#buzz cut

Anon said:

i'm asking because as someone who is perceived as feminine by the world around me (even though i don't perceive myself that way) this drove me crazy during the years i had a buzzcut. i was asked this by people i barely ever talked to, people i had known for minutes, even a teacher once. and i was like, this just can't be what men with buzz cuts experience, right? like, is it just because of my small stature and my curvy body that people see my boundaries as so very negotiable? or can they sense that i'm not the kind of person who says no easily? is it both? wtf is it about me that makes you think you can casually ask to touch my head?

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Hairdresser!Reader x Simon "Ghost" Riley

(Some mention of bug lover ghost)

Hairdresser reader who has seen Simon's face

Because even after early retirement he still wears a balaclava or mask and hat whenever in public

He tells himself it's for the good of others, so they don't "have to see his ugly mug".. doesn't want to burden others with his obvious physical trauma. He hates those scared looks he's gotten in public when his mask slips or it's too damn hot to wear a hat all day.

But even worse are the sympathetic looks he'll get. The ones that make him feel like a sickly street dog that people want to feed but don't want to pet.

Like they want to mourn whatever happened to him without ever wanting to know who he is

But not you.

Simon's hairdresser.

Because Simon has continued to wear a balaclava or a hat constantly, he's also continued to get his blond hair cropped short in an almost buzz cut

Says it's just more comfortable than longer hair under the balaclava, but you see through him

You know keeping his hair the same has less to do with comfort than it does with holding onto the only version of himself he still recognizes.

(He's never outright told you that but you're observant enough to make the connections)

when you first started cutting his hair he'd come in, all bundled up in the middle of may.

A huge, intimidating man dressed head to toe in black. The only glimpse of personality was the little beetle keychain dangling from his car keys.

He also had a request.

To have his hair cut in a back room.

Sure you've cut peoples hair in private rooms before, either for religious reasons or because the client was coming in for very emotional appointments like a dematting so they want extra privacy.

His reasoning, though, was that he didn’t want to “disturb anyone else.”

At first, it was a little concerning.

But when he handed over his card you caught sight of the thick scars across his hands. Looking closer, you noticed pale spiderwebs of scar tissue disappearing beneath his sleeves and around the edges of his mask.

You understood without him having to explain.

And for over two years now, every appointment has been in the privacy of that little back room.

He doesn't talk a whole lot, but you’ve learned that adding new tea selections to the beverage cart usually gets him talking, even if it’s only for a few minutes.

Somewhere along the way, the free sticker basket by the front desk—normally meant for little kids—started filling up with beetles, moths, spiders, and every other bug sticker you could find.

He's definitely one of your oddest clients but you're greatfull he feels safe enough to show up early to every appointment and trust you to hold no judgment for him when he's most vulnerable.

He's immensely grateful for you aswell, though he's never been particularly good at saying thank you.

He’s working on it.

Slowly, while he listens to you ramble about your day, complain about coworkers, and tell stories that make the quiet room feel a little less empty.

Every visit, he stays just a little longer.

Accepts another cup of tea.

Leaves with another bug sticker tucked into his wallet.

For Simon Riley…

That’s about as close to “thank you” as he’s ever known how to say.

-I wrote this in my head in the shower then typed it up right after so idk if this is good, pls lmk if you want a part two or three?!-