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Goemon stepped out onto the apartment balcony, the afternoon sunlight bright and hot on his skin. The gang was currently in Barcelona, and it was a particularly hot day for late spring. His sleeves were tied back to keep cool, and his hair was tied up in a loose bun, strands of it peeking out every which way.
Even though this new hideout location was too warm for his liking, there was no denying he had missed this, after having been in the mountains training for the past six months. It was the longest he'd been gone from the group in a while. Normally he would resent returning to crowded cities and the seedy nightlife that came with the job, but he was just glad to be reunited with Lupin and Jigen, and that was what stayed present on his mind.
When he'd first gotten off the plane, he'd been greeted by a running hug from Lupin, and a warm (and much less intense) embrace from Jigen. Goemon had felt giddy as he held him. With all the time he'd been away, he seemed to grow even fonder of the gunman. And seeing him again after so long had nearly taken his breath away. The sunny weather was doing wonders for him; his hair was pulled up into a short ponytail (which Goemon found adorable) and he had the makings of a nice, even tan. It made his smile look even brighter. He even had his bangs pushed back under his hat, letting Goemon catch precious glimpses of his soft, brown eyes.
"You look great," Jigen had told him, mirroring his own thoughts about the gunman. Goemon beamed, feeling very self-confident; perhaps his training had paid off in more ways than one.
Suddenly, the smell of smoke hit his lungs; a familiar burn, bringing him back to the present. He spotted Jigen leaning his arms over the balcony railing, watching the street below.
"You're up late," Jigen said, greeting him.
"The jetlag messed up my sleep." Goemon rubbed his eyes, walking over to join him. He always had terrible jet lag after not flying for months. And now he'd had a horrible headache for the past day, or two, or however long he'd been in Spain (not that he could remember, with the time difference). "It's too bright here. And hot."
Jigen chuckled. "Shit, I don't blame you. Isn't your house in the mountains?"
Goemon nodded.
"You should ditch the layers then, keep yourself cool."
"Says the one who's still wearing a suit."
"Well I…you got me there," Jigen sighed.
For a few minutes, they looked out at the city together, taking in the sights and sounds. Cars and bikes were lined up on the streets, and people sat outside at restaurants on their lunch breaks. The smell of fresh bread wafted up from the bakery across the street, and a gentle chatter could be heard from the customers coming in and out. But Goemon couldn't focus on any of it for too long without thinking about the man standing next to him.
"I do miss this though," Goemon murmured.
"Really? I thought you hated big cities."
Goemon huffed. "You know what I mean."
Jigen grinned, that toothy smile Goemon had missed so much. "I'm just messing with you. We're glad to have you back too."
Goemon suddenly remembered why he'd come outside in the first place. He'd better ask him before he forgot.
He turned to face him, trying to meet his gaze from underneath the brim of his hat.
"Hey, Jigen...could I ask you for a favor?"
The gunman nodded, putting his cigarette out on the railing. "What do you need?"
He took a deep breath, and went for it.
-
Goemon listened to the quiet snip, snip of scissors as his hair gently fell in waves. It gathered on the floor in dark pools, soft and shiny in the sunlight.
"You were definitely due for a haircut," Jigen said, carefully trimming the hair by his ears. "I've never seen it so long before."
During the past six months, he hadn't cut it once, and it was now far too long for his liking. He would've just gone to a hairdresser, but as it was he'd rather not leave the comfort of the apartment into the blistering heat, and Jigen was so much more convenient to ask instead. At least, that's the excuse he gave to himself.
Goemon hummed. "I didn't have access to a mirror. And it has grown too long for me to trim it accurately myself." He paused for a second. "I am glad you don't mind helping me."
"Hey, it's no problem. Y'know, I used to cut Lupin's hair all the time, before he just started buzzing it," he chuckled. "I'm not too shabby with my hands."
Goemon nodded. "That is good."
Come to think of it, he didn't know that beforehand. He wondered why he even asked him over Lupin in the first place. He eventually chalked it up to Jigen having longer hair; having to cut your own hair surely made you better at cutting other people's. It was definitely that, and not that he wanted to be closer to the gunman, or better smell his cologne, or feel his long fingers run through his hair.
A comfortable silence filled the room, and Goemon closed his eyes, relaxing into Jigen's touch. It was clear he was experienced, the way his hands worked rhythmically to separate each new section of hair as he cut it. It almost felt like a massage, gentle and soothing. Not to mention, he was very careful. He took great care to never tug or pull on his hair, and muttered a quick apology the few times he did. Once or twice he even brushed out a section before cutting, freeing it from tangles before starting once more. It was uncharacteristically gentle of the gunman, and Goemon felt his chest grow warm with appreciation.
Jigen chuckled suddenly, bringing Goemon out of his thoughts.
"What is it?"
"Sorry, it's just…I'm thinkin' about all the times Lupin's tried to play with your hair. I'm finally starting to understand why."
Goemon raised an eyebrow. "You're not attempting to join him in that regard, are you?" Not that I would mind, he thought to himself.
"Nah. It's just you've got really nice hair. It's fine and very soft, but not greasy; it's healthy. I guess it's that samurai lifestyle, must be doing more for you than I realized."
Goemon felt a burst of pride at the admission. "I suppose it is. I'm glad you're finally acknowledging its practicality."
"Hey, don't get too cocky about it. I still think you're crazy for sitting under waterfalls."
Goemon rolled his eyes, but he smiled. "Again with this, Jigen? Perhaps you only think that because you've never tried it. You'd find it has many other benefits."
"Is that so?"
"Mhmm."
Jigen paused for a moment. "Alright then...I'd be down for that, just to prove my point. Hell, if you can find a waterfall and get me to sit under it and enjoy it, I'll take it all back."
Well, that was pretty much impossible.
"I never said it was for everyone," Goemon defended quickly. "I can already imagine how poorly you would fare."
Goemon pictured it in his head. Taking Jigen to a waterfall to train, watching his hat and beard get soaked by the showers. Yes, he was sure the gunman would keep his hat on, even under a waterfall. But he would probably have taken the rest of his clothes off. His eyes trailed downwards in his imagination. He saw bare shoulders, bare chest, and looked down further…
Goemon's cheeks felt hot all of a sudden. Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea.
"Ah, but who am I to say…maybe you will love it."
He heard Jigen chuckle once more, and felt relieved that he had no more banter left in him. The room grew silent once more.
Jigen resumed the haircut, every once in a while stopping to check the angle and length. Up until now, Goemon had been upholding his posture, keeping his back perfectly straight against the chair. But when Jigen started to hum a song, something in his mind gave up, and he finally let himself relax. The warm sunlight, the gentle touch of hands weaving through his hair, the sound of humming; he had started to nod off to sleep.
Jigen reached a hand out to cup his jaw, tilting it back up. "Eyes up samurai."
Goemon felt his heartbeat quicken. The gentle way Jigen held his chin was making him feel woozy and lightheaded in a way the heat outside couldn't. It felt nice though, he thought, as Jigen moved his hand down to his shoulder, resting it there for a moment before continuing.
After another few minutes, he put down the scissors.
"Let's see..."
Jigen walked around the chair, kneeling in front of it. He leaned in closer, and Goemon could see his eyes peeking out from underneath his hat as he inspected his work. He felt grateful that Jigen cared so much about the haircut, rather than just chopping it short and leaving it at that. Though it was making him a little self conscious to be observed by him so closely.
At last, the gunman smiled, standing up. "All done. Wanna check it before I wrap this up?"
Goemon nodded, making his way to the hallway mirror. He inspected his new haircut carefully.
It looked really great. A little shorter than he was used to, but it would help him keep cool in this heat. His bangs were trimmed nicely as well, finally out of his eyes and sitting neatly on his forehead. Jigen even trimmed the bangs framing his face, the hair at his ears now curling gently into their usual style. He ran a hand through it, marveling at how healthy and fresh it looked.
"What do you think?" Jigen asked.
He turned to him at last, smiling. "It's great. I love it."
Jigen beamed back at him. "Good, I'm glad." He reached out to tuck a loose strand behind Goemon's ear, holding it lightly at the ends. "You look more like yourself again."
Goemon suddenly felt bashful, opening his mouth to say something when Lupin walked in.
"Hey Jigen, have you seen my- oh cute haircut Goe!"
Jigen quickly lowered his arm to his side, shoving his hands in his pockets.
"Ah, yes…Jigen cut it for me."
Lupin reached out to touch it, but not before Goemon shot him down with a deathly glare, zantetsuken half raised in one hand. Lupin smiled goofily, raising his hands in surrender.
"Aw no fair Jigen, can't you cut my hair too?"
Jigen patted the top of Lupin's head, ruffling his short hair out of place. "Not until you get more up there! I need something I can work with."
"You can buzz it for me!"
"That's easy, just do it yourself!"
"But Jigeeeeen…"
Goemon chuckled, watching the two bicker as they walked away, and Jigen began cleaning the hair from the floor. Lupin sneezed, sending it flying, and the gunman grumbled something as he re-swept the mess. And even as they fought, Goemon only had one thought on his mind.
It felt good to be home.