Honkai Star: Rail x Reader Oneshots

Hold Tight to the Reins | Boothill x Reader

Summary: In a rare moment of calm aboard Boothill's ship, you take the opportunity to braid his unruly hair. As you work, Boothill lets down his guard, revealing a softer side beneath his rugged exterior. The tender moment between you and the vengeful cyborg cowboy grows more intimate as he allows himself to trust and even enjoy your touch.

Tags: Boothill x Reader, Fluff, Intimacy, Slow Burn, Hair Braiding, Comfort, Soft Moments, Suggestive Ending

Warnings: Suggestive Themes, Implied Intimacy, Emotional Vulnerability.

It was an uncharacteristically quiet evening on Boothill's ship, one of the few moments where the embers of vengeance weren't pushing him toward the next fight, the next bounty. In the dim light of the cabin, you found yourself sitting on a low crate, facing Boothill as he sat cross-legged on the floor, idly reloading one of his revolvers. His gaze, usually so steely and focused, had softened somewhat as he kept his head slightly tilted toward you, though he seemed determined not to look you in the eye.

You reached out, fingers brushing the white strands of his hair. The jet-black streaks that ran through it made it look like ink bleeding into paper, wild and untamed, and you couldn't help but wonder how many battles it had witnessed with him. You twirled a lock around your finger thoughtfully.

"Mind if I braid this?" you asked, barely above a whisper, almost like you were afraid to shatter the silence between you.

Boothill grunted, a low, noncommittal sound. "You plannin' to weave a lasso out of it or somethin'?" His sharp teeth glinted as he flashed a wry smile. "Not sure how you'd rope anyone with that little scrap."

You smirked and shook your head. "Just wanna make it look a bit more... manageable. You know, like a ranger on a mission."

He shrugged, finally giving you a curt nod. "Knock yourself out, darlin'. Not like I got anything better to do while we wait."

You knelt down behind him, hands ghosting over his shoulders as you gathered his hair in sections. His long, unruly hair was surprisingly soft, despite the grit and smoke that clung to it from countless battles. As you carefully started weaving the locks together, Boothill's shoulders seemed to relax a little under your touch.

“Feels… different.” he murmured after a while, his voice losing a hint of its rough edge.

“Different how?” you asked, fingers working gently through the braids, pressing close to his scalp as you added new sections, creating an intricate pattern.

"Don’t know," he muttered, but his voice had gone softer still, the gruff cowboy mask slipping just a bit. "Ain't exactly used to someone touchin' me like that. You know—easy-like."

You couldn’t help but smile, fingers lingering on the braid a moment longer before sliding down to rest against his collarbone, close enough that he could feel your warmth. “Well, I wouldn’t exactly call you ‘easy’ to deal with.”

He chuckled, a raspy sound that vibrated through his chest. “You must be crazy, tryin’ to tame a ghost like me.”

“Guess I like a challenge.” you teased, letting your hands slip lower, grazing the edge of his mechanical torso beneath his jacket, feeling the smooth metal alongside the warmth of his skin.

Boothill’s breath hitched, and he turned his head slightly, just enough to meet your eyes with his own black and white-aimed gaze. For once, he looked almost vulnerable, as if he’d let you see past that reckless gunslinger façade.

“Careful,” he said, voice dipping low, “or I might start gettin' used to this."

“Maybe that’s exactly what I want.” you whispered back, leaning in just close enough that he could feel the warmth of your breath, your fingers still idly running through his freshly braided hair.

For a moment, he didn’t move, and you thought maybe you’d gone too far. But then, with a slight smirk and a glint of something raw and intense in his eyes, he reached up, his hand resting over yours. "Well then, darlin'... better keep a tight hold on those reins."