Archive of Our Own ^beta

Revenge.

 It is not a permanent lifestyle, nor is it a fulfilling path. People trick themselves into believing that exacting revenge will somehow fill the void in their heart, replace what was stolen, heal the unmendable. It’s a temporary distraction, something to give them a purpose and focus, something to help deny the facts. 

So when somebody’s path of revenge finally comes to a close.. They have nothing. They have no will. They have no distraction. They become painfully aware of the hole in their heart, the whirl of their restless thoughts, the screaming agony of loss that has long since made its home inside of their chest.

Most lose themselves. Realize they have no purpose and decide to take drastic measures. Some rot away, and don't have the energy to keep fighting after all this time. But in some rare instances, their spark of life can be rejuvenated, they can find a reason to continue beyond their hatred and anger. 

And despite all of the odds being stacked against him, Boothill was one of these people.

It’s felt like an eternity since Boothill finally found that man. That wretched..wretched man. Oswaldo Schneider. Though, when he died, a certain part of Boothill died with him. Call it a last laugh, call it whatever you’d like. But when Boothill turned around from the scorched, bloody mess that was now Oswaldo, he was met with nothing. The void. He had no home. Nowhere else to go. He knows that some of his siblings are out there but.. Would they accept the monster he’s become? 

Tch..

He doubts it..

Very quickly, very painfully , he became aware of all that he’s lost to complete his mission, all he’s given up. He died for this mission.. And now what? He could find Rappa.. Maybe go visit the express..

But he felt like his body had become disconnected from his head.. His limbs wouldn’t respond and his breathing wouldn’t even out. All he could do was sink to his knees, staining his pants in that horrible man’s blood and stare at the body. It felt like days. Several, horrible days. In reality, Boothill stayed kneeling there for several hours before he had the mind to rise up and leave before Oswaldo’s unresponsiveness was noticed by colleagues that may be attempting to contact him.

He doesn’t even remember going to Penacony. Why he decided to go to Penacony. It was all a blur. The gasps of the crowd barely phased him, he didn’t care about the whispers. He knew he was covered in blood still, knew it would be disturbing, but he was on autopilot. His appearance was far from his most pressing concern. Where were his legs taking him? 

He stumbles into a small hotel lobby, the woman behind the desk slapping her hands over her mouth in horror, the blood from Boothill’s clothes staining the otherwise pristine floor below him. Why was he here.. 

Right..

He said he would be here for a while..

Boothill wonders if it’s the same room he always reserves..

The ranger hopes..

He felt dizzy.

Heavy footsteps and the rattling of his spurs followed the dissociated cowboy all the way up the stairs to the second level. Boothill raises his bloodsoaked hand and knocks on the door labeled 219, blinking slowly when he hears shuffling on the other side. For some reason, when the door opened, he felt more dread and more grief pierce through his heart.

Argenti stands in the doorway with his usual dazzling smile, but it is all but shattered when he looks at the state of his dear silver cowboy. Scarred lips slightly parted, eyes heavy and devoid of light, his shoulders slumped forwards and posture collapsed. Finally, the blood registered with The Knight. There was no oil, no blue coolant. This wasn’t the ranger’s.. 

Very briefly, Boothill mentioned to Argenti that he was close. Close to the end. It clicks.. His radio silence the past few days, the expression, the despair, the blood. 

The Knight of Beauty was in shock at the time, to say the least. This would shake the social ladder of the IPC. This puts Boothill in nauseating amounts of danger. But he pushes those thoughts aside. 

The silence continues on as Argenti steps forward, arms extended. Boothill feels his knees lock up and can only watch as he collapses into Argenti’s embrace. He was unprepared for a massive weight of Boothill’s body, but swiftly adjusts by putting one foot behind himself. Boothill shoves his face into the crook of Argenti’s neck, feeling something shift in the pit of his stomach when the warmth touches his skin. 

His eyes stung. His teeth clenched so hard he was afraid he was about to damage something. 

Boothill was trying to cry.

But he can’t.

He just can’t..

Argenti holds the cyborg as close to himself as possible, slowly sinking to the ground with his companion as he finally breaks the silence.

“I’m here..” Argenti whispers. “You’re okay..”

Boothill shakes his head.

“I promise you are..”

The ranger releases a choked breath that startles even him as his mind desperately catches up with everything that’s just happened. Argenti practically drags Boothill into his lap, cooing and whispering affirmations that Boothill never knew he needed so fucking badly . 

Boothill grabs at the back of Argenti’s shirt and chokes again, squeezing his eyes shut as if it would make his tears real. 

And no matter how many times Boothill screamed, clawed, fell.. Argenti was right there. He was there through it all. He never judged. He never asked questions beyond the occasional “What do you need?” “Is your charge alright?” “How can I be most helpful?” He asked all of these questions despite never getting an answer beyond a shake of the cyborg’s head. 

It took many, many days for Boothill to shake himself out of the foggy haze of dread and regret. It took even longer for him to speak again. Argenti never let the ranger out of his sight, insisting it was for Boothill's safety and his own peace of mind. He compromised his own missions just so he could be there for his companion in the blink of an eye. 

The Knight of Beauty stuck with the cyborg through every one of his outbursts, screaming fits and crises. There was no judgement, no disgust like the ranger expected. After some more time, his anger left his metallic body and he was left with the biting void of emptiness he thought he could outrun. So eventually, Boothill started to follow Argenti around. Willingly. At first it was nothing extraordinary. It was companionable silence, paired with side-by-side battles every now and then. Boothill felt a little better when he had something to take down, but the silence that followed sent him spiraling all over again.

But as always, Argenti was there. He grounded Boothill, gave him tasks and purpose. There was something unspoken between them, there always has been, but they never lived a life where they had the time to..

Settle down.

Until now. Argenti still roamed, still searched and preached and protected. That will likely never stop. Boothill knows that the day Argenti stops searching, stops traveling.. It will be his last day in this lifetime. Boothill, however, completed his mission. He has nothing to hunt. He keeps tabs on the IPC, but it doesn’t feel the same. It’s a distraction and he knows it. Boothill felt a calling, he got anxious when he was away from Argenti for too long, and wondered if he was safe. 

It took time. A lot of rehearsing what he wanted to say, coming to terms with the fact that he could still feel this emotion, could still..

Love.

He thought his heart died with his body all those years ago, but the care and time and attention that Argenti has paid the ranger.. Oh.. Oh, it could make anybody fall in love.

Through thick and thin, he has always been there with a smile on his face. The days that Boothill spit curses at the redhead out of fear, Argenti never shied away. He waited. He never treated Boothill like an animal, a killer. It wasn’t ever pity, it was sympathy and a desire to understand. 

The silver cowboy lost his home so many years ago, but it was gradually being rebuilt in the form of Argenti. The damned Knight.. Yeah, that was his home now. 

The day Boothill awkwardly confessed all of this, looking agitated and unsure, Argenti stared for a while. The gears turned in his head for some time before a smile spread across his face and he brought Boothill’s steel body into his arms. 

Hardly a day goes by where they aren’t together now. They are each other’s anchors. They are one another’s homes. Anybody would be happy.

Should be happy.

…

So why..

Why was Boothill not happy..

It started when he realized that his touch wasn’t always pleasant. Argenti never verbally said that, no, but if his metal hands were to touch Argenti’s face, he would squint or almost pull away. Goosebumps would ride up his arms if Boothill attempted to hold his hand. Argenti never vocalized his discomfort, it probably doesn’t even occur to him that it’s an option, nor does The Knight ever complain when his hair gets tangled in the grooves of his companion’s hands. Not even when Boothill forgets his own strength and accidentally holds the redhead a little too hard. 

Boothill hated it. 

Furthermore, intimacy was something of a struggle. It’s not like Boothill ever considered having a life past his mission, let alone a sex life. If you were to tell him three years ago that he would be dating a Knight of Beauty and attempting to have intimate moments with said Knight, he would have shot you because you’re clearly already gone. Argenti always searches for ways to give back and it’s like looking at a kicked puppy when he can’t quite find a way. While he’s sure Argenti is perfectly content with the use of Boothill’s hands, it bothers the cyborg, knowing he can’t give everything that The Knight may want.

Boothill hated it.

The cyborg’s heavy body armor kept him safe during battle. And while it dulled his sensors to the point they were nearly undetectable, that was more than fine. Boothill didn’t need to feel. It was also better, he didn’t have to deal with artificial pain, bothersome signals that could distract him from his shooting. However, if Argenti rested his hand on Boothill’s chest while they were cuddled up together, Boothill wouldn’t know. The kisses that the redhead lays across his stomach and hand, he never felt them. The softness of Argenti’s hair, he never knew it. The Knight’s tired breath dancing across his chest when he fell asleep? Undetectable.

Boothill hated it.

This body was a weapon for battle, it wasn’t for a lover. It was exactly what Boothill needed to complete his mission, it was a constant reminder of why he was fighting, who he was fighting for but.. Now..

He hated it.

Even more than before, he hated this body because it wasn’t what he needed anymore. He didn’t need to be..

He didn’t need to be a weapon. He had a life now. He can shape it as he pleases.

At least, that’s what Argenti tells him..

But even then.

He wants to be better. He wants to be what Argenti needs. And he can’t do that with this body. Boothill tried to take some of his armor off, leaving him with silicone and wires staring back at him. He looked disgusting. Monstrous. He couldn’t look like this in front of a Knight of Beauty. 

However, nothing escapes the ever watchful eye of Argenti and he caught onto Boothill’s distress rather easily. Boothill confessed after some pressing. 

Argenti did what he could to comfort Boothill, but there was little to be done. This body..

It just wasn’t what he needed anymore. 

And thus, Boothill hatched a plan in his mind. He researched. Took on commissions, saved every credit he possibly could for months. Somebody had to know how to fix him. Somebody, somewhere, somehow.

Surely..

Argenti holds both of Boothill’s hands as the mechanic continues to hook the cyborg up to all the monitoring systems. It brought back memories of his first few surgeries, except the damn doctor wasn’t calling the ranger an uneducated child. Rather the opposite, the mechanic here had nothing but praise for Boothill’s strength and perseverance. 

“How are you feeling?” Argenti asks, the slight quake in his voice undeniable. 

“I’m fine, ‘Genti, I can’t feel any of this.” Boothill says. “Besides, it’s not like they’re gon’ hurt me.”

“Oh I know, my silver cowboy, but I cannot help it..” The redhead squeezes Boothill’s hands, evident by the whitening of his knuckles. He looks uncharacteristically nervous, eyebrows knit tightly, lips pressed together. “You chose a wonderful mechanic but..”

Boothill waits until said mechanic steps away for a moment to lean close, the wires currently connected to his back swaying side to side from where they were hooked up to the overhead machines. 

“Darlin’ I ain’t easy to kill. I’ll be just fine, alright? This is for the better.”

“And this is what you want?” Argenti asks, his eyes turned down with worry. 

“It is.” Boothill leans forward a little more and presses a tender kiss to Argenti’s forehead, making the other man’s cheeks gently bloom with a pretty pink color. “I’ve had plenty of time to think about this, Red.” 

Boothill won’t deny, this entire procedure was dangerous. The original surgeries he went through, it was a miracle he even survived it. But this is what he wanted. This is what he needed . He didn’t have to be a weapon anymore. The opposite, actually. He had to be gentle. Caring. He needed to feel . The mechanic kindly takes Boothill’s right hand once Argenti lets it go, hooking a thick, black wire into the cyborg’s palm. It was almost time.

This surgery.. 

It would give Boothill a whole new body. What was promised to him was everything Boothill wanted. Touch. Sensory. Appearing to be more human. The mechanic also promised they would attempt to tune the beacon so he might be able to properly swear again - though the mechanic mentioned that this would be low priority, considering everything else he had to do. 

His attention is borrowed by the redhead once more, who slowly cups his lover’s cheeks, eyes glimmering with hope when Boothill instinctively leans into the warmth. Argenti had learned over the many, many months together that Boothill responds best when he touches his face. He relaxes every single time, leans into it like it’s his lifeline. The ranger mentioned long ago that it’s the only area that he has with raw feeling left. 

“You will come back to me, yes?” 

Argenti, not a fan of addressing the possibility of death directly, will often express his worries with fanciful and flowery words to avoid the harsher reality of certain topics. Boothill knew what he was asking, and knew what he needed to hear.

“I’ll be back online before you know it, rosebud. Don’t worry yer pretty lil’ head ‘bout me, yeah?” Boothill leans forward again while the mechanic takes his other hand, tilting his head to kiss Argenti on the cheek. 

“Promise?” Argenti asks, making it sound almost like he was begging.

“I promise.”

The mechanic would quietly step forward and wait for his turn to speak. When he has Boothill’s attention, he smiles. “We’re ready to go. I’ll just have to lift you up a little bit and then we’ll get started.”

Boothill nods and glances back to Argenti, who steals a quick kiss from Boothill’s lips, making the ranger’s eyelids flutter briefly. 

“Stay strong for me, okay?” The Knight whispers.

“For you.” Boothill returns, kissing his partner one more time. Once the two of them part, Boothill fully turns his attention to the mechanic. “M’ ready.”

Argenti’s shoulders tense when Boothill is raised off his feet by the machines he was hooked up to, looking worried for a brief moment until he sees Boothill’s calm, reassuring smile. Argenti is guided out of the room, hands over his heart as he whispers an almost frantic prayer to his Aeon. Boothill watches as the mechanic comes back. He looks up at the cyborg and smiles. 

“Ready?”

“As I’ll ever be.” Boothill answers quickly. Almost immediately after, his vision flashes with warnings that something was shutting his systems down one by one. He loses connection with his limbs one by one, starting with his hands. His eyes feel heavy as his systems blare at him one more time before getting shut down all together. Argenti was on his mind. He always is. But more so now. He has to fight. Survive. He needs to come home to his person, his love. 

This body had one last fight.

That’s all he asks..

One more fight..

And then it all fades to black.

The mechanic waits for a few solid seconds, climbs up his stool to touch Boothill’s face in search of any reaction. There was nothing. Carefully stepping back down onto the ground, he would grab a few of his tools and sigh.

“Alright.” He hums. “Let’s get to work.”

[Backup Initializing: 19% … ]

     {Testing firewall}

    {Booting Up Connections}

   {Reinstalling Settings}

[Backup Initializing: 87% … ]

   {Installing…}

[Backup Complete.]

    {Welcome Back.}

Boothill’s consciousness comes back around before his eyes open. He is aware of the darkness and dim, dancing colors in his eyes. His systems haven’t fully synced up with his brain. He can’t move. Not yet. But he can hear.

The constant thrum of machinery, the beeping of his artificial heart on the monitor, the faint hum of something behind his head. At least he wasn’t dead. He still couldn’t feel anything, however. It was disappointing. Suddenly, his eyes snap open. They stung. 

There were a few things he noticed. Well, what he didn’t notice would be a better way of putting it - his HUD was minimized. No constant diagnostics, no flashing of bounties posted nearby, nothing. Just the time, his battery and backup charge, the date and his objectives (though it was blank for now).

Still, he couldn’t move. He couldn’t speak. He could only stare directly at the overhead light. It takes about five more minutes before he can actually lift his head. He was still at the shop. Though, what he immediately noticed was the vase of bright red roses sitting on the side table by the cot. They looked well taken care of, but they were fully opened, meaning they’ve been out for a while, a few days maybe. 

Boothill pays a little more attention to the date on his HUD.

He feels his ears flush with a rush of faux adrenaline. He’s been under the knife for three days.. Three whole days. The realization must make his heartrate spike because the mechanic rushes in a few seconds afterwards. 

“You’re awake!” He chirps with both surprise and happiness. 

Boothill opens his mouth to reply but what comes out was a bunch of glitched, garbled sounds that make his eyes widen. He tried again and while it was still staticky, it came out better this time. 

“How did it go?” The cyborg manages. 

“It went very smoothly. You..” He trails off briefly as Boothill begins to sit up, albeit with some effort. The mechanic’s reaction clearly told the ranger that he was shocked Boothill could move so quickly. However, Boothill noticed something immediately. He couldn’t feel. He convinces himself that it was because his systems were still waking up. Nothing more. The mechanic eventually continues. “You had a few bumps here and there and I lost your pulse for a brief moment but you kept fighting. All and all, you’re still perfectly healthy.”

Boothill blinks.

Lost his pulse.. He was so close..

But he made a promise. A promise to..

Argenti. 

Where was he..?

As if he could read Boothill’s mind, the mechanic would pull out his phone and smile. “Shall I alert your partner that you’re awake?”

“Yeah,” Boothill says roughly. “Please.”

The call was brief and Boothill could hear the ever-boisterous voice of The Knight on the other line even over the machinery around him. The mechanic is about half way through his statement about how Argenti will be here soon when.. Boothill gets this sense of dread. It’s for a fraction of a second before something in his eyes flashes and it all happens.

The sensory. 

It hits him.

And it hits him hard . 

He doesn’t even know how he managed to fall onto the ground, can hardly make out the slightly panicked words of the mechanic, it’s all-!

It’s all so much!

The wires, the air, the sounds, the smells-

Oh Aeons, the touch!

He’s forgotten everything, he feels sensitive, feels like he’s being choked from the inside, overstimulated as he desperately tries to work his new limbs to get this fucking blanket off of him!! It feels like fire, like it’s embedding into his body, wrapping around his metal bones! How could he have forgotten how everything feels?!

He thought the feeling of touch would come back to him gradually, but he can barely think like this!

The mechanic snatches something from one of the tables, pressing it to Boothill’s back. Three consecutive clicks and it’s suddenly-!

Gone.

As if he was in his old body again. 

Boothill goes limp, gasping in a breath he didn’t even need as he pries his eyes open. The mechanic leans over Boothill, a look of worry etching its way onto his tired features. 

“You have my utmost apologies for that, the settings were still too high after testing.”

Boothill hears the words being spoken to him, but hardly even registers them. Is that what it’s like? Every time? Has he just made the second biggest mistake of his life? Before dread can kick him in the rear, the sound of rapidly approaching footsteps can be heard. The mechanic looks up and Boothill does his best to crane his neck towards the lab’s entrance. 

There’s a series of four knocks at the door but barely a second passes by before Argenti opens the door, eyes wide and frantic. The moment he finds Boothill on the floor, he discards his travel bag by the door and rushes over, capturing Boothill’s cheeks within his palms, his expression unreadable. 

The Knight has yet to look at Boothill’s new, bare body. Just his face. Just his expression. Boothill immediately relaxed into Argenti’s hands, letting out a trembling exhale. Both the redhead and the mechanic help Boothill sit up off the ground and Argenti puts a hand against the ranger’s lower back to keep him upright.

“My beloved.” Argenti says, his voice hitching slightly before he presses a kiss to Boothill’s forehead. “Oh you had me worried..”

The ranger couldn’t bring himself to reply for some reason..

The mechanic gave a basic rundown of what happened during the procedure to both of the men, telling Boothill directly that it will take some time to learn how to use his limbs. Before Boothill or Argenti could ask the question, the mechanic would hold up the device he previously pressed against the cyborg’s back.

“This is important, so if I could please have your undivided attention.” He starts. “This device is what monitors and adjusts your sensory threshold. The higher this dial,” He points to the blue dial, which is turned all the way down. “The more you will feel. There’s a chip in the center of your spine that will connect with this device if you need to adjust it at any time. 

There’s a brief pause where the mechanic glances over to the redhead. “And I feel like this device would be best in your hands for now..”

Argenti rubs his thumbs against Boothill’s cheeks before letting the gunslinger go, cradling the device in his hands as if it were precious china.

After multiple checks, multiple scans and multiple kisses, Boothill was cleared to try and start moving around as he’d like. The first thing he wanted to do was to look at himself. A rarity..

Argenti slings one of his partner’s arms over his shoulders and walks slowly, taking the whole of Boothill’s weight. It was always fascinating to Boothill how Argenti could do that. He had to be heavy, unbearably so. But he could scoop Boothill off his feet with a gleaming smile any time he’d like, even in the heat of battle. The cowboy had to rely on that a few times, actually. It used to fluster and annoy him. Now it just flusters him.. Heh.

Boothill locks eyes with the floor just ahead of him. He felt nervous. He didn’t want to look at his body just yet. He wanted to see everything all at once, rip the bandaid off as they say. Argenti slowly crouches down in front of Boothill and smiles. That damned smile.. It’s what got the ranger hooked in the first place..

“Remember, my love.. No matter what happens or what your body may look like.. I will love you. Forever and always.” Argenti speaks softly, knowing Boothill’s habit of pointing out his own flaws before he acknowledges his strengths. 

Boothill nods, unable to find his voice.

“I’ll be right outside, okay?”

Another nod.

“I love you.” Argenti says, the distinct and constant sparkle in his eyes trembling as if he were gazing at the Aeons THEMSELVES. 

“Love you, ‘Genti.” Boothill replies, unable to hide the small grin that spreads across his face. 

The ranger stays staring at the ground for a while, even when Argenti leaves the room a few moments later. It’s like his neck was weighed down. He gathers his courage, feeling goosebumps ride up the back of his neck and he looks up. 

It was strange, to say the least. 

It was as if nothing happened. The mechanic promised to do his best to make him look human and.. Fuck, he kept that promise. The only evidence of his mechanical body were thick black lines where his arms, fingers and legs flexed. Another line can be seen around his neck, though it wasn’t as visible. That was where flesh met silicone and machine. 

He was given a muscular but not bulky build. Not quite like Argenti, a little thinner than that. He pulls his lips back and stares at his teeth, still as sharp as ever. He runs his tongue over them, testing to see if the reinforcements on his tongue remained. Based on the lack of bleeding and feeling, it was still there. You can only do so much, he supposes. 

The mechanic was decent enough to give him some shorts to cover up with, which is probably why Argenti didn’t jump out of his own skin when he burst into the room. He wasn’t blind to the fact that he was given something he previously lacked as well, but that wasn’t his main focus. As he stares in the large mirror, his eyes focus on his hands in the reflection. His fingers twitch. He makes it his goal to move a little before Argenti comes back inside. 

It takes several attempts, a lot of will power and some trial and error but he manages to raise his hand to touch his face. The silicone flesh of his palm felt.. Well, it almost felt like Argenti’s. Significantly less rough, no scars to catch his skin. It was so human he almost forgot it belonged to him now.

He stares for a little longer, takes it all in. 

In the back of his mind, he wonders. The ranger locks eyes with himself in the mirror and whispers.

“F̷͖̭̝̲́̓̉ͅu̸̢͗ç̷̩̖͂͋̚k̵͍̋́̀͆”

The swear comes out harshly, like metal scraping metal, barely even human as his beacon fights back. But it isn’t changed to something stupid like “fridge” or “fork” or “fudge”. Maybe it’s something he can work on later..

There’s a small knock on the door.

“Are you alright, my love?” Argenti’s muffled voice asks, his worry spiking after hearing such a horrible sound.

“Yeah,” Boothill rasps before turning his head to the door. “I think I’ll try to-”

“Can I come in?” Argenti interrupts, realizing Boothill was going to try to move on his own. 

The ranger almost laughs. “Yeah, sure. But.. Bring that device thing with you, yeah?” He can hear some rustling around before Argenti comes back inside, closing the door behind him. This time, he allows his eyes to travel the expanse of Boothill’s new body. A subtle pink blush dances across his slightly tan cheeks before he locks eyes with the cyborg. 

“Did you want to try this?” The redhead holds up the small device and Boothill nods immediately.

“I reckon it’ll help me figure out how to walk quicker if I have..”

He trails off without meaning to, without knowing why. 

Argenti understood it nonetheless and nodded, helping Boothill lean forwards before placing the device on his back, right where the mechanic told him to. “I will put it on the lowest setting for now. Does that sound alright?”

Argenti waits for a verbal confirmation before turning the blue dial up to the lowest. Boothill’s eyes flitter for a moment, something flashes in his vision as he can suddenly feel the shorts that cling to his thighs, the device on his back, the hair over his right eye. It’s dull. Barely there. But it’s so unfamiliar that Boothill notices it immediately. 

After confirming that he wasn’t in any pain several times over, The Knight would reach for Boothill’s hands. The ranger sucks in a breath and his eyes go wide when Argenti reaches. He wasn’t hurting or shocked or anything like that, no.. 

He was.. Excited. 

When those calloused hands finally grasp onto the outlaw’s, Boothill felt as if a piece of his puzzle was just locked into place. Their hands fit together perfectly. Boothill could feel the dips and divots from Argenti’s scars. But most importantly, he can feel The Knight’s tenderness. 

Boothill is helped to his feet, which wobble and remain unsteady below him for an agonizingly long time until he can find his balance. He releases a breath he didn’t even know he was holding in. 

“There you are..” Argenti says, cautiously taking a step back, still holding onto Boothill’s trembling hands while the ranger tries to work out his new legs. One step. Two steps. Though, after a while, the ranger’s mind was solely on the feeling of Argenti’s hands. His touch. His battle-worn palms. He felt them on his face before but this was different. This was new.

Every single little thing felt like fire on his body, putting his sensors under an unfamiliar flame - But Argenti.. His touch was so, so gentle. Loving. 

Had he always touched Boothill’s body so kindly..? Had he never known..?

Argenti watches the ranger’s legs as he slowly lets go of Boothill’s hands, though he keeps them hovering just above his waist in case he has to catch the cyborg. However, Boothill does surprisingly well. He’s wobbly, like a baby deer on the ice, but he gets the hang of it. Eventually, the pair are able to exit the room and Boothill starts to figure out his arms as well. Having the sensory module online definitely helped things go smoother and quicker. 

Boothill locates his clothes while Argenti is given care instructions and things to look out for. Though, very very quickly, Boothill realizes that he is not going to be able to wear these clothes out in public anymore. For one, his cropped jacket barely even covers his nipples and the hip cut outs are.. 

Breezey, we’ll say. 

Figuring his shorts will at least fix one of those problems, he struggles putting his pants on before glancing around to try and find something to cover his upper half with..

Right on time, Argenti offers a plain black shirt with a smile. Boothill glances up at The Knight with confusion.

“I had.. Foreseen this as a potential issue, so I went and bought you a few things to cover with until you find some different clothes of your liking.”

Argenti wasn’t swimming in credits and Boothill knew this, knew that the Knights of Beauty often lived in poverty, so this probably took a chunk out of his funds. Boothill’s expression softened significantly.

“Shucks, ‘Genti..”

Boothill dresses the rest of the way and receives the same care instructions from the mechanic that Argenti got. A few more goodbyes and the pair were heading out towards Argenti’s ship, The One and Only. 

Argenti sets down his bag by the airlock and starts towards the center controls. “Very well. Is there anywhere in particular you wish to go so you can finish recovering, my dear sil-” 

Argenti is cut short when his hand is tugged at. The redhead turns and stares into Boothill’s unreadable eyes before the cyborg stumbles forwards, grasping onto Argenti’s body like he’d disappear at any moment. Boothill shoves his nose into the crook of Argenti’s neck and inhales, allowing himself to completely drown in the sensation of The Knight. Feeling the weight on his chest, the silky strands of red hair that tangle between his fingers. The warm breath that dances across his shoulder. Even the beating of Argenti’s steady, strong heart.

Oh Aeons, he can feel Argenti’s heart now..

Strong, heavy arms soon surround the cyborg’s back and he’s squeezed lightly - it was the best thing he’s ever felt. The pressure and the weight. He loved every bit of it. Now that Boothill knows what it feels like to be in the warm, safe embrace of his partner, he doesn’t think he can live without it. Surely not. Nobody could.

Argenti is about to let go but Boothill sinks into him even further, relies on the redhead to keep him upright. He could live like this forever, be perfectly content to never know anything else. What more could he possibly need?

Argenti huffs fondly, putting one foot behind himself so he can support Boothill’s full weight. Eventually, Argenti can’t help but be lulled into a floaty, peaceful state. Knowing that Boothill can feel him now.. It comforts something deep within his heart. They stay like this for a while. Silent. Still. 

Happy.

Over the next few days, Boothill adjusts to his body rapidly. He learns its quirks and flaws and everything in between. Fine motor skills are all he has to nail down again. He didn’t realize just how rigged up his hands had been previously, allowing for just inhuman flexibility and speed. Now, he has to relearn what it’s like to hold a gun, to pull the trigger. But he doesn’t have to learn how to aim, that’s for damn sure. Still as good of a shot as before. He’s proud of it too. Argenti still cheers with amazement no matter how well he does, though.

Every night, the ranger would lay as close to Argenti as possible, cradling The Knight in his arms until they would drift to sleep together. Boothill finds that he dreams more. Argenti theorizes that it’s his brain’s way of processing all the new feelings, the new smells and sensations. It makes enough sense that Boothill chooses to believe it. 

It isn’t until long, however, does Boothill realize the other things he’s been given.

Pain was one. He felt it, really felt it now. It was a little funny, the first time this realization hit was when Argenti was steering The One and Only. Space debris that flew under the radar suddenly threatened Argenti’s beloved ship so he snapped the module to the left, masterfully dodging and maneuvering. He looked thrilled, always does when he gets to pull off those special moves or race around in the vastness of space. Though, that smile swiftly dropped when he heard Boothill groan, ragdolled onto the floor.

He hit his back and it stung like hell, silencing the cyborg in stunned confusion. Argenti apologized like his life depended on it, but Boothill only burst out laughing, making the poor knight flush a deep red. 

Pain was a strange thing. He never thought he would be so relieved to feel it again. 

Fear was another. No matter how many microchips are put in your head, basic human instinct will shine through. The want, the need to survive has always been with Boothill, it’s not something that was scrubbed out of his mind when he underwent the first few surgeries. But it was dulled. His brain couldn’t produce adrenaline the same way somebody of pure flesh and blood could. His body produced artificial adrenaline that really only kicked in when he was in immediate and lethal danger. Otherwise, it would give him the shakes and he couldn’t shoot right. But now, whenever he rounds a corner and gets startled by Argenti’s presence or when the alarms on his ship go off, a surge of faux adrenaline surges through his body and makes him feel cold, making his throat itch in a slightly unpleasant way. 

It was just another thing he had to get used to. He also convinced himself that this would be better, that he could be more alert now that he isn’t all armored up.

But there was another thing..

Don’t get him wrong, dear reader, Boothill was not a stranger to flirting or lust or desire. He was human at a certain point, after all, and even when his body went through all those initial changes, he could still feel it. It was an afterthought. Something he never sought out considering his, well, lack of “equipement”. Plus, with his dulled senses, pleasure was more of a taunt. No matter what he did, no matter what he tried, it just wasn’t enough and he would get frustrated. Argenti was just about the only exception to that, he would put up with the agony of untouched lust, so long as the redhead was happy, so long as he was completely engulfed by pleasure. So long as the cyborg could hear his sweet, little cries. 

However, with the sense of touch returning to him almost completely, it has reignited a certain part of him. He’s done his best to stuff it down, he has plenty of practice with this, but it’s become increasingly more difficult. He can feel Argenti’s subtle signs, his gives and his reactions. The flex of his stomach, the hitch of breath and quickening of his heartrate. 

One night, Boothill simply couldn’t help himself.

It happened when Argenti finally returned to The One and Only, which Boothill practically lived in nowadays. The Knight flipped the overhead lights on and blinked slowly. Based off of the dirt clinging to his armor and the wildness of his hair, Boothill can safely assume that today went a little awry. Though, when he lays eyes on his partner, the tension leaves Argenti’s shoulders and he smiles with half lidded eyes. 

Boothill rises from the copilot’s chair and holds onto the armrest for a quick second before fully finding his balance. 

“Rough day..?” Boothill asks.

“It is perfectly fine now that I have you here.” Argenti replies.

The cyborg grins and offers a fond scoff. “Yeah, yeah. What happened?”

Argenti would recount his day filled with request after request after request from the people he was preaching to. Boothill’s seen it himself, the moment Argenti mutters that he’s a Knight of Beauty, he is asked to do multiple things out of the kindness of his heart with very little return. Personally, it irks Boothill. People can be so selfish sometimes.. But Argenti is delighted, enjoys being useful and helpful. 

He starts to unbuckle some of the hidden straps on his armor, his face contorting with strained relief as the pressure on his chest finally lets up. He keeps his cuisses and greaves on, typically does. Perhaps he feels better protected, or they are a source of comfort - he’s never really gotten into it. Boothill carefully approaches from behind, pushing up the sleeves of his black leather jacket before wrapping his arms around Argenti’s chest, reveling in the feeling of Argenti relaxing into his chest. 

“You deserve some rest, darlin’. Ain’t gotta work yerself to death now.” He mutters into the side of Argenti’s neck. Warm breath dances across The Knight’s skin, resulting in a subtle shudder, goosebumps riding up Argenti’s arms. He turns his head to press a gentle kiss against Boothill’s cheek. 

“I will rest once I fix our course.”

“I can do that for you, Red, where do you need it?” Boothill says, laying two slow kisses against the pulse in Argenti’s neck. The Knight responds quite well to this.

“I was thinking of visiting Washtopia. The One and Only could use some cleaning and repairs.” 

“She looks perfectly fine.” Boothill chuckles.

“Even still, they have worked hard.” Argenti retorts, a sweet smile gracing his features. Boothill steals a quick kiss before he starts heading towards the controls. 

“You get in bed and rest your back. I’ll join you soon.” 

“I will wait for you, then.” 

Boothill’s back before long, having set the ship on a course that would avoid any traffic or debris. It shouldn’t take more than one system day to complete the journey. As quickly as he could, Boothill returns to the small bedroom just a small distance away. There, he could see Argenti gathering his hair up in a high bun, humming some unnamed tune. 

The ranger got that feeling again. That pit in his stomach that made his throat feel dry and his fingers twitch. He kneels on the bed just behind Argenti. The redhead goes to turn and face his partner but stops when he feels split-slick lips against his neck again. The Knight’s eyes gradually fall shut as he smiles.

“Welcome back, my dearest ranger.” Argenti whispers, reaching behind him to gently cup Boothill’s cheek. The black and white-haired man’s hands find their place on Argenti’s waist. His kisses become more frequent, a little harder, playing with the idea of leaving marks. Argenti’s lashes flutter for a moment as his head lulls back. The redhead’s fingers carefully tangle themselves into Boothill’s hair, lightly scratching at his scalp.

“You’ve done a lot today,” Boothill murmurs. “Why don’t you just relax fer a while, yeah?” 

“You don’t have to, my dearest.”

“And what if I want to?” Boothill says, sneaking the tips of his fingers under Argenti’s shirt. The Knight’s stomach flexes in response.

“I certainly won’t say no.” 

The ranger pushes his hands the rest of the way under Argenti’s shirt, stopping at his chest as he cups The Knight’s pecs, committing the feeling to memory. He suckles against the base of the redhead’s neck while slowly rolling his nipples between his fingers, noting the way they immediately harden at the slightest touch, listens to the way The Knight’s breath hitches and his body tenses. Boothill had known that Argenti’s chest was sensitive, but he wasn’t able to feel it. He relied on sounds, which Argenti doesn’t always give him. But now..

Gently, Boothill would pull on Argenti’s sensitive nubs, feeling a pulse of adrenaline surge through him at the sound he’s given in return. 

He teases the tips of his teeth against Argenti’s shoulder, slowly scooting closer until his chest and stomach are flush against The Knight’s back. Argenti turns his head and quickly captures Boothill’s lips with his own. The kiss starts out slow and sensual but it quickly becomes sloppy, wet and desperate as their desire for each other only grows with every moment.

Boothill felt warm, but it was different from his usual overheating. He could feel it radiate through his body, making him want to chase the sensation more and more. His left hand slowly slides down Argenti’s muscular stomach before dipping under the waistband of his pants, pausing for a brief moment in case The Knight had any objections. The redhead leans into the touch and silently urges his partner to continue.

Boothill lightly squeezes Argenti’s chest as he teases his fingertips under the elastic band of Argenti’s boxers, slowly taking out Argenti’s hardening length before licking into his mouth, a fresh wave of heat surging down into his stomach. Feeling his dear ranger shudder behind him, Argenti would push his hips back and sit against Boothill’s lap, immediately being greeted by the feeling of his ranger’s excitement. Argenti’s lashes flutter when Boothill lets out the smallest sound into the redhead’s mouth before they capture each other’s lips once again. 

It was a feeling long since forgotten, but the more Boothill felt, the more he wanted. The more he needed .

Argenti’s pants can only go down so far due to his cuisses, but Boothill lowers them as much as he can. To assist, Argenti presses his weight into his knees and lifts his rear off of Boothill’s thighs. Boothill would grab at Argenti’s ass greedily and start to ravage Argenti’s neck once more, leaving marks and hickies that he wouldn’t be able to hide very easily. 

For the briefest of moments, Boothill breaks away to hastily locate the small bottle of lube they keep inside of the bedside table’s drawer. He can hardly focus until Argenti turns to kiss Boothill nice and slow, making the eager man pliant for a moment.

“No need to rush, my dear.. I am not going anywhere.” The redhead whispers.

Boothill lets out an audible shudder before nodding. He pours a generous amount of lube onto his hand before tenderly swiping them across Argenti’s hole, the chill of the lube making him tense for a brief moment. Boothill waits for him to relax before sliding his ring finger inside, feeling his throat close at the warmth that surrounds him. He’s never been able to feel it before. It feels so good, he doesn’t know how he’s lived without this..

Argenti presses one of his hands into the mattress while the other tangles itself back into Boothill’s hair, gently tugging him closer. He works Argenti slowly, waits until he feels loose enough to take another finger. He coaxes his middle finger inside of The Knight as well, slowly working him open in a scissoring motion, the way he knows makes Argenti whimper and whine. 

He knows Argenti is loose enough now, knows he could continue - but the sweet-as-honey sounds spilling from the redhead’s glistening lips makes Boothill want to tease a little more. Argenti is a man of great restraint and won’t ask for anything else than what he’s given more often than not. However, when he starts to push back against Boothill’s hand in search of more, he decides to stop and give The Knight what he wants. He deserves a reward after his hard day of work, after all. 

Boothill’s slightly trembling hands tug at his own pants until he can free his aching, hardened erection. He puts some more lube on his hand before stroking himself once to cover himself, but chokes on his own cry. Foreign and forgotten was the feeling of such vivid pleasure. Argenti looks over his shoulder, his eyes softening as he gazes at the mess that is his lover. 

“Would you like to stop, my love?” Argenti asks softly, lovingly. The gunslinger shakes his head. “Then would you like some help?”

Boothill felt a little dumb for this, but.. He nods. He felt overwhelmed, but he knew he had to get used to this, wanted to get used to this. And the thought of finally pleasing Argenti in a way The Knight needs keeps him focused. Without an ounce of judgment, Argenti reaches behind him and carefully grasps Boothill’s cock, stroking it from base to tip a few times, keeping his touch feathery-light. But even then, moans drip from Boothill’s lips without restraint. Sensitive, so so sensitive..

Once Argenti feels he’s coated enough, he would adjust his stance, releasing a quiet breath before slowly sinking down onto the ranger’s cock - barely able to contain his own sounds. The redhead sinks down the rest of the way, feeling so wonderfully full as Boothill’s arms desperately wrap around The Knight’s chest. They stay like this for a moment, the sounds of their unsteady breathing filling the otherwise quiet room. 

Soon enough, Boothill’s hips twitch and he starts to rock them back and forth at an unsteady and random pace. Argenti doesn’t say anything, he doesn’t mind it either. It felt good, really really good. His face felt warm, his stomach twisted in the best way possible every time Boothill moved. The cowboy would nuzzle into Argenti’s neck as he kisses, licks and bites freely. The black and white-haired man eventually finds his pace, rolling his hips in a perfect rhythm. The sounds that envelope the room were disgustingly lewd and made both their bodies tingle. 

With every thrust, a sound is all but punched out of Argenti’s chest, sounds Boothill could only dream of hearing before. One of the ranger’s hands travels downwards and grips Argenti’s throbbing, weeping length.

“Boothill-!” The Knight gasps as he throws his head back, his whole body beginning to shake as the outlaw strokes him in time with his thrusts. After a particularly harsh thrust, Argenti makes a strangled sound that can only hint at Boothill finding that one spot Argenti loves so much. He aims to hit The Knight’s prostate with every thrust, making the poor man in his arms crumble, he wasn’t going to last very long, nor is Boothill. They’re both overwhelmed, overheated and desperate. 

“ My love! ” Argenti chokes, his whole body going tense. Boothill quickly uses his other hand to tilt Argenti’s head towards him, swallowing his final cry before he shakes apart within Boothill’s arms. Boothill’s hips stutter and shake before giving one last thrust before spilling inside of his knight, moaning into Argenti’s mouth. Both of their bodies give out on them soon after, collapsing onto the bed side by side. Boothill’s fingers and legs twitch as he struggles to process the lingering sensory and pleasure. 

Argenti scoots close and showers his dear ranger with feathery kisses, temporarily grounding him to the current moment. 

He lets out a shaky breath and clutches onto Argenti’s hand. 

“Did you feel good?” Boothill asks with a creak in his throat.

Argenti smiles fondly and lets his tired eyes shut once again. “You felt amazing, my love.” The Knight replies with a hoarse voice.

Warmth floods Boothill’s chest as he lazily kisses Argenti’s hand. “S’ good..”

“Tired, my dear?”

“Yeah.. Ain’t used to this yet.”

“I was planning on resting anyway. Come, join me, we will clean up after we wake up.” Argenti says, not giving the tired cyborg much of a choice as he collects him into his strong arms. 

“Mmh..” He shoves his face into Argenti’s chest and inhales quietly. “Okay..”

There’s a brief pause.

“..Love you.” Boothill mutters into The Knight’s chest.

Argenti puts a hand behind Boothill’s head and another squeezes his hand. “I love you too, my silver cowboy.”

Boothill gives an exhausted laugh. “Not anymore, darlin’.”

“I suppose not.” Argenti chuckles. “I’ll have to think of another name for you.”

…

There was no reply other than the subtle, soft breathing of his companion, fast asleep. Argenti smiles and kisses the top of his head.

“I love you so much.. No matter your form..”