OK. Before the chapter starts, I would just like to say I know nothing about the actual tattooing process. Yes, my dear hubby has multiple tattoos, but I wasn't with him when he got them done and I have none myself. So, I can only go off of what I have been told, which ain't that much! So if I'm really off in my writing that would be the reason why! : )
Thanks and I hope you enjoy!
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Chapter 20
Having Castiel with him to try to investigate Lucifer actually wasn't a terrible as Dean had feared. Granted, it had felt a little strange at first. The only people he had ever traveled with for any length of time had been his father and Sam and, on occasion, Bobby. Throw in some simmering underlying sexual tension into the mix and Dean was sure something would go wrong.
Fortunately, nothing had. Castiel was still adjusting to his new human status, but he was coping with it surprisingly well. He was often guilty of staring at people a longer than a normal person would, but a normal person wasn't trying to learn how to fit in to regular world. Castiel had learned how to dress like a regular human, eat like a human, and was even beginning to pick up more human mannerisms, such actually laughing a little when Dean made a joke.
He was still skittish in certain situations. Anytime they went somewhere that was crowded Castiel would sit rigid in his seat, trying to watch everyone around him, his eyes full of fear. He was also anxious around women, particularly if they were the extra friendly type who touched while they flirted. Castiel would always look to Dean desperately for help, but Dean would only chuckle and shake his head. Dean couldn't blame the clueless women. Castiel's blue eyes brimmed with innocence and his sweet demeanor was incredibly enduring. Dean was all too aware of how desirable Castiel was and it only seemed to grow with each passing day.
Today, however, there would be no crowds of people the fallen angel would have to endure. They were still about a two days drive from Lucifer's camp and Dean was determined to make sure that he didn't miss any important details for his preparation. And ensuring Castiel's safety was a key point in Dean's preparation process.
They pulled up in front of the small tattoo parlor. Castiel looked uneasily at the brightly colored sign reading Mad Pup Tattoo Parlor. The building itself looked slightly rundown and it was out in the middle of nowhere. There was only one other car in the parking lot.
"Dean… is this really necessary?"
Dean nodded as he opened the door.
"We're gonna be surrounded by demons, Cas, and I'm guessing since you lost your angel mojo you're gonna be at risk for being possessed. We do this and at least we won't have worry about it."
Castiel reluctantly got out of the car and followed Dean inside. He was secretly relieved to see that the inside of the building looking a lot cleaner than the outside. Directly in front of them was a counter covered with various books and magazines about tattoos. The walls were lined with different tattoos designs from various genres to choose from. Behind the counter sat a rather large man with a bald head and arms covered with tattoos of dragons winding their way up, disappearing beneath his t-shirt. He looked up when he heard Dean and Castiel enter.
"Afternoon, gentlemen," He said with a polite nod. "How can I help you?"
"Hi," Dean replied. He motioned towards Castiel. "My friend here wants a tattoo."
The man looked Castiel over and nodded. "Do you have idea of what you want or did you want to look around first?"
Dean reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper which he handed to the man.
"He wants this."
The man studied the picture for a moment before nodding. He then looked over at Castiel who still had a look of trepidation.
"You sure you want this, sir?" The man asked warningly. "Cuz its permanent, ya know. I can't take it back once it's done."
Castiel glanced nervously at Dean before looking back at the man and nodding nervously.
"Yes, sir. I… I do want it."
The man sighed and shrugged. "OK, then. You want this to scale with this picture?"
Dean nodded. "That size, right here." He pointed to his chest on the left side, just under his collar bone.
The man nodded. "For a price… well, this your first tattoo?"
Dean chuckled and nodded. Castiel nodded as well. The man looked over the picture again and shrugged.
"The design ain't that hard to replicate… and since it's your first I'll give you a discount. How does $75 sound?"
Dean nodded. "Sounds good." Castiel swallowed nervously and nodded in agreement.
"Alright. Come on over and have a seat. The name's Todd, by the way."
"I'm Dean. And this is Cas."
"Nice to meet you both. Have a seat here, Cas, and take your shirt off for me."
Todd turned and began getting his tools ready. Castiel sat down in the black tattoo chair when the request was made for him to take off his shirt. His face paled and he shot an anxious look at Dean.
"Relax, Cas," Dean murmured reassuringly. "It's OK. He needs you to so he can actually do the tattoo! Don't worry."
Castiel frowned nervously, but finally with great reluctance took off his jacket and pulled his t-shirt over his head and then off. He couldn't help, however, trying to cover himself with it while he waited. Finally, Todd came over with his table of supplies and sat down on the rolling chair next to Castiel.
"Let's get started!"
Despite the initial nervousness, Castiel was beginning to think getting a tattoo wasn't so bad. Todd was busy lightly drawing the design onto his skin, which didn't hurt at all. And Dean was staying close by, making sure everything was OK. Maybe he had been worrying for nothing.
And then Todd got out the tattooing pen. And then he started actually applying the real tattoo.
The fiery pain from the needle radiated through Castiel's skin. He bit his lower lip and closed his eyes, trying to push the pain from his mind. Granted, the pain of his grace being cut out was far worse. That experience had been sheer agony! But still, this was still incredibly painful and Castiel was beginning to wonder if he would be able to go through with all of it.
"Cas, you need to breathe," He heard Dean say firmly. Castiel managed to take in a ragged breath of air and he felt Dean pat his shoulder.
"Hang in there, man. You're doing good."
"Yeah, you are," Todd said in agreement. "I've had guys twice your size pass out the second I touched them with the needle!"
"I've dealt with pain before," Castiel said quietly through clenched teeth.
"Here, Cas," Dean said.
Castiel felt the opening of a bottle touch his lips. He took a long sip and suddenly the pain began to lessen and a warmth filled him. He let out a small relieved sigh.
It took an hour total for the tattoo to be completed. Castiel required a few more sips of the Holy Water in order to get through the process, but he managed and was soon sporting a new anti-possession tattoo.
"Keep it clean and moist," Todd told him while ringing them up. "It'll keep it looking better long-term."
As soon as they were outside Dean cheerfully threw his arm around Castiel's shoulder, beaming proudly.
"Look at you, Cas! Got yourself your first tattoo! The Rebel Angel!"
Castiel felt a blush rising into his cheeks from both Dean's words and the hunter's close proximity.
"I only got it because I needed it," Castiel replied shyly.
Dean chuckled. "Yeah. But now you're all bad-ass cuz you got a tattoo! I bet you get more! You'll have as many as Todd in there! All the girls will be after you even more cuz you'll be a bad boy then!"
Castiel felt his face grow redder. "I'm not getting anymore!"
"Good thing! The girls are already too crazy over you!" Dean laughed as he got into the car.
Castiel couldn't help but feel embarrassed, but as he got into the car he also felt a feeling of joy at having Dean's undivided attention. It was something he knew would soon be addicted to.
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Yes, I know this is a little short! But I have to work tomorrow and I have to get some sleep! I promise to update soon! There's going to be one more "prepping" chapter (unless you guys really want more or give me ideas for more!) and then it'll be time to go meet Lucifer! And, boy, I sooo can't wait to write that chapter! : )
Thanks for reading! And feedback is so awesome! Don't be shy!
