I'm certain anyone coming across you on a day-to-day would agree with me too.
[They were busy making the small shower stall work, cleaning themselves up as best they could with the limited space. It was cozy and better than showering individually where they had to be conscious of leaving some warm water for the other.
Once he had finished up with 76's back, he returned to again clean himself up where he could reach. That done, he draped his arms over Jack's shoulders and pressed their mutually soapy skin together as he made a point of craning his head so he could rest his chin on the top of Jack's head.]
I could make an argument that I'm conserving water this way. You like to complain way more in your old age.
No one cares about what my beard looks like other than you, Reyes.
[He kept it clean and trimmed it when he had the time, and that was the extent of his personal care when it came to his facial hair. Always kept it clean at least, could give him that much credit but no.
Hands moved up as if he were going to wash up some of his hair, and maybe get Reaper's own beard while e was at it. Some little tug of facial hair before he was going after that bar of soap to continue with the shower.]
I complain more because I'm damn well able to, rather than having to shut up and not cause trouble. [Do what he wanted.] But, I'd rather not have to worry about conserving warm water for you out of this.
A poorly maintained beard makes you look like a vagrant, which you are trying not to be anymore. Besides, it has to pull in your mask when it's twisting around.
[For whatever reason and no matter the circumstances, he had always kept his facial hair in good trimmed condition. That Jack could grow a beard - and what a beard - and put so little effort into it irked him to his core, so he'd take matters into his own hands. Maybe he'd even cut all of hair off too, since it was at an annoyingly long stage again and took forever to dry thanks to him not actually producing body heat.
He jutted out his chin when Jack washed his own beard up, sealing his lips to prevent soap from getting in his mouth. He tipped his face a bit more to the spray of water to wash the soap off before he spoke again.]
You complain because you are an old bitter gay man off his leash. Though, you should complain less after last night. Nothing like getting laid to make peace with life as you know it for at least a few days.
I still live out in the woods half the time, and I don't keep a beard kit on me. I will say that's around the time when I do trim it.
[Once it got in the way of his mask's faceguard. Of course that was only when he trimmed it close to the way someone else had liked the way it was trimmed and decided to do it themselves as well. Not that 76 was going to ever mention, let alone bring up why he knew how to trim it in such a way Reaper had liked it.
Gave it a good scrub and hell, he even helped make sure all of the soap was rinsed out of Reaper's beard. May as well, right?]
Complaints unleashed, full and half force. Don't hear me complaining about the lingering aches, do you?
[There was a reason he'd cranked up the water's temperature once Reaper had stepped in with him. No reason to reserve the hot water, going all in.]
Living on the fringe is no excuse for a wild beard. [He would die on that hill. Hell, he had died on more than a few hills, most of them physical.] Beard kits don't take much space, so you should have one.
[He figured that it wasn't going to matter if he was going to force 76 to endure a good trim and shaping of that beard. Once the younger man realized it was much better, he could then work at convincing Jack to actually take maintenance in hand. It barely took much time out of any particular day.
Besides, they had proven - on the rare occasion these days - that they could still work together. Showering apparently fell into the category.]
You're old. If you complained about every ache, you'd never get anything done in a day.
[He took the soap back so that he could start washing his hair with it. Blasphemous it may be, but he didn't care. It made his hair clean, and it wasn't like he kept it around to show it off. It was always hidden... unless he was with Jack oddly enough.]
[He may or may not have been using his knife or just whatever pair of scissors he was able to get his hands on, depending on where he was when he needed to deal with the beard getting caught up in his mask.
As needs must, apparently. At least it was something routine and a little mindless at the moment.]
The mattress helped.
[It wasn't as if Jack had any sort of shampoo, and he'd honestly be using the bar of soap on his own hair once it came back around. Got things clean, was about all that mattered when it came to soap. Smelled nice, at least.]
I bet you get by with a knife. That's seems to be your style at this point in your life.
[Out in the woods, one couldn't be too picky about how to keep hair short. Perhaps if he was feeling generous, he would put a kit together so that Jack didn't have nearly as many excused regarding the mess of beard. For now, he'd take care of it.
He pulled his hair over one shoulder to work the soap down the full length of the white hair. He snorted at the mention of mattress; that had been a worthwhile endeavour to get one of those up there. It wasn't as if either of them had planned to sleep with each other again, but it was a good thing they had the mattress anyway.]
Kept your old bones from creaking too much, yeah. We're going to have to wash the sheets....
[Worked with his hair, too. Didn't really care too much about looking neat and trim for the most part since he- well. What reason did he have really, outside of the personal hygiene he did care to keep up with; reason he kept soap and wanted to get the water running in the abandoned and ruined treehouse.
Mattress came in handy for the times 76 made it out here and didn't have the energy to climb in to the hammock. Keep flat and just rest while healing up before leaving again. Was quiet and peaceful out here, no worry of anyone stumbling across it due to the distance and just how awful it looked on the outside.]
It works in a pinch, but you don't get good shape, and you shouldn't be using a sharp knife at your lip. It's a good way to get another scar on your face.
[Once his hair was well and truly sudsy, he moved back to lean on Jack's back and tossed his wet soapy hair over the younger man's shoulder into the spray. He then crossed his arms and set them against the back of Jack's shoulders. Much of the spray was hitting the longest portions of his hair, but it would take some rubbing and moving to get it all out.
He hummed directly into Jack's ear. If he bothered to show up and could be convinced to rest, he was always in the hammock. Getting in and out of it was never a problem for him, but he had caught Jack using the bed for sleeping.]
After we get cleaned up and you have something to eat.
Been shaving with a knife long enough to be able to avoid that with trimming.
[He did not travel with a beard kit after all, as used to being told he needed to shave for his image had lasted as a habit in his head. Letting go of that was nice.
Eyes rolled, but 76 moved his arms enough that he could get fingers in to Reaper's hair over his shoulder to help rinse out the soap, even moving up in to his scalp with water-filled hand-scoops of water. Doing this repeatedly to make sure he was getting all of the soap out. Said he'd help with it and apparently was holding to that.]
Alright. I'd suggest hanging them out to dry, but that could draw too much attention so- hang them in the house somewhere.
[Perhaps he would muster himself eventually to helping Jack out with that. It was something to consider, not that he was a particularly giving person these days. He didn't want that kind of connection; Deerington had showed him how dangerous that could be and Jack was a chic in his armour already.
He pushed his head over Jack's shoulder to get some of the spray on the top of his head, even if his arms curled tighter around the younger man's waist. He kept his eye closed as Jack helped with handfuls of water to the top of his head, feeling the soap suds washing away.]
If we hang them at the top of the tree canopy, it will dry quickly and we can make it seem like they blew in from somewhere else. Safe enough.
If it happens, it happens. Not like I have to look my best these days.
[Another scar was another scar, and there was no reason his face had to look perfect. Already had two large scars going across his face after all. What more would any others be?
Hands didn't stop, wouldn't stop, until he was sure all of the soap was rinsed out of Reaper's hair. Even if that meant fingertip and claws worked all the way down to the older man's scalp each and every time.]
So long as we make sure they're secured, that'll work just fine, yeah.
That's a pathetic excuse for letting yourself go. You have to understand that there are plenty of men out there that would be interested in an old bastard like you. We can't have you being too sad and lonely; you'll become insufferable.
[Ignore the whole scene of last night and even the fact that the pair of them were in the shower together washing up. Was this frienemies with benefits? He didn't want to put a title on it in case such a thing could make it more tangible and real for them both where they would have to seriously consider what they had done.
Once his hair was soap free, he extracted it from Jack's fingers and tossed it over his shoulder with a wet slap and then nudged the younger man to turn around to wash off the soap on Jack's back.]
No, I'll just let them blow away in the wind. [So sarcastic.]
Think the only one not understanding something is you, because there really aren't. Maybe I'd rather be insufferable, let you fucking deal with it.
[Still managed to keep his tone dry, because despite the discussion he wasn't looking to fight. Was still in that sort of warm fuzz and would rather it last- even if there was some jabs going on in this shower. Whatever this was? Was being left unnamed, probably for the better. Let it just... hang there, whatever it was.
76 also just wasn't looking for a man either. Wasn't wanted, attachments couldn't be kept.
Moved with the nudging and let Reaper do what he was going to do. At least at the end of it both of them would be clean, maintaining something relaxed- somehow. Head rested against Reaper's shoulder, huffing with some mild amusement.]
It makes it sound to me like you can't stand the idea of being happy with anyone or anything.
[If Deerington had taught him anything, it would force opportunities and nightmares on people, and he expected this place was the same way. It was less in-your-face than Deerington, but it was there. It didn't matter how much denial 76 was in about it.
He rubbed his hands over 76's body to remove any soap residue and then reached out to shut the water off. They were as clean as they were going to be at this rate. With an off-hand casualness, he planted a light kiss on 76's cheek before he extracted himself to grab them both towels.
He set one towel on 76's head.]
I think I know how to handle drying sheets subtly. Do you know of even half of the fabric I dried in obscure places?
[He huffed a bit, but that would be the only reply for that statement. Maybe he couldn't, but that wouldn't really be the truth of the matter, not really. Who would want someone like him? There was plenty of reasons it was better off something let go of.
He'd missed his chance at anything like that years ago.
76 tipped his head at the light kiss, but didn't say anything as he pulled the towel off his head after using it to ruffle through his hair and face, drying it off, and walking out of the bathroom while loosely wrapping and tying the towel around his waist.]
More than most would ever suspect. Flapjacks?
[Should eat, 76 thought. Wasn't that something Reaper had brought up himself?]
[It wasn't worth the argument at this point, not when he could get his digs in now and again over the same subject. He was starting to wonder if he was going to have to play wingman for 76 and prove that the younger man would be much, much better off for having someone to have a consistent fling or even date. Do wonders for the attitude he expected.
He toweled off his own hair, though it took him considerably longer, before he was flipping it over his shoulder again and wrapping the towel around his waist. This felt oddly domestic, but he wasn't going to say anything about that.
He followed Jack out of the bathroom area, pausing only long enough to grab a brush, a comb and a pair of sheers.]
After I trim up that mess of a beard. Find a seat. We're doing this now before you think you can get away not having it done.
Alright, alright. So long as after you let me get to that hair of yours.
[Get it more comfortable for him to have long at the very least.
76 did find a chair, dragging it over out of the middle of the place and more to a side. Be easier to get some light for this, more or less. Didn't want it near the kitchen area or 'bed' area, just in case. He didn't want to find stray beard hairs in whatever food got cooked up.
Would put the chair wherever Reaper felt best and... have a seat. No fight or fuss over it. Already had agreed to it.]
[He was almost confused that there was no fight, but then he shrugged his shoulders and moved to follow 76 over to where the younger man put the chair in the best area of light that the treehouse had to offer. On the way, he grabbed an extra towel to wrap around 76's shoulders where all the hair could fall and not make a huge mess.
He then tipped the younger man's chin up with a finger and leaned down a bit to get started on the wild beard. First he combed it, then trimmed the sides and the excess. More combing. The knife scrapped by some along 76's cheeks to create nice clean lines that accented the younger man's features. Combing. Turning 76's face this way and that to be certain it matched. More trimming then combing then trimming.
He took his time, but years of experience allowed him to go far quicker than most. It was a bit different grooming someone else, but honestly, he'd taught his son to shave though it had been awhile since those lessons.
He hummed as he considered then moved in to do 76's upper lip, being extra careful there. That done, he stood back and admired the look. He gestured at the mirror.]
[Putting up a fight for this more than he had -which really hadn't been fighting either, just putting it off- just wasn't really worth it. The beard would get trimmed either way, and 76 was still just relaxed enough that, again, it just wasn't worth the fight.
He kept the towel there on his shoulders, giving some bit of help there, as otherwise he simply turned and tilted his head as Reaper needed. Eyes closed, giving him that amount of trust without much thought. It was fine.
Eyes opened then, so he could take a look in the mirror that was brought over with them-]
This'll work well. Good job done with the trim- and shaping.
[The beard was nicely shaped and functional, which was all anyone actually needed out a beard. No more looking like a complete wild bush man; it was never particularly 76's style no matter the location. This was much better as far as he was concerned, and it was too late for 76 to disagree as the trimming was done.
He reached out and ran his fingers over the beard, smoothing it in the places he messed it up in his previous passing.]
That's not difficult if you actually saw what I saw was inhabiting your face.
[He offered over the knife back to 76 before taking the towel with beard scruff on it then balled it up to shake out later once they were out of the tree house.]
[It was mumbled as Reaper's fingers moved over his beard, still not really putting up a fight and just letting the man do as he saw fit there. If he was going to put in the work, may as well let him fix it as he wanted to.
The knife was taken, taking the time to let it drop in to a shadow and- well, it popped right back where Reaper had gotten it from. 76 rubbed the sides of his neck a bit and shoulders, just to make sure nothing had gotten past the towel.
All was good so he stood up, hand rested on the back of the chair.]
Seems like it will be, yeah. [Fingers tapped wood-] Going to sit and let me take care of your hair, or would you rather something more comfortable than a wooden chair?
[He had almost expected to find some kind of fae or insect in there, which would have been awkward given how much time they had been spending with each other for the last day and night. He probably should have noticed sooner if there had been life in that beard.
He looked at the chair that 76 soon vacated and then offered a withering look. He had sat in far worse than that and made himself comfortable. He was older, but he wasn't elderly.
Instead of sniping back with words, he grabbed his long hair and pulled it over his shoulder before he sat heavily down in the chair in question. Then, being petty, he flipped his hair over his shoulder to try to hit 76 with it.]
You're welcome to cut it all off if you want. It will just grow back to that length in two days though.
Might not keep it trimmed, but I do wash it, Reyes.
[He didn't even move when the hair got him in the chest, taking it in hand as clawed fingers were already coming through it all. Picking out little tangles and signs of them starting, letting his hands warm up to help further dry it all as he worked.
Reaper would no doubt feel that little trick the moment claws grazed his scalp in the combing, snorting faintly.]
Then what's the point of cutting it all off? I can just brush and braid it to keep it our of your way.
[From scalp to the very ends of all of hair claws combed, keeping it moving in his hands to encouraging the drying. Keeping it all smoothed out.]
[Where all the insects lived. At least there were no insects now and it was trimmed up. The whole beard thing looked good on 76, and he would definitely consider dying on that hill if he had to.
He wasn't expecting much when it came to tending to his hair. His view on it was pretty minimalistic in that he simply washed it, brushed it and tied it back out of the way. When it annoyed him particularly, he'd cut it off for a short reprieve. His expectations for 76 doing his hair was much the same: quick and dealt with.
Instead, he felt warmth at the back of his neck at times, sensing what 76 was doing and letting himself relax into it.]
Because it gives me a few hours of without it. Better than nothing at this point in my life.
[He closed his eyes and let 76 take as short or long as time as wanted to deal with his hair.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[They were busy making the small shower stall work, cleaning themselves up as best they could with the limited space. It was cozy and better than showering individually where they had to be conscious of leaving some warm water for the other.
Once he had finished up with 76's back, he returned to again clean himself up where he could reach. That done, he draped his arms over Jack's shoulders and pressed their mutually soapy skin together as he made a point of craning his head so he could rest his chin on the top of Jack's head.]
I could make an argument that I'm conserving water this way. You like to complain way more in your old age.
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[He kept it clean and trimmed it when he had the time, and that was the extent of his personal care when it came to his facial hair. Always kept it clean at least, could give him that much credit but no.
Hands moved up as if he were going to wash up some of his hair, and maybe get Reaper's own beard while e was at it. Some little tug of facial hair before he was going after that bar of soap to continue with the shower.]
I complain more because I'm damn well able to, rather than having to shut up and not cause trouble. [Do what he wanted.] But, I'd rather not have to worry about conserving warm water for you out of this.
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[For whatever reason and no matter the circumstances, he had always kept his facial hair in good trimmed condition. That Jack could grow a beard - and what a beard - and put so little effort into it irked him to his core, so he'd take matters into his own hands. Maybe he'd even cut all of hair off too, since it was at an annoyingly long stage again and took forever to dry thanks to him not actually producing body heat.
He jutted out his chin when Jack washed his own beard up, sealing his lips to prevent soap from getting in his mouth. He tipped his face a bit more to the spray of water to wash the soap off before he spoke again.]
You complain because you are an old bitter gay man off his leash. Though, you should complain less after last night. Nothing like getting laid to make peace with life as you know it for at least a few days.
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[Once it got in the way of his mask's faceguard. Of course that was only when he trimmed it close to the way someone else had liked the way it was trimmed and decided to do it themselves as well. Not that 76 was going to ever mention, let alone bring up why he knew how to trim it in such a way Reaper had liked it.
Gave it a good scrub and hell, he even helped make sure all of the soap was rinsed out of Reaper's beard. May as well, right?]
Complaints unleashed, full and half force. Don't hear me complaining about the lingering aches, do you?
[There was a reason he'd cranked up the water's temperature once Reaper had stepped in with him. No reason to reserve the hot water, going all in.]
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[He figured that it wasn't going to matter if he was going to force 76 to endure a good trim and shaping of that beard. Once the younger man realized it was much better, he could then work at convincing Jack to actually take maintenance in hand. It barely took much time out of any particular day.
Besides, they had proven - on the rare occasion these days - that they could still work together. Showering apparently fell into the category.]
You're old. If you complained about every ache, you'd never get anything done in a day.
[He took the soap back so that he could start washing his hair with it. Blasphemous it may be, but he didn't care. It made his hair clean, and it wasn't like he kept it around to show it off. It was always hidden... unless he was with Jack oddly enough.]
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[He may or may not have been using his knife or just whatever pair of scissors he was able to get his hands on, depending on where he was when he needed to deal with the beard getting caught up in his mask.
As needs must, apparently. At least it was something routine and a little mindless at the moment.]
The mattress helped.
[It wasn't as if Jack had any sort of shampoo, and he'd honestly be using the bar of soap on his own hair once it came back around. Got things clean, was about all that mattered when it came to soap. Smelled nice, at least.]
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[Out in the woods, one couldn't be too picky about how to keep hair short. Perhaps if he was feeling generous, he would put a kit together so that Jack didn't have nearly as many excused regarding the mess of beard. For now, he'd take care of it.
He pulled his hair over one shoulder to work the soap down the full length of the white hair. He snorted at the mention of mattress; that had been a worthwhile endeavour to get one of those up there. It wasn't as if either of them had planned to sleep with each other again, but it was a good thing they had the mattress anyway.]
Kept your old bones from creaking too much, yeah. We're going to have to wash the sheets....
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[Worked with his hair, too. Didn't really care too much about looking neat and trim for the most part since he- well. What reason did he have really, outside of the personal hygiene he did care to keep up with; reason he kept soap and wanted to get the water running in the abandoned and ruined treehouse.
Mattress came in handy for the times 76 made it out here and didn't have the energy to climb in to the hammock. Keep flat and just rest while healing up before leaving again. Was quiet and peaceful out here, no worry of anyone stumbling across it due to the distance and just how awful it looked on the outside.]
Can do that in the river at least.
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[Once his hair was well and truly sudsy, he moved back to lean on Jack's back and tossed his wet soapy hair over the younger man's shoulder into the spray. He then crossed his arms and set them against the back of Jack's shoulders. Much of the spray was hitting the longest portions of his hair, but it would take some rubbing and moving to get it all out.
He hummed directly into Jack's ear. If he bothered to show up and could be convinced to rest, he was always in the hammock. Getting in and out of it was never a problem for him, but he had caught Jack using the bed for sleeping.]
After we get cleaned up and you have something to eat.
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[He did not travel with a beard kit after all, as used to being told he needed to shave for his image had lasted as a habit in his head. Letting go of that was nice.
Eyes rolled, but 76 moved his arms enough that he could get fingers in to Reaper's hair over his shoulder to help rinse out the soap, even moving up in to his scalp with water-filled hand-scoops of water. Doing this repeatedly to make sure he was getting all of the soap out. Said he'd help with it and apparently was holding to that.]
Alright. I'd suggest hanging them out to dry, but that could draw too much attention so- hang them in the house somewhere.
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[Perhaps he would muster himself eventually to helping Jack out with that. It was something to consider, not that he was a particularly giving person these days. He didn't want that kind of connection; Deerington had showed him how dangerous that could be and Jack was a chic in his armour already.
He pushed his head over Jack's shoulder to get some of the spray on the top of his head, even if his arms curled tighter around the younger man's waist. He kept his eye closed as Jack helped with handfuls of water to the top of his head, feeling the soap suds washing away.]
If we hang them at the top of the tree canopy, it will dry quickly and we can make it seem like they blew in from somewhere else. Safe enough.
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[Another scar was another scar, and there was no reason his face had to look perfect. Already had two large scars going across his face after all. What more would any others be?
Hands didn't stop, wouldn't stop, until he was sure all of the soap was rinsed out of Reaper's hair. Even if that meant fingertip and claws worked all the way down to the older man's scalp each and every time.]
So long as we make sure they're secured, that'll work just fine, yeah.
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[Ignore the whole scene of last night and even the fact that the pair of them were in the shower together washing up. Was this frienemies with benefits? He didn't want to put a title on it in case such a thing could make it more tangible and real for them both where they would have to seriously consider what they had done.
Once his hair was soap free, he extracted it from Jack's fingers and tossed it over his shoulder with a wet slap and then nudged the younger man to turn around to wash off the soap on Jack's back.]
No, I'll just let them blow away in the wind. [So sarcastic.]
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[Still managed to keep his tone dry, because despite the discussion he wasn't looking to fight. Was still in that sort of warm fuzz and would rather it last- even if there was some jabs going on in this shower. Whatever this was? Was being left unnamed, probably for the better. Let it just... hang there, whatever it was.
76 also just wasn't looking for a man either. Wasn't wanted, attachments couldn't be kept.
Moved with the nudging and let Reaper do what he was going to do. At least at the end of it both of them would be clean, maintaining something relaxed- somehow. Head rested against Reaper's shoulder, huffing with some mild amusement.]
You know I wasn't implying you would, asshole.
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[If Deerington had taught him anything, it would force opportunities and nightmares on people, and he expected this place was the same way. It was less in-your-face than Deerington, but it was there. It didn't matter how much denial 76 was in about it.
He rubbed his hands over 76's body to remove any soap residue and then reached out to shut the water off. They were as clean as they were going to be at this rate. With an off-hand casualness, he planted a light kiss on 76's cheek before he extracted himself to grab them both towels.
He set one towel on 76's head.]
I think I know how to handle drying sheets subtly. Do you know of even half of the fabric I dried in obscure places?
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He'd missed his chance at anything like that years ago.
76 tipped his head at the light kiss, but didn't say anything as he pulled the towel off his head after using it to ruffle through his hair and face, drying it off, and walking out of the bathroom while loosely wrapping and tying the towel around his waist.]
More than most would ever suspect. Flapjacks?
[Should eat, 76 thought. Wasn't that something Reaper had brought up himself?]
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He toweled off his own hair, though it took him considerably longer, before he was flipping it over his shoulder again and wrapping the towel around his waist. This felt oddly domestic, but he wasn't going to say anything about that.
He followed Jack out of the bathroom area, pausing only long enough to grab a brush, a comb and a pair of sheers.]
After I trim up that mess of a beard. Find a seat. We're doing this now before you think you can get away not having it done.
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[Get it more comfortable for him to have long at the very least.
76 did find a chair, dragging it over out of the middle of the place and more to a side. Be easier to get some light for this, more or less. Didn't want it near the kitchen area or 'bed' area, just in case. He didn't want to find stray beard hairs in whatever food got cooked up.
Would put the chair wherever Reaper felt best and... have a seat. No fight or fuss over it. Already had agreed to it.]
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He then tipped the younger man's chin up with a finger and leaned down a bit to get started on the wild beard. First he combed it, then trimmed the sides and the excess. More combing. The knife scrapped by some along 76's cheeks to create nice clean lines that accented the younger man's features. Combing. Turning 76's face this way and that to be certain it matched. More trimming then combing then trimming.
He took his time, but years of experience allowed him to go far quicker than most. It was a bit different grooming someone else, but honestly, he'd taught his son to shave though it had been awhile since those lessons.
He hummed as he considered then moved in to do 76's upper lip, being extra careful there. That done, he stood back and admired the look. He gestured at the mirror.]
How is that for you?
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He kept the towel there on his shoulders, giving some bit of help there, as otherwise he simply turned and tilted his head as Reaper needed. Eyes closed, giving him that amount of trust without much thought. It was fine.
Eyes opened then, so he could take a look in the mirror that was brought over with them-]
This'll work well. Good job done with the trim- and shaping.
[... He'd had this exact trim before, hadn't he.]
A lot better than what it had been.
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He reached out and ran his fingers over the beard, smoothing it in the places he messed it up in his previous passing.]
That's not difficult if you actually saw what I saw was inhabiting your face.
[He offered over the knife back to 76 before taking the towel with beard scruff on it then balled it up to shake out later once they were out of the tree house.]
It's easy to maintain too.
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[It was mumbled as Reaper's fingers moved over his beard, still not really putting up a fight and just letting the man do as he saw fit there. If he was going to put in the work, may as well let him fix it as he wanted to.
The knife was taken, taking the time to let it drop in to a shadow and- well, it popped right back where Reaper had gotten it from. 76 rubbed the sides of his neck a bit and shoulders, just to make sure nothing had gotten past the towel.
All was good so he stood up, hand rested on the back of the chair.]
Seems like it will be, yeah. [Fingers tapped wood-] Going to sit and let me take care of your hair, or would you rather something more comfortable than a wooden chair?
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[He had almost expected to find some kind of fae or insect in there, which would have been awkward given how much time they had been spending with each other for the last day and night. He probably should have noticed sooner if there had been life in that beard.
He looked at the chair that 76 soon vacated and then offered a withering look. He had sat in far worse than that and made himself comfortable. He was older, but he wasn't elderly.
Instead of sniping back with words, he grabbed his long hair and pulled it over his shoulder before he sat heavily down in the chair in question. Then, being petty, he flipped his hair over his shoulder to try to hit 76 with it.]
You're welcome to cut it all off if you want. It will just grow back to that length in two days though.
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[He didn't even move when the hair got him in the chest, taking it in hand as clawed fingers were already coming through it all. Picking out little tangles and signs of them starting, letting his hands warm up to help further dry it all as he worked.
Reaper would no doubt feel that little trick the moment claws grazed his scalp in the combing, snorting faintly.]
Then what's the point of cutting it all off? I can just brush and braid it to keep it our of your way.
[From scalp to the very ends of all of hair claws combed, keeping it moving in his hands to encouraging the drying. Keeping it all smoothed out.]
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[Where all the insects lived. At least there were no insects now and it was trimmed up. The whole beard thing looked good on 76, and he would definitely consider dying on that hill if he had to.
He wasn't expecting much when it came to tending to his hair. His view on it was pretty minimalistic in that he simply washed it, brushed it and tied it back out of the way. When it annoyed him particularly, he'd cut it off for a short reprieve. His expectations for 76 doing his hair was much the same: quick and dealt with.
Instead, he felt warmth at the back of his neck at times, sensing what 76 was doing and letting himself relax into it.]
Because it gives me a few hours of without it. Better than nothing at this point in my life.
[He closed his eyes and let 76 take as short or long as time as wanted to deal with his hair.]
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