Chapter Text
Boothil was tired.
[SYSTEM WARNING]: Energy Levels low! Energy remaining: 5 Minutes!
"FUDGE! I KNOW!" He ran his fingers through his hair. His sight was full of System Warnings and the sound he received was no better. Perhaps, if he wasn't currently on the run, he would've found time to charge his body and perhaps he should have found a place to hide-but now, that's all in the past.
"THOSE MUDDLE FUDGERS!" He gritted his sharp, shark-like teeth and tried to walk as slowly as he could. The IPC was still behind him, but he didn't care about all that. All he cared about was the poor refugees he had decided to save.
A few days ago, Boothill had received a cry for help from a planet the IPC was trying to subdue. Knowing how the story went, Boothill couldn't refuse their plea-not after his late daughter's image came to mind...all dark and distorted ever since the IPC had captured him. The rescue was going well too-the IPC had only sent newbies to intimidate the planet's citizens and they were no match for the fearless Galaxy Ranger.
Truth be told, Boothill got a bit full of himself. After severing the communication Towers, ensuring the IPC guards couldn't contact their bosses, he decided to hunt each one down individually and give them hell. However, unbeknownst to him, the guards had sent for reinforcements ever since Boothill set foot on that planet. Still, the Galaxy Ranger couldn't walk away from this mission-not if his conscience and every last shred of humanity had something to say about it.
That being said, it's no surprise that the Galaxy Ranger was now in trouble. He had been on the run for 3 days and, although his body can usually withstand 10 days without being charged, being on the run and not consuming any food nor getting any sleep, finally took their toll on him. The Galaxy Ranger wasn't afraid-only angry that these people would have their way.
'Forking greedy sons-of-a-nice-lady!' He thought to himself as the system kept warning him of an impending shutdown.
As he hid behind a rock, he sat on its shade. 'Maybe that's it for this lil' old rusty tin...' He thought to himself and rested his head on the coarse surface. He seemed almost peaceful. 'Maybe...' He then grunted and aimed a gun at an IPC guard. "Fork it." His eyes narrowed and he shot-once, twice...the man was down. "One less for these fellas."
As he heard footsteps approach, he sighed.
[SYSTEM WARNING]: Energy Levels Low! Energy remaining: 1 minute!
"Listen here, you son of a gun! I have one minute and one bullet! Make it easier for both of us and come 'ere, fudger!"
"Oh! My silver cowboy! What a pleasant surprise!"
Boothill raised his eyebrow-he would recognize that tone and that nickname-no one else in their right minds would call him that way.
A tall, red-haired man approached him wearing a polished suit of armor, his green eyes full of concern as he looked at the Galaxy Ranger. He knelt next to his sitting frame. "My friend! Beautiful as always! It's truly a blessing that Idrila brought us back together!" He held Boothills metal hand. "Are you in need of assistance?"
Boothill let out a sigh of rellief. "Red... Energy is low... Sh..Shutting down..." His voice was rough and almost silent-he closed his eyes to try and stay awake longer.
As he was about to fall and meet the ground, a pair of strong hands held him up-a bit more tightly than necessary. "Fear not, my silver cowboy... I've got you now." His voice was softer as he lifted him up.
Argenti didn't know where Boothill's ship was at, so, he decided to bring the Galaxy Ranger to 'The One and Only' to help him recharge. Besides, after the events on Penacony where Boothill had to hide in his ship for a few days, he did have some spare wires to attach to his friend. Once in his ship he laid Boothill on his king-sized bed and attached the wires to his limp body-careful so as not to hurt him.
The One and Only was as beautiful as the man you owned it. Its interior matching the color palette of the Knights of Beauty and for decorations he had numerous things from each world he had visited-all the things that in his eyes were as beautiful as the cosmos. Admiring his trinkets, Argenti couldn't help but admire the man laying on his bed-many wouldn't have found Boothill beautiful, but to Argenti, that was far from the truth.
In his sleep, Boothill seemed almost peaceful-long, dark eyelashes touching his cheeks, black and white hair around his head like a distorted halo, soft lips... Argenti blushed. He shouldn't be looking at his friend's lips. But...why were they so soft...?
As he sat next to the Galaxy Ranger, he smiled softly as he always did. 'My poor silver cowboy... I shall assist you on your mission as soon as you awaken.' He thought and covered Boothill up with his soft, red blanket despite him not needing any warmth.
Boothill woke up once his energy levels were on 20%. He looked around-his vision blurry and he was truly confused at to where he had ended up. The IPC wouldn't have had such a beautiful room waiting for him. 'Access Backup Memory Data' he asked the system and then it all came back to him-the Knight of Beauty rescuing him and carrying him to the One and Only.
"My silver cowboy! I truly am glad you're awake! Please let me know if you are in need of anything!" Argenti approached with a warm smile making Boothill's breath hitch-since when did the knight have this effect on him?
"Ahh.... 'Genti...'s good to see ya! Thanks for the help and the chargin'!" He replied a bit awkwardly as it was quite shameful to be so vulnerable in front of someone. He tried to get up and maintain some of his dignity until a strong hand held his shoulder.
"You should rest until you're fully charged! Instead, why not regale me with the story of business on this small planet?"
Boothill knew Argenti was right-it would be unwise to not get the chance to charge his body fully. So, he decided to explain the situation to the knight-Argenti, despite his odd speech and even odder behavior, was a great ally.
"Oh my! What a beautiful tale, my silver cowboy! The poor people of this planet heroically standing their ground against the oppressor with you as their only ally!" The knight had these dreamy eyes again and Boothill had to look away not knowing what was wrong with him. "Allow me to be of assistance for I find your cause... Truly beautiful!"
"Could use the help, Red. Much obliged."
Argenti's grin grew wider and more charming, a lock of red hair falling on his face before he pushed it aside. "Perfect! I shall gather more intel from the civilians. Stay here until I return and help you with a new plan!"
Before Boothill could even reject the notion that he'd even consider hiding, Argenti had already left. "Muddle fudger... Thinkin' I'm some damsel or som'n..."
Whilst the knight was gone, Boothill tried to pass the time by looking at all the trinkets-they were cute, albeit rather insignificant, like a stone that resembled a flower... Anyone else would find all these things silly, but for Boothill...they were rather...cute. They all looked like things only a man with beauty in his mind would pick-everything was like a reflection of Argenti.
'Can rusty ol' tins like me'self get sick? Why am I all mushy all of a sudden?' He thought to himself feeling annoyed and a bit embarassed-he wasn't supposed to find things cute. He was only supposed to enact revenge.
After Argenti returned, he smiled when he saw Boothill admiring his beloved trinkets. "This one is from Penacony! Is it not lovely?"
Boothill looked up with a confused expression. "What even is this?"
"A remnant of a dream bubble, my silver cowboy! It laid on a pool of distorted dreams, but it was still intact-and so beautiful!" His eyes shone as he explained it, looking like a lively forest and Boothill wanted to look away but couldn't.
The Galaxy Ranger cleaned his throat. "About...About the mission. D'ye have a plan?"
"Of course! The enemy shall march on the poor civilians from the west-they all have splending crafstmanship on their armors and weapons! My suggestion is...an ambush!"
Boothill smirked, his sharp teeth showing. "Now yer talkin'!" He was really proud of the knight-not only was he beautiful, but he was surprisingly smart as well.
After explaining the plan to Boothill, he also explained how he enlisted the help of a few brave people who wanted to defend their land. They would fight in two days-plenty of time for Boothill to recharge and repair his body as well as gather more intel and support for their cause. Besides, very few could ever reject Argenti-the man was like a magnet and most people were unable to reject his plans.
For two whole days Boothill was repairing all the damage his body had taken-Argenti, ever the gentleman, would often assist him and compliment him on the beautiful parts used to repair his body. Boothill was embarassed most of the time, unused to being called beautiful after loosing his body and replacing it with this one made out of metal. However, Argenti's kindness and support somehow made Boothill feel more human than machine and for the Galaxy Ranger, that was a bad thing. If he felt human again, he would have to give a damn...and giving a damn meant he was setting himself up to break even more.
"Are you ready, my silver cowboy?" The knight asked when the day they'd kick the IPC out arrived.
"Ready as a forkin' muddlefudger, Red!!" He readied his pistols as they walked out of the One and Only together.
Argenti laughed, his laughter more refreshing than the breeze blowing against their faces. "Ever the colorful vocabulary, my friend!"
Boothill's system almost got fried. 'That forkin laughter will turn me into a toaster, fudger...' He thought as they walked, trying to pretend that the knight's precense was not affecting him at all. It's all Penacony's fault-the fudging dreamscape where Boothill slipped and Argenti rushed to pick him up before he fell and their lips accidentally touched. Argenti laughed it off, but Boothill almost bluescreened. After that, he couldn't help but feel the other's lips on his own.
The battle lasted for two nights and three days and in the end Boothill and Argenti emerged victorious. They sent the IPC packing and the civilians of that planet were able to continue living their lives. Boothill felt bittersweet at that...if only his own planet could have also been spared... But it was not the time nor the place to wonder what could've been. Boothill went to his ship to recharge.
"Good morning, my silver cowboy! May I enter your ship?"
Boothill didn't know what time it was, but he allowed the knight to enter. The other man looked as handsome as ever, holding a bag in his hand that smelled way too good for Boothill who had been sleeping for Aeons-know-how-long. "Mornin' Red. Is that food yer holdin'?"
Argenti smiled brightly and nodded. "Yes! Seeing how you slept for 12 hours, I thought it necessary to bring you something to eat. I hope you are not opposed?"
"Come. Let's eat together. Whatcha say?" Boothill patted the chair next to him and Argenti happily obliged.
"A meal shared is always preferrable."
As they ate, Boothill stole a few glances at the knight when he wasn't looking-and, Argenti did the same, looking at Boothill eat ridiculously fast with ill manners. Usually, he wouldn't have liked such poor manners, but, somehow, everything Boothill did was endearing and beautiful.
"So, where are you headed next, my silver friend?" The knight of beauty leaned in, green eyes full of curiosity.
Boothill blushed at the closeness-he hoped the dim lighting would cover it. "I ain't got nowhere to be right now. Usually, I either stir up trouble like a muddle fudger, help ma' friends out or wait until the next fudger who wants my help."
"Excellent! I also have some time to spare! Perhaps, our next mission could be a joint one! Although I travel alone, I found our co-operation beautiful beyond explanation!"
This man had no shred of shame-thankfully, Boothill did have and a lot of it to match. "Ah.... Darn, Red... I....ye got me unprepared..."
Argenti nods. He doesn't look sad, but he's also not as happy as Boothill would have wanted. "O..Of course..I... Forgive me for assuming..."
Boothill's metallic heart ached. He didn't like this Argenti who didn't look 100% thrilled. "Hold yer horses! I...I just meant I have to check that my fellow Rangers don't need my help!"
Argenti smiled widely again, suddenly looking even more radiant. "Oh! Of course! Then... I shall await on the One and Only until you have news?"
"It won't take long, but yeah. No problem with me."
Argenti left, looking so happy and Boothill smiled unconsciously as he looked at the beautiful man go. "Forkin' wubabboo am I screwed or what?" He opened his phone, silently praying deep down that no one needed him.