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to look down at me, “that back in the Old World, grey hair was considered ugly?”
“What?” I bark out a laugh, his words too ridiculous to believe. I sit up and lock eyes with him, pale blue to chocolate brown. “You’re joking, right?”
“It’s crazy , isn’t it?” His eyes widen with the excitement he gets from talking about our world’s history. “But no, I’m not even close to kidding. There were all sorts of dyes that people would use to get rid of the color. And this didn’t happen with any other hair color. Pre-Chip people hated grey hair. I mean, sure, people would sometimes change their hair from their natural color to another, but they had countless ways to get rid of or cover up grey hair. ” His eyes shine with passion, gesturing widely with his now-free hands.
I snort with incredulity. It’s partly from the expression on his face, but mostly because that is one of the most absurd things I’ve ever heard about people from the past. “I don’t believe you. It’s hair . Why would they care so much?”
Harrison shrugs, taking on a more serious expression. “Maybe it was because of their lifespan? I would guess the grey hair reminded them of their mortality. But whatever the reason, not very many people seemed to be fans of the color.”
I look down at the silver and dyed-blue strands of my hair. I’ve always loved the color of my hair, and it’s been that shade of gray since I came out of the womb. I can’t understand how someone could be ashamed of something as trivial as that. I know that our society is much less concerned about issues of beauty and physical appearance than theirs was—after all, when everyone can live as long as they want, looking youthful doesn’t exactly accomplish anything—but I still find myself taken aback by the ridiculous things Harrison teaches me about the past.
I pull out of my thoughts to find Harrison leaning forward, once again playing with a section of my hair. He looks up at me with a lazy smile. “They were crazy, Elly.” His voice is husky as he looks down at the intertwined strands of blue and silver. “Your hair is the most beautiful color I’ve ever seen. It looks like mist, fog, and starlight all at the same time.” He gives my hair a little tug and I close the distance between us in a gentle kiss. I sigh against his mouth. Even two years into our romance, Harrison’s kisses still make me melt. After a few moments, Harrison pulls back. I quirk an eyebrow at the sad expression on his face.
“I’m going to have to stock up on those, now that I’m not partnered with you at the moment.” He smiles, but he still looks sad. I wrap his hand between my own and brush my thumbs over his knuckles. “I’m really going to miss going on assignment with you, Elly,” he admits. I nod. “I still can’t believe the Primary assigned you to another pixie.” I smile at his use of the term upper-rank Godparents use to describe new recruits. One of his arms is curled behind his head, the other draped around my shoulders. His relaxed posture is at odds with the tension in his voice. I poke the strip of exposed skin between the hem of his T-shirt and his pajama pants playfully.
“Well it’s not like it’s the first time I’ve handled a newbie, now is it?”
“Exactly,” he replies. “Come on, the last time that happened you fell in love with your protégé. I can’t have that happening again.” Mock horror colors his features.
I laugh and draw my hand away to trace swirling patterns on his chest with my fingers. I pretend to be deep in thought. “Well, maybe you should be worried. She did have these amazing green eyes…” I trail off and look at him with a wink. He laughs and squeezes my shoulders in a side-hug.
“Nah,” he replies, “I’m not worried. There’s no way she’s prettier than me. But still... It’s going to be weird not having you around at work.”
I pull away and look back down at him; his expression is once again sad. He