As if sitting in the gardens alone wasn't uncanny enough, hearing the voice of someone didn't help ease her nerves.
That familiar voice, yet she couldn't put her finger on who's familiar voice. She just knows she's heard it. And recently too.
"Who's there?"
"Tch."
"Take a wild guess, darlin', who else would roam these streets at this time a' night. Well, howdy there, princess," Boothill drawled, tipping his hat with a grin. "Hope I ain't disturbin' ya moon-gazin'."
"Not at all, sir," she started, with a glint of hesitation. "But, no offence, what are you doing here?"
"Im not one for all that yip yap infatuation type balderdash, yeh? But seein' ya left me with a lotta unanswered questions."
"I— thank you...?" she replied, gesturing for him to join her. "I was just... relishing in the night air. Care to join me?"
Boothill sauntered over, taking a seat beside her with a lazy grin. "Don't mind if I do," he said, leaning back in his chair and stretching out his legs. "Ain't nothin' better than a quiet night under the stars."
As they sat there, she found herself drawn to his easygoing manner and rugged charm. There was something about him that felt familiar, like a warm embrace on a cold winter's night.
"...so I caught you before sunset... does this mean I win?" She hadn't forgotten their previous rendezvous of wordplay, obviously.
"Where'd ya store all that sass, eh? How about you let me hold on to that jewel just for a lil' bit longer, whatcha say?"
"Tch."
Boothill feigned a look of mock offense, placing a hand over his heart in mock indignation. "Now, darlin', you wound me with your mistrust," he protested, his drawl thick with amusement. "But I suppose I can't blame you for keepin' a tight hold on that pretty little trinket of yours."
She tutted, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Hey, I'm a Princess. I'm not stupid," she quipped, her tone light and teasing. "Besides, I'm not particularly the most royal of royals, haven't you noticed?"
Boothill chuckled, leaning back in his chair with a grin. "Well, ain't that the truth," he agreed, his gaze warm as he looked at her. "But I gotta say, darlin', you're one smart Princess I ain't never met before."
As the night wore on, she and him found themselves lost in conversation, sharing stories and trading banter beneath the twinkling stars.
Who knew an outlaw could be so... nice? And carefree...
She prompted, her curiosity piqued. "How did an outlaw like yourself end up wandering the city?"
Boothill grinned, leaning back in his chair as he considered her question. "Well, princess, it's a long story," he began, his drawl smooth and easy. "But let's just say I've always had a knack for gettin' myself into trouble, and the open road seemed like the best place to outrun my past."
"And what about you, princess?" He asked, turning the conversation back to her "What's a royal like yourself doin' out here talking to a gunslinger?"
She chuckled, a hint of mischief in her eyes. "Oh, you know, just trying to escape the confines of palace life and find a little adventure of my own," she replied, her tone light and playful."I'm a bit sick of this lifestyle."
"Well, princess, I gotta say, you're even prettier up close than I imagined," he remarked, a crooked grin tugging at the corners of his lips. "You sure do light up the night with your beauty."
She, however, raised an eyebrow, unimpressed by his flirtatious remark. "Is that supposed to impress me?" she quipped, her tone laced with sarcasm. "I've heard better lines from a drunken cowboy stumbling out of a saloon."
Boothill chuckled, undeterred by her response. "Ah, darlin', you wound me with your sharp tongue," he replied, his drawl smooth and easy. "But I reckon a feisty princess like yourself ain't easily won over."
She rolled her eyes, a hint of annoyance flashing in her gaze, but her smile threatened to falter. "You reckon right," she retorted, crossing her arms over her chest. "Flattery will get you nowhere, sir . I suggest you try a different approach if you want to impress me."
Boothill grinned, his eyes sparkling with amusement at her feisty demeanor. "Well, princess, you've certainly got a way with words," he remarked, leaning back in his chair with a smirk. "But I ain't one to back down from a challenge. Consider me intrigued."
"Pfft."
He leaned in closer, a roguish grin spreading across his rugged features as he locked eyes with her. "Well now, princess, I reckon you're just playin' hard to get," he drawled, his voice low and smooth. "But I ain't one to give up easily. I'm a man who knows what he wants, and right now, what I want is to get to know you better."
She couldn't help but scoff at his audacity, though a small part of her couldn't deny the thrill of his boldness. "And what makes you think I'd want to get to know a country outlaw like yourself?" she retorted, her tone laced with skepticism.
Boothill flashed her a charming grin, his blue eyes dancing with mischief. "Well, darlin', I ain't your typical outlaw," he replied, his drawl smooth as honey. "I've got a heart of gold hidden beneath this rough exterior, and I reckon you're just the one to uncover it."
Despite herself, she felt a blush creeping into her cheeks at his flirtatious words. "Smooth talker, aren't you?" she remarked, trying to hide the effect his words were having on her.
Boothill chuckled, leaning back in his chair with a satisfied grin. "Guilty as charged, princess," he admitted, his gaze never leaving hers. "But I reckon you like it that way."
And as they continued to banter and flirt beneath the starlit sky, she couldn't help but feel a spark of excitement at the prospect of what lay ahead. Perhaps this country outlaw wasn't so bad after all.
Their banter was suddenly interrupted by the sounds of footsteps. And distant whisperings of a noble.
"Well that ain't soundin' too good."
"Shit—" She cursed to herself upon recognising the voice in the distant. "That's my father."
"Meetin' the parents already? Score for me—"
"Are you as smart as you are a smooth talker? I'd run if I was you. My dad would string you up if he knew you were talking to me."
"Feisty bastard. Guess I'm outta here. But that doesn't mean I won't see you again, Princess." With that, he kneels down and places a delicate kiss on her ring finger.
As he released her hand with a regretful smile, he glanced over her shoulder, his expression tightening with urgency. "Princess, I hate to cut this short, but I reckon it's time for me to mosey on outta here," he said, his drawl tinged with concern.
She followed his gaze and saw her father approaching, his stern expression illuminated by the soft glow of the lanterns. Panic fluttered in her chest as she realized the precariousness of their situation.
"I reckon it's best if I make myself scarce for now, princess," he replied, his voice low but resolute. "But don't you worry none. I'll find a way to see you again, I promise."
Before she could protest, he leaned in close, pressing a quick but tender kiss to her cheek. "Until next time, darlin'," he murmured, his breath warm against her skin. He chuckled a little, noticing her sudden sense of blush. "Blushin' yeah? Good to know I got that affect, eh?"
And with that, he turned on his heel and disappeared into the shadows, leaving her to face her father alone. As her father approached, his stern gaze fixed on her. "Were you talking to someone?"
"Or yourself...?"
"...no."
"Oh... well. You should come back inside soon, it's late and cold."
"Okay, yeah sorry dad."
I wonder what boothill would think about everyone saying they'll get him pregnant ngl
Anyway, yena country era yeehow 🤠
(I can't speak country guys I'm hungarian pls bare with me.)