Ruaan worked his fingers through Harolin's hair one more time and rinsed the last of the shampoo out. He ran his hand from the top of Harolin's head down to the ends and felt how different it was. Cleaner. Softer.
He leaned down close to Harolin's ear.
"Your hair is better than before, Lily," he said quietly.
Harolin reached up and touched his own hair. Then he turned his head and looked back at Ruaan and said something low that got swallowed by the sound of the shower.
From the bench where Seo was sitting, all he could see was Ruaan leaning toward Harolin and Harolin turning to respond and the two of them existing in that small private space like the rest of the room wasn't there.
Seo watched Ruaan's wet hand resting on Harolin's shoulder.
He had tried to get close to Harolin. Had tried different angles and different approaches and had always found the same wall. Cold, controlled, utterly indifferent. Like Seo wasn't even worth the energy of a reaction.
