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“Darling, dinner is ready!”
With a small smile, Boothill made quick work of standing from the couch and venturing into the kitchen. There, standing in front of the stove and stripped of his silver armor in favor of a t-shirt and sweats, was Argenti. The knight had taken it upon himself to prepare a warm meal for them that night, insistent upon ensuring that Boothill ate something homemade while he could.
“It smells delicious,” Boothill praised. He made quick work of setting the table, and moments later was rewarded by his partner pressing against his side as they both dug into their food.
Dinner was a quiet affair, each of them taking the time to savor both the food and each others presence. The entire time, Boothill kept his arm wrapped around Argenti’s shoulder, resigning himself to struggling through eating with his left hand in favor of keeping his boyfriend’s warm body pressed against his side. All the while, Argenti rubbed gentle circles into the metal plating of Boothill’s thigh with his thumb while sporadically leaning over to press kisses against his neck. It made the whole ordeal of eating take far longer than it usually would, but neither could find it in themselves to care. It made been weeks since they had last been able to simply sit together and enjoy each others company, and they were determined to make it last.
“Thank you for dinner, baby.” Boothill pulled the knight close to press a kiss to his temple. “Why don’t you get ready for bed? I’ll clean this up.”
“I really don’t mind cleaning up—” Argenti shook his head, but Boothill was already prepared for his retort.
“You went through all the trouble of making me a nice meal.” The ranger leaned down to nip at his lovers jawline. “Let me at least return the favor by helping with the dishes.”
Following a flurry of kisses pressed against the column of his throat, Argenti begrudgingly assented. Boothill made quick work of clearing the table and washing the dishes, eager to fall into his lovers arms while in the same bed. No matter how long they spent together, it never was enough to sooth the dull ache of separation that crept up on him every night he found himself falling asleep alone.
When he finished, Boothill wasted no time in rushing to the bedroom, pulling off his shirt as he went. Inside, he was greeted by the sight of Argenti seated at his vanity, dressed in soft pajamas and rubbing lotion into his face. The ranger paused in the doorway and took a moment to lean against the frame and just enjoy being able to watch his lover.
Argenti took his time in finishing his routine, taking care to return every product to its rightful place on the vanity. Boothill must have not been as stealthy as he thought he was being, because the second Argenti was done arranging his things, he turned back to look at him with a smile.
“Hello sweetheart.”
“Hey there, sugar.” Boothill smirked and pushed himself off of the door frame. In one smooth movement, he tossed his shirt into the hamper and pulled out the dresser drawer to procure a pair of sleep pants. Though his back was turned, he could feel Argenti’s eyes on him as he changed. When he finally turned back around, the knight was standing behind him with a soft smile gracing his features.
“You, my love, are as beautiful as Idrila reborn.” Argenti reached up to caress his cheek reverently.
Boothill scoffed, a fond smile playing across his lips. “That has to count as blasphemy of some kind, darlin’.”
“On the contrary.” The knight pressed a soft kiss to his forehead. “It is a prayer of the highest potency. Anyone with eyes would see the truth in my claim.”
Sensing that this was a losing battle, Boothill elected to just hum his assent before letting the burnt of his weight fall to the bed. Undoubtedly fondly amused by his antics, Argenti laughed as he climbed on top of him and slotted their bodies tightly together.
As a man always on the move and on the run from his many enemies, Boothill did not often have the chance to feel at peace. Here, his his lovers arms, was one of the rare opportunities he had to simply breathe. With Argenti, he felt closer to being human than he had since he died.
Boothill shifted to press his face into Argenti’s hair and inhaled. Late night calls and texts stolen between work were okay, but no amount of messaging could compare to the sheer pleasure of basking in the redheaded knights soothing scent.
“You’re thinking awfully hard, my love.” Argenti nuzzled his face into the crook of Boothill’s neck, pressing a kiss against the tight wiring. “What’s on your mind?”
Boothill huffed and pulled the the knight’s hair away from his face. “Tryin’ not to think about my next mission.” Argenti stiffened against his chest, and Boothill felt a hot flare of guilt rise in his chest at the notion of disturbing his lovers gentle peace. He pushed on, trying to drown out the sinking feeling that had taken home in his heart, “I’ve just been awful lonely lately, and the thought of leaving you again… It hurts baby.”
A beat of silence passed between them as the knight shifted against his chest and pulled away.
“Look at me?” Argenti pleaded, and only then did Boothill realize that he had squeezed his eyes shut.
When he finally looked up again the ranger was greeted by the dazzling green of his lover’s eyes. Upon further inspection, he realized that their vibrancy was due to the moisture that came from holding back tears, and the revelation came like a punch to the gut.
“Your work is important,” Argenti assured, and when Boothill opened his mouth speak, he placed a gentle finger over his lips, effectively silencing the ranger. “It always hurts when you have to leave. Of course it does; I love you. If I had it my way, you would never have to stray from where I could keep you safe.” He leaned down to kiss just beneath Boothill’s eyes, right over the mark his creator had left. “But you aren’t the only one who has to leave. This burden is not solely upon your shoulders. Both of us have our own responsibilities to tend to. You forget sometimes that I am also the one leaving you. So please, my love, do not feel like you are abandoning me.”
Boothill sucked in a shuddering breath. With shaking hands, he reached up to trace metal fingers across soft cheekbones. With every stroke, Argent leaned further into his touch, until the ranger was cupping his face with both hands.
“Ever since I met you, it’s been harder to stare danger in the eyes with a smile,” Boothill murmured. “Each time I walk into a fight I worry that I might not make it back to you.”
“You will,” Argenti assured. He turned his head to press a kiss to the cool metal of Boothill’s palm. “You will always make it back to me.”
Like magic, the knot that had been winding tight in his chest began to slowly unfurl, leaving behind only the soothing weight of his boyfriend’s body on top of his. Argenti leaned forward to press a long kiss against his lips, and there was no universe in which Boothill would deny himself the pleasure of being pressed so close to the only man who could bring him back from the edge so easily. When they finally parted, both men were panting. With trembling arms, Argenti lowered himself so that he was laying flush against Boothill’s bare chest.
Content, Boothill ran his fingers through Argenti’s flowing locks, taking special care to sooth out knots and keep the fine strands from tangling in his joints. On top of him, Argenti snuggled further into his chestplate as a sleepy smile began to spread across his lips.
“I love you,” the knight whispered.
If Boothill had a human heart, it would surely be thundering loud enough to disturb the beauty on top of him.
“I love you too,” he whispered back, voice creaking with barely-concealed emotion. “Get some rest darlin’.”
It didn’t take long after that for Argenti’s breathing to even out entirely. The knight had always had the enviable ability to fall asleep quickly just about anywhere. Boothill allowed himself to just watch the way his boyfriend’s back rose and fell with his breathing. Subconsciously, his hands began to rub soothingly up and down his arms and across his back. A fond chuckle escaped the rangers lips as Argenti cuddled closer in his sleep.
Before long, they would both have to part ways once more to embark on their respective duties, but for now, for just a moment longer, they could lay here like this. Together.