Part 4: Sunday Service

Sunday mornings were usually Tivaughn's time to catch up on sleep, but when Reece texted "Z needs his braids fixed before church. You free?" at 7 AM, he found himself opening the shop before the sun fully rose.

The streets were empty except for early churchgoers when Reece's black Charger pulled up. Zaire bounced out in pressed khakis and a white button-down, already talking before he hit the door.

"Mr. Ti! Daddy said you'd fix them!" Zaire launched himself at Tivaughn's legs while Reece followed more slowly, looking sharp in charcoal dress pants and a black button-down with the sleeves rolled to his elbows. No smoke smell today.

"Looking clean, little man," Tivaughn grinned, lifting Zaire into the chair. "But these braids definitely need some love."

"Tell me about it," Reece muttered, dropping into a waiting chair. "Been fighting with him all morning about them."

"They got loose!" Zaire protested. "And Daddy pulls too hard."

Tivaughn caught Reece's eye in the mirror, trying not to smile at his offended expression. "Well, we'll get you fixed up real quick. Can't have you looking anything but fresh for church."

As Tivaughn worked, Zaire chattered about Sunday school and his new friend Marcus and how Daddy had promised McDonald's after if he was good. Reece stayed quiet, but Tivaughn could feel his eyes following every movement.

"You always work these hours?" Reece asked finally, voice casual but eyes intent.

"Nah, this is special service," Tivaughn said, fingers moving quick and gentle through Zaire's hair. "Only for my favorite customers."

"We your favorites?" Zaire beamed.

"Don't gas him up," Reece said, but there was almost a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

"Too late," Tivaughn laughed. "Already his biggest fan."

The morning light streamed golden through the windows as Tivaughn finished the last braid. The shop felt different in these early hours - softer somehow, like time moved slower. Like they were in their own bubble where Reece's guard could slip just a little.

"There we go," Tivaughn said, turning Zaire to see the mirror. "Fresh as Sunday morning."

"Daddy, look!" Zaire bounced in the chair. "Can Mr. Ti come get McDonald's too?"

The question hung in the air. Tivaughn busied himself with cleaning up, heart beating a little faster as he waited for Reece's response.

"Man's probably got plans," Reece said finally. But when Tivaughn looked up, Reece was watching him with that same intent gaze. "Unless..."

"Unless?" Tivaughn echoed, holding his breath.

"Please, Mr. Ti?" Zaire turned those big eyes on him - so much like his father's when they weren't guarded.

"I mean," Tivaughn shrugged, aiming for casual, "I could eat."

Something shifted in Reece's expression - so quick Tivaughn almost missed it. But then he nodded once, decisive. "Aight then. But we gotta move if we're gonna make it to service."

The drive to church was quiet except for Zaire's excited chatter from the backseat. Tivaughn kept stealing glances at Reece's profile, the way the sun caught his features, how his hands rested easy on the wheel. Different from his usual tension.

"You can wait here if you want," Reece said when they pulled up to the small brick church. "Service runs about an hour."

"Nah, I'll come in." Tivaughn surprised himself with the words. "If that's cool?"

Reece studied him for a long moment, then nodded. "Your soul could probably use it."

Inside, they slid into a back pew, Zaire between them. The familiar hymns and prayers washed over them, and Tivaughn found himself watching how Reece's shoulders gradually relaxed, how his hand stayed gentle on Zaire's back, how different he looked in this light - almost peaceful.

Halfway through the service, Zaire fell asleep against Tivaughn's arm. When he looked over, Reece was watching them both, something soft and unguarded in his expression. Their eyes met, held. Then Reece looked away, but he leaned back slightly, his shoulder brushing Tivaughn's behind Zaire's head.

They stayed like that for the rest of service, that point of contact burning between them, neither moving away.

After, true to his word, Reece drove them to McDonald's. Zaire's energy had returned full force as he demolished his Happy Meal, regaling them with his dream about being a superhero barber.

"Like Mr. Ti!" he declared around a mouthful of nugget. "But with laser clippers!"

"Chew your food," Reece said, but he was almost smiling again. Under the table, his knee pressed against Tivaughn's, just slightly.

"Laser clippers sound dangerous," Tivaughn laughed. "Think I'll stick to regular ones."

"You're already super though," Zaire said with complete conviction. "Right, Daddy?"

Reece's knee pressed harder for just a moment. "Eat your food, Z."

But later, after they'd dropped Tivaughn back at his car, Reece rolled down his window. "Thanks," he said quietly. "For everything."

"Anytime," Tivaughn replied, meaning it more than he probably should.

He watched them drive away, the morning playing on repeat in his mind. His phone buzzed as he unlocked the shop to clean up:"Z says you should come to church more often"

Then, a minute later: "Wouldn't be mad about it"

Tivaughn smiled at his phone, heart light. "Might have to make it a regular thing then"

The response came quick: "Bet"

Standing in his quiet shop, morning sun streaming through the windows, Tivaughn realized he was in deeper than he'd planned. And somehow, he couldn't bring himself to mind