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Cole heard a knock on his bedroom door.
“Come in.” He called out, not sure who it'd be. He was just finishing up folding his clothes. He was sat, kneeled on the wooden floor.
“Oh! Geo! How can I—” his voice trailed off when he realised Geo’s hair was out, with green, smooth strands of hair splayed across his shoulders. He looked ethereal, especially with the room being bathed in a dim, amber glow. This was the first time Cole had ever set eyes on Geo with his hair down, and hell did he wish he saw it more often. The way it appeared to be silky smooth and it caught the glints of light.
“You look…” Cole began until he shut himself up, realising he was about to spit some cheesy line.
“I look what, hm?” Geo teased, sitting down beside Cole, who was still staring at him with admirable awe.
Cole snapped his jaw shut.
“You look good with your hair down.” Cole confessed quicker than Geo was expecting – he was hoping to tease him a little longer.
“Good? That’s it?” Geo chuckled.
“Well, if you want to sit and listen for the next decade, you’re welcome to.” Cole retaliated.
“Only a decade?” Geo tried to say with a straight face, but the second Cole gave him a fed-up look, he burst into laughter.
After a few seconds, Cole joined in.
“Oh, quit it!” He joked after they died down.
“Fine, grump.” Geo continued his banter as he took one of Cole’s jackets, and folded it.
“So, what did’ja need?” Cole asked, folding the last piece: some black joggers.
“Can you re-tie my braid? You mentioned once that your… mum had taught you and I was wondering if you could do it for me.” He had hesitated before the word ‘mum’, unsure if it would be upsetting.
“Oh,” Cole paused momentarily, “oh, sure! I’d be happy too.”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to open any wounds.” Geo suddenly spoke quieter, shying from eye-contact.
“No, no. It’s completely okay!” Cole reassured, patting Geo’s hip for him to turn around. Geo obeyed.
“Have you got a hair tie and a hairbrush?” Cole enquired, to which Geo handed him both soon after.
“Let me know if it’s too tight, alright?” He finalised.
Geo just nodded, shifting slightly to get into a comfortable position. He felt like a child again, having his hair braided. Honestly, he was bustling with anticipation, but his nerves were also shooting through his spine.
“Hold still or else I’ll tear your hair out by accident.” Cole chortled.
Geo huffed, voice rather strained, “I’m trying.”
Cole smiled to himself, stroking his hands through the silky soft hair. Then, he replaced his hands with the hairbrush, gently untangling the strands before beginning the braid at the very front. He tugged the three strands, tightly binding it into a plait.
“Your hair is very smooth.” Cole stated, to which Geo shyly blushed.
“Thank you.” He replied.
Cole’s hands were extremely gentle, and Geo almost felt himself wanting to take a fat nap under his touch. It was extremely comforting and it filled his body with warmth. He couldn’t help but smile to himself, the flow of his hands combing through his hair as he tied it up. It wasn’t too tight, but it was not too loose, either. It felt identical to how he usually had it. Cole’s mother had taught him well, it seemed.
“Perfect, easy hair.” Cole mumbled, just like how he imagined his mother once did. It brought melancholic sweetness to his heart, like a distant pang. He remembered the days his mother would run her smooth hands through his hair, occasionally tying his fringe up like a porcupine as a teasing joke.
“Did you have a good day, sweetie?” She'd ask, massaging his scalp and untangling his hair.
“Yeah, mum.” Cole would reply, his young worries fading away under her soothing touch.
Geo blushed to himself at the compliment. He wanted to fidget so bad. Every time Cole gave him a compliment, he felt like bursting on the spot. Instead, he began to ramble about anything that came to his mind – the treasures he had found, what the kids had done and even the breakfast Cole had made in the morning. Geo couldn’t deny it, but he loved the little moments like this, so he was glad to have asked Cole to do his hair. In future, he will be asking again.
Geo felt Cole near the end of his braid and he was excited to see what the final result turned out. He assumed it’d look identical, just like how it felt, but he was no magician.
Cole hadn't realised he had finished tying Geo’s braid since he had zoned out. He had reached the end, and securely tied it in a black bobble.
“Okay, I'm done.” Cole announced, suddenly realising Geo had been talking.
Shit.
“Oh, sorry, what were you saying?” Cole encouraged Geo to speak again while the Geckle-Munce turned to face him.
Geo chuckled, “oh, nothing of importance. Just rambling about the treasures we found.”
“Sorry, I didn't mean to zone out.” Cole admitted, rather embarrassed.
“Are you okay?” Geo’s voice was soft, understanding. He had noticed Cole’s absence, but he didn’t want to pry on it, in case it was something sensitive. He wasn’t the best with confrontation. However, the desire to wipe that frown of Cole’s face pushed him to do so.
“Yeah, I just… got reminded of my mum, that's all.” Cole quickly explained, cheeks brightening.
Geo felt his heart skip. Shoot. That wasn't his fault, was it?
“Sorry, I didn't mean to mention her—”
“—No, it's not your fault.” Cole explained. Geo fell silent, listening attentively.
“Doing your hair just… reminded me of the days she'd do it to me.” He continued, rambling absentmindedly, almost as if recalling the story put him right back in the moment.
Geo smiled, the short story was heartwarming to him. It was sweet to hear Cole talk about someone treasured in such a soft, admirable way.
“It was a nice feeling. Kind of like nostalgia but a bit more… saddening.” He occasionally made eye-contact with Geo, smiling at his mindful, soft gaze.
Silence then descended upon the two.
“I see.” Geo spoke gently, “thank you.”
“It was my pleasure.” Cole replied, smiling bashfully.