Jake Convinces Cody by ShaggyDS

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The barbershop buzzed with the low hum of clippers, a sound that Jake found oddly soothing, like a secret anthem to his love of short hair. The place was a cramped little spot just off campus, walls plastered with faded posters of vintage cuts and a single barber chair that had seen better days. Jake lounged by the window, arms crossed, his own hair a masterpiece of precision—a classic buzzcut, sides shaved tight enough to feel like velvet, the top a neat half-inch of dark brown that he ran his hand over obsessively. He’d been hooked on the style since he first saw it on a varsity wrestler back in high school: clean, commanding, effortlessly cool. It was his thing, and he wasn’t shy about wanting to share it.

Cody, meanwhile, was sprawled across a sagging couch in the corner, his shaggy mane spilling over his shoulders like a golden-brown tide. It was the hair of a true beach bum, grown long and wild from years in his tiny coastal hometown—tangled from saltwater, bleached by the sun until it shimmered with streaks of honey and straw. The ends curled just above his collarbone, framing his laid-back grin and sun-freckled face in a way that screamed "I’d rather be surfing." He was the sweetest guy Jake had ever met, all easy laughs and warm hugs, but that hair? Jake had been itching to tame it since they started dating.

"C’mon, babe," Jake said, tilting his head toward the chair where his buddy Ryan was prepping the clippers with a practiced flick. "You’ve been dodging this forever. One buzzcut. It’s time."

Cody groaned, raking a hand through his chaotic locks, the strands catching the light like spun gold. "Dude, this is me. Shaggy hair, beach vibes. You knew that when you picked me."

Jake smirked, pushing off the wall and sauntering over. He leaned down, hands gripping the armrests of the couch, pinning Cody in place with that playful, take-charge energy Cody secretly loved. "Oh, I know. And I love it. But imagine you with a buzz—tight sides, sharp lines. You’d kill it. Ryan’s the guy for this, trust me."

Ryan, lean and wiry with a buzz of his own, chuckled as he adjusted the guard on his clippers. "He’s been hyping this up for weeks, Cody. Says your bone structure’s begging for a short cut. I’m with him—let’s make it happen."

Cody sighed, his hazel eyes glinting with defiance softened by a smile. Jake’s charm was a force of nature—pushy, sure, but wrapped in that goofy confidence that always won him over. Plus, Cody couldn’t lie: he was a little curious. His hair hadn’t been short since his mom forced blunt bangs on him at eight. Maybe it’d be fun.

"Fine," he muttered, hauling himself up. "But if I hate it, you’re growing yours out into a mullet or something equally hideous."

Jake laughed, clapping him on the back. "Deal. You’re gonna thank me."

Soon, Cody was perched in the barber chair, a black cape snapping around his neck like a flag of surrender. Ryan combed through the tangled mass one last time, the comb snagging on knots as he muttered, "Man, this is a jungle." Then came the clippers—a gleaming silver beast that roared to life with a deep, hungry buzz. Jake hovered nearby, practically vibrating with excitement.

The first pass was a shock. Ryan started at the nape, the blades slicing through Cody’s thick, sun-worn hair like a lawnmower through overgrown grass. A cascade of golden-brown locks tumbled down, pooling on the cape in soft, defeated clumps. Cody’s eyes widened in the mirror. "Holy s**t, dude. That’s... a lot."

"Keep going," Jake urged, leaning closer, his grin borderline maniacal. "Take it tight on the sides—number one guard. Leave a little on top."

Ryan nodded, expertly guiding the clippers up the side of Cody’s head. The buzzing grew rhythmic, almost hypnotic, as layer after layer of shaggy glory fell away. The sides transformed first—velvety stubble replaced the wild waves, revealing the clean curve of Cody’s skull and the sharp edge of his jaw. With each pass, the beach bum faded, and something new emerged: a guy who looked... tougher, maybe. More defined.

Cody reached up mid-cut, brushing his fingers over the prickly side, the texture alien and rough. "This feels so friggin’ weird," he said, half-laughing. A pile of his former self now dusted the floor, a sandy-brown carpet of lost summers.

Ryan switched guards, leaving the top a touch longer—about an inch of soft, textured hair that Jake immediately wanted to ruffle. He finished with a flourish, blending the sides into the top with a few deft swipes, then grabbed a straight razor to carve a crisp line along Cody’s neck. A quick blast of cool air from the blow dryer sent the last stray hairs flying, and Ryan stepped back. "Done. Check it out."

Cody blinked at the mirror, turning his head slowly. The shaggy beach bum was gone. In his place was a guy with a buzzcut so sharp it could’ve been military issue—sides buzzed to a velvety fade, the top just long enough to catch the light. His cheekbones popped, his eyes seemed bigger, brighter. He ran both hands over it, the sensation of stubble against his palms sending a shiver down his spine.

"Damn," he murmured. "I look... like a different person."

"You look hot," Jake corrected, stepping behind him and gripping his shoulders. "Told you. That’s a classic buzz, babe. Ryan’s a genius."

"Takes one to know one," Ryan quipped, brushing off the clippers with a grin.

Cody tilted his head, still adjusting to the weightlessness, the cool air kissing his scalp. "Okay, maybe you’re not totally wrong," he admitted, shooting Jake a mock glare. "But I’m still holding you to that deal if I miss my shaggy days."

Jake leaned down, pressing a quick kiss to the freshly buzzed side of Cody’s head, the stubble tickling his lips. "Worth every second. You’re still my beach bum—just a ridiculously sexy one now."

Cody rolled his eyes, but his grin betrayed him. Jake’s pushiness had paid off, and yeah, the buzzcut was growing on him—literally and figuratively.

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