Work Text:
"Does this hurt? Please tell me if it pulls."
Ellie had you in front of her. Sitting criss-cross, you were careful to keep your back straight. Her slender fingers slightly tugged at the strands of your hair. She begged you to teach her how to French braid. She always was mesmerised by the way your deft fingers could move so quickly.
"Maybe a little gentler, but you're doing great!"
As soon as the words left your mouth, she slowed to a halt. She loosened the grip she had on your hair, almost letting it fall.
"Baby, why did you not say anything? I did not want to hurt you," she said, defeated, "that's the last thing I want to do."
Your heart gave a twinge at the way she practically whispered that last part.
"No, Ellie, I promise it wasn't that bad." You turned towards her awkwardly, sticking out your pinky before realizing both of her hands were in your hair, "Wait, oh shit, you get the point."
To you and Ellie, a pinky promise sealed with a kiss was as binding as an iron-clad contract. It wasn't something that the two of you discussed; it just happened. One day, it was a 'thing'.
"I do, baby, I'm sorry."
"Ellie, I promise you did not hurt my head."
At your word, she started again. Slowly. She was extra gentle this time. She moved her hands deliberately. Adding small stands as she went further down your head.
"Ugh, why do these strands keep sticking out?" She says, frustrated. You understand her pain. When you do your own hair, you have to go back and lay down the fly-aways with water.
"Ells, that just happens. To me, too."
She is able to reach the bottom of the braid. When you feel her approach the tail, you stick out a hairtie. It is one of the small, clear elastics that Ellie hates. (They are harder to remove in the dark, when she is preoccupied.)
She takes the elastic out of your hand and wraps it around the end of your hair. When she finished, she patted your back and leaned forward.
"I think I did great," she wispers, "really fucking great for it being my first real try."
You turned to her and laid a snicky kiss upon her lips. She smiled into it.
"Thank you," you said, looking into her green eyes.
The braid wasn't very good, but you loved it anyway. The tension was uneven, and a few strands were dropped. You would not have it any other way. She loved you, and you loved her; that is all that mattered.