You’ve never really seen her face fully.
Not like this.
Not without the usual cover.
And the second you do—
You don’t hold it in.
Which is exactly what she wasn’t prepared for.
⸻
You walk into the hangout like usual.
Half distracted.
Mid-conversation with someone behind you—
Until you look up.
And stop.
Because—
“…Wait.”
She’s across the room.
Leaning against the counter.
Talking.
But her dreads are pulled up.
Tied back into a loose bun.
Her face fully visible.
Clear.
And for a second—
You just stare.
Someone nudges you.
“You good?”
You don’t answer.
You’re already walking over.
“…Why do you look like that.”
It slips out.
Not even in a bad way—
Just shocked.
She glances at you.
Brows pulling slightly.
“Like what.”
You stop in front of her.
Still staring.
“Like—”
You gesture vaguely at her head.
“Your hair.”
She shrugs.
“Tied it up.”
“…Yeah, I can see that.”
You step closer.
Too close.
Tilting your head slightly like you’re trying to get a better look.
“Why don’t you do this more.”
She shifts a little.
Caught off guard by the attention already.
“Didn’t feel like it.”
You smile.
Slow.
“Oh my god mama!.” Your voice goes up a few octaves.
She frowns slightly.
“What.”
“I can see your face.”
“…You could always see my face.”
“Not like this.”
You reach up without thinking. Lightly touching near her jaw—
Just to turn her face a little toward the light.
“There it is.”
Her hand comes up immediately—
Not rough—
Just gently pushing your wrist away.
“Aight—”
But her voice isn’t as steady as usual.
You grin wider.
“Look at you.”
You tilt your head again. Studying.
“Gorgeous.”
A pause.
She exhales quietly.
Looks away.
“You doing too much.”
“I’m not.”
You lean in slightly again.
Trying to catch her eyes.
“You’ve been hiding this?”
“I’m not hiding anything.”
“You are.”
You laugh softly.
“Why you hiding your pretty face.”
She lets out a short breath.
Shakes her head.
But there’s a slight tension in her shoulders now.
A subtle shift.
You don’t miss it.
And it only makes you worse.
“Wow.”
You bring your hands up again—
This time just hovering near her face.
Not touching.
But close.
“Look at you.”
She catches your wrists this time.
Light.
Firm.
Pulls them down.
“Aight.”
But there’s a small smile threatening at the corner of her mouth now.
She can’t fully hide it.
She’s flustered. At your hands. At your baby tone.
“You done?”