The Lodging House was almost always noisy, especially in the mornings when the boys were preparing to head out and sell their daily papers. But Snitch preferred things quiet. He preferred having the bathroom to himself in the mornings, and would sometimes pretend to be sick or sleep in or whatever it took in order to get that special treat.

But now, he found himself wishing someone else was there.

Some of the other boys had been teasing Snitch lately about the peach fuzz on his cheeks and chin. Their jokes and cracks had surprised him; at sixteen, he had begun to think that shaving would never be a part of his life. However, looking in the mirror now, he could see the light shining off the pale blonde hairs on his chin.

"Well," he murmured to himself. "This is what I get for sleepin' in today. Lordy."

He had never shaved before. Usually, when it was time for someone's first shave, they found an older boy to do it for them until they felt ready to try it themselves. That way worked. No one had ever ended up injured because of a razor, or at least as long as Snitch had been at the 'House.

"I could just wait until tomorrow..." He mused, rubbing his hand over the fuzz, reveling in the peculiar feel. "Yeah. That sounds-"

"Snitch?"

Snitch jumped and put his hand over his chest. "Jesus Skitts!" He snapped. "You scared the shit outta me!"

"Sorry." Skittery grinned sheepishly, holding his moth-eaten jacket in his hands. "What's goin' on?"

Snitch tilted his head and turned back to the mirror. "I needs a shave."

"Then do it."

"I's never shaved before."

Skittery's grin faded slightly. "Really? Want me to do it?"

"Could you?"

"Sure I could." Skittery swung his jacket onto the coat rack and entered the bathroom. "I'd be happy to." He pursed his lips and made a fish-face. "Li'l Snitchy's growing up!"

Snitch pushed him, grinning himself. "Just show me what to do."

"Hold your water and wash your face while I try and figure out where Bumlets put the goddamn suds."

Snitch frowned and slid to the water pump, pumping it with one hand and using the other to make a cup to splash his face with. The water was cold enough to make his skin sting, and he shook the excess out of his face, using the back of his hand to rub it out of his eyes. Skittery was watching him impatiently. "Come on, you ain't that dirty," the older boy said, tapping his foot on the floor. "We both got papes to sell and if you keep me waiting there won't be none left when we get there."

Snitch scowled and stalked over to where Skittery was standing. "Don't get huffy with me."

"Don't you get huffy. I's the one with the razor." Skittery dunked the brush in water, then suds, before spreading it over Snitch's face in gentle, circular motions. "Good lord, Snitch. How do we put up with you?" Snitch wrinkled his nose and Skittery laughed. "Yeah, get that outta you now. You can't move once I get the razor out or I might cut you, hear?"

Snitch nodded slowly, starting to relax; he hadn't even realized he'd been nervous until Skittery started spreading the lather on his face. Or maybe that had been the reason for his anxiety? Was he scared of Skittery? What reason did he have for that? Skittery could be a bit of a stick in the mud sometimes, but he was a good guy otherwise.

And why was he so close? Surely he didn't need to be that close.

Did he?

Snitch blinked at Skittery, then shut his eyes.

"You okay?" Skittery asked casually. Snitch nodded. "All right. Just checkin'. Your hands are shakin' so I figured I'd ask. You ready for the razor?" Snitch opened his eyes and nodded. "Okay. Don't move or I's gonna cut you, and we don't wanna spill no blood on the floor or Kloppman's gonna kill us, okay?"

Snitch grinned. "You really care about me, don't you?"

Skittery smirked. "Shut your face and don't move." He turned Snitch around so Snitch could see how shaving worked. He put one hand in Snitch's hair to tilt his head the right way, then leaned in close. Snitch's eyes widened when he felt Skittery's chest press against his back, Skittery's arms squeezing tight against his own. "Don't move," Skittery hissed, and Snitch gasped shortly, Skittery's cool breath against his ear sending a shiver down his spine. "Jesus!" The older boy snapped. "Don't you ever stop movin'?"

"Sorry," Snitch muttered, eyes fixed on the image in the mirror, where Skittery's head almost rested on his shoulder.

The scrape of the blade against Snitch's face was odd at first, but when he felt cold air on his cheeks, he felt peculiarly... smooth. That was really the only word for that sensation. Smooth.

"Turn around again," Skittery ordered. "I can't do your chin from here."

Snitch turned obediently, tilting his head down ever so slightly, enough for Skittery, who was a few inches smaller, to handle properly. He was surprised when Skittery leaned in close and dragged the blade over his upper lip, like a gradual, dangerous kiss. The thought made Snitch blush, and Skittery smirked as he started on Snitch's chin. "What's got you so worked up? And don't answer that yet or I'll cut you."

Snitch waited until Skittery finished to shrug and say, "Nothing."

Skittery chuckled and handed Snitch a towel. "Go wash your face again."

"Why do I gotta wash my face so many times, huh?"

"Just do it, Snitch."

Snitch rolled his eyes and wet the towel under the pump before rubbing it over his face, not just to wash it, but also because it felt good, like the towel was getting every scrape of dirt or hair that might be left on his face.

"Stop dallyin', Snitch! We're really late now!"

Snitch lifted his face and pouted, but stood and went to Skittery anyway. "What now?"

Skittery shrugged and cocked his head to the side. He started to smile. "I think I did a pretty good job. Huh?"

Snitch, who had no experience with such things, nodded agreeably.

"You gotta learn to stop movin' though. Once you start doin' it yourself it's harder, and you're more likely to cut yourself." The younger boy nodded slowly, and the room was silent, broken only by the water pump dripping into the tin washtub beneath. Snitch briefly glanced in the direction of the pump, then turned back to Skittery.

"Um... thanks."

Skittery smiled and lifted his hand, placing it against Snitch's cheek. His palm was warm, almost painfully rough against Snitch's delicate skin. Snitch's lips parted, and he tucked his chin into the hollow of his throat, hoping that this would hide his sudden blush. Skittery laughed, his thumb gently rubbing the flesh under Snitch's eye.

"You's really growin' up," Skittery said, ducking under Snitch's face to look him in the eye. Snitch bit his lip, not quite sure what Skittery meant by this.

But the older boy seemed to understand what Snitch was feeling and stepped back, placing his hand on Snitch's arm instead.

"Do you want to sell with me today?"

Snitch hesitated, then smiled shyly. "We's so late. I don't think I have a choice."

Skittery's hand trailed down Snitch's arm to twist their fingers together. "C'mon then. Before they run outta papes and we have to waste the day together until the evenin' edition comes out."

Snitch started to laugh as Skittery dragged him back to the bunkroom, grabbing both coats on their way out the door. "You know," he said, "either way doesn't sound too bad."

.::AUTHOR'S NOTE::.

Okay. Not the best thing I've ever written.

Cute nonetheless. Ahah.

Basically just something I wrote to keep myself entertained as I wait for Dakki to post the chapter update and the Snittery one-shot we agreed to in exchange for the next chapter of Pushing Back. Trust me, I'm on her back about it, ahah, as you should be too.

My birthday is coming up in a couple weeks. Yay! Remember it!

And that's it. Ta kids.