“Yeah, I finished it a while ago.I was going to bring it by Elysium later since you hadn't been in to ask about it yet.”
“You wouldn't have seen me.Indi gave me the week off.Since I'm here, can I see it?”
“Of course.Follow me."
He led her to his station.Since he was also one of two piercers, his station was enclosed for privacy.
“Have a seat.I'll pull it up,” he told her and patted the tattoo chair.
While she settled on the chair, he went to his computer, pulled up the design, and printed it off.
He'd taken her infinity symbol idea and made what could have been a simple design into a thing of beauty.It was in shades of black and reddish brown with what appeared to be silver lines that made it resemble stained glass.
Behind the symbol was a black feather with hints of reddish brown dusting several sections.There were two pale peach roses, situated diagonally on each end of the infinity symbol, and beneath it was a single word: Strength.
“Oh.Wow.It's beautiful Axel,” she breathed.
“But?I hear a ‘but’ in there,” he commented.
“Yeah.It's… I'm not strong.If I was, you wouldn't have had to save me.”
Axel closed the distance between them and gently took her face in his hands.“Hey.Look at me, babygirl.That's not true.Being strong doesn't just mean defeating someone who is bigger than you.It also means having the strength to do what's best for you.
“You traveled nearly across the country to meet the father you never knew, all while knowing that, if he turned you away, you'd have nowhere to go.You would be completely alone in this world.And yet, you did it anyway.That, babygirl, took more strength than you realize.”
“I… guess you're right,” she finally said.“Thanks, Axel.I needed to hear that.”
“You're welcome, anytime, babygirl.You just let me know when you're ready for this beauty,” he told her.
“How about now?”she replied.“Unless you have a client coming in?”
“Nah.I'm free.Where would you like it?”
“Ummm.How about right here,” she said and pointed to the center of her chest.
“I can do that.You'll have to remove your shirt while I print the transfer,” he pointed out.
“I am aware,” she replied and he watched her remove first her coat and then her shirt.
Axel swallowed at the sight of her standing there in a black lace bra.Fuck, she was stunning.
He turned around quickly and discreetly adjusted himself before I printed the transfer and set up everything he would need.Then, he put the transfer where she wanted it, sat down, and got to work.
Despite making a few pained noises, Sophia stayed perfectly still, and when he finished, he showed it to her and took a photo of it for his portfolio.
He put a thin coat of ointment on it, covered it with gauze, and gave her care instructions.
“In a few days, it's going to start itching.Donotscratch it.You can smack it lightly, that sometimes helps, but no scratching or it will mess up the tattoo.”
“No scratching.Got it.”
He turned away to clean up while she put her shirt back on.
“Hey, Axel?”
He stopped and turned to face her.“Yeah?”
“I just wanted to say thank you,” she said softly.
