Skin
John Kennex hadn't set foot in the lower slums of LA since his case with the tracking bullet. It wouldn't be the last time he'd set foot in the underground of LA, but he hadn't expected to walk in there, under his own free will, for his own purpose. He walked down the street, hands tuck inside his pocket, thumbing the very reason he'd come into the slums. Neon light ahead marked his destination.
He stepped inside the small shop, setting off the old school chimes. His eyes instantly began taking note of each infraction. The makeshift tattoo guns, the ink, the artists, and patrons. John shook his head, clearing his mind. He wasn't on the job tonight. He wasn't here to make trouble. Most tattoo shops took on a more technological approach. Images were laser printed onto the skin. It was safer than injecting ink into the skin, and removed far easier as well. Recovery was faster and the risks of complications was virtually nonexistent. But John wasn't looking for simply or painless. He was looking for something permanent.
A young woman stepped toward the counter. Her skin was covered in an array of tattoos. An array of flowers were tattoo across her collar. Vines and birds travel up her right arm, while old-school cartoons reenacted scenes on her left. A tribal tattoo encircled her forehead. Her lip was tattooed with a heart in the center. Her hair was a neon pink, matching the sign out front. The artist paused when she saw him. "What do you want, Kennex?"
John kept his eyes on the artist and leaned against the counter. "Here for a tattoo, Ebony."
Ebony laughed. "Now why would a Detective want an illegal tattoo?"
John shrugged. "Why does anybody else want one?"
Ebony folded her arms across the counter. "You know how hard it is to keep a business open when you bust my artists and my customers?"
"That was business." John answered. "This is personal."
Ebony snorted humorlessly. "And what if I don't want you in my business?"
John shrugged. "Guess I'll find another shop that will. But if I can't have the best take my business, guess there's no choice." He pushed himself off the counter and turned to leave. John made it two steps before Ebony stopped him.
"What's the that?" she called.
John turned to face her. "Something right up your alley."
"You got a picture?"
"Got the original." John answered. He pulled his hand out of his coat pocket and held up a small piece of paper.
Ebony's brows scrunched together. She gently took the paper and flipped it over. Her eyes grew wide as she saw the image. She bit her lip, thumbing the picture. "You want this the same size?"
"Yeah."
Ebony nodded slowly. "I'll make you a deal, Kennex. I do this tattoo for you, and you give me a year without trouble."
John didn't take a second of hesitation. "Deal."
"First booth on the right." Ebony said. "Take a seat and I'll be right there."
John gave a short nod and headed toward the booths. He entered the frits one on the right and took off his coat. He dropped it on an empty chair and took a seat on the bench. he briefly looked around the booth, taking in Ebony's designs. Tattoo's, photos, all dotted the wall of her booth.
Ebony walked into the booth carrying a transparent piece of paper with the image printed on it. She took a seat by the bench. She grabbed a pair of gloves and slipped them on her hands. "So, where did you want this."
John pulled off his shirt and tapped his right shoulder. "Here."
"Color?"
"You got burgundy?"
Ebony smiled. "Yep." She pulled out her supplies and set up shop. John watched with fascination at the care Ebony put into her set up. There was a pile of Vaseline on the counter and a small cup containing the burgundy ink. She grabbed several antiseptic wipes and ran it over his skin. Next she placed the paper on his shoulder and waited. Ebony slowly peeled away the paper, leaving a light impression on John's shoulder. "Take a look at the position."
John moved to the long mirror on the wall. He nodded. "Looks good."
"Alright, let's do this." Ebony said. She dipped her finger into the Vaseline.
John sat down on the bench. he felt Ebony run her finger over his back, spreading the gel across his skin. He heard the motor of the tattoo gun start up. The needle dipped into the ink and pressed into his skin. It was uncomfortable, but not unbearable. Ebony worked in silence, which was perfectly fine with John. He felt the needle move across his skin, filling in the temporary ink permanently.
"Haven't seen may drawings on paper." Ebony stated, ending the silence.
"Not surprised." John said.
"Must've been some girl." Ebony mused. "She's got you breaking the law for this."
"She's worth it." John answered.
Ebony noted John's tone. Typically these types of tattoos came with this kind of baggage. "How long's she been gone?"
John glanced over his shoulder at Ebony. "Three weeks."
"Work related?"
"Yeah." he answered.
Ebony nodded slowly. "So...is this just to remember her by?"
"Just to tide me over until she comes back." John answered.
Ebony smiled. "And people says men of this age aren't romantic."
John snorted. "Can't imagine why."
Ebony shrugged. She turned off the motor and grabbed another wipe. She cleaned off the extra ink. "Done. Take a look."
John stood up from the bench and walked back to the mirror. He looked over his shoulder into the mirror. John's eyes immediately caught sight of the burgundy colored kiss etched into his shoulder. He smiled sadly, remembering the feel of her lips pressing in that exact same place just three weeks ago.. "Looks great. Thanks."
Ebony stood up with a bandage. She placed it over the tattoo. "If your friend ever wants a matching one, you know where to find me, Kennex."
John chuckled. "I'll keep that in mind." He pulled his shit on over his tattoo and grabbed his jacket. "Have a good night Ebony."
"You too, Detective." she called
John walked out of the booth and out the front doors. He slid his coat on over his back. The action irritated the fresh tattoo, but John moved past it. It was nothing compared to the ache he felt missing her, not knowing what she was doing.
"John."
John sighed and turned. Dorian stood just a few feet down the street, leaning against John's car. John adjusted his collard and walked to the car. "How'd you find me?"
"Honestly, it wasn't that hard." Dorian explained. he pushed himself off the car.
"You gonna give me a citation?" John asked.
Dorian shook his head. "I'd offer to buy you a beer, but alcohol would thin you blood and cause complication in the healing process."
John snorted. "Guess I'll live without then. Need a ride to Rudy's?" He reached for his door, but Dorian stopped him.
"I understand you're worried about Valerie. I am too." Dorian said. "But I am also aware that she is a very capably cop. You need to trust her."
John sighed heavily. "I do. I trust her, Dorian. It's who she's with that I don't trust. They can discover her at any time and we wouldn't know until it's too late."
"Every under cover op has risks, John." Dorian reminded.
"Yeah, the last one ended with a dead cop and an injured robot tech." John replied. He pulled open the door and climbed into the car. "Not promising odds, Dorian."
Dorian sighed and climbed into the passenger side. "You can't always be there to protect her, John. This is her job too."
John nodded slowly. "I know. Still doesn't mean I can't wish I could, though."
so this was totally based of one of my favorite songs. Mark Wills "Her Kiss". if you don't like country music, I'm sorry, but it's an amazing song.
if you got prompts let me at 'em :)
you guys are amazing by the way!