Work Text:
Haru was going to kill Hyun. Sure she knew it really wasn’t Hyun’s fault..but still. They definitely had something to do with this. One moment Haru is teasing Hyun for having to get braces again, another moment she’s sitting in the orthodontist’s chair, UV light solidifying her own personal pair of braces.
Karma’s a bitch…Why was she even getting braces anyways? She didn’t even need them! Her teeth were just fine. Right? Whatever..
She felt so awkward in this chair, leaned all the way back while someone put a wire through every single bracket. It was so long,–is it supposed to be that long?-- she was sure that it would poke at her gums, she knew that would hurt so bad. You could imagine the relief that washed over her when the doctor pulled out pliers in order to cut the wire.
Hyun was there with them, ‘Go with them’ Muti said, ‘They’ll need the company’, she said. Ugh! Haru didn’t need anyone. They didn’t even need braces. They were so frustrated they even refused to look at him, seated in the chair right in front of them with an anxious look on her face, leg bouncing.
“What color would you like?” The orthodontist pulled out a binder ring, many different colors dangling on it.
Haru silently huffed, turning her head away from the ortho.
“Just give me a color no one would notice..” she mumbled.
She knew that she had to face the doctor. She didn’t want to. Didn’t want these stupid things on her teeth, or the uncomfortable feeling of metal constantly rubbing against her cheeks. But then she thought about Hyun. Sure she was mad at them right now, but they had braces. They were still sunshine and rainbows, despite the days where he wants to cry because they hurt, or the canker sores that come from them catching the skin in his mouth, or even that tiny lisp that Haru thought was cute.
Maybe, if Hyun can have braces and still be herself, Haru can be himself too. Just maybe, having braces wasn’t that big of a deal anymore.
He turned back towards the doctor, letting her tighten the bands around each bracket. Putting a finger in his mouth, he ran it across the metal, brows furrowing at the weird feeling. A piece of wire at the end caught onto their finger, making them let out a tiny yip.
“Ow-!”
Hyun lifted her head at the tiny sound, her face covered in anxiety briefly displaying concern. She reached into her pocket, taking out a tiny blue travel container with an opaque substance in it. Getting up, she carefully maneuvered around the chair’s light, standing besides Haru.
“Hey..I know you don’t like me right now, but I still care. So..let me help? Please?”
Haru glanced away before looking back. This was dumb being mad at Hyun. It’s not even her fault! They softly nodded, just barely showing their teeth for her to see.
“Awww they look cutee! I-I mean, you need wax.” She opened the travel container, picking a tiny piece of wax before warming it up in between their fingers.
“Open please”
Haru let out a quiet ‘ahh’ while bearing his teeth, letting Hyun softly pull her upper lip to the side. They rolled the wax into a tiny ball before placing it on the little but of exposed wire, slightly pressing down to ensure it was secure.
She moved her cheek around to make sure it wouldn’t come off, satisfied when it stayed put. Sighing, she closed her mouth, clenching her teeth. Weird.. It doesn’t hurt. It just feels like a bunch of pressure on her teeth. She sat up, reaching towards Hyun and softly tugging on his sweater. I mean, it was cold as hell in the office.
“Is it going to hurt?” She had this pouty look on their face that made Hyun want to explode. God, how can someone be so cute!!
But, he had to be honest with her. He knows that feeling when you first get braces. It’s tight, doesn’t hurt. You think ‘Oh this is gonna be a cake walk’. And then you’re practically crying the next day because it hurts so bad. He knew, and he was ready to be there with her every step of the way.
“Honestly, yeah. It’s going to hurt. But, you’re going to be fine. You know why?”
“Why?”
“‘Cause, I’ll be right there with you.”
Haru smiled big, new braces on display and a slight blush across her face. They got up, giving Hyun a quick, tight hug before holding onto her arm. They were so ready to be out of this place. How long would they have these on for? What color did they even get??
As they both walked to the front desk, Haru couldn’t help but constantly touch the braces, the pressure throwing them off. They leaned against Hyun, still holding her arm and barely listening as she helped them schedule their next appointment. To be honest, they were tired. They don’t know what about it, but this whole thing made them tired.
She felt like she wasn’t in her body, just an outsider observing as the both of them walked to the car, watching herself put on her seatbelt, and staring outside the window. It was only until she realized Hyun was talking to her that she zoned back in.
“Haru?”
“Huh?”
They looked towards her, a look of slight concern on her face as she tilted her head ever so slightly. It made Haru snicker to herself. Whenever Hyun tilted her head it just reminded them of a puppy.
“I asked if you were okay?”
“Oh”
Haru really had to think about it. Well they guess they’re okay? Sure they were a bit pissy about the whole braces thing, and they knew they weren’t going to look forward for the next three months. But hey! At least it’s not as long as the writer. He has to have them for two years…
Just the thought of having braces for that long made them shudder.
“I think? This.. all just feels so weird. I don’t like it.”
Hyun started the car, immediately lowering the fan because that office was way too damn cold for her to be blasting ac right now.
“Would it make this pretty fox feel better if I got them ice cream~?”
He softly booped their nose before pulling out his phone, typing in the address to his favorite ice cream parlor. When he had gotten his braces again, he made frequent trips just because of the pain. He didn’t even eat sugar like that, but it felt like a reward.
Haru slouched down in their seat, ears going red in embarrassment. They looked down at their feet, picking at the skin around their nails.
“maybe..”
Hyun softly grabbed her hand before giving a gentle squeeze. Unfortunately they couldn’t keep it there for long, returning their hand back on the steering wheel.
“Then let’s get you that ice cream!”
—
Haru stared out the window for most of the ride, thinking about this new addition to her look. What would Evols think? Would they like it? Does she like it?
With that thought in mind..she forgot about something.
“Hey Noona?”
“Yeah?”
“What color are my bands?”
“The worst, Clear.”