Work Text:
Donut was feeling a little nervous planning the Cloudyay's weekly bonding session. Clunky hands coming up to straighten the bottles and pouches on the table. He had this idea on a whim this morning.
Earlier he was walking down to the kitchen when he heard Golf Ball and Pencil by the stairs. Golf Ball’s and his room were on the same floor and they had walked down for breakfast multiple times together since becoming teammates, he finds it gives them time to talk about Golf Ball’s need to be in charge and how she can better listen to her teammates. He was going to call out to them when the sight of Golf Ball reaching her hand to grab a lock of Pencil’s hair had him stopping.
“Your hair is so much longer now, you know given your time away I actually expected it to be a lot longer. While everyone’s hair growth is different, usually people find it averaging around about half an inch a month.” Golf Ball states running her fingers down tracing the lock all the way to the bottom, bringing the edge of the strands up carefully as she examines it.
“Yea, I found some safety scissors in Four’s teaching desk around year three of eternity. I managed to hack off about a foot or so before Four took them back… You know when Match showed up she actually helped me search for more. I mean we focused our time on escaping mostly but uh when we were forced to do worksheets and whatnot we tried to find alternatives for a lot of stuff we used to do.” Pencil’s voice is quieter than Golf Ball’s and Donut struggles to make it out from where he’s standing.
“Hmm, I think it’s pretty either way, long or short” The other girl says, releasing the strands of hair and reaching up with both hands to properly gather Pencil’s hair into two fist fulls and uses it to gently pull Pencil down to her height. “But I also notice how you stare at your roots, do you want to bleach them?”, her words are followed by a quick peck to Pencil’s lips. Pencil quickly moves into action raising her hands to Golf Ball’s hips squeezing them and tugging Golf Ball back into a longer kiss. Donut really feels like he should have made himself known before, and now he thinks he should turn around and pretend he didn’t see anything.
The couple slowly breaks apart but doesn’t separate to far from each other, Pencil’s hands still linger on Golf Ball waist and Golf Ball releases Pencil’s hair entirely to rest her hands on the top of Pencil’s chest, fingers curling slightly by her neck and palms resting securely on her collar bones.
“Maybe, I mean I’d like too but I’m not even sure where I’d get the stuff and well..,” Pencil starts to admit. Her hand tense a bit as she speaks and Donut can tell from his position down the hall that he really really should turn around, but instead the shock of seeing such an intimate moment out of Pencil of all people has him locked in place.
“We can figure it out, if you want it done we can make it happen”, Golf Ball says confidently running her hands up to Pencil’s shoulder and then down her arms to the hands that lay across her waist. With much effort she pries the hands off of her midsection and Pencil frowns at the lost contact. Golf Ball interlocks their hands and urges Pencil towards the stairs, “Come on, we should brave the kitchen, you need food, and I think we have juice in the fridge.”
Pencil makes her way in front of Golf Ball exiting down the stairs first and tugging the other along by their joined hands. Golf Ball makes a noise at Pencil’s unusual eagerness but trails behind her. As Golf Ball starts to step down the stairs she notices Donut’s figure, she gives him a nod in acknowledgment as she goes.
Donut definitely escaped that exchange without either of them realizing he had heard or seen their exchange. The realization alone makes him breathe out loudly. But maybe he could help Pencil out with her issue, if Pencil wanted her hair fixed but wasn’t able to do it herself well there’s no reason her teammates couldn’t be there to help her in her time of need.
Donut knows this plan is risky though. There is a chance that Pencil hates this idea, that she’ll think he is in some way making fun of her, but as leader of team Cloudyay he wants to be able to be there and support all his teammates, so he’s doing this.
A huge package arrived by the afternoon and he spent most of his day moving furniture around in his room. Pushing his bed against the wall and setting up a table with folding metal chairs in the middle of the room. He laid out multiple bottles and pouches, he got a little bit of everything he could think of. Gloves, mixing bowls, even protective capes. He made sure to specifically get bleach and a blonde color that sorta looked similar to the color of Pencil’s. He also wanted to get colors for everyone else, this was for her but he didn’t want it to be obvious and he’s thought about dyeing his hair before and doesn’t mind doing it in support today…he can only hope the other members of his team have an interest in this as well.
So here he is fidgeting with the pouches after messaging the others that the weekly bonding session will be in his room tonight, and to bring nothing but themselves. He hopes this doesn’t end badly.
It’s a few hours after dinner when Pencil finds herself walking to Donut’s room. She isn’t a huge fan of her teammates but she trudges towards them anyway. Golf Ball told her she’d be running late and Pencil would’ve preferred to arrive with her girlfriend than alone, she isn’t used to talking to these people and while she’s fairly confident in herself being such a late joiner, among other things, has her hesitating in getting to know them.
When she arrives at Donut’s door she is still debating turning around and just going back to her room until Golf Ball drags her down. The idea of getting Golf Ball to come get her is appealing but before she can make good on that idea the door swings open. Donut’s there, blonde hair bobbing with energy as he ushers her in.
“Pencil! Welcome, I know you haven’t attended many bonding sessions yet but I hope you are starting to feel at ease in our group!” His voice squeaks out much too quickly and the words string together in such a fast movement that it takes Pencil a moment to process it all. She can tell he’s nervous and overcompensating with niceties, Pencil wants to question what that’s about when she finally looks at Donut’s room. Behind Donut is a folding white table, one you’d find at parties, and it’s draped in cling wrap. Along the table's surfaces are a dozen different boxes and pouches and Pencil understands his worry now.
“I thought maybe it would be a good idea for us to work with trust this week! And I’ve been wanting to dye my hair and I just thought maybe everyone would like to try it too…” he laughs off rubbing his hands together.
Now Pencil isn’t stupid, she’s really not, as she takes in the rest of the room, eyes focusing on Pillow as she dances around the table, her white hair bouncing behind her. Watches as she takes scissors and violently cuts into a pouch of pink dye completely ignoring the twist off cap. Winner coming up beside her to take the scissors and placing a mixing bowl in front of her.
Donut is still rambling on in front of her and she’s doing everything in her power to ignore him, like she said she’s not stupid, she knows this is for her. There are many different colors of vibrant shades and yet at the end of the table closest to her is a box of blonde dye that is eerily close to the shade of her dyed ends.
She’s angry at this whole thing, how dare Donut just assume he knows what she wants. She wants to scream, make a big deal about all of this and then leave, lay in her room until she doesn’t feel like crying anymore. She feels the others know it too, Winner and Pillow haven’t started yet Pillow is seated in a chair and Winner is parting her hair, but both of them are looking at her. It seems Donut has stopped talking and they are all waiting on the words that won’t leave Pencil’s mouth.
The box on the table looks so tempting, Pencil hates looking in the mirror, she hates that her roots have grown out so much she can see them without the mirror, she just hates it all and her solution is across the room masked in a ‘fun time’ and trust. She’s just unsure if she can exchange one for the other.
A touch across her back has her flinching so hard it makes her think everyone is really looking at her now. The hand doesn’t move though if anything the pressure increases and a voice appears to her side.
“Sorry I’m late. I was finishing up a project with TB. What are we doing tonight?” Golf Ball’s voice cuts into the silence left behind in Donut’s rambling of excuses.
“Oh hey Golf Ball, Donut thought it would be fun for us to dye each other's hair, I was just getting set up with Pillow she wants pink on her ends, how fun!” Winner says from across the room. They are donning gloves and adjusting the cape around Pillow’s neck but still not starting, they can sense the tension and while they don’t fully understand what is going on, they assume it has something to do with their new teammate.
Golf Ball leans forward and squints at the table, a small sign that whatever project she was working on earlier required close attention to detail, leaving her eyes a bit sore. “Ah well that does sound fun… I guess. Are we still waiting on Yellow Face or?” Golf Ball knows that if she reacts to the fact that this is obviously for Pencil, not only will Pencil leave but she’ll also have to explain why. Golf Ball, if she’s honest, doesn’t mind these little hang outs with her team. Before she was so focused on winning and being in control of her team, and in a way she still is but she is much more involved with her teammates now, all thanks to Donut, so if he wants to try and sneakily help Pencil she’s going to play along.
“Ah right! Yellow Face is actually away at the moment, he mentioned something with Price Tag and expanding business into new markets? Or something like that…”Donut trails off with a nervous laugh. He quickly turns around and makes his way to the table, “So…what color does everyone think they want? I ordered a bit of everything I thought everyone would like.”
“Well, Pillow chose pink, I think it’s best if I apply it for her given the way she was wrestling with the pouch…” Winner interjects, tearing the focus away from the awkward tension that had settled between Donut and the couple.
“Yea I think that’s for the best” Golf Ball mutters, removing her palm from Pencil’s back and finally approaching the table, leaving Pencil by the door. Pencil watches as Golf Ball picks up a few colors looking at the labels before placing them back down, Donut next to her talking quietly. She’s there looking in on her team bonding, doing something so plain as playing with hair paints… and yet while she still feels the urge to turn and leave, she used to do just things like this all the time.
The only person in the Freesmart group with natural hair was Book, the rest of them took to dyeing and helping each other with their hair. Like clock work every 6 weeks Match would sit Pencil down and wrap her hair in paste and foils. Pencil wasn’t the best at helping back she’ll admit. Usually Ruby would take on the role of helping Match and Book while not needing help herself would love to do Ruby’s hair. Bubble’s and Ice Cube’s hair were almost the same shade so they tended to mix and dye each other’s as well. Usually Pencil would help rinse and blow dry, although even Match was better at styling…
“Pencil. Hey, are you listening to me” Golf Ball’s voice brings her out of her thoughts.
“Uh, what did you say?” Pencil didn’t even want to guess at what Golf Ball could have been rambling about.
“I grabbed some bleach, toner, and something called honey blonde shade. That’s all we need right?”
“...for my hair?” Pencil questions looking at the arm full of supplies in Golf Ball’s arms.
“Yea, we were talking about this earlier and it’s a great opportunity so why not.”
“Have you ever even dyed someone’s hair?” Pencil barks out with a bit of apprehension. Golf Ball’s eyebrows crease in annoyance at the assumption.
“No but let’s be real, it can’t be that hard. There are instructions on the back of the box…” Golf Ball speaks, pushing the supplies closer to her chest with one hand and reaching for the box of bleach with another going to reread the instructions. Her eyebrows crease in concentration as she reads, glancing up at Pencil every few seconds as if trying to read what could be going through her head.
“Unless… Would you rather do it yourself then? I can go help Donut if that’s the case” Pencil looks back over Golf Ball’s shoulder to see Donut, who’s holding brown and green dye fanatically looking between the two. With a quiet sigh she resigns to talk about it.
“I’ve never done my own hair before… or anyone else’s for that matter.”, she speaks out softly.
“I can not believe you were going to bash on me for doing your hair without prior knowledge when you’re in the same boat.” Golf Ball clicks her tongue against her teeth, tsking while reaching for Pencil.
A hand wraps sharply around her wrist pulling her towards the table. Golf Ball opens her arm holding all her supplies, it drops onto the table in a clutter, boxes falling sideways and one even off the table entirely.
“Oh hey, looks like you guys have a lot of work, I can help after I fix up Pillow’s hair” Winner comments at the sound of the objects clattering.
“Actually before that, I was wondering if you’ll maybe help me with this?” Donut interjects holding up the two dyes, Pencil guesses he never did decide on what look he was going for, although the green would look like barf against his skin, but if that’s his decision…
Golf Ball tugs at her wrist again using it to pull and push her into a metal chair. It’s stiff and uncomfortable and she can already tell her legs are going to stick to it.
“Do you want the cape or I can go get an old shirt for you to change into?” Golf Ball whispers by her ear, and she didn’t even notice her move. Golf Ball’s hands start gathering up Pencil’s hair pulling all into the back.
“Uh, cape is fine, I don’t want you to have to leave”, leave me alone with the rest of them, it goes unsaid.
“Right.” is her only reply, taking off Pencil’s hat and laying it on the table.
The next bit of time is spent in silence. Not necessarily awkward silence, a calm working one. Golf Ball starts mixing up bleach and Pillow’s trying her best not to move from where Winner is almost done painting her ends pink. Donut is sat across from them and next to Pencil just watching everyone and waiting his turn.
“Ok I’m going to start applying this now let me know if it burns or anything” her voice is soft as she speaks and Pencil knows she is trying not to break the balance of the room by being too loud.
Her hair sectioned and cape donned, she starts feeling excited. It’s been so long and her roots are more than just a small section of her hair, more than she would ever have liked. She can feel the brush touch her head and she swears she can feel the cold paste as it adheres to her hair. Golf Ball works in silence and Pencil watches the other three near her.
“Alright Pillow it says we just let this sit for about twenty to thirty minutes and then you can wash it out. Donut, are we using your shower or?” Winner asks, turning his attention to him.
“Oh, I guess so I didn’t think that through, but um, I also didn’t think about towels or you all needing to get clothes and everything.” Donut admits, he just came up with a plan to help Pencil, he never thought about the aftermath.
“If you have the same set up as every other room in this hotel ur detachable shower head should be able to reach the sink…” Pencil surprises even herself as she suggests.
“Oh, yes I do let me go make sure and grab a chair for that. I also go and get some towels from somewhere. I’ll be right back!” Donut then scampers off with a fast pace not doing anything to hide the fact of how he didn’t plan out the whole night.
“While he's away I’ll go ahead and help with Pencil’s hair, if that’s okay? I can do the other side while you finish up that side Golf Ball.” Winner states making their way over before even getting confirmation.
“Yea go ahead I didn’t realize how much hair she has and how much holding it could make your arms hurt” Golf Ball complains a bit and then there are two people working quickly throughout the rest of her hair. So quickly in fact that by the time Donut arrives back with towels 15 minutes later they are lathering the last section of bleach on.
“Hey guys I think Pencil’s idea will work fine and I managed to get some towels from Two in exchange for some dye, I guess I ran off so fast I didn’t realize I had some in my hand.” Donut laughs off setting the towels down and heading over to Pillow.
“Your hair looks like it’s ready to be rinsed. Come on, I'll help you!”, and with that Pillow skips away into the bathroom Donut following behind, turning quickly to mention one more thing to the others.
“I’m leaving the door open, if I scream she’s actively killing me. Please help.”
Pencil stares back and Donut who’s waiting for some form of acknowledgement and nods her head. He turns back to the backroom and with that it’s just Winner, Golf Ball, and her at the table.
“Winner, are you thinking about dyeing your hair as well?” Golf Ball makes a bit of small talk as she cleans up the mess from mixing the bleach and setting a timer for Pencil’s hair.
“Oh no, believe it or not I’m one of the lucky few who’s natural hair is an unnatural color. I like the lavender look and don’t think I'll ever change my mind.” They state still playing around with Pencil’s hair and she wonders just what they could be doing.
“I understand that I too was born with, while not unnatural hair, it is very uncommon to have grey hair for all of your life.”
Winner hums as if thinking something before speaking, “You know Pencil, and please don’t take this the wrong way..”
Pencil doesn't really know where this is going and immediately bristles.
“Your hair is a bit rough around the ends, I can totally fix it for you after you wash your bleach out if you want. Believe or not I have tons of practice, I used to do um well, back in the day you see. Before Loser and I were bigger, I used to do both of our hair. That was back before we gained popularity, because we didn’t really have the money to pay someone else to do it. It was quite a bit of time ago but I still do my own hair so I’m fairly confident in my ability to do yours if you’d like” they trail off, and Pencil wonders if it's just her or does everyone tend to walk on eggshells around her.
“Sure, I think I’d like that very much”, and she means it. Albeit a weird way for the day to go, and the very obvious way her teammates have conspired to help her, now that she’s in the chair, it feels great.
There is a loud yelp from the ensuite and Winner perks up, “I should go check on that”, they quickly walk away leaving Golf Ball and Pencil to their own devices.
“Do you want me to lather the rest of this bleach on or just toss it?” Golf Ball jesters to the mixing bowl now that she’s done cleaning up for the most part.
“That can wait a moment. Come here?” She reaches out her hands for Golf Ball and like all planets must do she revolves around her sun and star.
“Yes?”, Golf Ball questions stepping up to Pencil and placing her hand into the other’s.
“They know I’m not stupid right? That I can see through all of this poorly constructed ruse?” she questions tightening her grip a bit.
“I don’t think they think that, I think they just want to help in a way that makes it where you don’t have to ask. Donut did similar things for me back when our team was first formed and I was struggling to adjust…Does it bother you?”
“No. And that’s the problem.”
“I’m not sure I understand.”
“Ugh, it’s just” ,she breathes out heavily, “I was upset when I came in here and saw everything set up you know? But then even as I was debating leaving the idea that one of my problems, my self issues could be fixed no questions asked. It’s too much like how it was then with them and I guess. I was, well, am nervous. I screwed up before and I guess I don’t want to lose everything again.”
“I think things are different now are they not? Just take it easy and try not to think so hard about what ifs. Just try being here, with us. With the teammates noticing you and what you need, the ones trying their best not to replace but to help heal the broken trust you’ve experienced. And whenever you feel like leaving or upset. You can tell them. I know it seems strange but they are a bunch that loves to know how you’re feeling even if it's…unpleasant. Take it from personal experience”
“When did you become so emotionally intelligent?” Pencil smirks tugging at the hand in hers drawing Golf Ball closer.
“Honestly, more recently than not. Some stuff happened on this team that helped me realize I was focusing on the wrong things that make a team a team.” Golf Ball admits following Pencil’s lead leaning in close and just as they are about to share a kiss footsteps hurriedly head their way.
Pencil and Golf Ball turn to the ensuite door to see Pillow skipping out of the room followed by Donut, who is drenched in more water than Pillow and Winner who seems to have escaped without a drop.
“Woah Donut miss her hair a bit?” Pencil can’t help but make the jab.
“She took the nozzle from me…” he trails off, dropping defeated into a chair, it squeaking under the soaking wet weight.
A timer rings through the new found tiredness of the room, and Golf Ball tugs on the hand still encased in hers.
“Well, I guess it’s our turn in the bathroom, see you all shortly.” She mutters, grabbing the bleach that needs to be disposed of along the way.
The bathroom looks as if a child or a Pillow equivalent went buckwild. Water is all over the place and the sink and surrounding areas are covered in light pink splotches.
“Here let me rinse the rest of the bleach down the sink and then I’ll rinse your hair.” Golf Ball tries to scoop out the mixture only for Pencil to stop her.
“Wait, I know you said you’d never dye your hair but what if, well… What about one lock? A money piece of sorts” Pencil asks as a hopeful expression casts over her.
“You do know the longer bleach sets the less effective it’ll be right? Like there is a good chance this bleach isn’t viable anymore?”
“We won’t know if we don’t try,” Pencil says, taking the bowl from her and pushing her into the chair.
“Just one piece promise.” Pencil says lowering herself on top of Golf Ball’s lap. Using one hand to hold the bowl she uses another to pull at a side piece of Golf Ball’s bangs. Then she slowly grabs the brush dipped in the mixture and leans in to paint at the part she separated.
“I fail to see how we needed to be in this position for you to do this, the door is still open you do realize this right? Golf Ball questions Pencil but makes no move to stop or dislodge her from her lap.
“I don’t care, let them see a show if they want.” Pencil says finishing up the same lock of hair.
“Ok. Now let me up now so I can rinse you out” she says completely ignoring Pencil’s attempts of flustering her.
Pencil looks a little displeased with her attempts thwarted but starts to get up anyway. Leaning over Golf Ball she places the bowl on the side of the sink and prepares to raise herself when arms wrap around her back pulling her closer into Golf Ball’s lap. Hands travel down her spine and over her ass before scooping under her thighs. In a moment of seconds Golf Ball has managed to stand up while still holding Pencil and turns around depositing her into the chair. She then closes the door to the bathroom and climbs into Pencil’s lap, completely switching their positions.
“...how were you able to do that?” Pencil breathes out, a flush painting her cheeks.
“With how many inventions and projects I’ve been working on in the last few years I don’t think it’s a huge surprise to have built some muscle.”
“Yea but you don’t look like it” Pencil says, reaching up a hand to rub and grope at Golf Ball’s arm.
“You know we really should be focusing on your hair, not your sudden appreciation of my body.”
“I think my appreciation of your body is anything but sudden GB”
“Uh huh tilt your head back into the sink for me” Golf Ball says pushing Pencil back and leaning into her space all in one. Plastering herself along Pencil’s front, their bodies not aligning perfectly due to Golf Ball lifting her thighs to raise her height to tower over Pencil just enough to see what she’s doing with her hair. Pencil finds the contact all the same wonderful.
Golf Ball turns the water on and Pencil closes her eyes and relaxes to the sound of it, lightly letting her hands fall to Golf Ball’s waist.
Golf Ball pays close attention to Pencil’s hair. They still have a couple more steps in completing her hair and she really doesn’t want to mess it up. She runs her hand through her hair rubbing out all the bleach she can see and massaging Pencil’s scalp knowing it might be irritated from the bleach, directing the spray as needed. It doesn’t take long and since they still need to tone and dye her hair she doesn't do anything but rinse out the mixture.
She shuts the water off and looks around. And of course she forgot to grab a towel. She whispers as such to Pencil who hums and releases her hips but not even bothering to open her eyes. Golf Ball smiles and presses a quick kiss to Pencil’s temple before climbing off of her and going to grab a towel from the table outside the bathroom. Before Pencil knows it her hair is being wrapped up and Golf Ball is leaning her up. She hears the water again briefly before it shuts off and curiosity gets the better of her as she opens her eyes again it’s to Golf Ball’s bangs dripping water and her side piece 3 shades lighter than the rest, it looks cute on her and brings a soft smile to Pencil’s face.
Going back into the main room they can see Pillow who has taken over Donut’s bed watching something on her phone, while Winner is applying a stripe of brown and green to Donut’s hair.
“Hey, just give me a moment to finish up here and I can work on your hair again.” They say softly. The night is definitely winding down, as everyone is starting to get tired.
Pencil makes her way to the chair she was using before and Golf Ball settles into a chair next to her. Pencil slowly unwraps her hair and uses her towel to reach across and scrunch up the water still dripping from Golf Ball’s hair.
“How does it look?" Golf Ball asks touching the strands of her hair.
“I think it looks nice, it’s more white than anything but we can add some of my blonde on it later” she whispers, dropping the towel onto the table.
The rest of the night goes by quietly and relaxingly. Winner starts clipping away on Pencil’s hair, using the scissors previously taken away from Pillow. Pillow makes her way back over to the table and sits on it in front of Golf Ball, handing her a brush and asking her to detangle her hair. The group works in the quiet of night and as Donut exits the bathroom after washing his own hair he stares out into his room, his teammates all getting along together and trusting each other with a part of their self expression. It makes him glad he took the chance and tried this.
Winner finishes up Pencil’s hair and it lays softly over her breast, no longer hanging by her sides in an uncomfortable show of the weight of time. Pillow is borderline asleep on the table and Golf Ball is just watching Winner finishing their cuts. Donut makes his way to the table and starts a real clean up.
“I think we should call it a night. I can finish cleaning up and you all can head out or whatever” he mentions off handedly. Pillow rushes out the room the second he says it.
Winner makes one final cut before placing the scissors on the table, taking a long stretch, then nodding as they too leave the room.
Practically alone Pencil looks up at Donut.
“I don’t know how you knew, but uh, thanks for today. I guess” she mutters quietly rubbing at her arms.
“It’s no problem here take these with you, sorry I don’t have the energy to keep up with you all” he replies picking up the rest of the chosen supply Golf Ball had left around the table and Pencil’s discarded hat and handing them to the couple.
Just like at the beginning of the night Golf Ball’s hand presses into Pencil’s back ushering the both of them up and towards the door.
“Goodnigh Donut,we look forward to whatever we are doing next week” Golf Ball says in lue of a goodbye, and closes the door behind them.
Looking again around the room Donut sighs and regrets not asking for help cleaning up just a bit.
~~~~~~
Later, much later, as the hours reach way past midnight, Golf Ball and Pencil find themself in another bathroom.
There is a low hum of a hair dryer as Golf Ball brushes out Pencil’s hair. The blonde strands shining under the lights of the bathroom, looking silky and natural, not like they have been put under chemicals all night.
“See told you it couldn’t be that hard” Golf Ball teases turning off the dryer and setting it down on the sink. She then opts for wrapping her arms around the other. Pressing her head against Pencil’s arm to peer around her and into the mirror to admire Pencil admiring herself.
“Yea, it looks good. I look good..normal even.” she mentions reaching up to tug at a strand.
“Hm, you ready for bed?” Golf Ball whispers into the other’s arm, using her arms to tug Pencil more into her chest.
“Yea, let’s get some sleep, who knows when the next challenge will be” Pencil agrees, turning in Golf Ball’s arms to face her.
They share a short sweet kiss before heading to sleep.
Because who knows what the future holds but at least they had a team that was there for them and arms that could hold each other tightly.