#and even longer since ive written for omgcp

[bestatsavingface]

Not Too Late (To Pick up the Pieces)

Summary: A series of vignettes about Dex's life on the autism spectrum.

Notes: eventual NurseyDex, friendship fic, focus on self-discovery and acceptance.

"I get my hair cut once a month." The admission leaves Dex's mouth before he has time to think twice, and the regret is instant when both Nursey and Shitty gasp dramatically at it. He knows they're teasing in the 'good way', but it still makes his stomach twist like every reminder that he does things in ways no one else seems to do.

"There's no way your hair grows fast enough to warrant a trim every month, brah." 

Nursey's not totally wrong, but Dex has learned through years of experience that he can't go more than 36 days between haircuts before his hair grows just long enough to tickle his ears and neck constantly. The sensation is so overwhelming to him even as he grew up that the summer he sprained his ankle in junior high he'd ended up taking his father's shaver and buzzing his entire head when he couldn't walk the five blocks to the barber.

But Dex isn't about to explain that to half the hockey team who's just settling into breakfast. "It grows enough," he says instead, earning an eye roll from Nursey. "I just prefer it, why do I need to wait til it reaches some arbitrary length when I could just put it on my schedule every month instead?"

Shitty sighs, reaching over and running a hand lightly through Dex's hair. Years of practice is all that stops him from flinching away from the touch, but he does give Shitty an annoyed glare in reply. "Dex, my crimson compadre, don't you think you're denying yourself what could be some gorgeous locks? What's the longest you ever had it, bro?" 

Dex debates on telling the truth because he knows it'll just spur them on but he's not a big fan of lying over little things. "I had it to my shoulders when I was really little," Nursey and Shitty both start to exclaim but he cuts them off. "It's the in-between period, that's what really bothers me. If I could wake up one day and my hair is shoulder length again maybe I'd keep it but I'm not gonna put myself through months of annoying and awkward hairstyles to get there."

There's a murmur of agreements and dissents, and Dex is ready to let the conversation die and never bring up his hair habits again when Holster and Ransom sit down next to him, the blond and his breakfast including an ungodly amount of hardboiled eggs between him and Ransom. "What are we talking about?" Holster asks before shoving an entire egg into his mouth much to the disgust of his two seatmates.

"Haircuts and if Dex should let it grow and become the next Jessica Rabbit." Nursey's smirk only widens at Dex's quickly pinking cheeks, dodging the jam packet that's tossed at his head. "What about you Rans, ever thinking about growing out your fro?" Read more on AO3!