Soul drove down the long, winding roads of Southern California with the top down of his sleek, black Series 4 BMW. He knows what everyone thinks, "Wow, what a spoiled rich brat", but hey, he can't control what his wealthy parents decided to get him for his graduation present. It was a destination he was searching for, a simple one, a small tattoo shop that had fantastic reviews. No, he wasn't looking to pick up ink, but to apply and be an artist there. Everyone knows that he was accepted into the University of Southern California on a full ride music scholarship, what is also what he would be studying, but something else had always tugged at his interest, which was drawing and painting. It was a more hidden talent that was not as prominent of his skills in the music world. Finally, after a pretty hefty drive, Soul had arrived at his destination, according to the GPS on his phone.

He pulled into the parking lot and parked next to a red Audi A3 Cabriolet, which left him in awe, his was dying to find the face that matched this car, because he knew damn well it had to be nice. The shop itself was average looking, like any other tattoo shop, but he was just glad it wasn't filthy and in a bad part of town. Soul stepped out of his car and removed the sunglasses off his face and tucked his portfolio and application under his arm. He had to admit, he was nervous, he had never had a real job before, let alone one that was this demanding. Soul walked up to the door and pulled it open, hearing the little jingle of bells that let the employees know when someone had entered. All the sudden, several pairs of eyes were on him, which you would think growing up with eyes on him at all times, he wouldn't be so nervous, but he could sense the closeness of all the employees, and for a moment, he felt that he was intruding. A tall, toned, blue haired man approached him, and Soul took note of the single star tattoo on his muscular arm.

"You need something?"

"Uh, yeah actually, I'm here to apply for a position that needs to be filled." Explained Soul.

The man with the blue hair who had yet to introduce himself, stared at Soul for an amount of time, then extended his arm, waiting for the portfolio and application to be placed in his calloused hands. Soul then placed them quickly into the man's hand.

"MAKA!" the man yelled loudly, keeping his eyes locked on Soul the entire time.

A door slowly opened and out walked who Soul assumed was the owner? Or maybe just the hiring manager? He couldn't quite figure it out.

She was tall for a girl, with legs that went on for days, she had her ash blonde hair tied up in space buns, and was wearing black denim shorts with black fishnets underneath them, her shirt, a crop top with the words "The Strokes" painted across it, was just short enough that when she moved a certain way allowed her navel to be exposed. She was wearing what seemed to be a new pair of Doc Martens, that fit her loosely around her tiny ankles. Maka, he suddenly remembered her name even though it was yelled out not even five minutes ago, was covered in intricate tattoos, which were honestly beautiful, he had never seen such good art before.

Maka moseyed her way over to the two men and stuck her hand out, the blue haired man then placed the portfolio and application in her hand and her eyes went straight to the application. Maka read the first line of it, which was his name, and raised an eyebrow.

Maka looked up at Soul, it was his first time to notice her bright green eyes.

"Evans? You're an Evans? Like, you're from the wealthiest family in the state of California?"

Soul wanted to turn around and leave, he despised when people questioned him about this, he hated the reputation of his family and he hated how privileged the name Evans made him.

"Unfortunely, yes."

Maka scoffed and shook her head at his word choice, then opened his portfolio, she kept a stern face as she flipped through the pages, then quickly shut the portfolio.

"Soul, I could kiss you right now."

Souls eyes widened, but waited to hear her reasoning.

"You've honestly just saved my shop, I see that your style is Japanese tattooing, which is quite impressive. I had a Japanese style artist, BlackStar's girlfriend Tsubaki actually, she recently left the shop and moved to Nevada, ever since then we haven't been bringing in as much money…" Maka explained.

So, the blue haired man does have a name, BlackStar, and Maka IS the owner of the shop, and according to Maka, the shop hasn't been doing too hot since Tsubaki left, who is BlackStar's girlfriend…. what a puzzle.

"So basically, what I'm telling you is that the position is yours, but you better be ready, because you're going to be in high demand."

"No problem, I'm not the type to crack under pressure." Soul smirked.

"Very well then. I expect you to be here an hour before the shop opens tomorrow." Maka instructed as she handed the portfolio back to Soul.

Soul then nodded, turned around and left the shop, excited and nervous for what lied ahead of him.

BlackStar shook his head and looked down at Maka. "You're going to play that boy like a violin, I could see it as soon as you saw him."

"Oh BlackStar, making the offer of friends with benefits isn't playing someone if they play back." Maka chuckled as she turned around and walked back into her office.

The next day was crisp and cool, a rare forecast for SoCal, but everyone was taking advantage of it. Soul pulled up to the shop on time, to see Maka leaned up against the wall smoking a cigarette. He didn't comprehend how she made something so unpleasant look so pleasing.

"Evans…what is upppppp?" Maka asked as she dropped her cigarette onto the ground and stomped on it with her boot.

"Don't call me Evans, ever." Soul stated sternly as he walked past Maka and into the shop.

Maka chuckled. "Alright then, so that's how it's going to be."

She pulled open the door and stuck her head into the shop, "Oh, by the way Soul, you have an appointment today, a back piece, wants some Koi's and shit, don't disappoint me." Maka then stepped back outside and leaned up against the wall and lit another cigarette.

"Maaakkkkaaa, we talked about that." BlackStar announced as he stepped out of his car.

"Don't remind me, but look, I needed this one, my new project in there is feisty, and its stressing me out."

"I'd feel better about this if you didn't refer to him as your project, also, are you exactly sure that this is a good idea?" he questioned.

Maka blew smoke out of her nostrils and looked at her dear friend. "Are you actually concerned about him?"

"Of course not, but if I'm being honest, you've hurt a lot of people."

Maka scoffed and was suddenly turned off from the cigarette that was between her frail fingers, she dropped it to the ground and stepped on it.

"Whatever BlackStar, fuck off." She murmured as she walked into the shop. Maka made a beeline to her office and slammed the door behind her.

The day went on as usual, Soul did a fantastic job on his client and Maka was quite impressed with him, she knew he was going to bring in good money into the shop. As the work day winded down, Maka stepped outside to light up yet another cigarette. BlackStar constantly gave her shit about her smoking problem, but spoken like a true addict, she could stop whenever she wanted to. Maka had taken her first drag when she heard the door open and Soul stepped out and stood next to her.

"With that again?"

Maka cut him the deadliest side eye he had ever seen, and he laughed.

"Soul, I want you to come to my apartment tonight." She had never been so straightforward and so serious before. He was taken aback for sure, he couldn't think of any valid reason that his boss wanted him to visit her tonight…

"Alright." The request seemed odd, but he was always up for a challenge.

"I'll text you the address." Maka said as she dug through her purse. "Here, you and BlackStar get to lock up tonight since you both have given me attitude today." She explained as she placed the keys into Souls hand.

Maka then walked to her car, started it, and exited the parking lot, leaving Soul standing in front of her shop. He shook his head and walked into the parlor, BlackStar was sitting at his desk, sketching a design for his next client.

"She said we have to lock up tonight."

BlackStar shook his head. "Bitch." He whispered under his breath.

Alright! I haven't written anything since 2015…so I sincerely apologize if this is shit. I know it's short, but I'm going to work on that as well. If you can't tell, this is AU and very OOC. I hope at least some of yall enjoyed! 😊