Work Text:
"Hey! Your package..." You closed the door with your arm, glancing at the receipt. "Can I open it?"
You called toward the kitchen. iTrapped was fiddling with the coffee machine. He only turned his head to glance at you before giving a small sound of permission. You placed the box on the table and ran a metal key along the tape. As the cardboard opened, several bottles of shampoo came into view.
"Uh... shampoo." You set it on the table and reached back inside. "Conditioner..." You placed it next to the shampoo and reached in again, this time finding a small bottle. "Hair oil...? Wow."
You lined up the three items on the table. "You really bought a lot of this stuff."
iTrapped had already walked over with two cups, having prepared the drinks you wanted. He handed one to you casually. In the morning, he doesn't immediately tie his hair back. The morning light, like molten gold, mingled with the slightly tousled strands, and a few stray hairs stuck out at the back of his head—the result of you rubbing a plush toy against him earlier. The culprit was now lounging on the sofa.
"It's for later," he said, glancing at the items on the table. "You know how slow shipping is, right?"
You took the mug from him, swallowing the liquid and its aroma together. Your free hand casually reached for the long hair draped over his back. As your fingers sank into the golden strands, you couldn't help but marvel at the softness. They flowed like a stream slipping through your fingers. Those hair care products weren't without reason. With a gentle stroke, the tangled locks obediently separated. You lifted the strands to your nose and sniffed lightly. Whether because the scent had faded or not, the smell of him was growing gentler.
"How many steps do you usually take to manage your hair?"
"About the same as anyone else."
"You spend ages in the bathroom, though," you said, dragging out the words in a half-complaint.
He let out a soft hum, the corner of his mouth curving slightly. "I thought you'd be used to it by now."
"Oh, I will be." You set your coffee cup down and tugged at his sleeve. "Come here. Come on." You led him to the sofa, tossing the plush toy aside, and patted the spot beside you.
"It's so hot out. Let me tie your hair up for you?"
iTrapped didn't say anything, just sat down beside you, which counted as silent agreement. His hair, when loose, reached just below his shoulders, the golden ends curling inward slightly. Your fingers traced his shoulder, following the curve of his body as you gathered the strands, sliding them up, bringing the hair from both sides together. His hair was thicker than you'd imagined; a full handful filled your palm.
As you smoothed down the stray strands, a playful idea popped into your head. "Let me braid your hair... It'd be a shame not to." It sounded like a question, but you were already starting to separate the hair into three sections.
"You were going to do this in the first place, right? He tilted his head, peering at you through the strands falling over his face.
You reached out, tucking the stray hairs at his temples back as well, and said honestly, "I don't know, but now it's like that" Your fingers moved deftly, weaving the three sections together.
When you tugged slightly, his head followed, moving back toward you. He let out a resigned sigh. "I think I've lost my right to say no." His voice was light, as if there was still a hint of refusal in him, but in the end, he just sipped his coffee and scrolled through his phone. He was looking at some Roblox management news; he often read those.
Left over middle, right over left, smoothing the strands as you pulled them tight.
"Are we going out for breakfast? I think I bought stuff for sandwiches."
"Yeah..." His attention was focused on the screen, his reply slow. "Though I said yesterday I wanted to try cooking today. Besides, this is more like lunchtime now, right?"
"So you're self-aware." Your fingers slid down to where the strands crossed. "Honestly, how long were you sitting in front of the computer yesterday?"
"Uh... two in the morning...?" He paused. "I think three, maybe..." His words were cut off as you suddenly tightened the section of hair in your hand.
"Ow—hey, you're pulling," he said with a sharp intake of breath.
"Looks like those things really suck you in. Maybe I should buy more instant food." When you reached the end of the braid, you held the tip and held out your other hand, wiggling your fingers. "Got a hair tie?" you asked.
"I think there are new ones in the drawer." He pointed toward the coffee table with his phone. "But I don't eat that much, do I?"
"That's what you think."
You leaned over, the low ponytail at your own back swaying with the movement, but your fingers only just reached the drawer pull. Catching a glimpse of your own hair, you decided to take off your own hair tie instead, wrapping it around the end of his braid, looping
ling it tight. Then you flipped the braid forward so it lay across his chest. Leaning down, you bent at the waist and brought your face close to his, blocking his view of the phone, and fixed his bangs.
iTrapped actually let you arrange him without protest. You looked into his eyes and said,
"When I come back tonight, I want you to keep this there, okay?" Your voice was laced with laughter. You cupped his face and turned it from side to side. "Let me see... Wow, prince..?, you look beautiful." You gazed at him with an unabashedly direct look.
iTrapped seemed a little flustered by the compliment, averting his gaze from your face. Usually, when you'd praise him for programming at his computer, he'd look all smug. Was it because he wasn't used to being complimented on his looks?
He took the mirror from your hand. A full, single braid lay against his shoulder—an unusual style for him. But he had an expression that said he'd known it would turn out this way all along, showing no surprise at all. "Oh, come on, don't call me that," he muttered, a touch of embarrassment in his voice.
"Aw, don't be like that!" You tugged playfully at his braid, but the moment your fingers touched the end, he caught your hand.
He reclaimed the braid from your grasp. "Stop pulling, you'll undo it."
"I thought you didn't like it?"
He shot you a quick glance, his expression turning deliberately indifferent. "Wasn't it you who said I should keep this style?" He gave a soft, scoffing laugh. "I might just change my mind, then."
"No need." You leaned in, your fingers finding the hair tie and giving it a gentle pull. It slipped off the end. Then you ran your fingers through the strands, loosening them. The braid began to unravel from the bottom, golden locks spilling out one by one, flowing back onto his back. You helped him run his fingers through it, smoothing out any trace of the plait, wearing the satisfied smile of someone who'd gotten their way—which iTrapped definitely noticed.
He looked back at you, raising a hand to touch the back of his head, but you stopped him, saying he'd just mess it up again.
It's better to stay at home and let me see it alone, if you go out... I don't think you will get used to it?
---
"Hey, iTrapped..." Chance, behind their sunglasses, squinted, their gaze fixed on the side of iTrapped's head. "Ooh," they said meaningfully. "You look different today."
"As always, Chance," iTrapped said flatly, grabbing a bottle of Bloxy Cola for himself. As he bent down to retrieve it from the machine, the difference became even more noticeable.
"You don't usually braid your hair... Ah, I know, your partner did it for you, right?"
iTrapped paused. At that, he raised a hand and felt around in his hair for a moment. His fingers found something stiff near his ear and pulled it out. It was a very thin braid, a small section of hair, hidden among the longer locks. He squinted, staring at the tiny braid for a moment, then impassively tucked it back into his hair, concealing it again.
"...Don't make such a big deal out of it. You'll have someone do your hair for you someday too." The corner of his mouth curved up slightly, a note of smugness creeping into his voice.
Is this showing off?