Chapter Text
“I stood there, in the pourin’ rain. The purple of the tracer on Teirnan’s bullet fadin’ as I watched and waited. Then, I saw ‘em. The Shootin’ Stars of the Hunt. My fellow Rangers comin’ from all points of the universe.” I said, the reverence I felt in that moment still comin’ through in my voice.
“The Nameless were mighty grateful I was able to help the way I was. Hell, The Singin’ Queen, Robin, was just as grateful that my actions helped her save her brother, who actually joined the Nameless ‘imself after leavin’ Penacony. Then, once I was back at headquarters, La Macha actually gave me Teirnan’s second bullet.” I pulled out my phone. “It’s on Genti’s ship, for safe keepin’.”
“Did you get struck by lightning on that rooftop too, Boots?” Itto asked, smirking.
“No! You Muddlefudger! I actually got to be the hero, not…” I sighed as he started cacklin’.
The cook brought out everyone’s entrees as Taki was laughin’. I’d managed to find somethin’ that made me think of home when I read the discription. It was stew, beef stew with local veg and a side of somethin’ that turned out to be cornbread. After gettin’ struck by lightnin’ I figured I deserved somethin’ familiar.
I woke up later that night with a strangled cry of my daughter’s name dyin’ in my throat. I sat up on the cot the others had gotten from the innkeep so I could sleep on the balcony of our room. It was their trade off for me sleepin’ at the Inn. Honestly, it was better than I had thought.
Sittin’ on my cot I stared at the sky again. Pickin’ up my phone I began a message.
“Hey ‘Genti. I got struck by lightnin’ today. For real! Hurt like forkin’ hell but made everyone laugh, even me. I’m fine by the way, before you start worryin’ too much. Singed my jacket and charged my battery is all. Fudge babe, I miss ya somethin’ fierce right now. Can’t even put on any music and dance cause, I ain’t got a connection.”
I sigh, starin’ at my message.
“Ya know. It’s funny. I started these so I could tell ya where I am so you can find me when you get here but, they’re kinda becomin’ a journal for me. And you getta see me a little more raw than normal. I know ya won’t go usin’ these to hurt me ‘Genti. I ain’t gonna get into detail of it, but I was dreamin’ ‘bout Clementine again. Musta been from my dinner. Reminded me too much of home for my own good really.”
I shook my head. Hearin’ footsteps near me I quickly hit send on the message. The wall of text popped up followed by the failed to deliver messages that I was sadly getting’ used to at this point.
“Why are you up Boots?” Taki asked as he closed the balcony door.
“Just had a bad dream is all Taki. Nothin’ to worry ‘bout.”
Taki sighed. “You don’t have to answer this but, Who’s Clementine?”
I felt my skin pale. “You’re right, I don’t gotta answer, and I ain’t gonna.”
“But she was important to you?”
“Yeah.” I sigh. “She was.”
Taki nodded then sat next to me. I looked at my boots as I felt his arm on my back. “I get it. I’ve seen lots of people who have memories that hurt too much. I’m here if you need me though, okay Brother?”
“Yeah. Thanks Taki.” I looked at him. He smiled gently. “You’re helpin’ by just bein’ here.”
“Your new friend is very strange Aether. Are you sure you can trust him?” Xiao’s voice came from above us. As well as the sound of soft footsteps.
“He hasn’t given us a reason not to trust him yet Xiao. And honestly, we’re just helping him get to Fontaine for repairs.” Aether’s voice also floated down to us from the rooftop.
“What then? How is it getting back beyond the firmament?” Xiao commented.
I glared up at the roof.
"I don't know if I'd call Boothill an it to his face." Aether stated and I heard Itto chuckle quietly. I turn my head and glare at him.
"I ain't an it."
"I know Boots. Xiao's... I mean..."
"Some people will only see the things that make me different. Fridge, the doc who built this hunk a junk calls me an it." I comment before listenin' again.
"Aether, I don't have to like you leaving. I know you going to Fontaine means you'll go visit that feline magician's twin."
"You agreed to us having openness. I have never hid who I have laid with from you. Why does Lyney bother you so much?"
Xiao gives an annoyed hmph. "He just does."
"They ain't got any idea we're sittin' here, do they?" I chuckle to Itto.
"Nope." He says lookin' up as we hear Aether speak again.
"Let me make my going there up to you." Then we both heard them sigh.
"Ya know I'm tryin' to sleep down here!" I shout up and Aether makes a choked off noise and Itto stifles a laugh. I don’t bother hidin’ my laughter as I hear them both scurry off somewhere else.
"I should go back to bed too, Boots." Itto slaps my shoulder, his nails clickin' 'gainst the bare metal. "So should you."
"Yeah... I'll try Taki. Thanks for... makin' sure I was okay. I... I woke Miss Shinobu, didn't I?"
"No. You didn't yell very loud at all. I was just up building a new TGC deck because I couldn't fall asleep. I heard you calling that name and figured I should check.” Itto smiled.
I nod. “Thanks Itto. And don’t feel bad that I ain’t tellin’ ya much. The only one I really tell any of this shirt to is ‘Genti, and even him I don’t like sharin’ everythin’ with. Don’t need to bring everyone else down with everythin’ I got goin’ on.”
“You don’t Boothill. I meant it when I said you tell the best stories.” He beamed. “Even the ones that sound really fake.”
“Well, thank ya kindly.” I chuckle. “My people told most of their history through tales and stories told by parents to their children. Not everythin’ might be accurate, but the stories get shared.”
“Is there one you could maybe share with me now?” Itto smirked like a little kid.
“Just a tiny bit.” I smirk back. “You remember that Teirnan fella I mentioned earlier. Well, La Macha givin’ me his bullet was a big deal ‘cause, as a ranger, he spent some time on Aeragon-Epharshal.”
“So he’s part of your history, not just the rangers and Penacany.”
“Penacony.”
“That’s what I said.” He laughed.
“But yes, having the bullet is a connection to my old life, my old home and my people’s story. Real proof of the man’s existance. Somethin’ I ain’t sure how to leave behind myself.”
“Well, you can trust the Red Oni won’t ever forget your name Boothill. And if I get the chance to introduce you to them, neither will the Blue.”
“The Blue? That’s the planet The Herta Spacestation orbits. How do you know anythin’ ‘bout…”
“The Blue Oni, Boots.” He laughs. “The other Oni Tribe. I’m the only red left as far as we know.”
I look at the Oni. I could never have guessed by how happy he is that he was so alone.
“The blue have taken me as one of their own and their leader Takuya is one of my dearest friends. I just know that most people find those facts kinda sad. Not really how I want my compadres to see me.”
“I get that. No one wants to be seen as weak. Honestly, no one sees ya that way Taki.” I grin at my friend.
“Thanks Boots. Please get some sleep, or at least rest.” He smirks. “You never know when your red head is gonna show up.”
I laughed as he headed back in. I leaned back on the cot and stared at the stars. My thoughts drifted around between the last Avgin and how much pain and blood he had witnessed, Argenti tellin’ me ‘bout the war that still raged on Melistanin under the guise of a gift of beauty, March 7th with her lost memories, Dan Heng and his exile, Welt Yang’s inability to find his way to his own home and eventually back to those bombs that rained down upon my home world. Laying there, I let myself think ‘bout all of the horrors that I knew of, that I had seen or been told of. Yet I still thought of Kakavasha teachin’ me to tie a knot of cyclicality so someone else knows how as a birthday gift to himself, Argenti findin’ beauty in trainin’ and his own bodily strength, March takin’ her photos and sharin’ them with us so she’d never forget again, Dan Heng bein’ a brother in the hunt to me and a central part of the Express, Welt havin’ found himself in love with that Penaconian exile… and how, despite all I’d lost, I could never go back, and that it wasn’t the worst thing.
The flow of time moved ‘round me without me noticin’. I hadn’t realized how long I had been starin’ at the sky until a ruffled lookin’ Aether slipped through the door. I drew my gun not knowin’ who had snuck into the room.
“Damn it Boothill.” He gasped quietly when he spotted me.
“Fridge sake’s Aether.” I sighed, reholsterin’ my revolver. “You look like you and Xiao found a good quiet spot to fork.”
“Not… we didn’t… we haven’t…” He blushed, rubbing the back of his neck, which was covered in bites and hickies.
“Ya still had fun. He forgivin’ ya over the other…”
“Man. I’m gay.” He says quietly.
“So, is he forgivin’ you?”
“Maybe. Mostly, he’s satisfied I’ll come back to him. He’s… protective.” Aether chuckles softly.
“Long distance stuff is hard. I can’t imagine doin’ it without bein’ able to call.” I smiled.
Aether gave me a look. “Even as you’re doing it right now. Believing that he will remain loyal and faithful, if that’s part of your relationship. Xiao and I have an open relationship because I travel and he is unsure if he may find someone else.”
“You ever take advantage of it?” I ask, curiosity taking over.
“Lyney of the House of the Hearth. A magician and…” he looks away. “A moderate ranking Fatui member. But we do love each other, and he understands my relationship with Xiao and my need to find my twin sister. He’s a twin too and his sister has feline traits. He also has the pointy teeth like a cat. He actually really wants to meet Xiao but he’s a person of some importance as the second in command of the House and a public celebrity and…”
I put my hand on his arm. “Breathe Aether.” I laughed. “I don’t know enough ‘bout the Fatui to have a hate on for all of ‘em or to judge ya for how you chose to love. As Itto pointed out, I’m gay too. And so is he, if my gut is right at least.”
He nodded. “Sorry. Xiao gets kinda intense about these things. It’s part of why I love him. He doesn’t want to meet Lyney, which is silly. They’d get along great, I think.”
“And I think you should both get to bed.” Shinobu hissed from the door, makin’ us both jump. “The three of you are going to be cranky and bitchy if you don’t. and I can tell you’re still awake Boss.”
“Dammit.” Itto snickered.
“Bed. Now. All three of you.” The tiny greenhaired woman stomped back into her room.