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Flux dropped down from the roof of Saps’ finished vacation home. He double checked the dripstone trap a few times to make sure it was foolproof. Why’d Saps even trust him with helping him build, when all that’s to his name is being the ex vice for Luminara and causing a scene about other island leaders wanting to send aid to the first island? Saps didn’t even agree with his proposition- but whatever, he doesn’t need to know if Saps agrees with his plan or not, cause his opinions not gonna matter when he’s dead.
“Yooo that looks sick! You did a great job man.” He wraps an arm around him, pulling him close.
Flux wiggles out of Saps’ touch. ”Thanks, uhm, question.” Saps sat down on the grass and tilted his head in curiosity.
“Yeah?”
”Why are you still hanging out with me? I mean, I made a scene in front of all the leaders, and got demoted from my position- you didn’t even agree on what I proposed!” The sound of waves crashing onto the shore seemed to amplify at that moment. He kicked a rock out of the way. The ocean pulled back from the sand.
”Well-“ he paused. Picking at the grass. “..You can be a little unpredictable, but you’re still my best friend, and I know you genuinely want the best for us.” Saps smiled.
“Oh, okay.” Flux says, scouting for any debris in his hair.
Saps stares at his hair. What starts as a simple stare turns into a look of.. Admiration? He seemed fascinated, but why? There was nothing special about his straight hair, it was just long because he never had time to cut it.
“Your hair’s pretty.” Saps said, stopping him in his thoughts.
If someone said his heart stopped then and there, he wouldn’t entirely think that was a lie.
“What?” he decided to reply with.
“It’s pretty,” Saps shrugged, like it was the most obvious thing ever.
”It really isn’t that special, it’s just long right now because I don’t have any time to cut it.”
“You should keep it long,” “It looks good on you.” Warmth spread through his face. Why is his face burning? Last time he checked, Island 1 was the one with the volcano.
“Maybe I will.”
“Can I braid your hair?”
”..Sure?..” Saparata patted down a spot next to him, which Flux hesitantly sat in.
He switched over behind Flux, taking his hair and gently splitting it into 3 sections. It was comforting, to say the least. He treated his hair like it was a delicate artifact. He never really knew how to braid hair, or- he never liked wearing any type of hair-dos in general. ‘It’s unnecessary,” he always thought, but he thinks he could get used to it, as long as Saps does it.
Saps slowly criss-crosses the parts of hair, over and over, forming a cohesive pattern.
“Tell me if it’s too tight.” Saps said softly.
”..Nah, it’s fine. How’d you learn to braid hair?”
”Uhh,” he stops braiding for a moment, and moves Flux’s front hair out of his face.
“When I was younger I used to keep my hair more longer, so I asked my parents to teach me how to braid it. Always stuck to me, I guess. Your hair’s long and thick.”
”Is thick hair a bad thing?” He asked. ”Definitely not.” The response was instant. “I always had thinner hair.”
He looked at the sky in front of him as Saps worked with his hair, noticing a group of birds staring at him and Saps. One of them chirped once they realized he was aware of their presence. Flux shooed them away with a hand motion.
“And done,” He said, tying the braid up with white lace, shaping the lace into a bow. Saps shuffled back next to Flux before giving him a peck on his cheek and wrapping an arm around him, turning away to watch the sunset.
“It’s pretty isn’t it?” Saps asked, relaxed and casually.
”..Uh.. Yeah.” Saps turned to look at Flux. He thought before saying something.
”Love you, man.”
“…Love you.. Too?..” Flux replied. Saps didn’t respond to it, and continued watching the sun go up with his best friend.
Maybe he wouldn’t go through with the plan after all.