𝐏𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐬 ━━ 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐥

ᴛᴇɴ

*author's note and updates at end of chapter*

chapter ten - out with the old, in with the new

The tense air of the earlier confrontation had fully dissipated by the time the celebration was in full swing. The warm evening air carried the scent of blooming flowers and festival foods. 

Y/N couldn't help but smile at the sight of kids running around, their laughter filling her ears. She had been given a list of activities and spent a couple of hours helping out at various ones, including ring toss, face painting, and even a small petting zoo. 

As she worked, she found herself laughing and chatting wth the locals, who welcomed her with open arms despite being an outsider who had caused a bit of a scene. The sense of community here was something she had never experienced in Penacony, and it warmed her heart in a way she hadn't expected. At one point, a little girl with pigtails tugged on Y/N's sleeve, holding up a small stuffed animal. "Can you help me win another one for my brother?"

Y/N knelt down to the girl's level, smiling. "Of course! I'll try my best."

Together, they played the ring toss, and when the little girl finally won a second stuffed animal, she squealed with joy, running off to find her brother. For the first time in a long time, Y/N felt like she was part of something.

After that, Y/N found herself in charge of the face-painting booth. The line of kids was long, but she didn't mind. She chatted with each one as she painted their faces, transforming them into butterflies, tigers, and superheroes. The work was messy, and she was by no means an artist, but the smiles she received in return made it all worthwhile.

Unbeknownst to Y/N, Boothill had been watching her from across the square. He was helping at one of the food tables, but when he saw her surrounded by laughing children, her face smudged with paint, her eyes bright with joy, he found himself unable to look away. There was something about the way she interacted with the kids, the way she threw herself into helping others despite her apprehensions, that tugged at something deep within him. 

It wasn't just that she was beautiful—thought she undeniably was—it was the way she seemed to fit into the fabric of the town as if she had always been there. Boothill had always prided himself on being level-headed, but watching Y/N, he felt something shift inside him.

He'd told himself from the start that he was just being friendly, helping out a stranger in need, but the more time he spent with her, the harder it was to ignore the growing attraction he felt. But he didn't want to overstep and ruin their friendship; she'd just gotten out of a long-term relationship after all.

As the last bit of sun disappeared, the bonfire was lit and fairylights turned on; Y/N finally took a break. She wiped her hands on her jeans, smudging more paint across them, and looked around. She felt proud of the contributions she'd made, but more than that, she felt connected to the town, to its people, and to the temporary life she was slowly building here. She knew it was going to hurt when she had to leave at the end of the summer.

"Been quite the day, ain't it?" a familiar voice said from behind her. Y/N turned to see Boothill approaching, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He was holding two cups of lemonade and offered her one. "Thought ya could use a drink."