Salon Shenanigans
It had been about a week since Daphne had come home. Although she was gone for two years, which felt like an eternity to the gang, it didn't take long for her presence to feel natural. Velma floated around the house these days, happier than Shaggy had ever seen her. It was nice to have the old Velma back, the last two years had taken such a toll on her mentally the boys had wondered in private if she would ever be the same. To their surprise and delight, Velma's spark was reignited, possibly brighter than ever before.
—
As if alerted by his thoughts, Shaggy heard Velma’s muffled voice through the door calling him for breakfast. His stomach growled on cue as he pulled on an olive green tank top and tattered sweatshorts. He turned to the mirror running his fingers through his unruly hair and examining himself. Hazel eyes slightly red and his eyelids drooping courtesy of his wake and bake. He rubbed his chin closely examining the beginnings of a beard (the girls called it ‘peach fuzz’ but what do they know) even with his T-shots his hairless father did him no favors in that department. A mop of dirty blond hair framed his face, his bangs hanging low just grazing his eyelashes reminding him he needed a haircut badly. Maybe he could ask Daph it'd be a good way to get a little one-on-one time. Shaggy hand absently traced the scars on his chest as he looked in the mirror thinking of a way to ask Daphne about the haircut. A lot had changed while Daphne was away for everyone but Shaggy had one of the more drastic physical changes thanks to his top surgery. The gang had known Shaggy was trans for years before Daphne left, so he felt silly for being self-conscious, but still, he couldn't help but think about the last time Daphne had seen him. Two years ago he was still trying to get his parents to accept his identity, in a way what happened with Daphne actually helped his parents see how important it was to accept their kid. About 6 months after Daphne moved away Shaggy went to a surgeon accompanied by his parents, for a consultation for top surgery. He'd always been a skinny kid and lanky to boot, thanks to his father who was well over 6 feet tall, so when he started “blooming” it was noticeable. Shaggy had been binding since 14 anyway he could to help with dysphoria and bullying, although, after a few close calls due to doing it unsafely, he mostly stuck to binders and oversized t-shirts. Freddy was the one who finally convinced him to get a real binder, he’d even ordered it to his own house since his parents didn't screen his mail. Fred had held Shaggy while he cried after seeing his chest in the binder for the first time. He wouldn't admit it but Fred cried too. Fast forward to a year after Daphne had moved away and Fred was again holding Shaggy as he cried, removing his bandages for the first time. The healing stage was hard for Shaggy, he hated seeing blood, Fred basically moved into the Rogers household until Shaggy got his drains removed. A few months later for Fred’s 18th birthday, his parents gifted him an estate, which would soon become the HQ of Scooby-Doo detective agency (™ pending). Shaggy moved in with his parents' permission and after reassuring them he would make sure to take his T-shots on time, keep going to school, and walk Scooby every day, Freddy always made sure he did. After graduation, Velma moved in full-time and the rest as they say was history.
—
Suddenly Shaggy heard the doggy door fly open followed by the sound of paws running towards him before he was pinned to the floor. Scooby gave him a sloppy kiss as he whined, begging Shaggy to hurry for breakfast. Velma must have sent in reinforcements when he hadn't come running as usual. He’d been so lost in thought he ignored his growling stomach and the mouth-watering smells coming from the kitchen. Scratching Scooby's head, Shaggy pulled himself up throwing on a sweatshirt before running down the stairs, Scoob hot on his trail. “ There you are sleepy head… or should I say, pothead. I see why you’re late now.” Velma snorted at her own bad joke as she handed Shag a glass of orange juice. Shaggy flushed red grabbing a plate and loading it up with eggs, potatoes, and Freddy’s delicious waffles, the others giggling along with Velma while they plated their own food. “Like very funny guys I’ve never heard that one before”, Shaggy said, rolling his eyes but still smirking, across the table, Daphne caught his eye and winked before she said, “ Don’t listen to them Shag they’re just jealous we didn't invite them hehe”. She had a mischievous look in her eye as Velma gasped and whirled towards them, “You invited HER but not ME?? What am I ToO NeRdY to hang?!” Velma said half mocking but eyebrows furrowed nonetheless. There was smoke coming from the stove and a horrible smell filling the air, Velma either didn't notice or didn’t care as she glared at Shaggy first and then Daphne when she burst into laughter. Freddy rushed to the sink with the smoking pan, quickly dumping what used to be eggs down the drain and dousing it all in water. “Like Velm I-uh, we weren’t like-, I didn’t like sesh with her! I swear!” Shaggy was tripping over his words, Daphne had tears streaming down her face fully doubled over in laughter now. “I’m kidding babe he’s innocent”, Daphne managed to get out between giggles holding her hands up as if to surrender, Velma returned to the stove with a new pan and eggs that hopefully would make it to the plate this time, “You guys are not that funny,” Velma said under her breath, rolling her eyes. Finally, everyone was seated at the table, Shaggy on his third plate, Velma enjoying her hard-earned eggs, Freddy with some horrid-looking protein ‘smoothie’, and Daphne with her crepes. Shaggy looked up, feeling eyes on him, to see Daphne with a disapproving look on her face. “Is there like something in my teeth?,” Shaggy said, covering his mouth quickly, “What? Oh no you just desperately need a haircut Shag. Honestly, how can you even see through those bangs?” Daphne said in what seemed like a genuine shock. Shaggy blushed as Freddy tucked his hair behind his ears revealing a few piercings and a faint stubble trying to grow. “I was like meaning to take care of that, do you think you could like cut my hair Daph?” Shaggy tried to say it as calmly as possible, still nervous for some reason. Daphne’s face lit up “I’d Loooove to Shag. I have so many ideas, have you ever considered dyeing your hair?!” Before he could answer she was at his side running her hands through his messy hair, muttering to herself about volume and highlights. Velma and Freddy exchanged a knowing smile as they cleared the table and cleaned the kitchen. By the time they were done, Daphne had her tablet out with several images on her screen, she was examining it intently, eyes darting back and forth from the screen then Shaggy and back again. Shaggy opened his mouth as if to speak but was stopped by Daphne's pointer finger gently pressing onto his lips, “Shhhh I’m thinking, trust me” Daphne whispered never taking her eyes from the screen, “I think this is PERFECT,” her eyes were gleaming as she turned the screen to face Shaggy. He was pleasantly surprised when she turned around the screen, a long ‘shaggy’ cut that stopped just at his shoulders, kept his bangs out of his face more but left them long enough to tuck behind his ear, a few shades lighter than his dirty blond with what he assumed were those ‘highlights’ she’d been muttering about earlier. “ This is like rad Daph, I’ve never done fancy highlights before”, Shaggy said grinning up at his friend,”eee YAY I’m so glad you like it!! Okay now to my bathroom…march mister!” Daphne said excitedly.
—
Shaggy had never actually been in Daphne's room before, it was what he’d expected for the most part except for the salon-style shampoo bowl and hair dryer she had inside her massive bathroom. “Sit, I’ll be right back, I need to grab a few things.” Daphne gestured to the chair as she turned and started gathering supplies from her shelves of products. Shaggy sat down hesitantly, he had been expecting a quick clip but it was becoming obvious that was not what Daphne had in mind. Daphne came back carrying several bottles, brushes, a bowl, and gloves. With a satisfied look, she grabbed a cape and spread it over him. “It’s so good to be back.” she said with a small smile on her face, “It’s like good to have you back Daph, the gang wasn't the same without you dude uh dudette.” Shaggy said earnestly. Daphne looked at Shaggy for a moment almost like she wanted to say one thing but then decided against it at the last second, “Sooo we’re going to start with bleach first okay? Then tone, wash, deep condition, and finally styling!” she said excitedly, though her eyes still lingered for just a second too long. Shaggy nodded, sensing she wanted to say something, he said as nonchalantly as he could, “Something on your mind?”It sounded tense when it came out. He didn't know why he was scared of what she might say, Daphne had always been supportive of his transition. She was the one who stood up for Shaggy the most at Coolsville Middle when he’d first started publicly presenting more masculine. Daphne had told Shaggy about her feelings for Velma before she got the courage to tell Velma herself. She was the first person Shaggy had told he was trans and he could never forget her reaction, an outpouring of love and styling tips of course. A chemical smell filled the air making Shaggy clear his throat as if to clear the memory from his head as well. Daphne seemed just as nervous but he couldn't tell why until she said, “I knew I missed a lot while I was gone, even though Velma kept me up to date… I’m sad I missed being there for you during your top surgery.” She was just barely whispering now as her eyes welled with tears and she looked down as if ashamed. Shaggy started tearing up as she shyly met his eyes, tears flowed freely down her cheeks now, and before she could say anything else Shaggy got up and wrapped his arms around her. They stood there for a while just crying into each other's arms without saying a word, finally pulling back and composing themselves. “Oh shit your hair!,” Daphne screeched, pushing Shaggy back into the chair nearly drowning him with the sprayer, trying to rinse the bleach as quickly as possible. When she was done they both looked in the mirror, the cape was half off Shaggy's shoulders, one chunk of hair was very blonde right in the front and both their eyes were slightly puffy from crying. They burst into laughter together falling on each other once again, this time though the tears were happy. “I know you wanted to be there for me Daph but this means like way more to me man. I was sorta nervous about you seeing me after so long, but like you’ve always been…like cool man. I love ya Daph.” Shaggy said sheepishly with a goofy grin across his face, “But like you can fix my hair right?”. This brought on another bout of laughter, she reassured him she would fix him up in no time. The next few hours were full of laughter, tears, and more than a few smoke breaks, by the end any doubts Shaggy still had were gone. In their place were new memories with a dear friend. As Shaggy admired his new look in the mirror, Daphne looked over his shoulder, “Sooo can I see your scars now? I mean since I made your hair look amazing and everything,” she said smirking. Shaggy pulled his hoodie off and just before removing his tank top said “You can look but no touching,” with a wink he tugged the shirt off, revealing two scars still fairly visible but healing. Daphne blushed at his words but quickly shot back, “ Don’t worry I know those privileges are reserved for Freddy.” she said his name in a sing-songy voice, smirking as she saw Shaggy now blushing at her words. As she examined his scars, being careful to only graze them with her fingertips, Shaggy was stuttering trying to prove Daphne wrong, “ Like I don't know what you mean by that Daph, Fred is just my bud, like all of our buds. What would make you think something was like going on? Did he say something to you??” Shaggy’s voice cracked when he asked the last question, making him blush even more. Daphne's eyes once again twinkled impishly** she turned away from Shaggy unable to keep a poker face, “Maybe he did…or maybe he didn’t, what /would/ he have said, hm? That you guysss areee k-i-s-s-i-n-g in a tree?!” she turned back around no longer being able to contain her giggles, which turned into full-blown howling once she saw Shaggy was redder than her nail polish. “Awwwhhh”, she squealed in delight, “ I knew you guys were into each other, I totally saw him making eyes at you at breakfast!! Ugh it's about time! Tell. Me. Everything!” Daphne was practically climbing Shaggy at this point. Shaggy gently peeled her away from him, now sitting her in the chair before taking a deep breath and raking his fingers through his hair nervously. “ We’re gonna need like another joint if you want that story,” Shaggy said, nervous but obviously excited to gush. “You roll I’m going to grab some face masks and snacks, did I mention I’m excited!”, She practically skipped from the room “Ugh they're my OTP.” Shaggy heard her say just as she moved out of earshot, so she did not hear him let out an exasperated “like zoinks”. He smiled to himself while he set up his rolling tray. It was really good to have Daphne back and things finally felt right again.