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A bright sun shone in the early morning, giving light to the sand and rocky corals beneath the waves.
By now, most of the ocean’s inhabitants were out and about, moving to forage or simply patrol their territories at a pace that lacked any visible urgency to a passive onlooker. However, anyone more observant would notice how some of the rather skittish individuals kept close to their homes, passing in and out of rocky holes, all senses heightened in the search for any sudden changes in the water.
Because in a place like this, “calm” didn’t always equate to “safe”. They weren’t the only creatures out and about. Larger, swifter, and more clever predators were also roaming the area. And at any moment - at any minute - those who weren’t alert or fast enough could suffer the misfortune of becoming someone else’s breakfast.
Of course, that had never stopped a few from being bold.
Over one of the few clear patches of sand in the area, a lonesome fish swam. It was a large, healthy thing, and if the way it threaded seemingly without a care in the world was any indication, it did not appear to share its fellows’ rightfully cautious nature. It lowered itself to the sand, searching for anything small enough for it to gulp down.
Unsurprisingly, its careless behavior had already garnered unwanted attention.
Boothill’s target scope- shaped pupils tracked the creature’s every move, his still form concealed by some rocks and their shadows that blended with the dark gray metal comprising most of his body.
As a cyborg merman, eating wasn’t exactly a necessity for him. That didn’t mean he couldn’t. It was one of those extra features added by his doctor in his initial operation, in fact.
“Just so you don’t end up complaining about it later,” she had explained. At least, that’s what he remembered - having to get used to moving in a new body while not being in the best state of mind (partly due to that forkin’ memory module) didn’t exactly make retaining new information a piece of cake.
In any case, it was something that he’d come to appreciate. It allowed him to keep indulging in some of the drinks the humans made -which was way better than getting high on some ball shaped spiked fish, in his modest opinion. It allowed him to keep consuming normal food instead of just being able to swallow some handy bullets.
Most importantly, it allowed him to fully indulge in a proper hunt, up to the satisfaction of catching and feasting on his well earned reward.
Just like he often used to do before…
Boothill shook the trail of thought out of his head, less it would consume him.
He returned his attention back to his prey. He could just go forgo stealth and dash at it- he doubted it was fast enough to be able to evade such a lunge. But as every good hunter knew, patience was virtue; it was better to be silent and get close enough for an efficient strike than letting your target see you from afar and give them the chance to flee.
Judging by how the fish had yet to notice his presence, it was clear his current strategy was working.
A confident grin crept up his face. Good.
Carefully and with an ease sharpened by previous endeavors, he made a short dash fowards, making sure to remain low. His still unaware prey swam just a bit closer, trying to pull some algae out of the sand.
The outlaw’s grin grew. His eyes focused on each and every movement, his claws curled, and his metallic tail fin swayed in anticipation.
Any moment now, and he could-
“Ah! There you are, my silver mer!”
Boothill yelped, his soul nearly jumping out of his metallic body. He whirled around, ear-fins flared, ready to face whatever forker had decided that sneaking up on him was a good idea.
But to his dismay, he instead found himself facing a very familiar knight.
Like always, those red scales with white, sparkle- shaped spots seemed to sparkle under the sun, just like that gold trimmed armor of his. Crimson hair flowed alongside many translucent fins on either side of his head and tail, only adding to the ethereal aura the merman carried for reasons he was sure not even the Aeons could explain.
Argenti was beaming (figuratively and literally), the joy showcased in his green eyes and wide smile punctuating his greeting.
On any other day- at any other time, Boothill might have shared the sentiment after encountering a friend of his once again.
This time, however…
The second the other merman announced his presence and startled him, everything in the vicinity scattered like frightened rodents. Including the one he’d been stalking. By the time he realized his mistake and turned his eyes back to the clearing, the rascal was already gone, leaving only a faint trail of bubbles to mark its departure.
Boothill stared at the now empty spot, his eyes twitching. Then, he turned back to the reason for his failure.
“I’d been wondering how you were faring since the last time we met,” Argenti went on, blissfully unaware of what he’d just done. “And it appears that the Beauty has blessed us, for today they allowed us to cross paths…”
The merman began to trail off, only now noticing his companion was strangely silent. As well as the fact that he was on the receiving end of a very pointed glare. “Oh?”
His glow dimmed.
The outlaw didn’t say a word, the twitching of his fingers and metallic shark-like fin being the only signs of the anger that was rising on his core. Argenti’s ear-fins lowered.
“Is something the matter?” the knight asked. Boothill didn’t respond. Still puzzled, the other merman took a glance at their now empty surroundings and, judging by the way his expression began to turn sheepish after a beat, appeared to put the pieces together. “Have I, per chance, interrupted you-“
“Yes,” was Boothill‘s snarl, his visible eye gaining a burning red glow. He may like the other mer, but right now his patience was thinning by the minute. There was nothing he hated more than someone causing him to miss his target, after all. “Can’t keep your trap shut for a second, can’t you, Rosey?!”
Argenti ear-fins dropped further as his expression turned remorseful and ashamed, but by now the damage had been done, and it was too late to change anything. Including the outlaw’s current anger.
A low hiss rose from his throat, a warning for the knight to leave or else-
“My deepest apologies, Boothill!” Argenti said, the guilt and nervousness in his voice matching the trembling of his fins. “I swear that this was far from my intention, and I will do my utmost best to-“
Boothill lunged.
Though propelled by impatience and frustration, the gesture was more to intimidate than to cause any real harm. Regardless, it had the same effect.
Argenti yelped and quickly swan out of the way of his claws. When he still lingered after that, the shark-tailed merman glared and bared his fangs at him, which finally appeared to get the message across. The other merman gave him a sheepish nod, before he made a swift turn and left the premises with a few powerful kicks of his tail.
Boothill kept his eye on him, and once he was far enough that he was sure his comrade wasn’t going to immediately backtrack to try and resume the apology that he currently did not have the patience to hear, he gave another glance at the now empty reef… and sighed.
A failed hunt to start the day. Great. Just fudging great! The fact that his’ escaped target wasn’t one of the Ipc’s son of a nice ladies did nothing to help soften the bitterness in his mind - nor did the fact that the act had been one of the few times he took a break from his usual bounties to let himself be a lil’ self indulgent, for once.
Darn knight, he grumbled mentally.
With a shake of his head, the merman decided to leave the area as well.
Unbeknownst to him, a pair of emerald eyes watched his departure from a safe distance, a tinge of regret in their gaze.
~~~~~~
Later that day, he decided to take a moment to doze off on top of some rocks, enjoying the afternoon’s sun. Well, as much as someone like him could do before the heat eventually became too much for his remaining scales to handle. Oh well.
Hat partially obscuring his face, Boothill watched his surroundings with half lidded eyes. The sky was clear and the waters were calm, the waves gently splashing against the rocks and no pesky seagulls or tourists in sight.
The merman’s lips curled into a small smile. He had to admit that - setting the morning’s events aside - the day had been quite pleasant so far.
He lowered his hat further and curled his tail around himself, ready to fully enjoy his rest before continuing his search for any useful Ipc leads…
And that was when he heard the telltale sound of something breaching the surface near his spot.
His ear fins twitched, but the unexpected arrival didn’t startle him like before.
Because if that signature rose-like scent wasn’t enough of a clue as to who he was dealing with (twice on the same day, no less), then the subsequent, muffled trill- both a greeting and a question as to whether or not he was allowed to approach - was certainly a dead giveaway.
Boothill narrowed his eyes. “What do ya want, ‘Genti?” he grumbled. Unlike in their last encounter, he didn’t make a move to chase him off. Now that his anger had subsided for the most part, he was a bit more welcoming of the merman’s presence that he’d been previously.
Seemingly encouraged by this, the knight threaded closer, the water around him shifting with his approach. His scent also got stronger, and now the outlaw could discern that there was a weak, yet different one accompanying it. Somehow, it felt recognizable, although he couldn’t quite place why.
Eventually, the sounds of the knight’s approach gently came to a stop. The merman could just feel those green eyes on him, eagerly waiting for his attention.
Knowing full well that the other was very likely to patiently remain until then, he reluctantly obliged.
With a sigh, he lifted his hat from his eyes and turned his head. Sure enough, there floated Argenti. Part of his torso was out of the water, and one of his hands rested on the low edges of the rock while he looked at him expectantly.
Nothing unusual… at a first glance.
Boothill opened his mouth, eager to know why he was here… until his dark eye traveled down to the lower half of the knight’s face, upon which he noticed that the other was holding something in his mouth.
Or rather, part of something; his other hand serving as a secondary grip for the item.
And whatever he’d intended to say died the instant he realized what exactly that was.
It was the tail of a fish. But not one of those much more common, smaller reef individuals. Though those could barely be considered appetizers for most of his kind, they were still viable prey and thus suitable to bring for others, something that would have been on brand for the generous knight.
No.
This one was an absolute forkin’unit, the rest of its hanging, scaly body being way longer than its killer’s upper half, making the one he’d been hunting previously look like a guppy in comparison.
The merman gaped in pure disbelief. Countless questions swam through his head. Where the fudge did he get this from?!, being among them.
As he attempted to unscramble his head and tongue enough to actually voice them, Argenti gently laid his catch on the rocky surface before returning his attention to the outlaw.
“Once again, I would like to apologize, my dear companion,” the knight lowered his head, one of his hands traveling to his armored chest as he spoke. “for the events that transpired this very morning, and for having caused you to lose sight of your target.”
Boothill gave him a blank look. The mer’s words and regret were completely sincere, just like every other thing that came out of his mouth - that much he could tell.
Still too stumped to form an opinion on them - much less properly connect them to the carcass laying between him and the other merman- however, the cyborg merman could only express his confusion by pointing down at the corpse in question and irking his eyebrows in silent inquiry.
“Ah! This,” Argenti perked up. “Allow me to explain; As a knight of Beauty, I could not simply remain idle and let you suffer through the consequences of my mistake. So in my repentance I set forth, coursing through the waves of these brilliant waters until I was finally able to find and bring down a beast suitable enough to serve as proper compensation for you, my dear silver mer.”
All that yappin’… just to say that you hunted down some fish?, Boothill thought, ignoring the way his wires jolted upon hearing the nickname the other mer often used for him.
By this point, enough time had passed for that brain of his to mostly straighten itself and let him process what the heck was happening right now.
And frankly, now that he could think about it, the fact that the red haired merman had been able to find and succeed in bringing down a big ol’ fudger like this one didn’t surprise him that much. The knight had faced a lot worse foes in his travels and come out on top, after all.
It was only then that the full implications of the knight’s words slammed into him harder than any of the Ipc’s private boats.
“W- Wait-!” he stammered (dang tongue of his!) “I- you sayin’ that-“
Argenti gave a nod. “Yes; this is entirely yours.” As if to emphasize his words and grand gesture, he gently pushed his offering closer to the shark- tailed merman. “As for myself , I can only hope that you can find it in yourself to accept this offering and thus my repentance.”
“I- I-” Boothill glanced between the fish and the knight who’d hunted it, his ear-fins twitching with his disbelief.
Many thoughts ran through his head, all fighting in an attempt to form a coherent answer for Argenti.
A tiny part of him wanted to reject it. It felt unearned, undeserved for someone like him, who’d chased the other merman off without letting him properly express his regret, motivated by anger even though his companion was only trying to greet him after so long.
The other - and currently much more stronger - part of him, took in the magnitude of the knight’s gesture. The fact that Argenti went through all that effort just to apologize to him and rectify his mistake. The fact that someone like himself was on the receiving end of such an action because that knight cared that much for the damned scrap of metal that he was. That this had been done for him… and his internal systems and fans, previously in perfect order, began to overheat, a mixture of blood and coolant lighting up the scales that lay on his cheeks.
He was too stunned to even think about lowering his head or hiding his face under his hat, though he doubted that either action would be enough to hide his current flustered state, instead giving the red-scaled merman even more of an idea of what was running through his head at the moment.
Fortunately for him, for once Argenti had the decency to not point any of that out.
Much to his dismay however, those emerald eyes of his had expanded to take on a seal puppy-eye look, like the fudger was unconsciously (or not) silently pleading for him to accept what he brought.
The shark-tailed mer pursed his lips in consideration. Argenti tensed like he was holding his breath, the now still fins on either side of the base of his tail floating up and down with the waves.
Finally, after a little contemplation… Boothill sighed.
Well forkin’hell. He couldn’t stay mad at someone like him forever, could he?
“Fine, I forgive ya,” he groaned. He could have sworn those already wide scarlet pupils had impossibly doubled in size for a beat before the knight visibly sagged, as though his words had expelled all the tension he’d been holding within him. “Just. Try and read the room before you pop in to say hello next time, alright?”
A warm smile that definitely didn't make his mechanical heart flutter appeared on the red-scaled merman’s face. “Understood, my dear friend. I’m gladdened by your compassion and understanding.”
They were just simple words, and yet somehow they made the outlaw feel like he was melting faster than a wall around a bullet hole. Fudge, didn’t that knight know how much he was affecting him?
Trying to maintain some facade of dignity, Boothill rolled his eyes, then dragged the knight’s towards himself. Its pleasant scent filled his nostrils - and after a quick glance back at Argenti, he sunk his fangs into the scales near its gill slits.
As soon as he did so his eyes widened, and a very pleased (if involuntary) hum escaped him.
Argenti, whose tail fin was softly slapping against the water as he watched him with apt attention, tilted his head, eyes sparkling curiously. “Is it addeduate to your tastes?”
If that was his way of asking if he liked it, then yes. Yes he fudging did. Holy shirtballs, this was the best thing he’d tasted in a while!
To give the other mer an answer, he gave a nod then tore a chunk of the flesh and promptly swallowed it, closing his eyes and smiling in delight.
That’s when he heard the knight chuckle, and when he turned to look at him, he saw those emeralds for eyes staring back with a mixture of relief and fondness, which made another rush of heat gather on his cheeks… and also made him realize that his tail was presently wagging. A lot.
He gave it a sheepish glance (and mentally cursed the blasted thing from giving way too much away for his liking) and snatched it in a vain attempt to hide the movement, but that only made Argenti’s smile widen.
“I shall take that as a yes,” he giggled. Boothill glared at him.
“Yeah yeah, whatever ya say,” he huffed, then turned his gaze back to his meal to distract himself from his current flustered state.
Maybe another bite wouldn’t hurt. Or maybe it would only make this more obvious.
But as he considered his options, a rather… glaring issue became apparent.
“Um, ‘Genti?”
“Yes, Boothill?”
“I like it and all but. You don’t expect me to eat all of this, do you?” If so, then the knight had overestimated how much organic matter his body could take. Just because he could still eat didn’t mean that he could do so without limits; the last thing he wanted was for his systems to clog and for his doctor to yell at him for it.
Argenti’s smile fell, and his tail stopped moving. “Oh?” His eyes also flickered to his catch, his head tilting like he was only now realizing this.
They both stayed that way for a moment or so, the splashing of waves and the salt tainted breeze billowing around them being the only thing keeping their surroundings from being truly silent.
Then, the outlaw heard the other merman speak. “I apo-”
“It’s fine, you know,” he quickly interjected. “Just wanted to be sure.”
Argenti sighed.
Still, none of that answered how they were gonna deal with this. And he’ll hate for this nice catch to go to waste.
The shark-tailed merman absentmindedly tapped its scales with a metallic finger, humming in thought. It wasn’t long before an idea formed.
“How ‘bout this?” he smiled at the knight and patted the fish for emphasis. “I’ll just eat my share then leave the rest to you. How does that sound?”
The red-scaled mer’s ear-fins lifted in surprise at the offer. However, just as quickly they lowered, and he shook his head with a smile of his own.
“While I appreciate that offer, my silver mer, perhaps it would be best to give it to someone who may require it, if either of us happen to come across mer in such unfortunate circumstances,” he suggested.
Something that Boothill found completely fair, and a display of the compassion that separated the knight from previous fudgers he’d met that shared his pretty face but had thrown their sense of empathy in the gutter. Regardless, he found himself persisting. “ C’mon! Surely ya must be hungering for somethin’ after bringing this down for good ol’me!” he paused, then quickly amended. “Unless ya already filled your stomach before lookin’ for me, of course.”
Instead of answering like he’d expected, the knight’s smile once again fell, and his eyes darted to the side as though he did not want to admit something. At first, the cyborg mer’s ear fins flickered in confusion about the strange change in demeanor. But then he got a sneaking suspicion as to its reasoning, and his lips fell into a flat line.
“Rosey,” he began, eyes narrowing and voice flat. “have you eaten anythin’ since this morning?”
The way the red-scaled mer pursed his lips and lowered his head and ear-fins sheepishly was enough to give him an answer.
He let out an exasperated sigh. Because of course that forkin’, self sacrificing knight hadn’t! “Argenti, how many times have we talked ‘bout eating more than just some bread and sardines?”
“I know,” Argenti murmured, the scales on his cheeks glowing with a faint light. “But my duty to the Beauty and making sure you were-”
The outlaw was having none of that. “Following your duty and worrying ‘bout other folk doesn’t mean ya gotta neglect yourself.”
Argenti’s fins lowered, but he gave no response. This was hardly the first time they had this sort of discussion. Because for some fudgin’ reason, despite following the path that literally involved appreciating the Beauty and value in everything including plants and all that jazz, apparently for the knight his own dang self didn’t hold that same value.
Which was why he often recklessly risked his own life as though it were nothing compared to everyone around him. Which was why he could barely list any good qualities about himself even though most who met him could bring up so many points it would take an entire day to just lift half of ‘em. And that was presently why he was resigning himself to spend the whole day on an empty stomach even though he was probably fudgin’ starvin’.
Granted, Boothill knew that he was one of the least qualified mers to judge him for any of that. But at least he could afford being reckless. And unlike the knight the ones he’d loved, the same ones who would see his current sorry state and fret over him and tell him he couldn’t keep on like this just like he himself was worrying about Argenti were go-
The outlaw halted his mental spiraling instantly, and did the best to steel his expression to prevent the other mer from noticing. He couldn’t think about that now. Much less act like Argenti hadn’t also experienced some fudged up shirt much less yell at him for it. He’d already lashed out at him once today; he rather not have a repeat.
Especially when the solution to their current predicament was so dang simple.
“You know what?” he sighed, then shifted and patted the rocky ground at his side. “Come here. Since ya took so much time and effort to say sorry to me, it’s only fair to let you have some share of your hard work.”
For a moment the red-scaled mer appeared hesitant, but eventually he did climb fully out of the water and to his side, his long tail dragging behind him. Once he was laying beside him, Argenti looked at the fish then at his companion, like he wanted to be sure if he was truly comfortable with him doing this.
Not like he needed to look for any confirmation - he was the one who suggested they share the kill, for fork’s sake - but the shark-tailed cyborg still decided to indulge him by giving him a reassuring grin. That seemed to be the push the knight needed, because he then took his own (if still hesitant) bite of the fish, and just like Boothill had expected, his wide eyes practically sparkled.
His smile grew wider in amusement, and he patted his companion’s shoulder. “See? I forkin’ knew ya’ll like this.
Argenti glanced at him but didn’t respond, too busy taking off a part of the flesh, but Boothill could see his fin’s bristling, and the scales on his cheeks shone in their own blush.
While he ate, the outlaw took a second to look at their surroundings. Being here under the afternoon sun with the ocean’round him, all while enjoying a snack alongside someone whom he’d grown to care about… Huh.
He had to admit it was… kinda nice.
Just then, Argenti reached a webbed hand to carefully hold one of his own. Boothill turned in confusion, and subsequently froze.
The knight was now looking straight at him, his emerald-colored gaze and smile filled with a fondness and downright love that was seldom directed to a doomed individual such as himself.
“I must express my gratitude, my dear Boothill,” he practically purred, his voice as tender as his expression. “To think I would have missed this were it not for your insistence and concern over my wellbeing. I’m truly glad that Idrila has led me to meet someone with a soul as compassionate and beautiful as yours.”
Holy forkeroni, he was ruining him…
For the second time that day, the cyborg’s internal systems overheated. It was like those eyes alone would end up melting him.
Now he grabbed the brim of his hat and pulled it over his face, ignoring the way his dang tail wagged behind him and the feeling of Argenti pulling himself closer to rub his cheek against his own.
Well, fudge.