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“Come on—“
“No.”
“Let me see—“
“No.”
Xeno sighed, readjusting his umbrella handle to better block out the sun. “Stanley,” he said, trying to get a look at the man’s eyes under his dress cap. “It cannot be that bad.”
Stanley pulled the brim of his hat down in an attempt to avoid Xeno’s prodding gaze. “But it is” Stanley insisted.
“So bad that you won’t let me of all people see?”
“You are the last person on Earth I would let see what’s under my hat.”
Xeno raised an eyebrow at him.
“Fine,” Stanley conceded. “Before I show you, I want to remind you that we made vows.”
“Yes, yes,” Xeno said in a rushed manner. “For better—“
“Or worse,” he reminded him.
Xeno rolled his eyes. “Let’s see.”
Stanley grabbed the brim of his hat and carefully peeled it off of his head, his fresh blonde buzz cut on full display. It felt nice to take off his hat as it was getting stuffy in the Texas heat, but Stanley couldn’t help but feel a bit odd as the hot air touched his scalp.
He wasn’t a vain person, but Stanley liked to keep a certain appearance about himself. He hadn’t resisted at the start of boot camp when they sat him down in the chair and took a razor to his head, but hadn’t been happy about it either.
Xeno gasped, covering his mouth with his hands. “Oh my goodness.”
“Told you,” Stanley frowned.
“Oh, Stan, don’t give me that look. The buzz cut doesn’t take away from your pretty face,” Xeno assured him as he playfully pinched Stanley’s cheek.
Stanley gently shooed him away. “I don’t feel like myself looking like this,” he said.
“That’s the point,” Xeno said. “They strip you of your individuality so you’re easier to control. Just another face in the ranks.
“That’s a great confidence boost,” Stanley deadpanned.
“I’m not finished. You’re not just anybody, Stan,” he continued, gesticulating at Stanley’s fellow graduates that stood in the field around them. “And the day they realize that is the day you start making demands. First of them being your freedom of expression.”
“My freedom of expression is a small consolation prize for what it’s gonna take to get to that point.”
“You don’t have to stop there. Take them for all they’re worth," he said. "Besides, it'll be a cake walk for you. Won't it, Stan?" Xeno looked up at him, his eyes full of faith and confidence. Faith and confidence that Xeno had in him.
They had been together for nearly half of their lives, but Stanley somehow still managed to feel nervous around him at times. If it wasn’t for his face already being tinged pink from the heat, Xeno would’ve been able to see the light blush on his cheeks.
“Right,” Stanley agreed, having nothing better to say as he lost his train of thought.
Xeno briefly checked his watch. “What do we have? A few hours? What do you want to do?” he asked. He looped their arms together and began leading them toward the lot where Xeno had parked his car.
“Oh! Maybe we can go to the barber and see if they can do something to make your cut look more… fashionable . Your hair has already started to grow back a bit. We can make it a high and tight cut. Or maybe we can just give you a fade.”
“If my hair gets any shorter, I’ll go AWOL.”
Xeno laughed. “And you say I’m the dramatic one.”
“Let’s get lobster,” Stanley decided. “They have shit food here.”
“Lobster? Is Mr. MRE tired of bland cafeteria food?” Xeno said using baby-talk, a sympathetic pout on his face.
“Man, shut up,” Stanley smirked as he playfully shoved Xeno, unhooking their arms.
Xeno laughed, stumbling a little bit but quickly regaining his balance. “I’m just teasing you,” he chuckled. “Have it your way, Stan. Lobster on me.”