glance, he stopped, taking notice of the little decoration on top of it.
A small fake decoration of a flower, a daisy.
A smile grew on the knight’s face, “thank you, would you kindly inform me where this gentleman may be?”
The bartender doesn’t say, only glancing to the side and leaving, just as a familiar sound of spurs jingling came his way.
“Well well, if it ain’t my favorite knight of beauty.”
Argenti took a rose he had on him, turning to face and hand it over to his beloved. His smile widened as Boothill found place next to him.
“I appreciate the free drink, I hope this rose would suffice.”
“Didn’t i fudgin say I’ll pull out my gun on ya if I see it one more time?”
“I recall having my spear run through you for a daisy as well.”
Boothill chuckled, taking the rose from his hands in the end. Argenti watched the beautiful sight, as their shoulders pressed against one another.
“Why buy me a drink?” He couldn’t help but ask, taking a sip from it. It tasted vaguely like honey, and non alcoholic. Mildly sweet, a drink he surprisingly found himself liking.
Boothill grinned, hidden between their pressed sides, their hands joined and intertwined.
“I just wanted to.”