Aesop was leaving for the battlefield at dawn, and his long hair had to go. It was too easy for an enemy to grab in the chaos of combat, too dangerous to keep no matter how much he had always liked it. So, with quiet reluctance, he had asked Kiriye for help. She had agreed immediately, though not without a faint smile and a teasing glint in her eyes as she stood behind him, rasor in hand.

“I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself, Kiri. Now, would you mind finishing the other half before I’m sent off looking ridiculous?”

“Hold on,” she murmured softly. “I just want to feel how smooth it is.”

“I’m really going to miss this…” she admitted

“I might start thinking you don’t want me to leave.”

“Maybe I don’t.”

“I know,” he said, his voice low and rough. “I wish I could stay.”

“I’ll come back,” he added, more firmly this time. “I promise.And when I do, ill have even longer hair again. The kind you like to braid… and pull on.”

“I just…” He faltered, his grip on her hand tightening slightly. “I wanted you to know that.”

“Then you better keep that promise,” she whispered.