"It means a lot to us too," was Billy's answer, accompanied by a squeeze of her hand. "You've done so much for us---for me, all seemingly effortless. I just want to give back, after everything we've been through together," he said seriously. So much of their bondship had been complicated.

He waved that off with a smile. "Don't worry, I'm the one who brought it up. It's really not a big deal. See?"

And that was when he messed with his own hair, making it a fair bit messier than before. It then appeared to stick out on all ends.