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"Run that by me again," Rex said, leaning forward ever so slightly.
Cody felt his cheeks warm, embarrassed by the intensity of Rex's gaze. "Ponds was telling me how he and General Windu have a… ritual of sorts where they shave each other’s heads, and how much more relaxing it is to do with a traditional blade."
"Uh huh," Rex said, smirking ever so slightly. "And? You don't normally shave your scalp that closely."
"No," Cody admitted, feeling himself go an even deeper shade of red, "but I uh… know a guy. Who really hates the feel of stubble against his helmet."
"Really?" Rex said, barely managing to contain his smile. "Tell me more. Is he hot?"
"Oh definitely," Cody replied, rolling his eyes affectionately. "He's kind of annoying though."
Rex snorted. "Only kind of?"
"Look, do you want to try this intimate shaving thing or not?" Cody demanded, barely containing his own smile as Rex dissolved into a fit of giggles.
"I'm telling Ponds you called it that," Rex said, still laughing, "but yes. I trust if you're going to slice me open, I'll have deserved it."
"Your faith in my abilities is astounding," Cody said drily. "I feel so loved."
"You are, cyare," Rex said, leaning over to kiss him on the cheek, "and in all seriousness, I do like the idea. We could make a whole evening of it."
Cody smiled, kissing him back on the forehead. "I'll be ready."
Rex had never known Cody to half-ass anything, but even so, he was taken aback by the array of items laid out on the 'fresher counter. In addition to the razor, Rex noted some sort of brush, a stack of towels, along with a handful of tiny bottles and jars.
"Where did you even get all this?" Rex asked, gesturing vaguely towards the countertop.
"I called in a few favours," Cody replied, rolling up the sleeves of his blacks to reveal the muscular forearms below. "I wanted to make this really special, since it's so rare we have an entire afternoon to ourselves."
Rex nodded, settling himself onto the stool Cody had set up for him. "If this is really as good as you say, I'm going to wind up disappointed next time I have to shave my own head."
"Maybe that was also part of the plan," Cody said, smirking. "If I can integrate myself into each and every one of your habits, the only option will be for us to spend more time together."
"And what a terrible thing that would be," Rex murmured, closing his eyes as he leaned into Cody's chest.
"Absolutely horrible," Cody agreed, planting a kiss on the top of Rex's head before stepping away. "Do you want me to explain what I'm doing, or just go for it?"
"I'll ask if I need to," Rex decided, straightening up a little as Cody reached for one of the tiny jars. "You're the expert, after all."
Cody grinned, dolloping a healthy portion of something cool and lavender-scented on top of Rex's head. "It's amazing what you can learn on the holonet these days."
"Mmm," Rex replied, letting himself melt into the way Cody was massaging the cream into his scalp. It was nothing short of incredible, and Rex found himself missing it the second his partner pulled away from him.
"Let me know if this is too warm," Cody said, gently placing a hot towel over Rex's head, "or if anything gets uncomfortable."
"M'kay," Rex murmured. In fact, he was about as far away from uncomfortable as he could even conceive of, absolutely relishing the way the heat of the towel was sinking into his skull. It was warm, it was comfortable, and just when Rex thought it couldn't possibly get any better, he heard Cody turn on the tap behind him.
"I've been saving my water rations just for you, cyare," Cody said, chuckling as Rex perked up at the sound.
"Now you're just spoiling me," Rex said, turning to watch as Cody mixed something up in one of the other jars.
"Maybe," Cody admitted, "but I do need to take that towel back again."
"I suppose it would make the actual shaving rather difficult," Rex said with a sigh.
"I'll get you another warm one when we're done," Cody promised, leaning down to kiss Rex's forehead. "Just for you."
"If we get out of this alive, I feel like you could make a career out of this," Rex mused, watching his reflection in the 'fresher mirror as Cody used some sort of soft brush to rub soap all over his head.
"You probably should wait to make sure I don't cut your ear off before saying things like that," Cody teased, setting the brush aside again.
"I've seen your marksmanship scores," Rex replied without hesitation. "I trust you."
Cody nodded, his eyebrows knit together in concentration as he picked up the razor from the countertop. It looked heavier than Rex was expecting, the sharp blade glinting under the harsh fluorescent lights.
It quickly became clear to Rex why Ponds would describe this process as 'meditative' - the repetitive motion of the blade across his skin, punctuated by the moments where Cody paused to clean it was soothing, making it seem as though the tension was slowly bleeding out of him. Rex let his eyes slip closed, letting Cody manipulate his body as he needed as he listened to the hum of the ship's engines.
"I'm going to do around your ears now," Cody murmured, rubbing more of the soap onto the areas in question.
Rex only nodded in response, letting his breathing slow even further as he relaxed into Cody's capable hands. Rex could imagine the frown of concentration as Cody tipped his head to the side, his lips parted slightly as the blade scraped over the sensitive skin behind Rex's ear.
"That's it," Cody said softly, breaking the spell he had so deftly woven around Rex. "I don't think I got you anywhere."
"I don't think I'd care if you had," Rex breathed, slowly opening his eyes again.
"Maybe not," Cody said, reaching to squirt something else onto his hands, "but Ponds would probably never let me hear the end of it."
"You wouldn't have to tell him," Rex muttered, melting almost instantly as Cody massaged the aftershave into his temples. "I certainly wouldn't."
"I take it you're enjoying yourself?"
"Mhmm."
"Excellent," Cody replied, placing another hot towel over Rex's freshly shorn scalp. "Now I know what to bribe you with if I ever need something."
Rex cracked an eye open, shooting Cody an incredulous look. "If it's for a bribe, Cod'ika, I think you'll have to do my face as well."