Honkai Star Rail x Reader Oneshots

The Night Frights (Boothill x reader)

cw-: mentions of death, scared Boothill, sweet Boothill, boyfriend Boothill

HC: Boothills reaction to a nightmare is a bit extreme

🎀 authorsnote: I got this headcanon from @cheesecakethots (On Tumblr) and have permission to use it! I was so excited to write THISSS
🎀🎀🎀🎀🎀🎀🎀🎀🎀🎀🎀🎀🎀🎀

So many horrors that Boothill had seen. All of those traumatic events. Left him with the galaxy's worst nightmares. The nightmares he didn't dare tell you about.

He always made sure if he woke up from a nightmare not to wake you up. Just to sit and calm down before glancing at you and taking in your beauty. Calming him quicker.

Today he had a pretty rough day at work, being a Galaxy Ranger wasn't always easy. He knew he'd have those nightmares again...and he didn't want to sleep.

As you two are watching a movie, cuddled in bed, you pet his hair softly. "I'm getting tired..." You yawn quietly, covering your mouth with your hand.

Boothill buried his face in the crook of your neck, inhaling your scent. He hummed in response, pulling himself closer to you.

"Yeah? Then go to sleep. You need it." He whispered, rubbing circles onto your skin with his metallic thumb.

"And so do you...you had a hard work day." You hum quietly against the top of his head.

Boothill chuckled, shaking his head.

"Don't worry about me, darlin'. I'll be fine. Always am. Yer the one who needs rest."
He mumbled against your neck.

You turn the TV off and shimmy down to rest against him. "Please try to sleep?" You whisper against his neck sleepily.

With a huff, he wrapped his arms around you, pressing his hand into the small of your back. He closed his eyes and exhaled through his nose. Boothill was never good at falling asleep, especially with how loud his thoughts were.

"Yeah, yeah. I'll try, don't worry 'bout me..."

As you drift off into a peaceful sleep, he found himself watching you. Even in your sleep you looked so beautiful. Boothill smiled and pulled you closer, resting his chin on top of your head.

He exhaled, feeling the tension in his metal shoulders fade away as he held you. With you in his arms, the nightmare plagued thoughts were forced to the back of his mind. The steady sighs you made and your breathing was all he could focus on. It was soothing to him in a way.

---

Boothill was peacefully asleep when a nightmare clawed its way into his mind. It was worse than the usual nightmares. Darker. Filled with twisted thoughts he thought he'd buried.

And finally, his brain shocked him in a way unimaginable to him.

Your death...painful...and cold...

He woke up with a gasp, his breathing heavy and forehead covered in a cold sweat. The nightmare he had was vivid and fresh in his mind. He couldn't stop himself from pulling you flush against him.

Waking you up without him realizing it. His steel fingers dig into your side, marks were probably forming, but you didn't care. You were confused, you'd never seen your boyfriend like this.

With a shaky exhale, his eyes flitted around the room wide and full of fear. His arm forming the gun you've seen many a time and pointing it at the door. He remained on edge, body tense and teeth bared as if he was ready for a fight.

It was a few moments before he calmed down, the realization that he was safe settling in. He lowered the gun arm as it reverted back to a hand.

Gently pulling your head into the crook of his neck he slowly laid back down, his breath shuddering as it leveled back out.

With the tension finally gone, Boothill found himself drifting back to sleep. This time the nightmare wasn't able to reach him as he held you close. It was the most sleep he'd gotten in a while.

His body was no longer tense, his body was back to being cool to the touch. He breathed out a shaky sigh, laying back down to nuzzle his face against your neck as he held himself close to you. Sleep took him over again, leaving him in peaceful unconsciousness.

---

That morning he didn't mention a word about it as he drank his oil at the breakfast table.

He sat across from you, drinking in silence. You'd noticed he avoided eye contact.

After a few moments, he spoke up, his voice rough and gravely.

"Are you feeling okay this morning, darlin'?"

"...yes I feel...fine." You smile softly, poking at your breakfast on the plate.

He hummed in response, his eyes still glued to the table. It was obvious something was on his mind. The uneasiness was written all over his face. But he was doing his best to play it off as nothing, not wanting to worry you.

There was an air of tension between you, something he was desperately trying to dispel. After a moment, he spoke again.

"You sure? Yer not lyin', are ya...?"

"No honey...I'm alright." You smile. "I slept great thanks to you..." You knew what happened obviously, you just didn't know why he won't talk about it.

But if he isn't ready...

That's ok with you. You'll still be there for him until he is ready.

He huffed, a slight smile making its way onto his face at your words. Despite the nightmare, he had slept rather peacefully while holding you close. "Yeah? That so? Well...glad to hear that."

He chuckled, taking a sip of his drink. There was a brief pause before he spoke again.

"Guess I did my job as yer big spoon, huh?"

"You did..." You smile leaning over the table to kiss his cheek. "Thank you for being there to protect me...my savior..."

Boothill couldn't help the pink that dusted his cheeks at your words and the kiss on his cheek. His heart warmed, butterflies swirling in his stomach. The thought of you being hurt made his chest ache. He chuckled shyly, shaking his head.

"Don' mention it...I'd...do anything to keep my darlin' safe. Kill anyone who tried to hurt ya, even lay down my own life to protect ya..."

"Thank you my Galaxy Ranger~" You get up to walk behind his chair, leaning over his shoulders, hands on his chest as you kiss his temple.

His heart skipped a few beats as you leaned over his shoulders, wrapping your arms around his chest. The way your hands splayed against his chest, the kiss on his temple, the sudden affection you were giving him...it was making his brain short-circuit.

Boothill had to catch his breath, a goofy grin on his face. "Yer gon' make me blush, darlin'. Ain't fair..."

"I love you..." You whisper. "And I'm always here for you..."

He exhaled, a lump forming in his throat. Hearing those three little words still made him weak. After all this time together, he still blushed and went weak at the knees. It made him feel like a lovestruck teenager again.

With a shaky exhale, he reached up to hold your hand.

"I love you too, darlin'. I... didn't want to worry you, but... I had a-"

You cut him off. "You don't have to explain yourself..." You murmur against his ear. "Tell me another day..."

Boothill's eyes water a bit, tears threatening to spill over. "T-Thank you..."

"Anytime my love...anytime..."