𝐏𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐬 ━━ 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐥

ᴇɪɢʜᴛ

chapter eight — reflection

The morning after the bar, Y/N woke up to a heavy silence in her room. The light streaming through the curtains was soft, but it did little to ease the tightness in her chest. She lay there for a moment, staring at the ceiling, replaying the events of the day over and over in her mind

The encounter with Tommie, the way Boothill had been there for her without a second thought, and the words he'd said at the bar—all of it swirled together, leaving her feeling raw and exposed. The whiskey she'd downed the day before hadn't numbed the pain; if anything, it had only made everything more vivid in her memory.

She eventually forced herself out of bed, moving through the motions of getting dressed as if on autopilot. Her reflection in the mirror showed a tired face, eyes rimmed with red from the tears she'd fought to hold back. She sighed, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear before turning away. Today, she needed to find some peace of mind, some way to move forward.

After grabbing a quick breakfast downstairs, Y/N decided she needed some air. The B&B felt too small, too confining. She found herself drawn to the outskirts of town, where the open fields and quiet roads offered some solace. She walked aimlessly for a while, the rhythm of her steps matching the steady beat of her thoughts.

As she wandered, she reflected on how much had changed since she'd arrived in Aeragan. What had started as a simple investigation into Tommie's suspicious behaviour had turned into something much more complicated. She'd found herself entangled in this town, with its quirky charm and its even quicker residents. And then there was Boothill.

Just thinking about him made her heart do an uneasy flip in her chest. He had been so kind to her, so patient, always there when she needed someone. But after what had happened yesterday, she realized her feelings for him weren't as simple as she'd tried to convince herself they were.

She found a secluded spot by a small pond, the water glistening under the mid-morning sun. It was peaceful here, with only the sound of birds chirping and the occasional rustle of leaves in the breeze. Y/N sat down on the grassy bank, hugging her knees to her chest as she gazed over the water.

For a long time, she just sat there, letting the tranquillity of the place wash over her. Slowly, the knot of anxiety in her chest began to loosen. She thought about everything Boothill had done for her—the way he'd listened to her without judgement, the way he was always teaching her things and helping her, and the way he always seemed to know just what she needed, even when she didn't know it herself.

And what had she done in return? Sure, she'd shared some laughs with him, confided in him about her past, and even learned to ride a horse. But she hadn't really given him anything of herself—not in the way that mattered. She'd been so caught up in her own problems, in her own pain, that she hadn't stopped to think about what Boothill might be feeling.

The realization hit her like a cold splash of water. She'd been so focused on her hurt that she hadn't considered Boothill might have his own emotions tangled up in all of this. He'd been there for her, but what had she done for him? The thought filled her with guilt, and she buried her face in her hands, trying to sort through the mess of emotions swirling inside her.

As the sun climbed higher in the sky, Y/N stood up, brushing the dirt from her jeans. She didn't have all the answers yet, but she knew she couldn't keep hiding from her feelings. She cared about Boothill, maybe as more than just a friend. But was she ready to admit that? Was she ready to put herself out there so soon after Tommie?

She made her way back to town, her steps more purposeful than before. There was a resolve building inside her, a determination to figure out what she really wanted and be honest about it. But for now, she needed to do something to clear her head.

Back at the B&B, Y/N decided to help Betty with some of the chores. Cleaning up, organizing supplies for the Summer Solstice celebration—anything that would keep her hands busy and her mind focused. Betty welcomed the help, and the work, though simple, helped Y/N regain some of the balance she'd been missing.

Later, as the day drew to a close, Y/N found herself in the kitchen, washing dishes and humming along to the old country tunes playing on the radio. Boothill's voice interrupted her thoughts, warm and familiar. "Mind if I join ya?"

She looked up, surprised to see him leaning against the doorframe, his usual easy smile in place. "Sure," she said, handing him a towel. "You can dry."

They worked in companionable silence for a while, until finally, Y/N gathered the courage to speak. "Boothill..." she said, capturing his attention. "I just wanted to thank you, for everything. You've done so much for me. I know I haven't been the easiest person to be around lately, but you've been so kind... thank you."

Boothill glanced at her, his expression soft and comforting. "Ain't nothin', darlin'. Any decent folk would do the same."

She shook her head, setting down the dish she was holding. "No, it's more than that. You've been there for me in ways I didn't even realize I needed. And I've been so caught up in my own stuff that I haven't really appreciated it. But I do, I really do."

Boothill's gaze lingered on her, and like the day before, she thought he might say something more, something that would crack the barrier between them. But instead, he just smiled, that familiar, comforting smile that had become her anchor in the storm. "Anytime, darlin'. Don't matter what it is, ya ever need somethin', you know where to find me."

Y/N nodded, her heart swelling with gratitude and something else—something deeper that she wasn't quite ready to name yet. "I know," she whispered, more to herself than to him.

As they finished up, Y/N felt a sense of calm settle over her. She didn't have all the answers, but she knew one thing for sure: she wasn't going to let fear hold her back anymore. Not with Boothill, not with anything. It was time to start being honest—with him, and with herself.

When she finally went to bed that night, the tightness in her chest was gone, replaced by a quiet resolve. Whatever came next, she was ready to face it head-on. And as she drifted off to sleep, she knew one thing for sure: Aeragan was starting to feel like home.