"Thanks for the help," Cicada said. "Usually I get PR1ZE to do it, but with him and Jessica off with the cowboys..."
"It's fine," Jess said. She gently rubbed the dye into his hairline, gloved fingers dexterously pulling the locks into position. "So long as you're willing to help me when mine starts fading."
"Uh, sure. No problem." He closed his eyes as Jess tugged at his hair. It brought about slightly unwanted sense memories. Its scent was too similar to Jessica's, his presence behind him feeling like his Capybara, but it wasn't her. They barely knew each other. They were friends at best, mild acquaintances more likely.
They sat in silence for a bit as he brushed the dye into the faded sections of Cicada's hair. The faded areas weren't back to their regular brown, rather the near-white blond of the bleach. His natural hair color was too dark to dye directly.
Cicada blurted out, "why did you forgive me?"
Jess didn't answer for a few moments. He didn't repeat the question, and it didn't ask for clarification. They both knew what he meant.
She finally spoke up. "I had a lot of time in the compound to work through my anger. I got to vent it a bit while I was in there, and after a few months I realized it was... never really your choice. The Elijahs were as much in charge of you as WOE.BEGONE was me. Neither of us had a choice."
"I did have a choice. I should've stood up to Eli. What good is H1VE if we can't protect each other?"
"It's fine, Mantis. I forgive you."
He paused.
"Who?"
Jess froze up. It... had some explaining to do.
