Author's note: hey! I'm bringing the Dark Mark back with a series of one shots. Just to follow the ladies and Nova throughout various life activities. I hope you all enjoy. I don't know how many one shots there will be. ~ Kelly
--
On the outskirts of London sat a small cottage with a white picket fence and a thatched roof which sat quiet in the early hours of the morning. The lights were dark as the sun began to shine through the black curtains that a certain tattoo artist insisted on to keep the pesky rays out of her line of sight. Her self-proclaimed beauty sleep was more important than seeing a sunrise. "Sunsets are more my thing, pet," the older woman smirked as she hung the room darkening curtains in the bedroom one morning after she claimed to have been brutally assaulted by the sun. There was no arguing once she was set on an idea and it was hopeless to even try.
Hermione Black stood looking into the full length mirror getting ready for another busy day of work then her PhD night classes. She buttoned up the crisp white dress shirt that was tucked into a pair of flared black pinstripe trousers. After buttoning her shirt to a modest height, she rolled up her sleeves to her elbows exposing the black and grey sleeve on her right forearm and wrist. She smiled down at her tattoo thinking to herself it had been far too long since her last session and that she needed to get on her wife about the possibility of adding more ink to her body. She sat down on the edge of the bed and pulled on a pair of black sheer stockings and slipped into a pair of heels. A little whine was heard coming from the dog kennel in the corner of the room. "Oh good morning," Hermione smiled then laughed at the big puppy eyes that little Nova was giving her at the moment. "You need to wee?" She already knew the answer when Nova was heard whistling through her nose. The pup in question had just turned four months old but was mostly house trained save for a few accidents which mostly occurred in Narcissa's shoes or on the floor by the door when she really had to go. "Come on then," she whispered, opening the kennel door and letting the excited puppy out. "Don't wake your mummy up yet. We both know she hasn't been sufficiently recharged."
Hermione left the bedroom with the happy pup following close at her feet. "Careful," Hermione warned the pup, "you might trip me." She laughed as Nova clumsily got her footing. Her paws were growing larger but her body still needed time to catch up so she was often tripping if she went too fast. "Go on love," she opened the back door and followed Nova out enjoying the crisp fall morning. She watched the dog happily prance around the fenced in yard and stop to go potty. "Good girl," Hermione praised her which caused the puppy to run full speed at her mum, head butting her and almost knocking her down. "Always so excited," she laughed and walked back inside with Nova who sat down next to the door and waited for her puppy treat. They spent a half hour watching tv while Hermione had a quick breakfast before trudging back into the bedroom to wake her wife. "Shh," she looked at Nova who laid down on the floor and waited for Hermione to let her up on the bed.
"Darling?" She whispered as she neared her wife. "It's time to wake up."
"Mmmfph," came the disgruntled reply of Bella Black, notoriously known as not a friend to mornings.
"Im headed to work in a few minutes," Hermione carefully sat down next to the sleeping lump.
"It's morning already," an eye and some dark curls were all that appeared out of the thick layer of covers. "Stay home with me. I can think of far more enjoyable things we can get into today."
Hermione rolled her eyes, hearing the smirk without having to see it, "you know I can't. I have the weekend off. No school or work. Promise."
"But I miss you," Bella completely uncovered her head and pouted.
"I'll be back tonight after class. Promise," she leaned down and kissed her wife. Knowing if she lingered too long, Bella would pull her down completely and she'd be late for work. "Maybe we can go on a picnic this weekend."
"A picnic," she parroted and thought, "hmm. That sounds nice," an evil grin formed, "but you know what's nicer?"
"What's that?"
"If we send N-O-V-A," she spelled the name so the puppy wouldn't hear, "over to her Auntie's house and we spend the weekend with you tied to the bed, completely at my mercy, dripping deliciously on the new sheets and begging for release."
Hermione groaned, "Bella. Not before I'm meant to go into work."
Bella chuckled, "you knew what you were signing up for when you married me."
"I did and I'm in. Make the arrangements with Andy?"
Bella immediately sat up in the bed, "give me my phone. It's happening now."
Hermione gathered her bag and her laptop and walked back over and kissed Bella on the forehead while she was furiously typing a message to her sister. "Don't forget," she stopped and turned when she got to the door. "You are meant to meet Dora and her pup at the dog park today."
"What?" Bella's phone dropped into her lap and she looked up at her wife with a look of disgust mixed with dismay. "You can't be serious."
"Do I look like I'm joking?" Hermione crossed her arms over her chest. "Remember the other night?" Bella looked confused. "After our shower," Hermione blushed when Bella's grin spread. "Dora texted and asked if you wanted to go to the dog park with her today and you told me to tell her yes."
"You can't hold me accountable for what I've said post orgasm."
"Actually, I can." Hermione raised an eyebrow, "you knew what you were signing up for when you married me." She threw her wife's words back at her.
"Well fuck me," Bella laid back down on the bed and pulled the covers back over herself. "I refuse."
"If you take Nova to the dog park then I'll let you tattoo me tonight," Hermione put the offer out there.
"Nova?" Bella called and the puppy excitedly jumped up on the dog and started pawing at her and licked her now exposed face. "Get your leash. We have a date to keep."
Two hours of sitting around later, Bella received two message notifications.
Andy(11:30am): of course Nova is welcomed to stay over with her Auntie this weekend. Apparently I'm also watching Dora's little monster so Nova will be a real treat. I'll pick her up tonight and keep her all weekend if you'd like.
Bella(11:32am): me and my vagina thank you in advance.
Bella cackled and opened up the next message from her niece.
Dora(11:30am): are we still on for the dog park today? Killer and I will be there around noon. We will be in the small dog section.
Bella(11:35): what a stupid fucking name for a wiener dog.
Dora(11:37am): hey! Killer will fuck your fingers right up given the chance. Don't underestimate her abilities.
Bella(11:39am): noon? Keep Killer under control. I don't want her tarnishing my baby's pristine dog park reputation.
Dora(11:45am): pristine? Wasn't Nova the one who got in trouble for humping all the other dogs the last time we were there?
Bella(11:47pm): circumstantial at best. No witnesses. Bye Dora.
"Well Nova," Bella looked over to the sleeping pup on the couch, reaching down and scratching behind her ear. "Looks like you've got a reputation like your mummy. No face humping at the park today," Bella laughed. "Maybe when you are older we can get you a girlfriend but apparently you need to keep it in your puppy pants at the park." Nova whined and tilted her head like she was trying to understand. "Don't worry about it." Bella stood up which sent the pup into a state of excitement. "Let's go," she put her phone into the pocket of her shorts and put a flannel over her tank top. Of course she was wearing her typical fish nets, doc martens and her hair was up in a messy top knot. "We don't have all day, lady." She grabbed the leash and waited for Nova by the door. The puppy came running and barked excitedly. Bella raised an eyebrow and nova sat down, waiting patiently while she clipped the leash to her collar, "mummy's good girl," she petted her a few times before opening the front door and quickly locking it behind her before Nova started pulling her in the direction of the park.
A short five minute walk later, Bella and Nova made it outside of the fence to the small dog park. Technically Nova was a big pup but she was still a baby and Bella would fight anyone who tried to make her baby socialize with the bigger dogs. "Hey," Dora waved, calling her aunt over to the other side of the park where the benches were. She saw the angry dog in question, sitting by her niece's feet licking the side of her boots. "Go play," she tried to reason with Killer. "She has a mind of her own," Dora rolled her eyes when Bella and Nova got closer.
The small wiener dog growled at first but after smelling Nova and getting reacquainted she started whining and took off in fast sprints waiting to be chased. "Okay," Bella bent down and unclasped the leash from her dog's collar. "Go get her," No a took off and Bella shouted after her, "remember what I said about the face humping!"
Dora laughed, "what kind of conversations are you having with your dog?"
"Shut it," Bella grumbled, causing her niece to laugh louder. "So," she started when her niece calmed, "how's everything at The Dark Mark? I haven't been there lately."
"We noticed. It's quiet without you," Dora smirked. "No, seriously everything is going great. We have a handle on the shop. Though, your regulars have been missing you."
"It's hard," she hated to admit. "When the weather changes, my arm hurts more and the tremors are harder to control. I plan to come back more after the switch from summer to fall is over."
"And then winter?"
"Ugh don't remind me. Also don't get shot, it's not fun at all and apparently you never fully recover." She noticed her puppy trying to mount a small Yorkie, "hey! Nova!" She yelled and the dog looked over, "no ma'am." She swore if it were possible she saw her puppy pout before she trotted off to chase another dog. "Horny little bastard she is," Bella laughed.
"She takes after her mummy I suppose," Dora laughed. "Anyways we miss you at the shop and Lyss has been scheduling a few appointments for you in the upcoming months. You can change them if you need to."
"No," Bella shook her head. "I'll make it work. I don't want to keep disappointing my regulars. Hermione said if I came here today then I could tat her tonight so I'll see how that goes."
"What?" Dora pretended to look offended. "You mean you had to be bribed to spend time with me?"
"Of course not. I had to be bribed to spend time with the dogs," Bella rolled her eyes. "The dog park isn't really my scene, kid."
"Mine either but getting a dog is sure better than having a conversation about babies."
Bella cackled loudly, "god you remind me so much of myself. It's truly scary."
"Mom tells me that all the time."
"Nova!!" Bella shouted and the dog came trotting back. She scooped the dog up and sat her on her lap, "listen. If you keep trying to sexually assault the other dogs then we are going to have to leave. The last thing we need is for your mother to get wind of your proclivities. Oh," she reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone. She took a quick picture of her and the pup so she could send it off to her wife. "Perfect." She sent the picture along with a message saying that they missed her and that Andy was going to pick Nova up later and keep her for the weekend. "So," Bella said after letting her pup down, "how is everything with Lyss?"
Bella and Nova returned home and took a well deserved post park nap. Any excuse for a nap was a simple pleasure for the dark haired woman. She could spend days in bed just hanging out and relaxing especially if her wife was there to accompany her. When Hermione was at work, Bella let Nova sleep in the bed with her which was a habit that Hermione could never find out about. It was just her and Nova's secret. "What mummy doesn't know won't hurt us," she said to the puppy after their first bed nap. When she woke up she saw a message from Hermione.
Hermione(4:30pm): hello my darlings. Work was fine and that photo of you and Nova melted my heart. My second class was canceled this evening so I'll be home around 6. See you then.
Bella typed a quick response to Hermione.
Bella( 4:45pm): it'll just be me, pet. Andy is coming to pick Nova up in a few minutes. It'll just be us all weekend long.
As soon as the message was sent, there was a knock at the door before the middle Black sister made her way into the cottage. "Nova! Auntie is here," she announced, completely ignoring the fact that her sister was also home.
"Hello to you too, Andy," Bella shouted back, following her dog out of the bedroom towards the living room.
"Bella," Andy pretended to wave her off, "we both know I'm only here for this gorgeous little lady. And apparently this appeases your vagina."
Bella laughed, "yes me and my vagina are very thankful. Expect a gift from the both of us in the mail at some point."
"I will treasure anything your vagina mails to me," Andy rolled her eyes and picked Nova up. "Is she ready? I have to stop by Dora's after I leave here and get her little beast. I swear that dog is always purposefully trying to trip me."
"Is Dora's vagina also sending you a gift?"
"That's my daughter."
"And?"
"She's a little angel and had never engaged in sexual activities."
Bella laughed loudly, scaring Nova, "okay Andy. Sure she hasn't and I most definitely not catch her and Lyss fucking in the broom closet at the shop before."
Andy groaned, "just because it happens doesn't mean I want to hear about it."
"You and me both, sis. I closed the door and left. I wasn't sticking around to see how it ended. I mean by the sounds they were making I'm sure it was enjoyable for both of them."
"I mean they moved into the studio, you'd think they could just go upstairs for those activities."
"Well," Bella sympathized, "sometimes it can't wait. A whole flight of stairs? When the closet is right there?"
"I'm out of here. Nova, say goodbye to your mummy. She disgusts me," Andy pretended to stick her nose up in the air. "Let's go," she put the dog down so she could grab her overnight bag before clipping the leash and walking her over to Bella to say goodbye.
Bella squatted down and Nova licked at her face, "be a good girl for Auntie Andy and I'll have a big treat waiting for you when you come home. Mummy loves you." She rustled the top of Nova's head and escorted them to Andy's car and waved as her car pulled away and down the road.
Bella had a little time to get the apartment ready for tattooing and thankfully Hermione had gotten used to the feeling of being tattooed and recovering so that she would be still up for some other fun this weekend. She smirked to herself thinking of all the things she wanted to do to Hermione over the course of the next few days. She went into her home tattoo office which was converted from a garage into a mini tattoo parlor. She had her supply rolling cabinet, her tattoo table, a few mirrors, her stencil machine and her rolling chair. She eventually wanted to finish Hermione's other sleeve but decided today she wanted to tattoo her collar bone because there was nothing sexier than seeing a woman in a dress shirt with ink poking out of the low cut buttoned shirt. She was sitting at her desk with her sketch book, lost in a couple of designs and didn't realize how much time had passed. Her wife had snuck into the house without her noticing and was standing at the door to the parlor. "Are you ready for me, Mrs. Black?" She started to unbutton her dress shirt, slowly with purpose.
"If you want to get this tattoo, you are playing a very dangerous game young lady," Bella smirked and sat back watching as her wife unbuttoned her shirt. Hermione smiled and started unbuttoning faster so it was less sexy. "I didn't tell you to speed up, pet. You can use the tactic of seduction. It will get you everywhere," she put her sketchbook down and walked over to help her take her shirt off. "Want to forget the tat and just fuck on the chair instead?" Bella had walked her backwards and pinned her up against the office door engaging her in a sloppy, hungry kiss full of need and desire. It had been awhile since their last time because Hermione had been busy with school and work and Bella felt deprived. Hermione gasped and the older woman wasted no time slipping her tongue into the waiting mouth. She expertly glided her tongue against her wife's and a gutteral noise escaped her throat when she felt Hermione's hand travel down her body, into her back pocket, cupping her ass through the rough material of her shorts. She gave Hermione a small reprieve from the kissing and attacked her neck. She dragged her tongue from her collarbone up to her ear and playfully nipped at it, breathing hotly against her, "what do you say pet? Should we forget the tattoo?"
Hermione groaned, "Bella," she wanted to say yes but she was also really looking forward to the tattoo.
Bella slowed her assault down and peppered Hermione's collar with soft kisses after she could practically hear the wheels turning in her wife's mind. "Tattoo first. Fuck later." She smirked against the tanned skinned before lightly biting, eliciting another moan. "Bra off too, love. We are going to work on your left side, chest and clavicle if that's all right."
Hermione bit her lip a little worried about the pain but also excited for the new ink, "okay," she shed her bra and stood in front of her wife. It was a small ego boost to see how Bella could still get worked up just by looking at her naked chest. "See something you like?"
"You know I do," the reply came out raspy. "Now, stop with the cheek and come over here so I can put your stencil on. Would you like the numbing cream first?"
"Is it going to hurt?"
"Yes. It's a tattoo," she laughed. "No worse than your other ones though. I think you'll be okay but I like to offer just in case."
"Just the stencil," she smiled.
Bella got to work, standing Hermione straight and putting her shoulder back and in a relaxed position so the stencil would bend naturally with the shape of her body. She placed the stencil gel on first then applied the paper, pressing and rubbing, making sure it was sticking to her skin. Slowly she peeled it off but Hermione evaded her eyes and didn't look. She had gotten accustomed to the surprise ink her wife had given her over the years. "Good girl, now," she helped Hermione up onto the table and laid her down, "just relax. We will let this dry for a few minutes and get started." Hermione closed her eyes when Bella put some music on and started preparing her ink. "Ready?" Hermione let out a breath and nodded. "Good," the tattoo machine buzzed to life. "Just relax and remember to breathe. If you need a break just let me know, here we go," Bella passed the tattoo machine as gently as she could making the first black outline come to life.
Three hours later and Hermione was beginning to really feel the pain. Thankfully, Bella was adding in the white highlights so she was minutes away from the session being over. "Almost done, love. Are you holding up okay?"
Hermione had her other arm thrown over her eyes but nodded, "no but I feel the end is near."
Bella chuckled, "yes. Just a few more highlights. I know this is the worst part. Hey," she smirked, "I could always let you tattoo me one day. Give me a taste of my own medicine. There are no worse clients than the artist themselves. Fucking bunch of pussies we are," she laughed. "I've tatted Dora before and she barely lasted an hour. You are a champ," she said as she placed her last highlight, stopping her machine and unhooking the cable. She got the spray bottle and a few pieces of kitchen roll and wiped cool spray over the burning skin. "Perfect," Bella smiled looking at her work. "Ready to see it?" Hermione nodded enthusiastically. "Go slow," Bella held her hand out and slowly helped Hermione into a seated position. She helped her wife to her feet and walked her backwards towards the mirror. "I hope you like it," Bella bit her bottom lip motioning towards the mirror.
Hermione spun around and walked closer to get a better look. Gasping, she studied the tattoo. "It's gorgeous," she looked at the black and grey mandala that was centered over her left chest and clavicle which branches into wild flowers and vines that connected with the flower sleeve that started on her left shoulder. The mandala was so intricate and detailed that Hermione was astonished by the immaculate straight, bold black outlines and soft greys and whites. "Every piece you give me is so utterly you and I love them."
Hermione was looking at her piece in the mirror and didn't notice Bella closing the distance behind her, watching her study her new tattoo. "As I've said many times, you are the perfect canvas. Your skin absorbs the ink on one pass and they have all held up so beautifully on you. With or without tattoos, you are the most beautifully captivating woman that I've ever met. How did I get so lucky?"
"You gave a desperate university student a chance at a job and lived to tell the tale," Hermione let out a soft laugh.
"Or how you kissed me in the pub bathroom and ran away? Or how you wouldn't let me adopt Rufus at the fair? Or that same night when I finger fucked you on the Ferris wheel? Or when you finally let me bring out the black box?" She smiled at the blush she could still get to form on her wife's cheeks. "Or maybe it was that time you accepted me and my past without fault? Or when you stood by me when I was shot and needed help recovering? Or maybe just maybe, it was when you agreed to be my wife."
"It's safe to say that I'm the lucky one here," Hermione reached down and grabbed Bella's hands.
The older woman brought Hermione's hand up and kissed the back of each one. "Life has a strange way of turning out exactly as it's supposed to. I love you with my whole heart, Hermione Jean Black."
"I love you, too." Bella closed the distance between them making sure not to put pressure on the new tattoo she pulled Hermione into her embrace. The older woman was immediately drawn to the long expanse of Hermione's neck since her hair was hastily put in a top knot. She inhaled the inherent smell of her wife and placed a line of reverent kisses along her jaw. Hermione let a soft moan escape before saying quietly, "take me to bed, Mrs. Black."
