"You have to! You chickened out of asking that girl out at the bar. Show us that you aren't a complete pussy!" Tony slurred, slapping Vision's arm for good measure.
"I really don't think…"
"Chicken."
"Tony."
Tony circled Vision, clucking like a chicken with the accompanying arm movements.
"She didn't seem interested in any event. I don't see why I should have to…"
He was cut off by an obnoxiously loud squark far too close to his face.
"She wanted to do unspeakable things to you. She spent the greater portion of the evening salivating in your direction and you…. You proceeded to open your man bag and pull out a book. In a bar. You were reading a book in a bar. Reading. In a bar. And what is worse, ignoring the hot woman that quite blatantly wanted to fuck you. You my friend, are a disgrace."
"She wasn't my type."
"Oh what was wrong with her? Hair too shiny, tits too bouncy, arse too pert?" Tony rolled his eyes.
"She was a very beautiful woman and I am sure that she was a lovely person…." Tony pretended to vomit dramatically.
"I'm not saying you should propose to her. I am saying that you need to get laid." Tony poked his finger into Vision's chest.
"Just drop it. I'll have it done, even if it is just to shut you up." Vision sighed pushing past Tony.
He entered the shop, a small backstreet tattoo parlour that Tony had picked out.
"How can I help you?" He looked up from his feet to meet the eyes of a petite brunette with the most beautiful green eyes he had ever seen and instantly forgot how to speak. Tony sighed, rolling his eyes.
"Sorry, he doesn't get out much. Reads in bars, that sort of thing. He wants a tattoo."
"Do you?" She smiled gently at Vision.
"I apologise I didn't hear you."
She smiled again.
"Do you want a tattoo?"
"Oh." He exhaled and grinned at the woman.
"Yes please." He could have sworn that her face had reddened.
"How about you follow me. Your friend can stay there. Mind the cat. She has a mean streak." She motioned towards a slim black cat which had been perched on the windowsill the whole time.
"Creepy thing." Tony shuddered when the cat wouldn't take its eyes off him.
He followed her towards the back of the shop, thankfully out of hearing range. She stopped at a workstation and motioned towards a reclining chair, he smiled and sat down.
"I'm Wanda."
"Vision."
"Cool name. Unusual"
"Thank you. It's not my real name. My real name is Victor." He rushed, his words bleeding into each other. He finished with a shy smile. She really was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
"So, what can I do for you Vision."
"Sorry?" He whispered.
"Tattoo." She smiled, a dazzling smile which lit up her eyes.
"Umm. I….I am not entirely sure. I am sorry. I am wasting your time." He mumbled, eyes darting.
"I assure you, you aren't. It's a quiet night." She smiled, brushing her hand against his fingers. He met her eyes and smiled.
"How about you take a look through the portfolio here, see if there is anything that interests you."
He nodded enthusiastically and took the folder from her outstretched hand. She pulled her bottom lip into her mouth as he croaked a thank you in her direction.
She began to clean her tools as he leafed through the folder, passing intricate designs which would surely take hours, appraising them with a smile before finding the smaller designs.
"The larger ones are exquisite, but I don't think I am quite ready for one of those just yet." He chucked, his eyes meeting hers.
She smiled at him. "That's lovely to hear. They are my own designs."
"You are very talented." He turned his attention back to the portfolio with a blush.
"Have you seen anything that you like."
If he was a bolder man like Tony he would have answered her honestly. That he saw plenty that he liked very much. Alas, he was not.
"They're wonderful, but I think I may need some assistance."
She scooted her chair closer to him, her arm almost touching his. She smelled wonderful too, a dusky fragrance. He watched her hands move over the page, chipped black nail varnish on her fingers, which pointed out a small diamond shaped design.
"Perhaps something subtle, you could have it somewhere that others won't see if work wouldn't approve."
"I do not think that would be a problem."
"So, what do you do, out of interest?" She concentrated intently on the portfolio and resisted the urge to turn her head to face him.
"I have a sweet shop in town."
"Really? That's awesome."
"It's only small, I tend to sell mainly imported confectionary. I import mostly from Europe."
"That's really cool. I would love to be able to try some of the sweets that my brother and I had growing up."
"Where are you from, if you don't mind me asking?"
"Sokovia. We moved to New York when we were 10."
"Well I am sure that could be arranged." He swallowed at his own audacity.
"I am sorry, I am being presumptuous, you are just being kind." His speech hurried. His face had turned the shade of beetroot.
"Not at all. I wouldn't have asked if I wasn't interested in what you have to say and it's not every day I meet a man with a sweet shop." She smiled genuinely.
"Well, then I should really be truthful with you. I don't really want a tattoo." He quirked his lip in a wry smile.
"Yeah. I picked up on that." She titled her head, her lips twitching.
"I'm sorry. I'm wasting your time." He motioned to leave.
"Listen, Vision. Let me give you a temporary tattoo, get your friend off your back for tonight and in payment for wasting my time maybe you could invite me to your shop to see if you stock any of my childhood favourites?" She smiled wryly.
His mouth twitched in response.
"Of course. That would be wonderful."
"Then it's a deal. Now hold still and pretend to wince, gotta sell it for him"
Vision smiled down at her, before sucking in air through his teeth and turning towards Tony and giving him a thumbs up.
She held his arm gently as she applied the design, he couldn't help but analyse the way her hair dropped over her shoulder, her profile and lastly down to her hands, warm against his skin.
The tattoo didn't take long to complete, being a small design on his forearm. She wiped away any residue and followed him to the sofa.
"So, don't forget the pamphlet on after care. The number for the shop is on there. You know, just in case you decide to get a sleeve." She smirked at him and he beamed back.
"My shop is called Visions. Not very imaginative unfortunately and definitely more suited to an optician, but I think that you will find what you are looking for. It's on Baker's. I hope to see you soon."
"You will." She smiled, tilting her head to appraise his walk as he left the shop.