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It was routine by now.
Lloyd was polishing a new wood carving he'd finished. The valleys and grooves of the wood needed extra care and concentration, so he didn't notice Zelos' warning yawns. It was only when Lloyd smiled and lifted the finished carving to inspect it, that Zelos finally sat in front of him.
He blinked, staring at Zelos' back, his hair flowing down in front of him. Lloyd smiled and placed the carving aside, replacing it with the brush and hair tie that Zelos was holding out for him over his shoulder.
They had been doing this for so long that Zelos didn't even need to ask anymore. He knew Lloyd would say yes. Every night, Lloyd was happy to sink his fingers into Zelos' hair and braid it before they went to bed. He took his gloves off and combed his fingers through the fiery red curls before brushing it slowly, the bristles passing from root to tip, catching every once in a while on a tangle before the passage eventually smoothed out so the brush was moving effortlessly through his silky, voluminous hair. Lloyd lifted his hair into his hands and began parting it into even thirds.
"You know," Zelos said in a quiet voice, one that traveled languidly to Lloyd's ears. "I don't know what I'm going to do once we stop traveling together. After all, who's going to do my hair once you're gone?"
"I won't be gone," Lloyd replied immediately, passing the locks over each other in practiced motions. "Even when our journey is done, I plan on staying by your side."
"Is that so?" Zelos hummed thoughtfully, though Lloyd could hear the small smile in his voice. "So, what? You'll live with me in Meltokio? Or will I be expected to move in with you and your Dad?"
"Why not both?" Lloyd said, his toes curling with desire. "We can spend some time in Meltokio, and when it gets cold, we'll go to my Dad's house." He paused and a smile covered his own lips. "Or we can find a place of our own somewhere and split our time there too. Who says we have to stay in one place?"
"So even when our journey is done, we'll still be traveling?" Zelos asked, turning his head slightly until a glint of his crystal blue eye shone over his shoulder. "You really have taken a shine to moving around."
"Maybe I have," Lloyd paused to catch his gaze, then grinned. "As long as you're by my side, though, I'm happy."
Zelos turned his head away again, though he saw the beginnings of a blush forming on his cheeks. Lloyd's grin didn't fade as he finished off the braid and tied it off. He then leaned forward, buried his face into his hair, and hugged Zelos from behind.
"You're the happiness in my life, Zelos. You know that, right?" Lloyd murmured softly and he felt Zelos' breath catch. Slowly, his fingers curled around Lloyd's wrist and he leaned back into the embrace.
"Is that so?" he muttered again, then shifted to lay his head back on Lloyd's shoulder. They looked into each other's eyes. The moon and stars sparkled against Zelos' clear irises. It was beautiful, a sight that made Lloyd want to treat Zelos gently. Slowly, he took a lock of red hair between his fingers, one that framed Zelos' face, too short to be taken in by the braid. He lifted it up and kissed it, a soft and sweet one that he poured all of his love into. When he pulled back and looked at Zelos' face again, it was nearly as red as the hair in his fingers and Lloyd couldn't help but lean down.
He shifted Zelos in his arms, curling an arm around his back so he could support him as he dipped to kiss him properly. Zelos' arm wrapped around, curling into the hair at the back of his head as the breath from his nose caressed his cheek as he sighed in delight.
"You know," Zelos whispered as their lips separated by an inch. "I bet you'd look really cool if you grew your hair out a little and put it in a ponytail. Very rugged."
"You think?" Lloyd felt his stomach flip at the thought of Zelos' fingers running through his hair as obsessively as he did with Zelos'. "You'd like it?"
"I would," Zelos said with a little smirk. "Then again, I also like it like this. You're handsome just the way you are."
Lloyd smiled a little, but an exasperation touched at the edges. "Make up your mind."
"Hey, now, how can you expect me to choose between two cool looks for my hunny?" Zelos let out a put upon sigh. "Hair is very versatile, you know. I imagine I'd still look amazing even if my hair was short. I'm just that beautiful."
"I mean yeah," Lloyd admitted, though his lips turned down into a frown. "But don't ever cut your hair."
"Oh?" Zelos' smirk returned. "Are you attached to it?"
Attached to it. Yes, he supposed he was. Lloyd couldn't think of Zelos without his long curling hair. The way it flowed down his back, the way it spread over the pillow, the way it fit between his fingers…
"Just don't cut it," Lloyd said, resolute.
Zelos let out a snicker. "Fine. If it's for you, I'll grow my hair as long as you want me to." His fingers caressed Lloyd's cheek. "But in return, you have to try and grow out your hair for me. I'll even take personal care in styling it for you until we find the perfect look for you," he purred as he leaned in.
Lloyd's cheeks flushed, but he leaned in as well, pressing their foreheads together. "Then, my hair is in your hands," he said seriously. "Make me look totally cool, okay?"
"Oh, I will. All the best for my gorgeous hunny." Zelos then let his fingers travel down, curling underneath his jaw and drawing Lloyd in for another kiss. Lloyd followed him effortlessly as his fingers rubbed the hair caught between them, their silky smoothness scratching an itch deep in his chest until his heart trembled with utmost desire.
They spent the night together, as they usually did, cuddling for warmth in the same tent with Lloyd's nose buried in Zelos' hair and their fingers twined together all night long.