Yeah, there are things that make Snag burst a blood vessel when angered. Things that make him sweat when anxious. Never in a million years did he think he would have a stupid crush on his partner, Rawhide.
Love was nothing but dumb in Snag's eyes. A bunch of bullshit. It wasn't even a priority of his. Sure there were a couple of people he liked in his prior life outside of the Gulch, but never in a romantic way. Things changed however, because of her.
Besides his beloved comb, Ronette, Rawhide was everything to Snag. His partner in justice, closest friend, you name it. At first he didn't consider her as a friend, but she was the first person he had met after leaving his hometown behind. All things considered, he had terrible hygiene and terrible looks. He wasn't the coolest greaser wannabe on the block, far from it. A real troublemaker from where he was. However, the Gulch was a place he could call home. Gulchfolk accepted Snag for who he was; a freak. To be fair, everyone from the Gulch was some sort of freak or cryptid. Hell, Mothman resides in the Gulch. He was on vacation to avoid human interaction anyways.
It was late at night as the two teens were resting peacefully inside the sheriff's office. Rawhide was under a mass of blankets sleeping in one of the shelves of the drawer, probably dreaming of beating up Mako and his goons. Snag was leaning against the door frame, arms folded over his chest as he stared at the worn floorboards. There was too much going on in his mind for him to sleep. He glanced at his partner, who snored loudly in her sleep, knocking her blanket to the ground. Snag sighed quietly and went to place it back on Rawhide. She truly deserved a long rest, as one of the bandits gave her a gnarly looking bruise on her right eye. Snag was surprised she hadn't gone blind yet. He felt guilt tug at his chest from the reminder that Rawhide had taken most of the beating, wishing he could've done more to protect her.
Oh. What was he saying? Protect? Rawhide could handle her own if she wanted to! That girl was as strong as Squatch when it came down to it, which made Snag jealous. All he had was Ronette, his main weapon. He was inherently weak and Rawhide wasn't. Snag's thoughts were interrupted when Rawhide shifted in her sleep, facing Snag with a smile, still dozed off. Snag gripped at his chest when he felt his heart flutter. His face heated up as he looked away. No, love is stupid. He doesn't need anyone in his life, besides Ronette. Snag snorted and stared at the wall covered in wanted posters. The teen kicked a can of beans lying on the floor and decided that fresh air will be able to help him clear his head.
Going outside, Snag felt the warm, dry air of the Gulch's summer night as he tread through to find a spot to sit at. A dead tree wasn't ideal, but it was good enough. He sat down leaning against the tree, hands in his jacket pockets and staring at his lap.
"Snag?" Snag hears the voice of a very tired Rawhide, who is slowly approaching him. His expression softens as he looks away, crossing his arms.
"Rawhide, it's late. Shouldn't you be asleep at this time of hour?"
"Well I should be askin' you the same thing." Rawhide replies casually. Snag grunts, "touché."
Rawhide takes a seat next to Snag, wincing as her bruises and cuts were still tender. Snag rolls his eyes, "you're making it worse y'know."
Rawhide scoffs, "Aw, I'll be fine. Mako didn't hurt me that bad. Have to say, why'd you come out here all by yourself?"
She scoots closer to Snag, drawing circles in the dust. Snag sighs, "couldn't sleep is all."
Rawhide stifles a small yawn. "I can tell."
Snag felt a small nudge from Rawhide as she smiled warmly at him, "you did great kickin' Mako's butt out there."
He was glad it was dark, otherwise Rawhide could see the slight blush on his face.
"You're just patronizing me now." Snag replies.
"No, seriously! You doubt yourself when you shouldn't. Have faith in yourself, Snags!"
He rolled his eyes. "Listen Rawhide. I'm not strong. I'm not a hero. I'm just what everyone thinks I am, a freak."
"You don't have to be." She hugs him tightly, nuzzling into his shoulder from the back.
"You may think you're a freak, but I think you're pretty rootin', tootin' cool."
Snag tensed up at the sudden hug. He wasn't a very touchy-feely kind of guy, but something about Rawhide and her heartwarming hugs made him feel all gushy. This felt like some type of romcom fantasy, but it was very much real. For once, Snag hugged back, albeit it was an awkward hug, but a hug nonetheless.
His feelings for Rawhide were screaming at him to make a move, but instead he swallowed them down. For now, he was just enjoying her company under the night sky in the Gulch.
Maybe someday, he will gain the courage to make their relationship something more.
