𝙂𝙧𝙞𝙩 & 𝙂𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙚| 𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙭 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧 - Chapter 21: Chapter 21

The morning sun filtered gently through the curtains, casting soft golden light across the room. Y/N stood by the window, her arms crossed over her chest as she gazed out at the bustling city below. The world seemed so far away, yet so close. The constant hum of activity was a reminder that things kept moving, no matter what she was going through.
But inside her apartment, there was a different kind of stillness—a peace she hadn't known she needed.
Boothill was in the kitchen, his broad shoulders hunched over as he rummaged through the cabinets. The smell of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, and the soft clink of utensils on the counter was oddly comforting. It wasn't the chaos of bounty hunting or the danger of the world they lived in. It was just the two of them, in their little corner of the universe.
"Something smells good," Y/N called, turning to glance at him, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
Boothill looked up, meeting her gaze with a grin that softened the rugged edges of his usual demeanor. "I'm trying to make breakfast," he said, clearly proud of the simple task. "I figured you could use something better than instant noodles today."
Y/N chuckled, walking over to him. "You're really trying to impress me, aren't you?"
He shrugged nonchalantly, though his smile widened. "Not trying to impress, just trying to help." He gestured to the small table in the corner, where a couple of plates were already set up. "Thought we could eat together. Like normal people."
Y/N's heart swelled a little at the thought. It had been so long since she'd felt like things could be normal, even for a short while. Between the pregnancy, the questions about her existence, and the constant running, she hadn't really had time to just be.
"Normal sounds perfect," she said softly, her voice warm with affection as she sat at the table, watching Boothill as he placed a plate of scrambled eggs and toast in front of her.
Boothill sat across from her, sliding into the chair with a comfortable ease, like they'd done this a thousand times before. In some ways, it felt like they had.
"How are you feeling?" he asked, his voice low and gentle. "I know you've got a lot on your mind, but you seem... calmer today."
Y/N hesitated for a moment before picking up her fork, taking a small bite of the eggs. She was surprised to find that they were actually pretty good. Boothill clearly had some hidden talents.
"I'm better," she said slowly, taking a moment to collect her thoughts. "I've been thinking a lot. About everything. The pregnancy, what it means for me... for us. I think I'm starting to come to terms with it. It's not easy, but... I'm not as scared as I was before."
Boothill nodded, his eyes soft as he studied her. "You don't have to have it all figured out right now, Y/N. We'll take it one step at a time. And you're not alone in this. I've got your back, always."
Y/N smiled at him, her heart fluttering with the sincerity in his words. He had a way of making the impossible seem a little more manageable. There was no rush, no pressure—just the quiet assurance that they could face whatever came together.
"Thanks, Boothill," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
He met her gaze, his expression softening even further. For a moment, there was an unspoken understanding between them—something that went beyond words, beyond everything. He reached across the table, taking her hand in his, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
"You'll never have to find out," he replied, his voice steady. "I'm not going anywhere."
The simplicity of the moment made Y/N feel at peace in a way she hadn't thought possible. The fears about her pregnancy, the uncertainty of her future—they still lingered in the back of her mind, but for now, they felt manageable. There was a sense of quiet certainty in the space they shared, in the love that was slowly building between them.
After breakfast, they spent the rest of the morning together in the apartment, doing the kind of mundane things that felt unexpectedly comforting. Boothill had found an old puzzle in one of the drawers, and they worked on it together, the quiet moments punctuated by soft laughter and the occasional teasing remark. It was domestic, in the simplest sense, and for Y/N, it was a luxury she hadn't realized she needed.
At one point, Boothill paused, studying the puzzle pieces in his hands before looking over at her with a playful grin. "You know, I never thought I'd find myself doing this. But... it's actually kind of nice."
Y/N laughed, leaning back against the couch. "You're not exactly the type to sit down and do puzzles, huh?"
He shrugged, looking a little sheepish. "I didn't think I was, either. But there's something about... spending time with you. It doesn't matter what we're doing. Just being with you is enough."
Y/N's heart skipped a beat at the simplicity of his words, and she found herself smiling softly. "You know, I feel the same way. It's not about the big adventures or the crazy moments. It's about the little things. Like this. Just being here, together."
Boothill's gaze softened, and for a moment, it was as though the world outside didn't matter at all. It was just the two of them, sharing a quiet moment of connection in the comfort of their space.
As the day wore on, they continued to spend time in easy silence, with Y/N occasionally drifting off into thoughts about the future. But even with the uncertainty still looming in her heart, there was a growing sense of peace in knowing that no matter what came next, Boothill would be right by her side.
As evening approached, Boothill made dinner—a simple dish of pasta and vegetables—but it tasted like perfection to Y/N. They ate together, the soft glow of the setting sun casting long shadows across the room. It was quiet, peaceful. A world away from the chaos they usually found themselves in.
And for the first time in what felt like forever, Y/N allowed herself to just breathe, to savor the peace that had settled between them. The future was still uncertain, but in this moment, it didn't matter. What mattered was that they had each other.
When dinner was finished, Boothill stood up and stretched, offering his hand to Y/N with a grin. "Want to take a walk? The stars should be out soon."
Y/N smiled, taking his hand and standing up to join him. "That sounds perfect."
As they stepped out into the cool night air, side by side, Y/N felt a quiet hope settle in her chest. There was still a long road ahead, but for now, she was content to walk it with Boothill.
Together.