[PROMPT] Nightime Frights

 Between the missing people and the Head Priest of The Church of Sulfur being murdered, things weren't looking too well in Burrowgatory. While normally, things happening in the city didn't affect Swain, nor his partner - Tsubaki, the pair hadn't gotten around to their monthly supply runs. Tensions in the cabin were... high... to say the least.

With a stomp of his hoof, Tsubaki looked at Swain, arms crossed as the envy shot a glare towards the cowboy. “You saw the news, Swain. It's not safe to go out, especially at this time of night!!”

Swain just sighed, tipping his hat back and smoothing a hand through his bangs. He understood his partner's worries, but things had to be done. The spurs on his boots jingled as he stepped closer to Tsubaki, one arm reaching out to snake around his partner's waist and bring him close.

“Tsubaki... Sugar, I gotta go out tonight. Ya know how long it takes to get down ta the city.” Swain drawled out. Reaching his free hand out to cup Tsubaki's cheek, thumb gently stroking down the bone. “We're missin' a lotta basics in the cabin, and I don't think ya wanna be stuck with a smelly cowboy once we run outta soap.”

That joke seemed to calm his darling down, Tsubaki's hands coming to rest on Swain's chest. Swain smiled as the envy bun nuzzled into the palm of his hand, looking up at him with a worried gaze.

With a quiet laugh, Tsubaki shook his head. “You're right about that... still, I'm worried.” Small hands smoothed over the flannel shirt Swain wore, fingers tangling in the fabric. “I know you're strong and capable but people have gone missing... or worse.”

There was a moment of solemn silence, calloused fingers still caressing Tsubaki gently. Swain couldn't help the amused huff of air that passed through his nose as Tsubaki fretted. It was cute, seeing him worry so much. “Listen, hun, I can hand-”

“Let me come with you.” Tsubaki interjected before Swain could respond. Face scrunched in determination. “It would be safer if we stuck together!”

Swain blinked for a moment, dual coloured eyes widening at the sudden outburst. “Well... I...” he started, words escaping him as he thought about it. With a sigh, he leaned forward and pressed a kiss to Tsubaki's forehead. “Yeah, you can come along. Would rather have ya in my sight anyway.”

Letting out a triumphant noise, Tsubaki all but preened once he heard that Swain was okay with him coming along. “That’s what I thought.” Tsubaki preened as he leaned into the kiss pressed to his forehead, moving to rub their noses together before stepping back completely.

Swain always loved that, it was cute, really. The way Tsubaki would puff his chest out and look all confident whenever he got his way. As Tsubaki stepped back, Swain gave his partner a once-over. “You’re takin’ the shawl, Sugar. S’gonna be cold tonight and I don’t wanna see ya gettin’ sick now.” With that, Swain walked over to where he kept his hat and shawl, grabbing both items. After he placed the hat on his head, Swain wrapped the woolen shawl around Tsubaki. It looked more like a blanket than anything, but that didn’t matter, what only mattered was keeping Tsubaki toasty.

Swain watched with a smile as Tsubaki brought the fabric to his face, rubbing it against his cheek with a lazy smile. A feeling of affection washed through Swain at the sight, he would do anything to keep this envy bun safe.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

The drive wasn’t too bad. Tsubaki was a bit bored, face pressed against the window of the old truck. Watching the terrain with tired eyes as he was bumped every which way. Things were rather quiet, mostly idle chit chat about what was needed or wanted, if they should grab enough for more than a month.

“Hmm… I think we should maybe grab a bit extra this time around, just in case…” Tsubaki mused, fingers dragging against the foggy window as they came to a stop in a parking lot. It was typical to just leave it in the first parking lot and walk to any shops they needed to go to - cars weren’t common in the Burrow, so saving money on gas was always something to keep in mind. Tonight was no different, as Tsubaki watched Swain pull up in the grocery parking lot. 

“As much as I don’t like overbuyin’, I think it’s fer the best too.” Swain hummed out. Tsubaki watched as the cowboy hopped out of the car and walked around to the other side, helping him out. 

Even for a walk as short as from the lot to the shop’s door, Tsubaki had held onto Swain’s arm. Eyes scanning the area around them for anything shady. Instead, the streets seemed pretty dead, aside from the occasional bun scurrying down the sidewalks. For a city that had a normally bustling nightlife, the sight was pretty strange. 

The first store was quick. Tsubaki had grabbed plenty of canned goods and non-perishables to keep the pantry well stocked - Swain meanwhile focused on grabbing the fresh stuff for the week and, of course, putting in a little treat for the two of them.  Tsubaki hummed to himself as he looked over the haul, going through a mental checklist in his mind. He smiled as he was eyeing the bakery cupcakes Swain had added to their list and turned to his cowboy. “You always have such a sweet tooth, hun.” The envy bun giggled.

“Now listen here Tsuki, a man needs to buy some treats for his lover every now and then. You were whinin’ my ears off about wantin’ something sweet!” Swain protested as he loaded the back seat.

Tsubaki was huffed as Swain was the one who called him out, after all it was indeed true. Tsubaki had been wanting something sweet for a while now and sometimes homemade sweets didn’t hit the same as the sugar loaded frosting you got from cheap grocery cupcakes. 

After everything was all packed, it was off to the next store on their list. The streets were pretty empty, which felt… off… It had Tsubaki on edge as they walked. Their footsteps echoed on the pavement as they kept a brisk pace, Swain’s left arm was firmly wrapped around Tsubaki’s waist. Blunted fingernails digging into the soft wool of the borrowed shawl, the embrace protective as the cowboy kept his eyes on the road ahead of them. 

The pair stayed quiet, not wanting to draw attention with idle conversation.

Occasionally they would pass another passerby. Some were just as cautious as the pair, traveling in packs of two or more. Others instead seemed to have taken a more… laissez faire attitude to the whole thing. Boozey buns stumbling and tumbling over themselves as they walked down the streets. Swain scowled at the sight. It wasn’t long before the second shop came into sight. A simple discount shop that stayed open late into the nights. Once through the doors, Tsubaki was the first to speak. “So here I think we’re getting household stuff, right? Cleaning supplies, toiletries? The usual?”

He watched Swain nod in response, tipping his hat as he tried to think of more things they could possibly need. “Yeah, yeah… and any good deals we can come across too.” He hummed, walking to grab a carriage. 

This store was much the same as last, both men splitting up and grabbing what they needed. What wasn’t the same, was running into the familiar face of Willow! An envy bun who lived in the same outskirts community, where the city slowly faded away from suburbs into wilderness. She was good friends with the pair of men and seemingly had the same idea to stock up now before things got too… wild.

They had met in the checkout, Tsubaki waving out to her as she was gathering her bags. The three of them lingered around the entrance. 

Swain gave her a tip of his hat and a sweet smile. “S’allways nice to run into ya, Willow. Glad to someone else takin’ all this noise seriously.” His gaze went to the automatic doors, looking out into the darkness with a pensive frown. “Ya know I hate to ask favours, but do ya think ya could here with Tsubaki while I go and get the truck. I’d feel better just pullin’ around here and pickin’ the two of ya up.”

Willow gave a soft hum and nod. “Of course. I appreciate the ride, the walk back home takes too long and I don’t particularly trust a stranger's car at the moment…”
The wait wasn’t too bad, Swain having gotten back to the truck with no issues. The real issue came with squeezing poor Willow and her groceries into the back seat amongst all of Tsubaki and Swain’s things. Still the country buns made do and soon they were back on the road. The ride was still boring for Tsubaki but conversation with his neighbor made things just a bit less boring. Soon enough, Willow was dropped off at her cabin and the pair made their way back to theirs after exchanging goodbyes and thank yous. Once home and things were packed away, Tsubaki and Swain crashed on the couch and slept the night away. Thankful to avoid any vampires or otherwise dubious encounters.