One Day at A Time- Madderton Oneshots

Hair

"Bubs, I'm back! I got takeout and that green juice from the stand you like."

Richard calls out as he enters his shared hotel room with Taron. The two have shared a room for the past month while filming due to Taron's lease running out and Richard not having permanent residence in London. The transition to living together wasn't easy but they've made it work.

As Richard walked through the threshold, he saw the bedroom that once held his sleeping boyfriend was deserted. The covers were unmade and strayed from the mattress and hanging off the side. Taron's bathrobe was missing from the chair Richard had placed it on after peeling it from his unconscious body. He passed out on top of Richard after crying and panicking when coaxed to leave the room and getting dinner.

"I'm in the bathroom... can you come here please."

Taron's voice was distraught and weak. Richard quickly sat down their food and opened the door. Before him was Taron standing infront of the mirror holding a buzzer in his hands while crying.

"I hate my hair. I hate it so fucking much."

"I don't think anyone would like to have a balding hairline, my love."

Taron didn't respond.

His knuckles were white while clenching and his breathing grew more unsteady.

"I mean if it means anything to you, I think you look very handsome."

"You just say that."

Richard has to admit he's glad that Taron wrapped on shooting. Throughout their relationship, Taron's confidence has dwindled from the weight gain and hair torture. Since shooting ended, Taron has been passing through stages of crying or complete silence. It felt all Richard could do was hold and comfort him until he would fall asleep. Even getting him to eat was a struggle. Watching Taron staring at himself in the mirror, Richard hoped this would be the last his boyfriend would cry.

Richard quickly walks over and picks the buzzer from Taron's hand.

"You sure about this?"

Taron let out a sob. "Please."

Richard carefully collects Taron in his arms and makes him sit on the tub while he kneels infront of him. Giving Taron a few quick kisses, Richard begins to wipe Taron's eyes with the fluffy robe he is wearing.

"I don't want to get hair on your robe, love. Can we take it off?"

Taron quickly pulls the robe closer and his eyes begin to water again. Richard pulls Taron's hands to his face and kisses the top of them. He lets them go and pulls the robe down to the point where it hangs off of Taron's arms. Richard helps Taron take it off, then quickly meeting him with a kiss.

"It will be okay."

Taron gives a short nod and Richard turns the buzzer on. Taron flinched at the noise but bent his head down for Richard. Quickly swiping the buzzer across his scalp, Taron's hair fell to his shoulders. Richard brushed any fallen hair into the tub and kissed his forehead.

"Look it's all gone. Go into the bedroom and get your juice, love."

When Taron stood up, he caught his sight in the mirror. He let out a shriek and ran a hand over his head. Richard held his waist while he watched Taron begin to cry again.

"Hush love, let it out."

Taron turned around and met Richard's eyes.

"I don't like it. I want my hair back."

Richard laughed and kissed Taron again.

"Maybe you should have told me before I shaved it off."

Taron became frustrated with Richard's remark.

"My hair! Before this- this goddamn movie!" Taron clenched his ears and groaned. Looking back into the mirror, he let a small whimper leave his throat.

"I look fucking hideous."

"No love, you look beautiful. No matter what you look like, I'll love you."

Taron quickly picked up his robe and wrapped himself tightly with it. Richard saw through Taron's insecurity and pulled his hands from the robe, letting it open freely from Taron's sides.

"You don't have to hide from me."

"Why do you stay with me. I look like this, shouldn't you go find someone else. Someone who doesn't cry on you and throws a fit when they have to leave this god awful room. You deserve better."

"Are you trying to break up with me?"

Taron's face paled.

"No!" Taron reached for Richard's hand and gripped them tight. "I want you."

"Then no, I'm not leaving you. Listen just because you aren't feeling yourself doesn't mean I will leave you like this. You're clearly struggling with the changes you've had to go through for this film and I am in awe of your dedication. Love, I fell inlove with you with your hair all messed up and with a little pudge. That's the Taron I love and I'll love whatever you decide to change with your body. I know at the end of the day it's still your sweet and bubbly self inside."

By the time Richard stopped talking, Taron's tears turned into completely blubbering sobs. Richard pulled Taron into his arms and stroked his back. Taron hid his face in Richard's neck while he tried to steady his breathing.

"Thank you. I'm sorry."

"No don't be sorry. Listen, let me clean up in here. Go lie down, I'll be in there in a second."

Taron nodded in Richard's neck and pulled away. Richard watched Taron turn and walk into the main room before quickly cleaning up Taron's hair from the floor. Throwing all of the hair into the trash, Richard realized how little hair Taron had after shooting. He quickly put away the buzzer and turned off the bathroom lights.

When he walked into the bedroom, he could have started crying with Taron. His boyfriend lied cutely on the bed making grabby hands for Richard. He grabbed their food and laid with Taron, who immediately curled into Richard's lap.

"Bubs you've got to sit up and eat."

Richard pulled Taron up ontop of himself and handed him a box of fish and chips. Taron pouted and opened the box on a pillow that laid flat next to the two. Richard took the opportunity to feed Taron a chip as he laid across his chest. Taron gently ate the chip as Richard began to stroke his cheek.

"How are you feeling?"  Taron met Richard's eyes with his own bleak expression.

"I don't know." Taron rubbed his cheek against Richard's tender hand and kissed the knuckle of his thumb. Richard broke into a pitiful smile.

"What do you need?"

"Time."