Page 13 of A Layperry's Heart
“My apologies,” I quickly say, slamming my eyelids shut.
“It’s okay. It’s nice to know you think I’m pretty enough to stare, but this is supposed to feel nice and relaxing. Just enjoy the feeling, okay?”
I do as I’m asked, keeping my eyes closed as Aldo gets my hair wet. I hear a squelch before his fingers are dancing over my scalp, lathering the soap into my hair. Oh, that feels nice. Really nice.
Without my permission, a rumble overtakes my chest, something between a content growl and purr.
“Someone is enjoying this, hmm? That’s adorable, I had no idea you could purr like that.”
In all honesty, neither did I. I don’t think I’ve ever purred before, but it’s not completely unheard of, especially when someone is around theirmatron. Aldo sounds pleased by the purring so I don’t try to calm myself.
“Feels nice,” I murmur as Aldo washes my hair. He massages my scalp, runs his fingers over my ears, and is careful not to get my antennae wet. I melt against the seat, completely relaxed. I’ve never had someone wash my hair like this before. I normally shear my own hair back home.
Far too soon, Aldo turns off the water. “Are you still awake, Gendry?” Aldo asks with a chuckle. “It’s time to sit up and move over to my chair.”
I sit up with a bit of difficulty, allowing Aldo to wrap my hair in a towel to keep from dripping all over as we move back to his chair. Once I sit down, Aldo gets to work drying my hair with the towel before wrapping a plastic sheet around my shoulders.
Aldo runs his fingers through my hair. I watch him in the reflection of the mirror, my insides warm, my body relaxed. So far, this has been the most wonderful experience and I’m so happy to be experiencing it with Aldo. Somehow, I feel closer to him just by allowing him to cut my hair.
“Let’s get the dead ends cut and then we can shave the sides,” Aldo says, picking up a comb and a pair of scissors. “God, your hair is so fucking pretty. So many people would kill for this color.”
“Your hair is pretty as well. The pink really suits you,” I say, ignoring the way my cheeks heat up. I clear my throat. “Though, I think any color would be pretty on you.”
“Oh, you are such a charmer, Gendry.”
“Charmer? What does that mean? Is it something good?”
Aldo starts cutting my hair, humming as he thinks. “It means that you say charming things that flatter me.”
“I am only speaking the truth.”
Aldo has a small smile across his lips as he snips the ends of my hair. “You’re not like anyone I’ve ever met before.”
“Is that a good thing?”
“It’s a great thing,” he says, looking at me in the mirror and giving me a wink.
“May I ask you a question?”
Aldo nods. “You can ask me anything.”
“Can you change your hair color at will? Or is it only when you’re feeling certain emotions?”
Aldo’s hands still and he glances up at me in confusion. “What do you mean?”
“Christian explained that human hair color is based on what the human is feeling. He said that pink meant you felt warmly towards me.”
“Oh my god,” Aldo murmurs, shaking his head. He covers his face with his hand for a moment before giggles are bursting forth, almost like it’s against his permission. “Oh my god, he’s such an ass.”
“Why do I have a feeling he was fooling me?”
“Because he absolutely was! I dye my hair using chemicals, Gendry.”
“Oh,” I say slowly, understanding washes over me. With that understanding comes embarrassment. “Oh no. I’m sorry.”
Aldo’s giggling fades. “Why are you sorry? It’s not your fault your friend bullies you.”
“I could have made you uncomfortable by implying you feel warmly towards me.”
