The Binding Vow of Lazarus

Chapter 90

Boe sighed, unwrapping the towel from her head while staring blankly into the bathroom mirror. Black. Dark silky black hair — freshly dyed and freshly miserable. She clicked her tongue and threw the towel down on the counter top before snatching up her comb to start to de-tangle before it dried and became a problem.

She bit her lip, trying not to get upset. It's not like she told Rin, or anyone really, how much this would suck. But she was starting to think maybe she should have. Rin was, of course, right about doing it — sorcerers pretty commonly had wild colored natural hair — but black hair was exactly what they needed for this.

"Blend in," she muttered, "Don't stand out."

Suguru, as if summoned, stepped around the corner and knocked his knuckles on the open door a few times before walking in. He smiled at her through the mirror, ignoring that she chose not to turn or even flick her eyes his way at all. He reached out, lifting up a few locks and letting them fall.

"It's pretty," he admitted quietly, then frowned, "I'm sorry you don't like it."

"Yeah, whatever," Boe muttered, jerking her comb through an almost tangle. It got itself a little stuck and she grimaced, tugging it through and against the little mess undoubtedly making a bigger mess.

"Stop that," Suguru hissed, taking the comb out of her hand, "Come on now. Don't be so aggressive with it you'll tear it up."

"I didn't want to do this in the first place!" Boe spat, glaring at him.

Suguru ran his fingers through the ends of her hair, gently pulling and separating the twisted strands. Then with the comb he got back to tidying her up, focusing on the task ahead.

Boe stared at him, finally, through the mirror with that scowl still on her face. She didn't move, just let him work through her damp hair without a physical fuss — all the fuss was in the glare and her bunched up eyebrows.

"Tell me what's wrong," Suguru said softly, not pausing his work.

She didn't answer, instead gritting her teeth and digging her nails into the counter tile. With a huff, she twisted to try to turn and leave but his hand landed on her shoulder. With just enough pressure, no where near enough to hurt but enough to stop her, he kept her right where she was.

"I don't— I," she mumbled, stumbling over her words as he continued to calmly stroke through her hair. Finally she exhaled in a hiss and muttered, "I don't want to look like them."

Suguru paused only for a breath before continuing with the comb. "Do you mean your family?" He asked softly.

She only grumbled in her throat, her lips wound up in a scowl. Suguru nodded, taking a half step back to look at her. He reached down and stroke his fingers through the ends of her hair, his eyes slowly drifting along. She watched him carefully through the mirror, eyes darting away anytime she thought he might look.

Finally, he inhaled before gently leaning closer and kissing her temple, smiling as she huffed and pushed him away. He followed her as she scooped up her towel and threw it in the washer then stormed out to the kitchen. He stood nearby in the kitchen, watching as she was pouring a cup of water, drank half of it, then dumped the rest in the sink before just standing there gripping onto the edge of the sink.

"Boe—"

"Everyone always said I looked like my fucking egg doner," she spat suddenly, glowering down at the cup before she placed it hard on the countertop. "They loved it so much and dressed me up all fancy and paraded me around…" She grit her teeth. "They only loved me when they wanted me to be a fucking doll to be sold off."