ʀᴏɢᴜᴇ

Belobog.

Or, Jarilo-VI.

Here you were, standing next to a cyborg cowboy in the snow, watching him as you walked along a slightly trodden down path, covered in snow, just like everything else.

"Why would the IPC be in a place like this?" you grumbled, your galaxy ranger boyfriend looked back and stopped in his tracks to wait on you. "Word is, One of those Ten Stonehearts showed up 'round here."

His accent was as thick as always, one hand resting on his hip just above his revolver and the other holding onto his hat to keep it from blowing away with the freezing winds. "Here of all places? Jarilo has only just started its recovery, i doubt it."

He chuckled, "Well that's exactly why they're here. Sticking their noses into Belobog's buisness." he stated with obvious distaste in his tone, if not pure hatred. But now that he pointed it out, you realized he was probably right, knowing the IPC, they definitely would get their Investment Department grounded on Jarilo ASAP.

You could only wonder which one of the Ten Stonehearts had reared their head, but the only one you really knew was Jade, since she was Diamond's stand in during most interviews and such.

"Did you get info on who it actually is?" You asked, shrinking into your jacket a little to shield your face from the cold for a brief moment. He looked back at you again and chuckled, holding his hand out for you.

You reached out briefly, your fingers grazing his hand before quickly darting back into the safety of your pocket, "You're freezing!" You huffed and glared at him as he laughed. Then again, he was always cold..his system had to stay cool to avoid overheating after all.

"Slick bastard.." You grumbled under your breath and crossed your arms and breathed out, watching your warm breath disappear in the cold wind. Boothill seemed pleased with himself as he kept walking, unbothered by the cold while you were busy freezing.

As you looked around to find anything to distract yourself, you saw a small abandoned house left in shambles, it'd obviously been like that for a while, but you could see the smallest amount of movement inside.

"Hold on a second.." Boothill looked back at you then looked at the house, his hand ready near his waist to grab his gun if he needed it. You slowly made your way over, you weren't exactly sneaky considering the crunch beneath your feet when you stepped on the snow.

"Hello?" you called out, moving a few boards of wood out of the way, in the snow was a young girl dressed in a cozy knitted coat with a fuzzy headband covering her ears. She seemed scared, staring at you before shrinking away into her coat.

"It's a kid, Boothill." You called out before stepping closer and crouching down in front of the girl. She was shivering, her fingers and nose red thanks to the cold. "Oh hun, how did you get out here? it's not safe.."

You reached for her and she looked at your hand, "I'm not suppose to talk t-to stranger-r-s.." Her teeth were chattering and her lips quivered, the poor girl was freezing. Boothill put his gun away and quickly kneeled beside you.

You looked over at him and his metal body, knowing it wouldn't be a good idea for him to touch her made your heart hurt just a little bit. She looked between you and Boothill, "You'll freeze, kiddo." Boothill stated, his tone softer then one you'd ever heard before.

You knew his story, his reasons for roaming the galaxy, so you let him do most of the talking. His accent seemed to intrigue the little girl, as she leaned closer to listen to his voice, Boothill had an unconscious smile on his face.

And slowly but surely, the girl seemed to relax..though she still displayed early signs of hypothermia. "Come here hun..he's colder then you are right now." you smiled softly and held your arms out for her.

She approached, the snow crunching underneath her small feet as she wrapped her arms around your shoulders and snuggled close to sap away your warmth. "There you go.." you muttered softly and rubbed her back, you had to sacrifice the warmth of your hands to hold her, but it was worth it.

Boothill seemed worried that you'd both get too cold, so he took off the red handkerchief around his neck and tied it loosely around yours, pulling it up to cover half of your face. It wouldn't help too much, but it made him feel a little better.

"There, you look snazzy with my handkerchief Sugar." he mused playfully, you giggle was muffled but he still heard it, leaving a kiss on your forehead before looking at the little girl. "Now for you kiddo, better keep your eyes closed so snowflakes don't get all in there, alright?"

He pat her head before stepping back, the girl closed her eyes and you covered her ears to the best of your abilities. His hand rested so casually on his hip before he pulled his revolver out at the slightest sign of Fragmentum monsters, shooting them threw and threw.

He seemed a tad more dedicated to making sure the path was clear and safe for you and this young girl, whom now had opened her eyes and was watching the gunslinging ranger. "..Is he a really fancy guard?" She inquried, looking up at you.

"Oh, well..he isn't a guard no.." you smiled and pat her head, "He's like a personal guard, protecting me and you, but, me and him go travel the stars searching for..someone." You smiled and tilted your head. 

"Oh..people from the stars! Did you guys ride the train too?" She questioned innocently, "Nope, we're all on our own..speaking of, did anyone else come from the stars? Who didn't take the train?"

She scratched her cheek before nodding, "Yeah! Before my brother brought me out here, i saw a pretty lady with white and red hair talking to herself!". You narrowed your eyes briefly and saw Boothill turn his head to look back at you briefly, a knowing look on his face before he went back to looking out.

"Thanks hun.." You smiled and patted her head before jogging a little to catch up with Boothill, following his tracks to make it easier on yourself when running through the snow holding a child. "What hotel shall we stay in once we reach the city?" You asked, and the cowboy responded with a grumble.

"Whichever we can get, can't be picky." He hummed, "Right..so not many choices." you sighed before the girl perked up. "My grandpa runs the big fancy hotel!" She grinned, and you quickly glanced at Boothill before smiling.

"Does he now? Think you could ask to let us stay for the night, little lady?" Boothill inquried and looked around briefly before putting his gun away as guards came into view and the three of you entered the city.

You may or may not have just coincidentally scored a night at Belobog's most lavish hotel, which also might be the where the person you and your 'personal guard' were searching for. "Yeah!" She beamed.

It didnt take long for the three of you to reach the center square of the winter city, A giant blue crystal taking center stage for the moment before the little girl pointed off in another direction, the grand hotel she'd mentioned in sight.

It was a lot warmer in the city, so you looked at Boothill as he looked around for Topaz, he obviously came off as..mean, seeing how people avoided him like the plague. "Boothill, wanna hold her for a bit?" You smiled, the rowdy cowboy looked over and smiled slightly.

"Why not?" he hummed and stepped closer, you carefully handed the girl off to him, your fingers grazing his hand briefly..he was still a tad cold, but he'd warm up fast with ease. From there, you three walked towards the hotel and upon arrival the little girl with your help explained what had happened and that you both had saved her.

Hearing this, the elderly man behind the counter smiled and happily offered you both a free room for however long you were staying.

The little girl walked around the desk and began talking to her grandpa about the man from the stars with his fancy gun shooting down monsters from the Eternal Freeze. Boothill stared for a moment, perhaps a tad envious, before he gently grabbed your hand and the two of you headed toward the rooms.

"aren't we going to look for Topaz?" You gasped as he pulled you forward a little faster, "It's time for a nap." he stated, and you raised a brow. "Pardon? A nap?" you blinked owlishly before he found your room and opened it up.

The room was simple yet luxurious, better then anything either of you had stayed in for a bit. "Slow down! Damn.." you huffed and crossed your arms, "what's your deal?" You inquried and took off your jacket, and he took off his hat and set it aside.

He seemed just a little agitated, tapping his foot and his gaze was cast low to the ground, probably looking at his feet. He held his hat and squeezed it before sighing again and lifting his head, turning to face you with a lopsided smile as he placed it on your head.

"I'm fine 'n dandy, honey." he hummed and tilted his head before grabbing your hand and giving it a small peck, "How 'bout we rest before we head out for that wild goose chase?" He inquired and subtly tugged you towards the comfortable looking bed.

You had to admit, sleeping in a fluffy and big bed would be nice..but you were still worried about him, but, it seems like he sensed it and in a heartbeat, he had swept you right off your feet and playfully tossed you onto the bed.

You yelped and bounced before laughing and smiling at him, "Well c'mon partner." You mused, mimicking his accent briefly to cheer him up. He chuckled and shook his head, picking his hat up off the bed since it had fallen off when he tossed you.

He set it on the nightstand, along with his gun before sitting beside you and getting comfy, pulling you close towards his metal body. You pressed your ear to his chest, hearing the many mechanical parts within churning together rhythmically.

His mechanical heartbeat.

He was a bit warmer now, cozier.. "Hm.." He hummed softly, gently stoking your hair as he stared off into space, his eyes swirling with a variety of emotions as he stared out the window behind you.

"Boothill, are you sure you're all right..?" You asked quietly, and he looked down and smiled slightly, those sharp teeth peeking through his lips just slightly. "I'm just fine Sugar." he stated confidently, though his smile faltered and he sighed.

"Does your synesthesia beacon keep you from lying too?" you teased and tilted your head, and the ranger pouted, scowling slightly before looking off to the side. "I'm..just feelin' down, nothin' special." he stated, looking back at you and brushing hair out of your face.

You turned your head and kissed his palm, smiling just slightly before looking back at him. "Just rest..your brain is struggling to keep up with your body." You stated before softening up a little, "She'll see you in your dreams, and i'll be here when you open your eyes."

Your assurance put him at ease, as he closed his eyes and sighed "Ain't gotta get bossy.." he joked and held onto you tight, perhaps trying to assure himself and keep you with him regardless of what you might've planned to do or not.

You smiled and shook your head, brushing your hand through his hair to ease him off into slumber. He was mostly mechanical, but that brain of his was still intact in his head..so he still needed rest.

And you were there to make sure he got it..eventually falling asleep soon after he did.

I am your sword, your shield,
and your love-sick protector.