“Okay, ready?” he asked. I noticed as the pair spoke, he stopped using names like sweetie, and was addressing her like he would anyone else. Now, if we could get everyone else to see her for the adult she was.
Boogie brought the machine to her skin and pushed his foot down on the pedal. She pulled in a sharp breath as he began the process, dragging the needles across her skin. She blinked rapidly, but didn’t ask to stop. Instead, she asked Boogie questions, the entire time.
I sat there, holding her hand, listening to the two of them talk about art and the process of tattooing. She was utterly fascinated in it all, and Boogie was delighted to have someone just as excited to talk about his job with.
She sat still and in three hours time, he set his machine down and sat back. “You can get up to see it.”
I helped her to her feet and she let go of my hand for the first time all day to go to the mirror. She lifted up her shirt and my stomach sank.
Oh fuck.
She’d taken her pants off to get the tattoo, leaving her in just her panties and my shirt. When she lifted her shirt, she exposed her underwear. Which, wouldn’t be an issue, as Boogie was a professional, but the red stain on her backside was one.
I glanced at Boogie, who was too busy crouched over beside Eleanor, pointing to various points in the fresh tattoo. I cleared my throat and as politely as I could, I went over and pushed her shirt down. They both gave me curious looks but said nothing.
I’d play the jealous boyfriend if it saved her some embarrassment.
“Let’s get out of here, I don’t want to miss that shipment I ordered,” I said lamely. Both artists smirked, but Boogie stood and got her leg wrapped up.
“Back when Grandpa Boogie was working, they had lotion to soothe your skin, but it’s the hardest thing to come by so I don’t have any. You took your first piece like a champ, Eleanor.” He smiled.
We went to the counter where we worked out payment.
“You’ve still got that generator?” he asked. He’d seen it the last time he’d been at Heathen Heights, and I’d refused to give it to him.
“I do. It feels like it’s worth more than a few hours of tattoo work.”
He squinted. “Okay, how about I take on an apprentice?” He eyed Eleanor.
She gasped sharply and instantly reached for my arm. “Oh, Riot, please?”
I shook my head. Boogie grinned, knowing he’d won. He had no intention of turning her away from an apprenticeship. I knew he’d take her on the moment she started asking questions in his chair. But now, I couldn’t say no either. Now he had a new employee and an extra generator.
I brought my empty hand up and offered it to him. “You come get it, it’s yours.”
We shook hands and then as we were heading out the door, he shouted. “I’ll see you in the morning, Eleanor!”
Chapter 52 - Riot
Don’t let her go.
Eleanor went to the bathroom right when we got back to Heathen Heights to look at her new tattoo. I waited, and it took about 45 seconds before I heard a sharp gasp, and then the water started running. She didn’t come out for a long time, and when she did, she looked extremely uncomfortable.
“Everything alright?” I asked when she came into the living room, knowing exactly her dilemma, but not wanting to embarrass her further by telling her I already knew.
“Does— what do— What do women do when they get their cycles?”
I feigned surprise. “Oh, are you…?” I shook my head. “I actually don’t know. Was there anything in the bathroom? Like, a rag or something?” She turned back around and returned some time later. I gave her a hesitant thumbs up. “Everything good?”
“No, but I guess. It’s just another thing I’ll have to get used to.” She looked incredibly uncomfortable. I patted the spot beside me on the couch.
“Come sit, relax; your body is probably tired. Tattoos are no joke.”
“Actually, I think I may go lay down. Is that alright, or do you have to come with me?” She rolled her eyes. Even in a vulnerable state, she was a brat. I loved her for that.
“You can go, but just know, if you try to run, the creepies will smell the blood and come running. They are attracted to the source, and I assure you, their mouths aren’t the ones you want between your legs.”
She paled, but turned and ran up the stairs. I couldn’t help but turn to look. Having removed my pants the moment we got off the bike, her panties were visible as she went up. She’d tried to scrub them clean.
