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They rest their foreheads together and take a moment to justbe.
“Let's do this,” Rian murmurs after a minute.
Ty gives his arms a gentle squeeze and releases Rian, so he can turn and sit facing the mirror. Ty turns on the clippers and tilts Rian's head gently to the side and begins shaving his hair off slowly, the soft golden locks draping his shoulders, and piling on the floor. Rian shudders and his shoulders slump a bit, but he holds it together and doesn’t cry again.
Ty does his best, going for an undercut and using the number one guard on the sides, giving him a slight fade. He leaves longer sections of hair on the top of Rian’s head. He does so with pretty decent skill. Although Rian is upset about having to cut his hair, he has to admit, Ty is doing a fantastic job.
Once he is done, he clears the bigger chunks of hair from his shoulders and his face. He brushes back Ri’s hair, slicks it with water, and runs his fingers through the thick strands, tucking them to the side. Normally his soft locks give him this gentle dreamy look, but the way Ty has styled his hair completely transforms his face, putting emphasis on Ri’s high cheekbones and his defined jawline.
Rian wouldn’t go as far as to say that he looks completely unrecognizable, but for someone to pin him down as Rian Kelly from the images rotated on the news, they would have to give him a long, thorough look.
Ty mistakes his quiet fascination for disappointment and hurries to reassure him.
“Don’t worry Ri, I’ll wash your hair. It will look so much better after. I promise. We can play with it a bit more, maybe get some other hair products. I don’t know…that waxy stuff...” He is babbling nervously, still running his fingers through Rian’s hair. It’s so sweet, so freaking endearing how much he cares.
Ty takes a deep breath to calm himself and hastily adds, “I only wanted you to see – it's still you, but we can change it up, throw some shades on, and maybe ––”
Rian giggles. “Are you kidding me? I look...this is amazing! How do you even know how to do this stuff? My hair looks fantastic. I...” He looks at his bare feet where some of the long locks are draped over his toes. “Thank you.” He looks back at Ty. “I love it. I really do. I promise.”
Rian reaches hesitantly to touch the right side of his head and shivers. He snorts a laugh. “My fingers are cold. This feels weird, but I can get used to it.”
Ty beams. “I’m glad you like it,” He shrugs his shoulders and grins sheepishly, saying, “I started cutting my own hair back in high school. Made me feel, I don’t know… self-sufficient, I guess. It was a dumb kid thing, but I had so little control over my life, I took pleasure in any activity that gave me some sense of independence, no matter how minuscule. Anything I could fully be in charge of gave me confidence I could be on my own one day.”
“Like cooking?”
“Yeah, like cooking. But I really got into it because of you.”
“Wait what? What do you mean? You’ve always cooked. Every time you stayed with us you were at it for hours. I couldn’t get you out of the kitchen.”
“Yes…I…There wasn’t much I could do or say to show Cyril my gratitude for pretty much adopting me. I definitely had no clue how to communicate my feelings for you. I thought I should at least do this one thing for both of you.”
Rian reaches for his hand and gives it a reassuring squeeze. His lover twines their fingers and brings them to his lips for a kiss.
“You’re amazing, you know that? I love you.”
With his free hand, Ty touches Rian’s hair and runs his fingers affectionately through his shorter locks.
“You’re so beautiful,” Tayida murmurs.
Ri is feeling all fuzzy and soft under Ty’s reassuring touch.
Ty kisses the top of his head then takes a knee by his side and starts cleaning up the floor.
“Did Cyril ever tell you he used to cut my hair when we were kids?”
He’s looking down at Ty who is cleaning up the hair from the tiles. Ty stills, then quietly says, “You don’t have to talk about it, Ri. Not unless you’re ready. Not unless you want to.” Ty looks up at Rian. “Cyril told me everything. He told me why he had to do it.”
Rian reaches for him and cups his face, then sucks in a ragged breath.
“You’ve always known, haven't you?” Rian’s eyes searching Ty’s feverishly.
Ty turns his head lightly and kisses Rian’s palm.
“Yes. Rian – ” He looks at Ri with so much softness in his eyes. He seems to be sorting through his thoughts and when he’s finally ready, his voice is quiet but reassuring. “Cy never told me anything that...he didn’t tell me things that would hurt your feelings. I think that he kind of knew...even back then, that this would be a conversationwewould have one day. He left it to you to choose if you wanted us to have that discussion at all, and in what detail. He never betrayed your confidence.”
Rian bobs his head, instinctively seeking Ty’s closeness, leaning in for a kiss. Rian melts against Ty, feeling safe. A second later, he abruptly pulls back. “I’m covered in hair...” But Ty drags him back in and they kiss regardless of the mess.
Tayida murmurs against Rian’s lips, “You can tell me anything and everything, or you can choose not to talk about it at all. I will be by your side either way.”
