𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐝

16

matteo

"I want to get another tattoo." Valentina says as she falls down onto the couch next to me and I look at her for a second. My eyes scanning all of her visible tattoos in her outfit that consist on sweatpants, a sports bra and a cropped zip up that's halfway done up.

"Where?" I question and she points to her upper arm, the opposite one to where her doves are and then the side of her stomach, her other ear to where her stars are and lastly her thigh and hip.

"So you want to get more than one tattoo." I guess and nods, pulling out her phone.

The phone that she didn't want and now is better at using it than me. It took so long to convince her to accept the gift and it didn't even cost that much.

She shows me various sketches that she drew, including moon phases, more butterflies, the word energy, a line drawing of faces and another sun.

I love them all.

"When do you want to get them done because I can get someone to do them for you today if you'd like?" she stares at me with wide eyes.

"Really?"

"Yeah."

Sitting down in the uncomfortable chair beside Valentina who sits on the black bed beside me, I take a sip of my coffee.

The artists pulls back the stencil and shows it to her. Her eyes light up when she sees it and she nods happily at the guy, signalling that she's happy.

She's getting a sun on the side of her body, the one that she drew and I know it's gonna look really pretty on her.

Throughout the session, Valentina and I make constant eye contact communicating silently every now and again.

She doesn't grimace or flinch or look in pain at all, the whole time she wears a calm and relaxed expression on her face and I can't help but admire her. Even though if she was showing it I would still admire her either way.

She's a strong woman.

Once the tattoo is finished, I hand the artist the cash, ignoring the protesting coming from Valentina who was not happy about it.

'I want to pay for it.'

'It's my tattoo I should have to pay not you.'

'You don't have to.'

And the list goes on and on.

When is she gonna realise that I don't care about spending my money on her? If she wants something she's getting it and I'm paying for it and more.

The whole car ride back to the house, she ignores me and stares out of the window. That is until we get out of the car and she caves in, wrapping her arms around me carefully and thanking me over and over again.

I chuckle and return the hug, trying my best not to disturb her fresh tattoo and ignoring the way my heart rate picks up when she gets so close to me.

We walk into the house with my arm I hanging over her shoulder, pulling her body closer to mine.

She's always so far away.

"Do you want to go out for food tonight?" I hope the question comes out more confident that I feel.

I don't understand why I'm even remotely nervous, I live with her for fucks sake and we eat together ever night.

"Sure." She looks up at me smiling a little and I hate to admit that it makes my heart speed up.