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Cutting my hair late at night was a totally responsible adult decision which yielded beautiful results which frankly could pass for professional work. Obviously. And I’m absolutely not hiding in the bathroom while my boyfriend sits outside trying to convince me to let him in.
“Baby… Stop hiding, I can hear you pacing, you know?” Lin calls, and if I was actually listening I’d probably pick up on the fact he’s trying not to laugh after about fifteen minutes of talking to me through the door, having come home to what felt like an empty apartment. I look at myself in the mirror and grimace, trying to fluff it up. Yeah, maybe that's the key, that's the fixer, for sur- no. Definitely not. I groan, sitting down on the edge of the bath in defeat.
“I’m not hiding… I’m just trying to build suspense.” I offer, albeit unconvincingly. I hear him guffaw through the wood and scowl.
“I’m full of suspense, darling. Really, I don’t think I can take it anymore.” He replies, and I hear him stand up, gently rapping his knuckles on the door again, some silly little rhythm. “Let me in. It can’t be as bad as you’re making it out to be…” I chew on my bottom lip, looking at my reflection once more. I run my hands through my hair, silently willing for it all to grow back. Then I speak. An ultimatum.
“If I let you in – and only if – you have to promise not to laugh. I’m being serious. No laughing, or dumb comments, or anything.” I declare, voice as firm as it can be.
“Would I ever laugh at you? The love of my life, song of my heart, the reason I can keep on going in this fucked up world?” Lin laments, clearly not taking this as seriously as I am judging the sarcasm in his voice.
“You laugh at me like, all the time.” I point out, deeply unimpressed.
“Well, yes, but not tonight. Scouts honour.” He answers, a little more sincerity in his tone now. I mull it over in my head, and come to the conclusion that I probably can’t live in the ensuite bathroom forever (until my hair grows back), and that the only thing I’d have to eat is toothpaste, which seems a pretty grim existence. So, I stand up, stepping to the door.
“Fine.” I grumble, unlocking the door with a click and pulling it to, coming face to face with my perfect boyfriend and his perfect hair, which falls loose to his shoulders, mocking me, reminding me what I once had. As soon as we make eye contact and he looks me over, I see him bite his lip in order to hold in a laugh and to stop a smile from spreading across his stupid face. I quickly go to shut the door again, but he pushes back against me, wedging himself between the door and frame.
“Hey, no… I won’t laugh..” He mumbles, voice quivering. Very convincing, Lin. Great job. I let go of the door, sighing.
“It’s terrible.” I exclaim defeatedly as he steps in fully, taking a good look at me.
“It’s not!” He insists, reaching out to touch my hair. “It’s new, definitely…” He hums thoughtfully. “But not terrible.”
“There’s no way I can go outside ever again.” I reply firmly, arms crossed over my chest. “It’s like… so short! And short works for some people, but I am definitely not some people, I feel bald!” I complain, going back to staring at myself in the mirror. He laughs softly, and I shoot a glare at him.
“Not laughing at you…” He mumbles defensively, though still smiling. “Laughing with you.” He adds, looking at me in some depth. “I really don’t think it’s as bad as you think. Maybe a bit choppy, but it suits you. You’re still incredibly beautiful, and you know your hair grows fast.” He says softly, really trying to make me feel better now. I look at him tiredly.
“I don’t know why I didn’t just book a haircut like a normal person.” I grumble, and he hums sympathetically, running a hand through his own hair absentmindedly.
“It’ll grow on you. In more ways than one.” He offers, clearly proud of himself for the little joke. I roll my eyes, and he pulls me a little closer, pressing a kiss to the tip of my nose. “If you really hate it, I have hats you can borrow.” He murmurs sweetly.
“...I guess.” I sigh, leaning into his arms as he pulls me into a tight hug.
“Mmhm. I guarantee it’ll feel better in the morning..” He whispers into the top of my head as I bury my face into his neck. “But right now, it’s way too late to be listening to any of our thoughts, so let’s get to bed, yeah?” He murmurs, voice soft and low. My hands move up his back to toy with the ends of his dark hair, grown long for Hamilton.
“Yeah… Bed would be nice.” I nod, and so he leads me slowly from the bathroom back into our bedroom, sitting me down on the mattress.
About half an hour later, all the lights are out, and Lin’s almost asleep, his breaths behind me slow and deep. I, however, am not nearly as asleep as him. Instead my mind’s running rings around me, and I suddenly don't want to be alone, even if I’m not actually because Lin’s right next to me.
“Lin?” I murmur, my voice seeming so loud in the silence of the apartment. I hear him groan behind me, arms tightening around my middle.
“What…” He grumbles, clearly a little unhappy with being ripped from sleep having been so close to slumber.
“...Are you sure my hair looks okay?”
Another groan from behind me.
“You’re still on that?” He breathes out sleepily.
“Kinda. Sorry.” I mumble in response, and I hear him sigh.
“Turn around, look a’me…” He instructs, words slurred with sleep. I roll over onto my side, looking at the shadow of his body in the dark. I can just about make out his exhausted face, hair all over the place.
“I honestly couldn’t care less about your hair.” He admits bluntly. Rude. I’m just about to open my mouth to say something in defence when he speaks again. “I still think you’re very beautiful, and a slightly choppy haircut won’t change that. You could be bald and I’d love you. Through sickness and in health or whatever. Not that short hair is an illness, but still. You get my point. Stop freaking out about it. It’ll grow back, and you’ll be fine. Now please go to sleep..” He rambles, shockingly honest. I watch as he closes his eyes again, and instead of pulling me into his arms, he’s burying his face in my chest. I laugh quietly to myself and stroke his hair.
“...message received. Love you too. G’night..” I murmur softly, pressing a kiss to the crown of his head and closing my own eyes. I hear him hum in approval, and eventually drift off.
The first thing I do upon waking up is bravely enter the bathroom to look at myself in the mirror while I brush my teeth and upon further inspection, I guess he’s right. It’s not nearly as bad as it seemed last night. How incredibly annoying of him.