#patchuali is hard mode lol

[hungry0bookworm]

Alice/Patchouli - Obsession

(This ship ended up being really tough to write, so it’s actually drabble length this time! Too short to put on AO3 too, for now. Maybe later.)

It took Patchouli a moment to realise Alice was staring at her. She glanced over her book, and frowned. “…What?”

Alice was hunched over, scrutinising Patchouli like a painting. They were sitting opposite each other in the library, a big pile of books on the floor between them. “Have you brushed your hair today?” she asked.

Patchouli touched her hair, confused. “Of course I did. Why?”

“It looks messy.” A doll appeared holding a hairbrush, and Alice smiled softly. “Would you like me to brush it?”

She sighed. Well, what was the harm? As long as it didn’t interrupt her research. “All right, if you must.”

Alice’s smile brightened, and she stood up. Patchouli was getting used to her friend’s visits turning into hair grooming sessions. The other day Alice had plaited her hair into seven separate braids, one for each day of the week, and the time before that she’d brought along a magic hair curling tong, and Patchouli had spent the rest of the day looking like a poodle. Alice seemed content with just brushing her hair today, though. She took Patchouli’s hat off, undid the ribbons, then gently ran the brush through her hair.

Patchouli had to admit, it was rather soothing.

“There,” said Alice five minutes later. “All done.”

Patchouli grunted, disappointed it was over. “Why are you obsessed with my hair?” she asked as Alice returned to her seat.

“Oh.” Alice looked worried for a moment. “Well, it’s smooth. I’m thinking of changing the way I make hair for the dolls, and touching yours gives me ideas.”

“I see.” That made perfect sense. Patchouli picked up the ribbons and refastened them. Her hair felt a lot straighter and softer between her fingers. “Hm.” She noticed something. “Split ends.”

“Split ends?” Alice raised her eyebrows. “When did you last get a haircut?”

Patchouli frowned. “I can’t remember.”

“Maybe I should cut it for you?”

That felt like a bit much. “I’ll ask Koakuma if I feel the need.” Patchouli returned to her book.

“I can use the hair for my dolls.”

“I’m sorry but I am not in the mood right now.”

“All right.” Alice sighed, and picked up a new book. Patchouli glimpsed its title: Fashionable Outside World Haircuts: From France to Fiji.

Uh oh…