Thank you to all the people who reviewed and all the people that left requests and ideas! I have catalogued them with your name (or in the case of being a guest, then I put down guest.) If you happen to be a guest and leave a request I would very much appreciate if you left your name or at least a penname so I can give proper credit. And yes I am fine, *blushie emoji* bruises are already fading. And sneak peak of a soon to come one shot…. Aedion meeting Rowan…prepare yourselves. And if wording offends anyone, I apologize; it's just for the sake of the story line.
Prompt: Aelin wants to get a tattoo and Rowan is the tattoo artist
"Why are you so worried about me getting a tattoo? It's me that's getting one, not you, honestly Nehemia." The fidgeting woman scowled at her stubborn friend and Aelin poked her tongue out at Nehemia.
"Because," she stressed, "It's gonna be on your skin forever, how are you not worried?!" Her dark eyes bugged out towards the end of her question with her hands flailing about. Aelin rolled her eyes. She may be stubborn but her friend was dramatic.
"I've already told you, that's the reason you get them." Aelin spoke as if talking to a small child and even patted Nehemia's head for emphasize. She got pushed off the comfy chairs they were lounging on for that one.
"Ow," Aelin muttered, "No need for senseless violence."
The sound of needles buzzing was in the back of their ears as the two friends gazed around the shop. There were a few rooms located in the back, probably for more private tattoos. Pictures were strung up everywhere, showcasing the artists work and even some that belonged to famous tattooists. There were only a select few of artists in the main area, that she could see, and almost all of them were heavily covered in ink. The man they greeted at the front desk, Emrys, was now walking around the floor. Pleasantly chatting with all the clients as needles pounded into various places on their bodies.
All the reviews online that Aelin looked at said this was the greatest tattoo parlor in the area, and Aelin only allowed the best. She may think highly of herself once and awhile but everyone who knew her personally said she's a softy. Nehemia agreed.
"I hope you know that Aedion disapproves of this as much as I do. You should listen to us for once." Nehemia huffed in annoyance.
"I haven't ever listened to my cousin before, why would I start now?"
"He just has your best interest at heart you know. You don't always have to be in charge." Aelin looked at her blankly, and turned to face the rest of the room.
"Like that'll ever happen." Nehemia dropped the sore subject, but continued to talk.
"So, who did you book an appointment with? Do you think he'll be one of those sexy menfolk over there?" She pointed to the "menfolk" who were working and Aelin snorted. Nehemia and Aelin had been friends for years and by the gods she knew how to make her friend laugh.
She was quietly giggling when she retorted, "Let's hope so." If Aedion could see his cousin now he would probably lock her in the closet where no one could see her and she couldn't see them. Even though he's been in a lot more failed relationships than Aelin has.
In the corner of her eye, Nehemia spotted one of the back doors open, and her mouth fell open. "What?" Aelin questioned. The dark skinned girl just grabbed her friend's chin and moved it so she could she the god that walked into the room. Aelin's jaw dropped open at the figure that stood in the doorway. With muscles that put male models to shame, he held open the door for the drooling woman, and led her over to the desk for her to pay.
"He has to be at least 6'4" and holy shit that voice." Nehemia looked dazed, but was certainly right. He had a deep and powerful voice but with a hint of gravel in the undertones that made him sound sexy as hell. That wasn't even the best part. The man had broad shoulders that tapered down into slim hips, with his left arm covered in delicate yet masculine handwriting that traveled from the edge of his jaw all the way down to his hand. Aelin could even see a hint of ink peeking out from his slightly raised t-shirt. Holy shit indeed.
The woman at the counter was flirting with him, but his face, gods that beautiful face, was impassive. The two women couldn't be more obvious, staring at the incredible sexy creature that stood before them so openly. So entranced they were, Aelin didn't realize he was talking to her until he stood right in front of them.
"Do you have an appointment?" His piercing green eyes stared me down and with his arms crossed the tattoo that encompassed his entire left arm stood out starkly against his grey V-neck. I nodded slowly to answer his questions before standing up. Rolling his eyes, the man made a gesture with his hands to tell Aelin that she needed to follow him and made his way to the counter. Aelin didn't think he was scowling but he definitely wasn't smiling.
"You lucky bitch." Nehemia muttered in awe and a small smirk twisted Aelin's lips.
The handsome man started typing on the computer before beckoning her towards the back of the store. "You want this on your back right? Would you prefer the back room or do you care? Name's Rowan by the way." He curved his head back to see her expression. He'd admit, she was cute, although Rowan wouldn't be surprised if she were a bitch dressing up as an angel.
"Yea, and the back room is fine." Her feet were faint as her voice, tapping on the tile and when Rowan held the door open she could feel his eyes watching her jittering movements. Trying to get comfortable in the big leather chair, Aelin waited till Rowan was all set up before even trying to make conversation.
Pulling on black latex gloves and sidling up next to her, Rowan pulled out a sketchpad and fro the next few minutes they went through the process of her explaining what she wanted. The words "I will not be afraid" over an old scar on her back. He didn't question where the scar came from, but Aelin could see the curiosity shining in his eyes.
"What type of font were you thinking?" He was still looking down at the paper and Aelin bit her lip.
"Could I see your arm for a minute?" He raised his eyes and Aelin could see one of his brows arched in question. Without saying anything, Rowan set down is sketchpad next to the needles and bared his forearm to her, keeping eye contact the entire time. "Could you do that font?" She pointed at the ink.
"No problem." He murmured. Looking back down, and continuing to draw, Aelin started striping off the old t-shirt she had on. Rowan's eyes stayed down, however tempting it was. A gentlemen, Aelin mused. Laying face down on the chair with her arms crossed under her chin, she waited, not ready to see his reaction to her scar. It was low enough that her black bra strap wouldn't hinder his handiwork.
When Rowan finally looked at his canvas, he didn't gasp, his eyes barely even widened, yet he became very still for a few moments. Clearing his throat, he questioned, "Which scar, exactly?"
"The one under my shoulder blade, it's the nastier one." Rowan was silent, but he began preparing the template that would give him an outline to work from. It wasn't unusual to see people with scars in any tattoo parlor but… for someone who looked so gentle and dainty, he was stunned to say the least. When the computer booted up at the counter, it had told him that she wanted to cover a scar. Rowan thought it would be a tiny scar from a lost catfight or something. This was not expected at all. The girl's back was mutilated with multiple, long red welts. They were all healed but left a horrifying reminder what happened. Aelin felt uncomfortable. Not many people were significant enough in her life to see her scars but she just sucked it up, and made sure Rowan couldn't read her expression.
Figuring she didn't want to talk about the scars themselves, he tried to keep her occupied on the actual tattoo. Besides telling her how it will heal, and how to take care of it, the tattooing process was quiet with the exception of the tattoo needles. This girl, Aelin, her contact information told him, had a high pain tolerance that's for sure. Rowan knew what it felt like to get a scar covered up and one that brutal must be leaving her in agony however she didn't even flinch.
Trying to make small talk definitely wasn't up Rowan's ally but he felt obligated to answer the girl's questions. Did he live in the area? (Yes) How long had he been working at this place? (4 years) When did he get the enormous tattoo on his arm done? (19) Rowan even realized that after awhile a small smile made it's way onto his usually hard face. Gavril would make fun of him for weeks if he were here to witness this.
When the tattoo was all finished and wrapped up, Rowan felt… dejected that Aelin had to leave. So when they reached the main counter and she payed for the tattoo that, frankly, turned out just as gorgeous as Rowan's face, he made a split decision.
"You wanna go out some time?" he rumbled, his brows draw in and eyes watching the computer screen. This was not Rowan's forte.
Aelin, sensing this, smirked at him before picking up his sketchpad that he brought out. Rowan couldn't see what she was writing but when she handed it back to him Aelin declared, "Call me when you want to do something." She had written her phone number under the sketch of her tattoo. He grinned and when he looked back up, Aelin was already heading out, arms locked with her friend who was babbling hysterically.
This girl was definitely something he had never seen before that was for sure. He almost didn't want to tell Gavril, wanting to keep Aelin all to himself. Walking back to his station he concluded that the girl definitely was not a bitch in disguise, but by the gods she might as well been the devil instead.
I liked the way I portrayed Nehemia, I felt like her and Aelin would have that kind of relationship in the real world. Feel free to tell me your opinions! I'm not sure I got Rowan's character right but it was a new thing for me to write something where he hasn't met her yet so…yea. If you would so kindly leave a review it is much loved and I'll see you guys next week J