Of Warnings, Hair, And Craziness

'It may be that your sole purpose in life is to serve as a warning to others.'

Heero's brow furrowed. "Exactly what are you supposed to serve as a warning for?" he asked his lover, glancing up from the white-on-black T-shirt in Duo's hands.

Duo shrugged, a manic grin on his face. "Piloting a Gundam is hazardous not only to your health, but also your sanity?" he suggested. "That crime doesn't pay? Although, in my case, since I was never caught stealing, I don't suppose that counts," he appended with a thoughtful look.

Heero just raised a brow, amusement dancing in his navy blue eyes. "I think those would be warnings that all of us could serve for," he pointed out. "What about something more specific to yourself?"

"That worrying gives you split ends?" Duo picked up his braid and gazed mournfully down at the ragged tufted end.

Heero snorted. "You need to get a trim every once in a while. Even I do that."

"But unless you get a buzz cut, it'll still be messy," Duo replied with a smirk.

Heero frowned. "I thought you liked it messy?" he asked. Duo certainly spent enough time running his hands through it and messing it up even more…

But then again, he did much the same with Duo's hair.

But at least you help him brush it out and braid it! a little voice in his head said. He'd gotten used to those little voices since the war ended. He wasn't sure if they were remnants from ZERO, or just his conscience, but it was nice to get another perspective on things.

Speaking of perspectives… Heero forced his mind back onto their conversation.

"I do like your hair messy, babe," Duo answered. "Never said I didn't. But I don't even remember the last time you got it cut – it's looking a little ragged around the ends."

Heero blinked. He had a hard time remembering it as well.

You did it yourself, with a pair of scissors. Back when you were on the Peacemillion, that little voice supplied helpfully.

Which had been a little under three months ago; no wonder it was hanging in his eyes. He normally had his hair cut once a month. "It's ragged because I cut it myself and I couldn't reach far enough to get it even," Heero replied to Duo's unasked question. His lover was a boundless well of curiosity and he could only be thankful that Duo wasn't a cat, or his nine lives would have been up long before they'd met.

"You did it yourself?" Duo asked, one eyebrow rising up until it disappeared into chestnut bangs. "That a regular thing?"

"It is now," Heero said. He didn't like letting strange people anywhere near his head with sharp implements. Back when he was traveling with Odin Lowe, he cut his hair. When he'd ended up with Doctor J, the bionic scientist had taken over the job; that prosthetic arm of his was a veritable Swiss Army knife of attachments, and a pair of scissors had been included. He'd had no problems with pointed objects being near his head until Doctor J had gotten his 'hand' on him. Now he preferred to do it himself.

"Yeah, well, you're gonna keep ending up with uneven ends unless you grow it out like mine." Duo waved the end of his braid in example. "I just take out a pair of scissors, hold up the end of the braid, and cut off the last inch or so."

"I don't really think I'd look all that good with long hair," Heero said dryly, knowing that Duo hadn't been serious about that. But it would make things easier, that little voice thought at him. And it would be a hassle. One longhaired person in the house is enough, he thought back. His exposure to ZERO was the only reason he could handle having conversations with himself with any aplomb, but it still struck him as strange at times.

But then, he was strange. They all were. It seemed to be part and parcel of being a Gundam pilot.

"I think you'd look pretty hot, but then again, I'm biased." Duo tossed him a wink. "However, if you want, I could cut your hair for you. I've gotten pretty good at it over the years."

The offer had been made in a seemingly offhand manner, and at first, Heero thought it was just Duo trying not to pressure him into making a decision, but then he realized that Duo didn't know why he cut his hair himself and so wasn't aware of his…phobia. Therefore the other boy would have no reason to try to put him at ease, not thinking it was needed to get him to accept.

You are going to accept, aren't you? The little voice was back.

Maybe, he thought back noncommittally.

Oh, come on. You love it when he touches your hair, and here you're guaranteed a solid half hour every month! You'd be an idiot to pass that up.

Heero blinked. The little voice had a point.

"Sounds good," Heero agreed and pointedly hit his mental 'Mute' button when the little voice started laughing its nonexistent head off.

Insane he may have been – the fact that he had voices in his head could possibly attest to that – but he wasn't crazy enough to turn down such an offer.