A/N: And we're back: I have discovered I love this universe - I hope you all enjoy it as well.
His ice had melted.
There was doubt. His fucking ice was melting - the icicles were being melted by a slew of mysterious flames that had suddenly begun creeping up his wrist starting from the bottom of his palm trailing all the way around his ring finger since last night… and… fuck.
Fuck.
She'd been... Shit. That girl had been….
Yeah being interrupted from his end of the night prep and getting ready at long last to come home-hadn't been too fun but the babe who had been standing at his counter... err…"leaning" over it for support…
Okay... That hadn't been so bad. The whole… the pretty girl in his shop not the err… being obviously drunk and nursing some kind of broken heart.
The chick was a knockout. Holy fuck "soulmate" be damned who in their right fucking mind would let hergo!?
He'd seen that shit show- hard to miss it when it was a few feet away from Brick's favorite burrito stand and it was lunch time and yeah… he'd seen a classic example of a nerd and some… rather… err "short" young woman embracing and acting like the typical loons determined on scrounging every piece of drama they could in their apparent long "awaited" meeting – cameras flashing and the hapless sheep applauding and…
Yeah…
Brick had just wanted his damn burrito.
But come to think of it… there had been a girl in the background- in a heaven sent pink bikini top and daisy dukes just kind of… standing there. Mouth wide open and eyes huge and… shit.
Now that Brick thought about it… yeah… the girl had looked… upset.
Well… upset was an understatement. She'd looked fucking destroyed.
And obviously she'd been humiliated. Fuck… what an asshole. Shit… Brick didn't even know the guy and he wanted to punch him in the goddamn face.
Tch… good luck… short girl- a real winner had been chosen for her obviously.
Fucking hell…
This whole system was fucked up. He didn't even fucking know her- she was obviously a tourist – a broken hearted tourist- who had had too much to drink and just gone and wandered into his shop- how the hell was that supposed to work?!
... And why the fuck was he even thinking of it! Hadn't Brick learned his lesson?! The whole system was a fucking joke- an "omnipresent joke" that someone had been stupid enough to think it was serious and-
He hadn't even gotten her name.
Brilliant Jojo. Brilliant.
Would he have immediately jumped on it like any of those other fucking morons?
Hell no.
Fuck that.
He had… other priorities obviously but… "buzzed" or not she'd been intelligent he could tell and when that bumbling moron had come stumbling in she'd sobered pretty quickly anyway- he had sensed that hadn't been a new occurrence.
So beauty... Brains. Yep the whole package. Whoever this shit head was, was a fucking idiot.
Yep…moron.
"Daddy?"
Speaking of more important things- he turned around and there was his little angel was now. Bright red hair and chocolate brown eyes similar to Brick's own-though in the right light they also shared the odd reddish tint – hence "Brick" getting his nickname.
Three Matthews living in the same house- yeah shit got confusing sometimes. Though his little Bridget had earned another special nickname over the years from her … poor, poor babysitters.
He smirked when the sassy little four year old skipped over and held her arms up expectantly.
Brick didn't need a "soulmate"- he was already whipped thanks. She giggled when he hoisted her up.
"You know to stay in the back when Daddy's working honey." He murmured.
"But you said you were gonna close early cause no one ever comes in on Sundays." He rolled his eyes and batted her nose.
"Not on Labor day weekend baby girl." She frowned.
"Daddddy- I'm noooot a baby anymore." She frowned. "I'm starting school member! I'm this many!" She held up four fingers proudly.
"Tch- You'll always be my baby girl- even when you're a big girl and Daddy has to beat off all the boys with sticks." His daughter frowned – grimaced actually.
"Ew! Boys! Yucky!" Her little arms went around his neck, "I don't like boys daddy- they smell!"
He snorted. "Yeah… boys are yucky." He agreed quietly holding his little girl closer to him. "Awful… very bad. Stay away from them."
Her big eyes widened somewhat and she cocked her head- her frayed ribbon bouncing as she did so -Seriously Brick needed to find a way to get that damn thing away from his kid – it had been worn practically to pieces at this point….but she'd refused point blank to get rid of it…it having come from… Mommy's… once a year birthday present.
Oh yes Elizabeth had just fluttered in and fluttered out willy nilly- God forbid sticking around to actually see their daughter but oh no- her "Prince Charming" was waiting to spirit her away to some… getaway or whatever : Elizabeth Morebucks' "favorite" birthday present… as she had weepingly called their daughter in the hospital after that long, long night… had been replaced by expensive weekend getaways and judging from the tell tale bump on that stomach…
Brick had a distinct feeling the "birthday presents" were going to dry up completely soon.
But whatever, she'd always been a prima donna- even when Brick had been mad about her –Elizabeth had always been "daddy's little Princess".
That asshole must have been popping the champagne corks and called for entertainment from his throne practically when his daughter's "soul ink" had reacted with the son of one of his new business associates: a wealthy heir and a true "deal sealer".
Didn't matter that Brick had been left holding a tiny two year old in his arms in utter shock and been left to awkwardly explain to a very intelligent and astute two year old – "Why Mommy was kissing someone other than Daddy"
And why she'd married him less than three months later… too.
Eddie Morebucks had been trying to get rid of Matthew Jojo III for years… and well looks like he'd succeeded and he'd gotten rid of the "brat" too- the secret "shame" of the Morebucks clan supposedly- because Brick had totally been the one with the sob story and desperation who had shown up at his apartment determined to fight "fate" and blah blah-.
It was completely Brick's fault he had thought he'd been in love. And he had been naïve and dumb and had fallen for the glistening scales of a viper – a beautiful snake. And that snake had coiled her immaculate nails around him and claimed she didn't "care" about fate and "soul ink".
And Brick had been stupid enough to believe her.
And then a "meddler" child had been born. And her mother had found her "true" soulmate a scant two and a half years later. And Brick… had been left picking up the pieces. Wiping tears from a little girl whose mother had more or less abandoned her- unless she wanted a cute little accessory to wave to the camera that is.
According to the public of course Brick was the bad guy. He'd seduced the innocent girl. He'd known he wasn't her "soul mate" and still tried trapping her in a "meddling" relationship. How selfish.
Brick should have known better!
And of course the fact the wretched bitch had actually tried to dump the kid on the state as soon as her new precious hubby- her "Jacky Wacky" began subtly protesting the idea of raising their lovely "soul" children with… a "meddling" older sister… was completely irrelevant.
God forbid Brick be rewarded custody in the first place oh no… no- just because Elizabeth had gone and thrown him away like yesterday's trash didn't mean he would get access to their daughter. Oh no- such wasn't proper!
Brick liked to consider himself a decent man- he treated women with respect- he had loved Lizzy or "Princess" as she loved terming herself with all his heart ( looking back at that nickname... that really should have been a pretty big red flag Jojo)
But when his mother had ever heard about his baby girl being dropped off at the courthouse- he had craved blood. He'd thankfully been able to collect her and she'd been home with Brick the next day. And it had been like that ever since. The one time Elizabeth had expressed interest in her daughter living with her full time again- Brick wasn't proud of his ensuing voicemail message. It had never been brought up again.
The bitch knew better.
Had Brick ever thought his "fate" was going to be a single father in his late twenties more or less "ousted" from the "soul market" raising his "meddler" child to the best of his ability– because it was always the guy's fault- always: "Meddlers" as they were termed were always the ones at were the devil sent practically- demons. Selfish, despicable- if one were to name it they would be called it.
It was a lame ass system- implemented because the so called "almighty ones" had just decided humanity was just too stupid to make their own decisions so they had to do everything for such a pathetic species- too dumb to be trusted to make the right "choice".
… Shit that poor woman. He could almost see the utter desolation in her face even now- no warning, nothing.
…Didn't that sound familiar?
No. No he had not. But that was life. That was "fate".
Brick fucking hated it. Hence the ink everywhere- who was gonna know which was his "soul" tattoo- no one but him. And he intended to keep it that way. And he wouldn't trade his little girl for the world- case closed. They were a package deal and thus according to the rest of the world Brick was now more or less "soulless" – as the term for one who would never find his "soul mate"- boo fucking hoo.
"Daddy… your tattoo is different."
Well… almost everybody didn't know which his soul ink was. He grimaced as Bridget poked his wrist. "You added pretty fire- how come?" Her voice had gone small and she looked… nervous. Oh… Oh hell!
"Daddy was… bored last night is all- it was a…boring night- how was spending time with Nana?"
She made a face, "Boring- she sucks at Candyland." His eyes narrowed.
"Bridget! Watch the mouth!"
"But you can say it!"
"I'm taller."
"But Nana says I'm getting taller!" She whined. "No fair!"
He set her on the ground and put on his "Dad" face- "Bridget- young ladies do not talk like that. And if they do- you must be this tall to say those words." He put his hand up in the air settling it next to his shoulder. Her eyes widened.
"But I'll never be that tall!" He shrugged.
"Well that's tough ain't it kiddo? Guess you're gonna have to watch the mouth for the rest of your life."
She pouted. "No fair!" Folding her arms and jutting out her lip. "No fair!" A stamp of the foot. Oh boy. Brick recognized those signs. Shit. He did not want an angry Bridget tantrum in his lovely little shop.
He knew far too well how "Berserk" truly suited his little angel.
Devil's angel that is.
She was going to terrorize those poor teachers of her's in the fall.
Heh heh- his little devil. He fought the smirk. No, no, had to be a responsible parent- no snickering over his daughter's… somewhat insane temper tantrums. No, no- just because that little shit had asked for it knocking her off a swing because he had wanted to go on it and before an angry Papa Bear could intervene she had knocked the kid's tooth out- ( and in all fairness it was loose anyway so come on- how big a deal was it?)
"Serky- if you're good today you and I will go out for pizza okay?"
"Pineapple and Pepperoni with extra cheese?" She said instantly.
"No pineapple- extra pepperoni and cheese."
"Stuffed crust."
"Deal."
She stuck her hand out and he shook the four year old's hand. If his little Berserk didn't end up a lawyer than Brick would have failed as a parent. Four and already a master negotiator. He was just so proud.
…though he knew there would be some who would argue Brick was a sap but they didn't know anything.
Nope, not at all.
"Daddy – can I color the pretty flower?" She pointed to his sketchbook- which… aw hell. His face warmed and he grabbed it.
"Uh… no, no baby girl uh this is for work- um..." He flipped through the pages quickly, "Here- this person's check didn't clear so no pretty tattoo for them- have at it kiddo." The elaborate ocean scene was swallowed by over eager little four year old hands as well as the box of crayons before she skipped into the back giggling as she went.
Well that's what that jack ass got for wasting a good chunk of Brick's time and having had no intentions of paying for it.
He both loved… and hated this gig. It wasn't because of the "unwholesomeness" so called of the work- even though his mother had teared up a bit slightly at the idea of her darling son working as a tattoo artist when he should have had a gallery by now but….well she loved her granddaughter and the amount of money one major tattoo commission could bring in was just… it more than paid the bills.
But there was always that one jack ass who thought the whole thing was some kind of joke.
He stared at the flower however- the elaborate design and such had taken him… a good two hours or so… and why he had done it… he didn't really know.
He didn't even know the woman- but that story… maybe it had hit a sore spot in Brick- publically being humiliated like that and all in the name of some foolish superstitious nonsense that most if not all of the rest of the world believed.
Guess it brought back some pretty bad memories.
He'd looked at the picture she had pointed to- a simple twenty-five dollar or so flower that she had probably just wanted to shove on top of the fire in her hand but… it was cheap. Probably the reason she had chosen it but…
Brick didn't do cheap. And her reasons were… sound. Drunk but sound. He never would have touched her last night with the needle- he would have waited for the chick to pass out and then called a taxi or something for her- that drunken moron that had come stumbling after her had saved Brick the trouble but… yeah.
Why had he ever touched her? Maybe it was the desolation in her eyes prevalent despite how much she'd been trying to hide it. Maybe he was seeing the great "Brick vs Princess" soap opera all over again.
… Maybe Brick just hated to see a pretty girl cry.
But… the "soul ink" had reacted- his tattoo had melded- had she noticed? Did she even remember anything from last night? And what was that supposed to do? Brick was the most undesirable soul mate on the face of the planet. He wasn't going to give up his daughter for a stranger- no matter how beautiful the woman was- he'd admit- he was a heterosexual male and that woman- drunk and all had been one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen in all his twenty eight years of life.
But beauty or not… Bridget was Brick's life. Not some stranger.
Case. Closed.
So… he'd just keep the shop open for a few more hours for appearance's sake and then he'd close shop early and take his Devil Angel out for pizza and maybe for a few rounds of skeet-ball- the beach season was ending so they'd be back in the city soon enough- may as well make the best of it.
He picked up his sketchbook- the elaborate ribbons that made up the flower petals- she'd been wearing a rather unique looking necklace- a delicate gold chain and what looked like a bow charm- looked old- family heirloom probably. She must have liked the bow look: she'd been wearing a bowed headband too. It had gotten the muse going- so Brick had settled down with his sketch pad after he'd put Berserk to bed and gotten to work.
Not that he'd ever see Miss Bow again but meh- this was an interesting design- maybe he'd just stick it on his wall or hell… Bridget had liked it- maybe he'd transfer it to canvas and put it in his daughter's room- not a bad idea. He shook his pen slightly-as he started the final inking process.
Ding. Ding.
He frowned and looked up, ugh- time for the Sunday crowd- hung over morons demanding their impulsive money back and shit and-.
…shit.
"Hello again… err Mr. Jojo." Even her voice was attractive. Crap.
… Slightly drunk she'd been pretty much a knock out.
Sober this woman was beyond description.
His grip on his pen increased- the redhead however was more preoccupied with the very subdued sand haired man who was being more or less pushed towards Brick by a waifish brunette with startling blue eyes and a face like thunder.
"Go on Mikey!" The brunette snapped- he flinched but hastily nodded- Brick raised an eyebrow. The redhead was completely silent- but her eyes flicked to meet his briefly for a moment but then she went back to examining the walls- the willowy girl apparently had that guy whipped- ahh matching birds on the skin- that explained a lot-the unfortunate soul mate of the moron joined the pretty redhead before her sandy haired bitch cleared his throat and looked at him awkwardly.
"Look man- about last night I'm sorry man I mean I was kind of drunk and-." Two piercing glares were sent in his direction and he flinched again, "Okay... I was drunk and I'm sorry I came in here and was all up in your business- I was upset about my cousin and to be brutally honest you know that ink up your arms is sick man! Did you do that all yourself?!"
"... I designed it... Yes..." Fuck his life. Get out. Get out now. "Look it's not a big deal sir- all due respect you were pretty tame compared to what I've seen- it's no big deal-but apology accepted- whatever."
Please get out… get out now.
"Yes. Well when it comes to Mike- sometimes his overprotective streak impairs his good judgement." She strolled over and folded her arms- he couldn't get a good look at her hand- not that he was looking- because the whole idea was asinine. "You have my sincerest apologies… Mr. Jojo-."
"Matt." He said quickly- too quickly, all three of them seemed to give him an odd look: overprotective cousin especially seemed hostile. Aw hell.
Easy there Brick… easy.
"Mr. Jojo… makes me look for my dad." He covered for himself quickly. "My name's err… Matt or well mostly everybody calls me Brick."
Her head cocked somewhat, "Brick?" She murmured.
"Yeah, in the right light my err eyes they uh look kind of this deep, deep red sometimes-." That wasn't an invite to lean that close- no it was not! Holy shit… her eyes… he'd never seen more beautiful eyes in his life- they were so violet… they almost looked… pink in this dim light.
Crap… Brick was in trouble.
"My God… they do look red…I've never seen such a thing. They're lovely."
"Well your eyes are nice too ma'am- uh Miss!" Now idiot cousin and who he was guessing was Mrs. Cousin's eyebrows went up higher. Fuuuuuck!
Shit. Brick hadn't been reduced to… to word garbage since… since fucking Middle School! His hand almost seemed to be burning- he scratched at it irritably. But then…she smiled.
"Well… Brick." She tucked a strand of copper hair behind her ear. "I'm Laura. Laura Utonium- though-." Her smile seemed to grow wryer. "Mostly everyone calls me "Blossom"."
"Because your grandma was a biiiiitch." The moron muttered and the brunette irritably smacked him in the head. Again… Brick was sensing that too was a common occurrence. The withering look he was receiving on both ends stopped any further comment from the loudmouth.
Laura or "Blossom" turned back to Brick -the name suited her ten times better- those eyes were like nothing Brick had ever seen… again this guy who had ever dropped a woman like that… for any reason. He must have been ill- sick in the head. Deranged even.
"I hope you'd still be willing to…" She dug in her pocket and brought out what looked like a computer printout. It was the same picture as last night except this one was slightly less faded. "I've done the research and I'm prepared for the pain-."
The moron jumped up and grabbed his cousin's hands.
"Bloss...I'm begging you cous' - you know this is a bad idea-!" The brunette sighed and shook her head.
"She's a big girl Mikey..."
"But honey- you can't be seriously okay with-!"
" of course I'm not okay with this Mike but there's clearly no stopping her at least let a professional do it and not some moron at one of those back alley parlors. You're certified right?" Brick blinked and then gestured behind him to his license hanging on the wall. The girl nodded, "And he's clearly very talented. So she won't end up mutilated or anything."
Uh gee… thanks?
"I know that honey but-!"
"So we have to respect her decision-."
"Exactly Robin. Thank you." The guy still looked like he was sucking on a lemon- but he nonetheless nodded. "Well then Brick… how do we go about this- I take it there's paperwork of some form I have to sign."
He blinked- oh right- work. Uh. Yes. He grabbed the paper.
"Err- yes, this is just a release of sorts- you're acknowledging that I have sufficiently informed you of the permanence of inking your body and that by signing this you are agreeing to "Rowdy Ink" having no liability in the case of any dissatisfaction with the permanence of tattooing and the consequences of not caring properly for your new tattoo-."
She giggled somewhat, "That sounds so rehearsed." She shook her head and skimmed the document briefly. "Why do I have the feeling that you've had to go back to that again and again?" She murmured before she held her hand out and smoothly (elegantly) signed her name rather quickly- almost eagerly.
"Well there's a reason… I won't give a tattoo to someone under the influence." Brick mumbled. She nodded and he added his own signature at the bottom. "Alright… looks like everything's in order so if you're sure-."
"Yeah Blossy- you know you can always change your mind- it's not too late-!" Mike said quickly but Robin shook her head and then rather forcibly pushed the guy on one of the chairs and smoothly sat down next to him.
"Blossom. Do you think is best sweetie- it's your decision." She murmured. "We'll be here for you no matter what-."
"But!"
"No matter what!" The man finally quieted and Robin smoothly took one of the magazines from the basket on the floor.
Blossom seemed to sigh in relief and Brick waved her behind the counter.
"But of course you should know that if you think I'll be the one to tell Buttercup or Bubbles what you did that's an entirely different issue." The brunette called out and she seemed to freeze. The smile was benign… but menacing almost at the same time- even Brick could feel the chill in the air. He frowned and scratched at his wrist again.
Grey eyes seemed to focus on the gesture almost immediately. He almost flinched. Those eyes went wide and a jaw slowly started to drop before he began elbowing the girl in the side- quickly- frantically and aw fuck- the ice was showing! The fire and aw hell that wasn't a good look. No. Nor was the annoyed glance that suddenly turned into shock a good thing either!
Both jaws were lowering and inhuman sounds were escaping from the moron- fuck. Had she noticed?!
Didn't look it. But… then again her hand was bandaged for some reason. He frowned and just when he saw the shit show was about to begin Brick immediately slammed his finger over his mouth.
The jaw kept dropping and little inhuman croaks and sounds were escaping the guy's mouth while the once no nonsense brunette's jaw had completely dropped in a stunned silence. The moron proceeded to point like a dummy at Brick and then at his own wrist.
Aw… hell.
He cleared his throat, "Right- if you'd follow me Miss, we can err get started." He waved her through the door and caught the grey eyed idiot's wide gaze again.
He pointed to his wrist again frantically but Brick shook his head firmly again before grabbed his sketch pad and shut the door. The two of them darted each other strange looks but… it didn't matter.
Clearly- this chick was not interested in this entire "soul ink" nonsense and who the fuck could blame her!? Not after what she had just been through- and like hell was Brick going to bring it up. It was all bull and nonsense and…
His gaze drifted to the other door where what sounded like cartoons were playing from and he saw her look curiously in the same direction.
"My office." He murmured quickly. She cocked her head, but then nodded.
"Ah." She looked around at the studio curiously.
"You can take a seat." He waved her over to the chair and then spun his own around. She frowned.
"Second thoughts?"
"No… just why the sketchpad?"
He blinked and then cleared his throat, "Ah… yes err well you wanted a flower correct- well." Her frown deepened.
"I gave you a print out."
"I have to make a stencil first- it's a bad idea to just do it from a print out- the quality can be shi-… bad. Seeing as its going on your… hand-?" He frowned more. "Um… Miss I'm sorry but I can't work on you if you have an injury it's a health concern."
The bandage was tight and wrapped all the way around her knuckles. Her cheeks flushed.
"Oh… yes no it's not an injury it's um." The linen was removed. "It's a…precautionary thing."
"For…what reason exactly?" Brick said slowly carefully avoiding touching the bare skin as he wiped her hand down- the fire edging the new icicles swirled around her wrist.
Her face was stolid.
"Because it's all people look at… look for… they don't look at the color of your eyes… the shine of your hair- they don't listen to a damn word you're saying… or even notice your skin is soft… no… all anyone looks at… is this." She wiggled her hand somewhat. "Because what does it matter if you don't know them- if they're total stranger. It doesn't matter if you claim to love someone else either you know… the "soul ink"…trumps all." She laughed; bitterly. He swallowed the instinctual flinch.
"I know what I want and I always get what I want- I want you Brick- who cares if our ink or whatever doesn't merge!"
He clicked his inking pen. "That it does." He finally managed to spit out. Her hand was awfully tiny- he'd have to make a few adjustments on the left side- maybe shorten that ribbon or so…
"That's…. beautiful." She breathed- the tingling in his wrist seemed to increase. "My God… whoever has this one is extraordinarily lucky."
He paused in inking for a moment, "I'm glad you like it." He said simply.
"How much would something like this cost?" She whispered.
He continued the final inking, "Custom design and stencil- two hundred. Coloring. Probably another hundred and fifty and actual application at least… another three hundred maybe. So… six hundred fifty gross estimate." Her eyes almost popped open.
"…Well… you must be doing quite well for yourself then." She murmured. He shrugged.
"It's a living. And it make use of that art degree everyone claimed I was insane to go for." Another shake of the pen. "And… I got a good reason for it anyway so…"
"Good reason?" She murmured then her eyes fixed on the wall behind him and aw… fuck. Bridget's smiling face was beaming from Brick's background on his laptop and well… fuck. Her eyes however softened, "Is that your little girl?" She murmured.
He nodded quickly, "Yes."
"How old?" She cocked her head, he couldn't help the smile that crept up his face.
"She's four." He chuckled. "Though she acts like she's thirty-four sometimes." Her laughter was light and lilting. He continued inking as quickly and efficiently as possible.
"She's beautiful." He paused.
"… Thank you." One last curve- and a shortening of that ribbon and-.
"You and her mother must be very proud."
Silence.
Curve. Shade. Ink.
"My little Bridget is enough to make any daddy proud." He finally managed to speak and thankfully she seemed to be satisfied with that answer or at the very least decided to drop it.
And… done. He gave a short satisfied nod and smiled proudly before he extended the sketch to her. Her eyes were huge.
"This is… amazing." She breathed. "Look at the petals… they're all made up of-."
"Ribbons yes- you seem to enjoy wearing them." Her eyes only widened more and she peered closer at the sketch.
"I…yes I do but-?"
"Tattoos are personal and they're forever Miss, if you're going to permanently ink yourself it has to have meaning- you don't want to regret it years from now you know."
"Y-Yes… but…I can't afford this-!" She unfolded the computer print-out- "Sir-."
"Brick." He said quickly. She blinked.
"B-Brick… I… I did my research and I really can't afford such an elaborate tattoo… I mean you said it was… five… six hundred and-!"
He waved his hand, "Miss I assure you-."
"Blossom." She interrupted. "And… please don't be offended your talent is both evident and extraordinary but… but-."
"Blossom." He murmured, "You asked for a general estimate in this case however… it's different."
She blinked and then her eyes narrowed suspiciously, "… Why?"
Well brilliant Brick that sounded creepy as fuck- no wonder he was getting a nasty look. Err… uh…
"My daughter rather likes this design I was wondering if you wouldn't mind me adding it to my portfolio is all- it's a personal commission so I'd need your permission-."
"That… I didn't pay for?" Annnnd the confusion reigns. This was going smoothly. And this was yet another reason Brick hated this "soul mate" shit- it made things ten times more awkward!
"Sometimes inspiration is enough of a payment… I was going through a bad artistic block- you err… helped me break it-."
Another dubious look. "…In… one night?"
"…yes?"
Silence.
She'd be getting up any second now and-.
"… I'm… flattered?" She still sounded confused but it was less… of a hostile confusion and more of a genuine confusion- this was… progress?
He nodded quickly, "So I figured I owe you- so… you allow me to put this design in my portfolio and-. He gestured to the walls. "And we call it even-." Her eyes widened. "Or I just ask you to pay for the initial sketch. Sans inking and coloring."
"… Which would be…?"
"… Twenty five?" She blinked and then looked at the print out. "Which was what you were wanting to pay anyway- at least this way… it's worth it you know?"
Her eyes were still wide and she averted her gaze from his- she began scratching at her hand- he shoved his hand in his pocket instantly.
"Why… would you do such a thing…for a stranger?" She whispered. He flinched back somewhat- but managed to hide it with a nonchalant shrug- because Brick was awesome like that. He was just so smooth.
"Well don't take this the wrong way but… after what happened with that… ex of yours-."
"The sniveling little pencil dick of a midget you mean." She muttered and the snort escaped before he could stop it. "But you know… I don't need charity-."
"It ain't charity- like I said: It's a business arrangement- you're paying for the sketch. Perfectly reasonable."
She looked at it- and he could tell the longing in her eyes- she loved it already- it would perfectly cover the flames and… icicles that were covering her hand and wrist and-. Another flicker in his stomach: But... whatever.
Brick wasn't going to be that ass- no. She was as done with the whole system as him- he didn't blame her in the slightest- Brick was "off the market" anyway- as undesirable as could come.
"… Seventy Five." She murmured. His eyebrow went up. "Something this beautiful is worth far more than twenty five measly dollars- I insist on at least seventy-five."
He blinked, "A basic sketch is twenty five dollars. That's the official rate."
"This is no basic sketch Brick. Seventy Five."
"It's a reasonable price Blossom. Twenty Five."
"I think not."
"I think so."
"I have an entire classroom filled with a good thirty high schoolers debating the merits of learning Shakespeare on a daily basis- you won't win this debate sir."
"I have a four year old debate prodigy who I'm pretty sure is well on her way to becoming a future Supreme Court Justice and I have to discuss the merits of a reasonable bed time with her on a near nightly basis- I'm afraid you will not be winning this argument Miss."
They both glared and Brick felt that jolt rising up in his stomach more and more. The itching in his wrist was growing worse so once again he slammed his hands in his pocket.
"Fifty. We'll meet in the middle- agreed?" She said simply and held out a hand. He stared at it- at that icicle and fire rimmed hand. His wrist was burning.
"I… yeah sure. Sounds like a plan" Their hands met and the jolt was almost like a literal shock. He ripped it away and she drew back startled.
Fuck. Fuck. FUCK!
The hell was going on here!? What was this!? He was a grown ass man- not some kind of shaking… pimply teenager! Puberty was over damn it! No more acne! No… he had already survived that hellish time… never again…
The first time he'd seen Elizabeth Morebucks his heart had raced- and like a dope he had followed her around the gallery- his hands on his sketchbook shaking before he had finally gathered the courage to shake her hand and introduce himself.
His icicles hadn't changed. Her own glistening gem -seriously… she'd artificially covered her "diamond" in body glitter to literally make it sparkle… again…looking back there'd been so many signs… so little…fucking time- but that gem had remained where it was.
His disappointment had been palpable. She'd been one of the prettiest girls Brick had ever seen. He'd been young. He'd been dumb. She'd had an aura oozing of sophistication and glamour and he'd only been a young artist looking for some recognition at the city art show hopeful his talent – which he knew he had damn it(!) - would be enough to attract the notice of the scholarship judges.
Elizabeth (Princess) Morebucks… had been everything Brick had ever dreamed of and more. And despite the fact that their tattoos hadn't melded- he had allowed himself to believe the "love" she had felt for him had been real.
Soul Ink or no.
They'd met at the city art show- two separate schools- a charter school on the "nice" side of Townsville on one side- the public school on the other side of Townsville on Brick's end.
It had been a recipe for disaster. She had begged him to "forge" it at first– to break the law for her sake- just to shut her daddy up- he'd refused- she'd grown angry- but then his girlfriend had come up with another brilliant idea and despite Brick's instincts screaming it had been a BAD idea…
He'd let her in that night anyway.
She'd disappeared for almost a year after that- he barely had any word from her – he'd finally through mutual "friends" ( conveniently those individuals disappeared as soon as the diamond and golden circle had melded at the Morebucks' New Year's Gala three years ago ) – been able to make contact with Elizabeth.
Bridget had been born two months later. Brick had held Princess's hand the whole time. Each squeeze. Each push. Wiped every damn year away. All seven hours' worth.
Her father had been furious. His mother frantic. She'd refused to give their little girl up. Brick had begun saving up for a ring. Anything to "fix the mess" he had more or less caused.
It'd been in his pocket the night Jack Spicer had walked into the Morebucks manor and aided the lady of the house from tripping over her death trap heels she persisted in wearing.
It'd been maybe thirty seconds…
Maybe even less.
Eight years.
Junior year, senior year- four years of college and two years beyond…
Ended with a single grasp of a delicate diamond lined wrist.
Asinine. Stupid. This whole fucking system was… was… so fucking stupid!
Look at her! Look at this beauty! This beautiful, intelligent witty and sparkling young woman- she'd clearly been in a happy loving relationship and one stray touch had ended it!? No warning- no nothing- not even a fucking talk!?
Fuck at least Elizabeth had calmly explained to Brick what the deal was- she'd given him twenty four hours to get his stuff out of their apartment- hell she'd even initially promised him weekend visits with Bridget – Jack had put a stop to that real quick… the guy was insecure as fuck- he wanted Brick gone.
Brick hadn't aided his case when word had gotten out that the "meddler" had punched the soul mate in the face for calling his daughter… a "meddler child".
His daughter was no… "meddler" in any fucking sort- and like hell would Brick let anyone no matter who they fucking were talk about his little Bridget like that- maybe she'd inherited that temper from Brick- but Princess had a nasty set of lungs on her too- smacking Brick in the face with those nasty sharp nails for him ever havinghurt her "Jacky Wacky" (Ugh she was unoriginal as fuck… Brick had actually allowed the girl to call him her "Bricky Wicky"- he'd thought he was special. Clearly she was just a dumb pretty faced moron.)
So maybe his daughter would live up to her name after all and "Berserk" was a perfect combination of the both of them personality wise. Though thankfully… Brick's genes had been prevalent- save the freckles… Berserk looked like a little girl clone of Brick.
Tch. No wonder the shithead had wanted his devil angel gone. His kids were gonna be ugly as fuck- Brick's daughter was a little beauty and Jack fucking hated it.
"Brick?" He blinked- shit had he zoned out or something? She was still looking at him oddly and she wrung her wrist oddly. "Is this a bad time I can come back-." She murmured.
Right… come back. Tourist this chick was a tourist. Who knows where she came from- plenty of people came to the Pacific coast every damn day and-.
No. This wasn't… Brick was not going to fall for this… this fucking trap! She'd been made miserable by it- he had been made miserable- Berserk was already struggling through "self-worth" issues as it is from the constant reminder – no matter how much Brick tried so desperately to hide it – that her "mommy" had dropped her like a sack of potatoes for her "soulmate's" sake.
His poor little girl. His baby. His innocent little angel despite the fact there were times she was a devil- Brick would never give her any reason to worry- the nasty looks he'd received on a daily basis because of his "extra ink" – fuck it he didn't care- he'd tattoo his whole goddamn face if he had to! Anything to ease any fear his little girl may have had- so no one would approach him looking for a "match"- with expectations and unspoken demands concerning so called "meddling" children.
Well too fucking bad.
He and Berserk were a set. Someone didn't like it. Then they could fuck off.
Thus… Matthew Jojo III – a.k.a. "Brick" was off the "Soul" market- he was spoken for.
Period!
"It's up to you Miss Utonium." He said quickly. That's right. Strictly professional. She seemed confused for a moment but… this was for the best. She wasn't interested in this whole shit show anyway.
Plus. Tourist.
Very attractive and intelligent tourist but… tourist.
"Well then… Mr. Jojo… I would like to get this over with before I… return home." She murmured.
He nodded, "Yeah- I hear ya, you're I luck actually I'm about to close up shop anyway- summer season's over." Another nod. He began setting out his tools.
"Are you sure you can… take such a loss- I don't want to ill effect your little girl somehow?" He froze. "I mean… it's a hefty commission you could get from that sketch… it's… a true work of art you know."
Badum. Badum.
"It's fine miss. Trust me. So…" he dunked the antiseptic on a cloth and began dabbing at her hand. "Where's home anyway?"
She sighed, "Well it's not too far- a city called Townsville."
Say what!?
"Is something wrong?"
He tightened his hold on the cloth, "N-No. Uh… just uh… small world." Her eyes widened and she seemed to straighten in the seat.
"How so?"
I'm from Townsville…
"I'm….familiar with the city. I mean it is pretty big."
"Indeed it is… kind of… uh separated… too. I suppose you can argue."
"Kind of?" he snorted. She grimaced.
"Alright… very- but not as bad as say somewhere like Beverly Hills."
"No. One can't argue that." He buzzed his lips. "So… where'd ya go to school?"
"Townsville Prep."
… Oh fuck Brick's life.
"Ah… I'm a… Pokey Oaks boy myself. Go err… Tigers right?" She laughed nervously.
"Yes… indeed. Go… Lions."
More nervous laughter. He grabbed the sketch and began running it through the printer.
"What are you doing?"
His gaze flicked to her somewhat, "Making a stencil- you run the sketch through here…" He pointed to the printer- and then its laser cut like so-." The whirring of the machine continued "And… voila." He held up the stencil with a sort of grim triumph. Her eyes widened.
"Just like that?" she sounded… impressed.
"Just like that." He smirked. "Now I'll just… put this on your hand and we'll-."
Slam.
"Daaaaaaddy!" He whirled around and … oh hell! Bridget skipped in cheerfully. Blossom's eyebrow rose as their eyes met. His four year old put a hand on her hip (ugh she looked like her mother when she did that) – "Daaadddy I finished coloring see! Can I have another one! Can I have the pretty flower now?"
Please let Brick melt through the floor now. Please. Any moment now. The woman looked nothing but amused even as his daughter (who was breaking every health code humanly possible in the course of thirty or so seconds) skipped over to her and suddenly seemed to be examining her.
"Serky… you know not to come in here when Daddy's working." He said sternly. "I'm sorry Miss Utonium- this is my daughter- she's usually more than aware she's not supposed to come in here when-."
"But I didn't hear the buzz -buzz- which means you didn't do it yet- so I can come in and get a new picture! See I colored it already from today- I want another one- please Daddy?"
… God damn it the eyes. It had to be the eyes!
He sighed, "Uh… Okay sure- um…" He grabbed a random sketchbook- and started flipping- there had to be a few rejects in here. Berserk had just gone and plopped herself on Brick's now vacant stool. Blossom… didn't seem fazed. Weird.
"You're really pretty but you have weird eyes." Oh dear God why? Why did this child have to have Brick's lack of tact!
She chuckled, "My eyes are inherited from my grandmother." The bitchy one? "They are a little weird huh?"
"No- they're really pretty but they're still weird- but don't worry my daddy has weird eyes too- and I do too- see!" She pointed to her face and Blossom – feigning a true patience that almost verged on sainthood feigned an interest in his little girl's eyes.
"Oh my… they are very different but they're very pretty sweetheart- you shouldn't call them weird. They're just unique."
Brick continued flipping through the sketches as quickly as possible. But Bridget then seemed to notice the stencil on Blossom's hand and… Brick recognized that ominous look in those big doe eyes.
Aw…hell. Here comes Berserk.
"Aww- hey! You have my flower ribbon picture- no fair I wanted to color it!" She pouted and oh god no! Not a Berserk tantrum! Not now!
"Okay baby girl." A bunch of flowers and a butterfly- good enough! "Here you go Serky- now why don't you take this into Daddy's office and color it for him okay- Daddy's almost done."
"But I wanted to color the pretty ribbon flower! No faaaaair!" She whined.
"Bridget… Jojo… do as I say please or no stuffed crust!" He tapped his foot- his daughter's eyes went as big as dinner plates. She snatched the paper quickly. Heh. Brick was no sap. He knew how to lay down the law damn it!
"Sorry Daddy I just really liked the pretty ribbon." She mumbled as she pouted before she turned to the other adult in the room. "Sorry Miss."
Blossom was silent but then she leaned over and grabbed the picture from the printer.
"Well we can't have a frown on that pretty little face now can we- honestly you're as quiet as a mouse in there, I didn't even know you were here you're a good little girl huh."
His daughter stiffened and then seemed to give a wary look.
"Course I am- who are you?" She put another hand on her hip. (Ugh… again- that was classic Elizabeth there) Blossom's eyes "widened"-.
"Oh! How rude of me I didn't introduce myself." She stuck her hand out. And Berserk gave him an odd look. Brick returned it but the young woman remained steadfast. His daughter timidly reached over and shook it gingerly. Eyes wide with confusion.
But then she stiffened more.
His daughter's eyes were fixed on the woman's fire and ice lined wrist and those big eyes drifted to Brick's own matching left hand. Back and forth. Back and forth.
Wider. Quicker.
Fuck… shit. No. Brick tensed- his baby was going to get upset. And no amount of stuffed crust and extra pineapple would make it better!
But they were staring at each other- Berserk's face was an odd one… wary… suspicious but… curious as well. Blossom's on the other hand- was steadfast. It was an unflinching look of pure… kindness.
There was no other word for the expression on that woman's face. Kindness. Understanding. …gentle. Her smile broadened- not to the extent that it could be considered fake either like some… women had given his young daughter. Not the feigned- "deal with the hottie's baggage" until in their feeble minds they felt they could effectively force the "soulmate" to make the "choice."
This wasn't broad and toothy. Fickle and brittle.
This was a slow gentle curve of lips, a brief showing of teeth-front teeth slightly uneven- but it just… seemed to soften her smile more than mar it.
It… seemed sincere.
He could tell Bridget was just as taken aback by it but after a moment she shook the hand happily.
"Blossom- Blossom Utonium you must be Bridget."
"Duh." She folded her arms and gave her another suspicious look. "So you're the one who com-iss-ioned the pretty flower from Daddy?"
Any minute now… any minute.
"Apparently I did." She chuckled slightly. "It is really pretty isn't it?"
"Duh. My Daddy's the best artist ever!" Another small chuckle. "So how come you're getting's a tattoo anyway? Huh huh- tell- tell!"
"Well I was impressed with what your daddy can do- and I wanted to look pretty."
"But you're already pretty- my daddy keeps looking at you when he thinks you're not looking- see!" She pointed and oh God… traitor. Little… traitor. Like hell was she getting stuffed crust now! The woman's cheeks were tinged pink.
"Oh… is he…now?" She said sounding nervous. Fuck. Berserk only nodded.
"Uh huh." Still wary- like a little kitten she crept over to Brick's side and clutched at his leg. She seemed deep in thought. His hand crept over her shoulder, she continued to look at Blossom not… suspiciously- no Brick wouldn't put that label to it but it was… a cautious wariness nonetheless.
The sketch was still extended out- she peeked out from behind him.
"I….can have it?" More confusion. Miss Utonium nodded.
"I think you should- your daddy made the stencil already- and it's not colored anyway yet- how about you come up with the colors huh?" Now Brick's eyebrow rose but Berserk simply looked delighted.
"Really!" She gushed. Another nod and she squealed. "Yay! It'll be the prettiest tattoo ever! Don't worry! I'll put lots of pink into it too so it'll look pretty with your eyes! And red too! Cause that'll look nice like your hair and- and!"
Brick folded his arms, "Alright kiddo- time to go work on your masterpiece- let Daddy do his work okay?"
She beamed and nodded, "Okay! Are we still going out for pizza?" She chuckled.
"Sure are- now go color."
"Yes Daddy!" Another quick hug on both his legs and she paused somewhat in front of Laura Utonium. She clutched her sketch and cocked her head.
"I guess you're pretty enough for one of Daddy's tattoos." She said bluntly with another nod. "You can use my ribbon flower."
Another small chuckle. "Thank you very much Bridget."
"Take care of it. Clean it and stuff like how Daddy tells you." A wagging finger. "Promise!"
"I promise." Another smile. Shit… she had a nice smile. Fuck. No. Hell this was… a bad-. Just… ugh.
His hand tingled even as he patted his little devil angel on the head and with another hearty wave towards the woman in the chair she went skipping back into the office-clutching her new treasure in hand.
"You didn't have to do that." He murmured. She shrugged.
"She's adorable- it was no problem- you finished the stencil didn't you?"
I didn't mean that…
He grabbed the antiseptic- "Sure did- one ribbon flower coming up-." He wiped the flames and icicles carelessly- an air of nonchalance. She was silent- the throbbing in his wrist was growing worse- it seemed the closer their shared "melded" ink was… the stranger the feeling was growing in him.
The brighter her eyes seemed to get. The softer her skin.
..Shit. No.
She wasn't interested in this nonsense- hell he wasn't interested in this nonsense.
Soul Ink… bah.
This was sterile enough by now- the stencil was in place. Gather up the nerves- she wanted it done. He didn't blame her in the slightest- there were too many factors- too much complications- it was all nothing but a sick omnipresent cosmic joke.
He picked up the tattoo gun quickly- but he hesitated. This skin was soft… extremely soft… it was likely delicate… this was going to hurt like a bitch… he ought to warn her. She may have prepared herself for the pain but…
No matter the internet research and the amount of it nothing would have put such delicate soft skin into focus.
Technically… he was obligated to inform her. To warn her.
"Listen Blossom- I just think I should tell you-."
"You're still going to do it aren't you?" She interrupted him quietly- he looked up instantly.
"You paid for it and signed for it…" His voice was way too low. This was bad.
"Despite what you know happened last night… you're still willing to cover it up." It was phrased as a question but he knew it wasn't.
"The customer's always right."
"So long as the check clears."
"I have to make a living and provide for my daughter."
"She's beautiful."
"Thank you."
Silence.
"You're willing to ignore your soul mate."
"You don't want one."
"And clearly neither do you."
The silence dragged.
"It's asinine."
"Ludicrous really."
"We don't even know each other."
"They never do."
Silence. Silence. Silence.
"I don't know you."
"And I don't know you."
"I wouldn't want to frighten your daughter."
"She's too observant for her own good."
"What do we do?"
"I was under the impression we'd already come up with a fine solution."
"We have haven't we?"
"Yes."
"Absolutely.
His grip remained steadfast but it was still.
"I'm sorry."
"Why on earth would you apologize for something completely out of your control?"
"Well the timing is awful- you're publically humiliated just days before by your ex finding their "soul mate" and you stumble into some tattoo shop and voila – there's your own…"
"The irony is astounding isn't it?"
"A bonafide divine prank."
"You're extraordinarily talented… but-."
"I can't in good conscience do this."
"Neither can I."
"Then that's that then."
She stood. He stiffened.
"How much do I owe you- fifty?"
"Nothing."
"Brick…"
"I'm not taking your money Blossom."
His hand went over his face. Fuck. Shit. Son of a bitch.
Fuck!
His wrist was fucking killing him. Burning- God he just wanted to scratch off the damned ink! This was insane. Fucking-!
"I'm sorry."
He stiffened more.
"Why the fuck are you apologizing now?" he demanded as he whipped around.
"Because…" Her arms fell down listlessly, "it just feels like… I should."
"You… can't help so called… "Fate" Blossom."
She wrung her hands.
"Why you…?"
"Why you?"
They stared at each other.
"You seem like a decent man…"
"You're an extremely kind woman."
Stare.
"So… we should simply forget this happened?"
"Doesn't that seem the least painful choice?"
"Pain?"
"Is your hand not already killing you?"
"… Here I was thinking it was a result of carpal tunnel."
"You wish."
"It would be easier to deal with."
"No one ever mentioned the whole "pain" thing here."
"No one ever talks about whatever negatives there might even be."
"It's true."
Step. Step. Pause.
"I feel like I should reintroduce myself."
"At least this is more… private a "fated" meeting isn't it?"
"Tch- I hate crowds."
"Then we both can agree on that at least."
"A good sign?"
"I hesitate to label anything in these circumstances as of yet as either "good" or "bad"…"
"Likewise."
Shifting of feet.
"You're truly talented-I wasn't being facetious."
"I appreciate it."
"Would you still be willing to work on me?"
"It can be arranged. But I have to warn you anything on your hand would hurt like a bitch."
"Why is that?"
Step. Step.
Pause.
"Your skin's… too soft." Whisper.
"Then… what about my shoulder?" Whisper.
"Better. We'd only be able to do the outline for now anyway."
"Naturally… your daughter is finishing the design isn't she? I have to wait anyway."
"… Berserk has a good eye for color at her age."
"I can tell."
She drifted past him and settled back on the chair rolling down her spaghetti strap as she did so.
"Is this alright or did you need me to-?"
He blushed like a teenager again before he shook his head and settled back down on the stool.
"No… that's good. You're sure now?"
She nodded and took a deep breath as he peeled the stencil off her hand only to apply it to the creamy skin of her shoulder. His hands felt like putty- jelly even and the feeling only grew as she peeked at him from behind her shoulder. A small smile in her wake-an ironic almost wry curling of lips- it wasn't the look of a smitten or dazzle eyed lovesick fool.
It was… warily curious. Similar to the expression Brick had seen on his daughter just minutes before.
A look that to Brick seemed to convey the classic phrase beloved of parents everywhere and through all time.
We'll see.
Hope you enjoyed my lovelies! Thanks again! See you at Part III!
Cheers,
Carrie