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For the first time in several years, Draco decided to cut his hair. This time, he wanted to have it short, similar to his hairstyle throughout Hogwarts years. After growing it out just to resonate with his poor destiny, the blonde knew the time had come. His hair should set him free from any guilt and pain.
Lucius always had illustrious hair that gleamed under the moonlight. Ever gave shivers and terrors even when it's not needed. As a Malfoy, Draco was very much aware that his hair was more of a symbol of a curse rather than position and glory. Every treacherous action and intention had torn away any dignity and pride of the Malfoy household. When Azkaban became their new home, Draco always acknowledged that his hair, his striking pale blonde hair, was a frequent reminder of shame.
He already decided to live with a proper amount of guilt along with immense nightmares at night. His hair must be intact, shown to other people, so everybody knows that he was the fallen Malfoy heir with a corrupted father. In fact, this was the sole reason he refrained from cutting his hair for several good years.
However, he made sufficient amends. He rebuilt something he had broken, which is trust. Among them, he was blessed with a faithful and loving relationship that he thought he never deserved. Right now, he wanted, he yearned for a change. He ambitiously desired to make himself a man worth having this incredible life, after years of self-resentment. Draco had had enough with his constant guilt and was ready to embrace himself bravely.
His first step in removing the constant emotional baggage of the past was a nice haircut. It has been long overdue, as he never made any effort to cut his hair right after Azkaban. His moonlight locks were long enough to touch the tip of his elbow when untied. It was considered curtains at one point. Cutting it short would be a reasonable choice.
Therefore, Draco decided to visit his old barber. He did not bother to call for house service. It was entitled to his valuable and highly regarded clients, and Draco was no longer on the list. When he arrived, the barber's face was extremely shocked. He rubbed his eyes several times and even dared to touch and pat Draco's arm. The barber exclaimed in disbelief with wide eyes and a smile, "Master Draco! It is really you!"
"Long time no see," Draco greeted with a chuckle. "I desperately need a haircut. Can you help me with it? I don't mind waiting."
"Well, certainly. The usual haircut you always had when you were young, I suppose?" asked the barber, and Draco answered with a simple nod. Then, the barber escorted Draco to one of the barber chairs. He prepared his stuff quite swiftly, just like before. Simultaneously, Draco untied his hair and let the barber examine it. "I didn't know you were fond of long hair, Sir."
"I don't, actually."
The barber raised his brow curiously, but he didn't say anything afterward. It was a quiet hair-cutting session, which felt almost too relaxing at some point. He never had a proper haircut at the barber for the last 7 years. After a little over an hour, Draco’s hair already enjoyed a fresh cut. He felt a heavy weight was lifted from his shoulders and head, somewhat literally yet more figuratively. It was the same haircut he usually had during his Hogwarts years. Quite nostalgic in a great way, honestly.
Draco was genuinely satisfied with his new hair. He was immensely happy. He was smiling unknowingly right after he left the barber’s. Actually, he had his hair cut without announcing his intention to his husband and children. He felt it was unnecessary since it didn't have a significant impact on their daily life. However, someone at home was obviously pissed with his decision.
"How dare you!" Harry almost shouted as Draco walked through their front door.
All he could do was chuckle like crazy while trying to reach for his clearly upset husband. It was cute, actually. Harry was more obsessed with his long hair compared to he was. "It's just hair, Dearest. It will always grow back nicely in mere weeks," Draco said in between his chuckles.
"It is not ," the latter snapped, definitely pissed. Harry even refused to touch Draco's hair while it was bundled with a loving kiss in their signature welcome home greeting. Well, to be frank, the blonde had yet to receive warm, welcoming kisses, too. "Lily will be upset when she discovers this. She cannot satisfy her crazy hairstyle visions with your hair anymore. Even your hair is too short for a hair tie to work properly. No more aspiring hair stylist practice sessions. She will bawl her eyes out for sure.”
"She can always use her doll's hair," Draco shrugged.
"What about Scorp, then? Your hair definitely helps him to differentiate you and other blonde dads during school events," Harry still refused to satiate his anger. The fury lit his face with a subtle shade of flush. "Or James, who always thought your long hair was his main source of pride for having a poor father like you?"
"I know very well about it. And our gorgeous children are capable of adjusting very quickly," Draco said calmly. He tried to soothe Harry by gently rubbing circles on Harry's upper arms. "Besides, we can still fully function without my long hair. Scorpious knows I often wear sunglasses compared to other dads. James is seriously in love with my hair color because he is a brunette like you. So, it is obviously not about the length.”
"Then, what about me?"
"What about you, Love?"
"You know how much I enjoy tending your hair..." Harry murmured in solemn. "You always let me take care of your locks while I am devastatingly sucked at taking care of my hair. You never forget to praise me, even though it is not my best work. Tying your hair, drying it together without any spells."
"And, and brushing it too..." Harry added before Draco pulled him inside a warm, assuring hug. The blonde felt his husband instinctively snuggled right on top of his chest. Harry's wild locks were ticklish under his nose yet possessed such a lovely, familiar scent. "I am terribly sorry, Darling. I should've told you beforehand," said Draco slowly.
"It's alright."
"It is not when you are utterly devastated," said Draco while looking at his husband full of concern. It was rare for the brunette to be like this. In total, Draco would bet it is less than 5 times in a year. With a gentle movement, the taller one rocked their bodies side-by-side as if they were a baby inside a warm cradle. "It will grow back, right?" Harry asked, so soft it was almost like a pleading against Draco’s chest.
"It surely will."
“How long does it take for you to reach the previous length?”
“Probably another 4 to 5 years without trimming it occasionally.”
Then, curiously, Draco heard his husband humming joyfully against his chest. They had one last snuggle before Harry broke apart their hug. The brunette still hung his head low, yet he gained much composure compared to before. "Well, I can always use any potion or spell to make it long again in one night. Might as well do it tonight when you're asleep," said Harry gleefully with a mischievous childish smile. “You will wake up with another brand new haircut tomorrow!”
"Merlin, Potter! You said to me last night you hate my hair because it reminded you of my father!" Draco almost jolted. The tables have turned. His husband clearly knew how to pull some strings to get what he wanted. Sometimes, Draco wondered who taught his husband to do such things. He cannot help but freak out inside. He was very much aware of what his husband was capable of. And he refused to challenge it if it meant a day at the city hall arranging their divorce papers.
"It's Potter-Malfoy!" Harry practically barked at Draco. The brunette took their last name very seriously, which Draco already predicted before. "And yes, it does remind me of your outrageous father. I loathe him, and at the very same time, I absolutely love his son. But I don't mind if you are comfortable with it. It's your hair after all, not mine. We all know it has been mentally bothering you to have long hair. So, I don’t really mind, honestly. You are a free man, not a prisoner in Azkaban anymore."
"But, you are upset."
"Well, of course, Draco. You made a big decision before consulting with me and our kids first!" Harry said in a high tone. In a heartbeat, the brunette's striking green eyes soften. It was filled with slight sparkles and numerous charms. "Yet, this exact hairstyle made me helplessly in love with you. And I must say, you look ultimately dashing. You are no longer under the shadow of your father. You are Draco after all, our children’s beloved father and my dearest husband."
Draco cannot help but smile crazily wide. He quickly gave his husband a passionate kiss on the lips. It was slow, full of compassion and adoration. Draco showered his husband with insatiable kisses for a good minute before whispering, "Oh, Merlin... you are definitely the death of me, Potter."
"It’s Potter-Malfoy you dolt!” And Draco just laughed as Harry kissed him again and was actually bold enough to run his slender fingers through his freshly cut hair. Harry did have a moment of pure disappointment and sadness, but he overcame it rather quickly. “You are certainly crazily in love with me, right?” Harry asked in between their kiss.
“Of course, Love.”
“Would you care for a hair extension? Just to add a little length.”
“Do remind me to use multiple protection charms for my hair tonight.”