Work Text:
It had been roughly a month since Gallagher had been promoted to an official Bloodhound Family member after overthrowing Sunday. Woolsey never cared about how Gallagher was an amalgam of 52 loyal Family members including him. He saw the potential of blending in with the crowd, making it hard for criminals to figure out which person is after them.
Gallagher had been giving his boss all sorts of healthy snacks and the occasional flower, Woolsey thinking of his advances as gifts of appreciation and nothing less.
After their shift in Golden Hour, Woolsey had an idea. He went to where Gallagher was positioned, a considerable amount of distance as Gallagher didn't want to look all flustered in his job.
"Alright Gallagher, how about I treat you this time?" Woolsey reached out, a smile forming on his lips. "After all, a good boss treats their employees right."
The lesser Hound turned his head, now a slight shade of pink. "Wh- what?"
"Come on. It's my turn giving you something."
Gallagher nodded, refusing to hold Woolsey's hand, thinking they're going to discuss about work, but was secretly fantasizing about being together.
"Say... There's a cafe I saw somewhere down the street. Do you mind coffee?"
Gallagher tried his absolute best to maintain eye contact. He can't be too obvious towards Woolsey, not like he knows that he's oblivious as a rock. "Yeah, but... Remember, I don't like chocolate."
"And I don't like sweet food in general. Though, the things you've been giving me aren't that teeth-rotting so far." Woolsey chuckled, comforting Gallagher that his gifts were palatable to Woolsey's diet.
The two enter the cafe, greeted by the lack of a line. As they focus their eyes on the menu, they eventually settled on Woolsey having a strong cup of black coffee, Gallagher having iced coffee, and sharing a bowl of garlic bread.
The two Bloodhounds sat on an empty table, facing each other. Gallagher was looking down on the table, with the impression of blood still rushing to his cheeks.
"You... You really don't care I don't exist in reality?"
The greater Hound laughed. "What? Come on Gallagher! It's been like what, a month? You're a real Bloodhound now - and besides, I was assigned to the Dreamscape."
Gallagher let out a sigh, still worried. "I just... well, you know who I truly am. Whoever made me? They took features from many, many people. Including you. And-"
Shhh. "Hush, Gallagher." Woolsey raised his sunglasses seeing as they were indoors, his eyes fixated on Gallagher. "None of it matters. All that matters is how you do your job. Besides, you aren't a horrible person. Your true intentions were enough to tell me that."
Gallagher stared at Woolsey's hazel eyes. Oh Xipe was he beautiful, even with that scar across his eye. His blond hairs accentuating his dark skin, the colors harmonizing together alongside his eyes. If Gallagher could just lock eyes with him already, he could do it now. Suddenly...
Ding! "Table 13! Hot black coffee, iced coffee and garlic bread." A worker was heard calling for their order, causing Gallagher to abruptly stand up, only for Woolsey to do the same, and hold him down.
"Ah- this is my treat, right? Let me grab it for you." Woolsey quickly grabbed a small piece of paper indicatig their number, returning with a tray of their order.
Gallagher sips on his iced coffee as he stared at it, still not sure what to say. "Do you... do affairs in reality too?"
As Woolsey was sipping on his hot, strong coffee, he murmurs that "hmm" sound. "Me? Ah, no. I practically live here for work. In fact, there's little time for me time."
The two then silently consume what they have in front on them. Gallagher notices a couple sips left of Woolsey's coffee, asking if he could try some.
"You sure? You just had all that cold stuff in your mouth."
"Yeah." As Gallagher said that, Woolsey let him finish the remainder of the cup. Hearing sips from Gallagher's mouth, he heard something what he'd thought would be expected from sipping such a beverage.
Gallagher would be the kind of person who would think of what he'd say first. But a thought had slipped out of his mind - and into Woolsey's ears.
"Ah- this coffee is indeed hot and strong..."
"Well, that's because you just-"
Gallagher wanted to say it out loud. He badly wanted to say "just like you", but he managed to stop himself in his own careless tracks.
"...Sorry."
Woolsey giggles. "You know, there's no need to treat me, Gallagher. Your job performance is enough."
Gallagher was all frustrated inside. Woolsey can't seem to pick up the signals that he's been giving him. Yogurt, protein bars, salads, even flowers, and yet he had the gall to treat Gallagher to what felt like a dinner date to him. The lesser hound sighs in frustration. "...No, I insist."
He grabbed Woolsey's hand, the bigger Hound gasping. "O-oi! I haven't paid the bill yet!"
This led to Gallagher crossing his arms, staring at Woolsey who was scrambling to grab some money he sat aside, and gave it to a nearby waiter. He stares at Gallagher with a confused look after doing so, who then approached him and grabbed his hand again.
"I need you to come with me. Please."
Woolsey sighs. What could Gallagher be up to next time? Could he be returning the favor, going to the Dreamjolt Holstery to serve him a drink that's on the house as a callback to his promotion?
He felt his arm getting dragged by the lesser Hound who was now making a run for the exit, and to the centerpiece of the capital.
"Wh-where are you taking me?! I'm your boss, you know!" Woolsey raised his voice, slightly embarrassed at how Gallagher is taking him out in public like that.
"I... There's a case you need to know."
Unsurprisingly, Woolsey's expectations didn't come to fruition, and instead they ended up in the middle of the Clockie Statue. Gallagher raised Woolsey's sunglasses, looking him dead straight in the eye as he holds Woolsey's scarredstrongman arms.
"I... I..." Gallagher's heart was beating like crazy. This was his moment - he could scream his love to the entire Penacony, probably at the cost of staining the Bloodhound Family's reputation. As he realized how vulnerable they were, he let out a sigh, a soft voice coming out of his mouth.
"I love you, Woolsey."
It had felt like time has stopped, just like how Golden Hour's clocks eternally stay at 12:00 midnight. Woolsey felt his cheek being cupped by Gallagher's hand, eventually tracing his goatee, his hair golden as the glamour of the streets of Penacony's capital Dreamscape.
And yet, his eyes showed disbelief. He was used to being catcalled during his shifts, trying to not let out a sigh as people stared at him for his struggling button, and yet there was this one man that wanted to be serious with him.
"What...?"
It was all Woolsey could mutter.
All this time, he thought Gallagher was just being courteous to his boss. Guess that wasn't the case.
Gallagher tried to explain himself. "Look, I... yes, I do think you're handsome, but-"
"I... uh... I'm your boss." Woolsey tries to remind Gallagher of their professional relationship. But Gallagher is way past that idea.
"And?"
Woolsey turns his back on Gallagher, sighing. "You know what, let me think this through."
The two awkwardly stared at the midnight sky while sitting on the nearby bench as the two contemplate whatever just happened.
"So those gifts... were those your hints?" Woolsey asked, looking at Gallagher after minutes that felt like hours.
"...Yes?!" Gallagher looked back, a surprised look at his face. "Those... snacks that I've given you - am I not giving enough signs, Woolsey?"
"Protein bars, yoghurt, salads... and even flowers. Are they not enough signs that I'm taking a liking to you, Woolsey?"
"Oh..."
It all finally clicked on Woolsey's head.
"You're so oblivious, Woolsey." Gallagher chuckled, a smile on his lips as he teases the bigger Hound.
"I'm... not used to this, Gallagher. I'm a work person. I can tell you about my grievances easily, but..." the greater Hound uttered. "Besides, I... well, I'm used to people catcalling me because of my stupid shirt."
"Well, if anything, I get those too, and uh... I do like that shirt on you, but... It's different when someone actually wants you for more than just their appearance, does it?"
"Well, yes, but..."
Woolsey's heart was finally taking it all in. It wasn't just appreciation - it was infatuation. For the first time, his cheeks turn a deep red as he realizes Gallagher's true intentions with him. Maybe it's time to try what love feels like.
He stands up from the bench, looking back and reaching out his hand.
Gallagher stands up, his cheek being cupped by Woolsey's dependable hand. The bigger Hound's thoughts were overflowing of something Woolsey never thought he'd pursuit nor crave for.
He gives in to his thoughts. Closing his eyes, Woolsey leans in for a kiss, feeling Gallagher's hands on his hips. Woolsey's hands reached all over Gallagher's cheeks, feeling his stubble, reminiscent of Olomu, their fellow member of the Bloodhounds who's known for his detective work. Their lips intertwining, everything that Gallagher took from merges to nothing but a single, unique entity.
Woolsey's eyes widen as he pulls out of Gallagher's lips, staring at a Gallagher who was smiling, his jasper eyes reminiscent of Sir Whittaker shining like a newly polished gem, his cheeks as velvet as the pants he wore.
"I think... I..." Woolsey muttered, somehow being unable to figure out the words to say that he was reciprocating Gallagher's feelings, until he finally mustered the courage to do so. "I love you too, Gallagher."