harmony

“i guess so, if you think it’d be helpful,” she agreed awkwardly. “do you have makeup here? and remover wipes?”

“oh! i have my travel kit?” he offered, reaching for his messenger bag, where he had an entire assortment. “i don’t know how much will be in it, but i at least have the basics...”

“oh god, lightener… what have i gotten myself into,” biyi let out with a little cry, lowering herself into a chair reluctantly. “im going to end up bald.”

“okay, listen. yes, that’s just a nice word for bleach, but i’m a professional, okay? i know what i’m doing. you’re in good hands.”

“and i want it to be done!” she cried out childishly, reaching for him from where he was behind her chair and trying to catch his hand. “no you,” she grumbled, bouncing her foot on the floor, unable to come up with something better and to embarrassed to reciprocate. “how about you get three thirds of the way done?”

he let her catch his hand for a moment, only so he could kiss the back of hers, letting it go so he could keep working. “we’re almost there, angel. and then you can move as much as you want while it sets,” he assured her, just accepting that the bouncing feet were as still as he was going to get her. “i think this is going to be a good colour for you. it’ll go good with your skintone.”

“i mean, i don’t think i have secrets. just a lot of practice, and a childhood surrounded by lolita anime doll culture and fashion,” daiyu answered. “i’m happy to answer any questions, though…”

“could you do a look for me? and i’ll watch and see how you do it step by step?” he asked eagerly. “like an in person tutorial!”

she groaned deeply, rolling her eyes again and sitting on her hands– maybe that would keep her from fidgeting. “you adore me, huh? that’s a new one,” she grumbled, face contorted in concentration. she just wanted to move. “do it. fast. like ripping off a bandaid.”

“doing it fast isn’t how you do a good job. i want it to be even,” he insisted chidingly, pausing to look her in the eye in the mirror. “yeah, i adore you. and you shouldn’t be surprised by that, because i’ve told you that before. now, we’re two thirds of the way done, okay?”

she sighed, smiling. she’d been anxious about songyi getting a boyfriend, especially one who was staff, but theo was good. he was a very good man. every time biyi talked to him, not only did she feel safe, but she felt relief and joy for her friend. “you have me convinced, then– do what you must!”

he grinned. “good! i’m excited. here, sit down. i’ll get the lightener prepped,” he said, going over to his product cupboard to grab all he needed.

“what’s the point, though? you’ll put so much effort into making it look so good only for it to be gone,” biyi retorted with a tiny frown. “that….sounds cool, though. i’m open to it.”

“so? you’ll have new hair and feel refreshed and pretty and confident. i think that’s worth it,” he insisted softly.

“i thought that was the look. lots of colors going into each other,” songyi retorted, rolling her eyes and trying to be more still. “you’re a liar, theo– we both know this is taking way more than an hour.”

“ombre’s are nice and feathered. and the color covers all the hair. at this rate, you’re going to have giant blonde spots because you didn’t work with me,” he insisted, sighing deeply. “i adore you, so much, but i need you to work with me here, okay?”