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56,753,350 | Sweet Malt Drink | ['Shorkiez'] | Not Rated | M/M | 崩坏：星穹铁道 | Honkai: Star Rail (Video Game) | Argenti/Boothill (Honkai: Star Rail) | Argenti (Honkai: Star Rail), Boothill (Honkai: Star Rail), Dan Heng (Honkai: Star Rail), March 7th (Honkai: Star Rail), Trailblazer (Honkai: Star Rail), Sunday (Honkai: Star Rail) | Fluff, My First AO3 Post, Post-Penacony Trailblaze Missions (Honkai: Star Rail), I Wrote This Instead of Sleeping, they kissed, They should kiss, I wrote this... Sleeping??, I have no recollection of writing this, oh well, Bonus sentences?? Paragraphs?? At the end!, Short Story, I wrote this in my notes so it's very short, Black Swan and Acheron was briefly mentioned than promptly removed from the story sorry, Sunday SLANDER jk he's just chicken | English | 2024-06-19 | Completed | 2024-06-19 | 2,208 | 1/1 | 3 | 62 | 3 | 842 | ['kunislover', 'Angelface6', 'Warafing', 'Saturn_Lemon', 'Kokogiggles', 'Regulus_drowned1979', 'Blue_Sovereign', 'K2_08_16', 'KYAAAaaa_a33', 'AnnPatata', 'Doukz', 'SpinningWind', 'flueshi', 'Korokori', 'Minsiyeon101', 'OliviaxxMarie', 'suki_oco_rookie', 'Evelyn_Unknown', 'SrMoru', 'TheOneButNotOnly', 'JJ_609', 'BizcuitzCrumbZ', 'Zena_OCIO', 'flower__field', 'Blustarose', 'AmongYeetus', 'Mate_Cocido_Nice', 'Hannah_il1xoxh3', 'freshappleslices', 'MILLYMAGICA', 'Blade_of_Moon', 'bebequgu', 'Maxminions', 'Flamboyant_Insomniac', 'SvnDayz', 'Fedya_kisser', 'big_pan_cake', 'Potato_AO3', 'RyokoMasa', 'raventhesecretcrow', 'Elicxer', 'oceanromance', 'k0uk0', 'Citygone', 'Alexinn'] | [] |
Is this where I post my work? I hope so... Hmm maybe I should have read a tutorial.... oh, you didn't see this though~☆
A galaxy ranger and a knight of beauty is a rare pair for sure. Its like the crossovers of all crossovers, but yet it happened. So many dang times he could've gotten used to it. Yet that knight of beauty is dangerous... He's got some superpower. That said mystical power? To make a metallic heart of his beat.
After their awesome merry band of misfits had defeated an obnoxiously large chicken wing the Astral Express crew had invited them all onto their train. Stepping into that nice interior with that whale looking lamp and those shiny as heck marble floors, he thought, the place ain't so bad! Even if it made him kind of jealous. It's not like this reminded him anything of home but having this fancy-pancy heckuva train for a stay would be nice. And hey, if anything were to remind him of home it'd be a industrial wasteland, since that's the closest to what the current state of his planet is, hah! But aside from that, he was met by more than one familiar face. One, his good 'ol partner in crime! Mighty spear holder and Abacus user, his Xianzhou sworn bro! (Self proclaimed). And two, that mysterious memokeeper whos so mighty hard to track down he doubted any of his bullets could ever hit her. (Acheron was removed from view to prevent any fights). But lastly that mysterious knight he had kept running into, that muddle fudger knight.
Don't get this ranger wrong, any company, especially those that ran the way he does, was better than no company. But his company? It made those fans of his go overdrive. That knight, with his sparkling eyes and beautiful red hair was making every part of his body run overtime on keeping him not exploding to the aeons above, he'd swear. It wasn't like he didn't enjoy being with that knight. The guy was so much like him, he really understood him, and he really made him feel somethin'. Unfortunately, that same knight caught him and those crosshair eyes of his observing him and then strided over to make talk with the ranger. Soon enough Boothill found his hand carefully held as that red-head knelt before him to place a kiss on said hands. "My, wonderful ranger it's a pleasure I'm able to meet such a magnificent being like you again." He had said, so truthfully as well. Aeons above, he hoped the whirring of his fans wouldn't attract any attention "mnn, yeah, darling, good to see ya too..." He had trailed off, instinctively curling his digits in that guys grasp.
In a flustered attempt to hide his blush he stared at the shiny ceiling above him. Sadly, despite his obvious attempt to extricate himself from this situation, that guy seemed so adamant at talking with him, he wouldn't even let his robotic hand go! That guy simply stood up, holding his hand to his chest as he leaned in close, those damn iridescent green eyes shining so expectantly at him. "And I am just as flattered to be graced with your presence. Tell me if you may, what business did you have that brought us here together in this moment?" He hadn't meant any of it (he thinks). This guy from what he'd seen was friendly to the boot, anything, and everything was beautiful in his eyes.... Yet his words lingered in his neuro chip. "Uh, y'know, 'nother bounty 'nother guy ta shoot, yeah? Guess our paths aligned once again.. oh 'n also everything happening on Penacony, " He chuckled, letting his free hand reach for his hair, curling it gently around his fingers as so it wouldn't get caught between his joints. The ranger had thought he had seen that knight blush a little but he didn't get to dwell on it before he already absentmindedly continued the conversation "how's the hunt for ya?" The ranger said, diverting the conversations attention back to the red-head "oh, as you know, never ending..." The knight answered, more than happy to be talking about his aeon, but as if that wasn't enough he continued with those heart throbbing compliments while he felt his other hand clasp around his waist! He was certain this guy had the ability to just charm people! "....yet with you here I feel as if my chances improve."
"Oh, yeah?", The ranger piped up in a cheap attempt to cover the louder whirring sounds of his fans, "what, cuz of this handsome face of mine? Wanna give it a real nice smooch?" He had said off-handedly, expecting a polite refute, a denial, anything but the answer he was given. "Of course, my dear iron-cladded friend, you are by far the closest to the beauty I seek...."
"Ranger, I love you."
"H-huh?" Hey, he had heard that correctly, right? This wasn't some weird messed up dream that that giant chicken nugget had conjured up??
And as if saying it once wasn't enough for his poor CPU's that muddle fudger had to repeat it! And while leaning in closer to his face to boot!
"Boothill, I love you. You are the most wonderful, beautiful man I've ever laid my eyes on" he had said, with the most starry eyes that side of the cosmos would ever see. "May I-"
... Which son of a nice lady had decided to turn off the AC in the express..?
And Woah, was the express falling?
.......
At first it was simple coincidence, two sides of the same coin had led them crashing into each other, one on his way of escaping from the IPC, and another simply trying to find his lost beauty. Their relationship had been off to quite a rocky start, he had almost blown that knights head clean off before taking a good look at him. Even from how he held his spear he had a good feeling he wasn't there to catch his bounty. Better yet, he doubted he even knew who he was. So, without further hesitation, he had ran straight past him, leaving him in the dust.
The second time they'd met this way was on a unnamed dusty planet. It had been devoid of most life and Boothill had only been there to search for some secret hidden stash the IPC had been supposedly hiding. There he didn't try to pull the trigger on him, though he had half the mind to when he had started spouting nonsense at how glorious the ranger was. Afterall, what type of lunatic compliments someone who could so clearly kill them? But there he got to learn about that lunatic a bit more, about Idrila and the Knights of beauty.. and a lot of everything. And though in the end that treasure was just a hoax, he felt it was kind of worth it.
Then, so many times afterwards, he had glanced him in his peripheral vision or simply bumped into him on some other planet that gradually, that knight wormed his way into his metallic heart. Heck, since they had such similar paths as well he had once even got to hitch a ride on "The One and Only" and boy, was it a experience. He didn't even know a gentleman like him would have such high quality malt juice. Or how meticulously designed his ship was, or that the red-head could complain about (and he learned it was a girl) her maintenance. But best of all, even how pretty he'd look bathed under the gentle rays of the setting sun. It was a shame they'd departed right before night fell, he would have loved to see how the stars would reflect in those glossy eyes of his... though he doubted sleeping on the couch would be very comfortable.
So, it shouldn't have been such a surprise they'd be good friends, right? But, lovers? That was something he hadn't felt in a while, it made him feel like being exploded into a bazillion peices had been worth it, even just a bit. Haah, how'd that old saying go? There was always a silver lining in each cloud? Well, for him it was seriously literal. With said silver lining of his being a magnificent, and handsome to boot, silver knight. And boy, was he so good-looking. Had he mentioned handsome as well?
'...'
What the fork.
man... he already knew it from the moment he had met him.... he loved that knight as well, more than he let on.
...............
For some damn reason he suddenly felt some muddle fudgers bright idea of placing something heavy and cold on his forehead, causing him to power on with a start, ready to fight. With a slight growl and protest including cursing to the best of his synesthesia beacon would allow, he had been ready to shoot whatever the fork disturbed him when suddenly he heard a familiar voice pipe up "Wait, March, he's awake. We don't need to perform CPR on him." His Xianzhou pal!! Letting his eyes adjust to the sudden awakening he saw almost everyone gathered around him "Woah! What the fork? Whys everyone crowded 'round me like a pack o' sardines?" Boothill had questioned but a certain cheery, bright voice suddenly cut through the crowd as a pink and blue girl pushed her way through. "Dan Heng was right! He is awake! Trailblazer! You can put away the bike pump! Hee hee, isn't that nostalgic for you? It's like the time we performed CPR on you! Hey also--..."
As the girl got further, so did her voice, eventually fading to the background, perfect time for the confused ranger to shoot his questions "Bike pump? What in sam hill- which ash-voles bright idea was that?" Grumbling the ranger sat up, rubbing his head to realize he was laying on one of those cushiony couches the Astral Express had to offer. "What the-" before he can properly convey his confusion he spots a certain red-head in the crowd with a worried look plastered on his handsome face, which, upon seeing him awake instantly lights up.
Before he can even say 'fudge-head' that knight somehow clears up the whole gawking crowd, saying he needed some alone time with the ranger. Half jokingly, half still confused he casually remarks with a grin "Huh, Is that there ability part of the Knights of Beauty's blessings? Power to disperse crowds with your brilliance?" The knight simply smiled at his words, seemingly relieved he was in good enough condition to joke "heavens, no, I'm sure if people saw Idrila they would clear the path. But in my eyes you're more worthy of such a ability than me." He... Never skips a beat, huh? Boothill thought, it felt anything he said would, and will be used against him. Forgetting to ask about how the whole situation of him being on the couch had started, he had absentmindedly gone to pick up his poor fallen hat when the knight spoke up, startling Boothill, "Ranger, my dear, I'm terribly sorry for shocking you...."
"Huh? What in tarnations-" Oh yeah, he'd almost forgotten in the mess of his awakening the whole reason he was in this situation. Knowing this body, he probably got overheated and got knocked out, huh? "....S'okay, don't really give two forks 'bout it, when ya stop being alive it kinda don't affect ya no more-"
"I meant I'm terribly sorry for springing those feelings on you when you don't feel the same" he had suddenly said, cutting him off with such a sad face, which, to Boothill was a surprise and also something he couldn't bear seeing.
"... N'aws, it's alrighty... Look uh..." Aeons, he hadn't been this embarrassed since he was still alive
"......"
"......?"
"Y'know, it ain't one-sided, Argenti."
"I love ya too, darling."
For once, it wasn't him who was shocked, but the Knight of Beauty in front of him. Yet, it didn't take long for his expression to soften "can I...?" He had started, leaning in closer as well but Boothill hadn't even let him finish half of that sentence before it was his time to butt in with a grin. "bring it in, baby."
........
When their visitors had left, she was expecting an easy cleanup, afterall with that.. hm, over the top? How should she put it? Oh well, that Knight of Beauty here she was so sure that he would have kept the place clean.. yet when she got to the couch that ranger had been on.... Why had it gotten so dirty?! Aiyahh!! Seeing the signs on the couch... No way had those two... F-fought on the couch?! Argh!! She was definitely not cleaning up after this mess!!! Couldn't they take their debates elsewhere??
Afterwards, March discovered an apology letter from Argenti saying that he'd come by later to help clean up... With a ranger in tow. And he had also promised they wouldn't make a new mess and that he'd get said second visitor to help with the cleanup....
Though, upon later reexamination, she started to doubt if it was a 'fight'....
Dan Heng is doubting if said cleanup of that ranger would be any good
|
56,753,155 | Contracts and Sex | ['urfavrain'] | Explicit | M/M | 崩坏：星穹铁道 | Honkai: Star Rail (Video Game) | Boothill (Honkai: Star Rail)/Reader | Boothill (Honkai: Star Rail), Aventurine (Honkai: Star Rail), Astral Express Members (Honkai: Star Rail), IPC (Honkai: Stair Rail) | Top Boothill (Honkai: Star Rail), Dom/sub, Reader is Not The Trailblazer (Honkai: Star Rail), Sexual Tension, Porn With Plot, Fluff and Smut, Established Relationship, reader bottom, Idiots in Love, Bisexual Male Character, aventurine is your best friend, Boothill - Free form, Angst and Hurt/Comfort | English | 2024-06-19 | Updated | 2024-06-19 | 1,462 | 1/? | null | 8 | 1 | 370 | ['Shivering_00', 'Cobyah', 'silfarianhawk', 'sunisfaby'] | [] | "Ah, I just want to go home to my boyfriend."
You thought, you wanted to get out of this tedious meeting about how profits were going. But oh surprise, you're the boss. Thanks to the eons everything is going very well regarding the statistics of the last few months, they had recovered from a large drop in resources. They had been in such a critical moment that they almost had to ask the IPC for help, but of course you didn't allow it.
Your company is responsible for transporting resources of all kinds to every living being that desires its services: construction materials, food, weapons, etc.
One of the reasons why the company was relevant was, because regardless of whether it was the most common person, even the most wanted criminal in the galaxy; You would provide your services to him.
When your father was in charge, he fought every day to be in the top number with the IPC, but at the same time they did business quite often. Currently, he's only in third place in being in charge of the cosmos economy after his death from natural causes at the age of 67.
Many criticize you for being so young while in the highest position, which is why many think that you do your job poorly.
Or that you were one of those responsible because the company and the IPC will stop negotiating with you; It wasn't that difficult to understand, or at least that's what you thought.
Your sense of justice, seeing how the corporation destroyed what was not within their "peace" meant that you couldn't negotiate with them anymore, but you knew that you had screwed up big time, if your father were alive he would have given a shit about what that the IPC did, and it was largely (too) right.
After all, when you made that decision you were 24 years old and not 28 like today, you'd barely obtained the position.
This was one of the reasons you'd to mature more quickly, and stop your party-hopping games when you were in college.
At first it was hard, but then you managed to adapt in this shameless world where if you don't act first, they will trample you, just like an insect. They didn't care if it was dirty money or not, it was money anyway.
But for some reason there were old people who were too obsessed with you, they were just unhappy people in their lives who criticized a brat for a thousand reasons.
*ring, ring!*
The sound brought you out of your thoughts, a message from someone, it was Boothill:
"What time do you arrive?"
"Not too late." — you respond quickly.
"Do you have too much work?"
"Yes, actually, I'm in a meeting :((."
"You'll be rewarded when you get home." — I attach an image of ... pasta with mushroom sauce? hum.
A while ago he was learning to cook for you, it was sweet of him, after all, he never cooked because he didn't eat foods of that type.
"Aww, you're so cute. Should I kiss you when I get home?" — You held back your laughter, they were still talking about upcoming business deals that would come.
"Mnh, that would be kind of you."
You laughed at the screen until you saw how everyone was watching you:
"Excuse me, boss. We want to know your opinion about the survey that the workers took about improving their stay here."
You remained cold and embarrassed, you stood up clearing your throat walking towards the front where the projection was. You rambled through almost the entire talk you gave, but everyone still seemed satisfied with your words.
.....
Your meeting ended, you walked in a long step towards your office to take your things and go to the elevator, not until a call interrupted you, it was your assistant:
"Say." — You sighed
"Sorry to bother you, boss. But there are some guys who call themselves the Astral Express, they don't have a scheduled time but they say it's important."
You placed your hand between your eyebrows as you sat at your desk crossing your legs, you sighed again:
"Ahg, I remembered who they were, let them in."
"B-but sir, they didn't schedule a time."
"I know, but they are loyal customers of the company. I better serve them."
Your tone became harsher, why was it so difficult to be with your cute boyfriend?!
"As you wish, sir."
Okay, now it was just as simple as putting on your best smile and responding calmly.
"But if you are nothing more than my favorite customers, please, seat." — you smiled warmly as you raised your hand slightly.
"Sorry if we interrupted very unexpectedly Mr. [....], but there is a problem we have." —Welt spoke.
"Forward." —You crossed your legs, then your arms did the same.
"Most of the merchandise we ordered arrived defective, and it has been happening for months."
You were stunned, how could something coming from your company be defective?
"Oh, I'm sorry for all the trouble we've caused, I promise to make it up to it."
Out of nowhere, everyone heard how 2 people were fighting outside your office, it seemed to be your assistant and... Boothill?
"Is that it?..." —The road tracer spoke, sighing in surprise.
"Boothill." — You stood up from your chair to open the door quickly, you saw the two of them arguing because your assistant denied entry to Boothill.
"Sir! This man didn't even make an appointment and demanded to see you, everyone is doing that and I can't let them not respect his time!" — He pointed furiously at the cowboy, judging him with his eyes, he seemed to hate him.
"What does this midget say? Do you know who I'm?" —He crossed his arms, looking at you indignantly, but you seemed to still be confused with the whole situation.
"Midget?! I'm the chief's assistant for your information!" —If you weren't there, those guys would almost beat each other up.
"Could you both calm down? I'm in the middle of something."
You crossed your arms while the others in the room looked expectantly, and the cowboy was even more surprised. They were nothing more than his the Astral Express friends, he didn't see them after the Penacony incident.
"Wouldn't they like to talk in a more comfortable place?" — You'd finally silenced those two, and you wanted to settle the issue as soon as possible.
"Of course, i'll be a pleasure." —Answered Welt.
"Okay, I'll schedule it with my assistant."
"How thoughtful." — Himiko laughed softly.
"It's my job, i'll always be a pleasure to have they in our facilities."
"The pleasure is our." —Marzo exclaimed, giving you a smile, and you returning it.
You watched as everyone left your office, except Boothill and your assistant.
"Hey, Boothill. I see you know them, how about you go talk to them for a bit while I take care of something?"
"Sure, I'll wait for you." —He responded obediently and then left, but not before giving your assistant a look of displeasure.
"See how you saw me sir?!"
"Yes, I saw it." — You placed one of your hands on her back to take her to one of the seats, so that one of your guards could close the door then. You had to thank him and explain some things to him.
......
"Boothill, what are you doing here?" —Dan heng asked, most believed he would continue wandering there, but not here, it's not his style.
"Oh, nothing fancy, just chasing annoying flies, you know." —he laughed, Clearly the reason he came less was for missions, he just wanted to see your face.
.
"Do you and Mr. [....] know each other?" — Himiko talked, many of you had your suspicions about some things.
"Sure, we're... good friends for a long time."
One of the reasons why they didn't tell anyone about their relationship was at Boothill's request, since being one of the wanted ones of the IPC, the cowboy knew that they wouldn't hesitate to use you to get his imprisonment.. He didn't care if they captured him because of you, but he wouldn't forgive himself if they did something to you. I wouldn't lose another loved one, not again.
A while passed, the Astral Express had already left. Meanwhile, the man polished his revolver to kill time, waiting for you to finish the other one.
He watched as the two guys left the office laughing, she assistant looked more relaxed and calm.
"Hey, this goes for both of us: let it not happen again." — You exclaimed dryly as you turned back to your office, who nodded silently and the girl left to continue with her work.
"You come?" — You slightly tilted your head back slightly, so the other man smiled: "Sure, darlin'." |
56,615,248 | Eat Your Heart Out | ['archedonism'] | Mature | M/M | 崩坏：星穹铁道 | Honkai: Star Rail (Video Game) | Argenti/Boothill (Honkai: Star Rail), Argenti/Boothill/Idrila | The Beauty (Honkai: Star Rail), Argenti/Idrila | The Beauty (Honkai: Star Rail), Luocha/Welt Yang (Honkai: Star Rail), Past Void Archives/Welt Yang (Honkai Impact 3rd) | Boothill (Honkai: Star Rail), Argenti (Honkai: Star Rail), Idrila | The Beauty (Honkai: Star Rail), Lan | The Hunt (Honkai: Star Rail), Boothill's Daughter (Honkai: Star Rail), Trailblazer (Honkai: Star Rail), Dan Heng (Honkai: Star Rail), Jing Yuan (Honkai: Star Rail), Welt Yang (Honkai), Oroboros | The Voracity (Honkai: Star Rail) | Dead Dove: Do Not Eat, Possessive Behavior, Top Argenti (Honkai: Star Rail), Bottom Boothill (Honkai: Star Rail), Parent Boothill (Honkai: Star Rail), Attempted Murder, Spoilers for Argenti's Companion Mission - Night of Universal Hallucinations (Honkai: Star Rail), Religious Imagery & Symbolism, Religious Guilt, Topping from the Bottom, Porn With Plot, Boothill Needs a Hug (Honkai: Star Rail), Possessive Argenti (Honkai: Star Rail), Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Mentions of Myth & Folklore, Non-Consensual Voyeurism, Body Worship, Mating Rituals, Inspired by Hades and Persephone (Ancient Greek Religion & Lore), The Knights of Beauty (Honkai: Star Rail), Guns N' Roses References, Luocha is an Emanator of Yaoshi | The Abundance (Honkai: Star Rail), Void Archives (Honkai Impact 3rd) uses They/Them Pronouns, Argenti is an Emanator of Idrila | The Beauty (Honkai: Star Rail), Floriography | The Study & Meaning of Flowers | English | 2024-06-13 | Updated | 2024-06-19 | 7,373 | 3/4 | 5 | 183 | 27 | 2,144 | ['Kokowoowo', 'QuipQuip', 'macharuin', 'wesaros', 'MomoMachine', 'MochySweet', 'dan_nyan', 'Sanjuno', 'SleepyAzi', 'Graysonwithacherryontop', 'AhelCrenz', 'Feldherr', 'Mari_Yce', 'ElainM', 'AntherGemmandAustur', 'Tu_Gfa', 'deidarashands', 'River_Of_Time', 'IzayasDemons', 'Rossaka', 'NachoMonsterTaco', '3lueAng3l', 'Artistic_bookworm', 'bignussy', 'cyneonera', 'datingrim', 'JJ_609', 'humandisaster446', 'scaramouchessocks', 'Yahoooooo', 'Yukiwi', 'MulvinMelker', 'Ajiri', 'Yinru', 'ZestyFesty', 'Karbeeeee', 'Chocolala84', 'blxtm', 'BearBear09', 'mashmars', 'Sansara0', 'Eclipse_101', 'vamnamnom52504', 'Alienwasp', 'moonmii', 'Plinplin', 'FlyingShibaInu', 'koioo', 'Eiisbae', 'Gemini_Queen42'] | [] | A 56-day-long hunt. More bodies than Argenti could count scattered across the once-white floors of some dim, shady storage house on a desolate planet not too far from the xianzhou luofu. He finds what alerted him not too far away, arm still in offense lock, blood seeping into his hair, Boothill. Offline, his hair fanned out over his shoulders, the black strands cascading around his head in a halo, and Argenti knows Idrila sees him. Sees them.
He smiles, lips curled into a smile sweeter than honey, as he’d perfected it to be. He kneels into the pool of crimson, paying little mind to the cold red that stains his white slacks. He wonders if it’s okay to touch, and a voice in the back of his head croons, beckoning him to, begging him to. Argenti is weak to its vices, and he traces his fingertips across Boothill’s face, letting the feeling sink deep into his core. Soft, Warm, for something less than human. His breath catches when his fingertips trace the ranger's lips, the warmth was only barely present under his gloves, but nonetheless divine. It’s when he’s preparing to lift his ranger when a cough and cry comes from behind him, a small voice begging for help.
“P-please. You- Help me.” Argenti steels himself, rage almost evident in his features, annoyed with his worship being interrupted. He turns to look over his shoulder, his gaze as soft as he can muster, and the IPC member’s shoulders slump in relief. Argenti approaches, kneeling, that kind expression still plastered over his face.
“That- That galaxy ranger is dangerous. He- he shot both of my legs down, killed my boss… I- I managed to subdue him, by-” Argenti tsks, and the IPC agent shivers when he looks up, the knight’s face devoid of all emotion, a sudden change from the sunny disposition that had been there only moments ago. “You subdued him?” Argenti pans back, earning a small nod from the agent, and when the man’s voice dies in his throat….
In sync with Argenti’s spear cracking through his skull, his helmet shattering into black tattered pieces at the knight’s feet, more red pooling onto the floor below. Argenti had no time for sinners. No mercy for anyone who brings beauty to decay, anyone who puts a fork in his road to Idrila.
He’s silent when he pulls the ranger into his arms, stepping over cracked bones and blood, the lights ahead of him flicker. He boards his ship, the One and Only welcoming him with a chime of the bells. He lays his ranger flat down against his charging port, pulling his hat out of his locked fingers, and letting it rest on his nightstand, next to his compass. He combs his fingers through the ranger's hair, letting his lips touch upon the red-stained, silken strands. His lips paint red in thin streaks, and his eyes lower, gazing upon the sleeping prince in his hold.
He stays up in silence, watching the ranger for a system hour, or two, or three. Only rising to prepare to rest when he hears the soft whirring of Boothill’s fans, knowing his ranger was too awake by the time he does. He leaves, taking homage in his private room. His armor peeling off, resting on its respected stand in his chambers, he peels off his clothes, letting his silken blouse slide off his shoulders, relishing in the feeling of cold air on his back, slowly putting out the smoldering embers that came alive in his gut the longer he stared at the beautiful, unconscious ranger.
When Boothill comes back in the dead of dawn on a ship he remembers so briefly, filthy, red-eyed, soaked in blood. His battery peaking, eyes off somewhere distant and the smell of sorrow, of death comes off his person in waves. He lurks, sulking, in the shadows beyond the reach of the ship’s dim lighting. His shoulders hunched and his head bowed but his eyes lifted towards the barrel of his gun, his teeth are bared like an animal's, his kill-shot eyes flexing, focusing, unfocusing, reflecting back the glimmer of the steel barrel. Even Argenti, who sat pretty across from him, returning Boothill’s no longer stained hat with careful hands, does he get a good look at the look in his ranger’s eyes, still hollow.
And the blood, he can smell. It carries in the air, despite him insisting on washing the ranger’s clothes, Boothill agreeing, now clad in one of Argenti’s silk robes; looking like a winter rose in bloom and his Aeon’s voice in his head
sings
. Boothill moves so silently it’s often the first thing that alerts Argenti to his presence, watching giddily when the ranger takes his head, letting it settle on his head. He thinks it must be a whisper of what it’s like for his ranger. But Boothill doesn’t know what Argenti is—breathing in the smell of something and knowing what and where it is by that alone, his canines growing long, desperate to sink into the little flesh the ranger has and
feast
. He wishes he could reach out and hear his heartbeat, artificially slowed as he knows it is, the voice of his goddess rings in his head to rip him apart, kiss at his heart; never let him go. Argenti wished he could smell not just the blood but the rest of him, too: the clinging scent of gunpowder, daffodil, and oil, of his sweat, the little bit he’s able to produce; the warmth of his lips Argenti had felt not but a night ago; the tang of steel. And
more
. He wants to know what his bloodlust smells of.
His arousal.
The hunger he brings back with him after a hunt like this. He can almost imagine it. Imagining it is almost enough, almost enough for him, but his Aeon is getting restless.
And Argenti must admit, so is he.
The knight smiles, uncrosses his legs, and stands. Beneath the crackling of the radio Boothill was now tinkering with, he could hear the ranger’s muffled jeering.
“Stupid Hunk ‘a Junk…”
Speaking low, Argenti leans in.
“Hello, my darling,” he muses, and he watches as Boothill pulls in a deeper breath, watching the way his chest rises with the swell of it. His ranger, weak to praise. He was close, He could taste it on his tongue. All he needed was to convince him. Get Boothil to join him. They could kill Oswaldo Schneider together, watch his blood fall onto his desk, His hand made of steel in Argenti’s warm flesh ones; and they’d kiss there, at least in Argenti’s dreams they do. This close the stink of blood is stronger still, almost overwhelming, Argenti wonders if the smell is coming from inside of Boothill, or if he’s merely imagining it. There’s a strange comfort in it that overrides Argenti’s concerns, after all the time they’ve spent together, the closest Agrenti has gotten was a grasp of his hand, a brush of his shoulder, holding the ranger’s face on one bright night in Penacony; always brought together by fate.
He holds out his hand and waits for the other to make the next move, to stretch out his arms and put his face into his shoulder, so that he can coax him closer into his warmth. He does it slowly, He knows Boothill is suspicious of him, he knows because when he pulls the touch-starved ranger into his arms, embracing him as gently, with as much ardor as he could, how he goes weak in his arms, kill-shot eyes lowering.
“... I ain’t dumb, ‘Genti. You findin' me on that fudgin’ desolate planet, eons from Penacony at the right time wasn’t no coincidence… You’ve had this little tracker on me for a while now, I knew.” Argenti only hums, running his fingers through the ranger's hair, Boothill shivering when he catches a tangle, and Argenti, and the whisperer in his skull almost purr out at his reaction. Argenti only leans in closer, relishing in the soft gasp Boothill makes when he mounts the ranger, setting himself pretty on his lap, racing down, his bare hands caressing Boothill’s face, heat washing over him when Boothill looks up at him with half-lidded red eyes.
“That chain I gave you for your holster, my love. Do you wonder how I did it?” Boothill is breathless underneath him, and the sight is all it takes to completely set Argenti ablaze. He’s straying from his plan, but the voice in his head is crooning all the louder. “It was made with... A special sort of energy. A gift from my Idrila, bless her for her kindness, won’t you?” Argenti presses his fingers into the cleft of Boothill’s throat, leaning in to taste where flesh meets metal. Directly into his ear Boothill, moans weakly; the sound chiming in Argenti’s ears like wedding bells.
“T-then
heaven
, bless Idrila for sendin’ you to me. Woulda kicked the bucket hadn’t it been for you, doll.” The praise of his god makes Argenti croon, matching that alustrious voice in the back of his head; They resonate too well, and Argenti grows weak, he grows needy as the ache in his canines.
“Dearest,” The knight breathes, hands tracing the ranger's face, catching his pulsating, ever so curious red eyes with evergreen, and he presses their foreheads together Boothill now melted into his embrace in full.
“Please, let me worship you.” Argenti rasps, the voice in his head thundering.
Possessive Argenti and Oblivious Boothill, what a pair.
Boothill is bare, Argenti is looming over him; hair fanned out like a red river of halos, and Boothill can’t look away, not with Argenti staring at him the way he is, eyes half-lidded, gaze heavy, and his soft, warm, alive fingers carding through his hair.
His breath is hot. The blood on his ‘skin’ is cold. It stains Argenti's hand—He lets it, presses his palm against Boothill's rough cheek, where the skin has been kissed red, and strokes the curve of bone beneath his eye as the weak ranger breathes against the skin of his wrist, shivering like a fawn under a fox's gaze. If he opened his mouth now and bared his teeth he could split Argenti's skin open, tear through his flesh like paper, make him bleed like it was nothing. Argenti knows that he won’t.
Because Boothill knows that this predatory gaze goes both ways.
Argenti and the crooning voice in his skull harmonize like the golden choir, pleased with the bitemark Boothill has left on his skin, where his neck and shoulder meet. So it doesn’t matter when Boothill takes a heavy push closer, and pushes his face in against Argenti’s neck, nuzzling into the claim he’s staked like a pleased tiger. Argenti can let him, he can wind an arm around his shoulders and keep him there, give into this feeling, the deep low rumble in his chest as he listens to Boothill’s fans whirr in excitement, in need.
Boothill needs Argenti. He needs him. Everywhere, all at once, and Argenti listens to the keening voice thundering in his head. He’ll prove it, prove to the ranger that he hadn’t been living all these years alone in deep space, he’d merely been surviving.
Argenti can make him feel alive.
These thoughts only slow when Boothill sighs hot against his collarbone. His hair is knotted and matted due to how many times Argenti had grasped at it, but now his hands are lower, and when Argenti finds a place to sink his fingers in: his pupils shrank, his chest heaving as he lets his nails drag over the nape of Boothill’s neck where flesh meets metal and Boothill presses up against him, hips against his belly, groans softly into his skin. Boothill was still a man in his eyes, No less, and only the god that croons in the back of his head knows how much he craves to breed the synthetic cunt he’s driving his fingers into.
He grasps at the front of Argenti’s night pants, and desire pangs hard and heavy into Argenti’s heart. Boothill is divine like this, as he rubs against him like marking territory. At least for his kind, that was how territory was marked, drowning another in your scent, until all who could smell what he could, would know that his beloved was taken, claimed. And here now, Boothill acting so submissive and sweet under his touch, trusting Argenti so much, does the knight begin to lose hold of his composure.
It doesn’t take much for his resolve to shatter like cold glass under the hot sun when Boothill pulls him in, kissing at his lips with teeth so sharp Argenti is left blood-soaked; and whispers.
“‘Genti- ‘Genti, ‘Genti… this is somethin’ like torture, please-”. On nights that Argenti has dreamed of this, it was just him, waiting alone by the altar in his ship and knowing that Boothill would be coming back to him in his dreams. knowing that he would be half-drunk on devotion, still, the fill of loneliness taking home to his core, while he knew his ranger was on the heat of the hunt and inflicting radiant pain of torn skin and bone-deep bruises. On nights like this, he waits, drinks a little wine before he breaks bread and prays, doesn’t touch himself for it was sin, so used to tasting the cold air, and waits for Boothill. And here, now, it Isn’t a lonesome dream. Boothill came to him, and he comes back wanting and finds Argenti ready. This was fate as his Aeon would have it.
Now, in reality, the ranger is shaking at his knees, leaving the skin of Argenti’s throat teeth-scraped and stinging—he sinks down in the warmth of the knight’s lap, licking at his claimed throat like a blood-thirsty angel, and Argenti sees stars. He ruts his hips against Argenti’s hard when the knight curls his fingers. Above him, Boothill groans, his fingers running through Argenti’s hair, tugging at crimson strands. For a minute Argenti lets him, presses into the pure, perfect sensation of Boothill’s bruising ruts, he feels hot and damp through the friction of his underthings, his cock twitching with every hungry, huffing breath Boothill drags in— the sound of the ranger’s labored gasps is almost enough for the knight to come undone, Boothill’s beauty was enough for Argenti to come undone.
But while it was enough for him, it was not for them. The swelling voice in Argenti’s head croons, and Argenti gasps when Boothill pushes him down; that delectable reminder of how strong his ranger was, began to set him on fire, and above him, Boothill mounds him, staring down at Argenti with pulsing red eyes, heaving.
Argenti knows if Boothill could blush, their hues would match each other in this moment.
“Alright… you listen here, pretty boy.” Boothill rasps, pressing one of his cold, iron palms down onto Argenti’s navel, sliding his palm down. “I-I’ve never.. done this sorta thing with… my current parts. Or since I got this hunka’ junk body.” The ranger’s confession is quiet, and slow, matching how he gently tugs at the waistband of the knight’s pants, kill-shot eyes focusing on the realization that Argenti was bare beneath it. Boothill leans down to kiss at Argenti’s feverish forehead, and everything holy in the world blooms in his chest; love taking form in his core.
“So before I make a fool outta ma’self… I need some enthusiastic consent, Doll.”
Maybe Boothill doesn’t mean that he wishes Argenti to beg, but the voice in his head demands it. To beg for beauty, to chase its fevour was what it meant to follow in Idrila’s light, and with a quiet prayer, Argenti bucks his hips into Boothill’s wandering hand. His voice so guttural in his own ears, his teeth no longer able to be kept sheathed. Maybe Boothill notices, maybe he’s too busy carding his fingers through Argenti’s hair to notice. Argenti can’t help but feel like he’s achieved something, under Boothill’s heavyweight, and his intoxicating light touches.
He'd been roaming the stars for centuries trying to fulfill his god-given duty to spread word of his Aeon. It is his duty to serve them, follow his path guided by His word, and spread his message all across the stars as they sought fit. It was them who decided to take up the invitation of Penacony, when Argenti had his sights set on Teyvat IV.
Every few lightyears or so, his Aeon presented him with a challenge to test his devotion, in the form of weary battles and the crafting of altars. Argenti was no stranger to these challenges, he instantly knew how to recognize them. And in his Aeon’s vision, Boothill was not a test, but an alms. The caroling of bells sounded within Argenti’s soul when the ranger smiled with his teeth, his lashes beaded if you were to admire him as Argenti did, he wondered how often those red eyes made for the hunt cried alone.
The thought makes a thorn press into his side, where Boothill’s hands are braced.
Boothill, His Beautiful friend, a galaxy ranger he’d met by raving chance was sent to challenge his self-control, and Argenti was failing, horridly so. But this, did not feel like sin. Argenti knows what sin feels like. The sear of one's soul, the feeling of trapping yourself in a cage with bars made of melted candle wax, incapable of doing anything but drowning in hot wax.
And more importantly, the god that resides in his skull sending soul-crushing shock all over his body, leaving Argenti burning from the inside out until he feels as though he is full of cotton and fire; spreading through him in a haze.
But with Boothill above him, sinking down on Argenti’s cock, voice pitched like an angel’s, Argenti could feel no sin in something so beautiful. His Aeon agrees, voice now satiated and purring, it’s when Boothill raises his hips, plunging back down onto Argenti, the sound of skin on metal; his thighs being blessed with a delicious ache, that Argenti emerges from his thoughts with a moan.
“Beautiful. So Beautiful.” Argenti’s voice is broken, voice strangled as he settles his hands on Boothill’s hips. His nails are growing, prodding out into talons right against one of his ranger’s USB ports, and the movement, the touch, makes Boothill grunt from above him. He looks down at Argenti, face flushed and Argenti is in awe. His hands craved to reach for his beloved's face, shook with the newfound knowledge that his ranger could blush. The wonder makes Argenti’s cock twitch from where it’s sheathed inside his almost lover, and Boothill reaches down, his cold thumb traces the bottom of Argenti’s lip, pulling at it, looking at his fangs.
“Open.” is all Boothill grunts out, his relentless onslaught of pummeling down onto Argenti has slowed into a torturesome grind, and the knight craves to be rewarded; so obediently, he opens his mouth, shivering when Boothill’s thumb pressed down flat against his tongue. He thumbs over the sharp, less-than-human teeth Argenti sports; and snaps his hips down, relishing in the cutoff growl Argenti lets wring from his throat.
“...Talkin’ to me, Sayin’ I’m beautiful? Oh, look at you, Rosey... “ Argenti’s mind thrills with what Boothill is saying, his words slide into the depths of Argenti’s memory like warm honey. Boothill doesn’t stop there, the pace at which he’s been bruising Argenti’s hips stutters when the knight closes his lips, sucking on the ranger’s fingers, eyes half-lidded, gaze thick with want.
“Heaven, you’re lookin’ like somethin’ straight outta a dream….” Boothill grunts, sensors blaring in the back of his head; warning him of the heavy pressure on his hips, where Arengti is holding onto him like a lifeline, rutting his hips deep into Boothill like an animal. He grinds into the ranger, and Boothill shakes, a gasp cutting out his synesthesia beacon when Argenti knocks into something nestled deep inside of him. Argenti seems to have noticed it too, because his weak grinding became harsh, needy thrusts.
“‘Genti- Babydoll wai- Angh-!” Boothill grabbed at his knight’s shoulders, hands sliding over to claw at Argenti’s shoulders when the knight pounced on him like he was prey. Argenti is merciless in the way he pounds inside of what is soon to belong to him, and with every mere movement Boothill can feel Argenti breaching whatever he’s hitting.
He almost feels fear, like he should draw his right arm and load it to fire; but Argenti whines his name into Boothill’s neck, hips stuttering when his cock slides into a newly broken barrier and Boothill’s system screams.
‘Intimate detection: artificial womb breached, calibrating internal incubator.’
What little blood Boothill has runs colder than ice. He whines out like a wounded dog when Argenti’s cock throbs from inside of him; where he’s far too deep, and he claws at the knight's back, blood gathering under his ridged fingertips.
“‘Genti- Genti!” He tugs on the knight's hair, Argenti’s hips stutter to a slow rather than a stop, and he retracts from Boothill’s neck, leaning in until they are eye level. He sees the question in Argenti’s eyes, and Boothill answers it.
“F-fudgin’ system says- says I’ve got… a baby-maker in me. need you to- hnng-!” Boothill shakes when Argenti pulls at his iron hips, sliding underneath him until he’s staring up at the redhead. His sensors are on fire, fans whirring, and the onslaught of his system screaming that he’s going to overheat, maybe it was fine to burn if it was for Argenti, Boothill thinks. Argenti stares down at him with a look so bewildered and in awe, that he grinds into Boothill again, pulling out a strangled moan, sounding more like static from the ranger’s abused synesthesia beacon.
“What was that, Dearest?” Argenti croons above him, and while Boothill questioned his change in features before, now it was clearer. Argenti is above him, eyes drawn into slits like wild animals’, his chest heaving; an unmistakable power resonating from him. “You mean… You have a womb? In here?” Argenti questions him, not noticing, or ignoring the way Boothill stares at his features, barely registering how gently Argenti touches his navel.
Boothill gasps, and another odd feeling rolls over him like a wave, dizzy with desire, on the peak of finishing. But like a gentleman, like someone safe, Argenti has stopped moving from inside of him; but Boothill can feel the swell of his cock from a place more than too deep inside of him.
Boothill’s system catches on with Argenti’s change, and the blaring of danger almost overrides his ardor for the man hovering above him, panting like a dog in heat.
“Well… I’ll be fudged, Rosey…” Boothill’s breath is rugged for someone who doesn't need to breathe. But Argenti brings out the human in him, or what’s left of it. He reaches out, cups Argenti’s cheek in his cold palm, and the knight leans into his touch with a soft hum.
“You’re an emanator. Ain’t you?” Argenti looks down at him with those slit pupils, his eyes no less beautiful than before, and leaning down, pressing his chest against his ranger’s, Argenti nods.
Welt liked to think he was decently rational. That his heart and mind had been in synchro, his rejoin with Himeko had kept him stable; he put the golden, blood-spattered past of Void Archives and Otto Apocalypse behind him. Himeko is with him now, she doesn’t speak but those sweet, honey-borne eyes of hers are peering at him in concern; and Welt caves. He speaks with his cane in clutch, about the man with those bright, sage eyes. His height, his face, the head of fair blond hair’ put together neatly. Himeko shifts closer with every shaky word, Welt doesn't realize he was on the verge of tears until Himeko reaches out, cupping his cheek in her tender hands, swiping her thumb under his waterline, leaving Welt to blink away at his tears.
“I apologize, I didn’t realize I was so emotional over something so minuscule,” Himeko only shakes her head, with a sigh, stirring the cup of coffee she’d left neglected in favor of keeping her eyes on Welt. “Welt. It’s only natural, you have no need to apologize and even less of a reason to think it’s… minuscule . You stood strong and didn’t let it show in front of the crew, that alone is commendable for all that being has done to you.” Himeko is right, and Welt knows so. But his heart aches to a more complex time, Himeko excited to meet his son, always showering the boy in bounds of affection and gifts; sometimes when he dreams too heavily he can hear his son, crying, asking his father where he’d gone, was a Herrscher of Reason supposed to be melancholic? He thought he’d gotten over it, but the doppelganger of the being he despised only laughed at him, head high. The rest of the night is full of Himeko assuring him that Void is not here and that they cannot reach him. Welt rises when he’s been calmed, clearing his throat, and giving Himeko a wordless thank you.
It’s when he’s prepared to leave that pom-pom saundered closer, looking up at him with a meek gaze; the conductor must want help, again. “Welt…” The little thing started, and Welt hummed, letting the short creature know they had his full attention. “That Knight of Beauty is back with the Galaxy Ranger… And they want your help sorting through the express’ archives, they’re being very hush-hush about what they’re looking for, and pom-pom is worried.” Welt stands, slowly, bracing himself on his cane; his legs feel weak as the day he fell to them, and he knows it’s only his disorder acting up. Himeko follows in his steps, pulling him along with a careful hand in his, their fingers intertwined with his; fitting together like pieces to a dusty puzzle. Welt knows he’s safe with Himeko. And sure enough, as Pom-Pom had told the two, Argenti and Boothill are sitting in the express’ parlor car, Boothill seemingly pleased with whatever drink Caelus had stowed away for him this time. “Sir Argenti, Galaxy Ranger.” Himeko greets, letting go of Welt’s hand to stand in front of him; taking on responsibility, so he could rest, even if for a moment. Welt wonders in it, Himeko has never failed to make him feel protected and cherished behind closed doors, and open windows. “Pom-Pom told me you wanted to go through the archives, to which I'm always happy to help, but what are you looking for?’ Himeko was never one to dance around the answers, like someone else Welt thinks of. Argenti’s eyes flit to the other side of the room, and he hums, his gaze meeting Himeko’s and they remain lost in stare. “I have nothing to hide from you and your trustworthy people, I can only plead that this stays between us, dear friends. I have… came upon a revelation of myself I had mistaken for something else, all thanks to my dear friend, Boothill.” Argenti rises, his hands out-stretching toward Himeko’s; and she allows him to take it, smiling when red hair befalls past her wrist, the knight kissing her knuckles. “I.. would like to know what data you have on emanators, and a second inquiry on… human-subspecies incubators.” That catches Welt’s attention; and briefly, he wonders if this request had anything to do with their work in Penacony, and that emanator, Acheron. But Welt’s eyes drift lower, when Argenti stands up his collar tugs down, and the hair that had once covered the feverish, red marks of claim on his throat almost sits proudly at bay along smooth skin. Welt doesn’t pry, simply removes his gaze from the knight, turning to face the odd pair. “I don’t mean to pry any further but, those two things are very different topics of research, If I may, is that why the both of you are here?” Himeko matches his tone, finishing where he started. “We can help you two much faster, and more efficiently if we know exactly what we are looking for.” Argenti for once, looks meek. When he meets the eyes of Himeko once again, he lets out a breath Welt wasn’t aware he was holding. “After an accident, when The Beauty had vanished among the stars, and my pursuit in them began, I fell severely ill. All my fellow knights and brethren came to my side to help pull me through this illness. They said I had… almost touched the gates of Idrila’s safe heaven when I was blessed with a miracle from The Beauty themselves. And by the miracle, I survived the cancer that was supposed to take my life.” Argenti doesn’t look Himeko or Welt in the eyes as he usually does. Boothill, who remains sat next to where Argenti stands inches closer, the knight notices. “But shortly after my miracle recovery, my body began to change, and so did my mind. I was gifted a power, I believe, but I do not seem to… remember or know what it is, but when my emotions become unstable or hefty, I begin to know things I should not. I had the ability to know how anyone in my vicinity felt about me, how to appeal to them, and what they did and did not dislike. And my power continued to fester. I used to be able to make few roses bloom with my gift, but now I could encase an empire in thorns. So to speak, a recent… event made me believe I was an emanator of Idrila themselves before they departed, and I simply want to know, to understand what I am, for I know I am not human.” Argenti looks at Welt with an emotion he understands all too well, yearning . Himeko seems to be on the same track, her gaze softens like a warm breeze, and she turns on her heels, letting her dress drag against the parlor couches velvet cushions. “I understand wholeheartedly how you must feel… and thank you for trusting Welt and I enough to tell us about this. Rest assured, this stays between the four of us. The crew is currently out in Penacony helping Miss Robin with something, we should have enough time to sort things out.” Argenti lights up, and Boothill rises quick to his feet, following behind Argenti and Himeko. Welt prepares to follow, but when Boothill passes where he stands; his body freezes; the smell of roses and pine are pouring off the Galaxy Ranger; as if he’d been doused in Argenti’s unique scent. Welt knows better than to question the relationships of acquaintances, but something in him thrills the same way it had with his son, ages ago. Somewhere, the Star of Eden inside of him clutches at his soul hard, screaming at him to pull Boothill away from Argenti, return him to safety. His head spins, and his cane materializes from under shaky fingers. Himeko and the others have already entered the Archives, and Welt’s head is thundering; pulses sending through him he’d only felt eons ago in battle. “That isn’t right,” He whispers to himself, Pom-Pom is in the control room and he’s alone. But for a reason he can’t begin to explain, he feels eyes skinning into his spine, and there it is- The endless, phantom feeling of Void Archives trailing their nails down his spine, their laughter lingering in his ears; a carol of bells calling him out to his crucifixion, and Welt lurches. Fear overcomes his chest, his heart thunders to match the sizzle of lightning building in his skull, and Pom-Pom emerges from the conductor's cabin, taking in Welt’s trembling form, and scuttling over. “W-Welt! Welt, Welt it’ll be okay, Pom-Pom will get your medicine!” Welt only nods, kneeling against the parlor’s couch, eyes unfocused. He doesn’t remember how long it’s been since he’d had a panic attack, he didn’t have one after the incident with Luocha, and his head hammers, trying to understand what caused this; and it’s when he thinks that a voice welcomes itself into his skull, like molten honey filling his ears; rendering him helpless. “Out of your head, are you? Heart, out of it? Out of your mind? You may be, My dearest fool, Joachim. But run as you please, a universe away, run as you please, but you cannot hide from us, beloved, besotted, idiotic Herrscher of Reason.” Their voice, it is their voice. Void Archives nestles into his head, infecting his mind, poisoning him with his voice; the rumble letting out of his throat that welt was all too familiar with. His vision fades to black and he falls into a rest he doesn’t desire, Void Archive’s croon eminent in his voice.
Boothill returns to The One and Only with Argenti, who has been uncharacteristically silent since they left the express. After they’d gone through The Beauty’s biography, over everything their archive held on emanators, and with Mr. Yang’s sudden accident in the parlor car, Argenti had been losing the content gleam in his eyes. Boothill doesn’t refute when he sinks down onto the knight’s bed, Argento mounting him, his arms wrapped around him in a shaky embrace. Boothill knows he needs to leave. That he’s spent too much time clinging onto Argenti for a reason he can’t describe; like god had taken over his memory bank, leaving him hazy and dazed. Boothill runs his fingers through Argenti’s hair, pulling the knight closer into his arms, letting his warm breath fan his shoulder. Again, Argenti keeps his arms wrapped tight around Boothill, wrapping him up, he can feel all the heat waning off of Argenti. It’s comforting. Save for the fact he shouldn’t be able to feel these sensations. He should be telling Argenti, to let the knight know something is wrong, horribly so, but every time he opens his mouth, he can say, speak nothing. His head hurts, like his internal cables are burning when Argenti falls asleep soundly on a bed of Iron. And then it happens, again. When he looks down upon Argenti, taking beautiful, red strands between his fingers, pressing his lips to them as Argenti had his, does his system give him the same blaring warning. ‘ Immediate danger detected, eliminate via evacuation, threat is high caliber. ’ He frowns. It’s the second time that warning had been triggered when he was with the knight. First, when he awoke from his reboot after their lovemaking, and now as Argenti lays asleep, and vulnerable in his arms. When he draws his arms away from the sleeping knight, his head roars and he grunts out, a searing, white-hot pain shoots through his whole system, overheating him from the inside out. His synesthesia beacon glitches in his throat when he tries to scream, only to be met with silence. Sparks emerge from the column of his hollow throat, and smoke fills his artificial lungs; his body sears, innards of cold metal burning orange and he shuts down. When he is awake, He’s surrounded by red, white and gold. His eyes recalibrate, and he comes to see he is surrounded by many Knights of Beauty. This must be ‘The Mother’, the ship owned by all the Knights of Beauty, where many of whom did not have their own voyager, ships to sail on went in pairs, groups to praise The Beauty. His shoulders raise in alarm when he does not see Argenti, but a gentle, cold hand touches his shoulder, and Boothill flinches; he thinks for a moment that he’s been touched by fellow iron, but a human hand touches him, his gaze meeting the most beautiful silver eyes he has ever seen. The man he lays eyes on dons a similar uniform of armor to Argenti’s, only his bore many ruffles and soft embroidery, he looked soft, warm to the touch, but his skin felt as cold as death. Gold, red, and white look amazing on him, making his eyes shine under the ship’s pale lighting. For a man, his eyelashes are long, matching the thick tassels of black hair that fell down from his scalp, hair settling neatly on his shoulders. His skin is the most beautiful shade of ebony Boothill has ever seen; he wonders if this man and his beauty can be considered human at all. “I’m sorry if I scared you, It wasn’t my intention. Hello Ranger, my name is Holvisio. My comrade Argenti brought you to me in a fit of worry. You see, my beautiful guest, I am a mechanic, and I am sorry if it was inappropriate without your consent but.. I fixed your synesthesia beacon. It has been on an odd sort of vocal lock, and its lack of proper maintenance left it to eventually rupture.” The knight’s voice is soft, and his gaze is sweet, filling Boothill with ease; his sensors catch no deceit in his words or in the beats of his heart, and suddenly the longer he stares at this obscenely beautiful man, does his mouth feel, dry . A memory that had been locked away fills his database awakens, a beautiful woman in red, at a saloon Boothill liked years ago when he’d been flesh looked at him the way this knight was, her skin was the same shade as his, smooth, beautiful, and he remembered what it looked like under blue moonlight when he’d taken that red dress off of her skin. He raps, his beacon done calibrating and he looks up at the knight, presenting the best smile he could for someone that fixed him up, and did it damn well. “Well, I’ll be damned, I outta thank you, pretty boy. My hellin’ voice box had been giving me trouble for ages, thank ya’, from the depths of this old shell for fixin’ me.” Boothill smiles when the knight flushes at his praise, but he needs to find Argenti, he needs to get back on his ship and continue his-
Boothill stops, eyes heavy, database loading. What was he supposed to continue? Where was he going? “...‘nd excuse me if you will, partner. Do you know where my good friend happened to have gone?” Boothill feels his mind, or what is left of it muddles as if it’s filling with cotton. There is a mantra plundering through his skull to find Argenti, that they shouldn’t be apart, that he shouldn’t find this knight beautiful. That he shouldn’t find anyone but Argenti beautiful . And he knows something is wrong. But he can’t remember what . The knight smiles at him in a way that reminds Boothill of her , and his breath catches in his less-than-human lungs. And when it does, a searing pain envelops him; he clutches at his chest hard, and the knight lurches for him in worry, gently taking Boothill into his cold hands, it soothes the heat burning through his frame. “Oh-! Darling guest, I'm so sorry, I didn’t notice or see anything else amiss when I was fixing you. I even ran a diagnostic chest to assure you and your beautiful vessel would be kept in peak condition, where does it hurt? How can I help you?” His voice is laced with worry, and it reminds him of her, with every second that he finds himself drawn to this stranger does this sear gets worse, but he only hulks his shoulders up, a lie building upon his tongue. He needs Argenti. Where is Argenti? “Nah, you’re fine partner it’s just- some phantom pain, I’ve had quite the hellish life… from what I can remember.” He doesn’t remember, and the thought brings something in the back of his brain to life; he’s supposed to find someone who Isn’t Argenti, but he doesn’t know why . “Oh, I see… I am truly sorry the fates have been so cruel to someone so utterly beautiful… Please, let me escort you to the dock, Sir Argenti’s ship is holded there, he was anxious for your wake-up call, he stayed here all night, we had to assure him all of us would watch over you while he rested.” The kind, and oh-so-beautiful, familiar knight takes his hand and helps Boothill up, but Boothill can’t look at him anymore. His eyes burn and that searing pain in his skull amplifies like a punishment when he does. He agrees, and the walk is filled with a comfortable silence. When Holvisio takes him to the dock, he reciprocates what Argenti had, adrift ago, when they first met. He lowers to his knee, presenting Boothill with the most well-preserved, soft-looking white rose he’d ever seen. The pain in his system flares tenfold, and he struggles to hide it. “.. This I hold is often mistaken for a rose, my dear friend. This is a Gardenia, from the land of which I hail. I hope... To see you again, one day. In a less dire circumstance.” Holvisio’s voice is tender, and despite the searing pain in his system, the flower he picks from this fair knight’s hand reminds him again of a hazy memory. That woman also liked flowers. A florist. She had wanted to be a florist, in a land that grew nothing but cactus’ and weeds, and as illogical as Boothill thought it to be, he believed in her. What was her name? He opens his mouth to speak, but the sound of heels on an Iron walkway enters his hearing receptors. Behind him, stands Argenti, his gaze is not as warm as it usually was. His eyes linger towards Holvisio, then to the gardenia in Boothill’s mechanical hands; and when he smiles, he fools the knight in front of him, but not Boothill. “Brother Argenti!” Holvisio stands up, his armor glittering under the soft lights of the One and Only. Argenti laughs with him, rejoicing with his brethren in a press of their shoulders, a half-given embrace. “I have fixed your friend to the point of perfect operation, should you ever need help with him again, I would be delighted, he is most charming.” Holvisio smiles, roughly the same size as Argenti if not a node taller. He bats his eyelashes, and Argenti laughs. “ Is he now? I’m sure to come to you if he has any issues, but I don’t think it will be for a while, we have agreed to travel together to avoid any more incidents like this one.” Argenti’s tone is kind, but it doesn’t match how his fists clench when he crosses his arms behind his back. His memory is hazy, he doesn’t remember their agreement, but Argenti was not a liar, he would never speak ill, it was not on his path. Boothill must have just forgotten it. Holvisio laughs and it sounds like joy in a voice, he and Argenti bid their farewells, and Boothill and the Knight enter his ship, the silence is heavy, but now with Holvisio gone, the searing pain has subsided, now, he simply feels dizzy. Argenti eventually brightens, bringing Boothill his gun. “My dear ranger, you left this here when you had your accident, I know our time together is.. short. Do you still intend on traveling with me while your ship is repaired?” Argenti seems to be in a better mood, and when their fingers brush together all the pain that had muddled Boothill’s system had vanished as if the burn he feels aching in his wires was never present. He nods, absent-mindedly at Argenti’s words. He wonders if Argenti’s lips have always been that shade of rosy pink. He wonders why he can’t stop himself from pressing Argenti against the interior of the ship, or why his internal incubator was calibrating again. Or why he could feel Argenti's hands on the cleft of his hips; where he had no sensors at all. He wonders why Argenti smiles like the cat that got the cream when Boothill grabs Argenti like a wild animal, pulling him into a bruising kiss that leaves his lower lip pierced, something warm, something red, something from Argenti settling on his pallet. |
56,752,693 | it never rains in our dreams | ['cruellae (tinkabelladk)'] | Teen And Up Audiences | M/M | 崩坏：星穹铁道 | Honkai: Star Rail (Video Game) | Aventurine/Sunday (Honkai: Star Rail) | Aventurine (Honkai: Star Rail), Sunday (Honkai: Star Rail), Robin (Honkai: Star Rail) | Pre-Slash, Character Study, 2.2 spoilers | English | 2024-06-19 | Completed | 2024-06-19 | 2,049 | 1/1 | 9 | 59 | 10 | 400 | ['soupwithtomatoes', 'ace_aero', 'lenofaus', 'Sarathewise', 'zoomz66', 'TayrinDDDD', 'settsu', 'Black027', 'Lulune', 'vasyasonewhitehairstrand', 'kaboobkimono', 'Artheally', 'Gegemu07', 'Rachel006', 'shto28000t', 'oflandaus', 'ghostphone', 'nonnaihr', 'Flora626', 'snowdrops', 'FromtheTrenches', 'WintersWishing', 'dex_789', 'kaedechidouin', 'CanIHaveAHug', 'DukeOfSnails', 'yourinvisiblelocket', 'void_wing', 'sprat228', 'catsuki_07', 'HangThePoet', 'Japanesepengi', 'SeaCatAnna', 'oath__keeper', 'commonwealth', 'akaashook', 'kadiecus', 'lunaryMilk', 'apodis', 'sylverink', 'Shakespeared', 'towncitystreet'] | [] |
Most people were disoriented upon first waking in the Dream. But the young emissary from the IPC, who Sunday knew to be an incorrigible gambler and the holder of a Cornerstone, arrived with remarkable poise, adding a new, dissonant note to the Harmonic Symphony.
Everything about him was bold, brash. Golden jewelry, clothing in rich, saturated colors. Set side by side with Sunday, they would resemble a peacock and a dove. Dazzling plumage was a display, nothing more. Yet Sunday could not stop watching the flash of the gold rings on long, elegant fingers as Aventurine gestured grandly and smiled, mirthless and yet somehow charming.
“So tell me, Mr. Sunday,” Aventurine said, leaning against the nearby wall with a carefree expression that belied the wary, calculated nature of his gaze. “What is there to look forward to in this beautiful dream of yours?”
“We can start with the Golden Hour,” Sunday offered. As head of the Oak Family, Sunday was obligated to play nice with someone as powerful and potentially dangerous as an IPC executive. Aventurine might come cloaked in playfulness and lazy grace, but he was to be minded for as long as he remained on Penacony. “Here it is always joyfully bustling, stores with whimsical goods on display, games to entertain and please, and any type of food and drink one could want.”
“Seems nice,” Aventurine said, with little of the awe first time visitors typically displayed.
“Indeed. The sky is always clear and sunny, the stars bright in our evening locations. The temperature is always comfortable, and the atmosphere welcoming”
“Perfect weather, huh?” Aventurine sent him an unreadable sidelong glance. “So no storms, no lightning?”
Sunday smiled, displaying just slightly the pride the Family took in their beautiful creation. “It never rains
on Sigonia,” Big Sister always used to say. Kakavasha understood it now in a way that he never had before. The pale dust on his bare feet was familiar, as was the long, dry stretch of cracked dirt leading to the horizon. But the brand on his neck still burned from the iron that had placed it there, days ago. And the shackles around his wrists chafed the irritated skin.
He was quiet, as were all the other captives. He was the only Avgin, but there were other Sigonians who had been caught in the slavers’ merciless net. He kept his gaze down so they wouldn’t catch a glimpse of his eyes. Even among the rest of Sigonia, Avgins had been no more than disposable trash, and he expected no mercy even from others who wore the same mark of servitude.
“Boss’s coming,” said one of the guards, craning his neck to catch sight of a truck approaching in the distant. “Show some respect.”
The man shoved Kakavasha hard and he fell
to his knees on the stone floor of the Harmonic Cathedral. All around him, light fell in splashes of vivid color from the stained glass windows that reached to the sky. Tears ran down Sunday’s face as he knelt, staring up at the altar where, he was certain, he could feel, that the Harmony was absent. Fervently he prayed, but the hollowness inside him would not cease howling, whipping through him like a cutting wind. The faith that had shaped him, loved him, nurtured him, sustained him was gone, shattered by the very breath that had uttered his fate.
One of you will be gifted with a great destiny. To become an exalted servant of Glorious Ena, bringing the Order back to this universe.
“I can’t,” he said, his voice heavy with fear. “I can’t do it. Xipe please, have mercy on my soul.”
But there was no answer. Not as he prayed, not as he wept, not as he begged for Xipe’s grace. There would be no answer.
He left only because he couldn’t stay there forever. His knees sent sharp protests of pain as he got to his feet and followed Mr. Gopher Wood out the door and into the rest of his life.
As they drove back home, his prayer beads rested on his palm. The cool, smooth weight
in his hands was comforting, a reminder of the blessing of his god. Kakavasha thanked Gaiathra Triclops three times before the dice landed on the velvet of the table. He knew before he threw them that the numbers would be in his favor, could picture the dismay on his opponent’s faces before the result was revealed.
His winnings were small change, nothing more. But enough to prove himself, to flirt and con and charm his way up to the second floor, where the real games were played.
“Damn, you’ve got some luck, son,” one of the gamblers said, taking note of Kakavasha’s winning streak. Kakavasha flashed him a smile and a sly wink, laughing at the notion. The sharp stab of anger at being called a “son” was well hidden.
His jewelry might be fake, his watch a counterfeit. The name he’d given them, nothing more than a snakeskin, soon discarded. But he knew this was only temporary. His wagers would grow in scope and audacity until he got to the very stones upon which this bastard universe was laid, and then he would tear them up one by one until all that existed crumbled away to nothing. Just as the Avgins had.
He didn’t believe in destiny, only that he would make his own
fate.
Sunday would not be a supplicant of the Harmony. He would not be a slave to the Order.
He had prayed to Xipe; he had called out to slumbering Ena. He had felt their touch upon his heart, held their gifts in each hand. From Xipe, the ability to bind a tongue, to resonate harmoniously with another mind. From Ena, the power of an Emanator, which he kept wrapped beneath his skin like a straightjacket, someday to be unleashed.
But they did not love him. Had they loved him, he might have heeded their call, read out their scripts, submitted himself to their will.
He had once been a man of faith.
No more.
He had only ever loved one person, but he loved her so fervently and with such unmatched devotion as to make up for a lifetime of emptiness. Robin, with her shining eyes, her beautiful song. The suffering of the world broke her heart, so Sunday would make that suffering disappear. For Robin, the sweet dream
had ended in death. Her eyes were closed, her lips slightly parted, the glowing wound inflicted by the sweet dream’s Death sundering her chest.
Aventurine stepped closer, cautiously. What a fascinating development this was, tragic for the dear Oak Family but advantageous for his own position. He had long since given up mourning other people’s sorrows, or feeling any guilt for bending those misfortunes to his own cause. If an entire people could be massacred, and no one weep but a single small boy, then surely the cruelty of the universe was not worth shedding a tear over.
And yet he could not help but think of Sunday. Would the sight of Robin, so still, cut open like a flower, break his perfect composure? Would he weep, or would he clench his fists and vow terrible revenge on the culprit?
He felt like a voyeur, stumbling upon an intimacy not meant for him. He wondered if he was dreaming. Robin’s pale skin shone in the eerie light of the Reverie’s dreampool, the blue water glowing at her bare shoulders.
Aventurine wondered if she was with the Harmony, if that was how it worked when they died. What would the touch of an Aeon feel like? After all, the Harmony held
the power to bind tongues and blend thoughts, to pin Aventurine like a butterfly against velvet, for Sunday’s leisurely examination. Sunday had given Aventurine a hundred and thirteen seconds, but that was just a bluff. They had all the time in the world.
The Cornerstones sat exposed on the edge of the table. Such small, unassuming little rocks, and yet so impossibly dear. Sunday could see in the flare of Aventurine’s distinctive eyes just how valuable they were.
Such a reckless gamble he had taken. Sunday couldn’t imagine having the audacity, yet his own play would be a thousand times bigger. Aventurine wanted Penacony as another gambling chip for the IPC. Sunday wanted Penacony as the salvation for millions of souls. His cause was righteous while Aventurine was purely motivated by selfishness and yet as their minds brushed along with the chords of the Harmony, he felt that somehow they were the same.
Aventurine swaggered, laughed, even flirted, but not once did his focus waver. Sunday wanted to see what would happen if it did, what it would take to bring the reckless gambler to his knees. Aventurine was smart enough never to wager anything he couldn’t bear to part with, but the trick was that he had nothing left to lose.
Sunday wondered what his dream, his impending paradise, would look like for Aventurine. When he wrapped Penacony in sweet oblivion, would Aventurine’s sharp edges dull away, his self-destructive impulses fade to nothing, his dissonant laugh be remade into something sweet?
It didn’t matter. Sunday would not be there to see it. He would be the martyr who heralded its coming, eternally suffering, eternally separate.
In Sunday’s drawing room, Aventurine smiled like the flash of light on the barrel of a pistol. He laughed like someone was hitting only the black keys of the piano. His careless grace was too practiced to be natural, the turn of his mouth as cruel as rain.
Sunday had bested him and sent him on his way. But that mastery was just an illusion. Aventurine would
win in the end. As the sky above him erupted with gold, he laughed. Floating above Penacony, he could almost believe himself a god, as glorious as Gaiathra Triclops, raining his vengeance upon those who wronged him.
The Emanator stopped him, as he knew she would. With a single slash of her sword she cut through the strings of his power, leaving him broken and defeated. As he fell through the air above Penacony, he laughed and laughed. Because to fall
was what he had wanted all along. Because it was so freeing, to give up the fight.
Sunday had tried to save everyone. He’d done everything possible, and his failure was only due to circumstances far beyond his control. So surely it wasn’t a sin, now, with the warm night air rushing past him and the soil of Penacony quickly approaching, to let it go. To give up and give in, to let gravity do what it would.
For once, he could breathe. Because there was nothing.
And then there was
Robin. Her voice was like the soft chirping of a dove, but her eyes were bright and vibrant, arresting.
Aventurine hadn’t expected to run into her on an IPC humanitarian mission to a remote ice planet, but perhaps he should have. She was involved in a hundred different causes and human rights crusades, after all.
They made smalltalk, caught in a rare free moment between press conferences and photo ops. The IPC showcasing its dedication to corporate responsibility.
“How’s your brother?” he asked, though it was mostly a courtesy. Sunday was being held in an ultra-secure IPC prison, awaiting sentencing for his crimes.
Robin gave him an odd look. “You haven’t heard?”
Aventurine shook his head. “I’ve been out here for six weeks. I’m way out of the loop.”
“The Stellaron Hunters broke him out,” she said. “He’s joined up with them now.”
Aventurine couldn’t help but laugh. In a way it made sense. Sunday, once a paragon of the Harmony, now an agent of discord. In a way, Aventurine was envious. In coming to the IPC, he had only traded one cage for another.
His final gamble would be his escape. He wasn’t ready yet—many pieces still had to fall into place. His strategy would have to be perfect, his execution flawless. But on that day, he would roll the dice and walk out his front door a free man. Belonging to no one, beholden to nothing.
And on that day, well. Maybe, just maybe, he’d call Sunday.
|
56,752,771 | Teach Me | ['Amore_Fics'] | Teen And Up Audiences | M/M | 崩坏：星穹铁道 | Honkai: Star Rail (Video Game) | Aventurine/Dr. Ratio (Honkai: Star Rail), Aventurine & Dr. Ratio (Honkai: Star Rail) | Aventurine (Honkai: Star Rail), Dr. Ratio (Honkai: Star Rail) | learn how to dance, veritas has never danced, aventurine teaches him how to dance, Post 2.2 story, Mutual Pining, aventurine found out ratio loved him from the note | English | 2024-06-19 | Completed | 2024-06-19 | 1,579 | 1/1 | 5 | 168 | 21 | 1,142 | ['siqela', 'nixblack', 'Fionyan10', 'BatsDontKill', 'haireater9000', 'winoan', 'DeadWillow248', 'Air132', 'Illumesia', 'Fulminata_a', 'Cocogoatmilk0125', 'imAsallemander', 'Iyrs', 'Felinix', 'Beanlit', 'Weepy_1485', 'starqop', 'profcrbby', 'ChunkyCheeseBall', 'airo_plane', 'bolisha', 'astrallie', 'SharkieSuga', 'teenage_dystopian_book_nerd', 'RozJins', 'Yumiko814', 'Quietry', 'JeonJungsoonie', 'Vampirina', 'beautifulspacefish', 'salt_ines', 'Crow_roses', 'YosoTheDisaster', 'chrystallinejung', 'Firefly2806', 'Heliocentric', 'syriella', 'Ithillas', 'RennaVortex', 'paradox_integra', 'Marra_Love_Zodiac', 'diamond_fucker', 'ProfessionalCranberry', 'lunarchives', 'sairentokun', 'BobCatsAreReal0754', 'Allydraws', 'imaginacjakordiana', 'ShimizuEri', 'ach1lles'] | [] | "Have you ever learned how to dance?"
That sentence shouldn't have caused such a visceral reaction in the doctor's brain, and yet it did. He had learned a great many things in his life. He had many doctorates, degrees, and a lot of knowledge from his research. But no, he had never actually learned how to dance. He had never seen use for it, truthfully. Perhaps that was because he really had no friends growing up. He had his work and strict parents who wanted nothing more than for their child to be as smart as possible.
Dancing never worked out in that scenario.
Being faced, now, with the looming threat of a party he had to attend for a mission, alongside the damn gambler, he was well aware of his inability to dance. He just thought he could get by without having to do that. He could stand off to the side and do his own thing. He could be the silent observer, something he was really quite good at. There was no need for him to dance.
And yet, now that the blonde was asking him, he found himself curious. Perhaps he should learn how to dance. Perhaps he should learn, even if it was just to put it under his belt as a topic he had extensive knowledge on. Though, the party was mere days away, and there was only so much knowledge he could retain in such a short amount of time.
But then... How did the gambler know how to dance? When did he learn how to dance? Surely that wasn't something he was taught by the IPC. Perhaps it was taught to him... oh.
"No, I never found it necessary," Veritas replied, crossing his arms over his chest.
The blonde rolled his eyes, "Well, it's necessary now. If we don't mingle, we won't find our target and we most certainly won't get information on them. You need to learn how to dance."
"I most certainly do not."
The gambler sighed in exasperation. Shaking his head, he took a step closer, "Yes you do. And you will dance, whether you step on my toes or not. I truly don't care if you do. I am not going to dance by myself."
"And why not? You're a good looking man. Someone would dance with you," Veritas replied, shifting his weight, keeping his expression flat.
"I don't want to dance with someone else. I want to dance with you. You are my partner for this mission. We need to appear like we're there together. And if you won't dance with me--"
"Alright, then teach me."
Blinking a few times, the gambler appeared to be confused. His brow furrowed, "Alright, I'll teach you then. Do you... even have a way to listen to music in this... room?"
An eyebrow raised and Veritas rolled his eyes, "I am not living in the stone age, damned gambler. Of course I have music. Unbelievable," he turned and walked over to the table that was pushed up against the wall of the hotel room. He fumbled around with some contraption that Jade had put there before a soft melody began to flood the room.
"Starting with a slow song, alright," Aventurine moved closer to him, "Do you want to lead or do you want me to?"
"Please, like I'd let you lead anything."
A roll of the eyes, Aventurine moved closer, "Alright, place one hand on my waist, and take my hand with the other."
"Touching already?" Veritas asked, somewhat flustered.
"You picked a slow song, so you chose your poison. Either pick another song or put your hand on my waist."
With an exasperated sigh, Veritas stepped closer and rested a hand against Aventurine's waist, placing his hand into the other's. He watched as the gambler moved closer, placing his free hand against Veritas' shoulder. This was the closest Veritas had been to him, or anyone really, since he saw him after the Penacony incident. It was hard to be this close to him, after what happened, after knowing that he had, more or less, used Veritas in his attempt to end his own life.
"Step forward," Aventurine's voice was soft as he spoke, now closer to him than ever. It was clear he didn't want to be too loud. Veritas followed each instruction, stepping forward, and backward. With each step, Veritas could feel the tension rising. It wasn't that he was angry with Aventurine, of course not. The man had wanted to die so badly. He wanted to destroy the world and watch it burn. It had nothing to do with using Veritas.
But he loved him.
And watching the man you love use you because he wanted to die was painful on its own. But being here, with him, in each other's arms, knowing that he survived despite it all, it was harder. He would always love the stupid gambler. But it was hard to feel like he should, when the man could up and decide he wanted to die again any day now. Veritas would have no control over that. He didn't have control over how he felt either, but by choosing not to act on his feelings, he could prevent the heartbreak from Aventurine's potential decision to end it all.
"Relax," came the gambler's voice as they continued to step and dance along to the music, "You look like you're trying too hard or thinking too hard," he paused, "Or both."
Letting out an annoyed sigh, Veritas did his best to relax his muscles and try to tune himself to the music and to the blonde in his arms. But as he stared into those beautiful purple and blue eyes, it was hard not to get lost in his feelings, in him. As time moved, so too did they. Each movement reminded Veritas more and more of how he felt about the man in front of him.
A step here, another step there, pushing them closer to each other, allowing Veritas to lose himself further by the moment. As the music came to a soft crescendo, Veritas found himself leaning in, finding himself all too swayed by the music that surrounded them, enveloped them. As their lips met, Veritas let go of the gambler's hand and rest against his jaw. The blonde's free hand lifted and rested around his neck, pulling himself closer.
Veritas could feel as Aventurine lifted himself up on his toes to deepen the kiss. With the arm around his waist, Veritas pulled him closer, holding him flush against his own body. The music, the lights, the soft sounds of the streets outside entirely drowned out by the stillness in that moment. The way their breaths matched each other, as their lips moved in unison, the entire world slipped away, gone. It was just them, moving in tandem, in slow motion. Nothing else mattered.
As the song came to an end, Veritas pulled away from the kiss, but still close enough to feel the gambler's breath against his lips. That had been a bad idea. He was trying to keep his feelings at bay, his emotions in check, but he failed. He couldn't keep them locked away forever. And Aventurine had kissed him back, and perhaps that was the worst part.
"If you... cared for me the way I care for you, why did you want to die?" Veritas asked, his voice barely above a whisper. He hadn't meant the question maliciously, nor did he try to sound angry.
"Truthfully," the man spoke just as quietly, "Until I read your note, I didn't think anyone cared for me. Especially not you. It's why I asked you, of all people. I figured, if I died, you wouldn't care. But I realized..." he paused for a moment, "I realized I was wrong. And I... I don't want to die anymore."
"Can you promise me that?" Veritas asked hesitantly.
"I promise I have no intentions of dying before my time."
"I have a question for you, then," he paused, "Kakavasha."
"Yes?"
"If I kiss you again," Veritas hesitated, "Would you accept that I do care and that I want you in my life? Is that something you can do for me?"
Instead of responding with words immediately, Aventurine closed the distance once more and pressed his lips against Veritas' own. It wasn't as long as the last one, but the emotions were stronger and he could feel the blonde's response through the action itself.
Then he pulled away and he smiled, a cheeky smile, one that Veritas couldn't help but love so dearly. With a soft laugh, Aventurine spoke, "Does that answer your question?"
"Cheeky," Veritas replied with a shake of the head, "But yes. I'll hold you to that, you know. I don't just care for you, Kakavasha. I love you."
"I--That's--No, I--"
"You promised."
The blonde took a deep breath, "You're right. I did. I... don't deserve it. But I won't doubt you, and I'll accept it," he whispered, "And I..."
"If you don't love me, that's alright. I don't expect you to."
"I do," he whispered once more, "I do love you. It's just... hard for me to say."
"Then I'll say it enough for the both of us," he slid his hand down his jaw and held the blonde's chin in his fingers, placing another soft kiss to his lips, "As many times as necessary for the rest of time." |
56,752,690 | Save A Horse | ['TheGoddessOfAnime'] | Explicit | M/M | 崩坏：星穹铁道 | Honkai: Star Rail (Video Game) | Boothill (Honkai: Star Rail)/Reader, Boothill (Honkai: Star Rail) & Reader | Reader, Boothill (Honkai: Star Rail) | Trans Male Character, reader is trans, Reader is The Trailblazer (Honkai: Star Rail), Vaginal Sex, Vaginal Fingering, Creampie, Boothill Can't Swear (Honkai: Star Rail), reader can swear, Boothill Has a Penis (Honkai: Star Rail), Some angst in you squint, Plot What Plot/Porn Without Plot | English | 2024-06-19 | Completed | 2024-06-19 | 5,097 | 1/1 | 3 | 55 | 4 | 1,304 | ['Wraith_ling', 'sickogrimm', 'Dottoresmassiveschlong', 'NyxHatesCocks_8', 'FoundFootage', 'yukiyatori', 'Akin0', 'lzrdtth', 'mielodie', 'ackrmn_tea', 'IDK_you_anymore', 'Uwak_Karasu_Kroh', 'Thottywithashotty', 'mossy_sodacan69', 'mfaarcae', 'Kir0senan', 'Gracellot', 'axolotl_Cupcake', 'Alatu5', 'Fionavus', 'Styx_The_Cryptid', 'anne_png', 'SilasTheCharcoal', 'powy', 'Angekous', 'cr0wnoss', 'MeHaburro', 'o0Khaos_Ren0o', 'S3NJUR0', 'jikiwiki', 'Anonymous10002', 'Salmonsal', 'koioo', 'stinky_Steve'] | [] | Joining the express meant you got to meet a lot of new people. See the stars and travel the cosmos with full freedom, being a hero at each new place you ventured. Sure, you weren't Himiko or Welt, both respected members of the express, but with a baseball bat and a dream, you were certainly something.
March 7th said you were a delight while taking photos of you at the most awkward angle before. And Dan Heng... it's hard to tell what's on his mind some days. You were confident that you were friends though.
The entire express defended each other with their lives. Wholeheartedly.
That said, since anyone was essentially welcome on board, mostly, there were times some people did climb aboard and stay awhile. Usually it wasn't for very long. Maybe passing by while being on their planet, but others would extend their stay until a new planet came their way. Then they'd bid adieu and move on, memories with the crew nestled deep within their heart.
That said, the recent guest of the express was something else. His body made of metal, a gun settled in his hip, tucked away in a holster, metallic skin gleaming. His teeth were razor sharp, a shark of a man, those red eyes always following, planning. His hair loose around his face, its feathered look framing it perfectly, and his cowboy hat nestled neatly on his head.
A hat you'd been eyeballing for awhile.
Throughout your travels, you'd picked up a few phrases, a few colloquial terms and slang. And you'd certainly learned the hat rule. It was mentioned in passing, but it had absorbed in your mind. Over drinks at the bars in Penacony, you'd overheard two customers make jokes about it, especially in regard to Boothill. He made quite the impression on some guests.
From how your eyes wandered... he made an impression on you.
It would be easy to snatch that hat right off his head. So easy to place it on your own and hope he knew the rule himself. A galaxy ranger should certainly know it, even if the universe didn't all know it, he should. The thought was quickly dismissed though, instead watching Boothill through half-lidded eyes, drinking him in.
While you weren't watching him, Boothill had taken to watching you. His eyes had narrowed in on you from the second your paths crossed. Taken in the flush of your skin, the determination that struck through your eyes... you had the heart and drive of a fighter, and all the good you did for others was downright charming. He's been ensnared from that first moment. The reins were tight around him, drawing him closer to you.
Not that you noticed. When his gaze was on you, you always looked the other way, but he'd still noticed your stares. And through all the chats, all the banter of the crew with Boothill, he wasn't quite a stranger like he first was.
You just were never alone with him.
Until now it seemed.
You were winding down in your room in the express, adjusting a few things here and there to help make your space feel more like a home, when the door to your room opened. Must've forgotten to lock it. And when you turned around to greet your new visitor, Boothill was standing in the doorframe, a sly grin playing on his lips, calculating eyes resting on you.
"Hard to get you alone trailblazer. Always around the others on the express," he said with a warm chuckle in his voice. "You about to nod off?"
"No, just getting comfy," you informed with a small smile. "What brings you?"
Boothill closed the door behind him, locking it. He sly grin still present on his features. He stayed by the door, gaze heavy upon you. Felt like holes were being burnt into your skin, his unbridled attention far more searing than you previously thought.
"Boothill?" This situation sent goosebumps down your spine, but it might've been just a misunderstanding.
Finally, Boothill pushed off the door and stalked his way over to you, pulling you close to him by your waist. Once trapped in his arms, Boothill plucked off the hat in his head, and placed it on yours, making sure it sat nicely on top. "Just staking my claim. You do know the rule now don't you?" He said in a low, gravely tone. The husk of his voice echoing in your head.
Your heart sputtered at his words, and your brain fought to keep up with what he was talking about. You had a fair share of fantasies about that stupid little rule, but it usually involved you stealing his hat, not him giving it to you. That's when what he said echoed even more.
'Staking my claim.'
He wanted you. Put his silly little claim on you to mark you his. "Is this where I save a horse by riding a cowboy instead?"
"So you've heard the rule?" He remarked with a grin.
"Well, the way I heard it involves me stealing the hat off your head."
"That part of it would involve you making a move trailblazer. And those eyes of your sure are pretty good at watching me, but your mouth isn't all that good at talking."
He noticed? He noticed you staring? Your face burned at the thought of being realized so easily. Boothill's metallic hand reached out to hold your chin, tilting it to face him.
"When a cowboy gives you his hat, he's laying his claim. And if you're too fudging scared to say what we both want, I thought I'd take care of it. We galaxy rangers know how to get a job done."
If he knew your thoughts so well, maybe you should lean into it. After all, you did want him. Why not lose yourself in this dance. "I'm not the most experienced rider though, would you be able to coach me through it? No better teacher than the cowboy, right?"
"Looks like you're getting into the spirit of it already. Come in trailblazer, let's get nice and cozy." He moved away from you, towards your bed clean, calculated strides before sitting on the edge of it. His metallic hands patted his lap, Inviting you to take a seat.
Face still boiling, you walked over, and without hesitation, you straddled his lap, nearly gasping when his hands settled on your ass. On instinct, you reached out for him, gripping at the metallic shoulders.
"Come on darlin, you can grip me tighter than that. I don't bruise."
"Boothill..."
"Ah, plus I like your warmth. Feels nice on this cold body of mine. If you're willing to share it that is." He pulled you more into his lap, the both of you sitting more nicely on the bed. "My hat suits you. Maybe you're a reborn ranger."
"I highly doubt that."
"It's a nice thought though," Boothill said with a light, hearty chuckle. "For now, I think I'll just enjoy how you look wearing it. And I do hope you keep it on your pretty little head. Want to carve your image into my memory."
"Suits me that much?"
"Do you figure me a liar, trailblazer?"
You shook your head.
Boothill just grinned. "Good. You said you wanted me to teach you to ride?"
"I've never... I haven't really done something like this before," you admitted a bit awkwardly. You've had some serious tension with other men before, but nothing had come of it. You've ridden nothing in a way that could be applied here, so if you wanted to ride him like he wanted, some guidance was needed.
"That's alright. I'll coach you through it," he cooed, hands moving from your ass to your hips. His grip tightened there, holding you firm. "First, I need you to grab me tighter darlin. Much easier to push against me than try to do all the heavy lifting yourself."
Confused, you listened, gripping his shoulders tight. He let out a small pleased groan at the pressure against his metallic frame.
"Just like that."
"Can you... feel that?" You asked softly.
"Mmm. Feel a bit of pressure. Not quite the same as it used to feel, but... I like how you grip me."
Part of the reason you had found yourself so drawn to Boothill was his looks, but most of it was just him as a whole. Feeling disconnected from your body was an experience you understood well. Your hands lifted briefly from his shoulders, confusion starting to dot his features before your hands cupped his face.
If he could, Boothill would've shuddered at the warmth of your hand, instead leaning into it, letting out a shaky breath. "Figured me out, huh?"
"I've been watching you for a bit, haven't I?" You said softly, leaning into him, eyes fluttering closed as you pressed your lips against his, chasing that chill of his lips. You didn't know how to move from there, pulling away slightly with a thick blush still staining your cheeks. "I can warm you up."
He seemed charmed by you, grip on your waist tightening, metal fingers digging more into your hips. "Be my guest." One metallic hand flew up to clutch at the back of your head, pushing your face towards his as he swallowed you in a greedy kiss, working his tongue into your mouth before your brain could even catch up.
And fuck, he knew his way around men. His tongue explored your mouth with the ferocity of a starving man given a feast. He swallowed up your surprised gasps and grunts as you stayed trapped inside his intense mouth. His pointy teeth lightly pricking at your lips, sure to soon draw blood. The thought was making you utterly delirious. The pinpricks of pleasure pushing goosebumps to the surface of your skin, trembling in his hold.
His cool body felt good against yours, giving in to him. When he pulled away from your mouth, saliva trailed from your lips, soaking them in spit. He enjoyed the sight, taking in your wide blown pupils and how your chest heaved for air. Every inch of you was so alive from his touch. Flesh burning hot with a fierce flush. Every thing about you...
His hand was still in your hair, lightly knocking against the hat skewed in your head. "I might get addicted if you keep looking at me like that trailblazer."
"What do I look like?"
"Alive," he said with a sweet tone. "Flushed and eager for me. No way I'd rather have it." His hand fell to your waist again, grip tightening. "Since you know the right way to hold on to me, let's make sure you know how to properly ride while you still have your saddle."
"Saddle?" You were a bit confused before realizing- "you mean your pants still on?"
"Our pants darlin. Practicing bareback might be too much for you. Gotta get some practice in first."
Maybe you should lean into it. Boothill was having fun with this whole "lesson" on riding, maybe it would help crank up the heat a bit. "Then what should I do next? How do I ride you?"
His lips curved into a self satisfied smirk, his hands grip even tighter on your hips as he pressed you down into his lap more, rubbing his pelvis with yours. The friction of something hard pressing again your crotch had you quaking, feeling dampness starting to stain your pants. "Just get a rhythm going. Let's have you cum once like this, rutting against me. It would make for quite a show."
You could give a show. You kept your tight grip on his shoulders as you set up a rhythm of rutting against him, against the growing tent in his pants. Half wondering if that part of him was still human or programmed to act a certain way. It at least acted interested, stiffening against you the more you shook your hips, gasping out when it pressed against your aching lower half.
You wanted him to be wearing so much less.
Your skin was burning, wanting to escape your own confines and feel his metallic body against your flesh. Feel the coolness of the metal and its stiffness against you. All while keeping his hat on.
"You might actually cum like this," Boothill mused, smirking still. "You're leaking right through your pants darling. Nice and wet for me."
"Shut up..." you mumbled.
"Nothing to be ashamed of. You're just feeling good. When's the last time you let yourself feel pleasure? Took those lovely fingers of yours and explored yourself?"
Never. Actually. You weren't born yesterday, but you hadn't been alive that long that you could even remember. The stellaron inside of you near proof of your first day of life. While you certainly thought of plenty of indecent things, you hadn't given yourself time to explore. Between saving planet after planet, being sucked into the IPC's games, and your confusing past with the stellaron hunters, you'd been a little preoccupied.
Boothill sensed your hesitation, hands dropping to your thighs, rubbing his thumbs in nonsensical patterns. "That's a fudgin shame. You deserve a little taste of pleasure now and then. With all that you do?" He whistled, smile turning sweet. "Forget about cumming while on top of me for now. I've got something better I'm mind."
Again, confusion washed over your face until boothill threw you on the bed. Head in the pillows with boothill spreading your legs wide, admiring the view.
"You're soaked right through. Suits a pretty boy like you."
Your hands flew up to hide your face, feeling how hot it had become with all of Boothill's words.
"Don't be like that. I quite like that flushed face of yours."
Slowly, your brought your hands down away from your face, a pout in your lips.
Boothill laughed a little, leaning more towards you, resting his arms near your head. "There's that handsome face of yours, trailblazer. No need to hide it from me."
"easy for you to say..."
"Im sure I'll be quite the sight when you're finally riding me."
You'd still be in the more compromising position... but you'd let it go for now. Especially since you weren't exactly hating his attention. Boothill's eyes were animalistic as they watched you. His sharp teeth all on display in his grin. It felt wrong not to see his hat on his head, but it still sat upon you. His little mark.
"Now, let's get you out of these pants." You raised your hips to help him tug your pants off, as well as your underwear, boothill tossing them somewhere beside the bed, attention remaining on you. "There we go, now I can get a better look at you."
His hands moved up your thighs, towards the wetness that rested between your legs, the bundles of nerves that twitched as he neared it.
"I knew you were wet before, but I apparently underestimated you. That aroused?"
Very. From the moment he stepped in to now, your body had been aroused by Boothill, and the more he touched you, the more your body caved. Learned to accept such a touch as it explores you, wanting desperately to feel him inside you and shock your insides. "Stop teasing me."
"You're fun to tease."
"Are you just going to stare at me or actually do something?"
"Oh?" He mused. "Someone eager. Don't worry trailblazer, I'll leave you feeling on cloud nine. Just rest your head and leave the work to me."
You listened, trying to relax as he studied your body a bit more. Hands massaging your thighs, kneading them gently before he moved to a much more sensitive area. One of his hands moved closer, spreading the folds of your wetness to get a better look. His metallic hand sending shivers down your spine.
He gently rubbed his thumb along it, testing the waters, before thumbing at the clit, jolting your body, hand instinctively flying to cover your mouth to hold in the loud yelp your body let out.
"Sure are sensitive here. Glad I'm the first to see it." He said with a warm chuckle. "I'm no spring chicken, but Ive certainly gotten rusty. Rest assured, you're in excellent hands." Three of his fingers rubbed against your wetness, lubricating them in your precum. His touch was itching at your nerves, feeling like a bubbling pressure was curling inside your stomach, blistering with heat. Then, watching you closely, he brought one finger to your opening, slick still with precum, and pushed it inside.
You let out a garbled noise of shock, feeling discomfort rise to your throat. It wasn't painful, just... strange. Your eyes were squeezed shut as you accepted the discomfort, then you felt a pair of cold lips against your forehead.
"Just breathe darlin. Nice deep breaths for me, alright? You can grab onto me if you need to, I won't bruise if you need something to squeeze."
Your eyes opened to a much gentler face than before. Boothill's eyes were soft, a light flush brushing over his features. A rosy hue blessing his face. With his long hair getting tousled about a bit, he looked a mess, but...
Your heart seemed to storm in your chest, thunder crashing loudly against your ribcage, bolts of lightning shooting your nerves. This felt more intimate than having his hand inside you. You felt completely stripped bare under such a gaze.
You wanted him. Maybe as more than just this. More than the physicality, more than the longing stares you never saw. You wanted his heart.
It hadn't occurred to you during this whole ordeal, but one simple gaze and you were complete putty beneath him.
"There you go darlin. Just relax." His free hand went to cup your face, and you placed your hand over his, leaning into the coolness. He chuckled softly, and leaned in to kiss you once more. Not as intense, but rather... sensual. Still drinking in your needy gasps, but never pushing past your lips, leaving his attention on them. Easing your worries as your body relaxed gently into him. Fell further into your bedsheets, sinking sweetly into his taste and touch.
His finger curled around, feeling for your g-spot, but he couldn't quite touch it, or he was avoiding it on purpose, teasing the edge of your insides, sliding in another finger alongside his first. He spread them inside you, spreading you out, your body twitching at his ministrations, gasping for into his kiss.
It felt better, more like scratching an itch you couldn't reach. So you relaxed more, eyes closed as you savored the touch, not realizing when Boothill's lips moved to your neck instead, mouthing along the skin, kissing it with sweet fervor. Nipping at it, biting it, sucking and licking the newly forming wound, a newly formed branding from his lips.
It was a sensation that buzzed against your skin. Brewed warmth in the pit of your stomach, crawling up your body and playing with your nerves.
And when Boothill managed a third finger, he somehow recalled where the most sensitive part of you was, curling those fingers delightfully into your g-spot, your legs quaking and a yelp escaping your lips.
"Seems you're all nice and warmed up. Why don't you cum for me once handsome? Love to see that pretty face of yours come undone." He curved those fingers again, your vision starting to dot, mouth agape in a drawn out moan.
His words were a trigger that had you seeing white, going boneless against the sheets. If that was how it felt, you could do that over and over again for the rest of your life. Buzzing seemed to thrum over every inch of you, legs shaking, still open for Boothill to sit between.
Boothill took his fingers out of you and he then whispered praises in your ear, gently kissing your tired limbs, every part of you he could reach, letting you relax. He didn't move to touch you down there until you truly calmed down.
"How was that?"
"My legs feel like jelly."
He chuckled, helping you sit up. "Are you still able to ride a poor cowboy like myself?"
You nodded, adjusting the hat to fit your head better. "There's nothing I'd want more."
"Then let's get you out of the rest of your clothes." Boothill moved to pull off your jacket, your shirt, and was careful in pulling off your binder, briefly checking on the skin underneath. "You weren't wearing it too long, were you?"
You shook your head. "Just a few hours. Didn't leave my room for long today."
"Good." He said with a soft sigh, moving to pull off his own clothes. He was still all metal. So it wasn't like more skin showed when his clothes vanished, but the detail he was carved in definitely lit a spark inside you. Especially when his pants came off and you were able to set eyes on what was in his pants.
Not flesh, but not metal either. Somewhere closer to silicone of sorts rested between his legs, as detailed as what laid between most. A bit bigger than most. Not that you exactly had anyone to compare it to.
"That's going inside me?" You muttered in slight disbelief.
"Only if you think you can handle it."
"I want this!" You quickly assured. "I can handle it! It's just... bigger than I expected."
He chuckled again. "It's nothing compared what my previous one was like."
In his body of flesh, before it became these mangled parts that helped him stay alive.
"I'm sure I can make you plenty satisfied with just this darlin."
"It's more than enough," you quickly agreed as he got comfy in the bed.
Boothill rested against the headboard of the bed, leaning against it. His hands patted his lap, gesturing for you to come over, which you did, straddling his lap like you had earlier, gripping his shoulders in that same tight hold.
If he could, Boothill would've shivered.
"Seems you took my lessons to heart. I'm flattered trailblazer." He adjusted his hold to settle on your hips once more, pulling you closer to him. "I'll be sure to help you mount me, as long as you're prepared to do the steering."
"I'll be sure to rein you in," you teased softly, pecking his lips.
Boothill seemed just as soft as he was when he looked at your earlier, quickly brushing hair away from your face, adjusting the hat on your head. "Makes me happy to hear. You ready? Need anything before we get started?"
You shook your head, and Boothill leaned into you, wrapping one arm around your waist to brace you, while lining himself up with his other hand. You helped, mostly lifting your hips to give him the space to push inside. He rubbed the tips along the folds of your dripping wetness, lubricating the tip, stirring you up. As you held him tight, he pushed inside you, and your body stretched to accommodate, dripping onto him, quivering the more he pushed. You swallowed away the uncomfortable push that seemed to be climbing up your vaginal canal.
And he slowly let you fall and take him, pushing so deep inside you, you swore he could almost touch your cervix without any effort. Inside felt full. Stuffed with him as your legs met his thighs, gasping at the sensation.
"Fu-fudge, you're too tight darlin," Boothill hissed out. "Just squeeze me tight and try to relax."
It was easy to do. Grip his shoulders tight as you adjusted to the feeling of him inside you. It didn’t hurt at least, he made sure of it, but it was a discomforting feeling.
Boothill peppered kisses to your skin, along your shoulders, neck, going over the marks he made earlier in your skin. Anything that would take your mind off things. His cold lips seemed to wheel the heat that overtook yours, shivering against him.
You took deep, shaky breaths as you both sat there, trying to relax. This felt… oddly sweet. You didn’t think you’d actually ever sleep with anyone, with how busy the astral express always was, let along be treated so warmly. Yet… he was making sure that every step of the way that you were fine.
“There you go. Just tell me when you’re ready, or you can start moving yourself when you feel up to it. Alright?” He spoke softly, smiling gently.
He was so sweet, you couldn’t take it. You sat there for a few more minutes, feeling his lips on your skin for a little while longer before you felt you were ready. So, you gripped him tight and started to grind against his lap in small motion, breath hitching as he seemed to move inside you. A thrum of pleasure seemed to still inside you, his cock head dragging along each evened inside you. Your hips stuttered on top of his, chasing this feeling that seemed to light a fire in the pit of your stomach.
“Mhmm. That’s a good boy,” he said with a light groan, hands digging into the skin on your hips, helping you grind against him.
Building up the rhythm slowly got rid of the discomfort, tumbles of Boothill’s name fumbling from your lips as the pleasure grew.
Then Boothill lifted you. Used his tight grip on your waist to lift you a bit off his lap before dropping you back down, shooting pleasure all the way through you, eyesight going fuzzy. You half collapsed on Boothill, who wrapped his arms around you, chuckling lightly.
“Don’t you think it’s time to let loose and grab real control of the reigns trailblazer?”
“Are you going to stop with the jokes!”
“Unlikely.”
A laugh bubbled from your own throat, letting go of his shoulders to cup his face again. “Alright cowboy. Don’t judge me too harshly if I’m bad at this.”
“It’s already a dream having you on top of me, trailblazer.” He took the opportunity to peck your lips again. “Do what you’re comfortable with.”
Sweet words again. Well, you’d certainly try your best. Moving your hands back to his shoulders, you used him to push yourself up, and fall down again, that same spike of pleasure shooting through you.
You could do this!
Along with the slow grinds, you set up a small, steady pace of barely lifting off his lap before falling again trying to get used to it. And Boothill wasn’t complaining, if his groans were anything to go by at least.
While his body was warming much, a nice rosy flush stained his face, eyes just as gentle as before, as if you were the only one who could bring it out.
So you got bolder, bouncing higher, setting a faster pace that had him punching moans out of you. His cock seemed to reach your cervix, tangling your insides and turning them to mush. Thoughts were blending together, body shaky and exhausted with each rise and fall, before your vision turned white again, shivering and falling onto him, just in time to hear his own shuddering breath and something warm spill inside you.
Seems like he came too.
You both rested, panting heavily as your breaths tried to catch up, Boothill’s metallic hand running along your backside as you calmed down.
“Not bad for your first time,” Boothill joked softly. “I’m sure after some practice, you’ll be riding like a pro.”
“Will you continue being my teacher?”
He chuckled, tilting his head to get a better look at you. “I’d be a fool to say no. So as long as you’ll have me, I’ll gladly teach you the ropes.” He switched subjects then. “How are you feeling? We should clean you up, get you nice and cozy.”
“I’m fine,” you assured. “Just a bit sore.”
“Good. I’ll go get something to wipe up down and I’ll clean you out.”
“Clean me out?”
“Were you expecting to walk around with cum inside you? It’s not quite semen, but it sure ain’t comfortable to sit with.”
“Right.” You lifted yourself off him, legs shaking as you did, and his cum spilling out more and more with each second, dribbling down your thighs and legs. “Fuck.”
“It’s an attractive sight at least.”
“Shut up.”
“I’ll get us all cleaned up.” He got up once you were off of him, and found his pants, shucking them on, along with his underwear before heading to get something to clean both of you up as you laid rather boneless on the bed, the cold air brushing against your bare body.
A pleasant buzz still rested in your body. You already were not looking forward to anyone eyeballing you when you went to wash the definitely stained sheets later. But there was no point regretting what felt so good. And when the door opened again, it was Boothill, back with some warm, wet rags and fresh sheets to switch out the current ones.
He was soft when cleaning you up, gentle when cleaning inside you up as well, soft kisses left along every inch of your body as he did so. It was a smothering warmth that was starkly different than touching him. The warmth still curled up in his heart that poured through in his actions. It left a few questions on your mind, but you pushed them out of your head for the time being, instead enjoying his sweet devotion. He even fished out fresh pajamas for you to wear, before setting you to sit on a nearby seat while replacing the sheets.
After he finished, he turned to face you. “Mind if I stay the night?”
“I don’t mind. But I’m keeping the blankets.”
He laughed, moving over to you as he picked you up. “Am I that cold to touch?”
Freezing actually. But… when he held you now, despite the chill of his body touching you, all you could feel was warmth. “Not at all.”
“Then let’s get some rest. I’ll be stealing some clothes from you, hope you don’t mind.”
“Don’t worry, I don’t.”
The pair of you curled up in bed together, you body wrapped in blankets as he held you close. You couldn’t help but fall asleep rather quickly in his arms, the safety of his presence lulling you to sweet dreams.
It was only after you fell asleep that Boothill reclaimed his hat, gently setting it on the nightstand as he joined you in slumber. |
55,718,632 | Even Immortality Ends | ['keneke'] | Mature | M/M | 崩坏：星穹铁道 | Honkai: Star Rail (Video Game) | Blade/Dan Heng (Honkai: Star Rail) | "Dan Heng (Honkai: Star Rail), Blade (Honkai: Star Rail), Jing Yuan (Honkai: Star Rail), Astral Expr(...TRUNCATED) | "Developing Relationship, lore heavy, Found Family, Angst, Eventual Smut, Top Blade (Honkai: Star Ra(...TRUNCATED) | English | 2024-05-06 | Updated | 2024-06-24 | 82,954 | 11/17 | 152 | 434 | 108 | 9,138 | "['Hanafuyuuu', 'RedPandora', 'mochiko7', 'mafiasses', 'KatiasXIII', 'Emerald_Hikari', 'Drawchill', (...TRUNCATED) | [] | " \n\nOnce, Dan Feng had said these words to Yingxing. Dan Heng does not remember exactly whe(...TRUNCATED) |
55,664,929 | At the Bottom of a Bottle | ['SpecialT3a'] | Teen And Up Audiences | Other, F/M | 崩坏：星穹铁道 | Honkai: Star Rail (Video Game) | "Aventurine & Dr. Ratio (Honkai: Star Rail), Aventurine (Honkai: Star Rail) & Reader, Aventurine (Ho(...TRUNCATED) | "Aventurine (Honkai: Star Rail), Dr. Ratio (Honkai: Star Rail), Reader, Original Characters, Mention(...TRUNCATED) | "Spoilers, Canonical Character Death, Canon Compliant, Penacony Spoilers (Honkai: Star Rail), Canon-(...TRUNCATED) | English | 2024-05-04 | Updated | 2024-06-22 | 8,461 | 7/? | 5 | 24 | 6 | 621 | "['DuckLord02', 'YikesCapricorn', 'Kazu_4062', 'cyber_phobia', 'Okk123', 'Lacie994', 'lollipop1n', '(...TRUNCATED) | [] | "She watched him, that gaudily dressed blonde haired stranger. Not that it had been on purpose, mind(...TRUNCATED) |
54,683,695 | your truth, yours. | ['incarnatemus'] | General Audiences | F/F | 崩坏：星穹铁道 | Honkai: Star Rail (Video Game) | Bronya/Seele (Honkai: Star Rail), Bronya & Seele (Honkai: Star Rail) | Bronya (Honkai: Star Rail), Seele (Honkai: Star Rail) | Fluff and Angst, idk what to tag this, Angst, Fluff, Slow Burn | English | 2024-03-24 | Updated | 2024-06-18 | 5,991 | 3/? | null | 38 | 5 | 827 | "['fyeb', 'Ocak_Sonduren', 'VertexDrifter', 'Dark_Lady1215', 'LivingThing8', 'RichardPham', 'Disgrac(...TRUNCATED) | [] | "seele goes in for a job interview.\n\n\n(See the end of the chapter for notes.)\n\n\nShe’s just, (...TRUNCATED) |
54,351,145 | Lemniscate | ['spacycosmos'] | Mature | F/M | 崩坏：星穹铁道 | Honkai: Star Rail (Video Game) | Dr. Ratio/Ruan Mei (Honkai: Star Rail) | "Ruan Mei (Honkai: Star Rail), Dr. Ratio (Honkai: Star Rail), Sparkle (Honkai: Star Rail), Aventurin(...TRUNCATED) | "Soft Dr. Ratio (Honkai: Star Rail), Flashbacks, Philosophy, Literary References & Allusions, Charac(...TRUNCATED) | English | 2024-03-09 | Completed | 2024-06-18 | 65,360 | 32/32 | null | 72 | 4 | 2,900 | "['DanRyo', 'NamelessFriends', 'chandler0873', 'weenee', 'seijoheaven', 'hydrogencarbonateion', 'tis(...TRUNCATED) | [] | "Philosophers. Researchers. Entirely different in addressing the unknown.\n\n“Have you heard of th(...TRUNCATED) |
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Honkai Star Rail Fanfics
Overview
This dataset contains information about fan-created works based on the video game Honkai Star Rail. It includes various metadata about each work, such as title, author, ratings, and engagement metrics. Please note that this dataset may contain references to NSFW (Not Safe For Work) content.
Data Description
The dataset is provided in with the following columns:
work_id: Unique identifier for each worktitle: Title of the fanworkauthor: Creator of the fanworkrating: Content rating of the workcategory: Category or type of the fanworkfandom: Specific fandom within the Honkai Star Rail universerelationship: Character relationships featured in the workcharacter: Main characters featured in the workadditional tags: Additional tags describing the content or themeslanguage: Language in which the work is writtenpublished: Publication date of the workstatus: Current status of the work (e.g., completed, ongoing)status date: Date of the last status updatewords: Word count of the workchapters: Number of chapters in the workcomments: Number of comments receivedkudos: Number of kudos receivedbookmarks: Number of times the work has been bookmarkedhits: Number of hits or views the work has receivedall_kudos: An array of usernames who have given kudos to the workall_bookmarks: N/Abody: Main content or summary of the work
Usage Notes
- This dataset is intended for research and analysis purposes only.
- Be aware that the dataset may contain references to mature or adult themes.
- Respect the original creators' rights when using or sharing insights from this dataset.
Limitations
- The dataset may not be comprehensive and might represent only a subset of available fanfiction works.
- Data accuracy is subject to the original source and scraping process.
- Some fields may be incomplete or missing for certain entries.
Ethical Considerations
- Avoid using the data in ways that could identify or target specific individuals.
- Respect the privacy of authors and users represented in the dataset.
- Do not use the data for any harmful or malicious purposes.
- Be mindful of potential biases in the data collection process.
- If publishing research based on this dataset, consider the impact on the fanfiction community.
Disclaimer
This dataset contains fan-created content based on the Honkai Star Rail video game. Please be aware of the following:
- Copyright: The original Honkai Star Rail game and its characters are copyrighted by miHoYo. This dataset does not claim any ownership over the original game content.
- Fan Content: The works described in this dataset are created by fans and are not officially affiliated with or endorsed by miHoYo or the Honkai Star Rail game.
- Content Warning: Some entries in this dataset may reference or describe mature themes, violence, or adult content. Users should exercise discretion when working with this data.
- Accuracy: While efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the data, we cannot guarantee that all information is completely error-free or up-to-date.
- Usage Responsibility: Users of this dataset are responsible for ensuring that their use complies with all applicable laws and regulations, including those related to copyright, privacy, and data protection.
- No Liability: The creators and distributors of this dataset are not liable for any damages or losses resulting from the use of this data.
By using this dataset, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this disclaimer.
License
This dataset is released under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication. This means that you can copy, modify, distribute, and perform the work, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.
You are free to:
- Share: Copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format
- Adapt: Remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially
Under the following terms:
- No additional restrictions: You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
For more information about CC0, visit: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/
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