[Closed] Gladiator AU

[darkestbefore]

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[darkestbefore]

I'm glad. [ She confesses this with a small smile as she watches him. ] I think it's beautiful.

[fogofdread]

[Cassim freezes mid-stroke.]

It is?

[darkestbefore]

[ She gives him a curious look. ] Well, yes. Hasn't anyone ever told you that before?

[fogofdread]

Not if they weren't paying for a fuck.

[darkestbefore]

[ Her cheeks turn pink as she glances down at her hands in her lap, a little flustered by his bluntness. ]

Well, I'm not. And I still think it's beautiful.

[fogofdread]

[Yona better get used to the bluntness.]

...thank you.

[But anyway they're done with the combing now, so Cassim sets it aside.]

There's a set of pins in with my things--they're magic, they make twisting much easier. I won them a few years ago.

[darkestbefore]

[ She probably will. Eventually. Maybe? Maybe Cassim will just have to get used to her being easily flustered.

She does glance up at his comment, however, quickly pushing off the edge of the tub. ]

I can fetch them for you, hold on a moment.

[ Heading to his room to search through his things, she takes note of just how little he has - not that she has much more at the moment. But it's something she wants to change as soon as she is able. If she can, anyway. She doesn't comment on it when she comes back, however, holding up what she hopes are the pins he'd spoken of. ]

Are these the ones?

[fogofdread]

Yeah.

[He holds his hand out and takes them, quickly sticking them all over his head.]

They make the twisting take minutes instead of months.

[darkestbefore]

[ Her mouth drops open in surprise. ]

Months??

[fogofdread]

Mhm.

[Cassim starts to twist his hair.]

It's not like braids. I'm forcing my hair to twist together and stay that way. Normally you have to do it in sections and with much shorter hair. The pins cut out the waiting.

[darkestbefore]

I can see how using magic to help would make it much simpler, then. [ She watches him in curious fascination. ] I had no idea how much effort it took to take care of it. But I'm still glad you didn't cut it.

[fogofdread]

Well, I do need a trim. You see how long this shit is.

[As he twists, the pins glow. The glow rushes down his hair and continues what he started.]

The headaches are brutal.

[darkestbefore]

[ Now she does look concerned. ]

Oh no. I never thought of that. Are they bad now?

[fogofdread]

No, not right now. I haven't had my hair up enough for it to hurt. In an hour, though...

[darkestbefore]

[ She takes a step forward, shaking her head. ]

I don't want you in any pain. We'll get whoever we need to help keep that from happening. Someone to cut it, or a healer to help with it or... something.

[fogofdread]

[He laughs, strangely bitter.]

It's fine. Healers can't do shit for me and unless I cut or thin my hair out regularly there's nothing for it.

[darkestbefore]

[ She still looks determined. ]

Then that's what we'll do. I'll find someone who knows how to work with your hair and make sure it doesn't cause you any more pain.

[fogofdread]

...are you sure?

[He gives Yona a Look.]

That's going to be a lot of money, even if they're a slave.

[darkestbefore]

[ She lifts her chin stubbornly. ]

Believe it or not, I'm not completely destitute. And you not being in pain is more important anyway. I will find a way to make it work.

[fogofdread]

If you're sure.

[Cassim still doubts she understands what she's offering.]

....aw, fuck. Forgot my clothes.

[darkestbefore]

[ Maybe she doesn't, but she's still going to try.

At his words, she flushes at the reminder, averting her eyes again. ]

Ahh, yes... right. I'll, uh. I can return to my room while you... finish.

[fogofdread]

That might be...yeah.

[Awkward. Once Yona leaves, though, he's quick to retreat to his bedroom and find the only clean set of clothes he had. Cassim is pretty sure his other outfit is going to get burned.

Once changed, he goes to knock on Yona's door.]

Lady Yona?

[darkestbefore]

[ She starts, but gets to her feet as she calls out to him. ]

Yes? Ah... I mean, you can come in, Cassim. I sent for food. Are you hungry?

[fogofdread]

...oh. I was just about to ask if you wanted me to go down and ask.

[He opens the door, rubbing the back of his neck almost anxiously.]

Was also hoping to smoke on the way down, but eh. Whatever.

[darkestbefore]

[ She blinks in surprise a moment before offering him a sheepish smile. ]

If we take the tray of food out to the table on the balcony, you can smoke out there while you eat? Or is that too strange...?