Aled sat cross-legged on the soft blanket spread across the campus lawn, the spring sun spilling through the trees above and a light breeze tugging at his sweater. Daniel was behind him, perched on his knees, brow furrowed and tongue poking out as he tried to make sense of Aled’s hair.

“Hold still,” Daniel mumbled, twisting another strand and tugging a bit too hard.

“Ow,” Aled said mildly, though he was smiling. “You’re not braiding, you’re tying me into a knot.”

“Give me a break,” Daniel huffed. “Hair doesn’t come with instructions.”

Elle sat to their left, sipping a bright pink smoothie and watching the chaos unfold with amused eyes. “You’re literally just tangling it. That’s not even close to a braid.”

“I’m trying!” Daniel defended himself, mock offense coloring his voice. “How do you do it so fast?”

Aled tilted his head with a soft grin. “You’re pulling like I’m a Barbie doll.”

Daniel smirked. “You are my Barbie doll.”

Elle nearly choked on her smoothie laughing. “Okay, move over before he ends up bald. Give me that.”

Daniel sighed dramatically and handed over the half-mangled strands. “Fine. I loosened it up for you.”

Tao flopped onto the blanket beside Elle, holding out a snack bar. “Are we just ignoring the fact that he tried to braid his hair like he’s on a survival show?”

Daniel glared at him. “You try it, then!”

“Nope,” Tao said cheerfully. “I know my limits. Hair is sacred territory.”

Aled leaned back slightly, letting Elle’s fingers move smoothly through his hair as Daniel pouted beside him. The quiet chatter, the laughter, the warmth of spring—it all made Aled’s chest ache in the best way. He didn’t care if the braid came out crooked. Just being there, tangled in the comfort of his people, was enough.