“You should always remember where you started, even if there’s no evidence of it,” Bellamy says.
“What happened to your parents’ house?” Ansel asks curiously.
“Sold, I checked,” Shi mutters.
Bellamy appears surprised for a moment, but this is Shiloh for you. He’s a researcher.
“Matilda sold everything in our parents’ home,” Bellamy says. “We don’t even have photos of them. Winter sketches them from memory to keep their memories fresh.”
“Ugh, if I think about everything we’ve lost I’m going to cry,” Winter warns.
“Then we won’t talk about it if you don’t want to cry,” Shiloh replies. “However, you don’t have to spare us your tears, Kitten. If you ever want to remember them, we can light some candles in the house and have a proper memorial.”
“We didn’t even get that,” Bellamy grumbles. “Matilda insisted that they be burned and forgotten. There aren’t even any burial plots. I’m so glad she’s dead.”
“I wish she was still alive so I can kill the bitch again,” I mutter. “Let’s go inside to say hi. I need someone nice to remind myself that the world isn’t shitty.”
Winter blows out a breath as Ansel pulls open the door, walking inside beside Bellamy while we sandwich them between us. It’s an immediate response to keep them safe. Since we’re taller, you can barely see them.
“Cassidy?” Seren asks, looking up from a sketch she’s doing. “Ah, you’re all here! How are you?”
“Good, we wanted to come say hi, and I think someone may have some questions for you,” I say. I can feel Winter’s bubbling curiosity from standing beside her, and I step aside so Seren can see our omegas. “This is Winter and Bellamy.”
“Nice to meet you,” Seren says, smiling. “How can I help?”
“Bellamy and I are considering a tattoo,” Winter says shyly.
“It would be a cover up of sorts,” Bellamy adds, looking ashamed.
Ansel rubs Bellamy’s back so that only we can see it, and it makes me glad we’re here for this.
“Okay,” Seren says, looking sympathetic and intrigued. “How large is the area? Am I covering up ink?”
“It’s more like a burn,” Winter explains. “I’ve been playing with sketches, but it’s not done yet. It would probably cover most of a butt cheek and move onto my hip.”
“That’s a fairly large area. Would you both want the same tattoo?” Seren asks.
“I want anything Winter creates on my body forever,” Bellamy says with a shrug.
Our omega is romantic without even trying. That’s one of the sweetest things I’ve ever heard.
“I can cover up burns depending on how well healed it is. I’d need to see it to make a decision on how the ink will look,” Seren says gently. “How old is it?”
“Eight months old,” Bellamy says. “We don’t mind waiting if that’s not long enough.”
“I’d prefer for it to be closer to a year to two years,” she explains, “especially if it’s still red. It could affect how I do the tattoo, as well as the colors. It’s not impossible, we just may need to do a few sessions to give you a break in between though.”
“That’s fine,” Winter says with a nod. “It’ll take some time for me to be completely happy with the sketch, and it’ll let me play with some of the colors.”
“I definitely think color will hold over all black ink, but it all depends on what the design is,” Seren says passionately. “I’m excited to see what you come up with for me.”
“Thanks, Seren,” I say with a smile. “Is everything good with you?”
We aren’t besties by a mile, but it’s always nice to be asked how you are.
“Things are good,” she says with a shrug. Her eyes appear tired, but there’s pride there too. “I have one more appointment and then I’m headed home. It’s long hours, but I get to do what I love.”
“That’s important,” Abbott admires.
