Chapter Text
It had been a month since the whole shrink ray fiasco and Boone still hadn’t let Arcade use the ray on him. He wasn't scared! No, NCR soldiers never get scared! Okay, maybe he was just a little scared. He trusted Arcade but he didn't want to be that defenceless, despite how he knew that Arcade had suffered through it for days.
The pair had spent the past month getting to really know one another. Boone had never made love to another man before but damn, Arcade really knew his stuff. He made Boone feel like he never thought was possible.
It was a Friday, mid afternoon, the Lucky 38 being practically empty. Boone, Arcade and Veronica were there, the former two in the dining room, the latter playing solitaire in the game room. She was meant to be crafting some things for Six but it got very boring just hanging around the large suite, it seeming like a tomb, especially considering the lack of windows.
Arcade polished the resize ray, having since learnt how it worked. He spent a lot of time caring for it, Boone thinking he probably had a sentimental attachment to it considering they'd been through a lot together because of it. He'd even seen a mouse sized Rex running around the suite once or twice after being shot with it, although he wouldn't bring it up to Arcade. He probably just wanted a little fun with a tiny dog.
“How about this weekend? I told Julie I needed some time to spend with you so I'll be free.” Arcade smiled, looking at Boone almost pleadingly. “Come on. You owe me for nearly eating me.”
Boone sighed softly. He couldn't say no to that face, especially since it was true. He tongued the lump at the back of his tongue where the tiny doctor had stabbed him with a bone shard in a bid to stay away from his throat. He just didn't want to end up looking like a coward if he was scared of Arcade, which was likely. Being tiny sounded a lot more dangerous than it was worth.
“Alright, fine.” He mumbled as he stood up, moving to stand in the centre of the room. He had to remind himself that not only had Arcade done this before, he'd done it when there was no assurance of him actually being able to return to his regular size. He was getting off lightly considering.
Arcade seemed eager, making sure to calibrate the resizer, that shrill whirr signalling it was powering up. “Don't worry, you'll be fine. You're a big, strong boy. And soon you'll be a small, strong boy.”
Boone folded his arms, noticing how Arcade’s eyes scanned his biceps. “You'd better not tread on me.”
“Wouldn't dream of it, sugar.” Arcade smiled as he aimed the resizer at Boone, starting the countdown. Boone held his breath, squeezing his fists tight to calm his nerves. “Three, two, one…”
Boone grunted as that purple light blinded him, making his head pound and ears ring. He kept himself stood, only wobbling slightly, taking a moment to rub his face. “Jesus, that's rough.” He mumbled. A sudden tremor caused him to spring to attention, glancing around, blinking. Arcade had stepped forward, his footfall vibrating the floor beneath him, shaking Boone. As the sniper looked up, he felt his chest tighten, Adam's apple bobbing as he gulped.
The doctor was impossibly big, his smile a little unnerving despite his good intentions. He crouched, the movement startling Boone slightly, causing him to stumble back, it feeling as though a mountain were descending upon him.
Arcade reached out a hand, smiling. “Here. It's okay, you know I won't hurt you.” He was whispering, still loud on Boone’s apparently much more sensitive ears. His heart thumped in his chest as he looked at that hand, spread before him like a king sized bed. There was a moment of hesitation before he stepped on, sinking into the flesh of his thin hand, seating himself comfortably. Arcade lifted him, the tiny man feeling a little queasy at the speed, looking at the doctor with slight apprehension. “Luckily for you, I have no intention of treating you the way you treated me when I was tiny.”
Boone scoffed, folding his arms. Arcade’s dry wit always coaxed the smallest smile from him. He looked up at him, seeing how his face was lined with stress, the grey circles under his eyes incredibly pronounced from this perspective. Boone touched his own face, realising how Arcade saw his complexion when he was tiny. “Sit down, Gannon. Don't want to fall.”
Arcade held him close to his chest, heart thumping loudly, pulsing in his ears. “Yes, sir.” He smiled, his thumb coming up to stroke Boone’s shoulder. It was the size of a boulder, soft as it pressed against him, holding him in place while Arcade sat down on the sofa. He then looked at Boone. Were he a cartoon, his eyes would be heart shaped, the amount of affection on his face was astounding.
Boone took a breath to steady himself. They'd been talking about this for the past month, he didn't have to be so nervous. He watched as Arcade moved him in his hands, holding him with one on either side, fingertips at his back, thumbs pressed against his chest. He gently squeezed, as though massaging Boone’s muscles. It felt good, although he was reminded that it would be so easy for Arcade to squash him flat. He didn't like to think about it.
“Look at you… You're adorable.” Arcade smiled. “With your little scowl and your beret.” He chuckled, pulling him closer.
Boone huffed, sitting back against his fingers, arms folded. “Don't push your luck. I could still kill you.”
“I don't doubt that. Although it might be difficult when I do this.” Arcade cupped his hands together, trapping Boone between them. “Get out of that if you ca- OUCH!” He lifted his hand away, having been bitten by Boone. He looked at him, flinching as he saw his sniper rifle aimed at him.
“Bang, bang. You're blind, Gannon.” Boone smirked, holding his rifle close. “One in each eye.”
Arcade reached down, taking the gun between two fingers, pulling it out of his grip. “I’ll squash you.” The doctor smirked, lifting Boone to his face. “Well, maybe after this. I'd rather not have to kiss my boyfriend if he's of a pulpy consistency.”
Boone snorted as Arcade pressed his lips gently against his shoulder, soft and warm, pursed ever so gently. He nuzzled him a little, smiling as he pressed kisses all over his torso.
A cough from the door made them both jump, looking to see Veronica’s smirk as she stood there. “You two are adorable.” She walked over, seating herself beside Arcade, looking down at Boone who blinked slightly up at her. He'd always considered her pretty sweet. Were he not in a relationship and Veronica a lesbian, he might have asked her for a drink. Regardless, the way she looked down at him made him feel a little flighty, her expression one of someone looking at a tiny kitten.
Arcade held Boone close. “You never thought we were cute before.” He mumbled indignantly.
Veronica giggled a little. “That's because neither of you had been tiny before.” She sat back, tilting her head. “Hey, Boone, can I hold you? I'll be gentle, I promise.”
Sighing, Boone nodded, seeing Arcade’s reluctance but knowing Veronica meant well. She held out her palms and he stepped on, wobbling slightly at how she twitched to keep still, having to grip her fingers. She lifted him to her face, smiling and cupping her hands so he felt more stable. “Oh, wow. You're so small!”
Boone sat, looking up at Veronica with his trademark frown. She peered at him with a sweet curiosity, tilting her head this way and that, using one finger to nudge his shoulder. Arcade seemed restless and was soon taking him from her hands, setting him on his lap. “Can we have a little time alone?”
Veronica nodded, understanding that they wanted some boyfriend time. “Yep, sorry. Got a little excited. I'll go see if I can find something to do. Maybe play some slots at the Tops.” She smiled. “See you guys later!”
Once she left, Arcade sighed, laying down on the sofa, relaxing with a smile. He cupped a hand around Boone who was laid on his leg, cuddled up close. “Be careful you don't slip.” Arcade smirked, looking down at the sniper. “I'm not responsible for any accidents that may occour.”
Boone looked at Arcade from over his sunglasses, staring for a moment before lifting his leg, bringing it down as hard as he could. There was barely a twitch from Arcade, the action not hurting him at all. Damn, he really was puny at this size. “Hm. Don't tease.” He turned on his side, looking at Arcade as his eyelids drooped slightly. The doctor had his hands cupped around him like walls, his entire view just him. He began to snooze, knowing Arcade was watching him with an idle smile, feeling safe within the confines of his expansive palms.
