Zenon rubbed his jaw and felt a week's growth. "Didn't realize I was getting so scruffy. Next thing you know, I'll be drinking with Kenren." He sauntered over to the barbershop and parked his ass in one of the vacant chairs. "Shave and a haircut; two bits, right?"
The barber was not amused. "Must you say that every time you come in here?"
Zenon smirked. "Sorry, but I never get tired of it."
The barber rolled his eyes and started trimming Zenon's hair.
Zenon got comfortable and closed his eyes. He enjoyed getting his hair cut. The sensation of someone's fingers running through and playing with his hair always relaxed him.
The barber's skilled fingers took hold of each lock of hair and gently glided up just short of the tip before he cut it. Sometimes he blew on the tip and repeated the sliding motion until satisfied he found the perfect amount to cut. As he methodically worked his way through Zenon's golden mane, a smile grew on Zenon's lips.
Zenon exhaled as he shifted in the chair. He was aroused, and it made his pants feel too tight. "Do you always take this much care with your clients, Dewei?"
"Depends on the client," Dewei said mischievously.
Zenon laughed.
The barber finished cutting Zenon's hair and was about to place a hot towel on his face to prepare it for a shave when Zenon held up his hand.
"Not yet; I need to take a leak."
"You know where the men's room is."
Zenon got up from the chair and casually walked to the men's room. The last thing he needed was Dewei to think he succeed in exciting him.
There were five stalls in the men's room. The deep blue walls of each stall went from floor to ceiling, creating private compartment. Each was big enough to contain a toilet, a sink, and a cot with deep blue blanket to rest on. A couple had showers and towels in them as well. Zenon never understood why so many stalls were needed, since he never saw any other customers at Dewei's shop when he was there.
Zenon entered the stall farthest from the entrance, kicked off his boots, and stripped out of his pants. Though freed of its constraints, his erection ached as he walked straight into the shower.
It has been a while since I ... but I didn't realize Dewei would have this effect on me, Zenon thought to himself.
Dewei was a good and accommodating guy, but he wasn't Zenon's type. First off, Dewei was bald like one of those stodgy, sour-looking Buddhist monks he'd seen down below. Second, the guy flamed too much. Guys who were over-the-top were too high maintenance.
Zenon steadied himself against one of the shower's walls and took some deep breaths to calm down. He concentrated on relaxing every muscle in his body the way Shien had showed him. Zenon started with his neck and worked his way down. He suspected Dewei installed cameras and didn't want to be in the man's private collection.
When he returned to his chair, Dewei retrieved a hot, damp towel and placed it on his face to prep it for shaving.
The moist heat enveloped Zenon, causing him to fall asleep in the chair.
Zenon was awakened by the sensation of someone's hand stroking his hair. He recognized the touch; it was Shien. Zenon decided to keep his eyes closed a little while longer because he enjoyed what Shien was doing to his hair too much.
Dewei yanked the towel off. "Come back tomorrow for a shave; duty calls, you bum."
Zenon opened his eyes and stretched. Shien kept his hand entangled in Zenon's hair.
"No rest for the wicked, Shien?" Zenon asked.
Shien replied, "I beg to differ, Zenon. You look rested to me." He removed his hand and headed towards the door.
Zenon caught up to his comrade and said, "You of all people should know looks can be deceiving, Shien."
Shades of crimson and gold filled the western horizon as the sun began to set.
"Damn, Homura!" Zenon swore outside the front of Homura's home. "He didn't need us for that. They were no challenge. I think half of them shit in their pants when they saw us. When will we have some worthy opponents?"
"When you can hold your ground; you're covered in mud, Zenon," Shien chided.
"We were in a swamp, Shien; why ain't there mud on you?"
"I can hold my ground."
Zenon laughed, a big belly laugh. He knew Shien wasn't commenting on his skills as a fighter. They'd been partners for too long to doubt each other. Shien was just busting his chops. Shien rarely made jokes, but on the rare occasion he did, it was usually around Zenon.
"The swamp stench clings to me; I'm going to the baths." Shien walked several feet and stopped. "Coming, Zenon?"
The golden-haired god caught up to his friend. "Yeah, I am. I got mud in places I don't want it."
When they reached the baths, they were escorted to the section designated for the officers. The officers' locker room was empty. Zenon started undressing as he walked to his locker, leaving his clothes where he dropped them. Shien walked to his locker and then undressed.
Zenon walked straight to the shower area and started washing the mud off.
Shien sat near his comrade but far enough away so the muddy suds wouldn't slosh on to him. He industriously got to work scrubbing the stench off.
"Zenon," Shien said, "make sure all the mud is gone. I don't want scum ruining the bath."
"If you didn't want scum, then why did you invite me to join you?" He waited, but all Zenon heard was the pouring of water.
